Chapter 196: Rocket Launch Rail
Border Region Arsenal
“Factory Director, look, this is the sample round of mortar shell we made. Take a look.”
Lao He happily carried an ammunition box and came to Li Muzhi’s office.
Li Muzhi put down the work at hand and stood up.
The ammunition box had no lid, and inside were ten mortar sample rounds neatly placed.
These were shells of two specifications, one for the Republic of China Year 20 82mm mortar, the other for the Type 97 mortar.
The former artillery came from the Jinling Arsenal, the latter from captured Japanese Army.
Li Muzhi took out a shell and measured it with tools.
Lao He said happily on the side, “Factory Director, I’ve measured all these shells, and they’re all qualified.”
With high-level technician talent assisting, plus experienced workers, plus the Factory Director tuning the machines to optimal, making these shells was really quite smooth.
Li Muzhi continued measuring while saying, “I told you to allocate some machines to the Huangyadong Arsenal side. How’s that going?”
You can’t put all your eggs in one basket; not only is half the equipment to be transferred to the Huangyadong Arsenal.
Li Muzhi also planned to transfer some of this shell production machinery and equipment over.
The shell production equipment that Li Yunlong seized wasn’t just one unit, but several.
Otherwise, this shell model could only produce one type, not several models at once.
“Factory Director, I’ve already had people pack it up.” Lao He had some opinions about this, but in a sense, this was the Border Region Arsenal’s property.
But Lao He also knew you can’t put all your eggs in one basket; the Factory Director doing this was correct.
“Mm.” Li Muzhi acknowledged and said, “Minister Zhang has already notified the Huangyadong Arsenal side. Once their people arrive, hand over the equipment to them…”
Alright then.
Before Li Muzhi finished speaking, the guard outside ran over to report to him, “Report Factory Director, people from Huangyadong Arsenal have arrived.”
Li Muzhi didn’t put down his work and said to Lao He, “Lao He, go hand it over to them.”
“Okay, Factory Director.” Lao He nodded and withdrew.
The person from Huangyadong Arsenal was their Deputy Factory Director, whom Lao He knew, named Liang Yuanze.
“Deputy Factory Director Liang, you arrived pretty fast.” Lao He greeted him warmly, “Have you eaten? If not, let’s eat first.”
After all, they had poached several high-level talents from Huangyadong Arsenal, and their experienced workers had also come over, so they definitely had to greet them warmly.
“Lao He, where’s the stuff.” Liang Yuanze didn’t look too pleased.
Several high-level technicians had been kept by the Border Region Arsenal side, and even with equipment support, Liang Yuanze still felt they had lost out.
“Deputy Factory Director Liang, have your people go into the warehouse to move it. I’ve had it packed in advance.” Lao He said quickly.
“Go, move the equipment.” Liang Yuanze immediately sent people to move the stuff, and he followed in himself.
Liang Yuanze’s mood hadn’t been great, but seeing the Border Region Arsenal’s packed equipment, he couldn’t help smiling, “Your Border Region Arsenal is really well-off, casually allocating some equipment over. This seems like equipment that can directly make shells, right.”
“This was specially instructed by our Factory Director; we absolutely can’t let the big brother Huangyadong Arsenal suffer a loss.” Lao He said seriously, “You don’t have power over there, so our Factory Director also had me pack an Iron Turtle locomotive for you, plus fuel and raw materials. Take them over, then dispatch some skilled workers to teach you, and you can directly produce shells.”
“Really?” Liang Yuanze perked up, practically drooling, “Where’s the locomotive and fuel? I don’t see them.”
The Border Region Arsenal had arranged power and energy sources; this generosity was truly substantial.
You know, that Iron Turtle locomotive and fuel were invaluable power foundations.
With it, Huangyadong Arsenal’s development foundation would be much stronger.
Though they lost several high-level talents, they could occasionally have the Border Region Arsenal’s Factory Director Li come guide the work. Factory Director Li’s casual guidance was worth more than a dozen high-level talents.
“There’s too much stuff; it won’t fit here. It’s in the warehouse next door.” Lao He explained.
“Quick quick, take me to see.” Liang Yuanze said impatiently.
Lao He led Liang Yuanze to the next warehouse, and sure enough, there was fuel and the disassembled and packed Iron Turtle locomotive. He was overjoyed, “Heh heh heh, what can I say. It’s just supporting you with a few high-level talents, and look at your Border Region Arsenal’s attitude—truly beyond words. Our Factory Director is something else too; making such a big fuss over a small matter.”
Seeing Liang Yuanze’s mood improve, Lao He smiled, “As long as Huangyadong Arsenal is satisfied.”
“Satisfied, satisfied, I’m very satisfied.” Liang Yuanze nodded repeatedly, then remembered something and asked, “This Iron Turtle locomotive of yours is probably for backup power, right? Now that it’s given to us, what about your backup power later…”
Before Liang Yuanze finished, Lao He interrupted, “No problem, we have another Iron Turtle locomotive. Besides, combat troops will soon dismantle a locomotive from a train and bring it back. Then we’ll have more than enough power; backup power basically won’t be needed.”
“That’s great. It sounds like your Border Region Arsenal’s strength is getting stronger.” Liang Yuanze sighed in admiration, “Your Factory Director Li is truly an extraordinary talent.”
How long has he been at the Border Region Arsenal? It’s already at this scale, not to mention he developed important artillery for the troops, enabling them to generate revenue for the arsenal. This virtuous cycle is underway, and we’re benefiting too.
“That’s right; our Factory Director is no ordinary person. No one up or down the entire arsenal is unconvinced.” Lao He’s face was full of pride at the mention of his Factory Director.
“Hahaha, I can tell, I can tell.” Liang Yuanze laughed, “Before, you Lao He were a troublemaker, daring to slam the table against the old Factory Director. But how long has it been? Your temper is completely gone in front of the new Factory Director Li.”
“The person I, Lao He, admire most in this life is our Factory Director.” Lao He nodded emphatically.
With the conversation going well, Liang Yuanze got straightforward, “Can I meet your Factory Director?”
“Probably not now; our Factory Director is working.” Lao He paused, then said, “But it’s almost mealtime, and our Factory Director will go eat too. You can meet him then.”
“Heh, then I’ll gladly accept the invitation.” Though he’d heard the Border Region Arsenal’s food was good, Liang Yuanze hadn’t felt like staying to eat at first due to his bad mood.
Now, he definitely had to have a good meal.
“Alright then, have your people load the vehicles first. I have some work to do with our Factory Director.” Lao He arranged an assistant to cooperate with Liang Yuanze.
“Okay, go ahead.” Liang Yuanze nodded.
Lao He returned to Li Muzhi, who had just finished measuring.
These ten shells were qualified in size and specifications, just as Lao He said.
Once loaded with explosives and primer, they could be test-fired with a mortar for verification.
“After you load the propellant in these shells, take them to Regiment Commander Kong and have him test them.” Li Muzhi said to Lao He.
Li Muzhi already knew Li Yunlong had given Kong Jie a mortar.
“Good.” Lao He nodded, then happily said, “Factory Director, that Deputy Factory Director Liang from Huangyadong Arsenal, upon learning we’re giving them shell production equipment plus power and fuel, just as you said, they were immediately thrilled and had no hard feelings left.”
“Did you invite them to stay for dinner?” Li Muzhi asked.
“They weren’t in the mood at first, but after seeing the stuff, their mood improved, so they definitely stayed for dinner.” Lao He nodded, “That Deputy Factory Director Liang also wants to meet you. I said you don’t have time now, but you can meet at dinner.”
“Alright then, after I finish drawing these diagrams, I’ll go eat and meet him then.” Li Muzhi nodded.
“Okay, Factory Director, you carry on.” Lao He quickly withdrew.
Li Muzhi sat back down and continued drawing the unfinished diagrams.
This new diagram wasn’t for the 107 rocket structural drawings.
Li Muzhi had already finished the 107 rocket structural drawings, including all the detail changes.
What Li Muzhi was drawing now was the launch rail.
Besides single-shot use, the 107 rockets could naturally also be used for salvo fire.
Placing a certain number of rockets on the launch rail allowed for area coverage bombardment.
This launch rail wasn’t like a cannon barrel; the requirements weren’t as high, so it was easy to make.
Moreover, this launch rail used less material.
If made into a honeycomb launcher for rocket launchers, it would require more materials.
Li Muzhi decided to make the launch rail first.
The issue was igniting the rockets for salvo fire.
When rockets launch, the tail flame temperature is also very high.
Lighting them one by one would be too slow and prone to accidents.
Li Muzhi quickly thought of a new solution.
In ancient times, there was a repeating divine machine arrow.
This device placed a certain number of arrows in a quiver, then lit a fuse, using gunpowder tied to the arrows to launch them.
Each arrow’s fuse was the same length, bundled together, and one fuse could ignite the whole bundle.
Then, the bundled fuses would burn evenly, synchronizing the arrow launches.
Li Muzhi quickly solved the ignition for salvo fire, then refined a few details.
After finishing the diagrams, Li Muzhi folded them and put them in the drawer.
He stood up, stretched, and his stomach growled right on cue.
Li Muzhi quickly tidied the desk, then took his lunchbox to the canteen to eat.
