Seize the Contradictions Among the Enemy Forces and Completely Smash Hu Zongnan[1]

(November 23, 1936)

Zhu, Zhang, Peng, He, Ren[2]:

At present, four kinds of contradictions are developing among the enemy forces: the first is the contradiction between resisting Japan and "suppressing the Communists"; the second is the contradiction between Chiang’s troops and the Northeastern Army; the third is the contradiction between the strict orders from higher-ups to attack and the lower ranks’ fear of the Red Army, and this contradiction is now developing greatly; the fourth is the contradiction between officers and soldiers, which is deepening due to the material hardships and fatigue of recent days. Our task is to seize these contradictions, further strengthen unity and solidarity, unify command, endure and overcome all difficulties, not miss any favorable opportunity, flexibly maneuver the troops, prepare for continuous combat, and resolutely destroy the attacking enemy forces one by one, first of all thoroughly smashing Hu Zongnan[3].

Mao

23rd, 12:00

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Zhu De and Zhang Guotao, General Political Commissar of the Red Army, Peng Dehuai, Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar of the Red Army’s Front Enemy Command and Commander of the First Front Army, and others.

[2] He and Ren refer to He Long and Ren Bishi, who were then respectively serving as Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar of the Second Front Army of the Red Army.

[3] Hu Zongnan was then serving as Commander of the Second Column of the First Route and concurrently Division Commander of the First Division of the Kuomintang Army’s Northwestern "Bandit Suppression" General Headquarters.