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

Chapter 196 Rocket Track

Border Region Arsenal

"Factory manager, look, these are the prototype mortar shells we've made. Take a look."

Old He, carrying an ammunition box, arrived at Li Muzhi's office.

Li Muzhi put down his work and stood up.

The ammunition box was uncovered, and ten sample mortar rounds were neatly arranged inside.

These are two types of shells: one is used by the 82mm mortar of the 20th year of the Republic of China, and the other is used by the Type 97 mortar.

The former artillery came from the Jinling Arsenal, while the latter came from captured Japanese artillery.

Li Muzhi took out a shell and used his tools to measure it.

Old He said happily from the side, "Factory director, I have measured all these shells, and they are all up to standard."

With the assistance of highly skilled technicians, experienced workers, and the factory manager optimizing the machines, the production of these shells went very smoothly.

While still taking measurements, Li Muzhi asked, "How's it going with the machines I asked you to allocate to the Huangyadong arsenal?"

You can't put all your eggs in one basket; more than half of the equipment needs to be transferred to the Huangyadong Arsenal.

Li Muzhi also plans to move some of the machinery used for producing artillery shells there.

The equipment Li Yunlong seized for producing artillery shells was not a single piece, but several.

Otherwise, only one type of shell can be produced, instead of several types at the same time.

"Factory manager, I've already had it packed up." Although Lao He had some objections, to some extent, this was the property of the border region's arsenal.

But Lao He also knew that you can't put all your eggs in one basket, and the factory manager was right to do so.

"Okay." Li Muzhi nodded and said, "Minister Zhang has already notified the Huangyadong Arsenal. Once their people arrive, you should give them the equipment..."

Got it.

Before Li Muzhi could finish speaking, a guard ran up to him and reported, "Reporting to the factory director, the people from the Huangyadong Arsenal have arrived."

Li Muzhi didn't put down his work and said to Lao He, "Lao He, why don't you go and hand over the work to them?"

"Yes, factory manager." Old He nodded and stepped back.

The person who came from the Huangyadong Arsenal was the deputy director of the factory there, whom Lao He also knew; his name was Liang Yuanze.

"Deputy Factory Director Liang, you've arrived quite quickly." Lao He greeted him warmly. "Have you eaten? If not, let's eat first."

After all, we poached several high-level talents from the Huangyadong Arsenal, and their experienced workers have also come over, so we should definitely give them a warm welcome.

"Old He, where's the stuff?" Liang Yuanze's expression wasn't very good.

Several highly skilled technicians were retained by the border region's arsenal. Even though the arsenal provided equipment support, Liang Yuanze still felt that his side had suffered a loss.

"Deputy Factory Director Liang, let your men go into the warehouse and move things. I've already had them packed up in advance," Lao He said hurriedly.

"Go, move the equipment." Liang Yuanze immediately ordered people to move the equipment, and he followed them inside.

Liang Yuanze was in a bad mood, but when he saw the packaged equipment from the border region's arsenal, he couldn't help but smile: "Your border region's arsenal is really well-off. Just a few pieces of equipment can be used to make artillery shells."

"This is a special instruction from our factory director. We must not let our big brother, Huangyadong Arsenal, suffer any losses," Lao He said earnestly. "Since you don't have any power, our factory director also asked me to pack up a 'Iron Turtle' locomotive for you, along with oil and raw materials. Take it over, and we'll send some skilled workers to teach you. Then you can start producing artillery shells right away."

"Really?" Liang Yuanze's mouth watered upon hearing this. "How come I didn't see the front of the car or any oil?"

The arsenal in this area has provided both power and energy; that's really a kind gesture.

You should know that this iron-clad locomotive and the fuel are invaluable power sources.

With it, the Huangyadong Arsenal's development foundation was greatly enhanced.

Although there are no more highly skilled personnel, Director Li from the border region's arsenal can occasionally provide guidance. With just a little guidance from Director Li, even a dozen highly skilled personnel cannot match him.

"There's too much stuff, it can't all fit here, it's stored in the warehouse next door," Lao He explained.

"Quickly, take me there to see," Liang Yuanze said impatiently.

Old He led Liang Yuanze to the warehouse next door, and sure enough, they saw the fuel and the disassembled and packaged iron wagon locomotives. He couldn't help but say with delight, "Hehehe, what can I say? It's just a few high-level talents supporting you here, but look at the attitude of your border region arsenal, it's really something. Our factory director is really something, making such a big fuss over such a small matter."

Seeing that Liang Yuanze's anger had subsided, Lao He smiled and said, "As long as your Huangyadong Arsenal is satisfied, that's fine."

"Satisfied, satisfied, I'm very satisfied." Liang Yuanze nodded repeatedly, then, remembering something, asked, "Your iron turtle locomotive is supposed to be used as a backup power source, right? Giving it to us means it'll be your backup power source from now on..."

Before Liang Yuanze could finish speaking, Lao He interrupted, "It's alright, we still have the Iron Turtle locomotive. Besides, the combat troops will soon bring back a locomotive, and we won't even have enough power to use up, so we won't need the backup power."

"That's great! It sounds like your border region's arsenal is getting stronger and stronger." Liang Yuan exclaimed in admiration. "Your Director Li is truly an extraordinary talent."

"He's only been in charge of the border region's arsenal for a short time, and it's already reached this scale. Not to mention, he developed important artillery for the troops, enabling them to increase the arsenal's revenue. This virtuous cycle has benefited us all." "That's right, our factory director is no ordinary person. No one in the entire arsenal has any complaints about him." Old He's face beamed with pride when he mentioned his factory director.

"Hahahaha, I can see that, I can see that." Liang Yuan laughed sarcastically, "You used to be a real troublemaker, you even dared to bang on the table and go against the former factory director. But now, in such a short time, your temper has completely disappeared in front of the new factory director, Director Li."

"The person I admire most in my life is our factory director," Lao He nodded emphatically.

The conversation went well, so Liang Yuanze didn't stand on ceremony and asked, "May I see your factory director?"

"I'm afraid not now, our factory manager is working." Old He paused for a moment and said, "But it's almost lunchtime, and our factory manager will be going to lunch too. You can take the opportunity to meet our factory manager while you're eating."

"Hehe, then I'll gladly accept your offer." Although he had always heard that the food at the border region's arsenal was good, Liang Yuanze was in a bad mood at first and had no intention of staying for a meal.

Now, I definitely need to have a proper meal.

"Alright, have your people load the truck first. I still have some work to discuss with our factory manager." Lao He arranged for another assistant to work with Liang Yuanze.

“Okay, go ahead and get busy.” Liang Yuanze nodded.

Lao He returned to Li Muzhi's side, just as Li Muzhi finished taking the measurements.

Just as Lao He had said, all ten shells were up to standard in size and specifications.

Once the explosives and primers are loaded, it can be tested with a mortar.

"After you load this shell with explosives, take it to Commander Kong and have him test it," Li Muzhi said to Lao He.

Li Muzhi already knew that Li Yunlong had given Kong Jie a mortar.

"Good." Lao He nodded, then said happily, "Factory Director, when Deputy Factory Director Liang of Huangyadong Arsenal learned that we were going to give them the equipment, power and fuel for producing artillery shells, just like you said, they were immediately very happy and didn't show any emotion at all."

"Did you invite them to stay for dinner?" Li Muzhi asked.

“They weren’t in the mood to eat at first, but seeing the food cheered them up, so they definitely stayed for dinner,” Lao He nodded. “Deputy Factory Director Liang also wanted to see you, but I told him you don’t have time right now, so we can meet during dinner.”

"Okay, I'll finish these drawings and then go eat. We can meet then." Li Muzhi nodded.

"Okay, factory manager, then you get back to work." Old He immediately and quickly left.

Li Muzhi sat down again and continued drawing the unfinished blueprints.

This new drawing is not a structural drawing of the 107mm rocket.

Li Muzhi has finished drawing the structural blueprints for the 107mm rocket, and he has also completed the necessary modifications.

Li Muzhi is currently drawing a sliding track.

In addition to being used in single shots, the 107mm rocket can also be used in bursts.

By placing a certain number of rockets on a slide rail, a comprehensive bombing campaign can be carried out over a certain area.

Unlike a cannon barrel, this slide rail doesn't have such high requirements, so it's easy to complete.

Moreover, the slide rail uses less material.

If it were made into a honeycomb cannon barrel to launch rocket launchers, more materials would be needed.

Li Muzhi decided to make the slide rails first.

The problem is that when these rockets are fired in succession, the ignition point will be a concern.

The temperature of the exhaust plume is also extremely high when the rocket is launched.

If you ignite them one by one, it's too slow and could easily cause an accident.

Li Muzhi quickly came up with a new solution.

In ancient times, there was a type of rapid-fire divine arrow.

This device involves placing a certain number of arrows in a quiver, then lighting the fuse, and using the gunpowder attached to the arrows to launch them.

Each arrow has a fuse of the same length, which is then tied together so that a single fuse can ignite the bundle.

At that time, all the binding wires will burn evenly, and the arrows will be launched at the same time.

Li Muzhi quickly solved the problem of ignition and continuous firing, and then improved a few details.

After finishing the drawing, Li Muzhi folded it neatly and put it in the drawer.

I stood up, stretched, and my stomach started growling.

Li Muzhi quickly tidied up the table and then took his lunchbox to the cafeteria for a meal.

(End of this chapter)