Direct Liu Jinxuan’s Troops to Move Toward Hanzhong
and Cut Off Hu Zongnan’s Escape Route
(May 8, 1949)

To the Central Plains Bureau, with copies to Peng, Zhang, and Zhao, and the Northwest Bureau:
(1) Our First Field Army (350,000 men) will begin a campaign in June to capture Tongguan, Xi’an, Baoji, Hanzhong, Tianshui, and the Longnan region. It is hoped that our Liu Jinxuan’s troops in southern Shaanxi will move along the Han River toward Hanzhong, preferably capturing the Hanzhong area directly and cutting off Hu Zongnan’s escape route to northern Sichuan. (2) During the above-mentioned campaign and for a period after its conclusion, Liu Jinxuan’s troops shall be under the command of Peng, Zhang, and Zhao. Please order Liu Jinxuan’s troops to establish contact with Peng, Zhang, and Zhao and to accept their orders. (3) After the above-mentioned campaign is completed and the enemy forces in Xi’an and other places have been annihilated or driven out, and the link between southern and northern Shaanxi has been opened, the leadership relations of the Party, government, and military in the southern Shaanxi area should be changed to come under the leadership of the Northwest Bureau, the Northwest Government, and the Northwest Military Region. The time for this change will be approximately in July or August. In the campaign to annihilate Hu Zongnan, the southern Shaanxi area should play a supporting role. (4) Regarding the current status and position of Liu Jinxuan’s troops, as well as any difficulties or favorable conditions for advancing toward Hanzhong, please promptly investigate and report by telegraph to us and to Peng, Zhang, and Zhao. (5) Please forward this telegram to Liu Jinxuan and the Party Committee of the Southern Shaanxi Area.

Central Military Commission
Chen Qi

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and addressed to the Central Plains Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[2] Liu Jinxuan was then commander of the Southern Shaanxi Military Area.