Reply to Peng Dehuai and Others[1]

(April 25, 1949)

Yang Chengwu’s corps must remain in North China and not enter Shaanxi for the time being. If this corps has not suffered major damage, it can promptly move to the Peiping-Suiyuan Railway to capture Datong, and thereafter be stationed along this line in preparation for future cooperation with our Northwest forces in resolving the Suiyuan and Ningxia problems. I agree that you may return to Shaanxi in early May. Prior to your return, please finalize the dispositions of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Corps, which will then be placed under your direct command thereafter.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s reply to Peng Dehuai, with information for Xu Xiangqian, Zhou Shidi, and Luo Ruiqing.