Letter to Zhang Lan[1]
(January 28, 1951)

Mr. Biaofang:
The bandit suppression work in the Southwest last year has achieved considerable success. Over eight hundred thousand bandits have been wiped out, and more than four hundred thousand firearms have been seized. The remaining bandits now number fewer than forty thousand, and they can be completely eliminated within two to three months. I am sending you a summary report[2] recently delivered by surface mail from the Southwest Military Region. If you have the energy, you may take a look. You can read it slowly and return it to me within a week.
I extend to you
my respects!
Mao Zedong
January 28

[1] Zhang Lan, courtesy name Biaofang, was then Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League and Vice Chairman of the Central People’s Government.
[2] Refers to the summary report of the Southwest Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on the bandit suppression work in 1950.