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Emblematic of the struggle for power and the future direction of China, Deng Xiaoping's return from political exile marked a pivotal moment in the country’s trajectory. After being purged during the Maoist regime, Deng was invited back into the fold partly due to the weakening influence of the dedicated Maoists, led by Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four. This dynamic shift allowed Deng not only to survive but to harness a vision for a modern China grounded in pragmatism rather than ideology.