Strive to Have Fuping and Other Xian
Designated as Zones of
Eighth Route Army Activities
(September 7, 1937)¹
Zhou [Enlai], Peng [Dehuai], and Lin [Biao]:
1. The sixty thousand or so troops of the three units of Tang Enbo, Wei Lihuang,
and Liu Ruming have already occupied the four xian of Weixian, Laiyuan, Guangling,
and Lingqiu and areas to their northeast. There is no more room for maneuver for
the Red Army in these areas, and it is extremely disadvantageous to be stationed
between these troops.
2. Yan [Xishan] has the intention of dispatching the Red Army to Yangyuan and
Datong, and Chiang may also attempt this.
3. The areas which are advantageous for the Red Army at present are Fuping,
Tangxian, Quyang, Xingtang, Lingshou, Pingshan, Fanshi, Hunyuan, Wutai, and
Mengxian, as well as areas in the southern part of the two xian of Laiyuan and
Lingqiu. It is hoped that you will make an effort to have Yan specify these areas.
Mao [Zedong]

--- Notes

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 42-43, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

1. It is indicated by a conventional character that this telegram was sent between 9:00
and 11:00 P.M.