Letter to Xi Zhongxun
(September 2, 1946)
Comrade Zhongxun:1
I have received your letter. Please act according to the principles that have
been decided upon. During the campaign, be sure to assemble an absolutely superior fighting force to wipe out each unit of enemy troops. As you said in your letter, amass six to seven regiments to destroy one regiment of enemy troops. Once
you have achieved victory, evaluate the situation. If our losses are not too great
and it is an opportune time to strike the enemy, you may launch a second attack to
wipe out another regiment of enemy troops. If further fighting appears to be difficult, you can withdraw, begin your rest and reorganization, and wait for the right
opportunity to strike again. In addition, you should prepare about 3,000 troops to
make up for the casualties among the combat troops; please begin this preparation
as early as possible. It is best to assign new troops to each brigade for training
early on so they can quickly replenish the ranks when the time comes.
Mao Zedong
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong shuxin xuanji, p. 273, where it is reproduced
from the handwritten original.
1.  Xi Zhongxun (1913–2002, born in Fuping county, Shaanxi) was secretary of the
Northwest Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and political
commissar of the Northwest Joint Defense Army Headquarters.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-220