Relying on the decision-making approach, this article analyzes the ”two-fronts arrangement” during the era of Mao Zedong. ”First-front” leaders are those who directly participated in the policy-making process while leaders on the ”second-front” are those who were indirectly involved in the process. The article argues that the best way to identify the affiliation of cadres is to have a detailed breakdown of personnel in the highest decision-making bodies: the Politburo standing committee and the Central Secretariat. The article focuses on the Chinese leadership during the Mao's era and it is divided into four categories according to official document, reputation, and status of leaders. The article further delineates the operation of the ”two-fronts arrangement” according to the division of labor between the party and the state, charisma of the leaders, and formal institutions. To conclude, the article attempts to assess the impact of the ”two-fronts” model on Chinese politics.