To Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen

(October 21, 1935)

Lin and Nie:

1. Today the enemy’s 35th Division cavalry regiment was completely routed; the seized materiel is currently being inventoried.
2. The main force of the enemy Mao Bingwen Army is still along the line from Nianlipu to Hongdecheng and in the area east of it, about three to four days’ march from us, but its advance force—one infantry regiment and one cavalry regiment—is closer to us. There is a unit of the Fengtian Army at Kouzhen and Tiejiaocheng.
3. Our army resolutely prepares to annihilate Mao Bingwen’s advance force and to achieve the objective of reorganization. Tomorrow (the 22nd):
   a. The 1st Column will move to the vicinity of Erdaochuan and Sandaochuan to camp and will dispatch teams to reconnoiter the upper reaches of both streams.
   b. The 2nd Column will rest in place at Yangchengzi and Wuqizhen and will dispatch teams to reconnoiter the upper reaches of Toudaochuan (name of a river).
   c. The 3rd Column will rest in place at Ningyichuan.
   d. The detachment’s directly subordinate units will be at Wuqizhen.
4. Prepare to rest for one more day on the 23rd.
5. Step up efforts to gather a full three days’ grain supply.
6. Intensify education and explain the detachment’s disciplinary order.

Peng and Mao

21:00, October 21