To Liu Shaoqi, Chen Yi, and Peng Xuefeng

(February 18, 1941)

Although the diehard troops may possibly launch another offensive against our forces in central China, they will need time for reorganization and training after the Japanese "mopping-up" operations. Therefore, Xuefeng's units should make every effort to quickly establish base areas on the southern bank of the Guo River and should not entirely withdraw to the northern bank or abandon the southern bank unless absolutely necessary. Huang Kecheng may dispatch a portion of his forces to the area previously held by Xuefeng.

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