• Played a key role in the Chinese Civil War

  • Became the personal secretary of Mao

  • Publically defied Mao saying his policies were hurting ordinary chinese people

  • Denounced by his family for anti-Mao activities during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution

  • He gained an influential position in the CCP but, after only a few years, was forced to resign because he was unwilling to favor the children of influential party members

  • Became a famous historian

  • Publically criticized Xi Jinping’s elimination of presidential term limits