Chapter 22: Li Muzhi Gets Promoted
The Deputy Chief of Staff read Zhang Wanhe’s report and couldn’t help but be stunned.
Putting aside the fact that the fertilizer sold by the Japanese invaders contains important explosive components, the new Factory Director of the Border Region Arsenal, Li Muzhi, actually led the workers to produce a cannon!
This news left the Deputy Chief of Staff completely dumbfounded.
Our Border Region Arsenal has a weak foundation and can’t even produce conventional weapons, yet Li Muzhi managed to make a cannon. It’s truly unbelievable.
But Zhang Wanhe’s report is very detailed. Seeing the feasibility of the Border Region Arsenal producing a cannon, the Deputy Chief of Staff had no choice but to believe it.
The Deputy Chief of Staff still had some impression of this Li Muzhi.
This man’s parents were both veteran Red Army soldiers; one sacrificed on the snow mountain, the other in the grassland.
Li Muzhi was nearly starved to death in the grassland back then, and it was the Deputy Chief of Staff who picked him up.
Li Muzhi had loved studying things since childhood and taught himself to make gunpowder. Seeing that he was a talent, he was arranged to enter the Border Region Arsenal.
And now, this man actually relied on the equipment turned in by Li Yunlong to produce a cannon. It’s truly unbelievable.
Seeing that the Deputy Chief of Staff was shocked by the report, Zhang Wanhe explained: “Leader, since this matter is too important, it’s not suitable to report it to you over the telephone, so I…”
Zhang Wanhe didn’t finish his words before the Deputy Chief of Staff turned from anger to joy and interrupted: “You did the right thing. For such an important matter, it’s correct for you to come report it to me in person.”
“I’ll send a Special Commissioner to the Arsenal right now to see for himself! I want to see with my own eyes how this cannon is made!” The Deputy Chief of Staff wanted to go himself, but he was too busy and could only send someone in his place.
“And by the way, take a look at Li Muzhi. It’s been several years since I last saw this young fellow.”
The cannon has extraordinary significance for our army, especially since this artillery can take out over a hundred Japanese invaders with one shot. It absolutely needs to be seen with one’s own eyes.
“Yes, Leader.” Although Zhang Wanhe knew that once the Deputy Chief of Staff learned the Border Region Arsenal could produce cannons, he would definitely want to go see it himself.
But since he himself had no time and sent someone to inspect immediately, Zhang Wanhe’s face was still full of immense pride.
This is affirmation from the Leader, affirmation of our logistics work.
……
Border Region Arsenal
Li Muzhi was leading the Arsenal’s workers and key personnel in fervently producing the cannon when Zhang Wanhe brought the Special Commissioner straight in.
“Everyone stop for a moment. This is Special Commissioner Lao Fan from Headquarters, representing the Headquarters Leader to inspect our Arsenal. Everyone, welcome him!” Zhang Wanhe.
Li Muzhi quickly responded: “Welcome, Special Commissioner Fan.”
The Arsenal’s workers and key personnel all hurriedly stopped what they were doing, their eyes burning with enthusiasm: “Welcome, Special Commissioner!”
A Special Commissioner sent by Headquarters to inspect the Border Region Arsenal—this is the highest honor!
“Good, good, good, everyone is doing great. Your Arsenal is remarkable, having produced a cannon.” The Special Commissioner gave high praise. “On behalf of those soldiers still fighting fiercely against the Japanese invaders, I thank your Arsenal.”
“The Leader’s affirmation is the glory of our Arsenal!” Lao He and the Arsenal’s workers all cheered thunderously.
“You all continue working. I want to see how this cannon is made.” The Special Commissioner told the workers to continue production.
“Yes, Leader.” The workers immediately resumed work—cutting, welding, and so on, everything proceeding in an orderly manner, full of passion for their work.
“Xiao Li, explain every step to me. I always feel Minister Zhang’s report doesn’t compare to your verbal explanation.” The Special Commissioner’s kindly gaze fell on Li Muzhi’s face, like an elder looking at a junior.
Zhang Wanhe, listening on the side as the Special Commissioner called Li Muzhi “Xiao Li,” knew exactly how much weight that “Xiao Li” carried.
“Yes, Special Commissioner Fan.” Li Muzhi nodded and immediately began explaining the first process to the Special Commissioner.
The Special Commissioner was a very cultured person. He was like a quiet student, listening silently as Li Muzhi explained from the first process to the last.
In his heart, he thoroughly accepted the fact that the Border Region Arsenal could truly produce cannons!
“Remarkable, truly remarkable.” The Special Commissioner sighed in admiration and emotion. “Who would have thought that the child the Leader picked up on the grassland, nearly starved to death, would shine so brightly today? It’s truly the fortune of the nation, the fortune of our people!”
Zhang Wanhe echoed from the side: “Yes, Li Muzhi is simply the nectar sent from heaven. With the cannon, let’s see who dares to say our troops are just Local Eighth Route Army anymore!”
Facing the praise from Zhang Wanhe and the Special Commissioner, Li Muzhi humbly said: “I’m just doing what a military industry personnel should do.”
“But you do what should be done better than anyone else, to the extreme—that’s the meaning of it.” The Special Commissioner was very pleased. This young man in front of him had produced a cannon, yet facing his own praise, there wasn’t a trace of arrogance on his face.
“Zhang Wanhe, listen carefully. I now give you an order on behalf of the Headquarters Leader.” The Special Commissioner then turned to Zhang Wanhe with an extremely serious tone.
“Yes, go ahead, I’m listening.” Zhang Wanhe immediately looked at the Special Commissioner with utmost seriousness.
“Whatever materials Li Muzhi needs for the Arsenal’s production, you must find a way to get them.” The Special Commissioner ordered Zhang Wanhe. “If you can’t get the materials, you’re delaying our army’s military industry production!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe promptly affirmed: “Of course, even without your order, I would cooperate unconditionally. Military industry production is my life!”
The Special Commissioner’s gaze returned to Li Muzhi’s face: “Li Muzhi, listen to the order.”
“Li Muzhi here.” Li Muzhi quickly looked at the Special Commissioner with a serious expression.
“Military industry production is the lifeblood of our army and cannot be allowed to falter! I hope you can remain as humble and unarrogant as today, make more weapons for our soldiers, let them shed less blood on the battlefield, and kill more Japanese invaders!” the Special Commissioner said sternly.
“Yes.” Li Muzhi responded resolutely.
“It’s said that this cannon was made from materials turned in by the combat troops below, right?” the Special Commissioner asked.
“Yes.” Li Muzhi nodded. “It was turned in by the Independent Regiment of the 386th Division.”
“Mm.” The Special Commissioner acknowledged and said, “I’ll also submit an application report to Headquarters. When the combat troops have no combat missions, whatever military industry materials you need here, have them help get some more for you.”
Zhang Wanhe was immensely excited on the side.
Having the combat troops help get materials—this was even better.
After all, logistics was also poor and couldn’t get everything Li Muzhi needed!
Li Muzhi hadn’t expected the organization to trust him so much.
The more trust, the more it meant affirmation.
Li Muzhi’s heart surged with excitement. He didn’t act coy and spoke resolutely: “The Leader trusts Li Muzhi, and Li Muzhi will not disappoint the Leader!”
With such trust, the military industry blueprint in Li Muzhi’s heart could be realized as soon as possible.
