Telegram to Xu Xiangqian[1]

(May 1, 1937)

Celebrating your safe return from danger, and believing that you will certainly be able, under the leadership of the Central Committee, to make persistent efforts and struggle for the revolution to the very end. It is hoped that you will come to the Central Committee as soon as you have recovered from your illness.[2]

[1] This is the main content of the telegram sent by Mao Zedong, Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian), and Zhu De to Xu Xiangqian.

[2] In his *Historical Retrospect*, Xu Xiangqian recounted that after making his way back to Shaanxi through many twists and turns, "As soon as I arrived in Yan'an, Chairman Mao received me. He briefly inquired about the situation of the Western Route Army, and I answered truthfully. He said: 'As long as the green hills remain, there will be no fear of running out of firewood. It is good that you have returned. Where there are hens, there will be eggs.' These words moved me deeply."