To Xu Shiyou, Tan Zhenlin, Liu Shaoqing, and Others[1]

(July 6, 1948)

Regarding concentrating three columns and the Central Shandong Corps to exert full strength before the rainy season to capture Yanzhou, Jining, Wenshang, and other points, completely annihilate the 12th Division and other miscellaneous units, and strive to wipe out the enemy reinforcements coming from the north, open up communication between Shandong and Su Yu’s forces, isolate Jinan, so as to facilitate your corps’ southward or westward advance after the rainy season and more effectively coordinate with Su Yu’s forces in fighting large-scale battles of annihilation—Su Yu, Chen Shiju, Tang Liang, Zhang Zhen, and we have reached complete agreement on this. It is hoped that you will meticulously organize this campaign in accordance with this policy. As for the time for completing the mission, it should be determined according to the enemy situation and your own conditions; ten days or twenty days are both acceptable.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Xu Shiyou, Tan Zhenlin, and Liu Shaoqing, with copies to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, Tang Liang, Zhang Zhen, the East China Bureau, and the Central Plains Bureau. Liu Shaoqing was then serving as chief of staff of the Shandong Corps of the East China Field Army.