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

Chapter 75 Commander Li, you've worked hard.

Border Region Arsenal

"Factory Director, several key technical personnel have arrived from the Huangyadong Arsenal. Minister Zhang wants you to go over there."

Li Muzhi was overseeing the production of Hell Cannon shells when Lao He walked over.

Although the test data for the new shell has not yet been obtained, the explosives still need to be prepared in advance, and the shell body also needs to be cast in advance.

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on things with you." Li Muzhi still had a lot of respect for the Huangyadong Arsenal.

This was one of the most powerful arsenals in our army, capable of manufacturing guns on its own during the War of Resistance against Japan.

It can even be modified into a new type of "50mm mortar", which can be used for both curved and direct fire, with a range of up to 1,000 meters, greatly improving its combat effectiveness.

"Yes, factory manager." Old He nodded.

Li Muzhi walked out of the workshop. In the reception room, the key personnel of Huangyadong Arsenal looked at him as he approached, and they all showed him great respect.

These key personnel didn't actually believe that the border region arsenal could produce cannons; the border region arsenal was the weakest among all the Eighth Route Army's arsenals.

Even the Huangyadong Arsenal, the oldest of the three, couldn't produce cannons, so how can anyone believe that the youngest, the one at the bottom, could?

The third hell cannon has already been taken to headquarters. These key personnel saw it with their own eyes at headquarters and had no choice but to believe it.

This is simply a genius idea. If you can't build a cannon barrel that can withstand huge chamber pressure, then find another way around chamber pressure.

They even mixed fertilizer and sugar sold by the Japanese to create a powerful ammonium nitrate explosive.

This young man in his early twenties has created miracles that are completely out of character for his age. He is truly a genius!
"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Comrade Li Muzhi, the new director of the border region's arsenal." Zhang Wanhe immediately introduced Li Muzhi to these key personnel.

Then, Zhang Wanhe introduced these key personnel to Li Muzhi one by one.

"This is Lao Lu, a graduate of the Department of Steel Engineering at the University of Berlin."

"This is Dr. Zhang, who studied metallurgy in the UK."

"This is Lao Gao, a graduate student in the Physics Department of Yenching University."

"This is Lao Qi, a senior technical backbone from the former Taiyuan Arsenal."

The four key members, Lao Lu, Lao Zhang, Lao Gao, and Lao Qi, shook hands and greeted Li Muzhi one by one.

Then one of them asked impatiently, "Director Li, I heard from Minister Zhang that you plan to have the combat troops seize Japanese locomotives and convert them into power sources for the border region's arsenal. Can you explain your thinking?"

The Japanese locomotives are powerful enough; if they could be converted into power sources, it would be of extraordinary significance to our military industry.

However, converting a locomotive into a power source is not as simple as just talking about it; it involves many details and expertise.

Li Muzhi replied, "Since Minister Zhang sent you here first, it must be to dismantle the Japanese locomotives. Let's familiarize ourselves with how to dismantle them in the shortest time possible. As for how to convert the locomotives into power sources once they're back, I'll explain that to you in detail then."

The other person looked at Li Muzhi and said, "Without a diagram of the internal structure of the Japanese locomotive, this might be difficult to obtain."

“Someone who used to be a locomotive mechanic helped me draw up the internal structure diagram of the Japanese locomotive in advance,” Li Muzhi replied.

"Alright then, let's get going." The key personnel all nodded.

Li Muzhi took out the blueprints he had drawn, spread them out in front of them, and began to explain: "The structure of this Japanese locomotive, to put it simply, is like boiling water. The combustion chamber provides heat energy, which boils the water to produce steam, and the steam is used to generate power..."

Although the key technical personnel were not involved in the internal structure of the locomotive, which was not their area of ​​expertise, they all possessed exceptional comprehension skills.

Furthermore, Li Muzhi's description was very detailed, so they quickly grasped most of it. They learned how to disassemble it quickly and easily without damaging the parts.

What to dismantle first, what to dismantle next, etc.

Zhang Wanhe, on the other hand, was yawning loudly. This logistics minister really had no interest in the structure of these machines and couldn't understand them.

However, Minister Zhang was not idle; he could still help by serving tea and water.

Until someone came to report: "Reporting to the factory director, Minister Zhang, Regiment Commander Li has arrived."

Upon hearing that Li Yunlong had arrived, Zhang Wanhe's expression, which had been on the verge of yawning, instantly became energetic.

In the past, Zhang Wanhe's biggest headache was when Li Yunlong came to the logistics department and kept pestering him.

Now, Zhang Wanhe is most looking forward to Li Yunlong coming to the logistics department.

Every time they come, there's a surprise.

Li Muzhi gave four shells to the 386th Brigade and asked them to help with the testing.

It's possible that during this testing process, they've provided the logistics department with some open-source information.

Zhang Wanhe immediately said to Li Muzhi, "You continue here, I'll go out."

"Minister Zhang, I'd like to go out with you for a bit," Li Muzhi said tactfully.

The locomotive structure has been explained in great detail to these key technical personnel, and they need time to digest it.

Furthermore, if Li Yunlong really got something good, he probably wouldn't be willing to give it directly to Zhang Wanhe, so it's better to go and defuse the awkward situation.

“Aren’t you still busy here?” Zhang Wanhe pointed.

"Gentlemen, take your time looking around, I'll be right back," Li Muzhi said to the key technical personnel.

"Alright, alright, Director Li, you can go ahead and get back to work." The group nodded, their eyes never leaving each other.

Although the construction of locomotives is not their area of ​​expertise, the military industry of our army is too weak, and these key personnel basically hold multiple positions.

For example, Dr. Zhang, a metallurgist, not only understands metallurgy, but also knows how to make gunpowder and repair guns.

Old Qi, a senior technical backbone of the former Taiyuan Arsenal, knows a lot. He can repair guns, load bullets, make grenades, and even repair cars. He can basically do everything.

Having the opportunity to familiarize oneself with the structure of a locomotive is a valuable skill.

Zhang Wanhe didn't say anything and followed Li Muzhi out.

As soon as Li Muzhi came out, Li Yunlong quickly handed him a small notebook: "Brother, this is the data from the test of four shells."

"Commander Li, thank you for your hard work." Li Muzhi said as he took the notebook.

"Brother, you're too kind. Don't mention how hard it is. It's not my fault." Li Yunlong smiled and moved closer to Li Muzhi, about to continue speaking.

Zhang Wanhe, standing to the side, blinked and asked, "Commander Li, did you come empty-handed?"

In response to Zhang Wanhe's question, Li Yunlong explained, "Old Zhang, the shell test data is the most important thing. Shouldn't I send it over as quickly as possible?"

"So that means you have something else behind you?" Zhang Wanhe's eyes lit up, realizing that Li Yunlong's words had a hidden meaning.

(End of this chapter)