Central Instructions on the Demobilization of the Armed Forces (April 21, 1950) To Deng, Tan, Zhao, and Tao [1], Chen, Rao, and Su [2], Liu, Deng, and He [3], as well as Peng, Xi, and Zhang [4]:  (1) The telegram dated April 12 from Comrade Lin Biao [5] to Deng, Tan, Zhao, and Tao concerning the demobilization of 530,000 to 600,000 personnel in the Central-South Region this year has presumably been received. We hope that this demobilization can be completed within four months, from May to August, so as to save funds for the subsequent four months, September through December, thereby alleviating part of the grain-tax burden on the people. Please have the Central-South Bureau convene a special meeting solely for this purpose to discuss the matter thoroughly and formulate a concrete plan and specific measures for carrying out the phased demobilization over four months without causing any disorder. Such a plan and these measures should be telegraphed to us for review before May 1. At the same time, please inform us of any difficulties that may arise in accomplishing this massive task of demobilizing 530,000 to 600,000 personnel in phases over four months, and whether these difficulties can be overcome.  (2) Comrades Rao, Chen, and Su are likewise requested to draw up a demobilization plan for the East China Region along the lines outlined above and to telegraph it to us no later than May 1. Only one million personnel, comprising both regular troops and local armed forces, are to be retained in the East China Region.  (3) Comrades Liu, Deng, and He are asked to consider whether demobilization can also be carried out in accordance with the aforementioned principles, retaining only 800,000 troops and local armed forces without causing any unrest.  (4) Comrades Peng, Xi, and Zhang are requested to consider and report how many personnel could be demobilized in the Northwest Region, and whether this could be accomplished within four months.  Issued by the Central Committee on April 21, based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

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Notes:  [1] Deng refers to Deng Zihui, then Second Political Commissar of the Central-South Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. Tan refers to Tan Zheng, then Third Political Commissar of the same region. Zhao refers to Zhao Erlu, then Chief of Staff of the Central-South Military Region. Tao refers to Tao Zhu, then Director of the Political Department of the Central-South Military Region.  [2] Chen refers to Chen Yi, then Commander of the East China Military Region. Rao refers to Rao Shushi, then Political Commissar of the East China Military Region. Su refers to Su Yu, then Deputy Commander of the East China Military Region.  [3] Liu refers to Liu Bocheng, then Chairman of the Southwest Military-Administrative Commission. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, then Political Commissar of the Southwest Military Region. He refers to He Long, then Commander of the Southwest Military Region.  [4] Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then Commander of the Northwest Military Region. Xi refers to Xi Zhongxun, then Political Commissar of the Northwest Military Region. Zhang refers to Zhang Zongsun, then First Deputy Commander of the Northwest Military Region.  [5] Lin Biao was then Commander of the Central-South Military Region. 3£±