Thursday, 3 July

At 7.30 a.m. Guo Taiji came to collect me and we went to the Ministry. He called together all the section chiefs, secretaries and counsellors and told them of my position. In fact, all of them had already heard of my appointment, and as most of them used to serve under me, or if not must have known me, they all gave me a hearty welcome. I arranged with Xu Mo that at present he will sign all the documents and then pass them on to me while I put my seal on them. When my formal appointment comes through in about a fortnight’s time, the process will be reversed.