Work Policy for the First Front Army[1]

(September 2, 1935)

At present, the First Front Army needs a fairly long period of rest, and a very important task is to consolidate the troops. The strategic policy has already been set: to develop eastward, toward areas inhabited by Han people, where supply conditions can be improved, and rest time, apart from combat missions, can be secured. The policy for consolidating the First Front Army must start from the very beginning, starting anew. Army commanders and division commanders must personally give lessons to cadres at the platoon level and above. They may refer to the system used in the Central Soviet Area and learn from the fine systems of the Fourth Front Army. After we arrive in Gansu, the objective conditions will be favorable for the expansion of the Red Army. The main issue is to strengthen leadership, carefully establish relations with the masses, and once again carry out education on the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention. The strengthening of discipline toward the masses is directly proportional to the expansion of the Red Army. In order to carry out consolidation, the headquarters and the political department of the First Front Army should be reestablished and immediately begin their work.

[1] On September 2, 1935, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting at Baxi in Zoigê County to discuss the work policy for the First Front Army. This is part of the report delivered by Mao Zedong at the meeting.