Chapter 55: One Thing Subdues Another
Border Region Arsenal
As soon as Zhang Wanhe heard that 386 Brigade had sent sugar over, he ran to the arsenal at top speed, found Li Muzhi, and excitedly asked: “Li Muzhi, has 386 Brigade sent the sugar?”
Hell Cannon cannot be without shells. Fertilizer is already plentiful; we’re just short of sugar.
Head of Logistics Zhang Wanhe dreams of sugar every night.
“Yes, it’s here, over seventy catties…” Li Muzhi nodded, pointed, and said, “Look, I’m already hurrying to roast the explosives.”
“How much? Only over seventy catties?” Zhang Wanhe’s eyes widened as he couldn’t help saying, “Isn’t it a thousand catties?”
These over seventy catties of sugar seem way too little.
His 386 Brigade is now holding two Hell Cannons. With diamond drill in hand, they can’t slack on the porcelain task, right?
“Minister Zhang, the three-day deadline hasn’t arrived yet.” Li Muzhi smiled. “You have to trust 386 Brigade’s ability. Maybe soon, they’ll bring the rest of the sugar…”
Well, before Li Muzhi could finish speaking, the brigade commander’s cheerful voice rang out from outside: “Li Muzhi, I’ve brought the sugar for you, over three thousand two hundred catties. Hurry out and get the sugar!”
Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe were stunned instantly by the brigade commander’s voice.
Li Muzhi hadn’t expected 386 Brigade to send over three thousand catties of sugar. That’s too impressive.
If it’s really that much, they could make over a thousand Hell Cannon shells!
Eleven Hell Cannons, averaging nearly a hundred shells per cannon. What a concept.
This will mean the Japanese invaders in Northwestern Shanxi are in for big trouble.
Of course, not all this sugar can go to making Hell Cannon shells. They still need to make rockets and regular shells, especially rockets, which are essential.
This way, over three thousand catties of sugar suddenly doesn’t seem like much.
Zhang Wanhe was shocked too. He had just been complaining that 386 Brigade’s over seventy catties of sugar was too little.
Who would’ve thought this slap in the face would come so fast.
In the blink of an eye, they sent over three thousand catties.
That’s three times the quota.
“Brigade Commander Chen, I say, your subordinate Li Yunlong loves to brag, but you wouldn’t have picked up that habit too, would you?” Zhang Wanhe couldn’t believe it. As he went out with Li Muzhi, he couldn’t help teasing.
“Old Zhang, how do you talk? Whether I’m bragging or not, just come out and see for yourself.” The brigade commander was in high spirits and didn’t get mad at Zhang Wanhe.
According to the rules, over three thousand catties of sugar means we can get three more Hell Cannons. Hehe.
Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe came out and saw that the brigade commander had indeed brought a large amount of sugar.
The two quickly verified it: indeed over three thousand two hundred catties.
Zhang Wanhe grinned from ear to ear, as if he hadn’t teased the brigade commander at all: “Your 386 Brigade is truly impressive. Giving you two Hell Cannons was indeed my wisest decision as head of logistics.”
The brigade commander glanced at Zhang Wanhe, too lazy to scorn him.
These cannons were clearly given by Li Muzhi. What does it have to do with you, head of logistics? Yet you’re praising yourself.
Even Li Yunlong doesn’t have as much face as you, Old Zhang.
Li Muzhi smiled at the brigade commander: “Brigade Commander Chen truly lives up to being a hero among men. With one move, it’s extraordinary—over three thousand catties of sugar at your fingertips. A true hero.”
Facing Li Muzhi’s praise, the brigade commander was greatly pleased. He glanced at Zhang Wanhe again, as if to say: Old Zhang, did you hear that? That’s what you should say. Learn well from Li Muzhi from now on.
The brigade commander smiled humbly at Li Muzhi: “Li Muzhi, no need for fine words. Your arsenal makes the weapons, our combat troops use them to fight the Japanese invaders. We complement each other; neither can do without the other.”
Then, the brigade commander got straight to the point: “According to your logistics rules, a thousand catties of sugar for one Hell Cannon. I’ve brought over three thousand, forget the extra bit—consider it my free gift to you. So I can claim three more Hell Cannons again, right?”
Before Li Muzhi could respond, Zhang Wanhe next to him couldn’t hold back and jumped up: “Brigade Commander Chen, aren’t you being a bit too greedy? Eleven cannons total, and your brigade wants to take six. That doesn’t seem right.”
The first and second Hell Cannons are now in your 386 Brigade’s hands.
Headquarters took the third Hell Cannon, and your 386 Brigade reserved the fourth.
Now three thousand catties of sugar for three more cannons, totaling six.
386 Brigade taking more than half the cannons at once—Zhang Wanhe truly felt Li Muzhi’s rule had a problem.
Facing Zhang Wanhe’s attitude, the brigade commander had a look that said, I knew you’d jump up, Old Zhang.
The brigade commander ignored Zhang Wanhe entirely, smiling at Li Muzhi and waiting for his answer.
“Exactly, Brigade Commander Chen. The rule I set won’t change.” Li Muzhi said seriously. “Once the later cannons are made, you can send someone to pick them up.”
The brigade commander immediately beamed with joy and said to Zhang Wanhe: “Old Zhang, see? Listen! You as head of logistics really need to learn from this young man. It’s better to be open-minded.”
Zhang Wanhe ignored the brigade commander and turned to Li Muzhi: “I think your rule really has a flaw. One brigade taking six cannons—headquarters definitely won’t agree.”
Li Muzhi didn’t answer Zhang Wanhe but pointed behind the brigade commander.
Another Eighth Route soldier was riding over quickly on horseback.
Zhang Wanhe looked at the man and immediately sobered his expression.
This was none other than 129 Division’s special commissioner Lao Lu, representing Brigade Commander Chen’s superior: the division commander.
Zhang Wanhe immediately stopped thinking Li Muzhi’s rule had a flaw and instead found it very reasonable.
Trading goods for cannons has indeed generated revenue for logistics. 386 Brigade brought quite a few important raw materials and money, which is of great significance to the arsenal.
As for 386 Brigade getting six cannons, that’s indeed their ability.
Whether 386 Brigade can keep the six cannons, whether Brigade Commander Chen’s thin arms can twist his division commander’s special commissioner—that’s not for us in logistics to worry about.
Seeing his own division’s special commissioner arrive, the brigade commander quickly greeted: “Lao Lu, why are you here?”
“Hehe.” Lao Lu dismounted with a smile and walked to the brigade commander. “The division commander heard you personally delivered over three thousand catties of sugar to the arsenal, so he had me come take a look.”
“Welcome the division commander to guide my work anytime.” The brigade commander quickly stated his position, thinking to himself, the division commander’s special commissioner Lao Lu came at just the right time.
These later cannons, I’m afraid I can’t count on them anymore.
“Yes, you’ve done very well. Hard work. Go back and rest.” Lao Lu said to the brigade commander with a smile.
“Lao Lu, these three thousand catties of sugar…” The brigade commander started to say something.
Lao Lu interrupted: “I know. The division commander said the rest of the work is mine. It’s late; go back and rest.”
“Alright.” The brigade commander had no choice—rank has its privileges. He could only hand the final shell data to Li Muzhi and take his guard troops back.
Seeing this, Zhang Wanhe thought to himself, this truly is one thing subduing another.
