 Chen Yi and his subordinates preferred the second option because they could strike in north, south or west when they wanted.The Communist high command telegraphed back on August 29, claiming that the Nationalists had struck eastward across the Lanzhou-Lianyungang Railway and thus threatened Huaiyin and Linyi, so it was impossible to for the Communist troops to rest for a month continuously.The Communists would be in a bad position if they were not to actively engaging the enemy.