To His Excellency Chairman Mingxuan:

The arrival of Mr. Liu Ziqing [2] has informed me of your earnest commitment to resisting Japan, which fills me with the highest admiration. In the past, when the Japanese invaders breached the Great Wall, you fought valiantly on the frontier, resolutely defending against the aggressors. Your righteous reputation spread far and wide, earning respect both at home and abroad. Now, as the Japanese invaders press forward inch by inch, launching simultaneous offensives on military, political, and economic fronts, you stand firm alone, refusing to abandon your principles under the encircling pressure of the enemy and their Chinese collaborators. Regarding the mass movement in North China, you have also ceased to continue the policies of last winter. If you truly resolve to resist Japan—uniting with the masses of North China to make substantive preparations while reviving the policy of alliance with Russia and the Communist Party, which was once implemented during the glorious historical period of the Northwest Army from 1925 to 1927—then, when the time is ripe and a large-scale war of resistance against Japan is launched, not only will the Soviet Red Army be willing to assist you and the 29th Army with all its strength, but the people of the entire nation and all anti-Japanese forces will also support you and your entire army as true heroes of the resistance.

At present, the Japanese invaders are pressing urgently on Suiyuan [3], and Prince De [4] is stirring restlessly. The emergence of a second puppet state in Mongolia is likely not far off. The increasing presence of collaborators within the Hebei-Chahar Political Council [5] is steadily closing in on you. Yet, we earnestly hope that you will persevere in your original resolve amid these hardships. We and the people of the entire nation will never allow you to bear these difficulties alone and pledge to exhaust all our strength to support you. Recently, significant progress has been made in the domestic united front, the main forces of the Red Army are gradually concentrating, and international connections are now assured. None of these are empty words but are backed by tangible strength sufficient to serve the cause of resisting Japan. However, the specific steps for implementation must be meticulously planned to avoid missteps. I am hereby dispatching Comrade Zhang Jinwu [6] to seek your guidance and request that you grant him an audience. If you agree, Comrade Zhang shall serve as our permanent liaison representative stationed at your esteemed location, with all communications conducted in secrecy. Regarding the three parties of Han in Shandong, Fu in Suiyuan, and Yan in Shanxi [7], we are most desirous of establishing relations with them to jointly form a northern united front. You must share this sentiment, and I earnestly request your assistance in facilitating introductions. As I write this letter, I am overwhelmed with anticipation and hope. With this, I respectfully wish you success and prosperity.

Mao Zedong
August 14

Published based on the Selected Letters of Mao Zedong, People’s Publishing House, 1983.

Notes
[1] Song Zheyuan, courtesy name Mingxuan. See note [1] on p. 384 of this volume.
[2] Liu Ziqing was then a representative sent by Song Zheyuan to liaise with the Chinese Communist Party.
[3] Suiyuan refers to Suiyuan Province; see note [16] on p. 371 of this volume.
[4] Prince De, namely Demchugdongrub (1902–1966), a native of Plain White Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, and a Mongol prince. In May 1936, under the machinations of the invading Japanese forces, the puppet Mongol Military Government was established, with Prince De serving as its president, acting as a puppet of Japanese imperialism.
[5] The Hebei-Chahar Political Council, namely the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee, was a political organ established by the Nationalist government in December 1935 in Beiping to accommodate Japanese imperialism’s demand for the "specialization of North China’s political authority." Song Zheyuan served as its chairman.
[6] Zhang Jinwu, namely Zhang Jingwu (1906–1971), a native of Lingxian, Hunan. He was then a representative dispatched by the Chinese Communist Party to conduct united front work in North China.
[7] Han of Shandong refers to Han Fuju, then chairman of the Nationalist Shandong provincial government. Fu of Suiyuan refers to Fu Zuoyi, then chairman of the Nationalist Suiyuan provincial government and commander of the 35th Army of the Nationalist forces. Yan of Shanxi refers to Yan Xishan, then director of the Nationalist government’s Taiyuan Pacification Office.