Letter to Xu Fanting[1]

(February 2, 1947)

Brother Fanting:

Your esteemed letter was received and read long ago. It contains much praise and encouragement, and I shall of course strive to live up to your expectations. I am delighted to learn that your esteemed illness has eased, your appetite has improved, and you can now walk a certain number of steps each day—this is truly a great joy. I have already read the letter addressed to Deng,[2] which is stern in phrasing and righteous in principle, deeply thought-provoking. Recently, Brother Liu Shaoting[3] sent a telegram mentioning Deng’s policy. In my humble opinion, it can be agreed upon—for the time being, each shall hold their original defense lines, and future advances or halts shall be decided later. Given the current situation and Deng’s position, this is the only feasible step. Combat operations in various areas are improving day by day, and it is possible to smash Chiang’s offensive. However, Chiang still intends to stake everything on a single throw, concentrating forty to fifty regiments near Xuzhou, seeking to decide the outcome in Shandong. Our side is now preparing to meet the attack. The situation in the Border Region is now relatively stable. If Suide proves suitable for residence, it seems unnecessary to go to northwestern Shanxi and add to your fatigue. How to proceed, I still await your deliberation. With respectful wishes for health and good fortune!

Mao Zedong
February 2, 1947

[1] Xu Fanting (1893–1947), a native of Xishe Village, Guo County (now Yuanping City), Shanxi Province, was a renowned patriotic general. In his early years, he joined the Tongmenghui led by Sun Yat-sen. He later held posts in the Kuomintang, retired from public life for a period, and subsequently cooperated with Communists to establish the Shanxi New Army. After his death from illness in 1947, he was posthumously recognized as a full member of the Chinese Communist Party.

[2] Refers to Deng Baoshan, then Commander-in-Chief of the Shanxi-Shaanxi-Sui Border Region.

[3] Then a member of the Senate of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region.