To Zhou Enlai and Bo Gu[1]

(January 5, 1937)

Zhou, Bo:

The Nanjing revenge faction currently has no political slogans and can only operate in stealth, hoping to intimidate Yang Hucheng, Yu Xuezhong, Wang Yizhe, and others into submission, and then slowly butcher them and isolate the Red Army. At present, as long as the three sides[2] unite, truly toughen up a bit, and spread the prestige of the Red Army so that the Central Army dares not advance recklessly (if it advances recklessly, wipe out a part of it), it is possible to secure the release of Zhang Xueliang and achieve a semi-independent situation in the Northwest. You must promptly issue a telegram supporting Chiang and welcoming Zhang. We will disseminate Comrade Zhu’s talk in Shanghai. Peng and Ren[3] must promptly order the Fifteenth Army Corps to move out to southern Shaanxi.

Luofu, Zedong

January 5, 21:00

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Luofu (Zhang Wentian) to Zhou Enlai and Bo Gu (Qin Bangxian) concerning the rescue of Zhang Xueliang.
[2] Refers to the Northeastern Army, the Seventeenth Route Army, and the Red Army.
[3] Refers to Peng Dehuai and Ren Bishi.