Telegram to Peng Dehuai on Work Arrangements Following the Issuance of the "Jia Telegram"[1]

(November 13, 1940)

In accordance with the political stance set forth in the Central Committee's directive of November 7 and the joint reply by Zhu, Peng, Ye, and Xiang to He and Bai in the "Jia Telegram" (this telegram will be transmitted to your location shortly), regarding the military offensive launched by the Kuomintang in Central China, it has been decided to adopt a defensive war of self-defense. In terms of troop strength, aside from the redeployment of a portion of the forces under Chen and Luo[2], the various units in North China shall not be moved for the time being. Additionally, united front activities shall be carried out in Chongqing and other quarters, so as to secure a position of being in the right and advantageous politically, and to enable the War of Resistance to be prolonged for a further period. This possibility has not yet been lost.

[1] This constitutes the main content of the telegram sent by Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Wang Jiaxiang to Peng Dehuai.

[2] Namely Chen Guang and Luo Ronghuan.