Directive to Luo Ronghuan and Others[1]

(March 16, 1944)

Striving for domestic peace, uniting to resist Japan, and persisting in the struggle behind enemy lines is our Party’s consistent policy. In the struggle against diehard troops, adhere to the principle of self-defence, so as to maintain the political initiative. In the three areas of Southern Shandong, Central Shandong, and Binhai, since last summer and autumn the territory has more than doubled in size; we should seize the opportunity to mobilize the masses, deepen the reduction of rent and interest, and strengthen the guerrilla forces and militia. In the old areas, continue to mobilize the masses, develop production, and prepare to persist in even more arduous struggles henceforth.

[1] This is a directive from Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Peng Dehuai to Luo Ronghuan, Li Yu, Xiao Hua, Teng Daiyuan, and Deng Xiaoping.