The tumultuous decade of the Cultural Revolution, spanning from May 1966 to October 1976, left an indelible mark on every corner of China, and Tianjin was no exception. This account plunges into the heart of those ten years, chronicling the city's unique struggles and the profound upheavals that twice saw its municipal government crumble. As one who witnessed these dramatic shifts from within the Tianjin Municipal Committee's General Office, first as deputy director of the Cultural Revolution Office and later as director of the Municipal Committee and Revolutionary Committee General Office, the events unfolded before my very eyes.
The narrative unfolds, not as a theoretical discourse, but as a meticulous record of what was seen, heard, felt, and understood during those turbulent times. It is a direct recounting of facts, striving to restore the original appearance of events and to seek justice for those who suffered historical injustices. The aim is to offer a glimpse into the Cultural Revolution in Tianjin, hoping that these specific details might illuminate the broader, nationwide catastrophe.
Among the most egregious injustices was the so-called "Wan-Zhang Group" case. Wan Xiaotang, the former First Secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Committee, died suddenly of a heart attack in September 1966 after a struggle session. Zhang Huaisan, another former secretary, was denounced as a "traitor" and subjected to prolonged persecution. They were later branded as the "Wan-Zhang Anti-Party Group," then the "Wan-Zhang Counter-Revolutionary Revisionist Group," leading to widespread condemnation and the cruel persecution of many cadres connected to them. Their names were not cleared until after the Cultural Revolution.
This account reveals that the "Wan-Zhang" injustice was not orchestrated by Red Guards, nor by grassroots cadres, nor even directly by the "Gang of Four." It delves into the circumstances of Wan Xiaotang's death, noting that his struggle session was initially a "civilized" one, offering him water and a seat, which surprisingly brought a sense of relief to the secretaries present. His death was ultimately attributed to overwork, perhaps exacerbated by the sudden release of tension. As for Zhang Huaisan, his past arrest and subsequent review were resurrected, and he was publicly denounced as a traitor, leading to his detention and further torment.
The responsibility for this monumental injustice is laid bare. Following Wan Xiaotang's death, Jiang Feng, then director of the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau, suggested that Wan had committed suicide, a claim later echoed by Xie Xuegong to Zhou Enlai, thus cementing the narrative of "betrayal and suicide." Jiang Feng himself, once a supporter of the Cultural Revolution, later became a victim of the shifting political winds, isolated and investigated after a crucial meeting in Beijing.
Another pivotal moment was the "February 21st Incident" in 1968. A large number of Tianjin Revolutionary Committee members and mass representatives were secretly summoned to Beijing. This clandestine gathering, organized by the "Support the Left Liaison Station," saw participants transported in army trucks to the capital, only to be held incommunicado before attending a meeting at the Jingxi Hotel. It was later understood that this was a response to a secret denunciation letter from Wang Mantian to Jiang Qing, alleging "black meetings" and "black plays" in Tianjin. This event led to a significant reorganization of the Tianjin Revolutionary Committee, with several prominent local cadres, including Jiang Feng, being purged.
The brutality of the struggle sessions, particularly those organized by the驻军 (stationed troops) and televised to the entire city, is recounted with chilling detail. These public condemnations of the "Wan-Zhang Group" members (excluding the deceased Wan Xiaotang) were not merely verbal assaults but involved physical abuse. The contrast between these military-organized spectacles and the earlier, relatively "civilized" sessions highlights the escalating violence. Even after the Cultural Revolution, while some Red Guard leaders faced imprisonment, the military personnel involved largely escaped punishment.
This historical record also grapples with enduring questions, such as why Xie Xuegong, former director of the Tianjin Revolutionary Committee, faced such severe punishment after the Cultural Revolution, including expulsion from the party. The explanation offered is stark: he simply lacked a powerful patron. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the personal commitment to documenting these events, driven by a profound sense of historical responsibility and a desire to contribute to a truthful understanding of this complex and often painful period.
