Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

As Zhou Zhen was talking, he suddenly remembered something else.

"As far as I know, the most commonly used poison gases by the Japanese army on the main battlefield were mustard gas and chlorine gas."

Both of these poisonous gases share a common weakness: they are both susceptible to strong alkalis, which can neutralize their toxicity.

Our arsenal does not have the capacity for large-scale production of high-purity caustic soda.

But we have an almost inexhaustible source of raw materials—wood ash.

Wood ash is a moderately strong alkali found in nature; given a sufficiently high concentration, it can effectively destroy the aforementioned toxic gases.

"What's your plan?" The brigade commander's voice became more urgent, clearly filled with interest.

"Please mobilize resources in the base areas to collect large quantities of plant ash, and then concentrate on steaming, boiling, and purifying it to obtain relatively pure plant ash alkali."

Our arsenal immediately redeployed some of its manpower to produce activated carbon with high adsorption capacity.

We can soak activated carbon in a high-concentration wood ash alkali solution and then dry it.

In this way, activated carbon can not only adsorb toxic gas molecules through its pores, but the strong alkali attached to its surface can also directly react chemically with the toxic gas and destroy it, greatly improving the protection efficiency and safety.

As Zhou Zhenyue spoke, his thoughts became clearer: "Brigadier, time may be running out. Please approve and support our immediate commencement."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, clearly the brigade commander was quickly weighing his options. Soon, the brigade commander made a decision: "Comrade Zhou Zhen, I approve your plan."

This is a visionary and important undertaking.

I immediately reported to headquarters and coordinated with various departments to provide you with full support.

The order to collect rubber, mica, and wood ash will be issued immediately.

Your arsenal should immediately begin activated carbon production and subsequent research and development, and must produce samples and mass production plans as soon as possible.

"Yes, I guarantee I will complete the mission," Zhou Zhen replied firmly.

Just as he was about to hang up, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly added, "Brigadier, you also need to ask the clothing factory to produce more windproof cloaks."

"A windproof cloak?" The brigade commander was slightly surprised.

"Yes." Zhou Zhen spoke faster. "If the Japanese use mustard gas, this poison gas will not only harm the soldiers through the respiratory tract, but also penetrate through skin contact."

Ordinary military uniforms are insufficient. Only windproof cloaks can provide effective protection for soldiers.

The cape's collar, cuffs, and hem are all fitted with drawstrings to ensure it is completely airtight.

The brigade commander nodded seriously and said, "Comrade Zhou Zhen, I will personally arrange for the clothing factory to work day and night to get this batch of cloaks out."

After the call ended, the brigade commander stood there for a long time, holding the receiver.

He wasn't unfamiliar with poison gas. In May 1938, when he sabotaged enemy communication lines on the Daoqing Railway, he was retaliated against by the Japanese, who dropped that kind of poison gas on his position.

At that time, since there were no standard gas masks, people could only use urine to wet their clothes for simple protection.

Although the poisoning was not fatal, his respiratory tract and eyes were severely burned, and he took half a month to gradually recover.

He walked back to the table and cranked the phone.

"Switchboard operator, connect me to headquarters."

Deep in the Taihang Mountains, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army.

The boss had just picked up the phone when he heard the brigade commander's somewhat urgent voice coming through.

"Boss, Zhou Zhen just called and mentioned many suggestions on how to deal with poison gas. He emphasized that headquarters needs to help collect rubber products such as tires, mica ore, and wood ash."

The boss suddenly asked, "Will wood ash work?"

The brigade commander's reply came through the receiver: "He said that wood ash is a moderately strong alkali in nature, and if the concentration is high enough, it can neutralize the toxicity of mustard gas and chlorine gas."

The command post was silent for a few seconds.

The chief of staff whispered, "Wood ash...every household has it in their stove. If this method really works..."

"Let's not talk about whether it will work out or not." The deputy commander turned around. "I'm asking you, since Zhou Zhen arrived, how much of what he said has he actually kept?"

The chief of staff was taken aback, then replied, "Boric acid solution, new cotton-padded clothing, Molotov cocktails, mercury fulminate, smokeless drugs... everything he promised never failed to come to fruition."

"That's fine then." The deputy commander waved his hand and quickly made the decision. "I approve this."

"Notify all districts that starting tomorrow, collect as much wood ash as possible within your jurisdiction, and local comrades should also organize their fellow villagers to help."

Not only wood ash, but Zhou Zhen also needs to find ways to collect rubber and mica.

The chief of staff quickly finished taking notes and turned to issue orders.

At the Huangyadong Arsenal, after finishing his phone call with the brigade commander, Zhou Zhen did not immediately leave the communications room.

He held the microphone and stood inside for about half a minute.

He felt a tremendous sense of responsibility and urgency weighing on his shoulders.

Without much hesitation, he immediately convened a meeting with key personnel and worker representatives from the arsenal.

"Comrades," he said, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced all the hushed conversations in the room.

"I just received some very bad news, and at the same time there is something more urgent than making artillery shells that must be started immediately."

He paused.

"The Japanese might use poison gas in northwestern Shanxi."

As soon as Zhou Zhen finished speaking, the entire venue fell silent instantly.

Zhao Dajiang's face lost its color at a visible speed.

Master Han dropped his pipe on the ground without even noticing.

After a brief silence, the venue erupted in fury.

"Those damn Japanese devils, they're not even human."

"If you can't beat them, you resort to poison? You're worse than an animal."

"Director Zhou, what do you suggest we do?"

Zhou Zhen waited until the noise in the room subsided slightly before continuing to speak.

"Our soldiers still don't have gas masks. Once the gas explodes on the position, they won't even have the most basic protection."

"Headquarters assigned this task to our Huangyadong Arsenal, requiring us to produce the most crucial material for gas masks—activated carbon—before the Japanese attack."

"Does everyone have the confidence to work with me and get this done?"

"Yes..." everyone answered in unison.

This was not only out of trust in Zhou Zhen, but also because they had no other choice.

He scanned the faces before him; these were the people who, together with him, had rebuilt the arsenal from ruins in less than six months.

Although they were still full of enthusiasm, Zhou Zhen could still see deep fatigue on their faces.

But at that moment, no one avoided his gaze.

"I want to draw one-third of the comrades from the mercury fulminate production line and the smokeless drug workshop to work with me on tackling the challenges of activated carbon manufacturing and production."

"I know many of you have been working overtime for half a month straight," Zhou Zhen's voice softened. "The lead chamber isn't finished yet, and the shell casting machine is still being tested. You're all exhausted."