To Zhou Enlai and Ye Jianying

(June 27, 1946)

The Central Committee is considering having each liberated area issue land bonds to be given to landlords, so as to requisition land with compensation and distribute it to the peasants. In cases where land has already been distributed, bonds shall be issued retroactively, thus sparing the landlords from excessive losses. Only traitors, local tyrants and evil gentry, corrupt officials, and special agents are excluded from this arrangement. You may informally disclose this information to the middle-of-the-roaders.