Instructions Concerning Szechwan (May 27, 1968)

Abstract

Essentials of Vice Chairman Lin's May 27 instructions to Chang Kuo-hua and Liang Hsing-ch'u: The X X Conference will carry out self-criticism; self criticism facilitates the solution of problems. Only by adopting this method can unity be achieved, and only through unity can we face the enemy together. Struggle between two factions cannot go on forever. At the beginning a period of disorder is necessary, for disorder disorganizes the enemy. When they have been sufficiently disorganized, things are easy. The Great Cultural Revolution is good because it has dug out all those deeply hidden traitors, special agents, and pseudo-Communist Party members. Liu Shao-ch'i is a big traitor who committed treason four times, and he was also in league with the KMT and America. Those cadres who are genuine traitors and rascals cannot be used; but if the problem is only ideological, after they have been educated they can be used. Broad dissemination and thorough study of Mao Tse-tung thought can produce talented men. Those of us who fought in the past didn't come out of any school, but were tempered through struggle and practice, so only broad dissemination and thorough study of Mao Tse-tung thought is necessary to produce cadres. Szechuan is a kind of lair; birds of a feather flock together, and people cluster according to groups. Li Ching-ch'can is not a Party member but wormed his way in.… Some people appear on the surface to be Communist Party members, but in fact are KMT members; P'eng Chen in Manchuria was this way. He did not supplement the main fighting forces, but only directed local troops. Ho Lung previously felt that he had a working-style problem; today it seems that it was not merely a working-style problem, but was a political problem. It is good to expose some evil characters, but to only attack those out in the open is not enough. The hidden ones must also be dug out. Having the army participate in local work is beneficial, for it leads to advance; without courageous advance we cannot maintain ourselves. On the other hand we must attend to politics and allow education in Mao Tse-tung thought to produce good cadres. At present there are some cadres who mustbe smashed, that is, those capitalist-roaders, traitors, special agents - those who cling resolutely to their errors and will not reform. Some people, however, should just have their mistakes smashed, but can still be used. We have a great need for cadres, and the army must become a furnace for forging them.