Agree to Capture Zhongyang and Annihilate Zhao Chengshou’s Forces[1]

(December 9, 1946)

Chen Geng, and inform Wang, Peng, Luo, He, and Li[2]:

Your telegram of the 8th[3] has been received. We agree to the additional deployment of the 24th Brigade, the 13th Brigade, and all artillery units to the north, under the unified command of Chen Geng, to capture Zhongyang and annihilate Zhao Chengshou’s[4] forces, thereby opening up the link between northwestern Shanxi and Taiyue and consolidating the rear area. The operations at Xiangning and Jixian[5] may be placed as the second step.

The Military Commission

12:00, the 9th

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and addressed to Chen Geng, commander of the 4th Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.

[2] Wang, Peng, and Luo refer to Wang Zhen, Peng Shaohui, and Luo Guibo, who at the time were respectively commander and political commissar, deputy commander, and deputy political commissar of the 2nd Column of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Field Army. He and Li refer to He Long and Li Jingquan, who at the time were respectively commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Military Region.

[3] This refers to the telegram sent by Chen Geng at 9:00 on December 8, 1946, to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and to Wang Zhen, Luo Guibo, He Long, and Li Jingquan. The telegram stated: Zhao Chengshou’s forces have already assembled in the Pingyao-Jiexiu area and have declared their intention to reinforce Zhongyang and Xiaoyi. The fortifications at Zhongyang are strong, and it cannot be taken in one or two days. It is recommended that the 24th Brigade and the 13th Brigade be additionally deployed to quickly capture the city and deliver an annihilating blow to Zhao Chengshou, but the operations at Jixian and Xiangning must be delayed for a few more days.

[4] Zhao Chengshou was then commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang’s 7th Army Group.

[5] In a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee on December 2, 1946, Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi were instructed to “consider concentrating three to four brigades and all artillery units to advance toward Jixian and Xiangning, seek out dispersed enemy forces and destroy them one by one, and seize the opportunity to occupy the two counties of Jixian and Xiangning.”