Xi Jinping "Locks Liu Yuan at the East Gate," Zhang Youxia "Enters the Imperial Palace from the Back Door"

Illustration: Is Zhang Youxia the "bowman" predicted in the Tui Bei Tu prophecy to launch a coup? (Illustration by People’s Report)

[People News] "A golden sword hidden inside the east gate, a warrior enters the imperial palace through the back door." (Golden sword: Liu Yuan; Warrior: Zhang Youxia)

Some say Xi Jinping’s political countdown began the moment Liu Yuan stepped into Zhongnanhai.

In recent days, multiple sources have reported that Liu Yuan—son of former state president Liu Shaoqi and a former deputy director of the PLA’s General Political Department—has been placed under soft detention in Zhongnanhai. This has triggered a chain reaction among top military ranks, dealing a devastating blow to Xi Jinping’s power base. Analysts suggest that this is not just a personnel struggle, but a major internal military challenge to the current authoritarian system.

Liu Yuan’s Special Background: A Direct Challenge to Xi Jinping’s Core Circle

Liu Yuan, son of the late President Liu Shaoqi, is a second-generation red elite (hong er dai) with prominent status in the military. He held the rank of general and served as deputy director of the PLA General Political Department. Though retired for years, he still holds symbolic weight in the military and enjoys high prestige among red families.

According to recent reports from Beijing, Liu Yuan sought to remove Cai Qi—one of Xi Jinping’s closest allies—effectively trying to sever Xi’s right-hand man and shake the power of the General Office of the CCP Central Committee (Zhongban), a position historically regarded as the "imperial seal" by successive top leaders. Liu’s move was undoubtedly a direct challenge to Xi’s innermost circle.

Xi Jinping Detains Liu Yuan at the "East Gate," Zhang Youxia Enters the "Palace" Through the Back

According to sources, Xi Jinping summoned Liu Yuan for a “discussion,” but once the talk ended, Liu was detained—placed under soft house arrest. However, Liu had anticipated this possibility before entering Zhongnanhai. He informed Zhang Youxia of his whereabouts, reportedly telling him: “If I don’t return, you know what to do.”

True to his word, Liu did not return. In response, Zhang Youxia reportedly led 200 elite special forces to storm Zhongnanhai and successfully extract Liu Yuan. Sources say the operation was carried out with cooperation from the Central Security Bureau (CSB), which allowed entry through a secret passage to retrieve him. Notably, the CSB’s coordination with Zhang Youxia indicates a shift in allegiance at the heart of Zhongnanhai security—CSB chief Zhou Hongxu may no longer be loyal to Xi Jinping.

Conclusion: Xi Jinping’s Power Base Is Quietly Collapsing

From Liu Yuan’s “invitation” and subsequent soft detention, to Zhang Youxia’s rescue operation, to the Central Security Bureau’s silent cooperation—and with growing overseas rumors of Xi Jinping’s declining control over the military—alongside a gradual “de-Xi-ification” in party, government, and military propaganda, analysts believe this is no longer a mere personnel dispute. It resembles a well-planned, organised, system-level palace coup.

It is well known that in the CCP’s authoritarian system, where "believing in the barrel of a gun" is fundamental, if the military no longer offers unconditional loyalty, the foundation of power upon which the top leader relies has already begun to crumble.

(Originally published by People News)