Favourable Conditions for Overcoming the Enemy[1]

(December 1930)

First, our army and the people are united as one, and the people actively support the Red Army—this is the most important condition. Second, we can take the initiative in choosing favourable positions, set traps, and lock the enemy inside to strike them. Third, we can concentrate superior forces to destroy one part of the enemy, eating them up bite by bite. Fourth, we can ascertain the enemy’s movements, figure out the patterns of their actions, thereby discover the enemy’s weak points, and strike at the weak. Fifth, we can drag the enemy down until they are utterly exhausted, and then strike. Sixth, we can cause the enemy to make mistakes, exploit their gaps, and deal them blows.

[1] In late December 1930, Mao Zedong presided over a Soviet area army-and-people oath-taking rally for annihilating the enemy at Xiaobu and delivered a mobilisation speech. These are the six favourable conditions for overcoming the enemy enumerated in the speech.