Talk with Guo Shushen and Others[1]

(January 1, 1945)

In the struggle against the enemy, we must make long-term preparations. In the past, we only considered immediate needs—expanding the army and raising funds—and before long, the base areas were drained. The comrades in Henan did the right thing; they kept the expanded troops in the localities and have already expanded local forces to over ten thousand. Last year, production in the various base areas was well organized, and the troops received five qian of salt, five qian of oil, and one jin of vegetables per person per day—much better than in previous years. Whether the enemy falls sooner or later, we must be well prepared. With preparation, there is no peril, and only then can we remain invincible.

[1] This is part of a talk between Mao Zedong and Guo Shushen and others who came to extend New Year greetings. Guo Shushen was appointed director of the Political Department of the Second Division of the New Fourth Army in January 1941. In the autumn of the same year, he went to Yan’an to study at the Central Party School of the CPC Central Committee and later served as director of its Third Department.