The reason why Wang Xuexin wanted to "fake a shot" was because if you want to enter the Northeast, you will inevitably face a threshold: crossing the Great Wall, which is the so-called exit.
It would be better if Wang Xuexin wanted to invade the Northeast with infantry. He could also find a way to cross the Great Wall through wild roads.
But what Wang Xuexin wants to invade into the Northeast is mechanized troops, which must exit through roads and railways.
Then there are only two directions to go: one is Zhangjiakou, two hundred kilometers northeast of Datong, and the other is Peiping.
It is definitely impossible to attack Peking. There are heavy Japanese and puppet troops stationed there, and the city has high walls, thick walls, and plenty of supplies. Using several regiments of mechanized troops to attack Peiping is almost courting death.
Then there is only one choice: Zhangjiakou.
Just imagine, what would happen if the Japanese were aware of the Eighth Route Army's intentions, knew that the Eighth Route Army was going to leave the customs through Zhangjiakou, and deployed heavy troops in Zhangjiakou in advance?
That almost means that Wang Xuexin's plan died before it was launched and may never be implemented.
Therefore, Wang Xuexin only stopped after conquering Datong.
On the one hand, this was to defend Datong so that the troops could have time to rest and adjust to good condition; on the other hand, it was combined with Wang Xuexin's plan to expand southward to make the Japanese misunderstand the Eighth Route Army's strategic intentions.
Okamura Neji was indeed fooled...
This is mainly because Okamura Ningji did not expect that the Eighth Route Army would be so bold and dare to march into the Northeast with several regiments of troops...
In fact, there is also a reason why caring leads to chaos.
Shanxi plays a vital role in North China. After the Eighth Route Army captured Datong, the entire railway line was like a big stone pressing on its North China Front.
At the same time, most of Okamura Neiji's North China Front troops had been released to fight. Taiyuan's military strength was very empty, with only two brigades plus a military police brigade and a puppet army battalion.
Originally there was an artillery regiment and even two tank squadrons, but the reinforcements were given to the 110th Division to attack Datong and were almost completely wiped out...
You must know that Taiyuan is the most important city in Shanxi. There is even an arsenal left by the Jinsui Army here. After the Japs occupied it, they used these arsenals and supplemented and strengthened them into their arsenals... The Jin-made Type 65 rifles were imitations of the Japs.
The specifications of the 38 caps are almost the same, so they can be well used by the Japanese.
Under this circumstance, Okamura Neiji was of course more worried about the Eighth Route Army going south to attack Taiyuan, especially since his headquarters was still in Taiyuan.
If he, the commander of the North China Front, was beaten to the point of losing his armor by the Eighth Route Army and tried to escape from Taiyuan, then Okamura Neji I's reputation would be ruined.
Therefore, the Eighth Route Army increased its troops in the north and expanded to the south, which frightened Okamura Neji and quickly transferred the troops originally attacking Yuncheng to Taiyuan to prepare for the battle.
In the direction of Zhangjiakou, the intelligence personnel of the Eighth Route Army have been paying attention. Apart from strengthening fortifications, they have not made any move to increase troops... In fact, there are no more troops to increase.
Wang Xuexin was very satisfied with this, because it meant that Okamura Neji was still unaware of the Eighth Route Army's intentions.
After finishing all this work, Wang Xuexin finally had time to take a nap.
But he had only slept for a few hours... For Wang Xuexin, it was just a matter of closing and opening his eyes. The hours seemed like a blink, and then he was woken up by the communications soldiers.
"Commander!" the signal soldier reported: "Those foreign devils are here again!"
Wang Xuexin said "Huh". At first he didn't realize what "foreign devils" were. After a moment of daze, he realized that they were Sun Erwei and Colonel Ian.
When Colonel Ian saw Wang Xuexin returning to the headquarters with sleepy eyes, he couldn't help showing some disappointment on his face, because he felt that the fact that Wang Xuexin could still sleep at this time meant that he really did not take this deal to heart.
"Hey, Sun Erwei! Have you thought about how to deal?" Wang Xuexin deliberately left Colonel Ian aside and only greeted Sun Erwei, because Wang Xuexin knew that the more this happened, the more anxious these talented people would be.
Wang Xuexin has finally grasped Colonel Ian's thoughts, or to be precise, he has grasped London's thoughts.
When Colonel Ian reported the situation to London, several leaders in London immediately started a heated debate... Only a few people knew about the "Universal Decryption Machine" project, and only the president knew about it.
"I don't think we can use the 'Universal Decryption Machine' to trade!" Field Marshal strongly opposed this proposal: "First of all, whether the Eighth Route Army wins the war has little to do with our country. The intelligence services we provide them are just to provide intelligence, and there are no other additions.
Benefits. Secondly, once this matter is leaked, it will undoubtedly arouse Hans' vigilance. Do you know how serious the consequences this will have?"
"You are right!" the Chief of General Staff replied: "But have you considered the enemy's 'missile' bombing? The first batch of missiles caused a large-scale power outage, and more than ten buildings were blown up.
Indeed, on the surface, the damage is not big, but what if this is just Hans's test launch? What if the next batch of their 'missiles' rain down on us like artillery fire and bombard London? Have you considered the consequences of this? We
Need 'blueprints' for this equipment!"
Someone echoed:
"Yes, we need to know whether this 'missile' can be mass-produced. If necessary, we should seize the time to imitate it in order to suppress Hans!"
"If London has been bombed, then why is there any need to keep the 'Universal Decoder' a secret?"
…
Both sides argued endlessly, and their opinions sounded reasonable.
At this time, the air force general with a cigar in his mouth interrupted and said: "Gentlemen, why don't we want a solution that has the best of both worlds?"
“The best of both worlds?”
Both parties in the debate cast puzzled looks at the Air Force General. It would be best if there was a way to get the best of both worlds, but there is nothing so cheap in the world!
But this method really made the Air Force General find it...
Colonel Ian on the other side received an order to return to Liyuan just after the plane landed in Yuncheng.
In order to rush for time, London Method has even prepared for the transaction. As long as the Eighth Route Army gives the nod, the "universal decoding machine" will be shipped to China on a transport plane immediately.
Colonel Ian said to Wang Xuexin: "Comrade leader, can I talk to you alone?"
"Alone?" Wang Xuexin glanced at the translator.
Colonel Ian quickly added: "Of course there's a translator!"
"Of course!" Wang Xuexin readily agreed, knowing that this was something.
Sure enough, when Wang Xuexin brought Ian into another office, Colonel Ian said: "Comrade Commander, we can solve the deciphering problem. In exchange, we hope you will add ten more 'missile' samples!"
Wang Xuexin pretended to hesitate for a moment and then replied: "No problem, the key point is that you must be able to do it!"