Conversation with Deng Jingxi[1]

(March 24, 1938)

Every month several hundred thousand yuan in funds are allocated by the Nationalist government. Rifles and equipment are all delivered to us by Japan’s “volunteer transport corps.” Now we have roughly the equipment of an entire division, completely identical to that of the Japanese army, with only the arm badges being different.

[1] On the evening of March 24, 1938, Mao Zedong met with journalist Deng Jingxi and answered his questions on issues such as the future of China’s War of Resistance, the current development of the Anti-Japanese National United Front, and the situation of the Eighth Route Army. The day after meeting Mao Zedong (March 25), Deng Jingxi wrote “An Account of Meeting Mr. Mao Zedong.” In it he stated: “At half past nine in the evening, I was led by a section chief into the cave-like room where Mr. Mao lived.” “In outward appearance, he much resembles a simple, honest peasant, but his bearing is that of a refined scholar.” “When he speaks, he is always unhurried, calm and steady, at all times carrying a tone of soliciting the other party’s opinion. His language is very colloquial, sounding at first as if ‘plain and unremarkable,’ yet upon reflection, it proves ‘meaningful and full of savor.’” When the conversation ended, “holding a foreign candle, he saw me out the door.” This is a portion of Mao Zedong’s conversation with Deng Jingxi concerning the issue of the Eighth Route Army.