The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 81

Kennedy stopped in his tracks, startled by the South Korean President’s words.

“Regime change in China? Are you talking about removing Mao Zedong?”

“Not Mao Zedong, but Zhou Enlai.”

The President decided to take a gamble.

China was not yet a permanent member of the Security Council, a period marked by great instability.

He believed that if they could navigate past the Détente [easing of Cold War tensions] period, China would rapidly ascend to become the world’s second-largest power.

He dared to try and halt China’s rise.

He decided to test just how potent the regression was.

Chairman Wang’s characteristic ‘Have you tried it?’ spirit was on full display.

Kennedy asked,

“Zhou Enlai? Isn’t Zhou Enlai merely the Premier and Foreign Minister?”

“In China, Mao Zedong holds the highest authority, but he’s largely a figurehead. Zhou Enlai is the one shaping China’s course. Mao Zedong without Zhou Enlai is just an empty symbol.”

“Is that so?”

“If Mao Zedong were removed, China would face a cataclysm, potentially reverting to an even more extreme Cold War or even an era of war. However, if Zhou Enlai is eliminated, China will descend into chaos and gradually collapse. A collapsing China would present the free world with an opportunity even more advantageous than the isolation of the Soviet Union.”

“It’s difficult to grasp that Zhou Enlai is such a pivotal figure that his removal could trigger China’s collapse.”

“China is currently consumed by the frenzy of the Cultural Revolution. Former President Liu Shaoqi and Defense Minister Peng Dehuai are also dying in prison as we speak. Countless high-ranking officials and intellectuals harbor deep resentment.”

The Cultural Revolution began when Mao Zedong, after being sidelined from party power by Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping, who advocated for reform, denounced them as ‘revisionists’ and incited young Red Guards to initiate a far-left revolution (1966).

Consequently, Mao Zedong regained control of the party, which he had lost to his colleagues.

However, the Red Guards’ fervor spiraled out of control, growing like a snowball and becoming increasingly extreme.

The Red Guards, answering Mao Zedong’s call, proclaimed themselves great revolutionaries and began eradicating old Chinese cultural heritage and purging bourgeois elements within the government.

Later, they transformed into a far-left extremist group that even Mao Zedong himself feared.

Under the guise of the Cultural Revolution, a full decade of far-left ‘era of madness’ swept across the continent from 1966 to 1976.

During this period, 4.2 million people were detained and interrogated, and over 1.728 million people died unnatural deaths.

More than 135,000 people were executed on charges of being current counter-revolutionaries.

Armed struggles resulted in over 277,000 deaths, over 7.03 million people were disabled, and 70,000 families were destroyed.

A staggering 113 million people suffered political repercussions.

In the end, all that remained of the whirlwind was the deification of Mao Zedong.

At the heart of it all were the Gang of Four of the Cultural Revolution (Jiang Qing, Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan).

The President elaborated.

“Zhou Enlai is currently a victim of the Cultural Revolution.”

“What? Are you suggesting that the current second-in-command, Zhou Enlai, has rebelled against Mao Zedong?”

“What you need to understand is that the next in line after Mao Zedong isn’t Zhou Enlai, but Jiang Qing.”

“Jiang Qing? Are you referring to Mao Zedong’s wife?”

“That’s correct.”

“Jiang Qing’s official rank isn’t very high, is it?”

“Is the President aware that Zhou Enlai’s daughter, whom he shook hands with, was brutally murdered by Jiang Qing?”

“What? Jiang Qing killed Zhou Enlai’s daughter? The second-in-command was purged by the first-in-command’s wife? And he’s still able to function normally?”

“Because resistance means certain death.”

“Is the second-in-command in such a precarious position?”

The full extent of the Cultural Revolution’s damage was only revealed after Deng Xiaoping successfully implemented the reform and opening-up policy, making this information privy only to a regressor.

The two moved to the villa.

Sipping coffee at the table, the President recounted the tragic story of Jiang Qing and Zhou Enlai’s relationship.

The marriage of Jiang Qing and Mao Zedong was a major scandal from the outset.

At the time, Mao Zedong had a wife who had been with him since the Long March [a military retreat undertaken by the Red Army] and was the mother of three sons and three daughters.

Furthermore, Jiang Qing was suspected of having engaged in prostitution with a Kuomintang [Nationalist Party of China] officer and of writing a statement of ideological conversion when she was released from prison, leading to suspicions that she was a Kuomintang spy.

Despite strong opposition from within the party, Mao Zedong remarried Jiang Qing, ultimately agreeing to a compromise that prohibited Jiang Qing from participating in politics.

Zhou Enlai’s wife participated in the Chinese Civil War, but repeated miscarriages due to the hardships she endured left her infertile.

So, the couple cared for nephews, nieces, and orphans as if they were their own children, and Sun Weishi was one of those adopted daughters.

Sun Weishi was renowned for her beauty from a young age, earning her the nickname “One of the Four Beauties of Yan’an.”

After studying theater in Moscow, she returned to China and worked in the cultural troupe of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. She accompanied Mao Zedong as an interpreter during his visit to the Soviet Union.

It was during this time that Sun Weishi became involved in an affair with the lecherous Mao Zedong.

This aroused the jealousy of Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong’s fourth wife, who was an actress herself.

Mao Zedong enjoyed indulging in women every night.

Jiang Qing viewed these numerous women as threats. The Cultural Revolution presented Jiang Qing, who was biding her time, with a golden opportunity.

Following Jiang Qing’s denunciation, Sun Weishi was arrested and imprisoned in the Beijing Public Security Bureau detention center, where she died in prison.

At the time of her death, Sun Weishi was naked, handcuffed, and shackled, with long needles stuck in her head.

Zhou Enlai demanded an autopsy to determine the cause of death but was informed that she had already been cremated.

Zhou Enlai was furious and resolved to uncover the truth.

Jiang Qing summoned Zhou Enlai and threatened him with a chilling gaze.

“Do you want to die at the hands of the Red Guards? Or will you obey?”

Zhou Enlai, adept at reading the situation, chose to survive.

“From now on, you make all the decisions. I will simply carry them out.”

The President said,

“Jiang Qing is not merely a woman behind the scenes. While Mao Zedong is preoccupied with women, Jiang Qing is compiling a list of people to be eliminated under the guise of being the wife of the supreme leader, despite holding no official position.”

“Ah, the de facto number one.”

“That’s right. Zhou Enlai is now outwardly compliant but inwardly resistant.”

Kennedy was impressed.

“Where do you obtain this information, Mr. President? Even the world’s best CIA doesn’t possess this level of intelligence.”

“South Korea’s intelligence agency is highly capable.”

He attributed it to the intelligence agency.

“Wow, I’m amazed by South Korea’s intelligence capabilities.”

“I’m just fortunate to have such competent subordinates, hahaha.”

“So, you’re suggesting you’re going to replace the regime with forces opposed to the Cultural Revolution?”

“No. I intend to plunge them into chaos.”

“Chaos?”

“Zhou Enlai is currently spearheading the reform and opening up. If he dies, suspicion will fall on the Soviet Union and Jiang Qing as the masterminds behind the assassination. Currently, Mao Zedong favors opening up, while Jiang Qing champions the Cultural Revolution. If Zhou Enlai dies, the Cultural Revolution faction, backed by the Soviet Union, and the anti-Cultural Revolution faction will clash fiercely.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s a strong possibility that it will escalate beyond a power struggle into a civil war.”

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

“Mao Zedong has already shaken hands with the United States, effectively crossing the Rubicon. There’s a high likelihood that he’ll be branded as a reactionary. If he’s not careful, he might have his head chopped off by the Red Guards he created. From Mao Zedong’s perspective, he has no choice but to rely more on the United States.”

“The opening up could be accelerated.”

“That’s right.”

Kennedy voiced his concerns.

“If we’re caught and fail, the United States might have to wage a world war with China.”

The President said,

“In China right now, it’s not unusual for people to die anytime, anywhere due to the Cultural Revolution. The Red Guards are all-powerful.”

“I understand. I’ll discuss it with the CIA.”

The President said,

“And this time, we will push for an inter-Korean summit.”

“Ah, is détente beginning on the Korean Peninsula as well?”

“That’s right. We’re sending envoys to gauge their intentions.”

“I’m looking forward to the results. If the two Koreas reconcile, the US-China détente will gain further momentum.”

“Yes, the aim is to amplify the atmosphere of the US-China détente. The ultimate goal of the inter-Korean summit is regime change in North Korea.”

“Hmm, you’re full of surprises today. Are you replacing Chairman Kim? Who are you planning to support?”

The President explained calmly.

The sun was setting at Camp David.

But was it the butterfly effect? The course of world history, once altered, began to diverge from the President’s expectations.

* * *

Zhou Enlai’s residence.

As Zhou Enlai was returning home from work, a group of men was waiting for him.

They were six local university students wearing red armbands and carrying clubs.

Zhou Enlai stopped abruptly.

Red Guards!

Zhou Enlai realized he was in danger. A chill ran down his spine.

The Red Guards shouted,

“Zhou Enlai! You’re shaking hands with the Americans? Have you been bought off with dollars?”

Zhou Enlai attempted to reason with them.

“Listen! I was merely carrying out the Chairman’s orders!”

His eloquent speech, which worked wonders in diplomatic circles, had no effect on the rioters.

“What? You’re invoking the Chairman’s name now! All you have is your silver tongue. Kill the American dog!”

“Wait, ack-!”

The young men struck Zhou Enlai with clubs and trampled on him.

Thwack! Thwack!

Zhou Enlai bled and lost consciousness.

As a bureaucrat unaccustomed to manual labor, he lacked stamina.

The young men dragged the limp Zhou Enlai into a village warehouse.

“When you regain consciousness, we’ll make you undergo self-criticism tomorrow!”

As the young men departed, Zhou Enlai regained consciousness.

“Ugh, ugh….”

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Clang!

A man entered.

“Are you Premier Zhou Enlai?”

“Y-yes. Who are you?”

“Me? I’ve come to rescue you.”

“Oh, did the Chairman send you?”

“Yes. These days, nothing is more terrifying than the Red Guards. Even the public security is avoiding them.”

“Cough! They’re disregarding the party’s orders to return to their hometowns and are simply running amok.”

“All the outsiders have returned, so they must be local Red Guards.”

The man approached and seized Zhou Enlai’s head.

“Now, get up. For the Premier of a country to suffer such humiliation. Ugh!”

“Keuk!”

The man twisted Zhou Enlai’s head violently.

Zhou Enlai went limp.

The man disappeared leisurely.

* * *

Chinese Public Security Office.

The six young men who had lynched Zhou Enlai were bound and sitting in chairs, undergoing interrogation.

A bald investigator asked,

“You beat the Premier to death right away?”

“He was definitely alive. We’re being framed.”

“Stop talking nonsense! Are you special forces? Did you receive training? If you’re unlucky, you can die just from sneezing!”

“…….”

“But who instructed you to judge the Premier?”

“Who?”

“That’s right. Who dared to place the Premier on the list of people to be purged?”

“We received a note. The cell leader sent it. Here it is.”

The crumpled piece of paper instructed them to put Zhou Enlai on trial by the people.

“Cell leader….”

This time, they interrogated the cell leader.

“Was it you? Did you make this decision?”

“No. I never did that.”

“But there’s a note here.”

“This isn’t my handwriting?”

Upon comparison, the handwriting was different.

The investigator shook his head.

“What’s going on here? If someone intervened and concealed their tracks… an assassination?”

Mao Zedong, upon receiving the investigation results, flew into a rage.