To Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou[1]

(October 22, 1948)

Lin, Luo, Liu:

Your telegram of 1330 hours today[2] noted. The situation of the enemy’s general retreat from Shenyang is now clear, and your determination and dispositions are both correct.

The Military Commission

2100 hours, October 22

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and addressed to Lin Biao, Commander of the Northeast Field Army, Luo Ronghuan, Political Commissar, and Liu Yalou, Chief of Staff.

[2] At 1330 hours on October 22, 1948, Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou telegraphed the Military Commission and the Northeast Bureau, stating: "1. Intelligence reports indicate that the 130th Division of the 53rd Army and the 2nd Division of the 52nd Army, originally at Liaoyang, have both arrived in the Juliuhe-Xinkun area. Units of the 52nd Army at Tieling also show signs of withdrawal, indicating that the enemy has now begun a general retreat toward Jinzhou. 2. We are determined to engage the enemy in a decisive battle in the Xinlitun-Heishan area according to the original plan. The various units attacking Jinzhou are nearing their assembly areas and can complete assembly in the Beizhen-Heishan area within two to three days. The 12th Column from the Changchun front has reached the vicinity of Siping, and the various independent divisions began moving south at dusk today. 3. We have ordered the 6th Column to move out tonight and encircle one enemy division at Zhangwu tomorrow, in order to hold the enemy’s tail, draw the enemy back to relieve it, and disperse the enemy forces. 4. The Independent 2nd Division of Southern Liaoning no longer needs to go to Yingkou; we have ordered it to turn back to the area west of Xinmin to pin down the enemy."