The Southern Anhui Troops Must Cross the
River with Utmost Speed
(December 16, 1940, 7:00 to 9:00 A.M.)

To Hu [Fu] and Chen [Yi], and for transmittal to Ye [Ting] and Xiang [Ying]:
1. We have taken note of all your telegrams. Dispositions are to be made according to Hu Fu's telegram of the 15th

2. Viewed from the standpoint of the overall situation, a large-scale "suppression of the Communists" is impossible, but a partial offensive is inevitable. The
struggle in Central China is a long-term, protracted struggle, so we must possess
determination and patience.
3. The troops in northern Jiangsu must train, consolidate, and expand their ranks
in a hurry for a short period, and then have a unit of the main forces serve as
reinforcements in eastern Anhui.
4. The southern Anhui troops must cross the Yangzi with utmost speed and
become the core force for maintaining eastern Anhui. A large group of their cadres is to be assigned both to northern Jiangsu and to eastern Anhui to construct
base areas.
5. Two regiments of the 115th Division are urged to hasten southward.

Mao [Zedong] Zhu [De] Wang [Jiaxiang]

--- Notes