Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

"Next step, make explosives and artillery shells." Zhou Zhen said calmly, as if he were talking about what to have for lunch.

Zhao Dajiang gasped.

Artillery shells are far more powerful than a few bullets or grenades.

That was a legitimate heavy weapon; a year ago, he would have thought this person was crazy.

Seeing the surprise in Zhao Dajiang's eyes, Zhou Zhen smiled and said, "Didn't Li Yunlong get us a mortar shell casting machine? We should make good use of it."

Zhao Dajiang leaned forward unconsciously, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation: "What do you need me to do?"

People are prone to inertia. Zhou Zhen found that the previous two-pronged approach to development was extremely effective, so he planned to continue using this method when synthesizing ammonium nitrate this time.

"The Japanese have fertilizer powder that can be used to synthesize explosives. You need to get the organization to bring over more," Zhou Zhen said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dajiang was visibly taken aback. He looked up, his face full of confusion.

"Isn't that thing used as fertilizer? How can it be used to make explosives?"

Zhao Dajiang worried that Zhou Zhen might have made a mistake, so he added, "I've heard that in the Japanese-occupied areas of North China, they've explicitly ordered the villagers to use that stuff to fertilize their fields, and it's said to be quite effective."

"Factory manager, this stuff can be made into bombs. Why would the Japanese entrust it to the villagers so easily? Aren't they afraid... What if the villagers find out one day and send them to their deaths?"

As Zhao Dajiang finished speaking, he even stood up, his tone filled with even more skepticism.

Zhou Zhen didn't rush to explain. Instead, he patted Zhao's shoulder, told him to sit down, and then said with a smile, "Old Zhao, I meant that fertilizer powder can be used to make explosives, but I didn't say that fertilizer powder can be used to make explosives directly."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dajiang blinked and also noticed the difference between the two sentences.

"Factory manager, do you mean it still needs to be dealt with?"

Zhou Zhen nodded and said, "Of course we have to synthesize them. The Japanese aren't stupid."

"The reason they dare to do this so blatantly is simply because they think our country's industry is backward and that we can't refine or synthesize it."

At this point, Zhou Zhen's voice became noticeably colder.

How can a tiny country understand the profound heritage of a nation with thousands of years of civilization?

When this country is in trouble, there is never a shortage of outstanding individuals who are willing to risk their lives and give everything to save it.

Zhao Dajiang stared blankly at Zhou Zhen. At this moment, he seemed to see a burning light in the young man's eyes, not anger, but the contempt of a superior for a subordinate.

He suddenly felt a surge of heat in his chest, a scene that reminded him of the old village school teacher's sense of superiority over the barbarians when he first heard about the Japanese devils in his hometown.

He seemed to understand something at that moment and added, "Factory director, as you said, how much grain can such a small country grow? For the sake of the Japanese soldiers' food and pay on the front lines, I think even if there's a pit ahead, they have no choice but to jump in."

Zhou Zhen looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly smiled.

"Old Zhao, your idea is quite novel, but you're right, so the defeat of the Japanese is only a matter of time."

Although using fertilizer powder directly, like Western medicine, is fast-acting, it also comes with just as many side effects.

So he didn't forget to pour cold water on Zhao Dajiang, reminding him: "The fertilizer powder method is effective and fast-acting."

"But the Japanese intelligence agencies are not to be underestimated. Once we start using them on a large scale, they will inevitably find out."

He looked at Zhao Dajiang: "This timeframe might be six months, or three months, or even less."

"Therefore, this road can only be used as an emergency measure and cannot be developed as the main route."

Zhao Dajiang was well aware of the Japanese intelligence capabilities and deeply agreed with Zhou Zhen's viewpoint.

"Fertilizer powder can only help us fill the gap before we start our own production. At the same time, we can also use this batch of raw materials to train our staff."

This will also allow our soldiers to use the shells we make ourselves as soon as possible.

"So Lao Zhao, you need to apply to headquarters and do everything you can to get as much fertilizer powder as possible, as this is related to our upcoming artillery shell supply."

Zhao Dajiang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, factory manager, I will personally oversee this matter."

After making arrangements for Zhao Dajiang, Zhou Zhen continued to delve deeper into the path of independence and self-reliance.

The synthesis of ammonium nitrate requires a large amount of ammonia water, so the ammonia synthesis project was officially launched at the Huangyadong Arsenal.

The water-gas synthesis method was the most suitable method he chose based on the existing conditions in the base area.

Although the production efficiency of small workshops is inevitably inferior to that of large chemical plants, they have the advantage of flexibility. Even if they face a Japanese sweep in the future, they can move and continue production at the same time.

This perfectly aligns with the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Eighth Route Army.

Therefore, he sought out Zhang Tieniu, the best blacksmith in the arsenal.

Master Zhang and his apprentices were busy repairing damaged gun parts, the firelight reflecting off his face, which was covered in sweat and coal ash.

"Master Zhang, are you busy?" Zhou Zhen asked, leaning closer to the stove.

"Director Zhou," Zhang Tieniu wiped his sweat and smiled憨厚ly, "What are your instructions? Are we going to make some new stuff again?"

"Exactly." Zhou Zhen took out his sketch, which was a cylindrical container similar to an oversized thermos liner, with heavy flanges at both ends. "I would like to ask you to bring people to build a thick-walled steel tank like this. The key is that it must be thick enough, sturdy enough, and airtight."

Zhang Tieniu took the sketch, squinted and examined it carefully, then gestured with his fingers to indicate the dimensions: "What's this thing... for? It doesn't look like a cannon barrel."

"I'm going to use this thing to make artillery shells for the soldiers," Zhou Zhen said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Making shells?" Master Zhang's voice instantly rose by more than eight octaves, drawing the attention of all the workers around him.

Several bold and curious boys even came over directly.

When Master Zhang saw these young men crowding around, he immediately said in an annoyed tone:

"Finished what you were doing? Go back and get back to it. What are you doing here? Can't you see I'm having an important talk with the factory manager? Go away, go away..."

The young man who was chased away wasn't angry. Ignoring his master's presence, he muttered, "You're just a roughneck. What important things could the factory manager possibly discuss with you?"

After muttering to his master, he ignored his master's murderous glare and returned to his post. However, everyone had clearly heard the words "making cannonballs" and they all perked up their ears to listen quietly.