Chapter 141: Old Zhang Isn’t Acting Human
Border Region Arsenal
The sun rose, all things revived, the air was fresh, and a new day had arrived.
Li Muzhi got up very early, stretched, put on his clothes and got out of bed, finished washing up, and then went to the canteen to eat.
“Factory Director good!”
“Factory Director good!”
“Factory Director good!”
……
Whether skilled workers, ordinary workers, or management personnel, upon seeing Li Muzhi, they all greeted him enthusiastically.
Originally.
Zhang Wanhe had set Li Muzhi’s breakfast standards very high, higher than those of other workers at the arsenal, and he could eat eggs.
Li Muzhi told Zhang Wanhe that doing this specially wasn’t good, but Zhang Wanhe insisted that Li Muzhi must eat a bit better.
Moreover, everyone at the arsenal had no objections to this, believing that Li Muzhi was qualified for it.
In the end, at Li Muzhi’s insistence, the meal standards for the other workers at the arsenal were raised to the same high level as Li Muzhi’s.
That is, the workers could also eat an egg for breakfast every day.
Regarding this, the workers at the arsenal admired Li Muzhi even more and worked even harder and more diligently.
Minister Zhang was the one who suffered; with the meal standards raised, the logistics pressure increased again.
Fortunately, Old Zhang Comrade showed a spirit of not fearing hardship and not complaining, and stubbornly kept the meal standards from being lowered; he withstood the pressure.
“Mm, good everyone, good everyone.” Li Muzhi smiled in response, then went to the window to get his meal, and sat down at a random table.
Li Muzhi drank pumpkin porridge mixed with white rice and millet, peeled his egg, and after just one bite, he saw several high-level talents from Huangyadong Arsenal also carrying food and sitting down beside him.
“Aiya, the food here is really good; I kind of don’t want to go back.” Old Lu, who graduated from Berlin University Steel Department, exclaimed.
At Huangyadong Arsenal, although they could eat their fill for breakfast, there were no eggs.
Metallurgy Doctor Old Zhang joked on the side: “Old Lu, a few meals and you’ve been bought off; people who don’t know might think you studied eating at Berlin University.”
Yanjing University Physics Department graduate student Old Gao also laughed: “Eat a few meals here and you don’t want to go back; wouldn’t our Huangyadong Arsenal factory director have to come fight with Factory Director Li?”
“Hahaha!” Everyone laughed together.
Li Muzhi smiled and said: “You few, when you return to Huangyadong Arsenal, I will definitely have Minister Zhang send you a bit more good food.”
Although he really wanted to keep these high-level talents, how could Li Muzhi say it so directly.
“Not going back, I’m not going back, I don’t want to go back.” Old Lu waved his hand, “I feel like after staying with you Factory Director Li for a few days, I’ve found my direction.”
Li Muzhi said: “At Huangyadong Arsenal, you have no direction?”
Old Lu explained: “That’s different; I feel like the direction here can better bring out my abilities.”
Old Gao nodded along: “I have that feeling too; it feels like at Border Region Arsenal, we can play a bigger role.”
Old Zhang laughed again: “It’s over, it’s over, none of us want to go back; when the time comes, our Huangyadong Arsenal factory director will definitely come fight with Factory Director Li; who should we help then?”
“You few are the pillars of Huangyadong Arsenal; how dare I swing a pickaxe.” Li Muzhi smiled, “If you have free time in the future, you can come here anytime.”
It was clear that Lao He had done a good job in his work.
These big shots all had some sense of belonging here and didn’t want to leave.
Of course, Li Muzhi still couldn’t show it so obviously.
“Not leaving, not leaving, none of us are leaving.” These few all waved their hands, not knowing if they were sincere or half-joking, then changed the subject, looking at Li Muzhi: “Factory Director Li, for this shoulder-mounted cannon of yours, without the projectile shell going through rifling rotation acceleration in the cannon barrel, how do you control the accuracy and range?”
That day, the topic stopped there.
But it made these few itch with curiosity, and Li Muzhi was very busy; the big shots tried several times but couldn’t find an opportunity.
Today, they finally found it.
“How is the accuracy of our Hell Cannon Shells controlled?” Li Muzhi asked in return.
“Balance Tail Wing.” Old Lu said.
Li Muzhi nodded and said: “Correct, the balance tail wing keeps the shell balanced in flight. Once the shell flies balanced, accuracy can be controlled. For our shoulder-mounted cannon shells, it’s the same; to ensure range, the projectile body is made a bit longer to hold more fuel, and with aerodynamics, it can hit farther and more accurately.”
“How far can it hit?” Old Lu asked.
Hell Cannon Shells can hit over two kilometers; for this shoulder-mounted cannon, can the strike distance be half of that?
“Well, I’m still considering it.” Li Muzhi answered.
This wasn’t Li Muzhi being mysterious; once Li Yunlong got the locomotive back and power was solved, Li Muzhi would find an opportunity to ask for opinions from Li Yunlong and these combat regiment commanders.
To see what attack distance would be most appropriate.
As for why Hell Cannon hits over two kilometers, it’s to ensure range.
Because enemy guns must not threaten the Hell Cannon.
But!
Hitting farther also means more fuel and weight.
The arsenal’s sugar is very precious; we can’t produce it ourselves, so save it where we can.
Therefore, the combat troops’ engagement distance is the most appropriate.
After all, our rocket launcher isn’t just for dealing with enemy war vehicles and bunkers; it’s also for tactical support on the battlefield.
Like striking enemy machine gun positions, striking enemy grenade launcher soldiers, etc.
Our rocket launcher needs to achieve diversified combat effects.
“Then give a rough distance…” Old Lu’s words weren’t finished.
A guard’s shout came from outside: “Factory Director, Minister Zhang and them are back; come out quick, Minister Zhang is back.”
The guard’s voice was full of excitement and agitation; obviously, Zhang Wanhe had successfully disassembled and brought back the locomotive.
Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi immediately smiled and said: “You few, we’ll discuss this shoulder cannon later; I need to go out right now.”
With the locomotive disassembled and back, power could start immediately; Li Muzhi had waited so long, he was impatient.
Upon hearing this, Old Lu and the others were all stunned.
Minister Zhang came back at such a bad time, interrupting us again.
However, these few were also excited and followed Li Muzhi out.
How to modify the locomotive into power, Li Muzhi had already communicated with them; they would all help Li Muzhi with it.
Seeing Li Muzhi come out, Zhang Wanhe was happy like a child, shouting to him: “Xiao Li, hahaha, your beloved locomotive is back, and the two Japanese Invaders Iron Turtle heads are also disassembled and brought back for you; come quick and see your treasure.”
Li Muzhi hurried forward and quickly inspected these precious parts, like an old farmer checking happily growing watermelons, unable to stop smiling: “Great, Minister Zhang, Brigade Commander Chen, you’ve all worked hard.”
Power is the foundation of military industry; now they’ve finally reached this step.
Old Lu and the others beside Li Muzhi looked at the disassembled locomotive parts, their faces also especially bright.
An arsenal without power, can it even be called an arsenal!
Once this locomotive is turned into power, Border Region Arsenal’s strength will directly surpass Huangyadong Arsenal.
Their faces were full of excitement; with power, their skills could be better utilized.
The brigade commander smiled at Li Muzhi: “Xiao Li, you should know I’m a straightforward man; verbal comfort, how can it compare to…”
The brigade commander’s words weren’t finished when Zhang Wanhe interrupted from the side: “I say Old Chen, aren’t you a bit too impatient? The stuff is back, and you don’t immediately have your people help unload it; instead, you first ask Xiao Li for things.”
“Hahaha.” The brigade commander laughed heartily, not embarrassed at all, turned to Cheng Xiazi and said: “Move the stuff into the arsenal, handle everything with care! If anyone damages anything, I’ll shoot him!”
“Yes, Brigade Commander.” Cheng Xiazi nodded, immediately leading people to move the stuff into storage.
“Place them according to my instructions.” Li Muzhi acted as the commander.
Arranging the parts according to Li Muzhi’s way would save assembly time and increase efficiency later.
“Good, Factory Director Li.”
The locomotive parts were stored one by one, then the armored train parts were also quickly all stored.
Of course!
There were also large amounts of railroad tracks and sleepers brought back, as well as disassembled train carriage parts, etc.
As for grain, no need to store it at the arsenal taking up space.
Zhang Wanhe had other arrangements for placement.
Once the stuff was stored, Zhang Wanhe immediately said to the brigade commander: “Old Chen, you’ve worked hard too; take your troops back to rest quickly.”
The brigade commander glared and cursed: “Old Zhang, this is a bit too much, isn’t it! I worked so hard to get the Japanese Invaders locomotive back for your logistics; not even giving water is fine, but you won’t settle the pay immediately and now you’re chasing people away!”
Zhang Wanhe smiled and explained: “Brigade Commander Chen, you’ve been at it all night and are too tired; go rest first, we can talk after you’re rested; how about it, could Old Zhang possibly shortchange you!”
“No, unless we settle the pay first, I can’t sleep.” The brigade commander waved his hand, looking at Li Muzhi, “Xiao Li, strictly speaking, you entrusted our 386 Brigade to get this locomotive, and you provided thirty shells in advance, but in this battle, we still used up our shells; look at this…”
“How about this: the shells your battle used up this time, the arsenal will fully replenish them all, and additionally give you thirty more; what do you think?” Li Muzhi said with a smile.
“Hahaha.” The brigade commander was very pleased upon hearing this, “Fine fine fine, just as you say.”
Immediately, the brigade commander turned to Zhang Wanhe: “Old Zhang, I remember you said you wouldn’t shortchange us; shouldn’t you show something?”
Zhang Wanhe immediately cursed: “I say Old Chen, how can you have no bottom line like this? Xiao Li has already fully replenished all the shells your battle consumed this time, and extra given you thirty more; that’s already very generous, how are you still so greedy!”
Immediately after, Zhang Wanhe added: “Your subordinates Li Yunlong and Ding Wei also took over seventy shells and more than twenty cases of grenades from me; believe it or not, I’ll deduct it from your pay?”
“Old Zhang, look at you, talking like that is no fun.” The brigade commander immediately waved his hand, not arguing this minor matter with Zhang Wanhe anymore.
This iron rooster, if pushed, he might really deduct it, and we’d lose big then.
This deal, we didn’t work in vain!
Used-up shells fully replenished, plus thirty more from Li Muzhi, and the over seventy shells previously gotten from Zhang Wanhe, that’s equivalent to earning over a hundred shells.
One should know contentment.
The brigade commander let out a big yawn and said to Li Muzhi: “Xiao Li, once the shells are made, send them over immediately. I won’t disturb you; hurry and turn the locomotive into power; our combat troops are waiting for you to supply ammunition and weapons.”
The shells aren’t made yet; the brigade commander needs to wait.
Now, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei haven’t returned; strictly speaking, the brigade commander should continue waiting at the arsenal.
But now with the Japanese Invaders losing the train, it’s time for frustration and temper; the brigade commander must return to brigade headquarters to hold the fort.
Even for sleeping and resting, it must be at brigade headquarters.
“Rest assured, we’ll hurry; Brigade Commander Chen, take care, I won’t see you off.” Li Muzhi nodded.
“No need to see me off.” The brigade commander waved his hand and left with his people.
Once the brigade commander left, Zhang Wanhe immediately couldn’t wait and went to Li Muzhi: “Xiao Li, you’re really something; prepared two teams in advance, disassembled two Iron Turtles; these Iron Turtles, what do you plan to use them for?”
“Definitely to modify into power too.” Li Muzhi said, “The iron smelting plant is back; we must hurry to smelt steel! Steel smelting needs too much energy; a single locomotive’s power isn’t enough; won’t we need the Iron Turtle locomotives?”
“Mainly, Iron Turtles burn oil; we robbed quite a bit of oil, but sitting and eating it up, it’ll probably burn out in a day.” Zhang Wanhe said.
We have Yanchang Oil Field in our rear area.
But the output isn’t high.
Border Region agencies, factories, etc., all need oil.
If we rely on Yanchang Oil Field for supply, it would have a big impact.
Moreover, the distance is far; safely transporting oil over is difficult.
So, relying on Yanchang Oil Field for oil isn’t realistic.
“Minister Zhang, how are you wise all your life but confused now!” Li Muzhi pointed out, “No oil? The Japanese Invaders have it; go rob it. As long as we fully supply shells to the combat troops, are you still worried about not robbing oil?”
This oil is different from sugar; Japanese Invaders can hide sugar and not use it, and combat troops can’t always be that lucky every time.
Fuel is different.
His Japanese Invaders automobiles need rear logistics transport, his war vehicles need to move out, even his airport.
In short, combat troops robbing Japanese Invaders fuel is much easier to find targets than robbing sugar.
“True, true, haha.” Zhang Wanhe smiled and nodded, “Then hurry and modify the power.”
Old Zhang Comrade was eager for Li Muzhi to solve the power today and start smelting steel immediately.
Then, first make iron pots, prioritize solving the troops’ lack of iron pots affecting eating.
Only when troops are full do they have strength to kill Japanese Invaders and rob more things for logistics.
After all, logistics revenue generation can’t just rely on individual combat troops; everyone must contribute together.
Many hands make light work!
