Chapter 144: As Expected Of The Factory Director
“Alright, Regiment Commander Liu.”
Li Muzhi nodded, and except for the little thing he was holding in his arms, the rest of the puppies were taken away by people and all exchanged with Liu Weidong for cannonballs.
Seeing how much Li Muzhi liked the puppy, Li Yunlong laughed from the side: “Younger Brother Li, next time, Elder Brother will get a few for you too, guaranteed to be more obedient than the one in your arms.”
Originally.
Li Yunlong was even thinking about whether to swap these dozen or so puppies from Li Muzhi.
But soon he gave up on that idea.
Although this guy Liu Weidong didn’t look too pleasing, why wouldn’t he keep the puppy for breeding but instead exchange it for cannonballs.
Li Yunlong understood Liu Weidong’s thinking.
After all, we are combat troops, not logistics for raising dogs.
Besides, raising dogs also takes time and cost; we don’t have that spare time.
With this time, we could just go rob the Japanese invaders’ military dogs directly; wouldn’t that be much easier.
“Alright, Regimental Commander Li, I’m waiting for your good news.” Li Muzhi smiled and nodded, then added, “If there’s a chance, get some cats for me too.”
Dogs have plenty of uses for the army!
Cats’ uses are equally not to be overlooked!
Back in the day, our logistics were poor; there wasn’t a single hair in the warehouse, and even rats would starve to death if they came.
But now it’s different; we’ve got revenue generation, logistics grain is piled full in the warehouse, which will definitely attract rats.
And cats are experts at guarding against rats!
In later generations, aircraft carriers also keep cats to eliminate rat infestations!
Our arsenal also needs to prevent rats from gnawing electric wires; if rats gnaw wires causing a short circuit and fire, the losses would be incalculable, so we must have cats.
“You want cats?” Li Yunlong was stunned upon hearing this, “You want to raise cats?”
“Raising cats to prevent rat infestations; rats steal grain and gnaw electric wires, we have to guard against that.” Li Muzhi explained.
“Alright, no problem; if there’s a chance, I’ll get some kittens for you too.” Li Yunlong nodded.
Gao Liujin, Liu Weidong, and Ding Wei on the side didn’t speak, but they all took Li Muzhi’s words to heart.
The topic of cats and dogs ended.
“Bring the parts over.” Liu Weidong instructed people to bring the equipment key parts in front of Li Muzhi, and Liu Weidong smiled at Li Muzhi: “Factory Director Li, earlier Li Yunlong and they got equipment for making bullets, and the Japanese invaders removed the key parts inside. I’ve now brought all these parts back; you check them to see if any are damaged?”
“Really, Regiment Commander Liu? You’ve really helped me out big time.” Li Muzhi was immediately delighted upon hearing this.
Although he had ways to make substitute key parts, because the process wasn’t good, the quality wasn’t good either, which greatly affected bullet production.
If there were original factory key parts, naturally he’d be happy.
Just like the Republic 24 heavy machine gun.
Although the Bald One could copy it, because the process wasn’t good, it led to a high failure rate for this heavy machine gun, very prone to breaking.
Li Muzhi immediately carefully checked each key part one by one, his expression happy: “Good, good; these parts are all preserved very well. Installed on the equipment, the equipment can run normally.”
“Hehe, as long as they’re not damaged, that’s good.” Liu Weidong had a brilliant smile on his face.
Hearing Li Muzhi praise Liu Weidong, Li Yunlong felt uncomfortable inside.
This was originally supposed to be my praise; it got snatched by this scholar Liu Weidong. Damn, really unpleasant!
But just now, after being scolded by Li Muzhi, Li Yunlong didn’t dare to pick a fight with Liu Weidong in front of Li Muzhi and could only curse a few times in his heart.
“Regiment Commander Liu, what do you want?” Li Muzhi asked with a smile.
Li Yunlong, Gao Liujin, and Ding Wei immediately became tense.
Right now, what they were most worried about was Li Muzhi smilingly asking the other what they wanted.
This meant Li Muzhi was in a good mood to talk; if this guy Liu Weidong asked for shoulder-mounted cannons, wouldn’t that mean he got there first?
Li Muzhi said no pre-orders, but in this good mood, who knows if he’d change his mind.
“Factory Director Li, look at what you’re saying; you lacked parts here, and I got them for you—that’s only right. I don’t want anything.” Liu Weidong shook his head.
Li Yunlong and the others were a bit stunned upon hearing this.
Is this scholar stupid? Such a good opportunity, and you give it up?
“How about this: I’ll give you five extra Hell Cannon shells.” Li Muzhi of course saw through Liu Weidong’s intention; mainly to leave a good impression.
He had his eye on the rocket launchers later.
However, since this stuff was delivered, Li Muzhi still made a gesture.
“Alright, just as Factory Director Li says.” Liu Weidong happily nodded.
He didn’t want things; he wanted to leave a good impression.
This Factory Director Li still gave five extra shells; for Liu Weidong, this meant Factory Director Li values us.
Factory Director Li does things very humanely, much better than Old Zhang that stingy iron rooster.
Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin on the side saw this and cursed in their hearts: This guy let the scholar play the generous act; this makes it hard for us.
Li Yunlong immediately said to Li Muzhi: “Younger Brother Li, the bullet-making equipment I got for you—consider it a free gift from Elder Brother; no need to settle with me.”
Ding Wei clicked his tongue on the side, shocked in his heart: “I say Old Li, why compete with that scholar? That’s bullet-making equipment; you just say no settlement and it’s done? Didn’t you think about how to explain to the brigade commander when you get back?”
However, Ding Wei still didn’t speak up.
This scholar played the generous act; we can’t let him have all of it.
With that fool Fujita Ichi around, do we still worry about not getting more equipment?
As for the brigade commander, anyway, it’s Old Li getting scolded, not me.
Li Muzhi was stunned for a moment, looking at Li Yunlong: “Regimental Commander Li, that is, since Minister Zhang isn’t here, are you sure you don’t take back what you just said?”
If Comrade Old Zhang were here, he absolutely wouldn’t give you Old Li a chance to back out.
Li Muzhi was also surprised: when did you, Old Li, become so generous?
Li Yunlong glanced at Liu Weidong on the side, then said with a stiff attitude: “We Old Li speak with one spit one nail; how could we casually take it back!”
“Alright then, I’ll thank you on behalf of the arsenal.” Li Muzhi just nodded.
Li Yunlong waited for more, but Li Muzhi didn’t speak; Li Yunlong couldn’t help but be stunned: “Little brother, Elder Brother gave you such a big gift; shouldn’t you make a gesture too?”
I knew you Old Li weren’t this generous. Li Muzhi grumbled in his heart and asked: “How are the new grenades working for you?”
“Good, very useful, great power.” Li Yunlong immediately nodded eagerly, rubbing his hands with a grin: “How many crates are you planning to give Elder Brother?”
The previous ten crates of grenades and the twenty-plus crates gotten from Zhang Wanhe had basically all been used up by Comrade Old Li.
If not replenished now, there’d be a gap.
See, Younger Brother Li definitely still plans to make a gesture to us.
“Thirty crates.” Li Muzhi said, “Regimental Commander Li, you’ll take a bit of a loss first; later it definitely won’t…”
“No problem, no problem; thirty crates it is. As the saying goes, taking a loss is a blessing!” Before Li Muzhi finished, Li Yunlong interrupted with a beaming smile.
Exchanging bullet-making equipment for thirty crates of grenades was definitely a loss.
But!
We can’t let that bastard scholar outdo us!
Now that Little Brother Li has shown attitude, the shoulder-mounted cannons later will definitely prioritize us!
Li Yunlong played the generous act back, and then it was Gao Liujin’s turn.
Gao Liujin looked at the sealing paint still being counted, gritted his teeth: “Factory Director Li, this sealing paint, I, I, I…”
“Yo, Gao Liujin, you’re really generous!” Seeing Gao Liujin’s pained expression, Li Yunlong exaggeratedly called out from the side, “This is Old Ding’s sealing paint; what right do you have to give it to Younger Brother Li?”
Li Yunlong of course knew clearly that if this stuff was taken back by Gao Liujin, this guy wouldn’t yield.
Since he wants to play generous and act big, we’ll just give him a push.
Stimulated by Li Yunlong, Gao Liujin gritted his teeth and said: “Factory Director Li, I’ll give you half of this sealing paint.”
“Hahaha, Gao Liujin, I thought you were that generous; you still keep half—hahaha, hilarious.” Li Yunlong burst out laughing.
Gao Liujin’s face flushed red, very embarrassed from Li Yunlong’s stimulation.
Half generous, half not—it was like shitting halfway and getting stuck; really uncomfortable.
Li Muzhi resolved the awkwardness: “Regimental Commander Gao, thank you; I’ll also give you thirty crates of grenades, how about that?”
“Fine, no problem; just as Factory Director Li says.” Gao Liujin immediately took Li Muzhi’s out and jumped down.
He cursed in his heart: Li Yunlong, you son of a bitch, wait for me!
“Factory Director Li, I have quite a few other captured supplies here; I’ll go communicate with Minister Zhang.” Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin wanted to play generous back, but Liu Weidong couldn’t be bothered; Liu Weidong’s troops had also captured many other things, which could be exchanged for Hell Cannon shells—this was another exchange rule set by Zhang Wanhe, so Liu Weidong didn’t disturb Li Muzhi’s time.
“Good, Regiment Commander Liu, take care; I’m quite busy here and can’t see you off.” Li Muzhi was actually very interested in Liu Weidong and wanted to pull him to chat more.
He actually understood gunpowder manufacturing; maybe he’s military industry talent.
When not fighting wars, perhaps he could be pulled to the arsenal to help.
But right now Li Muzhi really was quite busy.
After handling these combat regimental commanders, he still had to hurry back to get the power up.
“No need to see me off, Factory Director Li; stay put.” Liu Weidong took his people and left for Zhang Wanhe’s side.
Old Zhang’s office was not in the arsenal but next door.
The quantities of potassium nitrate and sealing paint were soon tallied too.
“Younger Brother Li, can I ask a question first?” As Li Muzhi was about to settle, Li Yunlong spoke first.
“Ask away.” Li Muzhi looked at Li Yunlong.
“Our brigade commander brought back a locomotive; what did you give your brigade commander?” Li Yunlong asked.
We do work for Li Muzhi’s side, so there must be remuneration; Li Yunlong wanted to know what the remuneration was.
“Replenish all the shells your brigade consumed, and additionally give thirty extra.” Li Muzhi answered.
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei exchanged a glance; Li Muzhi was too generous. The former immediately said: “Then how about this: don’t settle the potassium nitrate and sealing paint for now; put them on account. When you make the shoulder-mounted cannons, I’ll use them to exchange for this stuff.”
With our brigade’s Hell Cannon shells so ample now, we must save up to exchange for shoulder-mounted cannons.
“Alright.” Li Muzhi nodded and turned to Gao Liujin: “Regimental Commander Gao, what about you?”
Gao Liujin actually wanted to keep them too, but helplessly he had no Hell Cannon shells on hand; no choice.
Gao Liujin had to say: “I want shells.”
With ample shells, hurry to get rich; still worry about not earning stuff to exchange for shoulder-mounted cannons?
Don’t joke!
This Japanese military train, I can rob it once, I can rob it a second time!
I just don’t believe it; rob another Japanese troop transport vehicle!
“Alright then, I’ll give you shells. But they haven’t been made yet; once made, I’ll send someone right away.” Li Muzhi promised Gao Liujin thirty shells.
“Fine.” Gao Liujin nodded, then wanted to leave with his team.
Li Mouren grabbed Gao Liujin: “Gao Liujin, wait; we still have an account to settle.”
“Li Yunlong, can’t we settle any account somewhere else?” Gao Liujin turned dissatisfied to Li Yunlong; if it annoyed Li Muzhi, none of us would have good fruit.
Li Yunlong took out the IOU and said: “You think I want to fight you? I don’t have time for that. These twelve shells, shouldn’t you pay me back?”
Gao Liujin glared: “Li Yunlong, you’re pressing this debt too hard. Didn’t you see? The arsenal hasn’t made shells yet; I haven’t gotten a single one. What do I pay you with?”
“I’ll give this IOU to Factory Director Li in front of you, and then he deducts twelve shells from your share to give me; how about that?” Li Yunlong pointed.
“Li Yunlong, can you give some more time?” Gao Liujin said annoyed.
Without enough shells, we can’t go all out.
Right now Gao Liujin had seven shells left on hand; the thirty shells from sealing paint hadn’t been taken yet, and Li Yunlong wanted to take twelve; if later something was delayed due to lack of shells, it’d be a big loss.
“I’m afraid not…” Li Yunlong shook his head; before finishing, Li Muzhi reached out: “Regimental Commander Li, give me this IOU; transfer the debt to me. When shells are made, I’ll deduct and give them to you.”
“Fine.” Li Yunlong happily handed the IOU to Li Muzhi.
Then, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei didn’t bother with Gao Liujin anymore and immediately took leave: “Younger Brother Li, we’ll head back too and not disturb you.”
Tossed all night, exhausted to death.
The brigade commander must be anxiously waiting at brigade headquarters; need to go back and report safe.
“Take care; I won’t see you off.” Li Muzhi nodded.
“No need.” Li Yunlong and Ding Wei quickly left.
With the old rival gone, Gao Liujin dropped the pretense and pleaded with Li Muzhi eagerly: “Factory Director Li, thank you for paying off what I owe Li Yunlong. For the twelve shells I owe you, can you deduct them later? I really need shells.”
Then, Gao Liujin looked around, confirmed no one eavesdropping, leaned to Li Muzhi and whispered: “I’m preparing to rob another Japanese military train.”
“Regimental Commander Gao, when do you plan to act?” Li Muzhi was very interested in this topic.
Logically, we already had one locomotive, plus two armored train locomotives; power was temporarily sufficient.
But if combat troops could rob more Japanese military trains, if the trains could be disassembled and brought back, naturally couldn’t miss it.
“The situation outside is very chaotic now; I need some time to judge the timing.” Gao Liujin answered.
“How about this, Regimental Commander Gao: I’ll organize a disassembly team and transportation team here. When you act, notify me in advance; I’ll send the disassembly team and transportation team over. Then when the Japanese military train is disassembled back, you don’t need to repay the twelve shells you owe me; for shells you use in combat, I’ll replenish them all.”
“Really?” Gao Liujin was so happy upon hearing he almost jumped up.
Debt waived, and combat consumption replenished; then we can go all out.
Seven plus thirty is thirty-seven shells; even if unlucky and hit another Japanese troop transport military train, I can still take it down.
“Regimental Commander Gao, once shells are produced, I’ll send someone to deliver them to you first thing.”
“Good.” Gao Liujin nodded heavily and happily took leave.
Li Muzhi saw off Gao Liujin, turned back while stroking the fluffy puppy in his arms, muttering: “What name should I give you?”
Li Muzhi planned to raise this dog personally.
The guard on the side heard and couldn’t help laughing: “Factory Director, I have a good name.”
“Oh, let’s hear it?” Li Muzhi looked at him.
“Call it Little Japanese Invader.” The guard said.
Little Japanese Invader?
Li Muzhi thought upon hearing, indeed a pretty good name.
However, using a dog to mock little Japanese invaders felt good psychologically.
But the dog is innocent; so cute, how can it bear the infamous name of little Japanese invader.
So Li Muzhi decided: from now on, this puppy’s name would be: Emperor!
Perfect, catchy, and elevates the puppy’s status.
“From now on, your name is Emperor, got it!” Li Muzhi said to the puppy.
Woof woof!
Woof woof!
The puppy barked spiritually twice, wagging its tail at Li Muzhi, arching hard from his arms a few times, seeming very satisfied with the name.
The guards on the side burst out laughing: “Haha, as expected of the factory director—Emperor, hahaha, good name, really good name.”
……
