Wage the struggle of criticizing Lin and Confucius to the end, 1974

Already in 1973, Mao Zedong indicated that the criticism of Lin Biao and his followers should be combined with a thorough criticism of Confucius. In the following months, Mao's remarks gave rise to a spate of articles in the Chinese media praising the Legalists and Qin Shihuangdi, the first emperor of China. Obscure historical allegories, discussing events from the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE) and the subsequent founding of the (first Chinese) Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE), were used to support the Gang of Four (which sympathized with the Legalist philosophers).

Fight the people's battle of criticizing Lin Biao and Confucius well, 1974

Relentlessly criticize China's Confucius of today and Lin Biao, 1974

In the highly abstract and complicated debate that took place at the highest levels, Mao saw himself as a latter-day Qin Shihuangdi, who, as his example from antiquity did, opposed the modern-day Confucius: Zhou Enlai. To simplify the issues at stake: the Legalists, and Qin Shihuangdi, were seen as the progressive forces, opposing the Confucians who were considered reactionaries.

Ruthlessly criticize Lin Biao's "resurrection of the self, restoration of the rites", resolutely follow the road of socialism!, 1974

In January 1974, the struggle was made into a large-scale, national movement. The media continued to publish articles that ostensibly were critiques of Lin Biao and Confucius. In fact, they were innuendo attacks on Zhou Enlai and other rehabilitated veteran cadres, including Deng Xiaoping. Although the movement had been reviewed by Mao himself, the Central Committee regularly had to send out circulars to clarify matters. In the eyes of the Gang, the movement was not as far-reaching as intended; Jiang Qing in particular continued to rally for the "seizure of the modern-day Confucian".

Study the historical struggle between the Confucianists and Legalists, deepen the criticism of Lin and Confucius, 1974

Continue to thoroughly, pervasively and permantly carry out the criticise Lin and criticise Confucius campaign, 1974

In December 1974-January 1975, Mao discussed the movement together with Gang-members and Zhou Enlai. Realizing that he had failed to oust Zhou, he turned his criticism on the Gang instead. Soon after Deng took over Zhou's responsibilities in 1975, the 'Criticize Lin, criticize Confucius campaign' (Pi Lin pi Kong yundong, 批林批孔运动) was brought to a halt.

Criticize the reactionary thought of Lin Biao and Confucius, firmly walk with the workers and peasants on the road of unity, 1974