Letter to Xu Xiangqian[1]

(November 29, 1948)

Comrade Xiangqian:

Hearing of your illness causes extreme concern. You must rest at ease and recuperate calmly, and not worry about work. The command at the front shall be undertaken by Zhou, Hu, and Chen[2]. When your condition improves slightly and you are able to move, come to the Central Committee to recuperate, and return to the front only after full recovery. In short, treatment and recuperation are of primary importance; once your health is restored, everything can be handled well.

Mao, Liu, Zhu, Zhou, Ren[3]

November 29

[1] Xu Xiangqian (1901–1990), a native of Wutai, Shanxi. At the time, he served as Deputy Commander of the North China Military Region and concurrently as Commander and Political Commissar of the First Corps of the North China Field Army.

[2] Zhou refers to Zhou Shidi (1900–1979), a native of Qionghai, Guangdong. At the time, he served as Deputy Commander and concurrently Deputy Political Commissar of the First Corps of the North China Field Army. Hu refers to Hu Yaobang (1915–1989), a native of Liuyang, Hunan. At the time, he served as Director of the Political Department of the First Corps of the North China Field Army. Chen refers to Chen Manyuan (1911–1986), a native of Mengshan, Guangxi. At the time, he served as Chief of Staff of the First Corps of the North China Field Army.

[3] Mao, Liu, Zhu, Zhou, Ren: namely Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Ren Bishi.