To Xiao Ke[1]

(November 24, 1940)

The current situation is at a turning point. Our Party must, on the one hand, firmly hold all anti-Japanese base areas, and on the other hand, must prepare to deal with Chiang Kai-shek’s “communist-suppression” war. The persistence and development of the Pingxi, Pingbei, and Jidong regions have increased their significance for the overall situation. It is hoped that you will sustain your efforts amidst hardships and integrate closely with Nie and Peng.

The Military Commission has never provided much assistance to your area, and in the future will provide even less. Everything depends on you and your comrades to sustain independently.

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