Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 146 Making Two-Way Preparations

Watching Ding Wei lead his troops away quickly, Li Yunlong still cursed, "Why is Old Ding just like Old Kong, so cowardly?"

Earlier, as soon as we mentioned this to Lao Zhang and Li Muzhi, Kong Erlengzi got scared, stopped eating, and left immediately.

Now, Ding Wei also left quickly, fearing he would be implicated.

Do you really think Old Li has the ability to sell the artillery in the division commander's hands? Only the headquarters logistics department has that capability.

What are you afraid of?

I'm not afraid!
Li Yunlong walked into the solitary confinement cell and was about to lie down to sleep when the deputy brigade commander walked in: "Don't sleep!"

Li Yunlong yawned: "Deputy Brigade Commander, I really didn't do this. It was Old Zhang from the logistics department who did it. He must have done something wrong, which made our division commander misunderstand."

"The brigade commander was up all night and just got back. He didn't even close his eyes for a second before rushing off to the division headquarters." The deputy brigade commander glared at Li Yunlong. "You kept the brigade commander from getting any sleep. How could you possibly sleep?"

"Why can't I sleep? I can sleep right now!" Li Yunlong said, closing his eyes.

The deputy brigade commander walked over and kicked Li Yunlong, pulling him up: "Not letting you sleep is the brigade commander's order!"

"Deputy Brigade Commander, since the Brigade Commander isn't here, let me sleep for a while. When the Brigade Commander arrives, just wake me up beforehand." Li Yunlong yawned again.

"Li Yunlong, haven't you thought about explaining this to the brigade commander? If the brigade commander gets a severe scolding at the division headquarters, what will happen to you when he returns?" the deputy brigade commander scolded.

“Look at what you’re saying. The brigade commander has gone to the division headquarters. It must be that Old Zhang did something wrong. I’m already in deep trouble. Why don’t I get some sleep first? Even if I get beaten up, I can at least get my energy back…” Li Yunlong didn’t finish his sentence.

The deputy brigade commander kicked him again and shouted, "Explain this to me right now!"

"It's very simple. The arsenal is short of machinery, and Chu Yunfei's superior is interested in our Hell Cannon. They said that as long as the conditions aren't too unreasonable, we can ask for whatever we want. So we mentioned it to the arsenal, and that's all," Li Yunlong explained, then cursed, "This must have been a case of logistics officer Zhang trying to pin this mess on me when he was communicating with our division commander."

"Li Yunlong, so you mean that you did this to get machines for the arsenal?" The deputy brigade commander paused for a moment. If that was the case, then there was still room for maneuver in the nature of the matter.

"Nonsense, that's a hell cannon! Do you think I don't know how important cannons are?" Li Yunlong said seriously. "Of course, the machinery in the arsenal is even more important, which is why I..."

The deputy brigade commander interrupted, "You shouldn't have kept this a secret when you got back! You're usually so smart, but how could you be so stupid at this crucial moment! If you wanted the logistics department to get your hands on the Hell Cannon, why did you bring out your own division commander's Hell Cannon? Why didn't you have the logistics department ask the 120th or 115th Division for it? You idiot!"

“Deputy Brigade Commander, there are only eleven Hell Cannons in total, and our 129th Division alone has six of them. The 120th and 115th Divisions combined don’t even have as many as we do,” Li Yunlong said tactfully.

This isn't because we don't bring the hellish cannons from the 120th or 115th Divisions; they simply have fewer cannons over there.

When Lao Zhang takes over, he will still keep an eye on the Hell Cannon in our division commander's hands.

I already know the result, so why should I waste my breath?

Of course.

Besides the 115th and 120th Divisions, there's also a hell cannon at headquarters.

Even if Old Li had the guts of a tiger, he wouldn't dare to open that tooth.

That cannon is protecting the safety of the headquarters leaders.

Even Old Zhang has to think outside the box.

"That's true." The deputy brigade commander had nothing to say.

After all, our division commander has the most hell cannons.

If it's going to be sold, the logistics department will most likely have our division commander put it out for sale.

"Deputy Brigade Commander, can I lie down and sleep now?" Li Yunlong said, trying to lie down again.

"Don't sleep!" The deputy brigade commander still had a stern face. "Give me a dictation of your and Ding Wei's operation this time. I need to give you a report."

"Can't I do it after I wake up?"

"The brigade commander's order is that you cannot sleep until he returns!" The deputy brigade commander's expression was extremely serious.

The deputy brigade commander strictly followed the brigade commander's orders, and his position was higher than Li Yunlong's. What could Li Yunlong do but obediently cooperate in the end?

Recount the entire operation verbally.

The deputy brigade commander was quite pleased to learn that Li Yunlong and Ding Wei had brought back potassium nitrate and sealant.

We previously sent the bullet-making equipment to the arsenal, and Liu Weidong also replenished the key parts.

Once the power supply for the arsenal is secured, they can begin producing bullets.

Actually!
Just because the power source is solved and the equipment is functioning properly doesn't mean that bullets can be manufactured immediately.

This also requires raw materials.

For example, copper billets, gunpowder, projectiles, etc.

Potassium nitrate and sealant are both essential raw materials for making bullets.

Especially the sealant. With it, the bullets produced in the arsenal are sealed and will no longer be as prone to moisture and short range as the previous reloaded bullets.

Li Yunlong continued, "Brother Li said that he also wants cats and military dog ​​puppies. One military dog ​​puppy is equivalent to Kong Jie digging coal for three days. Once the brigade commander returns, we must hurry up and gather intelligence on this matter."

"Since it's Director Li's order, we definitely have to get on with it quickly." The deputy brigade commander wrote this down in his notebook.

"There's something else. I don't know if Lao Kong has told the brigade commander beforehand," Li Yunlong said, remembering the cannon on his shoulder.

Logically speaking, Kong Jie, working in Li Muzhi's coal mine, should have had the advantage of being close to the source.

Kong Jie was probably the first to receive news that Li Muzhi wanted to develop shoulder-mounted cannons.

But there's no such rumor at the brigade headquarters. Could it be that Old Kong didn't do a good job with his intelligence work?

"What's the matter?" the deputy brigade commander asked, looking at Li Yunlong.

"At the arsenal, I heard from Brother Li that he was developing a type of artillery that a single soldier could carry on his shoulder and fire, which could be used to deal with the Japanese mechanized forces..." Li Yunlong didn't finish his sentence.

The deputy brigade commander interrupted in shock: "Li Yunlong, are you sure this was said by Director Li himself?"

A cannon that a single soldier can carry on his shoulder and fire, to deal with the Japanese mechanized forces!

These two sentences alone were enough for the deputy brigade commander to sense their battlefield significance!
If we really had such a weapon, our soldiers would no longer have to worry about outrunning the Japanese mechanized troops on foot, and could just take them down on the spot!
"In order to get this shoulder-mounted cannon as soon as possible and to get priority, I gave the bullet-making equipment directly to Brother Li." Li Yunlong then revealed this.

If we were to directly say that we gave the bullet-making equipment to Li Muzhi, we would definitely be criticized.

But first, use the cannon on the shoulder to whet the deputy brigade commander's appetite, and then casually mention it like this, and the other party won't easily curse.

Upon hearing this, the deputy brigade commander couldn't help but ask, "So, did you get that priority?"

The fact that a single soldier could carry artillery on his shoulder to deal with the Japanese mechanized forces was of great significance.

Trading bullet-making equipment for priority equipment is still a bit...unpleasant.

But if it were a deputy brigade commander, he would most likely do the same.

"Of course we got it. Brother Li said he'd let me know in advance when it's produced." Li Yunlong immediately assured him.

"Whether you did the right thing or not, I can't say. Let's see how the brigade commander handles it when he returns." After the deputy brigade commander understood the whole situation from Li Yunlong, he left.

Then he ordered the guards to keep a close watch on Li Yunlong and not allow him to sleep.

After the deputy brigade commander left, Li Yunlong immediately fell asleep!
As for the guards at the brigade headquarters, they dared not disturb them.

Commander Li is a capable man.

After working so hard, shouldn't you get some sleep?

……

Japanese Military Police in Heyuan

Snapped!
Snapped!
Snapped!
Haruno Sato grabbed Ichiji Fujita by the hair and slapped him repeatedly across the face.

Fujita Ichiji was beaten so badly that his face was swollen like a pig's head, and his teeth were flying everywhere.

As Sato Haruno slapped him, he cursed, "Baka! You damned idiot! The equipment for making bullets was lost, and you actually gave the enemy spare parts! You even put the parts in our important secret military supply depot, giving the enemy directions to our secret military supply depot! There's no one more stupid than you in this world! Baka! Baka! Baka!" With each "Baka!" he slapped him across the face.

Finally, when his own palms ached and his arms were sore, he released Fujita Ichiji, who had been beaten so badly that even his own parents wouldn't recognize him.

"Hai!" Fujita Ichiji swayed precariously, struggling to steady himself by holding onto the table, and bowed his head in front of Sato Haruno.

Sato Haruno was the deputy head of the military police headquarters, whose authority was much greater than that of Fujita Ichiji, the military police captain.

Haruno Sato also served as a secret intelligence officer at the First Army Headquarters.

Not long ago, Sato Haruno helped the special agent captain, Colonel Yamamoto, find the Eighth Route Army headquarters in Daxia Bay.

Unfortunately, Colonel Yamamoto's attempt to raid the Eighth Route Army headquarters with his special forces failed.

However, this also proves Haruno Sato's intelligence capabilities.

This time, Fujita Ichiji made a big mistake, and Sato Haruno came specifically to replace him.

As for Fujita Ichiji, he should have been executed.

But through some connections, he managed to save his life and stay by Sato Haruno's side to atone for his crimes.

"Right now, the combat troops are in complete disarray, supplies in various districts have been severely attacked by the Chinese army, and the railway lines have not yet been restored. The logistics are under tremendous pressure. Do you have any suggestions?" Sato Haruno didn't really want to listen to Fujita Ichiji's advice.

I don't want to keep him around to atone for my crimes.

But there was no other way; Sato Haruno was new to the area and unfamiliar with various situations, so he needed Fujita Ichiji.

Once we're familiar with the situation, we can kick this jerk out.

“If the old lady is eating persimmons, how about we pick the soft one?” Fujita Ichiji said.

"What do you mean?" Haruno Sato asked.

“We lack supplies, but the Jin-Sui Army and the elite troops in China have supplies. I suggest we immediately organize troops to attack their territory and seize their supplies to replenish our own,” Fujita Ichiji said after thinking for a moment.

"Our supplies are mostly in the hands of the Eighth Route Army, yet you're robbing the Jin-Sui Army and their elite troops?" Sato Haruno questioned. "Don't you know that my main mission here was to deal with the Eighth Route Army and find their arsenal?"

The Eighth Route Army now dares to use heavy artillery to attack railways and our military trains, and has even dismantled and taken the trains back.

During the battle, the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery had plenty of ammunition!

This is enough to prove that their arsenal can produce artillery shells.

This is a very serious hidden danger, and we must find the target as soon as possible and destroy it quickly.

This completely crippled the Eighth Route Army's heavy firepower.

Therefore, although the Jin-Sui Army and the elite troops caused great trouble for the Imperial Army in this battle, they were not Sato Haruno's primary target, and he did not want to waste too much energy on them.

Once the main objectives are resolved, we can then turn around and deal with them one by one.

"To deal with the Eighth Route Army, we first need to restore our army's logistics and organize our troops," Fujita Ichiji explained. "The Jin-Sui Army and the elite troops are like lice on a bald head—obvious targets. If we attack them directly, they'll fight a positional war. If we defeat them, we can seize their supplies, thus securing our army's logistical support. With logistical support and the troops organized, we can then turn around and deal with the Eighth Route Army."

Fujita Ichiji meant that if we wanted to deal with the Eighth Route Army, we should at least get our army up and running first.

“That does make some sense.” Sato Haruno nodded slightly, then changed the subject and scolded, “Why can’t we just go straight to the Eighth Route Army and take back what they’ve stolen from us?”

"We can't find the Eighth Route Army," Fujita Ichiji replied. If we could find the Eighth Route Army, we would definitely prioritize dealing with them. It's just that we can't find them.

“How could we not find the Eighth Route Army? Even an idiot like you can lure them out, how could we not find them!” Sato Haruno cursed.

Although Fujita Ichiji's fishing operation was foolish, the fact that he managed to lure out the Eighth Route Army is undeniable.

The problem was that the way they handled things was wrong, and they ended up getting completely crushed by the Eighth Route Army.

“Even if the Eighth Route Army is lured out, our army can’t eliminate them without organizing in advance,” Fujita Ichiji questioned.

Their heavy artillery is truly powerful, no exaggeration.

One shot could kill or injure more than a hundred of our people; Hirata Ichiro has already experienced its power.

“Then let’s prepare for both possibilities,” Sato Haruno said. “We should advise the army to quickly replenish supplies from the Jin-Sui Army and the direct line army’s territories, while we’ll be responsible for finding the Eighth Route Army.”

"How to find it?"

“It’s very simple. First, use a batch of things as bait. Keep it well-kept secret; don’t expose it like you did, or the fishing operation will be too obvious. Sprinkle a special powder on this batch of things, then have the Eighth Route Army seize the bait when they have the chance. Then we’ll use military dogs to track it by scent, and that way we can find the Eighth Route Army’s base without anyone noticing,” Sato Haruno said calmly.

This trick has actually been used to death by Haruno Sato.

This same tactic was used to help Yamamoto Ichiki find the location of the Eighth Route Army headquarters.

However, even though the moves were a bit crude, they were still very effective.

Upon hearing this, Fujita Ichiji's eyes lit up immediately, full of admiration: "Yes, how come I didn't think of this trick before? Sprinkle the stuff with special powder, and then use military dogs to track it by smell. The equipment and parts for making bullets must be in the Eighth Route Army's arsenal. I really missed a great opportunity to find the arsenal!"

As he spoke, Fujita Ichiji was pounding his chest and stamping his feet in frustration.

If we could find the Eighth Route Army's arsenal, we would have the initiative, and the situation wouldn't be in such a mess now.

“Fujita-kun, don’t be upset. As long as I find the Eighth Route Army’s base and arsenal with this move, I can get back everything you’ve lost.” Sato Haruno’s tone remained calm.

In his view, although the situation in Heyuan County was in a mess, it wouldn't be difficult to clean it up.

"Hai." Fujita Ichiji nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with renewed hope.

If the item is retrieved, then one can atone for one's sins.

"Then what should we use as bait?" Fujita Ichiji asked.

"Think about it, what kind of supplies would the Eighth Route Army capture and then move to their military factories?"

“Is there even a question? It’s definitely military supplies,” Fujita Ichiji blurted out.

"You idiot, are you going to make the same mistake a third time?!" Sato Haruno roared.

First you lost the equipment, then you lost the key components, and now you need military supplies.

Don't you ever learn your lesson, you pig-brain?!
"Yes, yes, I was foolish." Fujita Ichiji nodded repeatedly, then looked at Sato Haruno suspiciously, "Then what kind of supplies should we use as bait?"

If the enemy doesn't use military supplies as bait, Fujita Ichiji really can't think of anything else that could make the Eighth Route Army move directly to their arsenal.

"Think about it yourself," Haruno Sato said, waving his hand.

He insisted on handling the entire process personally and wouldn't let Fujita Ichiji interfere in the slightest.

So whether or not we tell him now is not important.

"Yes, I'll think about it myself." Seeing that the other party wouldn't tell him, Fujita Ichiji suppressed his curiosity.

It's okay if we can't figure it out, we have eyes to see.

"Go ahead and tell Kuroshima Morita and the others your ideas. Tell them to hurry up and get the logistics sorted out." Sato Haruno waved to Fujita Ichiji. He didn't know much about warfare and didn't want to get involved in military matters; he was just offering advice.

His main responsibility was to locate and pinpoint the location of the Eighth Route Army's arsenal through various means.

Once the location of the Eighth Route Army's arsenal is located, it's not a big problem whether the locations of the other Eighth Route Army units can be found.

Because if we launch a major attack on their Eighth Route Army's arsenal, all the Eighth Route Army troops will definitely jump out to defend it to the death.

You must know that this is an arsenal capable of manufacturing heavy artillery and heavy artillery shells. It is the Achilles' heel and Achilles' heel of the Eighth Route Army. Therefore, all the Eighth Route Army soldiers will definitely show up.

This brought out all the Eighth Route Army troops, forcing them to fight us to the death.

Of course, Haruno Sato was still very curious.

Despite the terrible conditions the Eighth Route Army had, they were still able to build heavy artillery. We'll have to see what the tricks were behind it.

"Yes, sir." Fujita Ichiji nodded, accepted the order, and withdrew.

(End of this chapter)