(Mao Zedong spoke directly about the Party's history and the struggle between different
lines.)
Mao Zedong (hereinafter referred to as Mao): The Chinese Communist Party's ten errors of
line were intended to split the Party, but they failed to do so.
Mao: (To Xu Shiyou) During the Long March, Zhang Guotao was trying to split the Party, and
they established a pseudo-Central Committee. You are well aware of this.
Chen Duxiu was trying to split the Party, and eighty-one people formed the "Leninist Left
Opposition." Chen Duxiu was the first, Peng Shuzhi the second, and Liu Renjing the third.
They also issued a statement.
Chairman Mao: Wang Dongxing has conveyed to you the content of the Wuhan and
Changsha talks, and discussed the issues of the Lushan Conference. Those who founded the
People's Liberation Army and led our army—if they could build and lead, could they not
command? They separate building from command. Does that mean the founders can't
command? Furthermore, was our army created by just one person? Or was it created by a
few individuals? I don't think so. There were so many people involved. Zhu De, Enlai, He
Long, Liu Bocheng, and Ye Ting—so many people initiated the Nanchang Uprising. Couldn't
they have commanded it?
After the Nanchang Uprising, due to errors in command and policy, the rebel army marched
south to the Chaoshan region of Guangdong to fight the enemy, resulting in heavy losses.
The remaining troops were eventually forced to return to Jiangxi and Hunan.
After the Nanchang Uprising, due to errors in command and policy, the rebels sought to rely
on foreigners. Comrade Zhu De, who had arrived in the Guidong region, had a classmate and
friend named Fan Shisheng, with whom he had a good relationship. Fan Shisheng gave him
some guns, money, and clothing.
It's wrong to say that the founders and leaders of the army can't command it. Founders and
leaders aren't just a few people; they're not just me, Mao Zedong, or you, Lin Biao. There are
many comrades in our Party who led military conflicts and led the army.
Zhang Guotao staged a coup during the Long March, and he was the initiator and
commander. However, he commanded the army to cause division, using the army as
leverage for this, which was not good. During the Long March, the Right Column with us
included the 4th and 30th Armies. These two armies crossed the grasslands with us. They
threw their guns to the students in the Cadre Corps, but I still asked them to take their guns.



If they wanted to go back, they could go back. Zhang Guotao had given the order. If they
didn't want to go back, we welcomed them. We couldn't help at the time. The army couldn't
help because they were all holding guns. Zhang Guotao sent a telegram! Let them go back. If
they wanted to go back, then let them go! Li Xiannian and Xu Shiyou also crossed the
grasslands with us, but they eventually returned.
Mao: (To Xu Shiyou and others) You and Zhang Guotao were in the same unit. You must
learn this lesson. Didn't you later reunite with us?