Order to Attack Ji’an

(September 13, 1930)

(1) Our Front Army, accepting the instructions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, has the mission—prior to the premise of striving for revolutionary insurrection to first achieve victory in Wuhan and seize national political power—to converge millions of workers and peasants and impoverished people of Jiangxi under a concentrated offensive strategy. We must fiercely, most rapidly, and most courageously capture Nanchang, the Nanchang-Jiujiang Railway, and even Hukou, eliminate Lu Diping and the reactionary rule in Jiangxi, sever the Yangtze River, blockade the Yangtze River, advance rightward to attack Nanjing, and safeguard leftward the struggle to secure Wuhan. The first-phase plan for capturing Nanchang has been decided: the First Army Corps shall attack and capture it, while the Third Army Corps shall seize Xiajiang, Xingan, and Ji’an.

(2) Our Army Corps resolves to set out from this place (Zhuzhou) tomorrow (the 14th), dispersing along the way to carry out work. The tasks are to mobilize the masses, raise funds, and sew bedding and clothing. The total duration of the marching and work shall be seventeen days, and the entire Army Corps must assemble at Yanfu Township in Ji’an by the 30th of this month.

(3) The Twelfth Army shall set out from this place tomorrow, advancing toward Huangtuling and Youxian to carry out work, and thereafter proceed along Lianhua and Anfu, assembling at Yanfu Township by the 30th of this month, and shall assume guard duties in the Yuzhou area.

(4) The Fourth Army, starting tomorrow, shall disperse from this place (Zhuzhou) to Baiguanpu, Yaojialong, Lukou, Yutanwan, Shenfuwan, Sifenpu, Shentan, and other locations, working for eleven days. It shall assemble along the railway at Pingxiang by the 24th (subsequent marching plans for the Third and Fourth Armies and the headquarters’ directly affiliated units shall be issued by explicit order) and shall assume guard duties in the direction of Changsha.

(5) The Third Army shall set out from this place tomorrow morning and advance to Dongchongpu, then work for eleven days in areas such as Banzipu, Liling, Huangshapu, and Chudongqiao. It shall assemble along the railway at Pingxiang by the 24th and await orders.

(6) The headquarters and directly affiliated units, accompanying the Workers’ and Peasants’ Military Committee, shall set out from this place tomorrow, marching behind the Third Army. From the 15th to the 24th, they shall be between Liling and Pingxiang.

Notes:

1. The Fourth Army shall, tomorrow, destroy the main iron bridges on the Zhuzhou-Changsha section of the Guangdong-Hankou Railway and tear up more than ten li of railway sleepers.

2. After the Twelfth Army reaches Youxian, it shall maintain telephone contact with the Fourth Army remaining here and with the headquarters when it reaches Liling. Automobiles may be used for communication between Youxian and Liling.

3. If the bulk of the enemy forces from Changsha approaches, the Fourth Army shall move closer to the main force in the direction of Liling and Pingxiang.

4. Our Third Army Corps is already advancing along Liling toward Pingxiang.

5. When the Third Army and the Twelfth Army set out tomorrow morning, they will share the same road on the railway for over ten li. The Third Army shall march on the left side of the railway, and the Twelfth Army on the right side.

6. During the period of dispersed operations, each person may be issued one silver dollar as pocket money, plus forty cents in silver as a supplement for straw sandal expenses for September.

7. When making military uniforms, lined garments shall be made, and each person shall be provided with a complete bedsheet.

Commander-in-Chief Zhu De

Concurrently Political Commissar Mao Zedong