Telegram to Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, Yang Shangkun, and Others[1]

(March 5, 1940)

Xiao Jinguang and Wang Ruofei stayed in Qiulin Town for four days, where they were received with great warmth. The negotiations were successful.

Henceforth, our basic policy is to continue to unite with Yan Xishan, consolidate the forces of the old Shanxi army under Yan’s command, preserve Yan’s territory in the Lüliang Mountains, and restore the command and subordination relationship between the New Army and Yan, so as to facilitate the War of Resistance in North China and the Northwest.

To ensure the realization of this policy, the conditions for delimiting operational zones agreed upon by both sides are as follows: in western Shanxi, the Fenyang-Lishi Highway[2] shall serve as the boundary, and south of the highway preparations shall be made to cease guerrilla warfare; in southeastern Shanxi, the Linfen-Tunliu Highway[3] shall serve as the boundary, and the Eighth Route Army and the New Army shall not expand south of the highway.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission, addressed to Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, Yang Shangkun, and others, and also conveyed to the leaders of the New Army. The telegram reported on the course of the negotiations between Xiao Jinguang, Wang Ruofei, and Yan Xishan, and on the future revolutionary policy toward Yan.

[2] This refers to the section of highway from Fenyang to Lishi.

[3] This refers to the section of highway from Linfen to Tunliu.