Telegram to Zhou Enlai on the Northeast Army and the Northwest Army Establishing a Rear Area with Xi’an as the Center
(December 25, 1936)

Zhou:
It is proposed that the Northeast Army and the Northwest Army both take Fuxian, Ganquan, Yan’an, Niuwu Town, Yangquan Town, and Zhangcunyi as the general rear area, and further take Qingyang, Quzi, and Huanxian as the second rear area. Begin transport immediately, moving the most important goods and materials first. To avoid aircraft, the main [stores] should not be placed in the cities but in the countryside; close to the Soviet Area, there will be absolute safety. However, this must in no way shake the resolve to persist in combat to the end with Xi’an as the center.
Zedong
25th, 12:00