1942.9(a) The “Jia” telegram has been finalized today and has already been translated. It will be transmitted to your office tomorrow simultaneously via the war report radio station and wired telegraph, from where you are to forward it to He Bai. No direct transmission will be made from here. Upon receipt, please proofread for any typographical errors.

(b) Clearly distinguish between the Jiangnan and Jiangbei forces. In Jiangnan, confirm that the main body will move north as a gesture of concession. In Jiangbei, stipulate that troop redeployment be temporarily suspended—calling it temporary is to save face for Chiang; describing it as an outright suspension is to dispel his illusions. In your external propaganda, emphasize the reasons for this suspension (as listed in the telegram: first, ancestral tombs; second, compliance with Chiang’s ‘Appeal to Fellow Countrymen in Occupied Areas’ which contains no errors; third, lack of guarantees for families; fourth, the fivefold calamities afflicting North China). Furthermore, the heartfelt words contained in the “Jia” telegram imply that should the other side launch an attack, we shall necessarily defend ourselves. This point should also be publicized using the metaphor of the clam caught between the plover and the fisherman, in order to induce them to halt their offensive.

(c) Ye Xiyi will travel to Shangrao on the 10th to meet with Gu, with the intention of discussing marching allowances, logistical supplies, assurances of safe passage, and the possibility of making a brief stop in southern Jiangsu, among other conditions.

(d) There are reports that Li Zongren will journey from Guangxi to Lihuang to attend a meeting. Should he pass through Chongqing, please arrange a frank discussion with Kai Cheng. As for whether Tang Enbo will relocate, inquiries are currently being directed toward Luoyang, but no response has yet been received. Please conduct further investigations in Chongqing and inform us accordingly. Tang’s decision to move—or not—to move serves as an indicator of Chiang’s resolve to launch an offensive. Until we receive your reply indicating our position, it remains possible that Tang is merely preparing to shift his forces without actually doing so. Therefore, we should endeavor to take steps to prevent such a move. Consider conveying to Zhang Chong that if Tang advances eastward, war will be unavoidable, and the northward relocation of the southern Anhui forces will likely encounter complications, for which we shall bear no responsibility. Alternatively, you might apprise Ma Yiyi and others of the stakes involved, entrusting them to seek ways to restrain Tang and General Tan’s advance eastward. (Tan Lianfang’s two divisions have already been stationed in Shangcheng and Gushi for half a month, still undergoing rest and recuperation; both Tan and the division commanders Zhang and Lin have traveled to Lihuang to attend the meeting.)

(e) Hu Fu has arrived in Yancheng and is holding meetings with Ke Cheng and Chen Yi, preparing to counter any attack by Tang and Tan. Their plan is that, should Tang and Tan launch an offensive, they will promptly act to neutralize Han Deqin. This, too, constitutes a matter of shared interest between Chiang and Gu; therefore, consider making an appropriate gesture, which may help delay their attack. o()