Brother Shirong: From the perspective of the current objective circumstances, Hunan’s Autumn Harvest Uprising has indeed reached a very opportune moment. Here is the decision made on this matter:

First, the Autumn Harvest Uprising in Hunan will take the Changsha uprising as its starting point, with simultaneous uprisings in southern and western Hunan, resolutely seizing control of the entire province, carrying out a land revolution, and establishing Soviet power representing workers, peasants, and soldiers.

Second, the Changsha uprising will be led primarily by workers and peasants. The two regiments under Chen Lie and Li Longguang are to serve as the trigger for the uprising. All other means available to undermine the reactionary government should be employed to the fullest extent in order to realize the uprising.

Third, upon capturing Changsha, a Revolutionary Committee shall be established to implement all revolutionary measures pertaining to worker–peasant–soldier power.

Fourth, due to Xu Kexiang’s betrayal of Tang Shengzhi, Tang’s forces have all been dispatched to the front lines to confront Xu. As a result, southern Hunan and Changsha are now effectively cut off from each other. Accordingly, a separate Southern Hunan Guiding Committee has been organized to direct the uprising in that region, with the aim of seizing southern Hunan. Should this prove entirely impossible, the committee will instead focus on capturing the three counties of Guidong, Rucheng, and Zixing, establishing worker–peasant–soldier power there. The revolutionary committees in southern Hunan and elsewhere are firmly committed to implementing the land-revolution policy.

The above constitutes our principles regarding the Hunan uprising. Detailed specifics will be communicated orally by senior comrades. Upon receipt of this letter, please promptly approve and reply, and provide every possible form of assistance.


Xiang Caizhong
Oo The Autumn Harvest Uprising Central Party School Press of the CPC, 1981. Original document from the Central Archives of the CPC