Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

"Factory manager, you weren't wrong, were you? Even though I'm a roughneck, I have no idea this thing can be used to make artillery shells!"

Zhou Zhenze said, "This is only part of making the shells. You'll know once I've finished it."

"Could you take a look and see if this can be made?"

"We need to pass gas through it, heat it, and make sure it can withstand a lot of pressure." He gestured with his hand to indicate the expansion of the structure. "Look, how thick do we need the steel we can find to withstand this? We also need to consider that it won't explode after long-term use."

Upon hearing these parameters, Zhang Tieniu's brows furrowed deeply. He squatted down, picked up a scrap piece of steel, and tapped it with a hammer.

"Director Zhou, most of the steel here is from dismantling things. Good steel is scarce, and the toughness varies greatly."

Based on your requirements, the tank wall thickness should be at least this amount.

He gestured to indicate the thickness.

"Moreover, it must be forged from good steel sheets with relatively uniform texture; only in this way can safety be guaranteed."

Although Master Zhang didn't know how Zhou Zhen used this large jar to make explosives.

However, based on his trust in this legendary factory manager, he did not continue to question him, after all, this man had led them to create many miracles.

"I agree to the thickness," Zhou Zhen nodded. "But there's another critical problem: our base doesn't have the materials or equipment for welding. How does Master Zhang plan to connect the tank body to the bottom and lid?"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhang replied without hesitation, "Given the conditions of our arsenal, the only way to withstand such immense pressure is to use rivets for fixation."

"Riveting? But Mr. Zhang, no matter how tightly the rivets are driven in, there will inevitably be tiny gaps at the joints that are invisible to the naked eye. Under high temperature and pressure, air leakage is a minor issue, but what if the weakest point breaks open, then..."

"It definitely won't collapse. As for the air leakage you mentioned, Factory Manager..." Zhang Tieniu also realized the key point, "Just relying on hammering the rivets shut might not be enough. We'll have to add padding."

"But ordinary cork and felt probably can't withstand the temperature you mentioned. If they're baked for too long, they'll burn and crumble."

The two fell into deep thought.

Zhou Zhen's mind raced through all possible materials.

Rubber? Ordinary rubber rings will melt under sustained high temperatures...

"Mix asbestos and high-quality clay together, maybe we could give it a try?" Master Zhang finally came up with an idea, one he had seen before at a Nationalist army factory.

Master Zhang's words instantly reminded him that in his time, asbestos had been basically banned, so he had forgotten about this material for a moment.

This is a natural mineral. Although it is quite harmful to the human body, it can withstand high temperatures.

"Master Zhang's idea is good, but there's one thing you must remember strictly."

Asbestos is very dangerous. When it is used, the tiny particles it produces can fall into a person's lungs and damage them.

When using this product, you must wear the mask properly. Remember, this is not something to be careless about.

Seeing Zhou Zhen's serious reminder, Master Zhang nodded earnestly and kept it in mind.

Zhou Zhen felt somewhat relieved.

"Prepare according to this idea first, and figure out the general forging and riveting process."

The shell of the reactor has been secured.

The next challenge is the pressurization device.

Zhou Zhen found Master Chen Shan, who had previously agreed to modify the compressor pump using the engine.

Master Chen stroked his chin, remaining silent for a long time. "Director Zhou, your idea of ​​modifying an engine into a compressor makes sense in principle."

I've thought about it carefully these past few days. It's about the piston moving back and forth, inhaling and exhaling air.

But how do I modify it? How do I connect the intake and exhaust pipes? How do I control the intake volume and exhaust pressure?

Also, where do we get high-pressure resistant check valves? We can't manufacture those ourselves.

He shrugged: "You can't get many details right just by drawing on paper."

Ideally, we should have a physical example, even if it's just a broken engine. Taking it apart and looking at the real thing will help us better figure out how to modify it.

Zhou Zhenshen agreed, emphasizing that technical issues must be addressed practically.

As my thoughts drifted to this point, a name involuntarily came to mind—Li Yunlong.

The call connected to the Independent Regiment headquarters, and Li Yunlong's signature booming voice quickly came through the receiver: "Hey! Old Zhou!"

Li Yunlong's voice had a warm tone, and those who knew him well knew that the more polite he was to you, the more he was planning to take advantage of you.

"You finally remembered to call me, kid! Is it because you've finished making those fifty boxes of incendiary bombs you owe me, Old Li? I've been thinking about them every day!"

Zhou Zhen smiled wryly: "Old Li, I don't like what you're saying. Do you think I, Zhou Zhen, am the kind of person who doesn't pay back money he owes?"

As you saw last time you came, the Japanese launched a surprise attack and damaged our iron-casting furnace quite badly. Building a new one won't be quick, so your fifty boxes will probably have to wait a while longer.

"Sigh..." Li Yunlong deliberately sighed on the other end of the phone, "I knew it would be like this, but you can't pay back the money you owe, so you have to pay some interest."

"Hey, you must have some new bullets, right?"

"That batch of smokeless ammunition you brought over last time was fucking amazing."

"The brothers all say that they are not afraid of exchanging fire with the Japanese at all, and they are more accurate. This is what makes the battle so exciting."

At this moment, he also remembered what he had promised Ding Wei.

"Just two days ago, a small group of Japanese soldiers sneaked over to try and take advantage of the situation."

Hey, Ding Wei has a company commander named Chen Chunsheng under his command, and he uses your new bullets.

With the cooperation of his brothers, he managed to annihilate a small Japanese squad.

hey-hey……

Not a single one escaped. I'm telling you, Lao Zhou, hearing this news made me happier than if I'd drunk some sweet potato liquor.

Zhou Zhen held the receiver, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face.

This is his greatest motivation for tirelessly engaging in research and development.

Nothing is more gratifying than hearing the weapons you've created wreak havoc on the battlefield.

"That kid Ding Wei came to me a few days ago, hoping I could put in a good word and see if I could get some more bullets from you."

At this moment, Zhou Zhen, who was holding the phone, frowned.

He also said without any hesitation, "Old Li, as you know, the ammunition and weapons from the arsenal need to be handed over to the brigade headquarters for unified distribution."

I decided to give you a portion myself because, firstly, we're brothers, and secondly, it was you, Old Li, who exchanged it for something.

Otherwise, even if I were the factory manager, it might be okay once or twice, but if it happened too often, my colleagues would start to complain.

"Old Zhou, I understand all of this, so I didn't agree to Ding Wei's request directly. I told him he had to exchange something for it."

"Hehe... How much you can get in exchange is up to you, Lao Zhou. Is this acceptable? If not, I'll turn my back on Ding Wei."

Li Yunlong waited for Zhou Zhen's reply on the other end of the phone.