Early Chinese Communist Party member. Had a strong background organizing strikes during his time as a young worker. Lost trust and confidence in the CCP when its activity shifted from urban centers to the countryside. Eventually gave up on role in the CCP and used its expense account to fund a libertine lifestyle. Sold out by defector Gu Shunzhang and executed by Guomindang forces.

Labor organizer who rose in the ranks to a high position in the Chinese Communist Party in 1928. Lost authority to Wang Ming in a power struggle. Stayed behind in the Jiangxi soviet instead of participating in the Long March. Joined his army with the Second United Front against Imperial Japan. Was killed by nationalist forces in the New Fourth Army Incident.

Participated in the Nanchang Uprising. Brilliant military strategist and chronic hypochrondiac. Extreme ideologue for Mao during the Cultural Revolution and military leader of the Red Guards. Began to clash with Jiang Qing over her increased influence on the military. Tried to flee to the Soviet Union after supporters of his attempted to coup Mao's government, but died when his plane crashed in Mongolia.

One of the "Eight Elders" of the Chinese Communist Party and considered the most left-wing among them. He survived the Cultural Revolution with no controversies. He remained a Party member after Mao's death and continued to encourage Soviet-style central planning against Deng Xiaoping's liberalizing reforms. Strongly supported military repression during the Tiananmen Square protests.

Political Commissar for the People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War. After 1949, advanced to Minister of Public Security. Chairman of the Beijing Revolutionary Committee. Unlike many other PLA seniors, was happy to see the Red Guards develop into a parallel army and directed them to persecute old-guard leaders. Died of cancer. Posthumously expelled from the Party for political crimes.