To Ye Ting and Others on the Direction of Movement of the New Fourth Army Headquarters and the Troops in Southern Anhui

(October 8, 1940)

1. Chiang has ordered Gu and Han to mop up the New Fourth Army north and south of the Yangtze River. Relatively large-scale armed friction north and south of the Yangtze River is possible. The main battles will be in northern Jiangsu and southern Jiangsu. Han’s attack on Chen Yi’s troops resulted in the elimination of over two thousand. In addition, one division under Gu and Leng has reached the riverbank and there are signs of crossing north to reinforce Han, while Li Pinxian and others may also act in coordination, but this is a secondary direction.

2. The most difficult aspect is the war and the army headquarters in southern Anhui. In our opinion, the army headquarters should move to the area of the Third Detachment. If it is difficult to hold out for long when the diehard troops come to attack, then cross north over the Yangtze River. If moving to southern Jiangsu is still possible, it may also move to southern Jiangsu. To penetrate south deep into the Huangshan mountain range for guerrilla warfare is most disadvantageous both politically and militarily. If the decision is made to move to northern Anhui, then the Fourth Detachment should dispatch a part to Wuwei to provide support.

3. In northern Jiangsu, throw in all forces to repulse Han’s attack and settle accounts with Han’s troops. Strive for moderation and relaxation with the diehard forces of Li Pinxian, He Zhuguo, and others. At the same time, however, attention must be paid to mopping-up operations by the Japanese aggressors. The Japanese aggressors may coordinate with this friction and carry out mopping-up operations everywhere in our Central China region.

4. The New Fourth Army troops in southern Jiangsu should persist in holding the original area through guerrilla warfare.