Armor-piercing bullets don't believe in carbon-based monsters

Chapter 272: Turtle Strategy
To Chen Jian, the merchants of the Yuanhuan Chamber of Commerce were like a reconnaissance team that was scattered outside and out of his control, but could often bring unexpected surprises.

They once provided the initial clues about Fuxi, and also provided the Huaxia Army with equipment and weapons that were not used for the time being but were indeed useful.

And this time, during the external exploration, they found the strategic-level materials that they currently needed most.

Chen Jian was very curious about what kind of organization they were, how they operated, who their so-called "leader" was, and how much information about the catastrophe this leader had.

He had tried more than once to find out the true colors of the Yuanhuan Chamber of Commerce, but the other party always maintained an ambiguous cooperation with the Chinese Army at a just right distance.

It is worthy of being the most mysterious organization in the wasteland world.

Chen Jian had to admit that no matter how bad they were in other aspects, they were really good at keeping secrets.

Of course, perhaps it is precisely because of this overly stringent confidentiality requirement that they have not been able to develop until now and have become a behind-the-scenes organization that can only rely on hired forces to ensure safety?
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But no matter what, the current Ring Chamber of Commerce does play a certain role for the Chinese Army.

As long as it does not touch the bottom line, Chen Jian is also willing to let them retain a certain degree of autonomy.

Whether the cat is black or white, a cat that can catch mice is a good cat.

For the time being, they haven't shown any obvious social harm like the Mechanicus, so what's the point of cutting off their livelihood?
Therefore, after receiving the news about solid rocket fuel from Lei Jie, Chen Jian did not ask too many details. Instead, after confirming that the news was credible, he immediately made the decision to go forward to provide support.

But what he didn't expect was that even though he didn't ask any further questions, Wang Lizi came to him to explain himself.

The very next day after talking with Lei Jie, Wang Lizi rushed to the 011 base in a dusty state.

After meeting Chen Jian, he did not immediately start talking about rocket fuel, but said with emotion:
"In such a short period of time, the Jinling Ruins have become something I don't recognize at all."

"Mr. Chen Jian, you are indeed unique in urban management."

"If we could have abilities like yours, perhaps the fate of the Ring Chamber of Commerce would go in a completely different direction."

"Even if you don't have such management capabilities, it's not difficult to build a city with the information and materials you have."

Chen Jian shook his head and said:
"But I don't know why you didn't do it."

“It’s for safety reasons.”

Wang Lizi said without hesitation:

"We don't have as strong a military force as you do. In fact, according to our leader, the Ring Chamber of Commerce was extremely weak when it was first established."

"Although we have a large number of weapons, the number of people who can use them is extremely limited."

"Our ancestors also tried to conquer the world by force, but ended up in tragic failure."

“So, ultimately we went down this path – and it’s probably the right path for us, isn’t it?”

"Maybe."

Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully.

Having weapons but no ability to use them?

So who are those “predecessors” who established the Yuanhuan Chamber of Commerce?

Scholar?

This does make sense. After all, the gap between high-level and low-level knowledge shown by this organization does seem to fit the characteristics of high-level scholars, and it is understandable that people who have been engaged in scientific research for a long time do not have sufficient military force.

Maybe they are descendants of staff members of a certain research institute?

Chen Jian did not ask further, but said directly:
"We received your message."

"So, are you sure you've found the solid fuel we need?"

"I can't guarantee it 100 percent."

Wang Lizi nodded and replied:

"But what we did find was indeed a batch of powdered gunpowder that was kept separately in a sealed storage room."

"That's solid rocket fuel that hasn't been 'premixed,' as you say."

"We have tested it and found that some of them can be ignited. They should be the main rocket particles."

"The other part cannot be ignited, it should be the adhesive."

"The fuel composition should be complete. We even found some testing equipment in the storage room, but we don't know how to use it."

"However, we have taken them all away. You can study them yourself after you get them."

"clear."

Chen Jian breathed a sigh of relief.

He was basically certain that Wang Lizi had not found the wrong thing.

In fact, what they were looking for was not the processed propellant - this thing is not available everywhere, but it is indeed everywhere in the DF-26 at the Rocket Force base.

Once poured, there is little possibility of maintaining the solid fuel.

Oxidation and erosion caused by a long period of time have long made these propellants ineffective. Even if they can still be ignited, the rockets that fly out will be completely uncontrollable like rockets.

So, what they have been looking for is powdered gunpowder that has not yet been cast.

It would be best if we could find gunpowder whose components were completely separated and had not even been pre-mixed.

And now, this is what the Ring Chamber of Commerce has found.

This is undoubtedly a huge surprise.

Not to mention that the difficulty of transportation is greatly reduced, gunpowder in this state is not too difficult to process for the current 011 base.

There is no vacuum spray casting workshop, but it can basically be completed using 3D printing.

Considering what Wang Lizi said, it is most likely the NDT equipment, it should not be too difficult to complete the pouring of the charge column.

However, Chen Jian did not stop asking questions.

After thinking for a while, he asked:
"Your information mentioned that you entered an underground space, and that there were a large number of nuclear weapons stored in the underground space?"

"What kind of nuclear weapon is it? Do you have a photo?"

"No."

Wang Lizi shook his head. He obviously knew what Chen Jian really wanted to ask.

So he opened his mouth and replied:

"I didn't lead the team there myself, but according to the information they sent back, most of the equipment in the underground space was in a state of severe damage."

"The exploration team also looked for the so-called 'liquid rocket' as you requested, but they did not find any intact equipment."

"Yes, but it's damaged?"

Chen Jian confirmed again.

"Yes."

After getting Wang Lizi's answer, Chen Jian couldn't help but sigh.

But it is true that after the Cold War, there are fewer and fewer ballistic missiles that still use liquid rocket fuel.

If we move forward 20 years from his own era, it is almost certain that liquid fuel engines will be completely eliminated in the field of ballistic missiles.

After all, China was truly an enemy of the whole world at that time. The Rocket Force probably wanted to keep their hand on the launch button even when they were sleeping. Liquid rockets, which have an incredibly slow reaction speed, are basically impossible to be deployed on a large scale.

You can't force it.

Chen Jian let go of his obsession and asked:
"How did you get into that underground space? Can you tell me in detail?"

"Pure coincidence."

Wang Lizi answered sincerely:
"Like I said, the exploration team was originally going to look for clues about the so-called 'brain machine' that controls the monsters."

"But after entering the Changshan Ruins, they encountered a level 2 monster head-on."

"While avoiding the monsters, they entered the subway network within the Changshan Ruins."

"Through the collapsed subway tunnels, they entered what you call the 'Great Underground Wall.'

"Most areas of the underground wall have been destroyed, but because of the multiple isolated gates, they still found intact areas." "And in the intact areas, they found sealed warehouses for storing weapons and fuel."

"That's the whole story - there are no extra clues or information."

"Don't have it, or are you unwilling to share?"

Chen Jian's eyes were sharp.

"I can guarantee that there isn't one."

"The Ring Chamber of Commerce only cares about how to restart the ring. All other information is just a bargaining chip for us."

"We have a close cooperative relationship. We have no reason to hide anything from you."

"Besides, no force other than you has the ability to use the nuclear bombs there. We are not fools like the Mechanicus. Do you think we would risk detonating the nuclear bombs ourselves?"

Wang Lizi's tone was somewhat helpless. Looking at his expression, Chen Jian sighed and said:
".That's true."

"But to be honest, your process of 'discovering fuel' is a little too simple, so simple that it is hard to believe."

".To be honest, I think so too."

Wang Lizi frowned slightly, and then said:

"It's like someone just put those things there, waiting for us to take them."

"But the location of Changshan was provided by the leader, so it shouldn't be a trap."

"I shouldn't be discussing this with you."

Wang Lizi suddenly stopped talking, and Chen Jian keenly noticed the information of "leader".

The leader provided them with information about Changshan?
How did he know?
Chen Jian had a vague feeling that the leader of the Ring Chamber of Commerce was far more mysterious than the leader of the Mechanicus who was active in the foreground.

Maybe if I have the chance, I should go meet him.

Thinking of this, Chen Jian asked:
"Your leader, don't you plan to come and see me?"

"He won't see anyone."

Wang Lizi answered without any hesitation.

"Before, I may have told you that you would have a chance to meet him, but this was just a rhetoric."

"In reality, no one gets to meet him - except the next leader."

“That’s really mysterious.”

Chen Jian couldn't help scratching his head.

What is the purpose of doing this?
Only the next leader can meet the previous leader, so how can he ensure that his orders will be executed?

Chen Jian wanted to continue asking, but he could indeed see that Wang Lizi was helpless to answer his questions at this moment.

"So, do you have a chance to become the next leader?"

"Have."

Wang Li was not shy about using the character.

"If I can make a breakthrough in exploring the mountain city, I may beat other candidates to become the next leader."

“That’s why I will work with you.”

"I hope we can all succeed."

Wang Lizi's expression was a little melancholy. This was the first time Chen Jian saw this expression on his face.

He subconsciously wanted to say something nice and comforting, but before he could open his mouth, Wang Lizi continued:

"I'm not here today just to bring you news about solid rocket fuel."

"I have another key piece of information that I need to inform you of."

"explain."

Chen Jian sat up slightly.

"After the rocket fuel arrives, the Ring Chamber of Commerce will enter a short incubation period."

"All merchants active outside will return to the headquarters. We will resume activities only after the beast tide crisis is over."

"The incubation period will last one to two months."

"It should be almost summer when we meet again."

Incubation period.
These Circle Chambers of Commerce are really like turtles.

They hide when there is danger and only come out when there is no danger.

This survival strategy is also extremely conservative.

But on the other hand, Chen Jian also sensed the hidden meaning in Wang Lizi's words.

"Did your leader give the order?"

"Yes."

Wang Lizi nodded and said:

"As you thought, the leader believes that the possibility of China, or even the entire human world, overcoming this beast tide crisis is not great."

"A large number of monsters have begun to gather around the Jinling Ruins. You have at most two weeks."

"In two weeks, the beast tide will attack the Jinling Ruins."

"After the Jinling ruins are destroyed, these gathered monsters will be completely out of control."

"They will sweep across all surrounding areas like locusts, targeting other human settlements that have no ability to resist."

"According to the leader's estimate, at least 40% of the population will be wiped out in this beast tide."

"We can't save these people. We can only save ourselves."

“So pessimistic?”

Chen Jian asked with a frown.

"Yes."

Wang Lizi let out a long sigh.

"The scale of this beast tide is much larger than the last one. It's not that the leader doesn't have confidence in you. In fact, he is just... more conservative."

"clear."

Chen Jian smiled and waved his hand:
"But it doesn't matter."

"We'll figure it out."

"As long as the beast tide is coming for us, we won't let them leave easily."

"Don't worry, this won't be a defensive battle."

"This is a war of annihilation with defensive counterattack as the main strategy."

"No monster can roam around in other settlements and hurt people. Once it comes, it will never leave!"

"hope so."

Wang Lizi looked thoughtfully at the crowd in the distance who were busy building their homes. After a moment, he said thoughtfully:

"Perhaps the leader should leave the basement of the headquarters and come take a look here."

"Before I arrived, I had no confidence in you either."

“But now it seems that maybe you can actually do it.”

(End of this chapter)