To Peng Dehuai and Others[1]

(May 28, 1936)

After you capture Ningtiaoliang[2], you will advance into areas where Mongolian people are concentrated. You must pay special attention to implementing the Central Committee’s propaganda among the Inner Mongolian people, supporting the self-determination of the Mongolian people, rather than sovietization, in order to establish a buffer zone on the northern front. When occupying church areas, if priests are captured, they should be given special lenient treatment and must not be insulted. Declare that all Mongolian lands formerly occupied by churches and warlords shall be completely returned to the Inner Mongolian masses.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai to Peng Dehuai, Commander of the First Front Army of the Red Army and Commander and Political Commissar of the Western Field Army; Liu Xiao, Director of the Political Department of the Western Field Army; Xu Haidong, Commander of the 15th Army Corps of the First Front Army of the Red Army; Cheng Zihua, Political Commissar; and Wang Shoudao, Director of the Political Department.

[2] Ningtiaoliang, present-day Liangzhen in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province.