Concerning Fu Zuoyi's proposal that our army postpone entering the city for a few days and that a joint committee be organized by Fu's side and our side to temporarily take over the municipal administration, after which a transition be made to complete takeover by our side, you should not reject it outright. In fact, our army cannot enter the city within a few days. When the enemy troops move out of the city and our army enters and distributes itself to take over various areas, during the several days of takeover, we will not only need Fu's side to assist in maintaining order but must also hold Fu's side responsible for maintaining order. The old municipal government of Beiping and its subordinate bureaus and offices, especially the police, water supply, telephone, and other agencies, may be allowed to temporarily maintain the status quo for a number of days, pending takeover one by one.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Nie Rongzhen, with information copies to Peng Zhen and Ye Jianying, concerning negotiations with Fu Zuoyi's representatives on the peaceful liberation of Beiping.