Speech at the Opening Ceremony of North China United University[1]

(July 7, 1939)

That year when Jiang Ziya descended from Mount Kunlun, Yuanshi Tianzun bestowed upon him three treasures: the Apricot-Yellow Banner, the Four-Unlike, and the God-Beating Whip. Now, as you set out for the front lines, I too bestow upon you three treasures: the first treasure is the united front. The characteristic of the current situation is that the capitulators and compromisers want to split us apart, and we shall counter this with the progress of the War of Resistance, the unity of the whole nation, and by steadfastly upholding the united front. The second treasure is guerrilla warfare. This is a treasure we have gained through eighteen years of bitter struggle. In China’s revolution today, to drive out Japan, without armed struggle, there is no other way. The third treasure is the unity of the revolutionary center. This means the Communist Party must unite well with its sympathizers. Without the unity of the revolutionary center, the other treasures cannot be put to use.

Comrades, as you set out to work at the front, you must not fear hardship or trouble. Revolutionary work is work full of hardship and trouble. We must fight Japanese imperialism, fight the traitors, and struggle against the anti-Communist diehards—just look at all these troubles!

When you go to work at the front, you must keep a far-sighted vision. You must strive not only for national liberation, but also for social liberation.

[1] In the summer of 1939, according to a decision by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Northern Shaanxi Public School, the Lu Xun Academy of Arts, the Workers’ School, and the Youth Training Class were merged to form North China United University. At the official opening ceremony of North China United University, President Cheng Fangwu invited Mao Zedong to speak. This is an excerpt from Mao Zedong's speech.