Reply to Wang Zhen and Wang Shoudao[1]

(March 30, 1945)

Your plan of advancing by leaps and bounds and leaving one battalion in southern Hubei to set up a small rear base is very good. Whether you establish a base area centered on Hengyang and Baoqing (now Shaoyang) or on Chenzhou and Yizhang will be decided after you have advanced southward and assessed the situation. Pay very close attention to discipline education, ensure that not the slightest violation occurs, and unite all good people.

After entering Hunan, you may issue open calls as circumstances permit.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's reply to Wang Zhen and Wang Shoudao.