Telegram to Peng Dehuai[1]

(April 13, 1940)

The current situation is developing and may deteriorate day by day, ultimately turning into the extremely dire scenario of capitulating to Japan and "suppressing the Communists." However, it may also drag on for a period. If it can be dragged on for a year, by then both international and domestic conditions will have changed, making it difficult for a certain side[2] to either capitulate or carry out "suppression," and the situation will have a definite hope of turning for the better. Our policy is to strive with all efforts to drag out the present situation while simultaneously preparing to deal with the worst-case scenario.