Directive on the Issue of Consolidating the Lüliang Mountain Range

(March 16, 1938)

Under the circumstances of the enemy’s offensive toward western Shanxi, the greater part of the Kuomintang troops have scattered and fled. To consolidate the Lüliang Mountain Range in our hands and secure certain ferry crossings, our army’s military dispositions should consider shifting Xu Haidong’s brigade westward to return to its organic establishment, and having either Zhu De or Peng Dehuai move westward to command this division and properly fight several victorious battles; only thus can the problem be resolved. Please consult with Chiang Kai-shek, Bai Chongxi, Yan Xishan, and Wei Lihuang; otherwise, the overall situation will be jeopardized.