Directive Letter from Donglang Yellow River to Comrade Yang Lisan February 21, 1936 Comrade Lisan:
(1) Attached is an operational order outlining the Red Army’s direction of movement and assigned tasks.
(Yang Sen, Zhi Shumiao, and Feng Chuanzhu are leading a guerrilla force of approximately five to six hundred men across the river at Hekou. They are to establish their command post in Yihong Town, with the following missions: (1) maintain traffic control at the Shilou-Yimei river crossing; (2) dismantle the enemy fortifications along the Zhao River and eliminate any remaining enemy presence; (3) incite mass struggles among the local population in Xin Guan, Lao Wa Guan, Qing Shui Guan, and Yimei Town, organizing local Shanxi guerrilla units; (4) secure the main river crossings.
(3) Orders have been issued to mobilize three thousand personnel from Qinqing and Fushui counties in Suide to form a stretcher-bearer corps, with the first contingent of one thousand to assemble by the end of this week. However, given the varying population sizes of these three counties, a uniform allocation of manpower is inappropriate. Mobilization should proceed based on actual needs. First, gather one thousand troops and assess the situation at the front; further reinforcements may be required in two or three additional batches. Key conditions include: (1) proper organizational structure and capable leadership; (2) establishment of Party branches; (3) provision of food supplies; (4) assignment of experienced medical personnel; (5) a service period of one and a half months; (6) one stretcher carried by every four men; (7) all personnel are to report directly to you at Hekou and await further orders.
(4) Zai Xiuying is responsible for building twelve boats—three each for Ma Min Yang, Lao Wa Guan, and six for Hekou (these six are prepared to operate specifically in the eastern bay of the Yellow River, as per your instructions). Please coordinate accordingly.
(5) You are to maintain close contact with the Qingkai County Committee and the various Soviet district committees along the riverbank.
(A) The District Chairman will arrive at the riverbank within the next few days to oversee your work. Please seek his guidance, bringing a radio transmitter along.
(7) I am currently advancing from Yimei Town toward Shilou.
Mao Zedong, February 21st, 12:00 noon, at Hekou “Long Live Mao Zedong Thought!” [Printed] Nanjing University’s Firefighting Combat Ancestor, 1967 A directive letter from Donglang Yellow River to Comrade Yang Lisan, displayed at the Chinese Military Revolution Museum