Break out of the Encirclement by Separate
Routes and Protect the Security of the
Military Mediation Teams
(June 25, 1946)
To Zheng [Weisan], Li [Xiannian], and Wang [Zhen]:1
We have respectfully taken note of your telegram.2
	 1.	 Skillfully avoid the enemy’s attack and break out of the encirclement by
separate routes.
	 2.	 If you encounter seriously disadvantageous situations, advance separately in
brigade formations.
	 3.	 Leave behind a troop strength of at least ten thousand men and hold firm to
the originally held areas.
	 4.	 It is necessary to protect the security of Team Thirty-two.3 Either leave them
where they are now and allow our local forces to properly escort them back
to Wuhan, or take them to the vicinity of the railway and let them return to
Wuhan, or take them with you (prohibiting their use of radio equipment). It
is up to you to decide on these alternatives.
The Central Committee
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 3, pp. 297–98, where it is
reproduced from Mao’s handwritten manuscript preserved in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1.  Mao Zedong drafted this telegram on behalf of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. Zheng Weisan was political commissar, Li Xiannian was commander, and Wang Zhen was deputy commander and chief-of-staff, respectively, of the
Central Plains Military Region.

2.  The telegram from the Central China Bureau relayed its decision to break out of the
encirclement on June 28 and asked for guidance.

3.  Team Thirty-two was the group sent to the Central Plains Military Region by the
Beiping Office for Military Mediation.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-185