Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 13 Young and Promising
Zhang Dabiao did not distribute all the ammunition given by Li Muzhi to the First Battalion; he also distributed some to the Second and Third Battalions.

After all, with over five hundred enemies, how could the First Battalion alone handle them? They would have to join forces with the Second and Third Battalions.

Li Yunlong asked, "Da Biao, did Li Muzhi really give you the weapons and ammunition from Sunjiabao on his own initiative?"

Li Yunlong thought Li Muzhi was a greenhorn who was easy to fool, but it turned out he was wrong.

Li Muzhi was no fool; it seemed unrealistic for him to willingly give Zhang Dabiao the weapons and ammunition from Sunjiabao.

Those who work in logistics are all incredibly stingy, treating even a small piece of metal like a gold ingot.

"Commander, if Director Li doesn't give it to us willingly, do you think I can get it from him?" Zhang Dabiao replied, then added, "I think that if the other side gives us these weapons and ammunition, it's highly likely that we won't take them for free. You see, even Minister Zhang has no objection to this."

Li Yunlong understood what Zhang Dabiao meant.

That is, although the first shot of the cannon in the arsenal was fired, it is hard to say whether subsequent shots will be fired smoothly.

At that time, our independent regiment will have to fight the enemy head-on to cover the departure of the people from the arsenal.

There's a company of Japanese soldiers among them; if things go wrong, our Independent Regiment could suffer heavy casualties.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

If this battle were easy, given Zhang Wanhe's personality, he would be haggling with us right now to get the weapons and ammunition back.

“Da Biao, it’s okay. We love fighting tough battles the most!” Li Yunlong quickly said. “If we let Zhang Wanhe do the job well, it will also help us get the artillery from the logistics department in advance.”

If you ask Li Yunlong to get sugar or a general's sword, he won't be able to do the job without the right tools.

If Li Yunlong could get the cannons in advance, he would have a chance to think things through.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dabiao couldn't help but look at Li Yunlong and ask, "Commander, are you really confident you can get your hands on a general's sword or a thousand catties of sugar?"

"I may not be good at anything else, but I'm best at side hustles. It's just a matter of a general's sword or a thousand catties of sugar. As long as I have cannons, I can handle it." Li Yunlong was incredibly arrogant.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe arrived.

Zhang Wanhe said to Li Yunlong, "Li Yunlong, get the supplies first, then we'll exchange them for cannons."

Upon hearing Zhang Wanhe's words, Li Yunlong immediately understood.

Haha, it seems Li Muzhi has successfully persuaded Zhang Wanhe.

Li Yunlong quickly said to Zhang Wanhe, "Old Zhang, back in the day when we were busy with farming in the countryside, the landlords would provide us with tools in advance when we went to work for them. It's only right that you provide us with tools in advance, since I'm getting you some sugar or a dagger."

Zhang Wanhe retorted, "Li Yunlong, do you think I'm stupid? You took the tools beforehand, didn't do the job well, and then lost them. Wouldn't I be the unlucky one?"

Li Yunlong patted his chest and assured him, "Old Zhang, don't worry about that. When I, Li Yunlong, am working, I never lose my tools."

“That won’t do. If everyone asks for cannons in advance like you, how am I supposed to do my job as the logistics minister? There have to be rules. Get the supplies first, then the cannons!” Zhang Wanhe said.

Li Muzhi spoke up: "Minister Zhang, let's discuss the cannons later. How long until the enemy reinforcements arrive?"

"There are still more than ten minutes left." Li Yunlong looked at Li Muzhi. "You'd better choose the shell that you think you have the best chance of firing, and try to reduce the pressure on our combat troops as much as possible with the first shot."

"Commander Li, don't worry, I'm confident in every shell I fire." Li Muzhi was very confident.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong still couldn't believe it. "If you're so confident, why are you giving us all the weapons and ammunition from Sunjiabao?"
However, Li Yunlong did not reveal his true thoughts, but instead said respectfully, "Director Li is young and promising, and is a top talent in our military industry. I believe in your ability to handle things."

"Commander Li, then you should prepare for battle. I'm also ready to support you." Li Muzhi said succinctly.

"No problem, I've already made my battle preparations." Li Yunlong nodded, looking at Li Muzhi: "When we take down the enemy reinforcements, it's not unreasonable for my Independent Regiment to collect the spoils in installments, is it?"

It's not easy to talk to Zhang Wanhe; it's better to talk to Li Muzhi instead.

Before Li Muzhi could speak, Zhang Wanhe said, "I'll give you half."

"Old Zhang, isn't half a dollar too little? There's a whole Japanese company inside." Li Yunlong was dissatisfied with the price.

"Li Yunlong, I'm giving you half, that's more than enough." Zhang Wanhe said confidently, "It's just a Japanese company, we can take care of it with cannons."

Did you wipe out the Japanese company with cannons?
Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong's eyes widened instantly.

Old Zhang, I admit your cannon is very powerful; one shot can take down three pillboxes.

But your boasting is a bit too exaggerated.

The Japanese company wasn't stupid; if they took a hit, they would immediately scatter.

It won't be easy for your subsequent shells to inflict heavy casualties on the Japanese.

Besides, you don't have many shells left; you can't just use them all up here.

Of course, Zhang Wanhe is the logistics minister, and we still want to get the cannons from him in advance, so how can we directly voice our doubts?

Li Yunlong said with a smile, "Old Zhang, if your cannon can severely damage the Japanese company, I'll take half the ammunition. You're really being generous, Old Zhang."

Li Muzhi added to Li Yunlong, "Commander Li, if this cannon fails to severely damage the Japanese company, and we capture the reinforcements, our logistics department will not take a single bullet; it will all be yours."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong was stunned for a moment, wondering if he had misheard.
Li Muzhi is so confident, it seems like your cannon could cripple the Japanese with a single shot!
I admit your cannons are very powerful; one shot can create a huge crater.

But this squadron of Japanese soldiers wasn't standing in a neat line for you to bombard; they were in a marching formation, their ranks stretched out.

Li Yunlong's gaze quickly shifted to Zhang Wanhe: "Old Zhang, does Factory Director Li's word count?"

Although Zhang Wanhe had not yet witnessed the destructive power of cannonballs with added iron balls and nails, seeing Li Muzhi's confidence, he naturally felt confident as well: "That's right, Li Muzhi's word is his bond."

"Hahaha." Li Yunlong laughed and said, "If you can really cripple the Japanese company, then I'll get half of the weapons and ammunition too easily."

Immediately afterwards, Li Yunlong said to Li Muzhi, "Can I learn from you how to fire this cannon?"

"of course can."

……

"Commander, the enemy is coming!" Li Yunlong had just learned how to fire a cannon when a scout came to report.

"Damn it, how did ten minutes go by so fast? On my command, prepare to fire!"

(End of this chapter)