To Chen Yi, Su Yu, Tan Zhenlin and Others[1]

(September 30, 1946)

You must strive to annihilate seven to ten brigades of Xue Yue within approximately three months, while Liu and Deng shall undertake the task of annihilating the Fifth Army and the Eleventh Division. In short, for the coming period, the main blow shall be directed at Xue Yue so as to turn the tide of the war.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to Chen Yi, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin, with information copies to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping.