To Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, Geng Biao, and Others[1]

(October 29, 1948)

Fu’s forces, with three armies and two cavalry units positioned along the Beiping–Baoding line, are advancing toward Shimen. We should concentrate the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Columns plus one brigade of the 2nd Column to destroy this enemy piecemeal. If Yang and Luo with the main force did not cross the railway[2] last night, they should cross it tonight and, starting tomorrow (the 30th), march for four to five days, sparing no fatigue, to reach the Mancheng area, join forces with the 3rd and 7th Columns to fight and destroy the enemy, and wreck the enemy’s plan to raid Shimen. If Yang and Luo already crossed the railway last night, they should also set out today and complete the four-day march to Mancheng. The main force of Yang, Li, and Li should immediately move east to the vicinity of Guisui and prepare to launch an attack on Guisui after the enemy’s 16th Army and 35th Army move south to fight. Yang and Luo are to order Zhan Danan’s[3] unit to operate actively along the line from Zhangbei to Zhangjiakou to Xuanhua, pinning down the Provisional 3rd Army and Provisional 4th Army so they cannot reinforce Guisui. Yang, Li, and Li in eastern Suiyuan should also deploy blocking forces on their own.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, Geng Biao, Yang Chengwu, Li Jingquan, and Li Tianhuan, with information copies to Nie Rongzhen and Bo Yibo.

[2] Refers to the Beiping–Suiyuan Railway.

[3] Zhan Danan, then commander of the Hebei–Rehe–Chahar Military District.