Chapter 228: All From Our Own Arsenals, Yet You’re Being So Precise
Logistics Office
Zhang Wanhe was talking on the phone with Factory Director Xu from the Huangyadong Arsenal, and the two were bickering again.
Li Muzhi asked Zhang Wanhe to arrange for new people to come over for training, and Headquarters happened to have some excellent university students, some of whom were to be sent to the Huangyadong Arsenal.
In the end, Old Zhang stuffed them all into the Border Region Arsenal, and Factory Director Xu from the Huangyadong Arsenal was definitely unhappy.
“Minister Zhang, the Border Region Arsenal poached several of my high-level talents, and I won’t say anything about that. But the newcomers for my Huangyadong Arsenal were also snatched by the Border Region Arsenal, isn’t that going too far?” On the phone, Factory Director Xu from the Huangyadong Arsenal sounded very dissatisfied.
“Factory Director Xu, you need to look further ahead.” Zhang Wanhe said, “Those university students who were originally supposed to be sent to your Huangyadong Arsenal will definitely receive focused training from Xiao Li if they stay at the Border Region Arsenal. Once these university students are trained, I’ll transfer them back to you then. That way, you’ll come out ahead, don’t you think?”
“Minister Zhang, from what you’re saying, it sounds like I’m taking advantage of Factory Director Li, like he’s helping me train talent.” Factory Director Xu didn’t believe Zhang Wanhe’s nonsense and directly called it out, “I lent a few high-level talents to the Border Region Arsenal, and they didn’t come back. Now you’re telling me that these university students who were supposed to come to me are receiving focused training from Factory Director Li at the Border Region Arsenal, and once they’ve learned everything, you’ll transfer them to me. Guess if I believe that!”
I believe you, my foot!
By then, these university students will definitely be just like those high-level talents, staying at the Border Region Arsenal wholeheartedly and never coming back.
“How about this: I’ll talk to Headquarters again, and when the next batch of university students comes, I’ll give you a few extra. What do you think?” Zhang Wanhe soothed.
“Minister Zhang, this batch of university students is the most excellent ones selected so far; the ones coming later definitely won’t match the quality.” Factory Director Xu disagreed.
“The people have already been given to the Border Region Arsenal, Factory Director Xu. Make some other requests.” Zhang Wanhe finally had to compromise.
Factory Director Xu was talking so much because he still wanted to bargain.
“Minister Zhang, you’re the one who asked me to make requests.” Factory Director Xu’s emotions flared up, and he said excitedly, “Earlier, didn’t the Border Region Arsenal send over some equipment, along with the Iron Turtle locomotive and oil? Heh heh.”
Factory Director Xu chuckled and continued, “How about having the Border Region Arsenal send over some more equipment?”
“Well, Factory Director Xu, that’s going a bit too far.” Zhang Wanhe immediately said sternly, “Do you know how envious other arsenals are of you, getting power and equipment? And you’re still not satisfied, wanting more.”
“Minister Zhang, you’re the one who asked me to make requests. What, are you taking back your words now?” Factory Director Xu said seriously.
“I’ll take those words back…” Before Zhang Wanhe could finish, someone knocked on the door outside: “Minister Zhang, the Guard Captain has urgent business for you.”
Hearing it was urgent, Zhang Wanhe quickly covered the microphone: “Have him come in right away.”
Could it be that the Guard Captain discovered some enemy spy? The raid has started now, Japanese Invaders’ spies are everywhere, so we must be careful.
Especially our Border Region Arsenal, it’s a thorn in the side of the Japanese Invaders!
The Guard Captain came in quickly, his expression very excited, and said to Zhang Wanhe: “Minister Zhang, Regiment Commander Liu from the 115th Division brought back equipment from a large arsenal, with very complete artillery ammunition production lines, over ten in total.”
Over ten complete artillery ammunition production lines!!!
Hearing this, Zhang Wanhe got excited right away, like a pie falling from the sky, full of surprise: “Guard Captain, you’re not joking, right? There really are over ten artillery ammunition production lines!”
My goodness!
This Liu Weidong is too impressive. Didn’t he go with Li Yunlong and the others outside the encirclement? He actually managed to bring back a large arsenal.
Over ten production lines, truly unbelievable.
“Minister Zhang, how could I joke with you about this? Factory Director Li wants you to come over quickly.” The Guard Captain nodded.
Zhang Wanhe immediately released his hand from the microphone and said to Factory Director Xu on the other end: “Factory Director Xu, I have some urgent business to handle here. I’ll consider your requests…”
Another over ten production lines have been obtained, so what’s there to haggle about? We can directly give Factory Director Xu two production lines.
Of course.
Without seeing the production lines, Old Zhang definitely couldn’t just say it outright.
When giving these production lines, he still needed to take the opportunity to get the Huangyadong Arsenal to provide some support to the Border Region Arsenal.
After all, this production equipment can’t be given for free, right?
No matter how valuable those university students are, can they be worth several production lines?
The other arsenals are the same; if they want production lines, they have to provide support to the Border Region Arsenal.
Before Zhang Wanhe could finish, Factory Director Xu’s delighted voice came through the phone: “Okay, okay, Minister Zhang, you go handle your urgent business first. Take your time to consider.”
Factory Director Xu was overjoyed; as long as Minister Zhang said he’d consider it, there was a good chance.
Haha.
Trading a few university students for equipment—we’re not losing out; we’ve made a huge profit.
“Alright then, I’m hanging up.” After Zhang Wanhe finished, he put the microphone back on the stand and hurriedly ran out the door with the Guard Captain.
In the woods, after Li Muzhi finished explaining the new type rocket to the students, they were full of admiration:
“We can’t smelt steel or make cannon barrels, but this new type rocket doesn’t even need a cannon barrel. Teacher, that’s brilliant; you’ve directly changed the firing method of artillery that’s been used for hundreds of years.”
“Dig a dirt pit and you can fire it, paired with our troops’ guerrilla warfare tactics, and the Japanese Invaders won’t have a moment’s peace.”
“It also greatly reduces logistics transportation pressure. The Hell Cannon can be pulled by mules, but it’s still not as convenient and simple as this new type rocket.”
“Teacher, can we participate in making this new type rocket?” A student was eager to try.
“You’ve only just arrived; military industry manufacturing isn’t as simple as you imagine.” Li Muzhi said seriously, “Your current task is to study hard. Once you’ve learned enough later, you can naturally participate in new type rocket production.”
……
Zhang Wanhe hurriedly came over with the Guard Captain.
Seeing Zhang Wanhe come out, the students immediately stopped discussing.
It was like enthusiasm meeting cold water; the atmosphere instantly changed.
“You’ve all seen this machinery and equipment. Go back and absorb and digest the electricity knowledge I taught you in class.” To avoid embarrassing Old Zhang, Li Muzhi sent the students away.
“Goodbye, teacher.”
“Goodbye, teacher.”
The students took Li Muzhi’s cue and turned to leave.
“These kids, I’m not the big bad wolf!” Seeing this, Zhang Wanhe couldn’t help but complain.
Li Muzhi smiled: “Minister Zhang, it’s mainly because they just had my class and still need to memorize and understand the knowledge.”
Luckily, Old Zhang’s main attention wasn’t on this.
His gaze soon fell on the equipment in front of him.
Looking at so much equipment, Zhang Wanhe grinned from ear to ear like a lotus flower: “Hahaha, over ten production lines—this time, we’ve struck it rich.”
Li Muzhi reminded from the side: “Minister Zhang, this is the next large arsenal equipment from the Cuicun Arsenal. There are plenty of production lines, but not enough power; combat troops need to snatch more locomotives. Also, there’s not enough production raw material, so this batch of equipment probably can’t all start up immediately.”
“So it’s the next large arsenal from the Cuicun Arsenal— no wonder there’s so much equipment!” Zhang Wanhe said in surprise, “This Brigade Commander Chen from the 386th Brigade really… He pried open the mouths of the Cuicun Arsenal management personnel and got this next large arsenal equipment, but didn’t tell me in advance. If he’d sent a transportation team ahead of time, we definitely could have brought back the raw materials.”
There was only equipment here; raw materials were scarce except for some semi-finished cannon barrels.
Definitely because the combat troops didn’t have enough manpower.
“They have to cross the Japanese Invaders’ encirclement; a transportation team would be too big a target, not convenient.” Li Muzhi said, “From Liu Weidong’s tone, the raw materials are probably hidden outside. We can retrieve them after the Japanese Invaders’ raid ends.”
“Yes, once the raid ends, we must retrieve the raw materials as soon as possible.” Zhang Wanhe nodded emphatically, “Then, if we snatch a few more Japanese locomotives, these machines can start right up. Hahaha, with so much equipment, what weapons and ammunition does it specifically produce? Tell me.”
“There are five bullet production lines, four grenade launcher production lines, three mortar production lines…” Li Muzhi listed them off.
“Hahahaha.” Zhang Wanhe was so happy he danced around like an old child, “Once all these machines and equipment are running, our troops’ light artillery and ammunition will get rapid replenishment soon. Great.”
Remembering something, Old Zhang immediately looked at Li Muzhi: “Right, is there any equipment here that you need? Didn’t you say there wasn’t enough equipment for the new type rocket? This next one from the Cuicun Arsenal…”
Before Zhang Wanhe could finish, Li Muzhi gave an affirmative answer: “If I modify a few of these machines, they can be used to make the remaining parts for the new type rocket.”
Hearing this, Zhang Wanhe said in surprise: “So that means we can produce this new type rocket now?”
“Yes.” Li Muzhi nodded.
“Hahaha, Xiao Li, go back and start working on it right now, right now. I’ll immediately send people to help move the machinery and equipment you need into the arsenal.” Old Zhang was impatient.
This new type rocket had only been mentioned by Li Muzhi a few days ago.
But it felt like waiting years.
“Minister Zhang, it’s daytime now; better to move at night.” Li Muzhi said, “If Japanese aircraft show up midway during transport, there won’t be time to hide, and if exposed, it’ll be trouble.”
“That means wasting another half day.” Though Zhang Wanhe said this, he still nodded.
Since the equipment was here, waiting half a day more was nothing.
Li Muzhi continued: “Minister Zhang, I’m thinking, there’s so much of this machinery and equipment—should we distribute some to other arsenals? What do you think?”
Things like bullet, cannonball, and melon grenade production could be fully transferred to other arsenals in part.
Grenade launcher mortar production lines could also be transferred.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; that way, all arsenals can produce weapons and ammunition for the troops together, and efficiency won’t lag behind the Border Region Arsenal.
After all, running so many machines and equipment requires more workers, and the Border Region Arsenal doesn’t have enough manpower or space.
“Yes, yes, no problem.” Zhang Wanhe nodded directly and said, “Since you can’t use it all here, transfer to other arsenals. You decide which equipment to keep; I’ll transfer out the rest.”
As for the issue of other arsenals lacking power after getting the equipment, that could be handled.
Once the Japanese Invaders’ raid ended, have combat troops snatch more military train locomotives and provide power to the other arsenals.
Then, Zhang Wanhe said: “Also, tell me what support you need from other arsenals. This machinery and equipment isn’t free.”
Hearing this, Li Muzhi laughed: “Haha, Minister Zhang, they’re all our own arsenals, and you’re keeping such clear accounts?”
“Even close brothers need to settle accounts clearly.” Zhang Wanhe said seriously, “Think carefully about what support you need here.”
“I can’t think of anything for now.” Li Muzhi said.
“No problem, we can give the stuff first and have them handle things later.” Zhang Wanhe said it was fine.
“Alright.” Li Muzhi nodded, then divided up the equipment in front of them.
None of the five bullet production lines to keep, keep one mortar production line, none of the grenade launcher production lines, keep one melon grenade production line, none of the cannonball production lines.
This way, Li Muzhi only kept one mortar production line and one melon grenade production line, nothing else.
Of course, he also kept the equipment needed for making the new type rocket.
Seeing this, Zhang Wanhe was a bit stunned: “Xiao Li, are you sure you only want this little? It’s not even a fraction.”
“Minister Zhang, the Border Region Arsenal can already produce bullets, grenades, cannonballs, etc.; we don’t need so many.” Li Muzhi said, “Let other arsenals take them and produce at full capacity.”
“You’re giving away so many production lines; the other arsenals will be over the moon.” Zhang Wanhe said.
Li Muzhi added: “When transporting this equipment over, also send some of our skilled workers to teach them.”
Other arsenals have no experience producing bullets, cannonballs, mortars, grenade launchers, so they definitely need guidance from our side.
“Okay, after the raid ends, let them come transport it themselves.” Zhang Wanhe nodded, “Tonight, I’ll move this equipment to hide it first, and move your equipment to your side.”
“Good.” Li Muzhi nodded.
