Telegram to Peng Dehuai[1]

(September 26, 1936)

Guotao is wavering. The Old Chief[2] previously sent a telegram expressing great dissatisfaction, stating that he went to Zhang County to hold a meeting with Zhang and others, but the outcome remains a westward advance. His Chief of Staff, Zhou Zikun, has reported by telegram that the troops are already on the move; those in Tongwei withdrew on the 24th. The deployment is to cross the river via Yongjing and advance toward Ledu. They have shipbuilding workers, and it is said that crossing the river will pose no problem. However, what I am concerned about is that Mao and Hu[3] will first occupy Ledu, and furthermore will first occupy Yongdeng and Liangzhou, cutting off their westward route. The so-called dispatch of a force to Zhongwei for coordination is probably a castle in the air.

[1] This is the main content of 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] The Old Chief refers to Zhu De.
[3] Mao and Hu refer to Mao Bingwen and Hu Zongnan.