To Lin Biao and Gao Gang[1]

(April 26, 1947)

Please consider whether it is still necessary to destroy railways in the Northeast in the future. We feel it seems inadvisable to continue destroying the railways. For example, the South Manchuria, Jilin-Shenyang[2], Andong-Shenyang[3], and Siping-Meihekou[4] lines—once these routes are opened up, the enemy and we will come and go, and there will surely still be a period of contention, that is, there will still be a period when the enemy can use them but we cannot. Even so, this does not matter much, for in the near future they can all be used by us. If they are destroyed again, future restoration will be extremely difficult.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's telegram to Lin Biao and Gao Gang.
[2] Jilin-Shenyang refers to the section from Jilin to Shenyang.
[3] Andong-Shenyang refers to the section from Andong (now Dandong) to Shenyang.
[4] Siping-Meihekou refers to the section from Siping to Meihekou.