The Communist should wait for several days to see if the Nationalists would move eastward, and if so, the Communists would ambush them in regions including Xin'an County, Shuyang and Suqian. Otherwise, the Communists would attack westward into the region of Suining and Suqian, so that the Communist position in Southern Shandong, Shuyang, Huaiyin and Huai'an would remain favorable, and Su Yu still should direct his force to take Hai’an.
The Communist strategy involves waiting for several days to see if the Nationalists move eastward; if they do, the Communists will ambush them in Xin'an County, Shuyang, and Suqian. Otherwise, the Communists will attack westward into the region of Suining and Suqian, maintaining a favorable position in Southern Shandong, Shuyang, Huaiyin, and Huai’an, with Su Yu directing his forces to take Hai’an.