Chapter 71 Letter to Hu Zongnan[2] drafted for Xu Xiangqian[1]

(October 18, 1936) Brother Zongnan's Commander's Medal: It has been ten years since we left Whampoa. Looking back on the old love, it seems like yesterday.At present, the Japanese invaders are aggressively advancing, the northwest is dying, and the mountains and rivers are shaking. It is urgent for the brothers and us to put aside our suspicions and repair, and go to the anti-Japanese front to work hard to save the country and the nation from peril.Our department has been ordered by the Soviet government and the Red Army Military Committee to stop attacking your army and other Kuomintang troops, and only use self-defense measures when your army attacks. All issues can be negotiated, and the goal of stopping the civil war and united resistance against Japan will always be achieved by peaceful means. .I am not afraid of your army, but in the face of a national crisis, I really don't want to kill each other and hurt the national strength, Kou Yan; Retaliate as necessary.Our armies are only fighting for the purpose of resisting Japan, and we are sincerely willing to form an alliance with your army and advance hand in hand.President Jiang [3] has now become very enlightened and admires him very much.If our teachers, students and classmates can put aside the past, restore the united front of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and fight to the death against the greatest enemy of our nation, Japanese imperialism, to avenge the country and the people, today is the day.My elder brother is far-sighted and has always been respected by my younger brother. Although we have been hostile for many years, it is not difficult for us to say goodbye once.Here is a special envoy to bring a letter to ask for my brother's opinion. If it is favorably adopted, I will ask you to stop your military operations and wait for the negotiation between our Party Central Committee, President Jiang and your Party Central Committee.If the dispatcher comes, our department will sincerely welcome you.When dangers and disasters are urgent, if you speak out, talk to your fellow disciples, do you think it is offensive?Specially hereby.Shout out to Rong Sui!

Junior brother Xu Xiangqian October 18 Printed from transcripts kept at the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Xu Xiangqian (1901-1990), a native of Wutai, Shanxi.Graduated from the first phase of the Whampoa Military Academy.At that time, he was the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army. [2] Hu Zongnan, a graduate of the first phase of the Whampoa Military Academy, see note [2] on page 450 of this volume. [3] Jiang, referring to Chiang Kai-shek, was the principal of the Whampoa Military Academy.