To Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping[1]

(October 8, 1947)

You have only seven brigades in hand; do not disperse them further. For now, do not move out to the Beiping-Hankou Railway or west of it. The circumstances for Chen and Xie are very favorable, and they do not require your coordination. Proceed according to your own situation, gradually overcome difficulties, and strive for victory. Do not fight battles in which you lack confidence.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping.