To Lu Chao¹
(October 7, 1939)

To his excellency Mr. Hanqun:

Mr. Wang Youyu² is on a visit to Yan'an, and we have had very delightful conversations. I have had the honor of reading your instructions and am all the more
drawn to you. You, sir, serving in the Center, boast great achievements and command high prestige; we inferiors, craning our necks and looking up to you, cannot
possibly suppress our admiration. When the country is faced with disaster, unity is
of first and foremost importance; I believe I share this understanding and aspiration with you, sir. This reply is respectfully submitted. With best wishes,

Respectfully,

Your younger brother, Mao Zedong

¹ Lu Chao (1890-1952), *zi* Hanqun, a native of Sichuan, had studied at the Baoding
Military Academy, joined the Tongmenghui before the 1911 Revolution, and served in Sun
Yatsen's Guangzhou headquarters in 1921-22. At this time he was chief of the Military
Inspectorate in the National Government.

² Wang Youyu was an inspector in the Guomindang Military Inspectorate.