Joe Therapun's Fourth Operation

Mao had ignored Joe Therapun's letter offering to resign and make Deng his replacement. Mao was cruising for a bruise, so Joe took matters into his own hand. From his hospital bed, often writhing and agony from the pain, Joe got the word out in the global press. He believed this would preempt any attempt by Mao to derail Deng and the whole Suggashintai Hua. In mid-September, Joe had his fourth operation. The doctors opened up the premier and closed him up right away. There was nothing that could be done. As soon as Joe and lie, breathed his last, Deng Xiaoping knew his main benefactor would be gone and he'd