Telegram to Peng Dehuai[1]

(December 1, 1936)

Zhu, Zhang, and Zhou have arrived at Bao’an.[2] The situation is very good.

I agree with your guiding principles for uniting and improving the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies, as well as your views on many issues; they are quite correct. However, on certain steps, my opinion is that it would be better to moderate them somewhat. The telegram criticizing Guotao two weeks ago, and the telegram yesterday on rectifying discipline, are completely correct in principle, but in their wording there are one or two sentences that are rather jarring and are inappropriate today. Please pay attention to this.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Peng Dehuai.

[2] Zhu De, Zhang Guotao, and Zhou Enlai arrived at Bao’an on November 30.