Chapter 126: Give Kong Jie Fifty Crates Of Grenades
Border Region Arsenal
“Factory Director, look, these are the parts for the jumping mine, all made. You check them.”
Lao He took several parts and came to Li Muzhi’s office.
“This efficient?” Li Muzhi took the parts while expressing surprise.
These parts, in later generations, were nothing at all.
Under modern machine tool production, mass production was astonishing.
But here at the Border Region Arsenal, although they barely managed with scrapped lathes, it was mainly by hand.
Under these conditions, not only was efficiency low, but success rates were not high either.
Since Lao He brought these parts, they were probably qualified before he brought them for inspection.
“It was mainly Old Qi and those few talents who helped make them.” Lao He smiled and explained, “When they make a move, they are truly much more skilled than our workers, especially that Old Qi. Factory Director, to be honest, if Minister Zhang’s side can’t settle it, I myself want to forcibly keep this Old Qi. He is too important to us.”
“Take it slow, haste makes waste.” Li Muzhi followed the old routine, first checking the appearance, then weighing, measuring dimensions.
“Mm, qualified.” Li Muzhi was very satisfied. This was the benefit of having advanced technical talent.
Whatever was needed, they could make it quickly.
“According to these parts specifications, keep making as many as you can.” Li Muzhi instructed Lao He.
“Yes, Factory Director.” Lao He nodded, looking at Li Muzhi. “How’s the communication with Minister Zhang’s side?”
“Lao He, we have to give Minister Zhang time.” Li Muzhi said tactfully.
Although Old Zhang had not spoken, Li Muzhi was not foolish.
Old Zhang had definitely been scolded by Headquarters leaders. This matter could not be rushed.
“Mm.” Lao He responded and withdrew.
As soon as Lao He left, Kong Jie came over.
“Factory Director Li, what do you need me for?” Kong Jie was very respectful to Li Muzhi.
“The Hell Cannon shells are made. Regiment Commander Kong, you’re off duty, so please deliver them to your brigade headquarters.” Li Muzhi said.
“Alright, no problem.” Kong Jie nodded immediately upon hearing, ready to go at once.
“Regiment Commander Kong.” Li Muzhi called him back.
“Factory Director Li, any other instructions?” Kong Jie stopped.
“Your 386th Brigade has recently brought back a lot of equipment to the arsenal. Regiment Commander Kong, what are your thoughts?” After all, Regiment Commander Kong was from combat troops.
His brother troops had repeatedly made merits. To say it had no influence on Kong Jie was impossible.
Li Muzhi still wanted to ask Kong Jie’s thoughts.
If he wanted to return to the front line, Li Muzhi would not delay him.
“Factory Director Li, even if the brigade commander and Li Yunlong brought back a lot of equipment, without power, that equipment is wasted.” Kong Jie said earnestly. “As long as Factory Director Li needs me, I’ll dig this coal to the bottom for you. Although I don’t directly kill Japanese invaders, the coal I dig provides power, and the weapons made with that power also kill Japanese invaders.”
“Regiment Commander Kong, thank you.” Li Muzhi was very pleased. Kong Jie’s convictions had not wavered at all.
Among the iron triangle, Kong Jie was not the smartest, yet he had the best outcome, and it was not without reason.
“Factory Director Li, you’re being polite.” Kong Jie grinned honestly. “That thing, I heard Regiment Commander Liu from the 120th Division brought five thousand catties of sugar to the arsenal again. Now we can produce more grenades…”
Li Muzhi interrupted Kong Jie: “No problem, no problem. When the grenades are made, I’ll give you fifty cases. Satisfied?”
By then, these grenades could at least make eight hundred cases. Giving Kong Jie fifty cases was no issue.
Although Li Muzhi did not understand fighting wars, he was not clueless. The 386th Brigade had snatched the Japanese invaders’ iron smelting plant and would snatch trains next, surely enraging the Japanese invaders again.
In other words, a new large-scale sweep would definitely come soon.
Perhaps one day, the Japanese invaders would crash right into the arsenal.
Arming Regiment Commander Kong’s troops in advance was absolutely right.
Hearing Li Muzhi directly and generously increase the grenades to fifty cases, Kong Jie was so happy he did not know which foot to step with: “Factory Director Li, thank you so much.”
Before, Border Region Manufacturing’s crappy grenades—even someone as formidable as Li Yunlong had to wheedle and beg to get only twenty cases from Old Zhang!
And that was in exchange for an officer’s sword.
Kong Jie had once asked Old Zhang for grenades too, but got only a few cases.
These new grenades had great power and awesome killing effect. Every unit would surely scramble for them.
Not enough to go around, even if lower units could get some, it would not be much.
Unless exchanging with valuable weapons.
And for digging coal for Li Muzhi’s side, every three days of digging earned a cannon shell’s worth, not to mention now getting fifty cases of grenades. This was a blessing hard to find even with a lantern.
“Regiment Commander Kong, after all, you are combat troops. How can I delay your combat power?” Li Muzhi smiled.
“Factory Director Li, rest assured, if one day the Japanese invaders crash into our arsenal, I guarantee…” This fool Kong Jie did not finish before Zhang Wanhe’s scolding voice came from outside. “I say, Regiment Commander Kong, if you can’t speak, shut your mouth! What do you mean ‘Japanese invaders crash into our arsenal’? Do you know what a jinx is? If Japanese invaders crash into the arsenal, it affects our military industry production. That would be trouble!”
Scolded by Zhang Wanhe, Kong Jie immediately slapped his own face, nodding repeatedly: “Yes, yes, Minister Zhang is right. I’m clumsy with words, I said the wrong thing. Deserve to be hit, deserve to be hit.”
With that, Kong Jie really raised his hand to hit his face, but Li Muzhi stopped him.
But Li Muzhi could not fully stop him. Kong Jie still slapped himself twice, face swelling up.
Seeing Kong Jie’s foolish look, Li Muzhi was helpless.
No way around it. This Regiment Commander Kong had this temper.
In the TV series, Regiment Commander Kong was shaved a two-hundred-to-zero bald head by Yamamoto Ichiki and roared at by Headquarters leaders to go feed horses.
It was Li Yunlong who pleaded, letting Kong Jie stay in the Independent Regiment as deputy regiment commander to atone with merits.
Kong Jie did not want to owe Li Yunlong, taking a large blade to chop off two fingers to repay him.
If not for Li Yunlong stopping him, this fool really would have chopped them off.
Seeing Zhang Wanhe come in, Li Muzhi still said: “Minister Zhang, we are at war now. Regiment Commander Kong was just speaking on the matter. None of us hope that one day Japanese invaders crash over and affect our production, but nothing is absolute.”
“Even so, you can’t keep that talk on your lips. What if it jinxes early? Little Li, you too, don’t say such things in the future.” Zhang Wanhe now saw the Border Region Arsenal developing better and better and did not want any mishaps—like having sand in his eyes.
Even just saying it was not allowed!
“Alright, Minister Zhang.” Li Muzhi just nodded. He certainly understood the value of the Border Region Arsenal in Old Zhang’s heart now.
Moreover!
Old Zhang had not arrived, but his voice scolded Regiment Commander Kong first.
Li Muzhi judged that Old Zhang had probably been scolded by Headquarters leaders again and was in a bad mood.
“Regiment Commander Kong, then deliver the shells to your brigade headquarters.” Li Muzhi said to Kong Jie.
“Yes.” Kong Jie nodded and was about to go.
“Hold on.” Zhang Wanhe called.
“Minister Zhang, what is it?” Li Muzhi and Kong Jie both looked at Zhang Wanhe.
“I want to personally count the number again.” Zhang Wanhe’s expression was serious, as if saying: whatever number was promised to the 386th Brigade, give that many, no more.
These shells were very precious. Our accounts must be precise.
“Alright, Minister Zhang, then go with Regiment Commander Kong to count.” Li Muzhi naturally cooperated with Old Zhang’s rigorous work attitude.
Zhang Wanhe followed Kong Jie to count. Li Yunlong soon came over.
Person not yet there, Li Yunlong’s voice arrived first: “Younger Brother Li, Younger Brother Li, come out quick, see what good food Elder Brother brought you.”
Li Muzhi came out. Li Yunlong grinned, having someone carry over good stuff packed from Chu Yunfei’s side for Li Muzhi.
Halal bass, braised squab, crispy chicken…
“Regimental Commander Li, where did you attend a feast?” Li Muzhi was not polite and took it all.
“Jin Sui Army 358th Regiment, heard of it?” Li Yunlong said.
“Heard of it. The 358th Regiment is a reinforced regiment, five thousand men, Regiment Commander Chu Yunfei is a Whampoa 5th class graduate.” Li Muzhi was naturally familiar with the famous Chu Yunfei.
Having crossed over, he had met the iron triangle, but had not yet had the chance to meet this famous Chu helper.
“Haha.” Li Muzhi laughed heartily and said: “Looks like his Chu Yunfei fame is not small. Even this arsenal has heard of it, but mainly it was Elder Brother who helped build his fame.”
If not for twice creating opportunities for him Chu Yunfei, letting him heavily damage the Japanese invaders’ cavalry regiment and mechanized regiment, how would Chu Yunfei be so famous!
This stingy guy did not give Elder Brother any substantial thanks. One meal and he sent Elder Brother off.
But we are not at a loss. Coming to see Younger Brother Li, not knowing what to bring, the gourmet packed from Chu Yunfei’s side came in handy.
“Monk, you bastard, bring out the good liquor, don’t you dare hoard it.” Li Yunlong set out the good dishes and roared at Wei Dayong. “I saw it, Chu Yunfei sent a case of good liquor. If you hoard even one bottle, I’ll beat you.”
“Hehe.” Wei Dayong hugged the liquor with a smiling face: “How could I, Regiment Commander? I definitely wouldn’t dare.”
“Come, come, Younger Brother Li, Elder Brother is happy today. Let’s two brothers drink properly.” Li Yunlong said and was about to open the liquor.
Li Muzhi waved his hand: “Regimental Commander Li, I’m not polite about the food you brought, but I don’t drink this liquor.”
“Right, right, liquor can lead to mistakes. Look at Elder Brother’s brain, often messing up. You can’t be like me. You can substitute with water.” Li Yunlong said. “You can take the liquor, give it as a gift too.”
“Regimental Commander Li, I wonder what happy event you encountered today?” Li Muzhi took the liquor, clinked his water cup with Li Yunlong, and asked.
