(September 29, 1950)
Comrade Chen Geng, and inform the Guangxi Provincial Party Committee:
Your telegram of September 27 has been received. (1) We agree to adopt a cautious approach: first strike small strongholds, then seize the opportunity to attack enemies that can be attacked. In all cases, ensure that there is definite certainty and win every battle; do not fight a battle without assurance of victory. (2) Regarding the grain needed, please handle the matter directly with the Guangxi Provincial Party Committee.
The Military Commission
September 29
Chuan
This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government, addressed to Comrade Chen Geng, Deputy Commander of the Southwest Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and Commander of the Yunnan Military Region. At the time, Chen Geng had been dispatched to Vietnam, where, in his capacity as representative of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, he assisted the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the General Headquarters of the Vietnam People’s Army in organizing and commanding the Border Campaign against the invading French forces.