(October 1937)

I want to talk with the comrades about the reason for the success of this great
cause. To sum it up, it is the ability to surmount difficulties and connect with the
masses. The experience of struggle over the past decade, as well as the cave-digging by you this time, have demonstrated, and the future process of the War of
Resistance will once again demonstrate, that if we can continue in this way, we can
triumph over everything!
Although overcoming natural obstacles and conquering the soil has many similarities with overcoming living enemies and defeating the Japanese bandits, there
are many respects in which they are not entirely the same. The latter will be somewhat harder and more difficult. Hence, in the War of Resistance, we must not
simply have the mental attitude of surmounting difficulties and connecting with
the masses. We can only succeed if we are also good at work such as applying
strategy and tactics, organizing, mobilizing, and leading the masses, securing allies, and so on.
Now you already possess the spirit of overcoming difficulties and connecting
with the masses. So long as you continue to mobilize and display your talents on
this basis in defeating and expelling Japan, it is entirely possible to drive Japan out
of China.