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

Chapter 325: Providing millions of bullets every month!
"Deputy Factory Director Yan, Commander Yan has called urgently and wants you to come over and answer the phone immediately."

Just as Yan Kai was feeling frustrated and helpless against Li Muzhi's anti-disassembly device, someone came over and cautiously reminded him.

Yan Kai came out and picked up the phone: "This is Yan Kai."

"Yan Kai, Yi Sheng just reported to me that thanks to the Hell Cannons you traded from the Eighth Route Army in time, they repelled the Japanese attack. Six shells killed 1,500 Japanese soldiers, scaring them into retreating twenty miles." Commander Yan's excited voice came through the phone. "How's the dismantling of those Hell Cannon shells going?"

Yisheng is Commander Fu's courtesy name.

Yan Kai felt relieved when he heard that the Japanese attack had been repelled.

It seems the Jin-Sui Army no longer needs to be treated like stray dogs.

But as soon as Commander Yan inquired about the progress of dismantling the shell, Yan Kai's mood immediately soured, and he said dejectedly, "Commander Yan, this shell cannot be dismantled."

"The shells can't be disassembled, what does that mean?" came the somewhat confused voice from the telephone receiver.

"The Eighth Route Army's military expert installed an anti-disassembly device inside this shell. Any attempt to disassemble it will cause the shell to self-destruct," Yan Kai replied.

"Those Eighth Route Army bastards!" Commander Yan cursed angrily, disbelievingly asking, "Are you sure this shell can't be disassembled?"

This hell cannon has excellent battlefield destructive power and top-notch battlefield deterrence.

Such a useful thing, if the shells can't be disassembled, wouldn't that be a disaster?

Once the cannonballs are used up, the Hell Cannon will be nothing but scrap metal.

We couldn't dismantle the shells ourselves to obtain the technology to produce them, so we were forced to trade with the Eighth Route Army.

If things continue like this, won't the Eighth Route Army drain our family's coffers?

"Commander Yan, I'm afraid you won't believe me if I say something," Yan Kai said helplessly.

"What?"

"I've never seen this anti-disassembly device before. Even when I studied at a military academy in Germany and went to the Japanese for further training, I saw some anti-disassembly devices. But compared to this anti-disassembly device made by the Eighth Route Army's military experts, those devices are like fireflies compared to the sun and moon." Although Yan Kai hated it, he had to admit that "this anti-disassembly device made by the Eighth Route Army's military experts seems to be a product of our time."

"Not a product of our time?" Commander Yan cursed upon hearing this. "Isn't that nonsense? Could it be that these Eighth Route Army military experts stole technology from the future?!"

This is utterly absurd.

There's no such amazing person in the world.

Yan Kai continued, “Commander Yan, I admit what I said was absurd, but look at it from another perspective. Whether it’s the Eighth Route Army’s Hell Cannon, rocket launchers, or even their Hell Missiles, which of them are products of our time? The Hell Cannon revolutionized the weight of heavy artillery, increasing its mobility and even surpassing its destructive power. The rocket launcher set a precedent for firing artillery from the shoulder, and then there’s the Hell Missile, which even eliminates the need for a cannon barrel. None of these things are products of our time…”

"Stop talking nonsense." Commander Yan interrupted Yan Kai. "It's just that the Eighth Route Army's military experts have brains that are different from others. Their brains are too eccentric, and the things they make are just shortcuts or unorthodox methods. In the end, it's because the Eighth Route Army's conditions are not good enough to make standard weapons."

Commander Yan didn't believe Yan Kai's ideas; they were out of touch with the times.

These Eighth Route Army military experts are so amazing, able to transcend time, why don't you just call them gods?

“Commander Yan, I’ve also seen this Hellfire Missile, and it also has anti-tampering devices.” Yan Kai didn’t argue with Commander Yan.

"Stop talking. I don't believe there's no shell in this world that can't be dismantled." Commander Yan said solemnly. "Bring the shell to the rear arsenal and have the arsenal organize experts to dismantle it together. I don't believe we can't handle it."

"Yes, Commander Yan." Yan Kai really wanted to tell Commander Yan that he, as the deputy factory director, knew better than anyone the capabilities of the experts in his own arsenal.

Even if they had ten times more manpower, it would be meaningless in the face of the anti-disassembly device made by the Eighth Route Army's military experts.

But Yan Kai suppressed the thought.

Let's have these military experts dismantle it together first.

Yan Kai didn't expect a miracle; he only hoped that Commander Yan could accept reality.

……

Border Region Arsenal

Li Muzhi stood up from the chair and stretched his arms and legs.

On the table, he had already completed all the blueprints for the special equipment in Secret Site No. 9.

The main reason is that this special equipment does not require drawing out the internal precision structure; drawing the important outlines is sufficient, so the workload is not large.

"Xiao Gu, go and tell Lao Yu's dismantling team to gather in the conference room immediately. I need to hold a meeting with them," Li Muzhi said to Xiao Gu outside the door.

Old Yu's dismantling team is the other dismantling team.

The intelligence department will soon have a clear picture of the situation at Secret Site No. 9, and the combat troops may soon be able to take action.

Therefore, Li Muzhi's dismantling team must also make the corresponding preparations as soon as possible.

When the time comes, Li Muzhi will quickly copy down how to disassemble this special equipment, what parts to disassemble, and what precautions to take.

"Yes, factory manager." Xiao Gu hurriedly ran off.

Li Muzhi organized the documents and prepared to go to the conference room to wait.

Just as he finished setting everything up and stepped out the door, he saw Old Zhang coming over excitedly, his face as sweet as honey: "Little Li, hahaha, I've brought all the precision equipment and instruments back for you, you should go and take a look."

"So fast?" Li Mu was taken aback.

You have to understand, the precision equipment and instruments he wrote about were, in a sense, Commander Yan's lifeline.

Even if Commander Yan's army is in poor condition right now, he probably still wouldn't agree.

I never expected Comrade Zhang to be so efficient.

“You need to make parts for air defense weapons and radar, which requires these precision instruments and equipment. So I have to get these precision instruments and equipment over to you as soon as possible!” Zhang Wanhe said seriously. “Otherwise, wouldn’t that cause problems?”

"Minister Zhang, I'll go take a look right away," Li Muzhi said happily.

"Let's leave the stuff in the woods over there for now." Zhang Wanhe pulled Li Muzhi out the door, and they walked side by side.

Zhang Wanhe continued with a smile, "Liu Fuxing and his classmates are going to the natural gas plant with the dismantling team to broaden their horizons. I've also spoken to the headquarters leaders about this, and they've agreed, instructing that we must ensure the safety of these students."

"Hmm." Li Muzhi nodded and said, "Then I'll talk to Liu Fuxing and the others about it later."

"There's more good news," Zhang Wanhe said, looking at Li Muzhi. "Can you guess?"

“Minister Zhang, how could I possibly guess what you’re referring to?” Li Muzhi shook his head.

"It's about Li Yunlong's side," Zhang Wanhe reminded him.

Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi couldn't help but be taken aback: "Minister Zhang, you're not going to tell me that Commander Li has secured equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal, are you?"

Li Muzhi was truly shocked and astonished.

Even though a large number of Japanese troops were sent out from the rear of Taiyuan, the vast province of Shanxi had dispersed too many of the First Army's forces, leaving the rear of Taiyuan vulnerable.

But that was, after all, the heartland of the Japanese First Army.

To penetrate deep into enemy territory and capture the Taiyuan Arsenal is still a bit too far-fetched.

Li Yunlong only had a few regiments, maybe a few thousand men at most. Could he possibly do this kind of amazing job?
Old Li's skills are extraordinary.

“When I was doing business with Yan Kai from the Jin-Sui Army, Yan Kai said that the equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal was first taken out by the Jin-Sui Army, and then the Japanese took it back. In the end, it is highly likely that Li Yunlong will take over this batch of equipment,” Zhang Wanhe explained.

"High probability?" Li Mu was taken aback. "So the facts haven't been confirmed yet?"

"I've already spoken to the intelligence department and told them to verify immediately," Zhang Wanhe said confidently. "We have to trust Commander Li's abilities. He may boast a lot, but he's a reliable person. I believe he's definitely succeeded. Otherwise, why would Yan Kai pretend to be willing to send troops to pick up Li Yunlong, only to withhold the precision equipment?" "It's good that Commander Li succeeded," Li Muzhi said after a moment's thought, looking forward to it. "It's just that Taiyuan is too far from our base. I wonder how Commander Li will transport the equipment to us."

The Taiyuan Arsenal was occupied by the Japanese. Although most of the equipment was transported back to Japan, the remaining equipment still had a terrifying production capacity.

Just considering bullets alone, during the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Taiyuan Arsenal could supply the Japanese with millions of bullets every month!
A full million shots!
The monthly production, when divided among our entire army, would give each person three bullets.

The annual production is enough to completely free our soldiers from the predicament of insufficient bullets and firepower on the battlefield.

However, while the aspirations are beautiful, the reality is still quite harsh.

With so much equipment lost, the Japanese would certainly not let Li Yunlong bring it back easily. It can be said that Li Yunlong's journey home would be fraught with difficulties.

"Hey." Zhang Wanhe patted Li Muzhi on the shoulder and said casually, "We don't need to worry about the logistics of other combat units. I think since Li Yunlong was able to get his hands on those things, he must have a way to get them back. Otherwise, why would he go to Taiyuan? To celebrate Yoshio Shinotsuka's birthday?"

"Once the intelligence department confirms that Commander Li has succeeded, we should definitely provide support to him as soon as possible," Li Muzhi said. How could he not worry about it? This was a crucial factor related to the rapid expansion of our army's arsenal.

Minister Zhang, do you really not know what bringing this batch of equipment back means for our military and defense industry?

“Once the intelligence department confirms it, they will definitely report to headquarters immediately, and the leaders at headquarters will definitely handle it decisively.” Zhang Wanhe’s tone remained calm. “So, we in logistics should just do what we need to do.”

"Yes, that's true." Li Muzhi nodded. Once headquarters found out about this, they would definitely react quickly and send more troops to provide support.

It seems that apart from rushing to produce some weapons and ammunition for the troops, we don't really need to worry about how Li Yunlong will get the supplies back. After all, worrying won't do any good.

Li Muzhi followed Zhang Wanhe as they walked into the woods.

Here, several inspectors from the arsenal looked a little nervous as Li Muzhi approached: "Factory Director."

Although they had inspected the equipment twice before the transaction as required by Li Muzhi, the final confirmation of whether these sophisticated instruments were in good condition was still needed from Li Muzhi before they could feel at ease.

"Thank you for your hard work." Li Muzhi nodded to the group and then immediately began to inspect the items himself.

Zhang Wanhe stood quietly to one side, his mood the same as the other inspectors.

Whether the goods are good or not, and whether Yan Kai has done anything clever behind the scenes, ultimately it is up to Li Muzhi to say.

Because it was a precision instrument, Li Muzhi's inspection took a little longer, almost fifty minutes. Li Muzhi said with a happy expression, "I've looked at the item, and it's in good condition."

Upon hearing Li Muzhi's words, the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

The inspectors laughed: "Factory manager, your expression suddenly turned serious during the inspection just now, which startled us all."

Zhang Wanhe asked suspiciously, "Xiao Li, why did your expression suddenly become serious during the inspection just now?"

“Several parts of this equipment are too worn out, and I estimate that it will affect the precision of manufacturing the parts,” Li Muzhi replied. “But I have thought of a solution.”

"It's good that it can be solved, it's good that it can be solved." Zhang Wanhe was overjoyed and said to Li Muzhi, "Then hurry up and move these precision instruments and equipment in, and you take the time to debug them."

Zhang Wanhe said to the inspectors, "Have someone move these precision instruments and equipment. I've already found a place for them, room 27. The moving process is the same as transportation; handle them with care and avoid bumps as much as possible. You move the equipment over first, and I'll go over there after I'm done with my work."

"Yes, factory manager." The inspectors nodded emphatically and immediately and happily arranged for people to unload the goods.

Li Muzhi turned to Zhang Wanhe and said, "Minister Zhang, I still need to quickly explain the dismantling details of the No. 9 secret equipment to Lao Yu's dismantling team."

Zhang Wanhe naturally wouldn't waste Li Muzhi's time, but he still asked one more question: "Little Li, the precision equipment and instruments from the Jin-Sui Army have been exchanged. Next, what do you want to exchange for from them? You can write it down for me in advance, and I will negotiate with Yan Kai."

Upon hearing this, Li Mu paused for a moment: "Minister Zhang, the subsequent Hell Cannon shells haven't been manufactured yet, nor have they been sent to them. Is it really appropriate for you to be so eager to get your hands on their supplies?"

Li Muzhi could foresee that both Commander Yan and Yan Kai were heartbroken over this batch of precision instruments and equipment.

Minister Zhang, you're being a bit too eager.

"What do you mean you're in such a hurry to get things!" Zhang Wanhe said righteously. "Don't you want more?"

“How about this, Minister Zhang?” Li Muzhi thought for a moment and said, “Let’s not worry about the equipment for now, let them have a break.”

“I understand, you want the raw materials, right?” Zhang Wanhe asked.

“No, I want workers,” Li Muzhi replied.

Didn't I already say that?

It is highly likely that Li Yunlong has already acquired the equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal.

There's a lot of equipment here. Getting it back and increasing production capacity won't be as simple as just talking about it.

In addition to needing more power, a corresponding number of workers are also needed, and there is a significant shortage of workers.

When Commander Yan withdrew, he did not take the Taiyuan Arsenal with him, but he did take many workers with him.

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Wanhe nodded quickly, understanding what Li Muzhi meant.

that's true.

We can't just focus on the equipment that Commander Yan has.

Once Li Yunlong brings the equipment back, we won't lack equipment; what we lack is manpower.

"Minister Zhang, I'll get back to work now," Li Muzhi said, looking at Zhang Wanhe.

“Alright, alright, go ahead and get busy. Leave this person’s problem to me.” Zhang Wanhe nodded repeatedly.

He had already received news that the Jin-Sui Army had repelled the Japanese attack with the deterrent effect of a few cannonballs fired from the Hellfire Cannon.

Once the remaining shells are delivered, the other side will definitely continue negotiations.

When the time comes, let's give Yan Kai a heads-up.

Li Muzhi returned to the conference room, where Lao Yu and the others had already arrived.

Upon seeing Li Muzhi enter, Lao Yu and the others quickly stood up: "Factory Director."

"Please sit down, everyone." Li Muzhi waved his hand and explained, "I was held up by something, so I'm a little late."

"It's alright, it's alright." Old Yu waved his hand. "Factory Director, you must have more important things to do."

"Alright, let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point," Li Muzhi said directly. "According to the confession of Takahashi Konosuke, a captured Japanese military expert, the Japanese have a secret location called Site No. 9, which is secretly plundering and transporting our precious strategic metals. The reason I gathered your dismantling team is to quickly explain the structure of the special equipment in Site No. 9 to you. You will then accompany the combat troops to dismantle the equipment."

Li Muzhi took out the completed drawings and distributed them to several key personnel, continuing, "These drawings for each of you are for disassembling the different equipment you are responsible for. I have already sketched out the disassembly process on them. Take your time to look at them, and ask me if you don't understand anything."

These are all experienced technicians, so Li Muzhi doesn't need to spend time explaining them in person; he can just let them see the disassembly process.

After they had all digested and absorbed the information, Li Muzhi then told them the precautions to take during the disassembly process.

"Okay, factory manager." The managers took the blueprints and immediately began to examine them carefully.

The meeting didn't last long, only about twenty minutes in total.

During the meeting, the officials asked seven or eight questions, all of which were quickly answered by Li Muzhi.

Then Li Muzhi explained the precautions during the disassembly process and told them to go back and continue to digest the information on their own.

The meeting ended, and Li Muzhi returned to his office.

He took out the structural blueprints of the radar locator, looked at the problems on them, and his mind raced to figure out how to solve them.

(End of this chapter)