Telegram to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou
(December 16, 1948)

(1) The fundamental principle guiding negotiations with Fu Zuoyi’s representatives is to secure the enemy’s surrender; however, certain tactics may be employed to achieve this objective.  (2) Specific tactical measures will not be decided at this time. We await the arrival of Fu Zuoyi’s representatives in Sanhe for talks with you. Please telegraph us the details of those discussions, after which we will reconsider the matter.  (3) Of Fu Zuoyi’s main force—three armies—one has been annihilated, while two are now encircled at Zhangjiakou and Xinbao’an. Inside Beiping itself, Fu commands only the 35th Army’s single division, two divisions of the 101st Army, and a cavalry division. The vast majority of enemy troops in Beiping, as well as all forces in Tianjin and Tanggu, belong to the Centralist faction (with the sole exception of Chen Changjie, who is both pro-Jiang and pro-Fu). Under these circumstances, it would be extremely difficult for Fu Zuoyi to exercise effective command over these units. Nevertheless, without compromising the basic principle set forth in paragraph one of this telegram—that is, the goal of securing the enemy’s surrender as you have stated—we should endeavor to exploit the fears held by Fu Zuoyi and many officers within his group regarding their personal safety and property. By offering to mitigate punishment for Fu Zuoyi and his subordinates and to allow them to retain their private assets, on the condition that Fu issues an order for all his forces to lay down their arms, we may yet bring about a favorable outcome.  (4) Our primary objective, however, remains the neutralization of the Centralist forces. You should sound out Fu’s representatives to ascertain whether he possesses the authority to compel the Centralist troops to disarm. Should he lack such authority, you may propose allowing our forces to enter the city to deal with the Centralists directly.  (5) As for any other conditions the enemy might raise, we will address them once they are formally presented.

[1] This telegram, drafted by the CPC Central Military Commission, sets out Mao Zedong’s principles and strategies for negotiating with Fu Zuoyi and constitutes the main content of the message sent to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou.