Telegram to Peng Dehuai[1]

(April 4, 1940)

Li Wen’s 90th Army, with its three divisions, may attempt to cross the Yellow River by stealth and occupy the Suide Garrison Area, with the aim of severing the connection between the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region and North China and attacking the Border Region. Therefore, request He and Guan to make overall arrangements for the river defense disposition of our army. Under no circumstances can the 90th Army be permitted to cross the Yellow River. This is a matter concerning the very life of the Eighth Route Army.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Peng Dehuai concerning the issue of Chiang’s summoning of Zhu and Zhou for negotiations and the issue of our army’s disposition.