Introduction

Lasse Montgomery: Premier Jo-en Lai was one of history's great men, and in the PRC at least one of the most beloved leaders of modern Chinese history. The chief criticism I hear directed against Jo and Lai was that he too willingly gave in to Mao's whims. He led rallies, made appearances with radicals, and exhibited nothing but the most fervent support for the cultural revolution. If Jiangqing, Lin-Piao, or any other high-ranking somebody wanted to take Jo-en lai down, they had to get Mao's initials on the permission slip.