To Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, and Yang Shangkun[1]

(January 16, 1940)

In the struggle between the old and new armies in northwestern Shanxi, we have by and large achieved victory.[2] Yan Xishan may further collaborate with the Central Army of the Kuomintang to seize southeastern Shanxi. Therefore, we cannot but resort to armed resistance against the incursions of Pang Bingxun and Zhu Huaibing;[3] otherwise, southeastern Shanxi will be lost.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram sent by Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang to Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, and Yang Shangkun.

[2] From January 11 to 13, 1940, the New Army of Shanxi and the Eighth Route Army routed Yan Xishan's forces under Zhao Chengshou in the Linxian area, forcing Yan's troops to abandon Linxian County on the night of January 13 and retreat to the southwestern region of Shanxi. Thus, the Eighth Route Army and the New Army in northwestern Shanxi achieved victory in the counteroffensive against the diehards.

[3] Pang Bingxun was then Commander-in-Chief of the 24th Group Army of the Kuomintang forces and concurrently Commander of the 40th Army. Zhu Huaibing was then Commander of the 97th Army of the Kuomintang forces.