Reply to Peng Dehuai and Others[1]

(October 13, 1947)

The timing of operations should be such that it is advantageous for our army to begin its northward advance only after Liu Kan has moved south and reached the vicinity of Yan’an. If Liu Kan lingers at his present position, it would seem advisable first to strike Yichuan to draw him into retreating southward, and then to attack Yulin and Shenmu.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee in reply to Peng Dehuai, with information copies to He Long and Xi Zhongxun.