The stage was finally set for the ousting of Mao. The 8 had been quite busy in the time it took for Mao to arrive in Moscow, discreetly contacting several prominent party members who they feel would support their cause - or at the very least, stand by and watch while the Party was secured.

Wang Ming was specific to reach out to generals Peng Dehuai, Zhu De, and Lin Biao, informing them of Mao's arrest and the resulting power vacuum that he intended to fill. Ming denounced the distrust Mao had expressed in the generals - specifically Peng and to an extent, Zhu - praising them for their work in the 100 Regiments Offensive against the Japanese and plainly stating that another must be had against the KMT. Lin Biao, for his part, was specifically addressed and promised comfortable living and Soviet resources for his health should he support the coup.

Otherwise, the seizure of the CPC headquarters by the 8 and their supporters was accompanied by the flaunting of the Soviet response. The tremors of treason and coup against Mao and his fanatic supporters were being felt as soon as the Bolsheviks entered the building, shouting that Mao had been seized and the Soviets were to support the Party should they fall back towards more traditional Marxist-Leninist thought.

The 7th Politburo was assembled with haste, and the vote to appoint Ming as Chairman commenced.

With Mao arrested and incapable of voting, Ming has humbly been given permission to vote in his stead.

• Wang Ming - Yes

• Liu Shaoqi - Yes, on grounds of pro-Soviet intervention

• Zhu De - No

• Zhou Enlai - Yes, due to desire to end the civil war

• Ren Bishi - No

• Chen Yun - No

• Kang Sheng - Yes, formerly a close associate of Wang Ming, Kang once again chooses to change sides.

• Gao Gang - Yes, opportunist that he is.

• Peng Zhen - Abstains, with no real reason to swing for or against Ming.

• Dong Biwu - No

• Lin Boqu - No

• Zhang Wentian - Yes, a former member of the 28 Bolsheviks, he decides to re-side with them in the seizure of power.

• Peng Dehuai - Yes

A majority of 7 yes to 5 no votes and one abstaining votes declares Ming the new chairman of the CPC. A message is drafted with the following results and information and forwarded to Moscow.

The CPC has returned to the roots of Bolshevism, but not all will be happy with this change. Great turmoil is bound to befall the party, the only hope now is that it will not lose them the war.