To Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen[1]

(April 16, 1936)

Lin and Nie:

A. Guan Linzheng, threatened by our Song Detachment and the 30th Army at Kecheng and Yiquan, has halted at Pu County. Yang Chengyuan, falsely claiming to be engaged in battle with several thousand of our troops, has also remained inactive in Xiangning. Tang Enbo is south of Ji County.

B. It is estimated that there will be no favorable opportunity in the coming days to engage the aforesaid enemies in battle.

C. The First Army Corps of the Red Army, starting from tomorrow the 17th: 1. Shall deploy two divisions to strike at the river defenses from Matou Pass to Yonghe Pass. 2. Shall deploy two divisions to seize Daning as opportunity permits. Whether Daning is captured or not, these two divisions should position themselves at Daning and the junction of Pu, Da, and Xi counties, mobilize the masses, and check the rapid advance of the enemy from Pu County and Ji County. 3. The troops striking at the river defenses, upon completing their mission, shall be stationed in the area between Yong, Da, and Xi to prepare for battle.

--- Notes

[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, Political Commissar of the First Army Corps.