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

Chapter 156 The Invention of the Rocket Launcher

"Minister Zhang, look! Regiment Commander Liu from the 115th Division is coming over."

Someone shouted excitedly, immediately attracting the attention of Li Yunlong, Kong Jie, and Zhang Wanhe.

As for Gao Liujin, his gaze remained fixed on the arsenal.

After all, he already knew what the scholar had brought.

We two old sows are only good at keeping Li Yunlong in check; we won't humiliate ourselves by arguing with a scholar.

After seeing some of the things the scholar was carrying, Kong Jie exclaimed in surprise, "Old Li, am I seeing things? Those look like large-diameter steel pipes."

Kong Jie still remembers that we had to compete with Gao Liujin's side to see who could get the large-diameter steel pipe first, and then we could get the remaining forty shells from the ironworks.

Unexpectedly, the scholar managed to get his hands on large-diameter steel pipes, even though neither of us had managed to do so.

With large-caliber steel pipes, the arsenal can continue producing hell cannons.

Kong Jie couldn't help but fantasize.

With Director Li being so generous, will he send me a Hellfire Cannon someday?

Li Yunlong's eyes widened, and he cursed, "Damn it, what incredible luck this scholar has!"

Li Yunlong looked at the length and quantity of these large-diameter steel pipes; this was more than twice the amount of large-diameter steel pipes he had previously delivered to the arsenal.

Doesn't this mean that Li Muzhi can build more than twenty more hell cannons using these large-caliber steel pipes?

In that case, these dead dogs we brought are on a completely different level from that scholar.

No wonder Gao Liujin isn't showing off his sow anymore; he's tucked his tail between his legs.

Behind this large-diameter steel pipe, there were many bags and boxes, the contents of which were unknown.

Judging from the way the scholar walked, the things inside those bags and boxes were definitely not ordinary items.

Li Yunlong felt incredibly bitter: Heaven was too kind to him, a scholar; it was so unfair.

So what if he knows a few more words than me? So what if he's read a few more lousy books? Why is he so lucky?

When Zhang Wanhe saw Liu Weidong approaching, especially when he saw the large-diameter steel pipe, he immediately abandoned Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin and ran over to Liu Weidong.

Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin, unusually united in their attitudes, stared at Zhang Wanhe's retreating figure and cursed, "Old Zhang, you snobbish dog!"

Seeing Zhang Wanhe running over happily, Liu Weidong smiled politely: "Minister Zhang, I'm lucky, I made a little money."

“It’s not small at all, it’s already quite large, Commander Liu, you’re too modest.” Zhang Wanhe touched the large-diameter steel pipe as if he were touching his wife’s hand, his face beaming with a smile: “With this large-diameter steel pipe, the Hell Cannon can continue to be produced. Commander Liu, you’ve made a great contribution.”

"Minister Zhang, achievements and such are unimportant; they're all superficial," Liu Weidong said calmly to Zhang Wanhe. "If I'm not mistaken, the rocket launcher can be tested today, right?"

"Commander Liu, do you want to get the testing rights for this rocket launcher?" Zhang Wanhe immediately patted his chest and said, "No problem, no problem. Give me these large-diameter steel pipes, and I guarantee you'll get the testing rights for the rocket launcher."

“Minister Zhang, you’ve misunderstood.” Liu Weidong shook his head and explained, “I’m not interested in the testing rights. I just want to know how much I can get for this rocket launcher.”

Since the rocket launcher could be tested, and the scholar could foresee that the test would definitely be successful, then there must be no problem with it.

When the rocket launcher is mass-produced, I need to get my hands on a sufficient number of them.

He didn't want to compare himself to people like Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin, nor did he deign to compare himself to them.

Instead, they wanted to enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops, fight tougher battles, eliminate more enemies, and capture more supplies, especially military supplies.

The strength of an arsenal, to some extent, represents the combat effectiveness of the armed forces and the national strength.

Only when industry develops can a country truly have hope.

"I need to discuss this with Xiao Li and report it to the headquarters leaders first." Zhang Wanhe couldn't give Liu Weidong a definite answer.

Regardless of what's in those bags, those large-caliber steel pipes alone could allow the arsenal to produce hell cannons again.

This is different; Zhang Wanhe can't handle such a big responsibility.

We should first discuss it with Li Muzhi, and then report it to the headquarters leaders for a decision.

"It's okay, I can wait," Liu Weidong said, indicating that there was no problem.

"What's in those bags behind you?" Zhang Wanhe continued to ask.

"Six thousand catties of white sugar, I suppose." Liu Weidong added a "I suppose" to the end of his sentence.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin couldn't help but widen their eyes again: "This scholar is putting on a much bigger act than he's expected."

Previously, this scholar had obtained 5,000 catties of white sugar for the arsenal, which had already overwhelmed us.

It hasn't been that long, and he's already gotten another six thousand catties!

He added a "ba" at the end of his sentence, as if he wasn't satisfied with the number.

This is 6,000 catties of white sugar! We haven't seized any of this stuff recently.

That damn scholar is putting on such a big show, isn't he putting pressure on us?

Upon hearing that there were 6,000 catties of white sugar, Zhang Wanhe's eyebrows immediately twitched!
Good heavens! I didn't hear that wrong, did I?

With 6,000 catties of white sugar, the production of artillery shells, bounding mines, and hand grenades at the arsenal can be significantly increased.

This scholar from the 115th Division is truly astonishingly capable.

This scholar, who had never personally killed a single Japanese soldier, had such an outstanding record.

Moreover, look at their nonchalant attitude; they talk about six thousand catties of white sugar as casually as if they were drinking water.

This calm and composed mental state is far superior to that of some regimental commanders who are quick to call you "your motherfucker" or "your grandma."

"Commander Liu, you're not joking, are you? Is it really six thousand catties of white sugar?" Zhang Wanhe asked again.

“Minister Zhang, you can have someone count the items and put them into the inventory,” Liu Weidong said.

“Okay, okay.” Zhang Wanhe nodded repeatedly, then turned to Kong Jie and said, “Commander Kong, have your soldiers help move the things into the arsenal warehouse. I’ll have someone take a count.”

"Okay, Minister Zhang." Although Kong Jie felt a bit uneasy about Liu Weidong's spoils, he also knew what was going on.

Understanding the significance of these items to the arsenal, Kong Jie immediately ordered the soldiers to get to work.

Watching this scene, Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin couldn't help but say to Li Yunlong, "Li Yunlong, is your old buddy Kong Jie a bit dim-witted? He's letting this scholar act so high and mighty, even helping to move things. I think he should just carry them himself."

"Gao Liujin, you son of a bitch, watch your mouth! What do you mean, 'Old Kong is a simpleton'?!" Li Yunlong glared. Did you really think Old Kong was just an honest man working for free at the arsenal?
"Wei Dayong, why don't you take some men and help move things too?" Li Yunlong instructed the guards to go and help as well.

Although the scholar acted like a big shot, Comrade Li could still distinguish right from wrong when it came to matters of principle.

The cannons made from large-caliber steel pipes and the cannonballs made from sugar that the scholar brought over—aren't they all meant to supply us? Once we get the rocket launchers, I'll hurry up and get to work, and then I'll ask for more cannonballs and cannons. Wouldn't that be like the scholar doing all the work for me?

In other words, you, Gao Liujin, are short-sighted; you only see what's in front of you and can't see far ahead.

"Yes, Commander." Wei Dayong nodded and led the guards to help.

When Gao Liujin saw that Li Yunlong had asked someone for help, he felt embarrassed to just stand by and watch, so he also sent his men to help.

Liu Weidong, who was standing to one side, did not approach Li Yunlong or Gao Liujin.

Instead, he took out a book and quietly read it, waiting for the rocket launcher to be invented.

Everything was in storage. Comrade Zhang's face was flushed, like he was drunk. He laughed heartily: "Today is a really good day! The rocket launcher is about to be invented, a batch of large-diameter steel pipes has arrived, and six thousand catties of white sugar have also come in."

Gao Liujin chimed in from the side, "Minister Zhang, have you forgotten? There are also my two old sows."

Li Yunlong scoffed, "How dare you mention your two old sows?"

"What? Isn't this the truth?" Gao Liujin said seriously.

"Old Kong, let's move a bit further away and not stand too close to this shameless guy." Li Yunlong pulled Kong Jie a couple of steps to the side.

"Old Kong, you saw it too, didn't you?" Li Yunlong said to Kong Jie, "Another batch of these large-caliber steel pipes has arrived. Soon we can build a new Hell Cannon. Are you sure you still want to keep mining coal and not come with me?"

Not to mention that rocket launchers are also coming out soon.

Now that we've got our weapons ready, and we're taking advantage of the Japanese, our wealth will definitely keep increasing.

That's much better than you, Kong Erlengzi, being a coal miner.

"Old Li, thank you for your kindness." Kong Jie remained unmoved and said, "You don't know, do you? Director Li is going to give me a hundred of these mines."

"A hundred?" Li Yunlong's eyes widened. "Really? You're not kidding, are you, you idiot Kong?"

Li Yunlong had, of course, heard about the landmine.

This is a landmine that explodes mid-air after being stepped on.

Kong Erlengzi killed two or three hundred Japanese soldiers with just twenty jumping grenades.

If this were used on a Japanese group charge, it would be more effective than our Hell Cannon.

It's unbelievable that Li Muzhi gave Kong Jie a hundred of these precious treasures in one go.

Could it be that Old Ding was right?

Kong Erlengzi is wise in his apparent foolishness.

On the surface, he was mining coal at the arsenal, but in reality... he got all the good stuff?
"Old Li, once I get my hands on the mine, let me know if you need it, and I'll lend it to you..." Kong Jie didn't finish his sentence.

Li Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt, "No need for that, I can earn it myself!"

Looking beyond the surface, Li Muzhi's generosity must have been a calculated move in anticipation of a future crisis.

The Japanese Yamazaki Battalion stumbled upon the arsenal by mistake, causing damage to it.

Who can guarantee that something like this won't happen again?

The new weapons produced by the arsenal dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese, and the arsenal would certainly become a thorn in the side of the Japanese.

Li Muzhi gave Kong Jie so many bounding mines so that Kong Jie would have the ability to respond to emergencies.

If I borrow Kong Jie's ammunition, and something happens in an emergency and Kong Jie runs out of ammunition, that would be no joke.

Li Yunlong could even foresee that once the rocket launcher was built, Li Muzhi would definitely give Kong Jie a portion of it.

It seems that Kong Erlengzi really did snag a great job.

Mining coal, no risks involved, good food, good training, and access to weapons and ammunition produced by arsenals—it's truly enviable.

"Old Li, I'll try to build a better relationship with Director Li in the future," Kong Jie continued. "If the arsenal has any good stuff in the future, I'll try my best to get it for you."

Kong Jie also knew that he couldn't stay at the arsenal mining coal forever; sooner or later he would have to return to the battlefield.

Seeing that the scholar had left Li Yunlong far behind, Kong Jie was also anxious.

"Forget it, Lao Kong, just focus on mining the coal. You don't need to worry about my affairs." Li Yunlong knew what Kong Jie meant.

A temporary difference is nothing.

When the time is right, I'll seize the Taiyuan Arsenal.

The gap between him and me is nothing; I can close it in no time and surpass him by ten chasms, a gap he can never catch up to in his lifetime.

……

"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

Li Muzhi walked out with a smile, carrying a rocket launcher.

As soon as Li Muzhi came out, everyone's eyes were immediately drawn to him.

Liu Weidong also put down his book and stared at Li Muzhi.

To be precise, everyone's attention was still focused on the rocket launcher that Li Muzhi had brought out.

As many people know, this is a personal artillery piece that can fire shells by being carried on one's shoulder.

With it, the Japanese tanks are no longer a threat.

On the battlefield, the Japanese machine gun emplacements, artillery positions, and other positions all had opportunities for rapid strikes.

Gao Liujin was the fastest, rushing to Li Muzhi first and snatching the rocket launcher without even asking Li Muzhi's permission.

Before Gao Liujin could even look at it, Zhang Wanhe immediately shouted, "Gao Liujin, you dare to steal from the arsenal? You've gone too far! Give it back to me right now!"

Li Yunlong also cursed, "Gao Liujin, you son of a bitch, you've got some nerve, daring to steal Brother Li's things! I think you're tired of living!"

Li Yunlong immediately grabbed the object from Gao Liujin's hand.

Kong Jie, who was standing nearby, also came over to help Li Yunlong.

Liu Weidong stood there watching the farce unfold, without participating.

Everyone was happy when the rocket launcher was invented, so it's understandable that they might act a little abruptly.

(End of this chapter)