The Problem of Transmission and Discussion
of the Order for the Eastern Expedition and of
the Advance of the Units
(February 12, 1936, 8:00 A.M.)
To Ye and Yang; Lin, Nie, and Zhu; Cheng, Xu, and Guo:¹
1. The order for the Eastern Expedition is about to be issued,² and its transmission and the explanation of it are to be completed in two days on the 13th and
14th. On the 15th the First Army Group, and on the 16th the Fifteenth Army
Group and the forces directly under the Front Army are to begin their advance
toward the point for crossing the river. Each of them is to reach the designated
crossing position in four days and await further orders to cross the river. During
the advance, the order for the Eastern Expedition is to be discussed within the
companies so as to establish strengthened confidence among the commanders
and fighters and promote a high degree of activism.
2. The operations of the Eastern Expedition must remain strictly secret from
the masses of local residents before the day of the actual crossing, and every
commander and fighter is to pay attention to the strict maintenance of secrecy.
3. The route of the advance covers Yanshuicheng, Shuanghemiao, Liujiahe,
and Chuankouzhen, to arrive and concentrate forces in the area near Hekou and
Yuanjiagou. The area of concentration will be according to a separate telegram.
Please also tell [Zhou] Enlai that the order for the Eastern Expedition is still
not to be promulgated in the rear.

Our source for this document is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 434-35, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1. Ye and Yang are Ye Jianying and Yang Shangkun, respectively chief of staff and
head of the Political Department of the First Front Army. Lin, Nie, and Zhu are Lin Biao,
Nie Rongzhen, and Zhu Rui, who were respectively the commander, political commissar,
and head of the Political Department of the First Front Army's First Army Group. Cheng,
Xu, and Guo are Cheng Zihua, Xu Haidong, and Guo Shushen, respectively the political
commissar, commander, and head of the Political Department of the First Front Army's
Fifteenth Army Group.

2. This order, entitled "Order to Advance Eastward to Resist Japan and Punish Yan
Xishan," had been issued by Mao, Zhou Enlai, and Peng Dehuai on January 19. For
reasons of security, it was made known to the troops only when the Red Army had
reached the Yellow River and was poised to cross into Shanxi Province. For the context,
see above, the Introduction.