Prepare Ample Forces to Counter the Enemy’s Attacks on the Inland Counties

(November 9, 1937)

To Zhu, Peng, and Ren[1], and inform Zhou[2] to relay to Hu, Yang, and Peng[3]:

Under the circumstances in which regular warfare in North China has already concluded and guerrilla warfare has shifted to the primary role, the Japanese brigands will soon move their main forces to attack key points in the inland counties. The enemy troops will advance toward such places as Shenchi, Ningwu, and Jingle in northwestern Shanxi; Wutai, Yu County, Wei County[4], Guangling, and Lingqiu in northeastern Shanxi; Xiyang, Heshun, Liao County[5], and Jincheng in southeastern Shanxi; and Lishi, Zhongyang, Xiaoyi, Lingshi, and Pu County in southwestern Shanxi. Therefore, the units under Nie, the division under He, the division under Liu, and the division under Lin[6] (Lin’s division should immediately move to the Lüliang Mountains), which are assigned to work in the four major areas, must be redeployed. The guiding principle for deployment: retain a portion of forces as assault units, while dispersing the bulk of the troops as widely as possible across key localities, with organizing the masses into armed forces as the primary task. Generally, deploy troops and commence work first in areas near railways and highways, and later in remote areas; work first in regions the enemy is about to reach, and later in regions the enemy will not reach for the time being. The various armies have suffered great routs, and Yan[7] is likewise without direction. The Red Army should, under the fundamental principles of the united front, boldly mobilize the people, abolish exorbitant taxes and levies, reduce rents and interest rates, incorporate routed troops, purchase firearms, raise military funds, achieve self-sufficiency, expand the forces, strike at traitors, be lenient toward and accept left-wing elements, and further develop the spirit of independence and self-reliance. By acting in this manner, we expect to achieve notable results within one month, so as to prepare ample forces to counter the enemy’s attacks on the inland counties.

Mao Zedong

Nine o’clock, the 9th

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[1] Zhu refers to Zhu De. Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Route Army. Ren refers to Ren Bishi, then Director of the Political Department of the Eighth Route Army.
[2] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
[3] Hu refers to Hu Fu, i.e., Liu Shaoqi. Yang refers to Yang Shangkun, then Deputy Secretary of the Northern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Peng refers to Peng Xuefeng, then Director of the Staff Office of the Eighth Route Army Headquarters and concurrently Director of its Shanxi Office.
[4] Wei County is in western Hebei Province.
[5] Liao County is present-day Zuoquan County.
[6] Nie’s unit refers to the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, formed from part of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Nie Rongzhen as Commander and Political Commissar. He’s division refers to the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with He Long as Division Commander. Liu’s division refers to the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Liu Bocheng as Division Commander. Lin’s division refers to the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Lin Biao as Division Commander.
[7] Yan refers to Yan Xishan, then Commander of the Second War Zone of the Nationalist Government.