Peng Zhen
Having ousted Luo and Yang, Mao returned his attention to Peng Zhen. On February 12, 1966, the "Five Man Group" issued a report known as the "February Outline" (). The "Outline", sanctioned by the Party centre, defined "Hai Rui" as a constructive "academic" discussion and aimed to distance Peng Zhen formally from any "political" implications. However, Jiang Qing and Yao Wenyuan continued their denunciation of Wu Han and Peng Zhen. Meanwhile, Mao also sacked Propaganda Department director Lu Dingyi, a Peng Zhen ally.