(March 29, 1938)

Zhu [De] and Peng [Dehuai]:

In view of the situation of the enemy and of ourselves at present, it is possible that
the situation in Henan, Anhui, Tongguan, Xi'an, and even Wuhan will very rapidly undergo serious changes. At the same time, the enemy certainly has a plan for
attacking the Communist Party politically by invading northern Shaanxi. Therefore, it is appropriate that Liu's division and Xu's brigade should be located to the
east of the Tongpu railway line. Using the Taiyu mountain range as the base area,
they should mobilize the popular masses, attack the Tongpu railway, and support
the divisions of Lin and He² in attacking the enemy in western Shanxi. This will
also facilitate redeployment westward.

Mao [Zedong]

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 212-13, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
1. Regarding the Tongpu railway line, see above, the note to the text of February 23,
1938.
2. The reference is to the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, commanded by Lin
Biao, and the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, commanded by He Long.