Report of the Pre-Committee of the Zhu-Mao Red Army
|| June 1, 1927, issued from Yongding ||
I am currently stationed in Yongding, having dispersed troops to conduct guerrilla operations across various counties, assisting revolutionary masses in strengthening their organizations and opening up new areas for mass struggle, with the aim of eradicating warlord forces. The Party has a solid foundation here, and the masses are enthusiastic; struggles in each county are steadily intensifying, holding great promise for the future.

Our army withdrew from Tingzhou on April 1 and moved through Kuangjin, Xuedu, eastern Qizhou, Xingguo, and Ningdu, before returning to Lianjin on May 15. Upon reaching each county or locality, we would break up our units into smaller detachments and send them out to different townships. Each township detachment would further split into even smaller groups. This approach of concentrating and dispersing allows us to better win over the masses, effectively counter the enemy, and ensure balanced development throughout the region—aligning with the Central Committee’s directive to “conduct separate guerrilla actions under unified command.” Currently, on the western front, such operations have been underway in southern Qizhou for forty-five days, organized by representatives from trade unions, peasant associations, and other bodies. Southern Qizhou was once dominated by powerful landlords, with two notable warlord forces: Liu Shibaofeng’s and Shi Quqiu’s armies, which caused considerable harm. Liu was defeated twice by the Red Army, his remnants were transferred to Shanghai, while Shi’s forces were completely annihilated when the Red Army captured Ningdu. With these two major warlord factions now eliminated and Zhu Peide’s troops showing no intention of establishing a permanent presence in southern Kuangnan, the prospects for this region look very promising. Moreover, the development of southern Kuangnan could facilitate connections with six other counties, including Xining County, as well as with the small Red Army unit operating to the east.

While we were in Ningdu, the Special Committee of the East River region in Guangdong sent a letter stating that an uprising was being prepared there and requesting that the Red Army dispatch some troops to provide assistance. In response, the Pre-Committee wrote back, expressing its disapproval of launching a general insurrection at this time. It explained that only guerrilla warfare was feasible at present and that the Red Army simply did not have sufficient resources to spare men for such a mission, given the overwhelming strength of the reactionary forces in that area and the considerable distance involved.

Report of the Pre-Committee of the Zhu-Mao Red Army No. 55
On the 56th day after arriving in Western Kuangnan, we again sent a letter urging them to intensify mass work. After a period of activity in Western Kuangnan, there remains the possibility of conducting guerrilla operations toward the East River region.

Following the setback at Daling, our forces sustained losses but have been gradually replenishing over the past three months. Both troop numbers and weaponry have increased. During operations in Tingzhou, Ningdu, and Longyan—three cities and four campaigns—we seized a total of eight hundred rifles (more than three hundred of which were distributed to local Red Guards) along with several thousand rounds of ammunition. However, the propaganda emanating from the enemy far exceeded these figures. Our Red Army was forged from among the most arduous anti-revolutionary struggles and can generally be regarded as a regular force possessing considerable combat effectiveness. Nevertheless, we should avoid overestimating the Red Army’s strength. The primary task remains mobilizing the masses themselves so that the Red Army may join forces with them in the struggle for ultimate victory.

The reports circulating in the newspapers about our alleged massacres and arson are entirely false. For example, during our seventeen-day stay in Dingzhou, we collected only twenty thousand yuan from large merchants and thirty thousand yuan from wealthy landlords. Yet the enemy propagandized that we had extorted hundreds of thousands and killed thousands of people. In reality, we executed only five individuals—diehard supporters of Guo Fengming—and even this was misrepresented as a mass slaughter. In short, all such claims are baseless and should be disregarded. Mass killings or burning of houses occur only when they represent direct punitive measures taken by the masses against reactionaries; isolated acts of violence perpetrated solely by military forces do not exist.

(1) All grain held by large landowners who collect rents exceeding two dou per mu, as well as all grain stored in communal granaries (excluding private holdings), shall be confiscated and distributed free of charge to the poor. Small landowners collecting rents of less than two dou per mu must sell their grain at half the original price. (This does not apply to grain transported from outside by merchants.)

(2) All debts owed by workers and peasants to landlords shall be nullified and need not be repaid. (However, debts between merchants and workers/peasants remain valid.)

Proclamation of the Fourth Army of the Red Army, No. 57
No. 5
(3) Starting this year, all cultivated land shall become the property of the farmers who till it, and no further rent shall be paid to landlords.

(4) All arbitrary taxes, levies, and grain requisitions shall be abolished.

(5) Workers shall form trade unions, peasants shall organize peasant associations, and workers and peasants together shall establish revolutionary committees. They are also authorized to seize weapons from counterrevolutionaries and create worker-peasant Red Guard units.

(6) If any local tyrant or exploiter oppresses workers and peasants, obstructs the revolutionary movement, or misappropriates public funds without justification, the peasant association may arrest him and, depending on the severity of his crimes, impose penalties ranging from execution and imprisonment to corporal punishment, fines, public shaming, and requiring written confessions of guilt.

These six measures shall take effect immediately upon the issuance of this proclamation. Anyone who opposes them is acting in self-interest and undermining the common good of the majority; such individuals are counterrevolutionaries. We must exert every effort to eliminate these evil elements without mercy or leniency. This is hereby proclaimed.

Commander Zhu De, Party Representative Mao Zedong, Political Department Director Chen Lu, June of the Year One Two One Two.

--- Notes

Selected Historical Materials from the Central Revolutionary Base Area (Volume II), Jiangxi People’s Publishing House, May 1982.
Proclamation of the Fourth Army of the Red Army, June 1929. Regarding this proclamation: Our Red Army operates under the guidance of the Communist Party, carrying out the three major tasks of the democratic revolution—overthrowing imperialism, crushing the landlord class, and dismantling the Nationalist government—in order to liberate workers, peasants, and all oppressed classes. At present, the Nationalist regime is deeply fragmented, with widespread civil strife across the country, rendering any reactionary government incapable of maintaining stability. Workers, peasants, soldiers, and the oppressed petty bourgeoisie nationwide must unite in revolution; the larger the number united, the greater the power unleashed. Soldiers form the Red Army, workers establish trade unions, and peasants organize peasant associations. Everywhere—provinces, counties, townships, and towns—the revolutionary movement is gaining momentum. Having arrived in this region, we have learned of the profound suffering of the people: grain prices are exorbitant, interest rates sky-high, rent burdens heavy, and taxes numerous. A small clique of local tyrants controls everything, exploiting public halls and suppressing poor families. Such oppressors constitute only a tiny fraction of the population; the vast majority should unite to overthrow these few powerful exploiters and secure the interests of the many. The urgent measures to be implemented are listed below:


Oo Red Fourth Army Network and Gutian Conference Documentary Materials, Fujian People’s Publishing House, December 1979. Selected Historical Materials from the Central Revolutionary Base Area (Volume II), Jiangxi People’s Publishing House, May 1981.