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

Chapter 323 Sophisticated
Yan Kai went to make a phone call, and Zhang Wanhe sat here waiting.

He wasn't drinking water; instead, he closed his eyes to rest, as if he were an old monk in deep meditation.

Only in this way can we avoid becoming impatient due to waiting too long.

After all, Zhang Wanhe was even more anxious than Yan Kai about the sophisticated instruments and equipment in his hands.

As I said before, we absolutely must not show it.

Otherwise, if Yan Kai seizes the opportunity, this deal might cause trouble.

Yan Kai only talked with Commander Yan for a few minutes before the call ended.

Yan Kai did not immediately come over to talk to Zhang Wanhe, but waited.

He wanted to observe Zhang Wanhe's emotions.

If Zhang Wanhe gets impatient, then I can still negotiate the price.

Unfortunately, Yan Kai observed Zhang Wanhe for almost half an hour, but Zhang Wanhe's posture did not change at all.

Yan Kai had no choice but to step inside, feigning apology: "Minister Zhang, I'm sorry, this call took a while. I've kept you waiting."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe thought to himself, "What are you pretending for, Yan Kai?"

Your Jin-Sui Army is in dire straits. You couldn't have been on the phone for so long; you must have been secretly observing me.

Of course, Zhang Wanhe couldn't say this out loud. He opened his eyes and said calmly, "Judging from Mr. Yan Kai's expression, you can make the decision now, right?"

“Minister Zhang, I just spoke with Commander Yan and learned some information about Li Yunlong’s side. Would you like to hear it?” Yan Kai did not directly answer Zhang Wanhe’s question.

Information about Li Yunlong?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe was naturally curious.

Li Yunlong led his troops to engage the Japanese outside the encirclement and also attacked the Japanese rear in Taiyuan. Could it be that Li Yunlong succeeded and captured the Taiyuan Arsenal?
Zhang Wanhe looked at Yan Kai suspiciously: "What message did Li Yunlong send?"

"Commander Yan just told me that Li Yunlong has most likely already obtained the equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal," Yan Kai said, while carefully observing Zhang Wanhe's expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe was immediately overjoyed: "Mr. Yan Kai, you're not joking with me, are you?"

"I'm not kidding." Seeing Zhang Wanhe so happy, Yan Kai was delighted and immediately continued, "Originally, this batch of equipment was moved out of the Taiyuan Arsenal by our army, but it was chased back by the Japanese halfway. Now, this batch of equipment has most likely fallen into Li Yunlong's hands."

"What do you mean by telling me this news?" Zhang Wanhe didn't detect any anger in Yan Kai's tone and immediately became wary.

Under normal circumstances, your Jin-Sui Army moved the equipment out, then the Japanese seized it, and finally Li Yunlong took it back.

Given the shameless attitude of your Jin-Sui Army, you probably won't give up easily.

Why aren't you, Yan Kai, showing any signs of anger? That's not normal.

Yan Kai replied, "Although this batch of equipment is very likely to fall into Li Yunlong's hands, Taiyuan is far from your base, not to mention the Japanese won't easily let Li Yunlong bring the equipment back. So!"

"So what?" Zhang Wanhe asked.

"So, our Commander Yan told me that our Jin-Sui Army could consider going to meet up with Li Yunlong and help escort the equipment back," Yan Kai said.

"You won't help for nothing, right?"

"Of course, after all, the Japanese won't give up easily, and there might even be a fierce battle." Yan Kai nodded seriously. "Commander Yan said that he can send troops to pick up Li Yunlong and help escort the equipment back. Consider these two hell cannons and two hundred shells as payment. What do you think?"

"Hahaha." Zhang Wanhe laughed and waved his hand: "No discussion. If you want two Hell Cannons and two hundred shells, you have to give me what I want."

Zhang Wanhe now understood that Yan Kai and Yan Laoxi were still trying to fool him.

Your Jin-Sui Army even sent troops to meet Li Yunlong? You're kidding me.

You moved the equipment out, but the Japanese took it back.

If your Jin-Sui Army had any backbone, shouldn't you have gone back to snatch it back from the Japanese?
It must be because you withdrew your troops that Li Yunlong went to do the work.

Li Yunlong has retrieved the equipment, and you're all pretending to be willing to send troops to help him.

You guys are the ones who need to provide support!

Even if you really send troops, you'll probably shamelessly attack Li Yunlong's back, trying to snatch the equipment back from him.

Seeing that Zhang Wanhe refused with a smile, Yan Kai's expression turned somewhat ugly: "Minister Zhang, aren't you really worried that the Japanese will snatch the equipment from Li Yunlong's hands again?"

“What am I worried about?” Zhang Wanhe said directly. “I am the Minister of Logistics, and my concerns are always about logistics. As for the combat troops, I never worry about them, and that’s none of my business.”

Zhang Wanhe thought to himself, even though Taiyuan is far from our base, the Japanese will not give up easily.

But Li Yunlong is no pushover; he's got so many clever ideas, I'm sure he'll find a way.

Otherwise, why would they have gone to Taiyuan to make money in the rear?

The idea of ​​"drawing water with a bamboo basket and ending up with nothing" only applies to your Jin-Sui Army, not to Li Yunlong.

Hearing Zhang Wanhe say this, Yan Kai's expression turned even uglier: "Minister Zhang, are you really not thinking about your combat troops? If Li Yunlong is eventually surrounded by the Japanese, it's very easy for him to lose both his manpower and equipment. At that time, you, as the logistics minister, probably won't say that you don't care about the combat troops anymore."

Yan Kai thought to himself, "Zhang Wanhe is really not easy to deal with."

It's said that he only considers logistics and not the combat operations of the troops.

Your logistics department is supposed to serve the combat troops, right? Can you really distance yourself from it all?

Bullshit!

On the surface, Zhang Wanhe was talking nonsense, but in reality, this was also his unwavering stance.

If we want to get the equipment he has, we'll probably have to trade it for some sophisticated instruments and equipment.

These are our last remaining pieces of equipment; how could we possibly give them away?

"Mr. Yan Kai, have you ever heard of our Hell Missile?" Zhang Wanhe brought up the Hell Missile.

"Hell Missile?" Yan Kai didn't quite understand what Zhang Wanhe meant.

He had certainly heard about the Hellfire missile.

It is said that this is a new gadget that was just manufactured by the Eighth Route Army's border region arsenal.

This new thing doesn't need artillery to fire; it can fly over and kill targets on its own.

Yan Kai simply didn't believe it.

The history of artillery has spanned hundreds of years, and cannonballs have always been propelled by chamber pressure.

Without a cannon barrel, how does the shell get energy to fly on its own?
However, the rumors circulating among the elite troops were quite exaggerated, claiming that the Eighth Route Army had actually created such a weapon.

At a critical moment on the battlefield, a salvo of these Hellfire missiles destroyed the heavy artillery positions of the Kumamoto Division, directly helping the elite troops break through the encirclement and launch a counterattack against the Japanese.

but!

Given the relationship between the elite troops and the local troops, they often deceived or even fooled the local troops, so Yan Kai did not easily believe them.

The artillery positions of the Kumamoto Division may have been destroyed by the Eighth Route Army through other means.

Therefore, when Yan Kai and Zhang Wanhe were negotiating the deal, they did not make any demands for Hell Missiles, only requesting Hell Cannons and shells.

Now that Zhang Wanhe had brought up the Hell Missile, Yan Kai was naturally stunned.

Could it be that the Eighth Route Army's border arsenal has actually produced artillery shells that can fly?

This shell no longer needs to be fired by the cannon?

This is simply too unbelievable.

Yan Kai then questioned, "Minister Zhang, you're not joking with me, are you? You've really built a new type of artillery shell that can fly and doesn't need to be fired by artillery?"

“Mr. Yan Kai, we have already used this weapon twice on the battlefield. Once to destroy the logistics supplies in the hands of Brigade Commander Kawashima, and the other time to take down the heavy artillery position of Division Commander Kumamoto. Such a great victory, even if you are a logistics personnel in the Jin-Sui Army, I guess you must have heard the rumors by now.” Zhang Wanhe looked at Yan Kai suspiciously.

Such a great victory has spread throughout the country, and you, Yan Kai, are pretending not to hear it?
"Minister Zhang, if this shell doesn't need to be fired by artillery, how does it get the energy to fly on its own?" Yan Kai looked at Zhang Wanhe's posture and his heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the elite army hadn't fooled us and that the Eighth Route Army had really made such a shell?

However, when Yan Kai thought about the centuries-old history of artillery firing, he felt that this was still too far-fetched.

If we could really make shells that don't need to be fired by cannons, then why bother smelting steel and making cannon barrels? Just make the shells directly, wouldn't that be much easier?

"How the shells fly on their own is not something I, as the logistics minister, need to consider," Zhang Wanhe said seriously. "I only need to consider that if our border region's arsenal can produce this thing, then its significance to our army's artillery firepower will be immense."

Following that, Zhang Wanhe continued, "Of course, if your Jin-Sui Army is interested, then this is of great significance..."

Yan Kai immediately interrupted Zhang Wanhe: "I want the Hell Missile too, I want it."

Although Yan Kai still couldn't quite believe it.

But since Zhang Wanhe has already brought out the Hell Missile, I should definitely follow suit.

When the time comes, we'll get our hands on the Hell Missile and crack its technology.

Our Jin-Sui Army's arsenal no longer needs to smelt steel or manufacture cannon barrels; we can directly produce Hellfire missiles, which saves a lot of trouble.

To know.

The Japanese have basically taken over large and important mines, and our Jin-Sui Army has very few sources of raw materials for military production, so we have to save as much as possible.

Seeing that Yan Kai's appetite had been whetted by the Hell Cannon, Zhang Wanhe smiled slightly and shook his head: "Sorry, I'm not selling this Hell Missile."

You're not selling?
Upon hearing this, Yan Kai immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

If you're not going to sell it, why are you bringing this up for me? Are you senile?
Yan Kai's face immediately darkened again: "Minister Zhang, we're supposed to be discussing a deal properly, but you're joking with me. Isn't that inappropriate?"

“Since I brought up the Hellfire Missile, it must be part of the deal,” Zhang Wanhe said, pointing. “The Hellfire Missile is part of the deal?” Yan Kai didn’t understand what Zhang Wanhe meant. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t sell the Hellfire Missile?

“Here’s the thing,” Zhang Wanhe finally revealed, “If you give me the equipment on this list, I’ll give you two Hell Cannons and two hundred shells, plus two Hell Missiles as a bonus.”

Did you give me two Hellfire Missiles?
Yan Kai was somewhat bewildered upon hearing this.

You're not selling such an important shell? You're giving it away as a freebie? Are you kidding me?

The power of this Hellfire missile is comparable to that of a medium-sized howitzer.

It does not require a cannon to fire, and soldiers can quickly move around the battlefield with the shells.

To use it, you can simply dig a hole in the ground to launch it.

Such a useful device is probably just as significant on the battlefield as the Hell Cannon.

Treating it as a free gift is rather disrespectful.

Or perhaps your Eighth Route Army simply didn't realize the significance of this new type of artillery shell on the battlefield.

“Of course, these two Hellfire missiles aren’t just given to you for free,” Zhang Wanhe added. “There’s one more condition.”

"What conditions?"

“I need to send someone over to teach you how to use them. After all, if you take these shells over and don’t know how to use them, that won’t work, right?” Zhang Wanhe said.

Zhang Wanhe's purpose in sending people was actually to obtain the test data of these two Hellfire missiles.

As for teaching the other party, it's all just a cover-up.

"No problem, definitely no problem." Yan Kai nodded directly, then looked at Zhang Wanhe with longing: "Minister Zhang, could you show me the Hell Missile?"

“Mr. Yan Kai, judging from your attitude, it seems you’re eager to finalize this deal.” Zhang Wanhe adopted a closing-in stance. “I’ve already prepared the Hell Cannon, the shells, and two Hell Missiles; I’m just waiting for your equipment. If you really want it, bring the equipment over to me right away.”

Seeing that Zhang Wanhe had brought the topic back, Yan Kai looked as uncomfortable as if he had eaten shit.

Even though Commander Yan had agreed, he still refused to let go.

As the deputy director of the arsenal, Yan Kai was well aware of the value of these precision equipment and instruments.

Once it's handed over to the Eighth Route Army, we probably won't have the chance to get new precision instruments and equipment until the Japanese are driven out.

Seeing Yan Kai's pained expression, Zhang Wanhe added fuel to the fire, saying, "If Mr. Yan Kai is really in a difficult position, then forget it. The direct line is eyeing our Hell Missiles and Hell Cannons. If you hadn't contacted me first, I wouldn't have come to you first. Since you find it difficult, then I'll just give it to them..."

“Minister Zhang.” Yan Kai finally nodded through gritted teeth, glaring at Zhang Wanhe as if he were an enemy: “This deal cannot be canceled. Let’s proceed as planned. I can take you to see the equipment right away.”

The Jin-Sui Army is now in a precarious situation. Without important artillery to suppress the Japanese, it will lose all its territory.

The team will have to be completely driven out of Shanxi Province.

Shanxi Province is the root of the Jin-Sui Army.

An army forced to leave its roots is like a stray dog.

With the Japanese army eyeing them covetously from the front and the bald man plotting to kill them from behind, their situation would be even more desperate than it is now.

"Okay, I've had someone inspect the goods. Once they're confirmed to be in good condition, I'll tell you where the equipment is." Zhang Wanhe nodded quickly, thinking to himself, "Finally, I've got this old fox Yan Kai under my thumb."

This equipment definitely needs to be tested, but Li Muzhi can't come in person.

But he found a few people who, following Li Muzhi's instructions, inspected the goods, so there were definitely no problems.

"Minister Zhang, so you brought the equipment out all along?" Yan Kai said through gritted teeth.

The other party is too cunning; they are truly shrewd and calculating.

“Your battle is urgent, and I certainly can’t hold you back,” Zhang Wanhe said seriously, looking at Yan Kai. “On the contrary, Mr. Yan Kai, you are the one wasting time. It seems like you’re not in a hurry at all.”

Yan Kai didn't waste any more time with Zhang Wanhe and immediately led the way.

Zhang Wanhe led his men and followed Yan Kai.

The location where the equipment was hidden wasn't far. When they arrived, Zhang Wanhe looked at the equipment covered with tarpaulins, suppressed his joy, and ordered the technicians he had brought, "Follow Xiao Li's instructions, look carefully and don't miss any details."

"Yes, Minister Zhang." The technicians nodded and immediately began inspecting the equipment.

Feeling extremely upset about having others see his precious child, Yan Kai couldn't bear to stay there any longer and went outside.

Zhang Wanhe didn't go over to comfort Yan Kai; instead, he stayed there.

The technicians all looked happy, and their happiness only grew.

Zhang Wanhe's mood grew happier and happier.

It seems this equipment hasn't been tampered with, and its condition is quite good.

If we bring it back, Xiao Li can manufacture parts for air defense weapons and also work on radar.

"Minister Zhang, the inspection is complete. The equipment is in good condition and has not been tampered with," the technicians quickly and excitedly replied to Zhang Wanhe.

They were technicians from the border region's arsenal, yet they knew the significance of this equipment to the arsenal.

With it, the border region's arsenal can now produce some precision parts.

"Check it again," Zhang Wanhe ordered, still not satisfied.

"Yes, Minister Zhang." The technicians didn't find Zhang Wanhe's nagging and continued their inspection.

"Go, bring the troops over." Zhang Wanhe didn't hesitate and ordered someone to bring the troops over.

He would only reveal the location of the equipment to Yan Kai once he had it completely in his possession.

"Yes, Minister Zhang."

Yan Kai finally came in again, looking anxious: "Minister Zhang, your inspection is taking too long. Can you hurry up? Commander Yan was urging me again just now."

Commander Yan did indeed urge Yan Kai again via radio, telling him not to waste any more time and to bring the cannon over immediately.

Seeing Yan Kai's anxious expression, Zhang Wanhe thought to himself, "You're the one who's been wasting time, and now you're saying I'm too slow. This thing is so important, can't I check it carefully again?"

Of course, on the surface, Zhang Wanhe still smiled and said, "Mr. Yan Kai, don't worry, it will be ready soon."

When the troops from the 385th Brigade arrived, the technicians replied to Zhang Wanhe again: "Minister Zhang, we have completed our inspection again, and the result is the same as the first time; there is no problem with the equipment."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Zhang Wanhe nodded and then said to the commander of the 385th Brigade, "Move the equipment away immediately. Remember, as long as the equipment is there, we are there. If the equipment is gone, don't come back."

"Minister Zhang, rest assured, everything will be perfectly fine." The deputy brigade commander of the 385th Brigade assured Zhang Wanhe and quickly took the equipment away.

Seeing that the treasure had been taken back, Zhang Wanhe smiled and said to Yan Kai, "Mr. Yan Kai, actually, the Hell Cannon, the shells, and the two Hell Missiles have already been sent to your Jin-Sui Army. If I'm not mistaken, they've arrived right at the edge of your 345th Regiment's defense zone."

The 345th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army was in a defensive zone very close to the battle, so it didn't delay the artillery support at all.

Yan Kai was stunned when he heard this: "Minister Zhang, you're not kidding, are you? Have the cannons and shells already been sent over?"

Zhang Wanhe explained with a smile, "Your situation is very urgent, and you urgently need heavy artillery firepower to suppress the Japanese. How could I delay your military intelligence? Don't you agree?"

"Minister Zhang, thank you." Yan Kai's initial urgency eased somewhat.

He was actually a little regretful that he had spent too much time getting his skin polished by Zhang Wanhe.

Commander Yan urged them again, and the delay might cost the Jin-Sui Army a considerable price.

It turned out that Zhang Wanhe had already secretly sent the equipment over in advance, which meant that no time was wasted and no military intelligence was delayed.

Yan Kai even felt somewhat ashamed.

They wanted to take it for free and resorted to despicable means to forcibly seize the other party's equipment.

But the other party is so open and honest in their actions.

"No need to thank me. Since we are allies, we should look after each other. Don't you think so, Mr. Yan Kai?" Zhang Wanhe smiled again and said, "Don't forget my conditions. I sent two people to teach those two Hell Missiles. You have to take good care of them for me."

"Minister Zhang, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of your people and won't make things difficult for them." Yan Kai readily agreed.

He thought to himself that Zhang Wanhe sending someone over to teach was most likely a ruse.

The real intention was probably to prevent me from disassembling it.

For the future of the Jin-Sui Army, as long as our Jin-Sui Army's arsenal can produce shells that can fly on their own without being fired by cannons, Yan Kai believes that his personal dignity is not important.

I can leave these two people alone, but I'm determined to dismantle these two Hellfire missiles!

Zhang Wanhe listened to Yan Kai's high-sounding words without the slightest worry.

We trust Xiao Li's anti-disassembly skills; Yan Kai definitely can't handle it.

Zhang Wanhe smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Mr. Yan Kai, it would be a pleasure to cooperate with you then."

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you." Yan Kai extended his hand and shook hands with Zhang Wanhe, then hurriedly said, "Minister Zhang, I have an urgent military situation on my end, so I'll take my leave."

"Yeah, I'm pretty busy too. I need to hurry back. Goodbye," Zhang Wanhe said.

Yan Kai hurriedly led his men away. Someone beside Zhang Wan said worriedly, "Minister Zhang, Yan Kai is in such a hurry to leave. On the one hand, it's because of an urgent military situation, and on the other hand, he must be eager to dismantle our Hell Cannon shells and Hell Missiles. Aren't you afraid they'll get the technology?"

If the other party obtains the technology, wouldn't Director Li's hard work be stolen by them?

"Don't worry, he won't get it," Zhang Wanhe said confidently.

(End of this chapter)