| In May 1939, the Jiangbei Command of the New Fourth Army was established in Dongtangchi, Lujiang County, Anhui Province. This military organizational adjustment was a proactive strategic response to the fragmentation of armed forces, inconsistent leadership structures, and the urgent need for organizational integration in northern Anhui during the early stage of the War of Resistance Against Japan. It also directly addressed the increasing military restrictions and political pressure imposed by the Kuomintang in central Anhui. Lujiang was chosen as the command's location due to its unstable political situation and the resulting power vacuum, its status as an unoccupied strategic zone, and its strong grassroots support with local militia resources. These factors reflect the Communist Party of China's comprehensive consideration of "favorable timing, geographical advantage, and popular support" in its wartime rear-area strategic deployment. The establishment of the Jiangbei Command advanced the institutional integration of regional anti-Japanese forces and the construction of rear-area base zones, demonstrating the CPC's capacity to adapt its organizational structures and strategic arrangements in a complex wartime environment. |