Liu Deng, Xu Teng Bo Wang, Zheng Li, Xie Han [2]: (1) In order to assist Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia in defeating the Hu Zongnan [3] system and at the same time to support Liu Deng’s campaign to develop the Central Plains, it has been decided to shift the operational direction of the Chen-Xie Column to a southward crossing of the Yellow River, with the initial objective of seizing the Tongguan–Luoyang–Zhengzhou sector, annihilating the enemy forces there, and then drawing out Hu’s troops for destruction when opportunity permits.


Thereafter, the column is to advance into western Henan, southern Shaanxi, and northern Hubei, establishing a base area along the Hubei–Henan–Shaanxi border as one wing in the drive to capture the Greater Northwest.


The Chen-Xie Column will remain under the command of Peng Xi [4], while continuing to be part of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Military Region.


(2) It is proposed that the Zhao Jimei [5] Column (the main force of the Fifth Division), the Qin Jiwei [6] Column, and the Kong-Wang 38th Army [7] advance south together with the Chen-Xie Column, all coming under the unified command of Chen and Xie.


(3) The aforementioned four formations—Chen, Zhao, Qin, and Kong—are to complete within twenty days of receipt of this telegram all political, military, financial, and personnel preparations, and to cross the river before August 19 [8].


(4) All preparatory work must be conducted with strict attention to secrecy.


(5) Chen Geng is expected to return to Taiyue in the near future.


Printed by the Military Commission on Wuhao, based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript.


Notes [1] Chen-Xie refers to Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi, who at the time served respectively as commander and political commissar of the Fourth Column of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army.


[2] Liu Deng refers to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who at the time served respectively as commander and political commissar of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army. Xu Teng Bo Wang refers to Xu Xiangqian, Teng Daiyuan, Bo Yibo, and Wang Hongkun, who at the time served respectively as First Deputy Commander, Second Deputy Commander, First Deputy Political Commissar, and Third Deputy Commander of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Military Region. Zheng refers to Zheng Weisan, who at the time was First Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Central China Bureau. Li refers to Li Xiannian, who at the time was Second Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Central China Bureau and deputy commander of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army. Han refers to Han Jun, who at the time was deputy commander of the Fourth Column of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army.


[3] Hu Zongnan was at the time director of the Nationalist Government’s Xi’an Pacification Office.


[4] Peng Xi refers to Peng Dehuai and Xi Zhongxun, who at the time served respectively as commander and political commissar, and as deputy political commissar, of the Northwest Field Army.


[5] Zhao Jimei (1910–1947), from Macheng, Hubei, was at the time commander of the Twelfth Column of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army. The Twelfth Column had previously been the Fifth Division of the New Fourth Army.


[6] Qin Jiwei, born in 1914 in Huang’an (now Hong’an), Hubei, was at the time commander of the Ninth Column of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army.


[7] Kong refers to Kong Congzhou (also known as Kong Congzhou; 1906–1991), from Xi’an, Shaanxi, who at the time served as commander of the 38th Army of the Northwestern Democratic Allied Forces. Wang refers to Wang Feng, who at the time was political commissar of the 38th Army of the Northwestern Democratic Allied Forces.


[8] Wuhao designates August 19.