Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

Zhou Zhen began writing the chemical formula for mercury fulminate on a large blackboard that he had someone prepare in advance.

"Here, I can tell you clearly that we are no less intelligent than the Japanese or Americans. If they can build it, so can we."

"Actually, the principle of synthesizing primer is not difficult. It only requires two reaction principles to synthesize from here to here."

Although the people in the audience couldn't understand the chemical formulas written by Zhou Zhen, they all opened their eyes wide and tried to write them down and understand them.

This kind of knowledge was invaluable to them, so everyone listened with utmost concentration.

"Actually, chemistry is not complicated or mysterious. I believe everyone has eaten tofu and made tofu. In fact, braising tofu is the most basic chemical synthesis."

Zhou Zhen's words caused a huge stir, instantly refreshing their understanding of mysterious chemistry.

"I know many people think this is impossible. If making a primer were really that simple, wouldn't everyone else have succeeded long ago?"

"Actually, making a primer is really that simple."

It's like making tofu; the same steps, but some people succeed while others fail. Ultimately, it boils down to two reasons: either you're using the wrong ingredients or the proportions are incorrect.

"Factory manager, it's just as you said. I used to try making tofu like my wife, following the same steps, but I just couldn't get it right."

"..."

Zhou Zhen used the analogy of tofu to completely open everyone's minds.

At the same time, he also answered some questions raised by veteran workers and technical experts.

"So today, I just want to tell everyone that as long as you strictly follow my steps and proportions, you will definitely be able to successfully make the base fire."

After the meeting, the discussions in the factory did not stop, but the direction of the discussion began to subtly change.

Doubts still exist, but there is more serious discussion now, and people are starting to ask what needs to be prepared and what can be done.

All of this was exactly what Zhou Zhen was happy to see. In fact, he could have obtained some raw materials, successfully synthesized the mixture, and then shown it to everyone, since that's what he had done in the Independent Regiment before.

But doing so at this moment is inappropriate. The industrial development of the future base cannot be built by him alone.

He needs countless partners and companions.

Today, through this meeting, he has shifted from a system where he completely directs the process to one where everyone participates.

He believed that when the experiment succeeded, a seed of chemistry would be planted in everyone's heart.

If he guides it well, this place will become the cradle of the Eighth Route Army's industry, which is far more meaningful than simply synthesizing mercury fulminate.

Zhou Zhen, with his clear thinking, pragmatic attitude, and frankness in not shying away from difficulties and risks, initially stabilized people's hearts.

This shifted some people's attention from questioning "whether it's possible" to thinking about "how to do it."

Next, Zhou Zhen brought in Zhao Dajiang and began to carefully check the material situation in the factory.

He looked at Zhao Dajiang: "Director Zhao, does the factory currently have these raw materials? How much mercury, concentrated nitric acid, and high-purity alcohol do you have?"

Zhao Dajiang: "I can find a way to get mercury, and I can also get alcohol, but I don't know if they meet your requirements."

The most troublesome thing is concentrated nitric acid. The Japanese control this stuff very strictly. The batch that headquarters had allocated to us before was destroyed by the Japanese.

If we need it in the short term, we can only request it from headquarters.

Zhou Zhen frowned upon hearing this.

If the nitric acid was obtained from the Japanese, and the raw materials were completely controlled by them, then there would be no point in them developing their own primer production.

There are no shortcuts to industrial development. Even if he were a time traveler, he couldn't defy the laws of history and directly boost the industrial capacity of his base.

His greatest advantage was actually his ability to use the knowledge in his mind to choose the right development path for his base.

His familiarity with future development directions would allow him to ensure that the industrial development of the base area takes the right path and thus accelerate the progress of industrial construction.

Just like now, if we want to stably produce primers, we first need to find a way to produce nitric acid.

For the base to independently produce weapons and ammunition, manufacturing nitric acid was an unavoidable issue.

The production of nitric acid is actually not complicated; it simply involves reacting sulfuric acid with saltpeter.

He realized that if the base could produce gunpowder, it must have a stable source of saltpeter.

"Where did we get the saltpeter we use to produce gunpowder?"

Mentioning this, Zhao Dajiang perked up: "The amount of saltpeter that the base could obtain was actually very small. We mainly used raw saltpeter to produce gunpowder."

"The 'artificial saltpeter fields' that we are promoting in our base area produce saltpeter, which, although containing many impurities and with limited yield, can provide a steady and stable supply," Zhao Dajiang said, a rare hint of pride in his voice.

"Artificial nitrification fields...nitrifying bacteria..." Zhou Zhen repeated these two words, his eyes suddenly lighting up. This was the wisdom of the people.

This is a great creation of the people on this barren land, a struggle against nature.

"That's great!" Zhou Zhen suddenly stood up, unable to contain his joy.

He paced back and forth in the room a couple of times, then muttered to himself.

"At this point, the only thing missing in preparing nitric acid is to get the sulfuric acid."

"Given the existing conditions at our base, the lead chamber method is currently the most suitable technical approach for us." After some thought, Zhou Zhen gave his suggestion.

"Lead chamber method?"

"Yes. The lead chamber process involves burning sulfur. The resulting gas is then dissolved in water to obtain sulfuric acid..."

Zhou Zhen patiently explained the principles of the lead chamber method to Zhao Dajiang.

"Director Zhou, this 'lead chamber method' is good, but it may not be easy for our base to obtain a large amount of lead."

"We'll get as much as we can. For some non-critical parts, we can use acid-resistant ceramic pipes instead, with multiple layers of raw lacquer applied to the inner walls."

He walked to the window, looked at the busy workers outside, and paused for a moment.

"Moreover, I plan to adopt a 'two-pronged' strategy. Building the lead chamber will take time, and the subsequent debugging and testing will also take a long time. The frontline soldiers cannot wait that long."

"So, on the one hand, we immediately began to gather materials and equipment to build the lead chamber, and on the other hand, we needed to apply for raw materials from headquarters to start the experiment of synthesizing mercury fulminate directly."

"So, factory manager, what do you need me to do?"

As Zhou Zhen described his vision, Zhao Dajiang also became somewhat excited.

"Old Zhao, I'll give you a list of supplies. You need to apply to headquarters for allocation as soon as possible."

"I will try to use this batch of raw materials to first guide the workers to master the process of synthesizing mercury fulminate, and it is even possible to conduct small-batch trial production."

Zhou Zhen handed the list he had written in advance to Zhao Dajiang.

Zhao Dajiang took the list, his hands trembling slightly.