Telegram to He Long[2] Regarding the Timing of Launching the Offensive Against Hu Zongnan's[1] Forces
(November 25, 1949)

Comrade He Long:

According to a telegram from Zhou Shidi[3] and others, they advocate launching the offensive against Hu Zongnan at an early date. In my opinion, it would be appropriate to wait until you have finished the Northwest Bureau meeting and returned to the 18th Corps before launching the offensive. What is your opinion, and on what day can you arrive at the 18th Corps? Please inform me.

Mao Zedong
November 25

[1] Hu Zongnan was appointed Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of the Southwest Military and Political Affairs Office of the Nationalist Government in November 1949.
[2] He Long was then Commander of the Northwest Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. In October 1949, he was appointed Commander of the Southwest Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army but had not yet assumed the post at this time.
[3] Zhou Shidi was then Commander and Political Commissar of the 18th Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.