The Central Task at Present Lies in Resolutely
Preparing for Combat, and in Rejecting Gu
and Welcoming Zhang
(January 6, 1937, 8:00 P.M.)
Zhou [Enlai] and Bo [Gu]:
1. The central task at present lies in resolutely preparing for combat, and in
rejecting Gu and welcoming Zhang [Xueliang].
2. If Gu comes, then Zhang and Yang [Hucheng]'s units will both be eliminated and the Red Army will be compelled to go up the mountains.
3. The Zhang and Yang forces will quickly build solid positions, while the
Red Army takes responsibility for field operations and fights resolutely to the
finish to safeguard the revolutionary situation in the Northwest, not letting down
our guard in the face of Nanjing's peaceful air. This is the only method by which
to obtain peace, as the precedent of Guangxi proves.
4. At this time Enlai should absolutely not leave Xi'an; Zhang Xueliang has
already fallen into a big trap by going to Nanjing.
Luo [Fu]
[Mao] Ze[dong]

--- Notes

Our source for this document is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 773-74, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

1. Gu Zhutong (1893–1987), zi Mousan, was a native of Jiangsu, who had been
associated with Chiang Kaishek since the early 1920s. In January 1937 he was sent to the
Northwest as commander of the Guomindang First Army Group of the Rebel-Suppressing
Army, with the mission of negotiating with the supporters of the Xi'an coup.