 In March 1948, at Ichuan, Peng Dehuai led Communist forces in launching a surprise attack against Gen. Hu Zongnan's troops, inflicting 20,000 casualties upon them and driving all the way, with 60,000 soldiers, into southern Shanxi province to reach Sichuan.Hu requested immediate help from Ma Hongkui, who was the governor.Ma sent two Muslim cavalry divisions.