December 30, 1940: According to Enlai: “It is dangerous for the Jiangnan troops to cross the river in dispersed formations. Although Chiang has verbally agreed to allow passage through northern Anhui, yielding the four counties of Chaohu, Wuwei, He County, and Hefei will likely be difficult. Li Pinxian is already plotting an ambush against us. Therefore, it is still preferable to have our forces cross into southern Jiangsu in successive groups.” We concurred with Enlai’s view that crossing into southern Jiangsu in stages would be the better course of action. O().