<i>Pay Attention to Distinguishing Between the</i>
                                <i>Two Stages When Holding Discussions with the</i>
                                <i>Guomindang on Military Affairs in North China</i>
                                (March 17, 1938, 2:00 P.M.)
Zhou [Enlai] and Ye [Jianying], Zhu [De] and Peng [Dehuai]:
1. When talking with Chiang [Kaishek], Bai [Chongxi], He [Yingqin], and Chen
[Cheng] about military issues of North China, please pay attention to dividing
things into two stages, the present and the future. Explain to them that it is now
necessary and possible to keep large armies in North China. In the future, however, the situation will undergo the following changes:
    a. The enemy will adopt the policy of destroying our economic base in a big
        way. For example, much damage has been caused by large-scale burning in
        the area around Fuping.
    b. He will build and repair roads, attack by several routes, and construct fortifi-
        cations so as to reduce gradually the zone of our activities.
    c. He will occupy all the major ferry points on both shores of the Yellow River
        so as to create difficulties for our supplies and make it hard to maneuver.
    The above-mentioned three circumstances are bound to occur. Some are al-
    ready being put into effect.
2. Therefore, it is now possible and necessary to keep large military units in
North China. In the future, we may only be able to keep a few smaller units, that is,
a few guerrilla units, in North China. The main force of various armies must cross
the river before the enemy manages to blockade the different ferry points on the
Yellow River. Otherwise, we would fall into great difficulties.
3. It is entirely possible and very necessary to establish many anti-Japanese
base areas in the rear of the enemy. Both the Guomindang and the Communist
Party should do their utmost to do so, and no suspicions should be entertained
about this. We should not, however, regard it as easy, nor should we imagine that
several hundred thousand regular troops can engage in prolonged combat in North
China.

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 195–96, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 197–98, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
4. A regiment of Gao Shuangcheng's forces 1 is under siege in Dongshen. The
enemy in Pianguan has already crossed the river and is staging an offensive to the
north of Shenmu. The enemy at Linfen has sent reinforcements to Pu xian. The
enemy in Pu xian is attacking Daning again, and Madouguan is in danger.
5. Gao Gang 2 is building boats at the mouth of the river. On the basis of the
assumption that it will cost 25,000 yuan to build one hundred big boats (each
costing 250 yuan), please get the money from the Military Affairs Department.

Mao Zedong

____________________

--- Notes

1. Gao Shuangcheng was at this time the commander of the Guomindang Eighty-sixth
Division.

2. Gao Gang was at this time the public security commander of the Shaanxi-Gansu-
Ningxia garrison force of the Eighth Route Army.