The “Red Storm” faction in Zhejiang, unlike the “Million Strong Army” in Hubei, consists of veteran rebels who have made mistakes and command considerable popular support. It would be advisable to adopt the principle of assistance, criticism, and unity in dealing with them.

(Note: This is an important directive issued by Chairman Mao on how Zhejiang should properly handle the “Red Storm” faction. It is excerpted from Document Zhongfa [67] No. 367 of the CPC Central Committee, “Notice on Properly Handling Veteran Rebels Who Have Made Mistakes.” The notice specifically points out: “This extremely important directive of Chairman Mao has general guiding significance for work in all localities. At present, many places have veteran rebel groups that differ from the ‘Million Strong Army’ and have also committed errors. A correct policy should be adopted toward these groups—the policy of assistance, criticism, and unity as indicated by Chairman Mao—rather than a policy of exerting pressure and outright exclusion. Only in this way can we promote the great revolutionary united front and the revolutionary tripartite combination.”)