Reply to Chen Yi and Deng Xiaoping[1]

(October 28, 1948)

We agree that you will not go out to the Huainan area, but whether to strike Sun Yuanliang depends on whether Sun Yuanliang is drawn by you to the Xuzhou-Bengbu line. If he remains on the Kaifeng-Xuzhou line, it would seem advisable not to strike. Your appearance in the area west of the Xuzhou-Bengbu line poses an immense threat to the entire enemy. This threatening effect surpasses winning a battle on the Kaifeng-Xuzhou line. Please consider, after resting for a few days in the intermediate region of Bozhou, Guoyang, and Yongcheng, whether the first step could be to divide your forces and attack and occupy the three cities of Bozhou, Guoyang, and Mengcheng, and then observe the situation. It is estimated that once these three cities are occupied, the Huainan area will immediately be shaken, and both Sun Yuanliang’s and Qiu Qingquan’s units will be drawn into motion. The objective of your operation is to draw Sun and Qiu, primarily to draw Qiu Qingquan.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee in reply to Chen Yi and Deng Xiaoping.