(July to September 1946)

1

Comrade Zhongxun:

Five reports from southern Shaanxi have arrived; please review them. It has been decided that the forces of Li and Wang [1] will disperse. Li’s forces have been divided into seven units, all in southeastern Shaanxi. Wang Zhen is leading his forces toward Zhashui and Zhen’an and will disperse in Zhashui, Zhen’an, and areas to their west. Can the Northwest Bureau send cadres to assist in this region? Since there are no local forces like those of Gong Defang [2] in this area, it may be difficult to gain a foothold without sending a significant number of cadres familiar with the local situation. In addition, please consider ways to secretly escort Comrades Zheng Weisan [3], Elder Sister Chen [4], Dai Jiying [5], and other cadres who have left the army back to the border region (this must be done with utmost secrecy). Furthermore, the units of Su Bin and Zeng Liangfang have requested to be placed under the leadership of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee; please handle this matter accordingly.

Please consider sending one or two senior officials to assist the forces of Li and Wang, such as Wang Feng or other suitable individuals.

Mao Zedong
July 26

[1] Li and Wang refer to Li Xiannian and Wang Zhen, who were then serving as commander and deputy commander and chief of staff of the Central Plains Military Region, respectively.
[2] Gong Defang was then one of the leaders of the Southern Shaanxi Work Committee of the CPC and the Southern Shaanxi Guerrilla Forces.
[3] Zheng Weisan was then serving as secretary of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Central Bureau of the CPC, acting secretary of the Central Plains Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and political commissar of the Central Plains Military Region.
[4] Elder Sister Chen refers to Chen Shaomin, who was then head of the Organization Department of the Central Plains Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[5] Dai Jiying was then serving as deputy political commissar of the Central Plains Military Region and political commissar of the First Column of the Central Plains Military Region.

2

Comrade Zhongxun:

Please consider dispatching several guerrilla units (of a military work team nature) to coordinate with Li Xiannian and Wang Zhen and establish guerrilla base areas to facilitate future development: (1) One unit centered in Linyou, consisting of about three to five companies. Of these, two-thirds (two to three companies) should be dispersed in squads or platoons across more than ten counties between the Jing and Wei rivers and between Shaanxi and Gansu. Wherever there is a Party presence or favorable mass conditions even without Party organization, a squad or platoon should be stationed. They should be fully localized; if wearing military uniforms is inconvenient, they should wear civilian clothes. If a squad or platoon is too conspicuous and supply is difficult, they should be further dispersed, with three to five rifles per location (e.g., one district). The overall aim is to widely distribute them across more than ten counties between the Jing and Wei rivers to serve as the backbone of local people’s armed struggle. The remaining one-third (one to two companies) should operate openly in a concentrated manner but must adopt the name of a local people’s self-defense force, a people’s guerrilla unit, or another local designation. Whether dispersed or concentrated, all units shall be supplied with funds by the border region for one year and shall not raise funds from the civilian population. Before deployment, they must undergo training, be equipped with a sufficient number of political workers, have strong leadership, and be led by local cadres. All team members should be from Shaanxi and Gansu (or include a small number of experienced individuals from other regions). They must be willing and determined to work hard and prepared to endure hardships. (2) One unit centered in Liangdang and Huixian, consisting of about two to three companies, following the same approach as above. (3) In addition, please consider whether it is feasible to dispatch one unit centered in Haiyuan and Guyuan and another centered in Jingning and Zhuanglang, each with about 200 personnel.

Is the above policy feasible? Is there confidence that they can gain a firm foothold after deployment? Or should we first dispatch the two units for Linyou and Liangdang, each with a smaller number? Please convene relevant comrades for discussion and reply. Additionally, in Pucheng, Baishui, and other counties, efforts should be made to provide cadres and guidance to local irregular armed forces to establish guerrilla base areas.

Salutations!

Mao Zedong
August 10

3

Comrade Zhongxun:

The 84th Division of the 17th Army is now moving to Foping in southern Shaanxi to block our forces under Wang Zhen. Are there any comrades or sympathizers within the 84th Division, and what is the situation? Please investigate and inform me.

Mao Zedong
August 10

4

Comrade Zhongxun:

Wang Zhen is advancing very rapidly and plans to reach the Ningzhen [1] or Xunzheng [2] area in eleven days. Please review the two telegrams from Wang and relay a summary to Guanzhong and Longdong. Regarding the preparation of three strong regiments positioned at suitable locations to swiftly move out and coordinate with Wang Zhen, please ensure this is ready within the next few days and immediately deploy them near the border to await orders for coordination.

Salutations!

Mao Zedong
August 19

[1] Ningzhen refers to Xunning County and Zhenyuan County in Gansu Province.
[2] Xunzheng refers to Xunyi County (now Xunyi County) in Shaanxi Province and Zhengning County in Gansu Province.

5

Comrade Zhongxun:

Please immediately report the number of enemy troops stationed in Changwu, Binxian, Pingliang, Longde, Jingning, Zhengning, Ningxian, Xifeng, Zhenyuan, Guyuan, and other locations, as well as their distribution.

Mao Zedong
Night of August 22

6

Comrade Zhongxun:

Your message has been received. The arrangements are excellent, and Wang Zhen has been informed. It remains advisable to maintain calm along the Shaanxi border. Please inform the Guanzhong Subregion not to conduct harassing attacks east of Xunyi. The units in Ningxian, Zhengning, and the Longdong Subregion should proceed according to plan.

Please return the telegram sent this morning after reading it.

Salutations!

Mao Zedong
August 23

7

Comrade Zhongxun:

The main force of Wang Zhen’s unit has reached the border area [1] and will rest and reorganize in Longdong. Please instruct the Party, government, and military authorities in Longdong to welcome and assist them.

Mao Zedong
August 29

[1] The border area refers to the peripheral zones of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region.

8

Comrade Zhongxun:

(1) It appears that Hu Zongnan has plans to launch an offensive against Longdong. How should we respond? Please devise a plan and inform me.
(2) How much territory have our forces occupied beyond the blockade line, how many enemies have been eliminated, and how many rifles have been captured? Has the line of blockhouses in Zhengning, Ningxian, and Zhenyuan been completely destroyed, or are there still some remaining? Please have someone draw a map with explanations and send it to me.

Mao Zedong
September 1