On the Current Changing Situation
Zhang and Yang Will Not Remain Isolated for Long—A Telegram to Zhou Enlai
(December 23, 1936)

Zhou:
A. Nan Hanchen has sent a telegram. Wang Shiying went to Shanghai and will set off for Nanjing immediately upon his return. He asks what he should do upon returning to Shaanxi.
B. A telegram from Tianjin reports that senior cadres of the 29th Army held a meeting, advocating for a cessation of the civil war and the convening of a national assembly to resolve state affairs. They have already authorized the educational circles to come forward and request Song Zheyuan to issue this proposition.
C. The situation is currently changing. Zhang and Yang will not remain isolated for long. However, Zhang and Yang and their cadres should be told to base their work on the difficult points. Even in difficulty, struggle to the end, and the final victory will be ours. Without such resolve, they will be unable to hold out when setbacks occur. In all matters, consider both the good and the bad aspects, strive for the favorable prospects, and at the same time prepare to deal with the unfavorable scenarios.
Mao Zedong
20:00, 23rd