(January 27, 1967)
1. The army's attitude toward the Great Cultural Revolution was one of non-intervention at the beginning of the movement, but in fact it has already intervened (for instance, materials were sent to the army for safekeeping, and some cadres went to the army). Under the present circumstances, where the struggle between the two lines is extremely acute, it cannot but intervene, and when it intervenes it must support the Left.
2. The majority of veteran cadres still do not understand the Great Cultural Revolution even now. Most of them rely on resting on their past merits. Those who have rendered meritorious service in the past must earnestly temper and remould themselves in this movement. They must make new contributions and perform new meritorious deeds. They must stand firmly on the side of the Left and must not try to mediate or equivocate. They must resolutely support the Left, and then, under the takeover and supervision of the Left, do their work well.
3. On the seizure of power. The newspapers say that power should be seized from those in authority taking the capitalist road and from the diehards who cling to the bourgeois reactionary line. Can power not be seized from those who are not such? It seems that for the time being we cannot make fine distinctions. We should seize power first and discuss it afterwards. We must not be metaphysical, otherwise we will be restricted. After the seizure, what kind of persons in authority they are can be judged in the later stage of the movement. After seizing power, report to the State Council for approval.
4. Veteran cadres from before the seizure of power and cadres who have newly seized power should jointly do their professional work well and guard state secrets.