Telegram to Deng Xiaoping and Others[1]

(February 9, 1944)

The Japanese aggressors have designs to attack the northwest. The purpose of Yan’s forces moving eastward is to provoke internal conflict and thereby ease the Japanese offensive. We must absolutely not fall into this trap. Regardless of how many of Yan’s forces move eastward, our troops should yield a certain area and firmly uphold the policy of not fighting. No conflict shall occur for at least six months. This is specifically conveyed; act accordingly without fail.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram sent by Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Peng Dehuai to Deng Xiaoping, Teng Daiyuan, Yang Lisan, and others. Yang Lisan was then serving as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eighth Route Army’s Forward General Headquarters.