Mao Zedong (hereinafter referred to as Mao): How is the seizure of power?
Zhou Enlai (hereinafter referred to as Zhou): We have only been seizing power for a little
over a day.
Mao: We must identify typical cases.
Zhou: The Municipal Bureau Committee held a meeting. There are several forms of seizing
power. Cadres in power are: (1) Those who have been deeply influenced by gangsters and
have become gangsters; (2) Those in power who have taken the capitalist road; (3) Those
who stubbornly adhere to the bourgeois reactionary line; (4) Those who admit their
mistakes but still have serious ones; and (5) Those who have individual, general mistakes
(this type of person is the majority).
Mao: The first two types should be narrowed down, and the very few should be isolated and
attacked. Taking over is itself revolutionary. Establishing a new one also takes different forms
depending on the circumstances: (1) Complete reorganization (Shanghai: Zhang Chunqiao
and Yao Wenyuan); (2) After taking over, different forms of handling those in power:
reviewing and working while working, or retaining them under supervision (working
according to instructions); (3) Suspending them while retaining them; (4) Removing them
from their posts while retaining them; and (5) Removing them from their posts for
investigation and prosecution.
Zhou: That's a good approach. Dismissing someone while fighting against them, while
retaining them, strengthens the team. Putting too much pressure on one's shoulders
(referring to the revolutionary rebels) is also passive. Retaining them allows them to fight
while working. The leftist contingent at the Academy of Sciences has grown stronger, and
they've done a great job promoting revolution and production. Letting those in power sweep
the streets, then rest and sleep it off, is too easy for them; they're being given all the easy
tasks. Don't get bogged down in the affairs; be mindful of this. Hold onto authority and
supervise them. It's not surprising that several combat teams within a unit have differing
views. It's better to discuss things than not.
Mao: Taking over is a major event, and it will trigger a series of changes. We need to clarify
the purpose of the takeover, address the issues it addresses, and develop specific policies for
handling problems encountered during the takeover (what happens to bureaus,
departments, divisions, and staff members?). Power has been seized now, but it may be
taken away again. The back-and-forth of some units is a training exercise. Consolidation is
crucial, primarily relying on the strengthening of leftist forces. When the left's power is
weak, the power seized will be limited, and any power seized will be quickly relinquished.



The left must strengthen. I support the seizure of power, and after seizing it, we must focus
on revolution and promote production.