The main force of the First Army Corps is temporarily to await opportunities at its present location[1]

(September 18, 1936)

Commander Peng:

Two telegrams[2] have been sent to Zhu and Zhang, urging them to quickly occupy Jieshipu, but no reply has yet been received. To strike at Hu’s troops[3], the Fourth Front Army must serve as the main force. Before its deployment and determination are clear, it is advisable for the main force of the First Army Corps to temporarily await opportunities at its present location. If another blow can be dealt to He Zhuguo[4] in the northern part of Guyuan, so that there is no worry about the rear route being cut off, then it will be more secure. In the future attack on Ningxia, the First Front Army can only advance in separate routes from Yanchi, Yuwang, and Tongxin City, with the area west of Tongxin City designated as the operational line of the Fourth Front Army. Therefore, maintaining the rear route is extremely important. Please consider and act accordingly.

Mao

18th, 20:00

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[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai, commander of the First Front Army of the Red Army and commander and political commissar of the Western Field Army.
[2] Refers to the telegrams sent by Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Peng Dehuai on September 15, 1936, and by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai at 12:00 on September 17 to Zhu De and Zhang Guotao.
[3] Hu refers to Hu Zongnan, then commander of the 1st Army and commander of the 1st Division of the Kuomintang Northwestern “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.
[4] He Zhuguo, then commander of the Cavalry Army of the Kuomintang Northwestern “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.