Letter to Zhou Enlai and Huang Kecheng〔1〕 concerning the methods of shelling Kinmen and other issues (September 13, 1958) Premier Zhou, Comrade Huang Kecheng: We have received the two reports on the situation at Kinmen over the past few days, as well as one order from our military.
In addition to carrying out operations along the routes specified in your order, we should fire sporadic artillery barrages day and night, twenty-four hours a day—especially at night—and particularly within three nautical miles of Liao-lo Bay.
Such firing (about two to three hundred rounds per day) would keep the enemy in a state of constant alarm and prevent them from finding any rest, which would seem highly advantageous, or at least moderately so.
What are your views?
On days when we launch a major offensive, we should refrain from such sporadic shelling.
On days when we engage in limited actions, however, we should indeed conduct this type of firing.
It appears particularly beneficial to concentrate these nocturnal bombardments on Liao-lo Bay, while during the day we carefully adjust our gun positions with precision; then, at night, we can simply replicate the same procedure.
Please consult with the front-line command to determine whether this plan is feasible.
As for the Warsaw talks〔2〕, within three to four days, or at most a week, we should adopt a strategy of reconnaissance warfare and avoid revealing all our cards.
The other side is unlikely to lay its hand completely on the table either; they will first seek to gather intelligence on us.
What do Comrades Zhou, Peng, Zhang, and Qiao Guanhua〔3〕 think?
Wishing you a victorious start!
Mao Zedong, September 13, in Wuchang.
Printed from the manuscript.

II.
If you agree, please forward this internal letter to Ye Fei and Liu Yalou〔4〕, together with the Xiamen Front Command, for their consideration.
Do not feel obliged to concur.
If it seems sound, say so; if not, say so as well.
Please inform us only of those measures that are practically feasible.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.
Notes 〔1〕 Huang Kecheng was at the time Secretary-General of the CPC Central Military Commission and Vice Minister of National Defense. 〔2〕 The Warsaw talks refer to the Sino–U.S. ambassadorial-level talks.
See note 2 on page [page number] of this volume. 〔3〕 Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, who at the time served as Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of National Defense.
Zhang refers to Zhang Wentian, then Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Qiao Guanhua was at the time Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs. 〔4〕 Ye Fei was at the time Political Commissar of the Fuzhou Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.
Liu Yalou was at the time Commander of the PLA Air Force.