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

Chapter 158 Ten cannons in one day, who would believe it!

Li Muzhi explained the entire process of loading and aiming the rocket launcher.

He spoke very carefully, explaining every detail in great detail.

Even Old Zhang, who was standing nearby, quickly figured it out.

Old Zhang couldn't help but reach out, wanting to feel it for himself.

But Comrade Zhang quickly suppressed this thought.

I should just focus on my basic job as the logistics minister. Fighting with weapons is the job of the combat troops.

After Li Muzhi finished explaining, Li Yunlong immediately asked Liu Weidong, "Scholar, you brought so many things here, are you planning to get the testing rights?"

Then, Li Yunlong added, "The testing of this rocket launcher cannot be taken lightly, and we cannot afford any mistakes that could lead to its capture by the enemy. So I'll do this dirty and tiring work. What do you think?"

Gao Liujin did not utter a sound.

In his view, as long as the scholar opened his mouth, Gao Liujin would definitely have no chance.

The scholar couldn't possibly remain silent.

"Li Yunlong, why are you still vying to do all the dirty and tiring work?" Liu Weidong glanced at Li Yunlong.

“Labor is the most glorious thing,” Li Yunlong explained. “A scholar like you should take some time to read more books. Testing rocket launchers is hard work, and it’s more suitable for a rough guy like me to do it.”

"Actually, I have absolutely no interest in this testing right." Liu Weidong looked at Li Yunlong indifferently. "Since Commander Li is so interested, then you'll have to do the work."

Liu Weidong pulled off another big operation, seizing large-diameter steel pipes and 6,000 jin of white sugar from the Japanese, driving the Japanese troops on the 115th Division crazy.

It is not appropriate for Liu Weidong to make any new moves at this time.

Therefore, from the very beginning until now, Liu Weidong has shown absolutely no interest in testing this rocket launcher.

Since the test was successful, we can just copy the experience over, which saves both time and effort.

What Liu Weidong was truly interested in was the director of the border region's arsenal in front of him.

I wonder if we'll have a chance to chat a bit more this time.

"Scholar, you're not trying to fool me..." Li Yunlong was both pleased and surprised to hear that Liu Weidong had no interest in vying for the testing rights.

In Li Yunlong's view, he could not compete with Liu Weidong once he opened his mouth.

Unexpectedly, Liu Weidong did not fight back.

That's right, that's right!

Li Yunlong quickly figured out the reason.

Although we don't know the specifics of the enemy situation on the 115th Division's side, Liu Weidong has made a fortune off the Japanese again, and those Japanese must be frantically looking for him.

Under these circumstances, it was indeed inappropriate for Liu Weidong's troops to be out in action.

But it's different here.

The Japanese are fighting fiercely with the Jin-Sui Army and their elite forces, giving us plenty of opportunities to strike from behind.

I just don't quite understand.

Why didn't that scholar overstep his bounds this time?

He could easily take the rocket launcher and test it on our side.

Could it be that this guy has had a change of heart?

Li Yunlong was unaware that the real reason was that Liu Weidong was unfamiliar with the enemy situation on this side. Without familiarity with the enemy situation, Liu Weidong would not act easily.

He wasn't like Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin, who acted impulsively without thinking. Anyone who became Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin's superior was incredibly unlucky.

As for the last time Liu Weidong was able to obtain equipment parts for making bullets, it was partly because Liu Weidong knew the importance of these key parts to the arsenal, and partly because Fujita Ichiji practically offered him the meat, and Liu Weidong took advantage of the situation.

Before Li Yunlong could finish his excited words, Gao Liujin beside him shouted, "Scholar, this rocket launcher test is so important, are you really going to give up?"

In Gao Liujin's heart, he was cursing.

You scholar, if you wanted to abstain, why didn't you say so earlier?

I already gave up in front of Li Yunlong, so it wouldn't be reasonable for me to argue with him again.

Liu Weidong ignored Gao Liujin and looked at Li Muzhi, directly asking the most crucial question: "Director Li, if the rocket launcher test is successful, how many rocket launchers can be manufactured in the first batch, and when will they be ready?"

"There's no such thing as a first batch," Li Muzhi replied. "There are twelve rocket launchers being tested right now. If the tests are successful, these twelve rocket launchers are ready for deployment. As I've already mentioned, the arsenal can now manufacture its own barrels, so the daily production capacity of rocket launchers should be around ten."

These twelve test rocket launchers were all modified from mortar barrels, which were readily available and easy to use.

The arsenal is producing new cannon barrels. Since they don't need to be of very high quality, the production efficiency is decent, and it can supply the barrels needed for ten rocket launchers per day.

"Ten rocket launchers a day?" Everyone present was shocked.

This rocket launcher is also considered artillery.

Even if you can make ten guns a day, that's still quite remarkable.

You've built a cannon.

Ten cannons a day? Who would believe it!

Even Old Zhang, who knew nothing about military manufacturing, couldn't help but ask Li Muzhi a question: "Little Li, can you really make ten rocket launchers a day? We can't even make guns, but we can make ten rocket launchers. That's unbelievable."

Li Yunlong and the others all looked at Li Muzhi, waiting for his answer.

Li Muzhi explained, "The reason why traditional artillery is so slow to manufacture is because the requirements for the barrel are very high, the process is very complicated, and it is quite time-consuming. However, the barrel of this rocket launcher does not need to be of such high quality, which saves a lot of processes and time. As for making guns, the most difficult part is the seamless steel pipe and the rifling, which have the same high requirements as the barrel, so we cannot manufacture guns for the time being. However, I believe that it is only a matter of time before the border region's arsenal can manufacture its own guns."

Later rocket launchers were developed, employing a modular design with the main structure made of plastic parts. The overall number of parts was relatively small, and the speed at which rocket launchers could be manufactured was frighteningly fast.

The border region's arsenal currently lacks the facilities to manufacture plastics; otherwise, Li Muzhi could have significantly increased production capacity.

Hearing Li Muzhi's explanation, Li Yunlong still said, "Even so, producing ten rocket launchers a day is still quite frightening."

That's three hundred cases in a month.

That's more than 3,600 a year.

Think about it!
Our troops are armed with over three thousand rocket launchers. With the advantage of guerrilla warfare, which Japanese soldier wouldn't be terrified?

Even if it were the Emperor's guards, they would have to keep their tails between their legs!

Zhang Wanhe laughed heartily: "Not bad, haha, not bad at all! Ten rocket launchers a day! I'll report this to the headquarters leaders immediately. The price will definitely be fair. Don't worry, everyone will get their hands on the goods."

Li Muzhi's tone was very calm: "Ten rocket launchers a day is actually very slow. Over a year, that's only three thousand. Our army must have at least two or three hundred thousand people. On average, one rocket launcher can only be distributed among one hundred people. On the other hand, the Japanese can equip a squad with two grenade launchers. The production efficiency of the arsenal still needs to be optimized."

Then there is.

Who can guarantee that the arsenal can maintain stable production?

As our weapons cause increasing trouble for the Japanese, they will take more and more action against the arsenals.

Once the Japanese invaders disrupted the production of the arsenal, the output would be affected.

In Li Muzhi's view, it would be good if our arsenal could successfully produce over a thousand rocket launchers.

Li Yunlong immediately looked at Li Muzhi solemnly: "Brother Li, just tell me straight. To optimize the production efficiency of your arsenal, what machines do you need? I'll go and rob them for you!"

Gao Liujin quickly chimed in, "That's right. As long as you tell me the name of this machine, I'll go to any lengths to get it for you."

"Gentlemen, if you have the chance, let's get a machine that can produce plastics," Li Muzhi said.

"Machines that produce plastics?" Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin were both a little surprised when they heard this.

I haven't heard of any plastic manufacturing factories in this area.

It seems that the Japanese plastic products are all imported from their own country.

It was Liu Weidong who spoke up: "There was a Mr. Gu in Jiangsu who imported equipment from France in 1920 and manufactured plastic products. When the Japanese invaded, they forcibly occupied his factory."

"That's a bit far, isn't it?" Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin looked at each other. "We're on a long-range raid, and there are so many Japanese troops along the way. It's easy for us to never return."

Li Muzhi couldn't help but glance at Liu Weidong again; this man actually knew Mr. Gu from Jiangsu.

Li Muzhi withdrew his gaze and said to Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin, "Besides this Mr. Gu, there must be some other plastic factories, they're just not well-known. You should keep an eye out for them in the future. If you can get them, great; if not, you can get other military supplies."

In Li Muzhi's mind, the main way to get the plastic manufacturing equipment was to find a way through the bald man.

"Okay, then we'll try our best to keep an eye out." Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin both nodded.

Liu Weidong spoke up: "Director Li, I've gotten some large-diameter steel pipes and sugar. Can I pre-order the first fifty rocket launchers?"

The value of the large-diameter steel pipes and 6,000 kilograms of white sugar is certainly more than that of fifty rocket launchers.

Liu Weidong is trying to use his superior resources to directly snatch Li Yunlong's priority equipment rights.

The Japanese troops on the 115th Division's side are rampant right now, so it's not suitable for us to go out and operate, mainly because our weapons aren't strong enough.

If we could equip ourselves with fifty rocket launchers, those little devils would have to give us some face.

Before Li Muzhi could speak, Li Yunlong immediately started cursing: "Scholar, don't you know what 'first come, first served' means? This rocket launcher is finished, and Brother Li promised me that I would get it first."

Gao Liujin also shouted, "Director Li, I was just about to rob a train for you, you should give me this rocket launcher first, I'm waiting to work for you."

Faced with this situation, even Comrade Zhang was starting to feel a bit of a headache.

Logically speaking, Liu Weidong is the most capable, so if this rocket launcher were given to him first, he might bring back another surprise soon.

But! Gao Liujin's side can't be without rocket launchers either, the enemy is waiting to seize the military train.

Li Yunlong's side also needs rocket launchers.

The 386th Brigade has provided a lot of equipment and supplies to the arsenal. Now that the Japanese and the Jin-Sui Army's elite troops are locked in fierce fighting, the 386th Brigade has a great opportunity to strike from behind.

If things are done well, the 386th Brigade will definitely provide additional support for logistics.

All three sides need rocket launchers and cannot do without them. It's like having only one milk source but three babies to feed. None of the babies can go hungry, but there's no way to distribute the milk properly and you can't take care of everyone.

Comrade Zhang then understood why Li Muzhi had been so calm.

On the surface, this rocket launcher can produce ten units a day, which is very efficient.

In reality, this efficiency is still far too slow.

If we could produce fifty or one hundred rocket launchers a day, we wouldn't have this problem.

So, Comrade Zhang turned to look at Li Muzhi and asked, "Little Li, what are you planning to do about this?"

"What else can we do? Let's finish testing the rocket launcher first," Li Muzhi said, shrugging.

Three children need to be breastfed; this is a problem that needs to be solved.

But the top priority is to complete the testing.

"I'll take this test," Li Yunlong roared. "The scholar has abstained, Gao Liujin has abstained, so it's just me."

"I will not abstain; I want my rights back now!" Gao Liujin immediately shouted.

Li Muzhi said that there were twelve rocket launchers.

If you, Li Yunlong, take over everything under the guise of testing, wouldn't that be you taking advantage of us?

Liu Weidong did not speak.

Twelve rocket launchers represent only a day's worth of production for the arsenal.

He wanted to get fifty of them himself; he wouldn't bother competing with Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin for a mere twelve rocket launchers.

and.

This is still a test rocket launcher.

If the test fails, it has to be reworked.

"Words spoken are like water spilled!" Li Yunlong glared at Gao Liujin. "You son of a bitch, have you no shame?!"

"Can your face be used as a rocket launcher?!" Gao Liujin yelled. "I'm shameless, so what? Bring me a few dead dogs, they're no match for my two old sows!"

"Old sow, old sow, old sow, if you can't find anything else to talk about, you're not talking about old sows..." Li Yunlong grabbed Gao Liujin, "Believe me or not, I'll beat you into looking like an old sow right now."

"Come on, you can't beat me anyway!" Gao Liujin and Li Yunlong were about to start a fight.

Li Muzhi turned to Kong Jie and said, "Commander Kong, I think it's best to entrust the testing of this rocket launcher to you."

"For me?" Kong Jie, who had been silent the whole time, was immediately flattered.

Originally.

Whether it was Gao Liujin or Liu Weidong, they brought goods with them, and Kong Jie was well aware of his own limitations.

We're just coal miners here at the arsenal; our chances of competing for the rocket launcher test are practically nonexistent.

Therefore, Kong Jie remained silent.

Now, Li Muzhi actually wants him to be the one to take the test, which Kong Jie finds hard to believe.

Li Muzhi gave the testing rights of the rocket launcher to Kong Jie, and Gao Liujin was immediately stunned, looking at Li Muzhi: "Director Li, how could you give the testing rights to a coal miner!"

Li Yunlong grinned and approached Kong Jie, saying, "Old Kong, I'm very familiar with the situation outside now. I'll be your strategist for testing the rocket launcher."

On the surface, Li Muzhi giving Kong Jie the right to test the rocket launcher means that Li Yunlong also has no chance.

Not also!

Kong Jie works in the coal mine at the arsenal and is unfamiliar with the outside world.

Old Kong is one of us, a brother we grew up with in the same class.

We'll go with them, and then we'll decide how things are handled.

"Of course!" Kong Jie was overjoyed, having been hit with a huge windfall, and readily agreed.

"Haha, Lao Kong, you're really our good brother!" Li Yunlong put his hand on Kong Jie's shoulder, beaming with joy.

"Damn it!" Gao Liujin could only give up when he saw this.

Li Muzhi had the remaining eleven rocket launchers given to Kong Jie, along with one hundred rocket shells.

There are two types of rockets, fifty of each.

One type is lethal, specifically designed to kill or injure people.

Another type is the assault-type, which can attack pillboxes and bunkers, as well as tanks and armored vehicles. At this time, the Japanese tanks had thin armor, so their firepower should be sufficient.

"Brother Li, we'll be going now." Li Yunlong saw that Kong Jie had obtained twelve rocket launchers and one hundred rocket shells, and immediately escorted Kong Jie away.

"Damn it, these guys who brought over two dead dogs have really overshadowed my two old sows." Seeing this scene, Gao Liujin could only stare helplessly and said to Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe, "Gentlemen, when are you going to give me this rocket launcher? I'll go back and wait for news."

With three children needing to be breastfed, Gao Liujin could have tried if it were just Li Yunlong, but with Liu Weidong around, the pressure from his sugar and large-diameter steel pipes was too great, and Gao Liujin knew he couldn't compete with Liu Weidong.

So, I decided to go back and wait for a letter.

"Commander Gao, the most important task is to seize the locomotives for the arsenal," Li Muzhi said to Gao Liujin. "Commander Gao, make preparations on your side."

Upon hearing this, Gao Liujin's eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Muzhi with delight: "Director Li, so you mean you'll give me the rocket launcher first?"

"Military production at the arsenal is the top priority," Li Muzhi replied.

"Good, good, good!" Gao Liujin said "good" three times in a row, and laughed loudly: "Hahaha, Director Li, Minister Zhang, I'm going back now. Wait for you to bring me the rocket launcher."

Li Yunlong thought he had gotten the better deal, but he didn't expect this, haha.

I, Gao Liujin, still had the last laugh.

Gao Liujin left happily. Li Muzhi looked at Liu Weidong and said, "Commander Liu, I'm sorry, but this rocket launcher should be given to Commander Gao first. You don't mind, do you?"

"The power of the arsenal is the foundation of everything, how could I possibly mind?" Liu Weidong did not show any dissatisfaction with Li Muzhi's decision. What the other party said was true; the power of the arsenal was the foundation of everything, and the overall situation was the priority.

"Director Li, are you busy right now?" Liu Weidong asked.

Before Li Muzhi could speak, Zhang Wanhe interrupted, "Commander Liu, isn't that obvious? How can Li not be busy? He's working on the rocket launchers, and now he's working on the bullets. After that, he's working on the conventional artillery shells. He has a lot of work to do."

"I see." Liu Weidong paused for a moment, then said, "Alright then, I won't disturb Director Li's time any longer. I'll head back now. By the way, let's use the six thousand catties of white sugar to exchange for six Hell Cannons, and the large-caliber steel pipes to exchange for rocket launchers and rockets."

It seems that I'll have to postpone my talk with the arsenal manager.

Since we can't get the rocket launcher in advance, we'll use these 6,000 jin of sugar to exchange for the Hell Cannon.

Our 115th Division only has two Hellfire cannons right now. Now that we've got the large-caliber steel pipes, we'll replace a few more.

"Commander Liu, is your matter urgent?" Li Muzhi asked.

"What does Director Li mean by this?"

“If your matter is urgent, once Gao Liujin finishes his work, this rocket launcher will be allocated to you,” Li Muzhi said.

Liu Weidong is very capable, and if his matter is urgent, it certainly cannot be delayed.

Once Gao Liujin finishes his work, the rocket launcher can be transferred to Liu Weidong's side for use.

In this way, neither side will be delayed.

“Okay, I’ll wait for Gao Liujin to finish his work first,” Liu Weidong replied happily.

When the rocket launcher is allocated to me, it's like I'll have priority in equipping it; Gao Liujin will just be borrowing it.

As for the matter of exchanging six thousand catties of white sugar for six hell cannons, Liu Weidong did not change it.

After all, we can prioritize equipping ourselves with these rocket launchers, so why bother with modifications?

Liu Weidong left happily, and Zhang Wanhe said to Li Muzhi with a smile, "Little Li, you're really something! All those regimental commanders left in high spirits."

"Minister Zhang, I'm going back to work on the bullet heads." Li Muzhi turned around.

The group leaders all left happily, and it seemed that everyone's emotional value had been adequately addressed.

But there will definitely be some wrangling later.

Kong Jie is fine, and Liu Weidong is also very sensible and has no problem either.

Li Yunlong did not receive priority equipment, and Gao Liujin also had to borrow a rocket launcher.

When that happens, the two of them will definitely start arguing.

But this meant nothing to Li Muzhi.

Dealing with these two is a piece of cake.

"Okay, then hurry up and get the bullets out. This will be a double blessing for the arsenal." Zhang Wanhe didn't dare to delay Li Muzhi's time.

(End of this chapter)