To Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao[1]

(November 23, 1936)

A telegram from afar has arrived discussing assistance to you, but resolutely opposes retreating into Xinjiang. Your method of operations should concentrate the greatest possible strength, encircle a relatively weaker part of the enemy and annihilate it, while using another part of your forces to pin down the remainder of the enemy. Only thus can you obtain replenishment from the enemy, deal the enemy a heavy blow, fundamentally destroy their combat effectiveness, and make the enemy take warning. You should strive to avoid wars of attrition as in the past, and advocate wars of annihilation in which forces are concentrated to encircle and annihilate one part of the enemy. Only thus can problems be resolved.

[1] This is the main content of the telegram sent by Mao Zedong and Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian) to Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao.