Chapter 46 Consolidation focuses on North China, development focuses on Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Hubei

(March 19, 1939) Comrade Dehuai[1] also told Zhu Yang[2]: Telegram noted, reply as follows: A. It is very right to do everything possible to expand the army. The consolidation should focus on North China. You have seen all your plans, and they are all correct.Development should focus on the five provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and Hubei. At present, please pay special attention to Shandong Province.We have a foundation in this province, but we lack a leading backbone. When the enemy's new attack comes, please consider solving this leading backbone problem.Northern Jiangsu should also instruct southern Shandong to develop.As for the development of the three provinces of Anhui, Henan, and Hubei, especially Henan, which is the hub of our country's long-term war of resistance, although there is no great possibility of development at present, we should do our best to prepare for it.

B. The cadres in Yan'an will mainly supply central China for a period of time to come, and prepare one part for the Northwest, one part for the South, and one part for the Northeast. For North China, they will mainly supply teachers and teaching materials. C. It may be possible for the talents in the arsenal to ask friends for help, but it depends on the negotiation. I am afraid that it may not be reliable, and it mainly depends on the domestic search. D. The border regions are developing production movements in case they become self-sufficient in the most difficult times.Cao Juru[3] is now in charge of the Central Ministry of Finance and Economics and cannot be moved.Li Liuru[4] can spare a place for you, but he can only come if he is sick and rests.At the same time, I am looking for others, and I will report the results later.

E. It is right to pay attention to banks and taxation ahead, but the fundamental solution lies in production.Please consider that in some relatively stable areas, not only will the people be mobilized to increase production, but engine offices, schools, and troops (without hindering work, study, and combat) will also engage in production by themselves.The rear has considerable experience, which should be provided for your reference. Self, the study of serving cadres is important, it should be made into a movement (without hindering work and fighting), there should be institutions and methods for managing study, and a two-hour study system should be implemented in relatively stable institutions.The central government has established a cadre education department, and the experience of the rear can also be used for the front.

Geng, it is very right to avoid meeting with Lu Zhonglin[5]. To deal with this kind of person, only by sticking to one's position and giving a resolute and relentless counterattack can be effective.Shen Honglie[6] from Shandong should also be dealt with in this way. At present, Shen Zheng is vigorously attacking us, please be careful to resolutely fight back. Xin, the Politburo meeting of the Central Committee is scheduled to be held at the end of April to discuss many important issues.The headquarters and the North Bureau have scheduled Zhu Rui[7] to attend the meeting, and there is still more than one month before the meeting. Please consider whether you can come and postpone it at that time.

Mao Zedong March 19 Printed from transcripts kept at the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Dehuai, that is, Peng Dehuai, was the deputy commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army at that time. [2] Zhu, refers to Zhu De.Yang, referring to Yang Shangkun, then Secretary of the Northern Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. [3] Cao Juru (1901-1981), born in Longyan, Fujian.At that time, he was Deputy Minister of Finance and Economics of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

[4] Li Liuru (1887-1973), a native of Pingjiang, Hunan.At that time, he was the secretary-general of Mao Zedong's office. [5] Lu Zhonglin (1884-1966), a native of Dingxian County (now Dingzhou City), Hebei Province.At that time, he was the commander-in-chief of the Hebei-Chahar Theater of the Kuomintang Army. [6] Shen Honglie (1882-1969), a native of Tianmen, Hubei.At that time, he was the deputy commander-in-chief of the Lusu theater of the Kuomintang army, the commander-in-chief of the Shandong guerrilla, and the chairman of the Kuomintang Shandong Provincial Government. [7] Zhu Rui, at that time served as Secretary of the Shandong Branch of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Shandong Military and Political Committee, and political commissar of the First Column of the Eighth Route Army.