Zhu Rui, Chen [Guang], Luo [Ronghuan], and for transmittal to Peng [Dehuai],
Yang [Shangkun], and Li Yu:
1. Great successes have been achieved by the 115th Division and the Shandong
Column, as well as in local work in Shandong.
2. We think that in the future Shandong should work hard at the following
tasks:
a. Strengthen and expand the 115th Division and the Shandong Column, so that
the two units become one. Firmly support the base area in Shandong, and in
the future, when it becomes necessary, prepare to move another unit to expand into northern Jiangsu. Hence, Shandong is your fundamental base area,
but Central China is the direction in which you should be prepared to expand. Consequently, it is your joint task to make the utmost efforts to
strengthen the Shandong Column, promote local cadres from Shandong, and
regularize the Shandong Column.
b. For the purpose of long-term planning for the War of Resistance in Shandong,
you must carry out correct policies, especially the financial and economic

--- Notes

policies. Although Shandong has already proposed the policy of unified revenue and spending, nonetheless, according to the students in the Military and
Political Institute¹ who are from Shandong (though they left there six months
ago and are not familiar with the latest developments), every unit still raises
and spends more revenue, and the burden on the popular masses is very heavy.
What is more, there are no strict rules, and some members of the popular
masses have escaped to enemy-occupied territory. There are still some units
that are guilty of waste (for example, the Fourth Detachment). Consequently,
the subbureau, the 115th Division, and the Shandong Column should organize a unified financial and economic committee, so that financial income
and spending can be truly put in order. The Party, the government, and the
army in each district should organize similar committees. The policies should
be centralized and unified, but their application should be decentralized.