Mao: The Unknown Story

6 “people forgave” Chou: Deng 1984, pp. 329–30; cf. Guardian Weekly, 21 Sept. 1980, p. 18 (Deng to Fallaci, 21 & 23 Aug. 1980). Deng — Chou meeting, 9 Apr.: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 318–19. “walk noisily”: Zhang Yufeng 1993, p. 635; cf. id., pp. 33–5. Books printed for Mao: Wang Shoujia et al., pp. 5, 10, 15, 18.

7 –602 Mao cried when couldn’t read: SMMM, p. 415. Lou Gehrig’s disease: Li Zhisui, pp. 556–8 (E: id., pp. 581–6). Chou and allies told, not Gang of Four, or Mao: Li, Z., p. 582; Li Zhisui, pp. 556–60; Chen & Zhao, p. 237; interviews with three of the closest members of Mao’s staff, 18, 19 & 22 Oct. 2000; Guo Jinrong, p. 113.

8 –603 “shocked and aghast”: 19 Nov. 1974, Wang Nianyi, p. 510; Geng Biao, vol. 2, pp. 270–1. Goodbye to swimming: Chen & Zhao, pp. 228–31.

9 –604 Chou to Mao against Cobra and Mme Mao: Mao Mao 2000, p. 384; Gao Wenqian, pp. 540–1. Mao: “made a mistake”: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 409, 413. “don’t plot”: Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 704. Historical tale: This story was about how, in the 2nd century BC, China’s military chief Zhou Bo teamed up with Prime Minister Chen Ping, and successfully suppressed Empress Lü’s family and gang — after the death of Emperor Liu Bang. Mao was hinting that the military chiefs should follow Zhou Bo’s example. Yang Zhaolin, p. 292. Mme Mao compared herself with Empress Lü: Fan Shuo, pp. 92, 230 (E: id., p. 18).

10 –605 Ho family letter to Mao: Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 1180. Chou implying blame on Mao: Ho’s widow Xue Ming, in CCP Archive Study Office 1991, pp. 617–18. She also mentioned how Chou had sent his wife to her before the service to say that the extremely low-key arrangement was Mao’s decision. Eye operation: Zhang, Y., 1989, pp. 34–5; Li, Z., pp. 604–5.

11 Media campaign against Chou: Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, pp. 457–8; Zhang Zuoliang, pp. 352–4; Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 1187; cf. Yan & Gao, pp. 473–5; Zhu, pp. 210ff. “Barking up the wrong tree”: 24 Sept. 1975, Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, p. 399 (E: PR, 3 June, 1977, p. 22). Investment in urban upkeep: China Today 1989b, vol. 1, pp. 193–4; Kirkby 1985, pp. 165ff; Walder, pp. 193–201.

12 –606 Health and education: Perkins, p. 491. Stark naked: Wei 1997, pp. 234–5. Yenan: Fu Shanglun et al., pp. 4–17. “poorest nation in the world”: Mao Mao 2000, p. 475 (E: Westad et al., p. 194). Operas filmed for Mao: Yue Meiti, pp. 22–6; interview with a technician in the film studio, 3 May 2000; Qi Li, pp. 69–70.

13 Deng encouraged people to write Mao: interview with a letter writer, 2 Nov. 1993; Yang Zhaolin, p. 290. Mao Mao 2000, pp. 436, 476. Deng refuses to draw up “resolution”: Huang, J., pp. 347–8; Yan & Gao, pp. 480–1. Chou, Yeh urge Deng not to be confrontational: Gao Wenqian, pp. 575–6, 580–1.

14 Secretary suggests Mao attend funeral: Zhang, Y. 1989, pp. 35–6. “Great morale-booster”: Wang Nianyi, p. 583.

15 Yeh, army chiefs and “Bearded General”: Fan Shuo, pp. 169–70 (E: id., pp. 16–17); Geng Biao, vol. 2, p. 286.

16 Mao had to release Deng: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 571–4.

CHAPTER 58 Last Days

1 29 May 1975, Mao told scholars: Wang Shoujia et al., pp. 12–13. “bullied” by Deng: Fan Shuo, p. 91. Reciting “Sere Trees”: Zhang Yufeng 1993, p. 639.

2 –611 Diatribes against Chou: the so-called “9 Articles,” Hu Qiaomu, p. 214. Crossing out references to Liu: ibid. Tried to poison Wang Ming in Russia: Khrushchev 1977, vol. 2, p. 300; interviews with Wang Dan-zhi, 24–5 June 1999. Tirades read a month before death: Hu Qiaomu,p. 215.

3 “Our navy is only”: Yang Zhaolin, p. 285. Remarked ruefully to Kissinger: Burr 1999a, p. 391 (21 Oct. 1975). Mao told Ford: “Memorandum” of Mao — Ford talk, 2 Dec. 1975 (Burr 1999b), pp. 1, 2, 6; interviews with all five US participants (Ford, Kissinger, Scowcroft, Bush, Lord). “Third World”: Mao to Zambian President Kaunda, 22 Feb. 1974, Mao 1994, pp. 600–1 (E: Mao 1998, p. 454); PRC Encyclopaedia vol. 4, pp. 4712–3.