Directive on Our Army in North China Persisting in the Policy of the United Front

(December 17, 1937)

To Zhu, Peng, and Ren, with information to Lin, Nie, He, Xiao, Guan, Liu, Xu, Zhang, Xiaoping, Zihua, and Xuefeng[1]:

(A) The policy of the anti-Japanese national united front must be persisted in. The Eighth Route Army must maintain good and friendly relations with all friendly armies in North China, especially with Yan and the local political authorities of all counties and the local gentry. In all matters, legality and unity must be sought, friction reduced, and unity strengthened. In particular, in the northeastern Shanxi region where Rongzhen is located, the same principle applies uniformly; no divergence should be established. In all matters requiring Yan’s consent, efforts must be made to obtain his consent; where he firmly disagrees, we should make concessions.

(B) The guidelines for the various areas of northwestern Shanxi, southeastern Shanxi, western Shanxi, and southern Shanxi shall be handled in accordance with this principle.

Mao Zedong

[1] Namely Lin Biao, Nie Rongzhen, He Long, Xiao Ke, Guan Xiangying, Liu Bocheng, Xu Xiangqian, Zhang Hao, Deng Xiaoping, Cheng Zihua, and Peng Xuefeng.
[2] A word appears to be missing here.