Recent Operations Deployment of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment (1) (October 6, 1935)
To Peng, Peng, and Li:

1. The entire First Column arrived near Zhangyipu at 14:00 today and set up camp, covering a distance of 70 li. Zhangyipu is 60 li from both Guyuan and Xiaohecheng. According to local residents, there are two battalions of the enemy’s 35th Division in Guyuan, pending confirmation. Report your current location and the enemy situation immediately.

2. According to a report from a battalion that returned after pursuing the enemy at Xiansheng Temple yesterday, the enemy forces that arrived near Xiansheng Temple yesterday afternoon are likely the main force or a part of the 24th Division. There is a possibility that this enemy force will reach Shizilu today.

3. Our army aims to move toward Huanxian County via the area between Guyuan and Zhenyuan, selecting an appropriate time and location to engage the pursuing enemy. Tomorrow (the 7th), the First Column, with Chen Guang leading the 13th Battalion, will block the pursuing enemy at Huangfuziwan, 15 li southwest of Zhangyipu, covering the passage of the Second and Third Columns through Zhangyipu as the rear guard. The main force will advance near Guyuan City and proceed to Qingshizui, 40 li south of Guyuan, to set up camp (if the enemy forces in Guyuan are weak, we will seize the city). The Second and Third Columns should advance toward Qingshizui via Zhangyipu tomorrow. Report the distance and camping location once confirmed.

4. Make use of the telegraph lines to communicate with us.

Mao, Lin, Nie
October 6, 16:00

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong, Lin Biao (Commander of the First Column of the Red Army’s Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment), and Nie Rongzhen (Political Commissar of the First Column) to Peng Dehuai (Commander of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment), Peng Xuefeng (Commander of the Second Column), and Li Fuchun (Political Commissar of the Second Column).