Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

The brigade commander nodded heavily, his gaze becoming even more profound: "Comrade Zhou Zhen, you are right."

I never imagined that you not only have such a high level of expertise in the chemical industry, but also such unique insights into warfare.

Your words touched me deeply.

Therefore, you should pay more attention to your health, as your participation is indispensable for the industrial construction you envision in the future.

You can't be so willful like this again.

"Brigadier, don't worry, I'll be more careful in the future." Zhou Zhen then suggested, "Brigadier, how about we test the anti-toxic capabilities of the filters we produce ourselves?"

The brigade commander was also intrigued: "Haha, since we're already here, it's worth a try. It'll make our report to the higher-ups more convincing."

Zhou Zhen had someone bring over a sample modeled after a Japanese gas mask.

The face mask was remade with treated rubber, the eye windows were replaced with mica sheets, and the most crucial filter canister was filled with their own activated carbon that had been soaked in saturated wood ash solution.

Zhou Zhen asked the brigade commander to come to a relatively well-ventilated and safe location, where a worker lit a small piece of sulfur. Then, he gave the brigade commander the homemade gas mask, pointed the filter canister at the smoke, and gestured for the brigade commander to breathe and feel it.

The brigade commander tried it as instructed and found that he could hardly smell the sulfur.

"Good, very good." The brigade commander took off the uncomfortable mask, revealing an excited smile, and said "good" several times.

"Although it's simple, it works. This is the 'talisman' you made for our soldiers! Comrade Zhou Zhen, you have done a great service."

He looked around the bustling activated carbon production area, at the rough but reliable equipment, and at the workers' tired but energetic faces.

"I think the gas masks we produce are not much worse than those of the Japanese."

With these things, I felt even more confident in dealing with the Japanese gas attacks.

Zhou Zhen smiled and explained, "Brigadier, the principle behind these gas masks isn't actually that complicated."

He paused, then picked up the modified filter canister.

"The key is this activated carbon."

We have now basically figured out the whole process, and I will compile it into a manual as soon as possible and submit it to the organization.

Next, as long as other arsenals follow suit, they will definitely be able to produce qualified activated carbon.

He pointed to the other parts of the mask: "The outer shell and breathing tube of the mask required the headquarters to mobilize various troops and the masses in the base areas to collect tires and other waste rubber products extensively."

After Zhou Zhen finished speaking, he paused slightly and then added, "We will provide simple blueprints and dimensions so that each arsenal can make them themselves."

The mica sheets used for eyepieces are mined locally in Shanxi. This ore can be used after simple processing.

In this way, we can provide as many soldiers as possible with basic protection at the lowest cost and fastest speed.

The brigade commander listened attentively, nodding frequently as he pondered the words.

After hearing Zhou Zhen's explanation, he immediately slapped his thigh, his emotions running high.

"This is a good idea. It's tailored to local conditions and combines traditional and modern methods. I will propose it to headquarters."

After calming down a bit, Zhou Zhen and other brigade commanders added, "In addition to masks, full-body protection is also very important."

The windproof cape I designed at the clothing factory, with a little modification, can block toxic gas from coming into contact with the skin to a certain extent.

In the unfortunate event that someone is exposed to poisonous gas, especially a vesicant like mustard gas, the first thing to do is wash with an alkaline solution of wood ash.

He picked up a small earthenware jar next to him, which contained some grayish-white crystalline particles.

"This is the substance we repeatedly boil and crystallize using plant ash. Its main component is potassium carbonate, which is a medium-strong alkali."

When prepared into an aqueous solution of a certain concentration, it can neutralize the toxicity of acidic gases.

If skin or clothing is contaminated with the poison, it can be quickly rinsed with this alkaline solution, which can effectively break down the structure of the poison and reduce the damage.

Each company's medic can be equipped with this crystal for emergencies.

The brigade commander took the small can and carefully examined the powder inside, his expression serious and solemn: "Good, Comrade Zhou Zhen, you have considered everything very thoroughly."

Upon my return, I will immediately report your plan and samples to headquarters and recommend that these knowledge and methods be promoted and disseminated throughout the military, especially in key defense areas and among main force units.

The two then had a long and in-depth discussion about the specific details of anti-poisoning measures. The brigade commander asked detailed questions, and Zhou Zhen answered them in detail.

Before parting, the brigade commander once again grasped Zhou Zhen's hand firmly, his tone earnest.

"Comrade Zhou Zhen, your health is not just your own concern, but a valuable asset to our entire army."

After the brigade commander finished speaking, he suddenly paused, then deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Comrade Zhou Zhen, I order you to fully recover."

The road to revolution is still long, and the heavy responsibility of building our powerful military industry will depend on you to shoulder the most difficult parts in the future.

Remember, this is an order.

He then turned to Zhao Dajiang and the others who were accompanying him and instructed them: "You old buddies, please take good care of Director Zhou in his daily life."

"Don't worry, Brigade Commander, I guarantee the mission will be completed." Zhao Dajiang patted his chest loudly.

With the brigade commander's strict order, Zhou Zhen's "forced" recuperation treatment was raised to a new level.

Zhao Dajiang practically became his "full-time supervisor".

In addition to being allowed to tour the main factory buildings every day to understand the production progress and resolve some key technical questions, he was also allowed to do so in other ways.

Any attempt to do things personally or work overtime late into the night is strictly prohibited.

Everyone agreed that their "precious factory manager" needed to rest and recuperate.

During this rare period of leisure, Zhou Zhen's body was indeed recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The color in his face had improved considerably, and his eyes had regained their clarity and brightness.

While Zhou Zhen was recuperating, Li Yunlong of the Independent Regiment was not idle.

On this day, south of Niangziguan Pass, where Hebei and Shanxi meet, within the jurisdiction of Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment, a Japanese transport convoy quietly drove in.

The area near Niangziguan is a typical loess hilly region.

The area is characterized by crisscrossing gullies, undulating earthen slopes, and sparse shrubs scattered throughout.

On both sides of the road are earthen embankments two or three meters high, with some waist-high weeds growing on them.

The rolling hills stretch upwards and into the distance, offering a wide and unobstructed view.

Li Yunlong lay prone behind an earthen embankment, chewing on a dry blade of grass, squinting as he watched the Japanese transport convoy gradually approach in the distance.

Zhang Dabiao crouched down and moved closer, lowering his voice to ask:

"Commander, how can you be so sure that these Japanese soldiers will pass through here?"

Li Yunlong spat out the grass stem and chuckled, "We've been watching them for a full two weeks."