To Comrade Deng Xiaoping (February 17, 1948)

Comrade Xiaoping:

Both telegrams of Qi and Jia have been received. (1) The opinions are very good and have been forwarded to all regions for emulation. (2) In the first stage of narrowing the target of attack, the *baojia* heads, local tyrants, and reactionary elements among the rich peasants and small landlords who are hated by the peasants should be included within the scope of attack. Otherwise, the masses cannot be fully mobilized. This does not contradict the strategy of temporarily not alarming the majority of rich peasants and small landlords, waiting to strike at them only after the masses have been fully aroused. (3) In all places, it remains advantageous to first organize poor peasant leagues, and then establish peasant associations after a few months.

Mao Zedong
Chou Zhi