On January 31, 1938, during the Lunar New Year, Wei Lihuang, then the commander-in-chief of the former enemy in the Second Theater, came to wish Zhu De New Year's greetings. Ding Ling informed Zhao Rongsheng to go to the Eighth Route Army headquarters to interview Wei Lihuang. Zhao Rongsheng did not have a good impression of Wei Lihuang, a fellow from Anhui. Therefore, although Zhao Rongsheng conducted an interview about the New Year greetings, he did not conduct an exclusive interview with Wei Lihuang as requested by Ding Ling. He only handed over the record of his speech to the matter. Soon, "A Grand Meeting on the Western Front" written by Zhao Rongsheng was published in "People's Weekly", which attracted Wei Lihuang's special attention. After Wei Lihuang asked Liu Yuheng, secretary of the Ninth Army, about the author's situation, he said: "Why have all the capable young people gone to the Eighth Route Army? Try to find him and come to our headquarters as a secretary." Liu Yuheng is A native of Chaoxian County, Anhui Province, he was familiar with Zhao Rongsheng. He was the chairman of the National Salvation Association of Tsinghua University and was ordered to do united front work in the Kuomintang army. So, he wrote a letter inviting Zhao Rongsheng to work at the former enemy headquarters in the Second War Zone.
Zhao Rongsheng ignored Liu Yuheng’s letter. After the organization learned about it, Fu Zhong, deputy director of the General Political Department, immediately talked to Zhao Rongsheng and emphasized the importance of united front work. During the Lantern Festival of 1938, Zhao Rongsheng left the service corps and reported to the former enemy headquarters in Huo County, where he became a major secretary. During the battle breaks, Wei Lihuang and Zhao Rongsheng often talked all night long and accepted many of Zhao Rongsheng's ideas on saving the country. Soon, following Wei Lihuang's order, Zhao Rongsheng, Liu Yuheng and others went to Xi'an to establish the "Second Theater Former Enemy Headquarters Field Work Group". After that, Zhao Rongsheng returned to Wei Lihuang.
At that time, the Battle of Hanxinling failed, and Wei Lihuang planned to move to Zhongtiao Mountain. When seeking advice from Zhao Rongsheng, Zhao Rongsheng suggested to Wei Lihuang: "It is better to take the road of northern Shaanxi. This way It's a good opportunity to visit Yan'an." Wei Lihuang listened to Zhao Rongsheng's suggestion and asked him to immediately show him some publications from the Eighth Route Army Office, and also asked him to draft a speech for him in Yan'an.
On April 17, 1938, Wei Lihuang’s motorcade set out from Yanshui Pass, passed through Yanchuan County, and went straight to Yan’an. The people of Yan'an beat gongs and drums to welcome Wei Lihuang and his party, and welcome slogans can be seen twenty or thirty miles away from the city. Teng Daiyuan and Xiao Jinguang led Wei Lihuang to meet Mao Zedong, and the guests and hosts had a lively conversation. At noon, Mao Zedong held a banquet in honor of Wei Lihuang, Commander of the Ninth Army Guo Jiqiao and others. In the afternoon, Wei and Guo visited Kangda University. Afterwards, Wei Lihuang also visited the injured Lin Biao. In the evening, Mao Zedong hosted a welcome party. Three days later, Wei Lihuang and his party left Yan'an.