To Yang Dezhi, Yang Chengwu, Geng Biao, and Others[1]

(October 23, 1947)

You have led the field army to annihilate the main force of the enemy’s Third Army south of Baoding and captured its commander Luo Lirong, setting a new record for campaigns of annihilation in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei region.[2] We are extremely gratified and hereby extend our congratulations to you and all commanders and fighters of the entire army.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to Yang Dezhi, Yang Chengwu, and Geng Biao, with information to all leading cadres. Geng Biao was then serving as chief of staff of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army.

[2] From October 19 to 22, the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army won victory in the Qingfengdian Campaign, annihilating over 17,000 troops of the main force of the Kuomintang’s Third Army.