Yao Wenyuan is one of the main members of the "Gang of Four". In January 1967, he participated in the planning of the "January Storm" in Shanghai. In February, after the establishment of the Shanghai Municipal Revolutionary Committee, Yao Wenyuan served as the first deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Revolutionary Committee, becoming the first person under Zhang Chunqiao, and at the same time he also became a senior local cadre.
In 1970, at the Lushan Conference, Chen Boda insisted on setting up the President of the People's Republic of China, which went against Chairman Mao's proposal. In the second half of the Lushan Conference, Chen Boda was placed under house arrest and was subsequently quarantined for investigation. After Chen Boda was reviewed, Yao Wenyuan was transferred to Beijing and took over Chen Boda's position. He was in charge of the "propaganda" work and served as the editor-in-chief of " Red Flag " magazine. Although Yao Wenyuan did not become a member of the Standing Committee like Wang Hongwen, he still had great power. With his high position and power, Yao Wenyuan gradually got together with Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao and Wang Hongwen, becoming a member of the "Gang of Four" who harmed the country and the people, and did all the bad things.
On October 6, 1976, leaders such as Hua Guofeng made a thunder attack and smashed the "Gang of Four". When arresting Yao Wenyuan, Wang Dongxing first asked the secretary to inform him to attend the meeting at Huairentang . Because Yao Wenyuan was not a member of the Standing Committee, the notice he received was only attending the meeting. The notice was issued at 8:00 a.m., but Yao Wenyuan's secretary Xiao Mu told him the notice only at 4:00 p.m.
Although Yao Wenyuan suspected that this was a "Hongmen Banquet", he still went to Huairen Hall. However, before Yao Wenyuan entered the main hall of Huairen Hall, he was taken to the lounge next to him. Wu Jianhua announced the decision to quarantine and review to him in person. Yao Wenyuan just said "Let's go", so he followed the guards into the car prepared in advance and was pulled to the underground project for quarantine and review.
After a period of isolation and review of underground engineering, Yao Wenyuan was transferred to Qincheng Prison. During his time in prison, Yao Wenyuan was able to eat and sleep. Not only was he fatter than before, but his face was much better than before. It is worth mentioning that at that time, relevant personnel would talk to Yao Wenyuan and observe his ideological trends.
Yao Wenyuan loved reading very much after being imprisoned, and kept reflecting on himself in prison, showing a completely clear line with the "Gang of Four". In addition, Yao Wenyuan was also very concerned about national affairs in prison, and he also obtained permission to read newspapers and watch TV. In terms of newspaper reading, Yao Wenyuan loves to read the national events on the front page of the newspaper most; in terms of watching TV, what Yao Wenyuan must watch every day is the news broadcast, which has almost never interrupted for 365 days a year.
After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China , our party determined the policy of reform and opening up . With the progress of reform and opening up, the people's lives have gradually become richer, and they can eat white rice, steamed buns, and other non-staple foods are also more in supply than before. Against this background, the country has abolished the supply system of some non-staple foods, and food coupons, meat coupons, etc. have gradually withdrawn from the historical stage.
Yao Wenyuan in prison couldn't stand the news after seeing it in the newspaper and thought it was inappropriate. He looked worried and thought about how to report the news upward every day. After a period of thinking, Yao Wenyuan decided not to write a letter, but to wait until he was interrogated and talked about it directly.
After arraignment, the staff asked Yao Wenyuan if there was anything else to say as usual. In the past, Yao Wenyuan would say no, but this time, Yao Wenyuan said there was still. The staff were surprised and thought Yao Wenyuan had any important situation to say, but Yao Wenyuan said, "I heard that after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, the people's lives have improved, the non-staple food has become rich, and they are all open for supply. This is inappropriate. Please convey it to me on your behalf. This is not possible, don't happen like that in 1958."
What Yao Wenyuan said in 1958 refers to the large canteen, and the members ate with their stomachs open, which eventually led to bad results. The interrogator found Yao Wenyuan's remarks very funny, but he still conveyed his words in accordance with the regulations.
