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

Chapter 353 Brigade Commander: You little brat, I can still handle you!

"Brother Li, I'm leaving now. Just wait for my good news."

He had all the bottles and jars taken away, and noted down the precautions for handling Molotov cocktails. Li Yunlong then bid farewell to Li Muzhi, completely satisfied.

"Commander Li, you must be extra careful when you're out and about. Equipment is important, but your safety is even more important," Li Muzhi instructed.

"Hahaha." Li Yunlong laughed and waved his hand. "Don't worry, the bullet that can kill me, Old Li, hasn't been invented yet."

Li Yunlong quickly left with his belongings, and Li Muzhi resumed his normal work.

He arrived at the equipment assembly workshop.

There are several assembly workshops, and technicians are leading workers to assemble the first batch of machinery and equipment delivered by the Taiyuan Arsenal, following the instructions written down by Li Muzhi.

"Hello, director!"

"Hello, director!"

……

When the technicians and workers saw Li Muzhi coming, they all stopped what they were doing to greet him.

"Hello, comrades," Li Muzhi replied with a smile. "Let's get back to work and make the most of our time."

"Yes, factory manager." The technicians and workers continued working diligently.

Two technical problems arose midway through, which Li Muzhi resolved on the spot.

The equipment assembly was progressing normally. After inspecting the area, Li Muzhi came to the students' side.

Upon seeing Li Muzhi arrive, Liu Fuxing quickly handed him a gas mask: "Teacher, look, this gas mask has been made. This is a sample."

Li Muzhi took the gas mask. It was finely crafted and of excellent quality. He smiled with satisfaction and said, "You students are more efficient than I expected. You made the sample so quickly. It's beyond my expectations."

"There's no way around it, a good teacher produces good students," Liu Fuxing said with a smile. "But this hasn't been tested yet."

"Arrange the test immediately. Once the test is successful, teach the technicians and workers the process and details right away," Li Muzhi instructed. "The equipment for making seamless steel pipes is being assembled. You all wanted to participate, so you can join in when the time comes."

"Teacher, can we really participate?" Liu Fuxing was very excited.

“Now that the seamless steel pipes are made, we can assemble these machines and even make guns,” Li Muzhi added. “You can also participate in making gun parts.”

"Really? Can we still participate in gun manufacturing?" Liu Fuxing asked in surprise.

"of course."

"Haha, teacher, since you trust us so much, we promise we won't hold you back." Liu Fuxing laughed and immediately arranged for the gas masks to be tested.

Li Muzhi wasn't monitoring the results here. The gas mask test was likely to be successful, and even if there were problems, the students could brainstorm and quickly solve them.

Li Muzhi returned to his office, and Xiao Gu at the door quickly saluted: "Factory Director."

"Xiao Gu, has Zhang Ganren eaten?" Li Muzhi asked.

"Yes, he just ate." Xiao Gu nodded. "Now he's back to work."

"Come in with me for a moment." Li Muzhi pushed open the door.

"Yes, Factory Manager." Xiao Gu excitedly followed behind Li Muzhi, knowing that Li Muzhi would definitely show him something.

Li Muzhi walked to the table, opened the drawer, took out a stack of documents, and handed them to Xiao Gu: "Take these documents and look at them first. Read whichever ones you can understand."

These materials contain knowledge that Liu Fuxing and his classmates had been taught, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, and so on.

Li Muzhi also wrote out a basic guide, which even those without prior knowledge could understand.

Let's see how much Xiao Gu can understand first.

"Yes, Factory Manager." Xiao Gu, holding the documents, happily went to the door and closed it behind him.

Glancing at Zhang Ganren, who was still assembling the radar, Li Muzhi did not disturb him. He sat down and picked up the telephone receiver on the table: "This is Li Muzhi. Connect me to Minister Zhang."

The call was quickly connected, and Zhang Wanhe's voice came through: "This is Zhang Wanhe."

"Minister Zhang, I have some good news to report to you," Li Muzhi said solemnly.

After giving all the weapons and ammunition in the warehouse to Li Yunlong, I will definitely report to Minister Zhang.

However, the reporting method cannot be direct; it must be indirect.

"What good news?" Zhang Wanhe's tone immediately became expectant upon hearing that there was good news.

“We’re short of two seamless steel pipe manufacturing machines for anti-aircraft weapons,” Li Muzhi said. “Commander Li said he has a way to get those two machines for me.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe exclaimed with delight, "Could it be that Li Yunlong is really going to rob the Japanese of that seamless steel pipe factory?"

Previously, Zhang Wanhe and Li Muzhi had discussed this matter, saying that it was very difficult and risky.

Li Muzhi retorted, "Why should we, the logistics department, concern ourselves with the affairs of other combat units?"

Unexpectedly, Li Yunlong acted too quickly.

“Yes,” Li Muzhi admitted. “Commander Li just came to see me specifically, saying that this mission is quite difficult and requires support in terms of weapons and ammunition…”

Before Li Muzhi could finish speaking, Zhang Wanhe interrupted him: "You, Li, can make the decision on this small matter directly. You don't need to report to me. In short, as long as Li Yunlong can get those two important pieces of equipment back, he can have whatever he wants."

“Minister Zhang, it’s great that you say that,” Li Muzhi agreed. “I’ve already ordered all the Hellfire missiles, rocket launchers, and other ammunition in the warehouse to be given to him…”

Li Muzhi's words were interrupted again by Zhang Wanhe, who shouted: "Little Li, what, what did you say? You gave away all the weapons and ammunition in the warehouse? If I remember correctly, there are seventy or eighty Hellfire missiles, ninety rocket launchers, and nearly a thousand rockets. You gave them all to Li Yunlong? My God, I must have misheard."

“Yes, Minister Zhang, didn’t you say that as long as Li Yunlong can get the stuff, he can have whatever he wants?” Li Muzhi pointed.

"Oh dear, how was I supposed to know this bastard was so greedy? He took all the hard stuff from the warehouse at once!" Zhang Wanhe cursed. "No way, I have to call his brigade commander and make that bastard return half of it. The Kumamoto Division's sweep has started again, and we need to have some emergency supplies in our arsenal's warehouse."

Li Muzhi advised, "Minister Zhang, our arsenal is producing Hellfire missiles and rocket launchers every day, so I think you don't need to worry too much. As for Commander Li's brigade commander, don't you know what kind of person he is? I think there's absolutely no need to make that call."

"No, I have to make this call." Zhang Wanhe hung up the phone after saying that.

Li Muzhi put the phone receiver back on the shelf. Minister Zhang wanted to make a call to Brigade Commander Chen, and he didn't need to worry about it at all.

Li Muzhi's gaze fell on the blueprints of the large eight-shot rifle in front of him.

Picking up his pen, Li Muzhi began to modify the details, changing the magazine bounce setting to empty magazine hold-on.

……

386th Brigade Headquarters

“Brigade Commander, just as you predicted, Li Yunlong first secretly went to see Gao Liujin, and after that, he went to the border region arsenal.” The deputy brigade commander walked over, his expression solemn. “He pulled out a large number of weapons and ammunition from the border region arsenal. It seems he really intends to sneak out behind your back. Should we intercept him immediately?”

The brigade commander knew Li Yunlong all too well; he was the kind of guy who could pull off an unexpected attack if you weren't careful. So, as soon as Li Yunlong returned from Taiyuan, the brigade commander immediately assigned men to keep a close eye on him.

Li Yunlong thought he was getting away with it, but in fact, the brigade commander knew everything.

"Why intercept him?" The brigade commander shook his head. "You can intercept his body, but can you win his heart?"

Without a doubt, Li Yunlong would definitely drag Gao Liujin and the others to the First War Zone to reclaim the seamless steel pipe factory that the factory director of the Cui Village Arsenal had entrusted to them.

This mission is far too dangerous and the journey is extremely long; it is practically an impossible task.

But the fact that Li Muzhi gave Li Yunlong a large amount of weapons and ammunition indicates something.

This shows that Li Muzhi must also need these devices, otherwise why would he give Li Yunlong so many weapons and ammunition?

Since it's something Li Muzhi needs, our combat troops must find a way to get it back, even if it means going through fire and water.

“Brigade Commander, this is far too dangerous, far more perilous than the last mission to Taiyuan. Li Yunlong might not return.” The deputy brigade commander’s tone was serious. “If Li Yunlong and his entire army are wiped out, and headquarters investigates…”

"No way," the brigade commander interrupted, confident. "I know that bastard Li Yunlong better than anyone else. He won't let me down."

"Brigadier, it's better to be safe than sorry..."

“There’s no chance of anything going on!” The brigade commander interrupted the deputy brigade commander again, and said solemnly, “Remember, Li Yunlong is working for Li Muzhi’s side. The headquarters leaders have said that as long as it’s for the military production of our army, the combat troops must find a way to cooperate.”

"Yes, brigade commander." The deputy brigade commander then shut up.

The headquarters commander did indeed issue such an order, and Li Yunlong's actions were essentially carrying out the headquarters commander's order.

"Go, bring me the Hell Cannon and all the shells from the 772nd Regiment," the brigade commander ordered. "Li Yunlong's Hell Cannon has been almost completely destroyed. Even if Hell Missiles are useful, they are still not as powerful as the Hell Cannon."

"Yes." The deputy brigade commander left.

Jingle Bell!
The telephone on the table rang.

The brigade commander picked up the phone: "This is the 386th Brigade headquarters, this is Brigade Commander Chen..."

Before the brigade commander could finish speaking, Zhang Wanhe's cursing voice came from inside: "Brigade Commander Chen, you've gone too far."

"Minister Zhang, what makes you say that?" The brigade commander pretended to be confused, but how could he not understand? It was probably because Li Yunlong had taken too many weapons and ammunition from Li Muzhi, and Zhang Wanhe had a problem with it.

Now that I've got it, there's no reason to give it back.

"Brigade Commander Chen, your comrade Li Yunlong just went to the border region's arsenal and tricked Li Muzhi, taking all the weapons and ammunition from the arsenal's warehouse. Brigade Commander Chen, don't pretend you didn't know about it." Seeing the brigade commander pretending to be ignorant, Zhang Wanhe immediately became furious.

"Is that so?" the brigade commander asked suspiciously. "The director of the arsenal in that region, Xiao Li, is even more cunning than you, Minister Zhang. Could Li Yunlong really have taken all the weapons and ammunition from the arsenal's stockpile? That's impossible."

The brigade commander was still quite surprised that Li Yunlong had actually taken all the weapons and ammunition from the border region's arsenal.

"What do you mean by 'cunning'? Explain yourself clearly!" Zhang Wanhe roared.

Weapons and ammunition were stolen, and then they called us cunning? Who can accept that?

"Oh, I'm sorry, Minister Zhang, I used the wrong words. It's Xiao Li who's even harder to fool than you, Minister Zhang," the brigade commander corrected.

"Stop talking nonsense. I don't care whether you know about it or not. I've notified you now, so you immediately order Li Yunlong to return two-thirds of the items to me." Zhang Wanhe escalated the situation.

I was originally planning to get half of it back, but given your attitude, I have to increase the amount.

Upon hearing this, the brigade commander pretended to be stunned: "Minister Zhang, judging from your tone, did Li Yunlong really take a large amount of weapons and ammunition from the border region's arsenal?"

"Brigadier General Chen, the Japanese are currently conducting a sweep, and the arsenal in this area must have spare ammunition in its inventory," Zhang Wanhe said seriously.

"I see." Brigade Commander Chen paused for a moment, then asked, "May I ask what Li Yunlong's purpose was in receiving weapons and ammunition from the border region's arsenal?"

“Brigade Commander Chen, if you keep pretending to be confused, it’s pointless.” Zhang Wanhe’s anger intensified. “You’re his brigade commander. I bet you’re the one who gave him the order to go to Xiao Li for weapons and ammunition. Believe me, if you don’t return the weapons and ammunition immediately, I’ll report this to headquarters right away.”

"Minister Zhang, I really don't know Li Yunlong's purpose. How would I know what that bastard is up to this time?" the brigade commander said with a headache. "You know what kind of person Li Yunlong is. He often acts without my permission. The headquarters leaders all know about this habit. Minister Zhang, could you please remind me, what is Li Yunlong going to do with the weapons and ammunition?"

"You really don't know?" Zhang Wanhe was somewhat bewildered, for what the other party said was indeed not without reason.

This regimental commander, Li, is different from other regimental commanders. Not only does he often act without the brigade commander's knowledge, but he also dares to openly disobey the orders of the headquarters leaders.

Could it be that this time Li Yunlong really did it behind Brigade Commander Chen's back?

"I really don't know!" the brigade commander roared. "That bastard, he's up to no good behind my back again. I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget!"

"That's right, he told Li Muzhi that he wanted to go to the First War Zone and take back the Japanese factory that specializes in producing seamless steel pipes..." Zhang Wanhe hadn't finished speaking.

The brigade commander immediately feigned an outburst: "What? That son of a bitch Li Yunlong is actually going to the First War Zone? That damned bastard, how can he have such a long reach? Who does he think he is? The troops have only just been replenished with new recruits, their combat effectiveness hasn't even been developed yet, their wings haven't even hardened, and he already wants to fly away!"

Immediately afterward, the brigade commander assured Zhang Wanhe, "Minister Zhang, thanks for reminding me of this matter. I'm not going to talk to you anymore. I'll go and intercept that bastard Li Yunlong right away. I'll make sure he doesn't lose a single bullet of the weapons and ammunition he received, and I'll make him return them all to the border region's arsenal. I definitely won't let him go to the First War Zone. Don't worry, I'll definitely have him under my control and won't let him go to the First War Zone."

After saying that, the brigade commander was about to hang up the phone when Zhang Wanhe on the other end immediately became anxious: "Brigade Commander Chen, how could you stop Li Yunlong from going to the First War Zone to seize equipment? You can't stop him!"

If you stop Li Yunlong, we won't be able to get this equipment back, and then we won't be able to build our air defense weapons.

Although Zhang Wanhe responded to the headquarters leader with the reason of manufacturing guns, it was ultimately not the satisfactory answer the headquarters leader wanted.

Anti-aircraft weapons are a must-have.

“Minister Zhang, the First War Zone is so far away, and we know nothing about the situation there. If Li Yunlong goes there, he will most likely be wiped out. As his brigade commander, if I don't bring him back in time and send him to his death, wouldn't that be irresponsible of me?” The brigade commander said solemnly, “That's it. I'm hanging up now. I'm going to arrest him right away. I'm not going to the First War Zone. All the weapons and ammunition are returned…”

"No, no, no!" Zhang Wanhe was even more anxious. "Brigade Commander Chen, Li Yunlong is trying to seize equipment for the border region's arsenal. Without this equipment, anti-aircraft weapons can't be manufactured!"

"What? Without this equipment, air defense weapons can't be manufactured?" The brigade commander was taken aback; he didn't know about this.

No wonder Li Muzhi gave Li Yunlong all the weapons and ammunition stored in the border region's arsenal; it seems this equipment is truly crucial.

“Yes, Brigade Commander Chen, we don’t have enough equipment, and we can’t manufacture anti-aircraft weapons.” Zhang Wanhe responded, directly blaming the brigade commander, “You could say that Regiment Commander Li is our only hope right now, and you can’t extinguish that hope. Otherwise, you’ll be delaying our military’s production.”

“Old Zhang, if that’s the case, then you’re in the wrong.” The brigade commander turned the tables. “Knowing full well how important this equipment is, knowing full well how dangerous it is to go to the First War Zone, you still withheld two-thirds of Li Yunlong’s ammunition. Old Zhang, I have to suspect that you’re deliberately trying to prevent Li Yunlong from succeeding, that you don’t want him to come back safely…”

“Brigadier General Chen, I have no such thoughts. How could I not hope that Li Yunlong can win the battle?” Zhang Wanhe quickly said. “What good would it do me if he failed?”

"Since you don't have that idea, why did you even ask him to return the weapons and ammunition?" the brigade commander questioned. "If I were the logistics minister, not only would I not make Li Yunlong return the weapons and ammunition, but I would also provide him with more supplies and personnel, giving him my full support..."

"Never mind, never mind, Commander Chen, just pretend I never made this call." Zhang Wanhe hung up the phone hastily before Commander Chen could finish speaking.

There's no rush to hang it up.

If we continue communicating by phone, not only will we not get the weapons and ammunition back, but we might also have to spend even more money.

This brigade commander of Li Yunlong is even more shameless than Li Yunlong himself, and he's too difficult to deal with.

From now on, we shouldn't expect to get any of the food back from them.

As the brigade commander listened to the dial tone, he put the phone back on the stand and said nonchalantly, "You little punk, I can handle you."

(End of this chapter)