Regarding the Issue of Reinforcing the Western Route Army: Telegram to Zhou Enlai and Others[1]

(February 28, 1937)

To avoid dividing our forces and to prepare for possible combat on the eastern front in case of emergency, it is advisable to keep the entire First Front Army in place without any movement.

The steps for reinforcement: In the first step, cross the river in the Jingyuan area, with the main force of Xu and Chen[2] positioned on the western bank and the two units under Luo and Song[3] positioned on the eastern bank. It is estimated that this will immediately relieve the siege on Xu and Chen. In the second step, either Xu and Chen proceed to Anxi while the reinforcement troops return east, or Xu and Chen return east together with the reinforcement troops, or the main force of the reinforcement troops joins Xu and Chen to advance westward together while Luo and Song return east—this will be decided based on the circumstances. However, the first option appears to be more advantageous.

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[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's telegram to Zhou Enlai, with copies to Peng Dehuai, Ren Bishi, and Ye Jianying, regarding the issue of reinforcing the Western Route Army.

[2] Xu and Chen refer to Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao.

[3] The two units under Luo and Song refer to the Red 32nd Army, with Luo Binghui as its commander, and the Red 28th Army, with Song Shilun as its commander.