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

Chapter 255 Chemical Respirator
Border Region Arsenal

"Xiao Li, have you heard?"

Due to the rain, most of the logistical preparations for the relocation have been temporarily suspended.

Zhang Wanhe arrived at Li Muzhi's border region arsenal.

"What did you hear?" Li Muzhi asked Zhang Wanhe.

"Commander Li and his men are fighting the Japanese outside the encirclement. The Japanese used poison gas on them," Zhang Wanhe said cursingly. "Those despicable and shameless Japanese devils are utterly inhuman."

Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi immediately asked, "Was the loss of Commander Li and his men very heavy?"

During World War II, the Japanese military used biological and chemical weapons, including poison gas and bacteriological weapons.

This has caused great harm to our troops and civilians.

"I heard the quantity was small, so the losses weren't too great," Zhang Wanhe replied, then looked at Li Muzhi, "Little Li, we can't always be thinking about making weapons and ammunition for the troops. You'd better look into making gas masks for the troops instead."

Zhang Wanhe then said, "Whether it's the elite forces, the Jin-Sui Army, or our side, once the Japanese start using poison gas in large quantities, the defense line will be breached very quickly."

Li Muzhi looked troubled: "Minister Zhang, you can't just give me a word to make chemical gas masks. We need equipment, materials, activated carbon, and even electrostatic fiber layers."

Zhang Wanhe paused for a moment after hearing this: "Xiao Li, judging from your tone, you seem to know a lot about the structure of this gas mask?"

Zhang Wanhe meant that Li Muzhi should try to find a way to study it first.

Judging from his tone now, it seems like he knows it all.

As long as he has the materials, equipment, and things like electrostatic fibers, he seems to be able to manufacture them immediately.

This puzzled Zhang Wanhe; where did Li Muzhi learn that from?

Li Muzhi explained, "The combat troops had previously looted a lot of supplies from the Japanese, including a small number of gas masks. I took some time to dismantle a few and studied them."

“As long as you know how to build it, that’s fine,” Zhang Wanhe said. “I’ll figure out a way for you to get the equipment and materials.”

"Minister Zhang, we are currently being swept up by the Japanese. What are you going to do?" Li Muzhi asked suspiciously.

Although the rain temporarily halted the Japanese sweep, we were still surrounded by them.

Zhang Wanhe explained, "The Military Intelligence Bureau wanted to buy our flashbangs, and they even tried some tricks. I've already spoken with Officer Wang Xun. I don't want the money; I just want the equipment and raw materials to make gas masks. Otherwise, there's no point in talking."

Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi paused for a moment: "Minister Zhang, aren't you creating a problem for the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

During the War of Resistance against Japan, the bald man's side was indeed able to manufacture gas masks, but they mainly relied on imitation and imports.

Moreover, only elite units like the German-equipped training corps were qualified to be issued these gas masks.

In other words, the equipment and raw materials used to manufacture these gas masks are extremely valuable.

Even a bald man probably wouldn't take it out easily.

The Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) was primarily responsible for gathering intelligence and cracking down on Japanese invaders and traitors.

They have no access to the raw materials for these important equipment.

"Then I can't worry about that anymore," Zhang Wanhe said, glaring. "If you want to play tricks, then you have to pay the price!"

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Wanhe said, "You, Xiao Li, are still too soft-hearted. What's the use of raising the price by twenty more silver dollars!"

"I just still want to get my hands on the equipment they have..."

"We can't let them choose the equipment; we have to choose it ourselves!" Zhang Wanhe interrupted Li Muzhi. "Right now, getting gas masks is urgent for you, so we need the equipment and raw materials! As for Dai Li wanting flashbangs, how he convinces the bald man is his business!"

“Alright, Minister Zhang, you’re going to take charge of this personally, so I won’t say anything more.” Li Muzhi shrugged. This was originally Old Zhang’s job.

Since he wasn't around, I just took over as his substitute.

Zhang Wanhe looked at Li Muzhi seriously: "Xiao Li, I don't mean to blame you, but if I'm not around in the future, you need to be more ruthless when you're negotiating with them. Back then, when those bastards were searching for our comrades everywhere, their hands were stained with a lot of blood."

“Okay, Minister Zhang, I’ve got it.” Li Muzhi nodded.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Wanhe asked, "Could you make a device to prevent the flashbangs from being disassembled, and then install a self-destruct mechanism inside? Sending Wang Xun's men to participate in the Military Intelligence Bureau's operations is not a long-term solution. Moreover, the Military Intelligence Bureau is not to be trifled with; they might just strike first and seize the flashbangs before our comrades even have a chance to press the self-destruct mechanism."

“Minister Zhang, it’s definitely possible to manufacture it, it’s just that Wang Xun arrested it in a hurry,” Li Muzhi replied. “This thing takes some time, and…”

Zhang Wanhe picked up where Li Muzhi left off, saying, "And right now you need to hurry up and manufacture parts for the new type of rocket, right?"

“Yes,” Li Muzhi nodded. “The equipment has been modified, and all the parts are being manufactured as quickly as possible. Once the parts are finished, we can assemble the new rockets. Although this heavy rain has temporarily halted the Japanese sweep, the crisis still exists for us. The significance of the new rockets will be immediately apparent once they are manufactured as quickly as possible!”

"The flashbang device isn't urgent. We've passed the problem on to Dai Li. It won't be easy for him to persuade the bald man; it'll take time," Zhang Wanhe said calmly. "Or in the end, the bald man might still not agree, and we'll need to find another way. So!"

Zhang Wanhe paused for a moment, then continued, "So you don't need to be distracted by modifying the flashbangs now. Focus on building the new rockets. If that bald guy really agrees later, you can work on it then."

"Yes, Minister Zhang," Li Muzhi replied.

Although the bald man probably wouldn't agree, Dai Li wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Let them argue for now.

"How long will it take for all the parts for this new type of rocket to be produced?" Zhang Wanhe was still very concerned about the progress of the new rocket.

"If nothing unexpected happens, it will probably take another five days," Li Muzhi replied.

"Hmm," Zhang Wanhe hummed in response.

This rain will most likely continue for another three days. It's not that the rain has stopped; the Japanese ground forces' sweep will begin immediately.

He has to wait for the ground to dry.

Once the ground dries, the new rockets should be assembled and ready for testing.

"Factory Director, Minister Zhang, Staff Officer Guo from the 386th Brigade has arrived with a transport team to move the fake tungsten ore." At this moment, someone came over to report.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe immediately turned to look at Li Muzhi: "Is the fake tungsten sand all finished?"

“Yes, we can wrap up the work today.” Li Muzhi nodded.

Zhang Wanhe then said to Li Muzhi, "Let Staff Officer Guo of the 386th Brigade handle the matter of moving the fake tungsten sand. You continue building your new type of rocket."

“Okay.” Li Muzhi nodded, and Zhang Wanhe came out.

"Minister Zhang, you're here too." Staff Officer Guo greeted Zhang Wanhe as he came out.

"Staff Officer Guo, it's still raining. You came in such a hurry, couldn't you have waited until the rain stopped before moving things?" Zhang Wanhe asked as he led the people toward the warehouse.

It's raining, and the roads are muddy and difficult to walk on.

Staff Officer Guo explained, "Once the rain stops, the Japanese planes will definitely come out. With those planes flying overhead, it will be difficult to transport the fake tungsten ore. Also, our brigade commander doesn't want to fight the Japanese sweeping army anymore; we need to quickly launch a major operation to relieve the pressure."

"What major operation?" Zhang Wanhe asked.

"Minister Zhang, you don't need to ask so many questions about war. You don't understand war at all," said Staff Officer Guo.

"Do you need more manpower? Do you need to speed up the process?" Zhang Wanhe didn't ask. "If you still need more manpower, I can find some people to help you."

If the 386th Brigade can launch a major operation that keeps the Japanese mopping-up operations inactive, it will buy our border region's arsenal more production time.

Zhang Wanhe naturally had to cooperate as much as possible.

"No need, I have enough manpower on my side," Staff Officer Guo said.

"That's fine."

……

a county town
Li Yunlong sat under the eaves, watching the rain dripping down, peeling peanuts while occasionally taking a sip of wine. He said to Chu Yunfei in front of him, "Brother Chu, don't worry too much. Mr. Yan Kai will be fine. Come, come, have a drink too."

Ding Wei and Gao Xigang, along with Yan Kai, did not wait in one place, but kept changing positions.

The goal was to prevent the Jin-Sui Army from receiving him.

Of course, Li Yunlong and the Jin-Sui Army are now "besieged" here, while Ding Wei and Gao Xigang have probably found another place to hide.

The place where Li Yunlong is now is quite nice.

They directly captured a Japanese county with their superior firepower and used it as a shelter from the wind and rain, which was infinitely better than taking shelter under a big tree in the wild.

We can even have a couple of drinks.
Chu Yunfei, who was sitting opposite Li Yunlong, was sullen.

"Brother Yunlong, I'm really not in the mood right now." Chu Yunfei waved his hand, having no interest in drinking.

The army is now surrounded here, and it's hard to say whether they can break out and fight their way out.

After all, once the rain stops, the Japanese planes might come over.

“Brother Chu, listen to my advice. No matter how worried you are, it won’t help,” Li Yunlong advised. “Yan Kai might be fast asleep right now, completely out of danger. What’s with all your worries…”

"Brother Yunlong!" Chu Yunfei interrupted Li Yunlong, "I only have one request now."

"any request?"

"The rain has stopped. You and Gao Liujin, as the vanguard, must not slack off," Chu Yunfei said solemnly. "Otherwise, if the army can't get out, that will be bad."

Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin possess powerful artillery, and their rocket launchers can counter the Japanese tank regiments. If the army wants to break out, it will have to rely on the two of them.

"Brother Chu, don't worry about that." Li Yunlong readily agreed. "If we can't get out, I'll also be at risk of being surrounded and annihilated. Brother Chu, we're in the same boat now. I won't be naive."

"Just remember what's important. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer." Chu Yunfei stood up and left.

After Chu Yunfei left, Li Yunlong turned to look at Gao Liujin beside him: "Gao Liujin, you always say you want to fight a few big battles. When the rain stops, you better not slack off on your work."

"Damn it, when have I ever slacked off in this fight against the Japanese!" Gao Liujin said proudly. "If we don't fight our way out, how will we make our share of the spoils in Taiyuan!"

"Haha, that's true." Li Yunlong laughed and poured wine for Gao Liujin: "Come on, let's drink, let's drink. Where were we?"

"You were talking about you and your sweetheart making out in the haystack, weren't you?" Gao Liujin scratched his head and said.

Originally, Gao Liujin and Li Yunlong were enjoying their drinks when Chu Yunfei suddenly came over and interrupted them.

"Yes, yes, yes, that's the point. Oh, let me tell you, my sweetheart's words are incredibly sweet, like they're coated in honey. I still can't forget them." Li Yunlong started boasting again, "If it weren't for the Huangma Uprising, she would have given birth to a whole kang (a heated brick bed) of children by now."

"Who is Huang Ma? Why did he start a riot? Won't his riot interfere with your ability to have a baby?" Gao Liujin was already a little drunk.

Li Yunlong was furious: "Damn it, I told you not to study more, but you insisted on going to feed pigs for the landlord."

……

(End of this chapter)