Telegram to Deng Zihui and Others [I]
(May 24, 1950)

Comrades Deng, Tan, Tao [2], and inform Comrade Lin Biao [3]:

Your telegram of May 22 [4] has been received. Your plan to replenish Chen Mingren’s forces is good. Zhang Zhen must also be given replenishment, to demonstrate equal treatment without discrimination.

The Military Commission
May 24

[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

--- Notes

Chen Mingren, former general of the Nationalist government army, led his troops in an uprising in Changsha together with Cheng Qian in August 1949; at the time he served as Commander of the 21st Corps of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and Deputy Commander of the Hunan Military District. Zhang Zhen, former general of the Nationalist government army, led his troops in an uprising in Wuchang in May 1949; at the time he served as Commander of the 51st Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Deng Zihui, at the time served as Second Political Commissar of the Central-South Military District of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.


Tan refers to Tan Zheng, at the time serving as Third Political Commissar of the Central-South Military District of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Tao refers to Tao Zhu, at the time serving as Director of the Political Department of the Central-South Military District of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.


Lin Biao, at the time serving as Commander of the Fourth Field Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and Commander of the Central-South Military District.


Refers to the telegram sent by Deng Zihui, Tan Zheng, and Tao Zhu to the Military Commission and Lin Biao on May 24, 1950. The telegram stated: “Chen Mingren’s unit (the 21st Corps) currently has over 24,000 personnel. The plan is to replenish it with 22,000 men, bringing the total to 46,000–47,000. Compared with the strength at the time the Corps headquarters was established after their uprising, this would be an increase of about 10,000 men. Zhang Zhen’s unit must also be given replenishment. May we replenish it with two to three thousand men, to demonstrate equal treatment without discrimination.”