The Jin-Cha-Ji Field Army Has the Task of Coordinating with Operations in the Northeast[1]

(April 22, 1948)

Yang, Luo, Yang, and Geng:

You have the task of coordinating with operations in the Northeast. Your main force, consisting of three columns, must set out in early May and arrive within the territory of Rehe[2] before the first ten days of May. Therefore, the one column you have dispatched to Mentougou[3] should be immediately recalled. Assemble the three columns south of the Sanggan River for rest until around the end of May. Prepare seven days' rations and complete all political preparations for the long-distance expedition. Take care not to reveal your intentions, and await orders to move out.

Central Military Commission

22nd day, 21:00–23:00

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Yang Dezhi, commander of the Jin-Cha-Ji Field Army; Luo Ruiqing, first political commissar; Yang Chengwu, second political commissar; and Geng Biao, chief of staff.
[2] Rehe was an old province encompassing what is now northeastern Hebei Province, southwestern Liaoning Province, and southeastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was abolished in 1955.
[3] Mentougou is now a district of Beijing.