Page "Cultural Revolution" Paragraph 14

While the " literary battle " against Peng raged, Mao fired Yang Shangkun – director of the Party's General Office, an organ that controlled internal communications – on a series of unsubstantiated charges, installing in his stead staunch loyalist Wang Dongxing, head of Mao's security detail.

Yang's dismissal likely emboldened Mao's allies to move against their factional rivals.

In December, Defence Minister and Mao loyalist Lin Biao accused General Luo Ruiqing, the chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army ( PLA ), of being anti-Mao, alleging that Luo put too much emphasis on military training rather than Maoist " political discussion ".

Despite initial skepticism in the Politburo of Luo's guilt, Mao pushed for an ' investigation ', after which Luo was denounced, dismissed, and forced to deliver a self-criticism.

Stress from the events led Luo to attempt suicide.

Luo's removal secured the military command's loyalty to Mao.