4-2 A Two-Faced Man

Four: Villain Holding Sway
2: A Two-Faced Man


Deng Xiaoping’s children still recall the day Jiang Zemin was first invited to Deng’s residence. As he stood humbly before Deng Xiaoping, his face full of nervous smiles. Those in attendance that day didn’t take notice, having seen many a bootlegger before, the awkwardness of the sort was nothing new. When Deng Xiaoping happily introduced the new Jiang Zemin, as the Party’s General Secretary, people remained nonchalant, showed no interest.



Upon coming to Beijing, the first thing Jiang Zemin wished to do was frequent Deng’s residence. He was new to Deng’s place, and didn’t know anybody in the house. Be it in the corridors, or the courtyard of Deng’s place, whoever Jiang Zemin met, little kids being no exception, he would tuck in his guts, standing slightly aside, and say with a beaming smile: “After you.” The show of excess, though it delighted the kids, made the likes of cooks and bodyguards nervous. They felt, this had to be a ...