Telegram Concerning the Reorganization of the 13th Corps Headquarters into the Volunteer Army Headquarters (October 21, 1950) To Comrade Deng Hua [1], with copies to Peng [2] and Gao [3]:  (1) Have you already moved forward? In my view, the headquarters of the 13th Corps should immediately proceed to the location where Comrade Peng Dehuai is stationed, establish joint quarters with him, and be reorganized into the headquarters of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, so as to facilitate operational planning. The pressing issue now is seizing the opportune moment: completing campaign preparations within a few days in order to commence hostilities shortly thereafter—rather than first establishing defensive positions for some time before considering an offensive.  (2) Should a command post be required in Andong [4] to oversee river crossings, then an appropriate contingent of personnel might remain there, while you and your colleagues should lead the essential staff directly to join Peng. Please make arrangements accordingly. Mao Zedong, 3:30 a.m., October 21, based on the manuscript. Included in the “Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong” (internal edition). Notes [1] Deng Hua was then Commander and Political Commissar of the 13th Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. [2] Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, who held the dual role of Commander and Political Commissar of the Volunteer Army at the time. [3] Gao denotes Gao Gang, who served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the PLA. [4] Andong corresponds to present-day Dandong.