1941, March 4 • Dear Comrades: First of all, we extend our warmest greetings to all of you—soldiers, commanders, and political workers. Looking back to the beginning of the War of Resistance, since our main forces of the Eighth Route Army were dispatched to the North China front, you have remained in the Border Region for four years with outstanding achievements. You have successfully defended the rear of our entire army, consolidated public order in the Border Region, and served as a bulwark for the entire Northwest. Over these four years, you have made significant progress in military skills, political education, cultural learning, and internal organizational work. Moreover, through arduous labor, you have widely carried out production campaigns, surmounted numerous hardships in daily life, and laid a solid foundation for self-reliance. These accomplishments are primarily attributable to your united efforts. Now that the ice has melted and spring has arrived, we stand at the threshold of a new year. The Soviet Red Army and peasantry are poised to defeat Hitler’s bandit forces this year, while the peoples of democratic nations worldwide are working tirelessly to overthrow the fascist hordes of Germany, Italy, and Japan. In coordination with this global anti-fascist struggle, we are preparing for a counteroffensive, aiming to vanquish Japanese imperialism within the next two to three years. Yet, many challenges still lie ahead. The burden on our shoulders remains heavy. Although the enemy has been weakened, it remains formidable, cunning, and ruthless. Pro-Japanese elements within China have yet to be purged and constantly seek to undermine the War of Resistance, disrupt our army, and destabilize the Border Region. Therefore, we must guard against empty optimism and complacency. We need to heighten our vigilance, hold fast to our positions, and rigorously prevent sabotage and disruption by enemy agents and traitors. At the same time, we should strengthen unity with friendly forces, maintain close ties with the masses, and further fortify the Border Region. Furthermore, our levels of military skill and cultural literacy still require substantial improvement. All soldiers and commanders must diligently train their physical fitness, intensify marksmanship practice, grenade throwing, bayonet fighting, and the proper use of various weapons; they should master diverse combat techniques and elevate their tactical proficiency. Equally important is a vigorous campaign to promote cultural education, striving to eradicate illiteracy and address the low educational standards among our troops, particularly among cadres. We must also redouble our efforts in the production movement, which remains the most effective means of breaking the enemy’s economic blockade, overcoming material shortages, and improving supplies for our units. We should expand cultivation of sunflowers, raise more pigs and sheep, develop cotton and wool textile industries, and organize transportation networks. Our slogan is: “Everyone pitches in to solve the problems of food and clothing and achieve complete self-sufficiency.” Dear comrades, the tasks before us are immense. Accomplishing them requires our unwavering unity and an indomitable spirit of endurance and tireless struggle. We must earnestly foster solidarity and mutual care between superiors and subordinates, between commanders and soldiers, and among all personnel, eradicating any traces of coldness, callousness, lack of camaraderie, or division. With such ironclad unity and resolute perseverance, no difficulty will prove insurmountable, no obstacle unbeatable, and no mission unachievable. To all soldiers, commanders, political workers, and fellow comrades: This year marks a period of strengthening our forces and preparing for the counteroffensive. It is our hope that, through the concerted efforts of everyone, we can launch the counteroffensive at an early date. On that day, we shall sweep the heinous enemy from the soil of our motherland, hoist the banner of national independence, freedom, and liberation across the nation, and bask in the radiant glow of victory. That goal is now within reach. As we embark upon this momentous new year, we extend our fraternal greetings to you all. May you remain ever more united and strive with renewed vigor! We wish you new and tremendous victories and progress this year in combat, study, production, and all other endeavors. Respectfully submitted! Mao Zedong Zhu De Wang Jiaxiang March 4, 1942