Immediately Deploy to Annihilate One of Liu Zhi’s Columns[1]

(September 3, 1946)

Liu, Deng:

(1) Chiang Kai-shek’s forcing of Liu Zhi[2] to advance recklessly is precisely a fine opportunity for us to annihilate the enemy. It is hoped that you will immediately deploy to annihilate one of his columns. (2) It is hoped that you will appropriately draw a part of the forces from the containing units in northern Henan to strengthen the main force.

The Military Commission

Shen Jiang

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China to Liu Bocheng, commander, and Deng Xiaoping, political commissar, of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.

[2] Liu Zhi was then director of the Zhengzhou Pacification Headquarters of the Kuomintang army.