To Wang Zhen[1]

(March 5, 1940)

Mizhi and Jia County, which are close to Yulin and are areas where many middle forces are concentrated, should not be made part of the Border Region for the time being; the status quo should be maintained. Our policy is to win over these middle forces with extreme prudence. The four counties of Suide, Wubao, Qingjian, and Ansai should also gradually and generally become part of the Border Region, but this does not mean making them exactly the same as the old Border Region. The attitude toward friendly troops, toward the gentry, and toward the diehards is completely different; you must pay attention to studying these questions of attitude. After He Shaonan leaves, your attitude should be more moderate, and you must be extremely careful not to lose the sympathy of the middle-of-the-road gentry.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang to Wang Zhen.