Deng Gong bore the brunt of the turmoil after it began, suffered ** and was regarded as a "rightist leader", and suffered from criticism and struggle many times. In 1968, he was dismissed from all positions and transferred to Jiangxi the following year. The environment in Jiangxi was harsh, damp and cold, and Deng Gong soon suffered from rheumatism, and his knees were painful on rainy days. Living conditions have been greatly reduced, and he and his wife have limited income, making it difficult for him and his wife to support their families. In order to save money, Deng Gong's mother grew vegetables and raised chickens in the yard to support herself. Ye Shuai's situation was equally difficult, and he was transferred to Changsha in 1969, lonely. When he was denied an inspection of the Arsenal, he was so sad that he couldn't even enter the Arsenal.
At the same time, Deng Gong always kept in touch with the chairman, reported his thoughts to the chairman every month, summarized his new experience of communism, and received encouragement and expectations. Until 1971, Lin Shuai suffered an accident, the Military Commission fell into chaos, ** in order to stabilize the situation, Ye Shuai was recalled to take charge of the work of the Military Commission. After Ye Shuai was reinstated, he immediately recommended Deng Gong to return to work. Finally in 1973, ** accepted Ye Shuai's suggestion and transferred Deng Gong back to Beijing as a general staff member. After his return, Deng Gong led the change of commanders of the Grand Military Region, and commanded the South China Sea Navy to fight against South Vietnam, effectively defending the sovereignty and security of China's territorial waters.
However, in 1975, Deng Gong was targeted by ill-intentioned people and fell into a predicament, Ye Shuai tried to help but was implicated, falsely accused and attacked. In the end, Deng Gong was forced to resign, and Ye Shuai also resigned from the Military Commission, intending to retire in Guangzhou. At this moment, ** stood up, turned the tide, smashed the "Gang of Four", and effectively calmed the turmoil. After that, ** had a growing trust in Deng Gong and intended to let him take over the people's power. After Deng Gong learned the news, he was overjoyed and excited, eager to congratulate him in person, but he was bedridden due to illness and could not walk, so he had to express his congratulations by letter.
Many old comrades came to condole, beside his sickbed, asking him to recuperate, looking forward to his early return to work. Soon, Deng Gong's condition improved and he was allowed to be discharged from the hospital. On the same day, Ye Shuai sent his young son to pick him up, the two clasped hands, and Duke Deng happily called Ye Shuai "brother". Subsequently, the two talked freely in the study and poured out their dissatisfaction. In 1977, Ye Shuai's 80th birthday, many old comrades came to congratulate, including Deng Gong. When cutting the birthday cake, Deng Gong said on behalf of everyone that Ye Shuai was the key figure, and without his decisive decision, the "Gang of Four" would continue to be powerful.
Ye Shuai privately told Deng Gong that ** had decided to arrange for him to return to work, which made Deng Gong overjoyed. After a bumpy decade, he will finally return to work. Sure enough, two months later, Deng Gong resumed all his duties and became ***'s "deputy". In 1979, Deng Gong decided to carry out reforms, and Ye Shuai supported them, which meant that China had to change its development mode and explore new paths. In the early 80s, when economic reform was in full swing, Deng Gong spared no effort to work hard for the country and deal with all kinds of complicated affairs. And the elderly Ye Shuai withdrew, handed over power to others, and retired to Guangzhou to enjoy his old age.
In 1986, Ye Shuai died of respiratory diseases, and Deng Gong was so sad that he presided over the memorial service and read out the eulogy. At the end of the 80s, Deng Gong quit his front-line work and began to concentrate on recuperation, living a regular and quiet life. He has always missed Hong Kong, but regrettably, he passed away on the eve of the handover, and his wife attended the handover ceremony on his behalf, fulfilling his last wish.