Zheng and Li [1]: (1) Chiang Kai-shek is determined to launch a major offensive. His plan is to first attack Suwan, then North China, with the aim of annihilating our Central Plains Army. The operation against Suwan is scheduled to begin within a few days. It will be conducted along three axes: one force will advance south from Xuzhou, another east along the Jinpu Railway, and a third north from the north bank of the Yangtze River, simultaneously striking our Suwan border region. The total strength deployed will exceed twenty divisions.  (2) Our Party is resolved to crush the reactionaries’ offensive, secure victory, and achieve peace.  (3) The mission of our Central Plains Army is to conduct mobile and flexible operations across the vast territories of Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Sichuan, and Shaanxi, operating on the outer front to pin down large enemy forces and thereby assist our inner-front combat units in attaining victory. This constitutes the first phase of the campaign. Subsequently, our inner-front forces will cross the Huai River to the south, join forces with the Central Plains Army, and seize the line running through Xinyang, the Dabie Mountains, and Anqing. This will be the second phase.  (4) The above plan must be kept strictly confidential.  (5) Destroy this telegram immediately after reading it.  (6) Please inform us of your operational plans.

Printed by the Central Committee on Wuyuan day, based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript.  Note [1]: Zheng and Li refer to Zheng Weisan and Li Xiannian, who at that time served respectively as Political Commissar and Commander of the Central Plains Military Region.