Reply Telegram to Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan
(January 20, 1949)
According to Mo Wenhua’s report, the ten representatives who came out of Beiping for negotiations were part of Fu Zuoyi’s arrangements and constituted a step toward a peaceful resolution. Such out-of-city negotiations are beneficial for winning over the hearts and minds of the people of Beiping, undermining the enemy’s ranks, and encouraging Fu Zuoyi to come out of the city for reorganization. Should these representatives again request to meet with you or with Chief of Staff Ye, they should be escorted and hosted appropriately, and an audience granted; however, vigilance must be maintained against any potential acts of sabotage.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong on behalf of the Central Military Commission of the CPC to Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan.
[2] In a report dated January 19 sent by Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan to the Central Military Commission via the Fourth Column’s Political Commissar Mo Wenhua, it was stated: “I met with the representatives who had come out of Beiping for negotiations, led by He Siyuan. During our talks, they expressed the view that a way should be left open for Fu Zuoyi, without pressing him too hard, and that both sides should strive for a peaceful resolution to avoid damaging Beiping. They also requested to meet with Chief of Staff Ye. I have conveyed the headquarters’ instructions to the ten representatives from Beiping, who found them satisfactory, straightforward, and quite generous—especially regarding Fu’s forces withdrawing outside the city to await reorganization and guarantees for the safety of their personnel, officers’ families, and property. Following the talks, all the representatives were escorted back into Beiping.”
[3] “Ye” refers to Ye Jianying.