Coordinate with Chen Geng and the Taiyue Forces to Capture Luliang[1]

(August 21, 1946)

He and Li:

(1) Chen Geng[2] has already captured Hongzhao[3]; he is now continuing to seize Linghuo[4]. (2) Hu Zongnan’s[5] six brigades, except for a portion garrisoning south of Wenxi, have moved their main force northward to attack, occupying our Jiang County. They are now attacking north of Houma and show signs of advancing directly into Linfen. Chen Geng has been ordered to concentrate his forces after capturing Ling and Huo to crush Hu’s offensive. (3) The Taiyue forces have been instructed to focus on expanding into the counties at the southern end of Luliang. (4) You are requested to order Peng and Luo[6] to dispatch troops and cadres southward to coordinate with Chen Geng’s column and the Taiyue forces in capturing the entire territory of Luliang.

Central Committee

Weima

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and addressed to He Long, commander of the Jinsui Military Region, and Li Jingquan, its political commissar.
[2] Chen Geng was then commander of the Fourth Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.
[3] Hongzhao refers to Hongdong and Zhaocheng, both former county names. In 1954, the two counties were merged into Hongzhao County, Shanxi Province, and in 1958 it was renamed Hongdong County.
[4] Linghuo refers to Lingshi and Huo County in Shanxi Province.
[5] Hu Zongnan was then commander-in-chief of the First War Zone of the Kuomintang army.
[6] Peng and Luo refer to Peng Shaohui and Luo Guibo, who were then acting commander and deputy political commissar of the Luliang Military Region, respectively.