Seizing the Opportunity to Rapidly Complete Campaign Deployment
(October 21, 1950)

Comrade Deng Hua, and inform Peng and Gao:

(1) Whether you have advanced, I think the 13th Army Corps Headquarters should immediately go to the location where Comrade Peng Dehuai is and stay together with Peng, and be reorganized into the Headquarters of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, so as to arrange operations. The issue now is to seize the opportunity for battle, to complete campaign deployment within a few days so as to commence operations a few days later, not to first have a period of arranging defense and then discuss attack.

(2) If the troops crossing the river require an organ in Andong to direct, then an appropriate comrade may be left to lead a part of the organ to remain in Andong, while you and the remaining comrades lead the necessary organ to go to Peng’s place at once, which is advisable. Pending your decision.

Mao Zedong
October 21, 3:30 a.m.

[1] Deng Hua, then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the 13th Army Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
[2] Peng, referring to Peng Dehuai, then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
[3] Gao, referring to Gao Gang, then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region.
[4] Andong, former city name, now Dandong, Liaoning.