Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

As the lead chamber process is gradually established and put into use, the base area's ability to synthesize nitric acid will gradually become self-sufficient, and production capacity will become increasingly stable.

Therefore, based on the current situation, synthesizing ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose is the most feasible route.

In fact, the synthesis process of ammonium nitrate is relatively simple; the only problem is that it requires the production of ammonia water.

However, considering that Li Yunlong's machine has not yet been delivered, and even if it is delivered, it will take a long time to produce mortar shell casings, the production of ammonium nitrate is not in such a hurry.

He can use this time to lead the workers to produce the smokeless medicine.

The preparation of nitrocellulose is not complicated, but it is extremely dangerous.

The Eighth Route Army was still using black powder in their bullets.

Black powder has too many drawbacks. Not only is it weak, but it also produces thick smoke when fired. More fatally, it leaves a lot of residue in the barrel after burning.

When firing, using black powder bullets is not only prone to jamming, but also carries a high risk of barrel explosion.

When he first arrived at the arsenal, he planned to replace black powder with nitrocellulose, but he didn't have time to do so because he was busy producing primers and building lead chambers.

Fortunately, the construction of the mercury fulminate production line and the setup of the lead chamber process do not require his personal supervision at the moment.

He then drew some people from those who produced mercury fulminate, organized them, and began the synthesis experiments of nitrocellulose.

If the soldiers continue to use black powder and purple eggs, it would be a complete waste of the primers he produced.

The news that Zhou Zhen planned to produce smokeless drugs spread again in the arsenal.

Compared to when everyone first heard that he was going to produce a primer, this time everyone clearly had much more confidence in him.

When the workers heard that Director Zhou was going to lead them in tinkering with "smokeless gunpowder" again, they were mostly excited and expectant.

After all, they had witnessed firsthand how this young factory manager successfully synthesized mercury fulminate, a substance that was almost impossible to synthesize.

Nowadays, the name "Director Zhou" has become synonymous with "miracle" in the minds of both veteran workers and new apprentices.

No one doubted that this would succeed; everyone had only one thought in their minds.

Our arsenal is about to take another big step forward.

Zhao Dajiang was the first to rush into Zhou Zhen's office.

This revolutionary, who was already past fifty, had long lost his former composure, his face flushed with excitement.

He rushed in, forgetting to even knock.

"Old Zhou, Old Zhou!" he called out excitedly, "There's a rumor going around that we're going to develop smokeless gunpowder? Is it true?"

Zhou Zhen looked up from a pile of blueprints, smiled and nodded: "It's true. I've thought it over carefully, and there are no technical problems. We're just waiting for everything to be ready before we get started."

"That's great!" Zhao Dajiang punched his palm.

"I knew it. Director Zhou is someone who can accomplish great things. I wonder how many comrades from other arsenals will be astonished this time."

"Do you think this will put a lot of pressure on them?"

Zhao Dajiang thought of his close friends, knowing that his arsenal could produce good products, they would definitely be extremely envious.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Who would have thought that this usually serious Lao Zhao would have such a wicked side?"

Zhao Dajiang put aside his jumbled thoughts and asked Zhou Zhen, "Factory Director, tell me, what do you need me to do? I, Old Zhao, weigh over a hundred pounds, will follow your orders!"

Zhou Zhen asked Zhao Dajiang to sit down and carefully explained the preliminary plan and the necessary supplies to him.

After hearing this, Zhao Dajiang immediately patted his chest and guaranteed it.

"Don't worry, factory manager, leave these matters to me. I'll go and prepare right away."

Preparations are underway in full swing.

Most importantly, the source of raw materials was quickly secured.

A few days later, dust rose from the makeshift dirt road of the Huangyadong Arsenal as a transport team of mules, horses, and manpower wound its way through the area.

Leading the group was Zhang Dabiao, the battalion commander of the Independent Regiment.

Although his face showed signs of fatigue from the long journey, his eyes were exceptionally bright.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhen coming out to greet him, he immediately grinned and strode forward.

"Advisor Zhou, the goods have all been delivered to you safely." Zhang Dabiao saluted, with a sigh of relief.

"This journey has been far from peaceful, especially with that iron machine." He pointed to an object wrapped tightly in thick cotton blankets and straw in the middle of the group.

"Although it was within the base area, there were still occasional mopping-up operations by the Japanese."

"The key issue is that this thing is incredibly heavy, and the mountain road is difficult to traverse."

Zhou Zhen held Zhang Dabiao's hand tightly, deeply moved.

"You've worked hard, Battalion Commander Zhang, comrades! Quickly, let everyone go into the factory area to rest and have a drink of water!"

He looked at the transport team, his eyes filled with barely suppressed joy.

The arrival of this batch of raw materials was like a long-awaited rain after a drought for the arsenal, which was facing an extreme shortage of supplies.

The factory workers gathered around to help unload the goods.

When the mysterious iron contraption was carefully unveiled, a chorus of gasps erupted from the crowd.

Several experienced craftsmen, trembling, gathered around, as if they were looking at some rare treasure.

"Good stuff, good stuff!" A master craftsman surnamed Chen stretched out his rough hands and gently brushed away the dust from the surface of the machine, saying with great excitement.

"With this thing, we...we can make our own shell casings."

Another experienced worker squatted down and carefully examined the key parts of the machine, nodding repeatedly: "This machine is almost brand new. Director Zhou, you've really brought a gold nugget to our factory."

The apprentices, listening to their masters' excited words, also blushed with excitement.

After arranging a resting place for the soldiers, Zhou Zhen pulled Zhang Dabiao into his office.

He handed over a bowl of hot water.

"Da Biao, sit down and rest. Tell me, where did your Commander Li make his fortune? How did he manage to get so much good stuff so quickly?"

Zhang Dabiao gulped down half a bowl of water, wiped his mouth, and a proud smile appeared on his face.

"Director Zhou, you have no idea how much our regimental commander has used every trick in the book to get these things you want."

He lowered his voice and vividly recounted the raid on Huanggu Fort.

This includes how they lured the enemy away from their stronghold, how they led men in disguise to trick their way into opening the gate, and how they used specially made incendiary bombs provided by Zhou Zhen to take down the Japanese fortress.

"You didn't see that scene back then." Zhang Dabiao's eyes lit up, and he gestured excitedly.

"Those bunkers became ovens for roasting pigs. The Japanese soldiers inside couldn't escape even if they wanted to. They were all burned to charcoal by your incendiary bombs."

"Later, when we cleaned up the battlefield, even the regimental commander clicked his tongue in disapproval."

"It's a pity that some Japanese soldiers weren't in there; they were taken prisoner."

"If only you were here then."

Zhou Zhen's face darkened upon hearing this.

"So you're treating me like a living devil."