Chapter 176: Li Muzhi Is The Soul Of The Border Region Arsenal
The morning sun rose, all things awakened, and a new day had arrived.
Border Region Arsenal
Li Muzhi got up, washed up, and after eating breakfast, was preparing to go to the office.
Head of Logistics Zhang Wanhe led over thirty workers with smiling faces and said to Li Muzhi, “Xiao Li, this is the first batch of skilled workers transferred from other arsenals.”
Li Muzhi looked and happily said, “Minister Zhang, your efficiency is really fast.”
The Border Region Arsenal was now producing many types of weapons and ammunition, but short on manpower.
Li Muzhi had suggested that Zhang Wanhe request personnel transfer through headquarters, but Minister Zhang said he wouldn’t disturb the headquarters leader and would try himself.
Unexpectedly, Old Zhang Comrade was quite competent as Head of Logistics.
The first batch brought over thirty people, truly a timely help.
“Of course efficiency must be fast. The headquarters leader said that as long as your military industry production needs it, I will fully cooperate.” Zhang Wanhe’s expression was very serious. “The second batch can arrive tomorrow afternoon, about forty people. As for the third batch, I’m afraid we can’t transfer more. After all, you don’t want unskilled workers.”
“That’s fine, Minister Zhang. With two batches of skilled workers in place, manpower is about sufficient.” Li Muzhi nodded and said, “When you have time, also scout some more quick-handed and sharp-minded people. I can have Lao He and them train them in spare time.”
What Li Muzhi meant was that personnel transferred from other arsenals would inevitably need to be returned.
The significance of other arsenals was equally great.
The Border Region Arsenal still needed to urgently train more of its own workers.
“Good, no problem.” Zhang Wanhe nodded repeatedly. “I’ll go get busy.”
Old Zhang Comrade handed these workers to Li Muzhi and immediately left.
“Everyone, I am Li Muzhi, Factory Director of the Border Region Arsenal. I thank you for coming to support our work here. Thank you.” Li Muzhi turned and expressed thanks to these workers.
The attitudes of these workers instantly boiled over:
“You’re Factory Director Li? You’re too young.”
“I heard Factory Director Li made a cannon using just a few steel pipes. Factory Director Li, you’re amazing.”
“Factory Director Li, meeting you is our great fortune.”
“Factory Director Li, the way you put it—we’re all family. Coming here to help is what we should do.”
……
“Haha.” Li Muzhi laughed heartily. “Everyone, no more chit-chat. The arsenal’s production tasks are very tight. Once these tasks are nearly complete, we’ll catch up properly.”
“Good, good, Factory Director Li.” These workers all nodded.
“Go, call Lao He over.” Li Muzhi sent someone to notify Lao He.
Soon, Lao He arrived and directly happily handed Li Muzhi a Type 92 Infantry Gun shell, laughing, “Factory Director, look, this is the sample round of the Type 92 Infantry Gun we just made.”
The workers nearby saw this, their expressions all shocked.
It was well known that none of our Eighth Route Army’s arsenals had the capability to produce standard artillery shells.
And here at the Border Region Arsenal, right as we arrived, we see they’ve produced a Type 92 Infantry Gun sample round?
Even if it’s a sample round, as long as it’s qualified, it’s a shell.
This meaning is completely different.
Because the arsenal couldn’t produce shells, the artillery captured by the troops was used very sparingly due to ammunition shortages.
Even every Infantry Gun shell use required headquarters leader approval.
Now that the arsenal can produce shells, this chokehold is removed.
The Border Region Arsenal is truly amazing.
Previously the bottom of the pack, and in so short a time, it leaped to the lead.
Of course, the most amazing person is this newly appointed Factory Director Li.
“Good job, Lao He, your efficiency is too fast.” Li Muzhi took the sample round while praising.
Lao He laughed, “Mainly because you’re efficient, Factory Director. You debugged the machine yesterday, Old Qi and them rushed the work, and here we have the sample round.”
Li Muzhi took tools, measured the shell dimensions, and said, “These workers are skilled workers Minister Zhang just got from other arsenals. Go arrange them right away.”
“Great, these people arrived just in time.” Lao He had initially thought they were civilians upon seeing them, but realizing they were skilled workers, he was thrilled and immediately said to them, “Everyone, thanks for your hard work. Follow me. Production tasks are really tight—you came at the perfect time.”
“No hardship, production is most important.” These workers nodded and followed Lao He straight to the workshop.
Lao He also had assistants, who quickly assigned all the workers.
He came back out to see Li Muzhi, after all, whether this sample round was qualified still depended on the Factory Director’s view.
Seeing Lao He come out, Li Muzhi asked, “How’s the ideological work with Old Qi and the others going?”
With high-level talent assisting, Li Muzhi didn’t need to handle many things personally—the high-level talent took care of it, like left and right arms.
“Factory Director, give me a bit more time.” Lao He said confidently, “I’ll definitely make them willing to stay.”
“No rush, plenty of time.” Li Muzhi said to Lao He, “Minister Zhang gave me some background—Huangyadong Arsenal’s Factory Director wants to invite me over as a guest. If I can help solve their technical problems and give some creative suggestions along the way, then for the high-level talent matter, heh heh.”
Li Muzhi chuckled twice at the end, the meaning self-evident.
Lao He laughed heartily, “Haha, Factory Director, then I can rest easy keeping people.”
Thinking of something, Lao He leaned close to Li Muzhi, “Factory Director, our Border Region Arsenal can’t be without you. When the time comes, don’t go to Huangyadong Arsenal and get held there by others.”
In one sentence, Li Muzhi was now the soul of the Border Region Arsenal.
If he went to Huangyadong Arsenal as a guest and didn’t return, that would be a huge loss.
“Don’t worry, I’m the Factory Director of the Border Region Arsenal. I know where I should be.” Li Muzhi said.
With the sample round dimensions measured, Li Muzhi was surprised, “The very first one is qualified. That’s surprising.”
Even making bullets, the beginning has rejects, requiring repeated machine adjustments.
This Type 92 Infantry Gun sample round was qualified on the first try, surprising Li Muzhi.
Lao He laughed, “Mainly because you debugged the machine so well, Factory Director. Of course, Old Qi and them making the sample round are also experts.”
“Since the sample round dimensions are fine, hurry and make twenty first, then measure again. Once confirmed no issues, send them to the combat troops for testing.” Li Muzhi said.
“Yes, Factory Director.” Lao He nodded happily and left.
Li Muzhi as usual inspected all the workshops, then checked yesterday’s repaired equipment.
This equipment was repaired, but!
Once the furnace was lit, it couldn’t be stopped.
If stopped, the furnace would crack and be ruined.
Hopefully!
Hopefully the Japanese invaders give some time, letting us produce enough weapons and ammunition so combat troops can handle the Japanese invaders’ raids.
Back in his office, Li Muzhi took out a pen and continued drawing diagrams for 107 rockets.
How to make conventional shells, Li Muzhi had already taught, and Old Qi and those high-level talents could handle it themselves; Li Muzhi just needed to supervise and check quality.
His focus now had to be on the 107 rockets.
Rocket launchers were light tactical artillery, only able to hit tactical-level light targets, not large ones.
Hell Cannon was heavy firepower, able to hit large targets, but using Hell Cannon on medium targets would waste materials.
Moreover, Hell Cannon’s mobility wasn’t strong, needing mules to pull.
If combat troops’ mules had some accident, pushing the cannon by manpower was very strenuous.
So, combat troops urgently needed a mobile, appropriately powerful medium artillery.
These 107 rockets were undoubtedly the best choice.
No cannon barrel needed, nor even a mount—dig a dirt pit and launch.
Soldiers carrying shells could move anywhere, small targets, high concealment.
Of course.
Due to the Border Region Arsenal’s limited conditions, Li Muzhi couldn’t directly copy later-era 107 rocket structures.
He needed to make corresponding modifications based on the Border Region Arsenal’s capabilities.
Of course, some other equipment was still needed.
If arsenal intelligence on the Japanese invaders’ next arsenal could be gotten from Cuicun Arsenal’s management personnel, and if that next arsenal produced artillery and was captured by the troops, then those machines could definitely be used for 107 rockets.
Li Muzhi drew a few strokes, then paused to ponder.
Since the arsenal couldn’t produce dry batteries now, and logistics warehouse reserves were few, Li Muzhi removed the battery ignition device.
But igniting with matches still had drawbacks.
Namely, not usable in rainy weather.
Hell Cannon could use matches in rain because Li Muzhi made a rainproof and windproof device at the ignition spot.
But using that on 107 rockets definitely wouldn’t work.
The 107 rocket projectile body had to be smooth and streamlined; adding other things would affect flight trajectory and accuracy.
Li Muzhi thought and decided to use grenade lanyard method.
Grenade lanyards were convenient—no match needed, uncover cap and pull lanyard to launch.
Drill a small hole at the 107 rocket’s tail end, reserve for lanyard, add a cap outside.
This way, even in damp, overcast, or rainy conditions, no worry of moisture.
Launch method solved, next detail modification: sights.
107 rockets launched from dirt pit without sights would fly wildly, wasting ammunition.
If sights like on guns were on the projectile body, it would similarly affect flight trajectory.
Li Muzhi drew a longitudinal axis line along the projectile body; troops using could measure forward from bottom a certain distance, place a 1-2 cm twig or grass root as sight.
Emphasizing convenience, using local materials anytime.
Sights problem half-solved, someone knocked outside: “Factory Director, Regiment Commander Gao from 120th Division is here, urgently wants rocket launchers from you.”
Li Muzhi put down paper and pen, nodded and said, “Let him in.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Gao Liujin rushed in impatiently and blurted out, “Factory Director Li, how many rocket launchers do you have here? Give them all to me.”
“Regimental Commander Gao, is there some emergency?” Li Muzhi asked seriously.
“By noon today, the Japanese invaders’ Zhangjiakou railway will be repaired through; their military train has already departed.” Gao Liujin said, “We must cut the railway line again for the Japanese invaders, prevent their troops from getting provisions and ammunition replenishment, and incidentally, disassemble the locomotive back for you.”
Originally, planned to act after Li Muzhi made fifty rocket launchers.
But no choice.
Battlefield changes were this fast.
Japanese invaders repaired the railway too efficiently.
If delayed two days, Japanese invaders’ military train delivers rations and supplies to their army, then our action would face great pressure.
“Go find Lao He, have him bring all qualified rocket launchers and rockets here.” Li Muzhi didn’t hesitate, immediately called someone to relay to Lao He, “Wait, one more thing.”
Li Muzhi turned to Gao Liujin, “Regimental Commander Gao, do you have an infantry gun? What model?”
“Type 92 Infantry Gun.” Gao Liujin answered.
Li Muzhi then said to that person, “Fastest speed, have Lao He side assemble twenty Type 92 Infantry Gun shells, measure no issues, then give to Regimental Commander Gao.”
These Type 92 Infantry Gun shell explosives, primer powder, and casings etc. were prepared in advance partly.
Could directly assemble quickly.
“Got it.” That person ran off hurriedly.
Gao Liujin looked at Li Muzhi with some surprise, “Factory Director Li, you made infantry gun shells so fast?”
Gao Liujin’s infantry gun shells were used up, turning it into a scrap iron lump, only gathering dust in the warehouse.
Now, since Border Region Arsenal made shells, hahahaha, our scrap iron lump immediately becomes a killing weapon again.
“Regimental Commander Gao, these are just sample rounds loaded with explosives, not yet tested.” Li Muzhi seriously said to Gao Liujin, “Since you’re fighting, help test them along the way and bring back the data.”
“These twenty shells for testing, I don’t need to return, right?” Gao Liujin asked.
“Of course not.”
“Good, no problem, haha.” Gao Liujin laughed happily, “Then I can rest easy testing for you.”
Li Muzhi pulled a notebook from the drawer and handed it to Gao Liujin, “This is Regiment Commander Kong’s summary of rocket use experience. Take it and study quickly.”
“I can’t read…” Gao Liujin scratched his scalp, looking at Li Muzhi, “Factory Director Li, read it for me?”
“Your regiment has someone who can read, right.” Li Muzhi said.
“That works, that works.” Gao Liujin pocketed the notebook.
Soon, Lao He quickly brought eighteen rocket launchers and over two hundred rockets to Li Muzhi, “Factory Director, rockets and rocket launchers brought. Type 92 Infantry Gun shells need half an hour more to finish.”
Shell gunpowder and explosives assembly was slow work, couldn’t rush, needed time.
Gao Liujin saw eighteen rocket launchers and was still very happy.
Though not as many as fifty.
He’d heard coal-mining Kong Jie took out eight Japanese tanks with twelve rocket launchers!
If Kong Jie could take out eight Japanese tanks with twelve rocket launchers, with my eighteen, at least twelve, right.
Taking out twelve tanks, the Japanese tank regiment would piss themselves.
“Type 92 Infantry Gun shells assembled in half an hour, someone will deliver to you—won’t delay, right?” Li Muzhi turned to ask Gao Liujin.
“No delay, fine.” Gao Liujin nodded.
Hell Cannon shells delivered early, transportation team already pulled ahead.
We just need to bring rockets and rocket launchers.
As for Type 92 Infantry Gun sustained firepower, that’s icing on the cake.
“Alright then, Regimental Commander Gao, rocket launchers and rockets only this many for now—hope it doesn’t delay you.” Li Muzhi pointed to the rockets and rocket launchers for Gao Liujin.
“Plenty, enough. Just to hit one Japanese tank regiment, prevent them encircling transportation team’s rear, plus our Hell Cannon and infantry gun, sufficient.” Gao Liujin nodded repeatedly, took the things, and quickly left.
Of course, the arsenal’s disassembly team also swiftly followed Gao Liujin.
