To Liu Shaoqi[1]

(November 3, 1940)

The current situation is at a turning point. Whether we handle it properly or not bears greatly on the future. Chiang Kai-shek is preparing to capitulate and is determined to drive our army north of the Yellow River, then seal off the river line, placing us in a pincer between the Japanese and Chiang to annihilate us. His scheme is utterly vicious.

In this current anti-communist upsurge, and even for a considerably long period thereafter, we shall not indicate a break with Chiang Kai-shek, but shall instead raise demands for the removal and punishment of He Yingqin, adherence to the national policy of resisting Japan, withdrawal of the anti-communist troops, granting freedom to the people, release of anti-Japanese political prisoners, restoration of domestic peace, and convening of a national assembly, among other conditions.

However, all your dispositions must be based on the judgment that the anti-communist troops will inevitably strike, and on the darkest possible scenario. There must be absolutely no wavering, so as to avoid falling into Chiang’s trap.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Wang Jiaxiang to Liu Shaoqi.