Thus, Deng Xiaoping, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai declined the rank upon offer. Chen Yi also initially refused the rank in accordance to Mao's decree since he now primarily worked in government rather than the PLA.
Therefore, Deng Xiaoping, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhou Enlai did not accept the offered rank. Similarly, Chen Yi declined the rank at first as per Mao's instruction because his primary focus was on government work rather than military service.