Urgent Preparations Should Be Made to Receive the Cities of Hankou and Hanyang
(April 28, 1949)
Lin, Luo, Liu, Zhang, Li, Xiao, Chen, and inform the Central Plains Bureau:
(1) The peace negotiations have broken down, and the Guangxi clique has likewise never shown through concrete actions any compromise with us, nor is there now any need for us to compromise with the Guangxi clique. Therefore, our basic policy is to eliminate the Guangxi clique and all other reactionaries. However, it will be more than another month before our Fourth Field Army’s main force can reach the vicinity of Hankou, and the preparatory work for receiving Hankou has not yet been completed. Consequently, the radio link between Bai Chongxi and the central authorities should temporarily not be severed, and the Xiao-Chen front should also observe the previously designated boundary and not cross it, to avoid alarming the enemy troops in Hankou and causing them to withdraw too early. Under this consideration, if the Shekou railway bridge is not very important or particularly difficult to repair, it is best not to seize it for the time being. But if the bridge is very important and would be extremely difficult to repair once destroyed by the enemy, then it may be seized early. However, after the seizure of Shekou, Bai Chongxi may abandon the two cities of Hankou and Hanyang, so Xiao, Chen, and the Central Plains Bureau should prepare to receive Hankou and Hanyang early. How this matter should be handled most appropriately was discussed face-to-face with Comrade Lin Biao today, and Comrade Lin Biao is made responsible for considering and replying; Xiao, Chen, and the Central Plains Bureau are requested to provide further opinions to Lin. (2) Xishui and Guangji are not within the designated area, and the enemy forces there should