Telegram in Reply to Zhou Enlai [1]

(July 26, 1938)

If organizing three additional divisions is impossible, then it would be appropriate to adopt the second proposal: announce four or five headquarters and stipulate a number of troops and an amount of funding suitable for the current situation.

--- Notes

[1] On July 26, Zhou Enlai telegraphed Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Peng Dehuai: In recent days, Lin Boqu and I met with Chiang Kai-shek and He Yingqin. They made the excuse that the quota of 200 divisions was already full and were unwilling to grant divisional designations. I believe two proposals can be put forward: 1. Still request the organization of three armies comprising six divisions, or three divisions comprising nine brigades and twenty-seven regiments; 2. Request to formally appoint Nie Rongzhen of Wutai, Song Shilun and Deng Hua of the Ji-Re area, Xu Xiangqian and Chen Zaidao along the Jin-Pu Railway, and Xiao Jinguang for river defense, all with the title of Commander, and request the issuance of funds for these headquarters and their subordinate troops. This was the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram in reply to Zhou Enlai.