1. In the Ga’an and Shanggao areas are the enemy’s Gong and Luo divisions; in Zhangshu there are two regiments of Zhang Huizan’s division; in Fengcheng is the Deng Ying Division; at Wanshou Palace stands an unidentified enemy division. Peng Qibiao’s brigade is near Nanchang, Xu Kexiang is advancing toward the vicinity of Hukou, and Tan Daoyuan’s division together with Hu Zuyu’s brigade are positioned along the Nanxun Railway. Meanwhile, the Cai Tingkai and Jiang Guangnai divisions have already moved into southern Hubei, while Hunanese forces under Li Jue have advanced to Yuanzhou.

2. The Front Army, adhering to its original mission, plans to lure the enemy deep into the Red Areas, waiting until they are exhausted before annihilating them. It has been decided to shift the main force to the eastern bank of the Gan River, seizing opportune moments to capture Zhangshu and Fuzhou, and to develop work in the counties of Xin’gan, Jishui, Yongfeng, Le’an, Yihuang, Chongren, Nanfeng, and Nancheng—securing supplies and training troops.

3. The Third Corps will serve as the Central Column, under the overall command of Commander Peng and Political Commissar Teng. It should immediately and swiftly cross the Yuan River to the south bank, concentrate its units, and by the fifth of this month assemble near the river opposite Xin’gan, then advance toward Zhangshu, taking advantage of any opportunity to occupy that town. Near the two major roads linking Zhangshu with Fengcheng and Xin’gan, efforts should be made to raise 100,000 yuan through fundraising, mobilizing the masses. Subsequent assembly will take place near Tengtian in Yongfeng.

4. The Fourth Army and the Eleventh Army will form the Right Column. They are to concentrate their forces on the third day, conduct a readiness inspection on the fourth, and by the fifth have reached Xijiang Town. On the sixth, they will cross the river and come under the command of Lin Biao and Yang Yuebin, advancing via Chongren toward Fuzhou, aiming to seize Fuzhou when circumstances permit. Work is to be carried out in Nanfeng, Nancheng, Chongren, and Yihuang, with the goal of raising 400,000 yuan and mobilizing the populace. Final assembly will occur near Zhaohuai Town in Le’an. Should the Central Column come under pressure from a numerically superior enemy, the timing of concentration should be brought forward, and the Right Column is to move closer to the Center in order to assist in meeting the threat.

5. The Third Army, commanded by Huang Gonglue and Cai Huiwen, will constitute the Left Column. Its responsibility is to operate along the western bank of the Gan River, including disruptive activities in Anfu, maintaining contact with the Twentieth Army and the Central Column, and thereby restraining the enemy’s advance toward Ji’an.

6. The First Tenth Army is to carry out work in the Ji’ong, Yongfeng, and Xin’gan areas, and must maintain regular communication with Headquarters.

7. The operational period is set at one month, during which each unit must complete its assigned tasks within the designated county or district on schedule.

8. The rear communications line will run via Xijiang to Ji’an, and the Ji’an Garrison Detachment will remain in place.

9. The General Command intends to cross the river at Xijiang Town on the fifth, establishing its headquarters on the opposite bank, alongside the road leading to Xintu. Thereafter, it will follow the movements of the Central Column (the Third Corps).

Supplementary Note: Fundraising is to be given top priority; concurrently, broad mass mobilization must be intensified, and individual training stepped up. After dispersal, if any orders or signals are lost, each unit may independently devise its own, notifying adjacent units and reporting to Headquarters. Throughout the operation, all units are to employ every possible means to transmit reports to Headquarters.

Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, Political Commissar Mao Zedong  Selected Materials from the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign of the Central Red Army — Editorial Department of Fudan Journal (Social Sciences Edition), Published by Yi Li Qi Li, December 1931  Order No. 177: Relocation to the Eastern Bank of the Gan River for Dispersed Operations and Provisioning