Basic Policy of Strategy in the Present Stage[1]

(April 2, 1936)

Lin and Nie:

1. The enemy forces near Puxian and Tumen consist of one brigade (two regiments) of the 69th Division. Because the Central Army is slow to advance, Yan’s enemy forces, disregarding their own sacrifices, are attempting to rescue the gentry of Linfen from dire straits. The Liang and Liu brigades of the 69th Division are still north of Xixian, and Yang Chengyuan himself has recently moved from Xixian to Puxian. 2. If our forces can arrive in time, we should engage them in an encounter posture and resolve the situation. Otherwise, this enemy force will enter the city of Linfen tomorrow.

Peng and Mao

April 2, 2:00 a.m.

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Peng Dehuai, commander of the First Front Army of the Red Army, to Lin Biao, commander of the First Army Corps of the First Front Army, and Nie Rongzhen, its political commissar.