After Chen-Deng Forces Capture Zhengzhou, Immediately Advance Eastward[1]

(October 22, 1948)

Chen, Deng, and inform Rao, Su, Tan[2], and the Central Plains Bureau:

Liu Zhi[3] believes that our Huaye intends to move into northern Jiangsu, and has halted Qiu and Sun’s[4] operations toward southwestern Shandong, redeploying the Ninth Army of Li’s Army Group[5] to reinforce the eastern defensive blockade, while Qiu’s Army Group contracts from Shangqiu toward Dangshan. Bai Chongxi[6], in response to our Second, Sixth, and Tenth Columns, is launching an offensive with Huang and Zhang’s two Army Groups[7] toward the Tongbai area. Chen and Deng’s operation to attack Zhengzhou[8] is entirely free from threats on the southern front. Therefore, in order to guarantee the complete victory of our entire Huaye in the Huaihai Campaign, you are requested to prepare, after capturing Zhengzhou and resting for several days, to immediately advance eastward with the entire army, seizing the opportunity to attack and occupy Kaifeng. Alternatively, bypass Kaifeng and strike directly toward the Xuzhou-Bengbu line. This will not only contain Sun

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Chen Yi, First Deputy Commander, and Deng Xiaoping, Political Commissar of the Central Plains Field Army.

[2] Rao, Su, Tan refer to Rao Shushi, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin, who at the time were respectively Political Commissar of the East China Military Region, Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar of the East China Field Army, and Deputy Political Commissar.

[3] Liu Zhi was then Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang Army’s Xuzhou “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.

[4] Qiu and Sun refer to Qiu Qingquan and Sun Yuanliang, who at the time were respectively Commanders of the Kuomintang’s Second Army Group and Sixteenth Army Group.

[5] Li’s Army Group refers to the Kuomintang’s Thirteenth Army Group, commanded by Army Group Commander Li Mi.

[6] Bai Chongxi was then Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang Army’s Central China “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.

[7] Huang and Zhang’s two Army Groups refer to the Kuomintang’s Twelfth Army Group and Third Army Group, commanded respectively by Army Group Commanders Huang Wei and Zhang Gan.

[8] This refers to the operation launched by the Central Plains Field Army in late October 1948 to attack Zhengzhou, prior to the commencement of the Huaihai Campaign, in order to contain Sun Yuanliang’s Army Group and prevent it from moving eastward.

Yuanliang and Liu Ruming[1], but also contain one part each of Qiu and Li’s two Army Groups. Su and Tan are to order the Ninth and Guang Columns to set out immediately now, striking directly toward Jin, Yu, Cheng, and Dan[2] to coordinate operations with Chen and Deng. Whether the Ninth and Guang Columns have already set out, and when they can reach the Jin-Yu-Cheng-Dan area, Su and Tan are requested to report immediately.

Central Military Commission
Yangzi