Please consider whether it is possible to cross the Huai River for operations after annihilating the enemy in Guzhen and Caolaoji[1]

(November 28, 1948)

Liu, Chen, Deng, and Su, Chen, Zhang, Tan, Wang:

(1) After Su, Chen, and Zhang have annihilated the enemy in the area of Guzhen and Caolaoji[2], please consider using the five columns—the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 11th, and 13th—to press forward across the Huai River on the momentum of victory, sever the Bengbu-Pukou railway line, encircle and, as opportunity permits, seize Bengbu. The 10th Column shall remain in Suxian for rest and reorganization. Thereafter, the columns led by Tan, Wang, and Li[3] together with the 10th Column shall coordinate with the Central Field Army to resolve the enemy in Xuzhou. Please inform us whether this can be done and what difficulties there may be in crossing the Huai River for operations, so that we may make a final decision. (2) After Huang Wei[4] is resolved, it must be estimated that the enemy in Xuzhou may attempt to flee toward the Two Huai region or toward Wuhan. Therefore, although the Central Field Army and the units of the East China Field Army under Tan, Wang, and Li should on the one hand strive for about two weeks of rest and reorganization, on the other hand they must also promptly handle post-battle work so as to be prepared to deal with contingencies. Please pay attention to and grasp this point.

The Military Commission

22:00 hours, the 28th

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and addressed to Commander Liu Bocheng, First Deputy Commander Chen Yi, and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping of the Central Field Army, and others.
[2] Caolaoji, a town located in the southern part of Guzhen County, Anhui Province.
[3] Li refers to Li Yingxi, then Chief of Staff of the Shandong Corps of the East China Field Army.
[4] Huang Wei, then Commander of the 12th Corps of the Kuomintang Army.