[Iris7]

Very interesting about the Shanghai Gang. I keep half an eye on them. They are certainly the key to Kim Jong-un’s staying in power. So the Kims do the Grand Kowtow.

The Kims are classic paranoids, but is it really paranoia if they are really out to get you? Heh.

The Southerners still resent the Northern barbarians conquest ending the Song Dynasty. I think this is the key to understanding Chinese politics. Mao was a pure Southerner, and boy did he resent the Northerners trying to boss him around. Whew. Never forgave, never forgot, for sure.

Just amazing that Zhou Enlai (a northerner)was able to stay alive. Mao sure kept him on a short leash. One smart and cagy cookie was Mr. Zhou.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Reminds me of long-forgotten Gao Gang, the head of pro-Soviet faction who ruled over Manchuria. He is said to have told Soviets in Moscow that he wants Manchuria to join Soviet Union as its 17th Republic. This enraged Liu Shao-qi who accompanied him during the trip to Moscow. He was so powerful that Mao couldn't touch him for a while. He eventually got rid of Gao after the Korean War. I am sure Gao Gang was also a typical Northerner.