Chapter 261: Efficiency Off The Charts
The Japanese Army is sweeping the Eighth Route Army, and the Jin Sui Army also has a large number of troops fighting against twenty to thirty thousand Japanese Invaders.
Meanwhile, the direct line 217th Regiment, like other direct line armies, has not participated in the battle.
Of course, although they have not participated in the battle, they are still keeping a very close eye on the situation on the battlefield.
On this day, Regiment Commander Feng Zhihui of the direct line 217th Regiment had just finished lunch and was picking his teeth when the Deputy Regiment Commander quickly walked over: “Regimental Commander, the Kumamoto Division has new movements.”
“What new movements?” Feng Zhihui’s tooth-picking motion paused for a moment.
Although the Kumamoto Division is sweeping the Eighth Route Army, Feng Zhihui still needs to pay close attention.
In case this group of Japanese Invaders suddenly turns around and comes at us, we still need to respond in advance.
“All their troops have abandoned their original sweeping posture and are rushing at full speed toward a certain direction in the depths of the Eighth Route Army Base Area,” the Deputy Regiment Commander answered, then analyzed: “Looking at this, they are probably heading toward some important target of the Eighth Route Army.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhihui continued picking his teeth.
As long as these Japanese Invaders are not coming at us, it doesn’t matter where they go.
Feng Zhihui said slowly: “No matter what important place of the Eighth Route Army the Japanese Invaders have discovered, just keep a close eye on it.”
“Regimental Commander, do you think the Japanese Invaders might have discovered the Eighth Route Army’s headquarters or arsenal?” the Deputy Regiment Commander analyzed. “Especially the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, that’s no ordinary target. The superior has said that its value has risen to the strategic level. The superior also has that intention. If we have the opportunity, we should get our hands on the Eighth Route Army’s Border Region Arsenal.”
The Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal has recently produced quite a few important weapons, especially the Hell Cannon and the shoulder-mounted cannon, which are particularly eye-catching.
Naturally, the direct line army is envious, and it’s inevitable that they would develop covetous intentions.
However, no one knows where the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal is located now, so the direct line army wants to covet it but has no way to exert effort.
“The Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal is indeed enviable. Not to mention that they have experts there, just their military industry equipment and supplies are extremely valuable. If we could seize it, we could definitely make a fortune,” Feng Zhihui’s eyes heated up at first, then he appeared helpless. “Right now, even if the Japanese Invaders discover the Eighth Route Army’s Border Region Arsenal, we have no way. That’s sixty thousand Japanese Invaders and Traitors. If our few men go over, it wouldn’t even be enough to fill their teeth.”
In short, we are envious of the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, but we still have self-awareness. We don’t have the ability to get a piece from the hands of these sixty thousand Japanese Invaders and Traitors.
As for whether we should extend a helping hand since the Eighth Route Army is our friendly forces and they are under attack, there’s no need to consider it at all.
Using the Japanese Invaders’ hands to eliminate rivals has always been the policy from above.
Whether it’s the Sichuan Army warlords or the Eighth Route Army Troops, they are all rivals from above, merely friendly forces in theory.
“Yes, if what the Japanese Invaders discovered is really the Eighth Route Army’s Border Region Arsenal, then we can only look on helplessly…” The Deputy Regiment Commander’s words were not finished.
An intelligence officer hurriedly ran over and saluted Feng Zhihui: “Report, Regimental Commander, a piece of street talk just came in.”
“What street talk?” Feng Zhihui asked.
“The Eighth Route Army seized five trainloads of tungsten ore from the Japanese Invaders, and it seems to have been discovered by the Japanese Invaders…” The intelligence officer’s words were not finished.
Feng Zhihui immediately stopped picking his teeth and looked at him: “What did you say? The Japanese Invaders discovered the Eighth Route Army’s five trainloads of tungsten ore?”
For these five trainloads of tungsten ore, Feng Zhihui, like other direct line officers, was extremely covetous.
This is five trainloads of tungsten ore. If we could get it, it could be sold for a large sum of money.
Unfortunately, this batch of tungsten ore fell into the hands of the Eighth Route Army, letting them get the bargain.
And now, the Eighth Route Army seems to not have hidden the tungsten ore well and was discovered by the Japanese Invaders again… Could it be!
Could it be that the Kumamoto Division’s group of Japanese Invaders and Traitors immediately abandoned the sweeping operation and went straight toward a certain direction in the Eighth Route Army Base Area because of these five trainloads of tungsten ore!
“Yes.” The intelligence officer nodded. “Although this is street talk, the strange actions of the Japanese sweeping troops are very likely related to this.”
“Sigh, what a pity.” Feng Zhihui sighed.
The Japanese Invaders’ actions are so swift; they must be determined to get these five trainloads of tungsten ore!
In Feng Zhihui’s view, as long as the Eighth Route Army can hide the tungsten ore well without being discovered by the Japanese Invaders.
In the future, we still have a chance to covet this batch of tungsten ore; it’s a path to wealth.
Unfortunately, the five trainloads of tungsten ore are going to be taken back by the Japanese Invaders.
The Deputy Regiment Commander said on the side: “Regimental Commander, it’s not exactly a pity. The Eighth Route Army must also realize the importance of the five trainloads of tungsten ore. Perhaps their main force troops will fight a decisive battle with the Japanese Invaders to protect the tungsten ore…”
Feng Zhihui interrupted: “A decisive battle is definitely impossible. The Eighth Route Army isn’t stupid; they won’t foolishly fight head-on.”
Then Feng Zhihui said: “But it’s certain that the Eighth Route Army Troops will suffer heavy losses.”
“Mm, the Japanese Invaders are moving so fast; under hasty circumstances, the Eighth Route Army will definitely pay a heavy price.” The Deputy Regiment Commander deeply agreed.
“Go on, continue gathering intelligence. Report any new developments to me immediately.” Feng Zhihui said to the intelligence officer.
“Yes, Regimental Commander.” The intelligence officer withdrew.
Feng Zhihui said to the Deputy Regiment Commander: “You keep an eye on the Kumamoto Division and see if their final target is really the five trainloads of tungsten ore.”
“Yes, Regimental Commander.” The Deputy Regiment Commander also withdrew.
Feng Zhihui continued picking his teeth.
Similar scenes were playing out in many other direct line troops.
These direct line officers stood by idly regarding the Eighth Route Army being swept by the Japanese Invaders, felt regretful about the Japanese Invaders likely discovering the Eighth Route Army’s five trainloads of tungsten ore, merely sent people to monitor the progress of the Kumamoto Division, and no one sent out troops.
……
Border Region Arsenal
“Xiao Li, didn’t you say the parts for these rockets weren’t finished yet? You’re already assembling them?”
Zhang Wanhe was so eager for the new type rockets that he let several deputy ministers handle the work at hand, and he came to the Border Region Arsenal again this day.
According to Li Muzhi’s meaning, all the parts could be completed today.
When Zhang Wanhe arrived at Li Muzhi’s side, he saw that Li Muzhi was actually about to finish assembling the projectile body, which surprised Zhang Wanhe.
Looking at this, could it be that Li Muzhi rushed the progress?
Didn’t he say that rushing progress would increase accident risks, yet he still did it?
Facing Zhang Wanhe’s inquiry, Li Muzhi explained: “Minister Zhang, there are still two parts not made yet, but assembly doesn’t have to wait until all parts are ready. It’s like building a house: even if the tiles aren’t there yet, the foundation and main structure can be built first.”
“That’s true.” Zhang Wanhe nodded and smiled. “Then can these two parts be made today?”
“Barring accidents, before nightfall.” Li Muzhi nodded.
Zhang Wanhe got excited: “Doesn’t that mean that before nightfall, once these parts are done, they can be directly installed into this almost completed projectile body of yours, and the new type rockets can be produced today?”
“You can put it that way.” Li Muzhi nodded.
“Then here with your new type rockets, one, two, three, four, five…” Zhang Wanhe quickly counted them, then widened his eyes: “Doesn’t that mean you can produce twenty new type rockets at once today?”
“To be precise, sample rounds!” Li Muzhi corrected. “They still need testing.”
“The things you make have never failed in testing. I believe the tests will be fine.” Zhang Wanhe said, rubbing his hands. “These twenty new type rockets of yours can be directly put into the battlefield.”
“Minister Zhang, testing is still very important.” Li Muzhi’s tone was serious.
“Yes, yes, yes, testing is important.” Zhang Wanhe nodded repeatedly and said: “Then I’ll notify Regiment Commander Liu of the 115th Division later to come pick them up…”
At this point, Zhang Wanhe changed his words: “Forget it, forget it. I’ll still send someone to deliver them to his side.”
“Minister Zhang, from your tone, could it be that the Japanese Invaders’ sweeping has increased our pressure again?” Hearing Zhang Wanhe so eager to give all the new type rockets to Liu Weidong at once, which was too generous, Li Muzhi asked.
Normally, for testing these new type rockets, with Old Zhang Comrade’s stingy nature.
Probably three to five rounds would be enough for testing.
But now giving twenty new type rockets all at once to Liu Weidong made Li Muzhi smell some urgency on the battlefield.
“Didn’t you make five trainloads of fake tungsten ore? This fake tungsten ore has now mobilized all the Japanese sweeping troops; they are desperately heading toward the Yang’er Mountain direction.” Zhang Wanhe said. “Liu Weidong’s side needs to seize the opportunity to attack the logistics and supplies of the Japanese Sweeping Army, and also rob a locomotive for us. Don’t we need to hurry and arrange these new type rockets for him?”
Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi smiled: “If Regiment Commander Liu succeeds, then this anti-sweeping operation can end ahead of schedule, right?”
If the Japanese Invaders’ anti-sweeping fails, then the Border Region Arsenal will have plenty of time to mass-produce weapons and ammunition.
“Things won’t be that simple.” Zhang Wanhe leaned close to Li Muzhi and said, “From what the headquarters leader means, we have to inflict heavy damage on these tens of thousands of Japanese Invaders from the Kumamoto Division.”
Still inflict heavy damage on tens of thousands of Japanese Invaders from the Kumamoto Division?
Li Muzhi was somewhat stunned upon hearing this.
Even if our troops seize the Kumamoto Division’s logistics and supplies, it probably won’t be that easy to inflict heavy damage on them.
Seeing Li Muzhi’s puzzled look, Zhang Wanhe explained: “From headquarters’ meaning, we need to pull in the direct line army too. Think about it: once the direct line army joins the battle, the Kumamoto Division’s logistics and supplies are cut off, and we join forces with the direct line army—how could we not inflict heavy damage on this Kumamoto Division!”
Li Muzhi understood: “I get it. The headquarters leader plans to heavily damage these tens of thousands of Japanese Invaders and Traitors, so they won’t have the strength to launch the next sweeping for a short time.”
Merely cutting off the Japanese Invaders’ logistics and supplies, once they restore them, they will surely come back stronger.
But if we heavily damage this group of Japanese Invaders, they won’t be able to fight again for a short time.
This can buy more production time for the Border Region Arsenal.
“Exactly, so…” Zhang Wanhe’s words were not finished.
Lao He came over carrying a tray of parts: “Factory Director, as per your instructions, these last two parts are done.”
Before Li Muzhi could respond, Zhang Wanhe burst out laughing first: “Hahahaha, Xiao Li, hurry and assemble them. Assemble them quickly, hahaha.”
Li Muzhi said it could be done before nightfall.
It’s not even nightfall yet, and the parts are done. This efficiency is top-notch.
