(May 4, 1938)

Comrade Xiang Ying:

Although there are difficulties in engaging in guerrilla warfare in the rear of the
enemy, it is better, easier, and less constrained than fighting at the front together
with friendly forces and under their command. The enemy situation is more serious there, yet as long as we have the broad popular masses behind us and sufficient areas in which to maneuver, and provided we pay attention to mobility and
flexibility in command, such difficulties can be overcome. This has already been
proven by the guerrilla war in Hebei and Shandong. A few days after the reconnaissance forces have been sent out, the main force may get ready to follow along.
There is every reason to hope that we will be able to create base areas in the
extensive areas among the five regions of Guangde, Suzhou, Zhenjiang, Nanjing,
and Wuhu, to mobilize the popular masses to wage an anti-Japanese struggle, to
organize armed forces of the popular masses, and to develop new guerrilla contingents. After the Mao mountain base area has been in large measure established,
you should also prepare some forces to enter the triangular area of Suzhou,
Zhenjiang, and Wusong, as well as a contingent for crossing the river to enter the
area north of it. Under certain circumstances, it is possible to wage guerrilla warfare on the plains too. The conditions are very different from those during the civil
war. Of course, a cautious attitude should be adopted at all times. One cannot
ignore the point that specific combat actions should be taken when the specific
circumstances permit. You need to pay serious attention to Xue Yue¹ and others
who harbor malicious intent. The present orientation does not, however, consist in
competing with him for some time or some more miles of defense sectors, but in
obeying his orders to go to the areas designated by him. You will have your own
freedom after getting there. In the future, you need not ask for instructions from
him or report to him on all matters. You only need to report to him your general
course of action and battle victories. In addition, please always keep the good
relations with Comrade Ye [Ting].² Please give consideration to the above points.

Mao Zedong

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 220-21, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
1. Xue Yue was at this time the commander of the First Army Group of the Guomindang
First War Zone.

2. Ye Ting (1897-1946) had joined the Communist Party while studying in the Soviet
Union in 1925. In August 1927, he participated in the Nanchang Uprising. Subsequently,
he severed connections with the Chinese Communist Party, but in September 1937 he persuaded Chiang Kaishek to appoint him commander of the New Fourth Army, which was
formally created in January 1938.