The Northeast Field Army Should Enter the Pass by the Shortest Route and Encircle the Enemy at Tangshan, Tanggu, and Tianjin[1]

(November 18, 1948)

Lin, Luo, and Liu:

(1) Fu Zuoyi, through Peng Zexiang[2] and Fu Dingyi,[3] has been in contact with us regarding an uprising. It is reported that Fu’s uprising is largely decided, and the issues currently under consideration are the timing of the uprising, how to deal with the Chiang forces in North China, and liaison with our Party. Fu Dingyi has now arrived at Shimen[4] and we can meet with him tomorrow or the day after. We intend to use this opportunity to stabilize Fu Zuoyi and prevent him from leaving, so as to quickly resolve the Central Army.

(2) We hope you will immediately order all columns to complete preparations for departure within one or two days and, on the 21st or 22nd, move the entire army or at least eight columns by the shortest route at the fastest speed to suddenly encircle the enemy at Tangshan, Tanggu, and Tianjin, preventing them from escaping and striving to make the Central Army surrender without a fight (this is highly possible).

(3) We hope that after issuing the departure order, you will proceed ahead to eastern Hebei to take command.

(4) We have ordered Yang, Luo, and Geng[5] to halt at Fuping and prepare to move near Zhangjiakou to coordinate with Yang Chengwu[6] in blocking Fu Zuoyi’s westward retreat. Xu and Zhou[7] have already replied agreeing to halt the attack on Taiyuan.

(5) How do you plan to deploy? We await your reply.

The Military Commission

18:00, November 18

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[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, its political commissar; and Liu Yalou, its chief of staff.
[2] Peng Zexiang, a democratic personage.
[3] Fu Dingyi, a philologist. He visited Yan’an in the summer of 1946 at Mao Zedong’s invitation.
[4] Shimen, now Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province.
[5] Yang, Luo, and Geng refer to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who were then respectively commander, political commissar, and chief of staff of the Second Corps of the North China Military Region.
[6] Yang Chengwu was then commander of the Third Corps of the North China Military Region.
[7] Xu and Zhou refer to Xu Xiangqian and Zhou Shidi, who were then respectively first deputy commander of the North China Military Region and commander and political commissar of the First Corps, and deputy commander and deputy political commissar of the First Corps.