(December 5, 1938)

My dear friend Baoshan:

In recent days, word has again been spreading of an invasion of the Northwest by
the enemy; I expect that you, sir, have already learned of this. The enemy's planned
invasion will come sooner or later, so not the least negligence in preparation may
be countenanced. I expect that a wise man such as you, sir, must have the same
feeling. We are sending Comrade Chen Qihan² specially to report to you, general,
on our defense plans and to submit to you the report, resolutions, declaration, and
such documents of our humble Party's Sixth Plenum, for your reference. I entreat
you please to convey to Qihan any instructions you may have.
I respectfully wish you serenity in times of war.

Submitted by your younger brother, Mao Zedong

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong shuxin xuanji, pp. 132-33, where it is reproduced
from the manuscript.
1. Deng Baoshan (1896–1968) of Tianshui, Gansu Province. During the War of Resis-tance against Japan, he was commander of the Guomindang Twenty-first Army Group, as
well as commander of the New First Army, and commander-in-chief of the Shanxi-Shaanxi-
Suiyuan Border Region.
2. Chen Qihan (1897-1981) was born in Xingguo, Jiangxi Province. At the time he was
the Suide garrison commander in the rear army corps of the Eighth Route Army.