Conflict Between the New and Old Armies in Southwestern Shanxi and Our Policy[1]

(December 6, 1939)

Zhu, Zuo, Peng, Chen, Lin, Peng, Luo, Zhao[2]; and inform Liu, Deng, Nie, Peng[3]:

A. Serious armed conflict has broken out between the new and old armies[4] under Yan Xishan’s command in southwestern Shanxi, revealing the capitulation of the old faction in Shanxi to the Japanese aggressors. This is in essence a betrayal of the war of resistance. The details are as follows:

1. After occupying Xi County, Daning, and Pu County, the Japanese aggressors suddenly withdrew of their own accord.

2. Just at this time, the 61st, 19th, and 73rd Armies of the old army suddenly joined forces and encircled the headquarters of the 196th Brigade of the new army in the Sixth District from Wucheng, Pu County, Xi County, Yonghe, and Shilou. The brigade headquarters was wiped out near Yonghe city on the 3rd. In other areas, the old army is also actively maneuvering, preparing to wipe out the new army, the progressive political power, and the progressive mass organizations.

3. Armed mutiny against the new army and against resistance to Japan may spread further in southwestern and northwestern Shanxi.

B. Our policy:

1. Recognize that this conflict may spread, promptly notify the progressive elements, and immediately put them on the alert to prepare for resolute measures to cope with the emergency. Make no concessions whatsoever to the attacks of the rebel army, strike back resolutely and vigorously, and immediately have the new faction raise the slogan of opposing the rebel army, but do not oppose Yan Xishan.

2. Promptly consolidate Party leadership in the new army, resolutely replace the unreliable elements, guard against panic and alarm, and prepare all the new army units to wage guerrilla warfare against the rebel army.

3. The Eighth Route Army itself should be strictly on guard to prevent accidents, and should give the new army encouragement, cover, and support. In form, it should appear as a mediator to prevent the old army from attacking the new army. For the time being, the Eighth Route Army should not raise the slogan of opposing the rebel army.

4. Should the rebel army attack the Eighth Route Army, it should join forces with the new army to wipe it out.

5. Southwestern and northwestern Shanxi are of extremely great strategic importance, and we must never abandon them.

Military Commission, Mao and Wang

December 6

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 497-99, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
1. The "Old Army" refers to forces in Shanxi loyal to Yan Xishan, the long-time governor of the province, which were anti-Communist to a greater or lesser degree. The "New
Army" refers to more recently formed units under the command of secretly Communist
officers or officers sympathetic to the Communist cause. Early in the war, Yan had invited
collaboration with the Communists, and he was an important target of the united front in
North China. From this start, the Communists expanded their influence, infiltrated much of
Yan's administration and military apparatus, and created territorial bases beyond his control. These actions led to the tension and conflict described here. See also below, the texts of
December 31, 1939, and January 11, 1940.
2. The reference is to Zhu De, Zuo Quan, and Peng Dehuai. On Zuo, see above, the note
to the telegram of June 12, 1939, addressed to him.
3. Chen and Lin are Chen Shiju (1909–1995), a native of Hubei, and Lin Feng (1906–
1977), a native of Heilongjiang Province, who were at this time, respectively, commander
and political commissar of the Western Shanxi Detachment of the 115th Division of the
Eighth Route Army.
4. Peng Shaohui (1906–1978), who was born in Mao's native village of Shaoshan,
Hunan, and Luo Guipo (1908-1995), a native of Jiangxi Province, were, respectively, commander and political commissar of the 358th Brigade of the 120th Division of the Eighth
Route Army.
5. Zhao Lin (1906–2003), a native of Jiangxi, was at this time secretary of the Chinese
Communist Party's Northwest Shanxi Bureau.
6. Liu and Deng are Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who were at this time commander and political commissar of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army. Nie is Nie
Rongzhen, who was then commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei
Military District. Peng is Peng Zhen, then secretary of the Northern Bureau of the Central
Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.