Yuncheng has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times.
The reason is that Yuncheng not only has a dangerous terrain with Zhongtiao Mountain at its back, but also has salt lakes and rich copper reserves.
The salt lake can be salted, and it is like a money tree.
In ancient times, copper mines were in urgent need of bronze weapons for the military.
Therefore, occupying Yuncheng almost means having economic, military and geographical advantages.
Especially copper mines... Modern equipment has proven that the copper reserves in Zhongtiao Mountain account for more than 93% of the total copper reserves in Shanxi. Five of the seven largest copper mines in Shanxi are located in Zhongtiao Mountain.
Wang Xuexin turned his target to Zhongtiao Mountain and Yuncheng for this purpose.
The leader and chief of staff were thinking more than just this. They knew that there were a complete set of copper and steel-making steel plants near Yuncheng.
These steel factories were set up by the Jinsui Army and the stubborn troops when they were stationed here. They were built very secretly and scattered because they were worried about bombing by Japanese planes. Some are large factories and some are small. There are dozens of them dotted around Zhongtiao Mountain.
Most of them are located in caves.
Moreover, since the Jinsui Army and the stubborn army produce steel here, and copper is used to make firearms and ammunition, their equipment is much more advanced than that of the Eighth Route Army, and the steel they produce can also meet the standards for making guns.
From this, we can see what kind of failure it was for the stubborn army to lose Zhongtiao Mountain. It can almost be said that they handed over a treasure land to the Japanese through a series of cunning operations.
The chief believed that these matters were not suitable for discussion at the meeting, so he immediately ended the meeting and called Wang Xuexin to the headquarters alone.
Without waiting for Wang Xuexin to speak, the chief of staff nodded and said: "Actually, we have always planned to attack Yuncheng, but unfortunately the troops are insufficient and the equipment is too outdated. Moreover, the area around Yuncheng is still plain and is not conducive to our fighting against the Japanese, so we did not act rashly!"
Wang Xuexin understands this truth.
It is still too early for the current Eighth Route Army to occupy a city in the plains and confront the Japanese.
but……
Wang Xuexin said: "Chief of Staff, we can fight the Japs on Zhongtiao Mountain. I think now is our opportunity. If the Japs focus on Mao Xiong and transfer their troops to the northeast, the Japs will have more troops in Zhongtiao Mountain."
There will be a serious shortage. If we take the initiative at Zhongtiao Mountain or even outside Yuncheng at this time, then the copper problem can be partially solved!"
Wang Xuexin's statement that "Japanese troops will be transferred to the Northeast" is well-founded.
Historically, Hans and Mao Xiong started fighting in late June, and the Japanese issued a mobilization order in July, mobilizing elite troops from all over the country to organize a large-scale exercise in the Northeast, which was the Kwantung Army's special large-scale exercise, referred to as the Kwantung Army's special exercise.
In fact, it was said to be an exercise, and anyone with a discerning eye would know that it was a preparation for war against the bear, so that Hans and Hans could attack the bear.
The Japanese assembled a total of 700,000 troops for this exercise.
At this time in history, the Eighth Route Army happened to be in a difficult period when it was double blocked by the Japanese and the stubborn army and was unable to even have enough to eat. The stubborn army had just experienced the defeat at Zhongtiao Mountain and hoped to use the "Exception of Understanding" to cease the war with the Japanese, so it was unable to fight back.
.
But now...
With Wang Xuexin's efforts, the strength of the Eighth Route Army increased instead of decreasing. First, Zhongtiao Mountain rescued tens of thousands of remnants of the stubborn army and continued to fight guerrillas in Zhongtiao Mountain. These were the basis for the Eighth Route Army to seize Zhongtiao Mountain, and later obtained two eagle sauces.
The reinforcements of 10,000 rifles made it possible to counterattack Zhongtiao Mountain.
The leader stared at the map for a long time, and then said with some worry: "Zhongtiao Mountain does have the copper mines and smelters we need, but...even if we win it, it will be difficult to hold it! We will probably fall into trouble by then.
Passive!"
The advantage of the Eighth Route Army is that if it cannot hold certain places, it can use the mountainous terrain to retreat, even in the Luliang Mountains.
But if some points must be defended, such as copper mines and smelters, then the Japanese only need to counterattack these must-defend points, so the battle will still be a frontal offensive and defensive battle.
This may not be a problem in the Luliang Mountains where a reverse slope defense line has been formed, but it is obviously unrealistic for the Zhongtiao Mountains which are still engaged in guerrilla warfare and have no defense line. It can easily be surrounded by the enemy and become a lone army, so it is only a matter of time before it is surrounded and annihilated.
Wang Xuexin replied: "Commander, why don't we destroy the enemy's defense? It is much easier to destroy than to defend!"
"What do you mean?" The chief looked at Wang Xuexin with some confusion: "Have you not always planned to solve the problem of steel and copper? How can we solve it if we don't occupy these smelting plants, seize the equipment and hold it?"
"Chief!" Wang Xuexin replied: "We do hope to have smelters, but we can't occupy and garrison them, and we can't hold them! Then let's find another way... The devils need these smelters and they also need iron.
Copper bullets are used to make guns, and copper is still in short supply!”
Wang Xuexin is right. In order to support the needs of the war, the Japanese at this time even went to the extent of collecting copper and iron from the people. For example, door knockers, bronze statues, etc. in ordinary people's homes were all confiscated for the production of bullets. Even copper coins were confiscated.
Don't let it go.
Wang Xuexin continued: "After we occupied the smelting plant, we dismantled the equipment, took away what could be taken away, and buried what could not be taken away somewhere. We would bring it back later when we had the chance. But we blew up the equipment before we had time.
The Japanese came back to see if they had to rebuild the equipment in order to smelt copper? Then we suddenly did it again... The equipment is getting more and more, and it won't take long before we can build a smelting plant by ourselves.
?”
The chief laughed and said, "It's not bad, you guy, you are still moving like an ant! I think this method will work. If you grab a little bit from this factory and a little bit from that factory, we can still afford a small copper smelting plant."
Or a steel mill? This will also hit the Japanese steel and copper production, and those are the bullets the Japanese use to shoot our guns!"
This is what Wang Xuexin meant, destroy and seize at the same time, and then use the captured materials and equipment to arm yourself. This is what the Eighth Route Army has always done.
In addition, if there is any large-scale equipment that cannot be paid or transported, you can also find a way to make it yourself or buy some from Yingjiang. In short, you can just run the smelting plant.
Wang Xuexin actually thought more carefully.
He felt that the steelmaking plant should be built in Luliang Mountain.
The reason is that there are iron mines in Luliang Mountain, and it is safe to build steel plants here.
Smelting copper is a bit more troublesome, because copper mines are only found in Zhongtiao Mountain, so it should be divided into two steps: one is roughing it in Zhongtiao Mountain, and then it is refined after being brought back to Luliang Mountain.
At this time, the chief of staff asked again: "Where is Yuncheng? What is the purpose?"
"That is the ultimate goal!" Wang Xuexin replied: "Yuncheng is a battleground for military strategists. Now we will use the advantage of Zhongtiao Mountain and Luliang Mountain sandwiching Yuncheng to consume the Japanese. Once our army is strong enough to garrison Yuncheng, we will
Then knock it down again..."
Needless to say, Luliang Mountain will be connected with Zhongtiao Mountain, and Yuncheng will be the connecting hub in the middle. It will also ensure the safety of a large number of steel plants, copper smelting plants, and salt lakes.
By that time, the Eighth Route Army would have an industrial foundation.