At present the fundamental policy should remain southern expedition and eastern punitive campaign[1]

(November 30, 1935)

Luofu:

A. After ten days’ rest, the Front Army plans to encircle the two cities of Yichuan and Luochuan, so as to draw out enemy forces that may come to their relief and destroy them. Should the enemy at Yan’an flee, we shall intercept and annihilate them. At the same time, we can sovietize the two counties of Yichuan and Luochuan, raise funds, and secure grain supplies.

B. If Yan Xishan[2] indeed advances toward Yanchang and Wayaobao[3], we shall move to the vicinity of Yanchuan and await orders.

C. At present it is inadvisable to proceed immediately toward Ningxia. The fundamental policy should still be southern expedition and eastern punitive campaign. The benefits of the eastern punitive campaign are very great. We have a detailed letter in reply to you.

D. In preparation for the eastern advance, the Red Army should be expanded by ten thousand within four months.

Zedong

30th, 22:00 hours

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Luofu (Zhang Wentian).
[2] Yan Xishan was then serving as Vice Chairman of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government and Director of the Taiyuan Pacification Office.
[3] Wayaobao is a town, now the county seat of Zichang County, Shaanxi Province.