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

Chapter 144 As expected of the factory manager

"Alright, Commander Liu."

Li Muzhi nodded. Apart from the little thing he was holding, all the other puppies had been taken away and converted into cannonballs by Liu Weidong.

Seeing how much Li Muzhi liked the puppy, Li Yunlong laughed and said, "Brother Li, next time, I'll get you a few too, I guarantee they'll be more well-behaved than the one you have in your arms."

Originally.

Li Yunlong was even thinking, "Should we swap these dozen or so puppies with Li Muzhi?"

But he quickly abandoned the idea.

Although Liu Weidong is not a very pleasing person, why doesn't he keep the puppy to breed and instead come here to exchange it for ammunition?

Li Yunlong understood Liu Weidong's thoughts.

We are, after all, a combat unit, not a logistics unit that raises dogs.

Besides, raising a dog takes time, and we don't have that kind of free time.

Instead of wasting this time, why don't we just target the Japanese military dogs and rob them? That would be much easier.

"Alright, Commander Li, I'll be waiting for your good news." Li Muzhi nodded with a smile, then added, "If you have the chance, get me some cats."

Dogs are very useful to the military!
The uses of cats should not be overlooked either!
In the past, our logistics department was poor. There wasn't a single thing in the warehouse. Even rats would starve to death if they came.

But things are different now. It's open source, and the logistics supplies are piling up in the warehouse, which is bound to attract rats.

Cats are experts at watching over mice!
In later generations, cats were also kept on aircraft carriers, also to control rats!

Our arsenal also needs to be protected from rats chewing wires. If a rat chews the wires and causes a short circuit that leads to a fire, the losses would be incalculable. So we absolutely need a cat.

"You want a cat?" Li Yunlong was stunned. "You want to keep a cat?"

"We keep cats to keep out rats. Rats steal food and chew electrical wires, so we have to take precautions," Li Muzhi explained.

“Okay, no problem. If I have the chance, I’ll get you some cats too.” Li Yunlong nodded.

Although Gao Liujin, Liu Weidong, and Ding Wei, who were standing nearby, did not say anything, they all took Li Muzhi's words to heart.

That concludes the discussion about cats and dogs.

"Bring the parts over." Liu Weidong instructed his men to bring the key parts of the equipment to Li Muzhi. Liu Weidong smiled and said to Li Muzhi, "Director Li, Li Yunlong and his men previously obtained bullet-making equipment. The Japanese extracted the key parts from it. I've brought these parts back now. Please check them and see if any are damaged."

"Really? Commander Liu, you've been a great help to me." Li Muzhi was immediately delighted upon hearing this.

Although he was able to find a way to replace key components, the quality was also poor due to the inferior manufacturing process, which had a significant impact on bullet production.

If the original key parts are available, I'd be very happy.

Take, for example, the Republic of China's Type 24 heavy machine gun.

Although the bald head can be copied, the poor manufacturing process results in a high failure rate for this type of heavy machine gun, making it prone to breaking down.

Li Muzhi immediately examined each of the key components carefully, his expression pleased: "Excellent, excellent, these components are all in very good condition. Once installed on the equipment, the equipment will function normally."

"Hehe, it's good that it's not broken." Liu Weidong had a bright smile on his face.

Hearing Li Muzhi praise Liu Weidong, Li Yunlong felt uneasy.

These were supposed to be my compliments, but that scholar Liu Weidong stole them from me. It's so damn annoying!
However, after being reprimanded by Li Muzhi, Li Yunlong didn't dare to fight with Liu Weidong in front of Li Muzhi, and could only curse in his heart.

"Commander Liu, what would you like?" Li Muzhi asked with a smile.

Li Yunlong, Gao Liujin, and Ding Wei immediately tensed up.

Now, their biggest worry is that Li Muzhi will ask the other party what they want with a smile.

This means that Li Muzhi is easy to talk to, so if Liu Weidong wanted the cannon on his shoulder, wouldn't he get there first?

Li Muzhi said reservations were not possible, but given his good mood, who knows if the other party would change their mind?

"Director Li, what are you saying? You're short of parts, so I'll get them for you. Isn't that the least I can do? I don't want anything from you," Liu Weidong said, shaking his head.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong and his men were all somewhat stunned.

Is this scholar stupid? He gave up such a great opportunity.

"How about this, I'll give you five extra cannonballs from the Hell Cannon." Li Muzhi had obviously seen through Liu Weidong's intentions, but mainly wanted to make a good impression.

They're eyeing the rocket launcher behind them.

However, now that the item has been delivered, Li Muzhi still wanted to show his appreciation.

"Alright, let's do it your way, Director Li." Liu Weidong nodded happily.

He didn't want anything; he just wanted to make a good impression.

Director Li gave them five extra shells, which, in Liu Weidong's opinion, meant that Director Li valued them.

Factory Director Li is much more humane in his work than Old Zhang, who's such a stingy miser.

Seeing this, Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin cursed inwardly: This bastard has been fooled by the scholar, which is making things difficult for us.

Li Yunlong immediately said to Li Muzhi, "Brother Li, consider the bullet-making equipment I got for you a free gift. You don't need to settle accounts with me."

Ding Wei clicked his tongue in disbelief, shocked: "Old Li, what are you comparing yourself to that scholar for? That's equipment for making bullets! You just say you won't pay the bill? Didn't you even consider how you're going to explain this to the brigade commander?"

However, Ding Wei still did not speak.

This scholar is a show-off; we can't let him keep up the act.

With that idiot Fujita Ichiji around, why would we worry about not being able to get more equipment?
As for the brigade commander, it was Old Li who got scolded, not me.

Li Muzhi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Li Yunlong: "Commander Li, that is, Minister Zhang is not here. Are you sure you don't want to take back what you just said?"

If Comrade Zhang were here, he would never give Old Li a chance to back out.

Li Muzhi was also surprised. When did you, Old Li, become so generous?
Li Yunlong glanced at Liu Weidong beside him, then said defiantly, "What I say is as good as my word, I can't just take it back!"

"Alright then, I'll thank you on behalf of the arsenal." Li Muzhi nodded.

Li Yunlong waited for Li Muzhi to continue, but Li Muzhi remained silent. Li Yunlong couldn't help but be stunned: "Brother, I've given you this great gift, shouldn't you reciprocate?"

"I knew you weren't going to be that generous, Old Li," Li Muzhi thought to himself, before asking, "How's your new grenade handling?"

"Sure, it works well and is very powerful." Li Yunlong nodded immediately, rubbing his hands together with a grin: "How many boxes are you planning to give your brother as a token of appreciation?"

Comrade Li has basically used up all of the previous ten boxes of grenades and the twenty-odd boxes he got from Zhang Wanhe.

If we don't continue now, we'll run out of food.

That's right, Brother Li will definitely have to show us something.

"Thirty boxes, I suppose," Li Muzhi said. "Commander Li, you'll have to take this loss for now; things definitely won't be like this later..."

“No problem, no problem, thirty boxes it is. As the saying goes, suffering a loss is a blessing!” Li Yunlong interrupted with a smile before Li Muzhi could finish speaking.

Trading bullet-making equipment for thirty boxes of hand grenades is definitely a bad deal.

but!

We can't let that scoundrel of a scholar outdo us!

Now that Brother Li has given his opinion, we'll definitely be the first choice for those cannons on his shoulders!
Li Yunlong brought the calf back, and then it was Gao Liujin's turn.

Gao Liujin stared at the sealant still being counted, gritted his teeth, and said, "Director Li, this sealant...I...I..."

"Hey, Gao Liujin, you're really generous!" Seeing Gao Liujin's pained expression, Li Yunlong exclaimed exaggeratedly, "This is Lao Ding's sealant, what right do you have to give it to Brother Li?"

Li Yunlong was well aware that once Gao Liujin brought this thing back, that bastard wouldn't back down.

Since he's going to act tough and act like a big shot, let's give him a push.

Provoked by Li Yunlong's words, Gao Liujin gritted his teeth and said, "Director Li, I'll give you half of this sealant." "Hahaha, Gao Liujin, I thought you were so generous. You're keeping half? Hahaha, that's hilarious!" Li Yunlong burst into laughter.

Gao Liujin's face flushed red; he was extremely embarrassed by Li Yunlong's provocation.

It's like trying to poop halfway through, but the other half won't come out—it's so uncomfortable.

Li Muzhi defused the awkward situation: "Commander Gao, thank you. How about I give you thirty boxes of hand grenades in return?"

“Okay, no problem, I’ll do as you say, Director Li.” Gao Liujin immediately jumped down, taking advantage of Li Muzhi’s offer.

He cursed inwardly: Li Yunlong, you son of a bitch, just you wait!

"Director Li, I have quite a few other captured supplies here. I'm going to talk to Minister Zhang about it." Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin were about to bring the calf back, but Liu Weidong was too lazy to bother them. Liu Weidong's troops had also captured many other things, which could be exchanged for Hell Cannon shells. This was a different exchange rule set by Zhang Wanhe, so Liu Weidong didn't want to disturb Li Muzhi's time.

"Alright, Commander Liu, take care. I'm quite busy here and can't see you off." Li Muzhi was actually very interested in Liu Weidong and wanted to chat with him some more.

He actually knows gunpowder manufacturing; he might be a military talent.

When there's no war, they might be able to be brought in to help at the arsenal.

However, Li Muzhi is really busy right now.

After dealing with the affairs of these combat regimental commanders, he still needs to go back and hurry up and get the power plant up and running.

"No need to see me off, Director Li, please stay." Liu Weidong left with his men and went to Zhang Wanhe's side.

Old Zhang's office is not in the arsenal, but next door.

The quantities of potassium nitrate and sealant were quickly tallied.

"Brother Li, may I ask a question first?" Li Yunlong spoke first as Li Muzhi was about to settle the account.

"Ask away." Li Muzhi looked at Li Yunlong.

"Our brigade commander brought the locomotive back, what did you give our brigade commander?" Li Yunlong asked.

Since we're working for Li Muzhi, we're definitely getting paid. Li Yunlong wanted to know what that pay was.

"Replenish all the shells your brigade has used up, and give them an extra thirty rounds," Li Muzhi replied.

Li Yunlong and Ding Wei exchanged a glance. Li Muzhi was too generous. The former immediately said, "Then how about this, we won't settle the accounts for potassium nitrate and sealant for now. We'll put them on the books. Once the cannon on your shoulder is built, I'll use it to exchange for these things."

With so many cannonballs for our Hellfire Cannon, we need to save up to upgrade to the shoulder-mounted cannon.

"Alright then." Li Muzhi nodded, then turned to look at Gao Liujin: "Commander Gao, what about your side?"

Gao Liujin wanted to keep it, but unfortunately he didn't have any more Hell Cannon shells, so he had no choice.

Gao Liujin had no choice but to say, "I need cannonballs."

With plenty of shells, let's hurry up and make a fortune. Why worry about not earning enough to exchange for the cannon on our shoulders?

Do not make jokes!
If I can rob that Japanese military train once, I can rob it a second time!

I refuse to believe it, they're stealing Japanese troop transport vehicles again!
"Alright then, I'll give you the shells. But they haven't been built yet. Once they are, I'll send someone to deliver them to you immediately." Li Muzhi promised Gao Liujin thirty shells.

"Okay." Gao Liujin nodded, then led his team to leave.

Li grabbed Gao Liujin and said, "Gao Liujin, wait a minute, we still have a score to settle."

"Li Yunlong, can't we find another place to settle this score?" Gao Liujin turned his head and looked at Li Yunlong with dissatisfaction. If they angered Li Muzhi, none of them would have a good outcome.

Li Yunlong pulled out the IOU and said, "You think I'm going to fight you? I don't have time for that. Shouldn't you return these twelve shells?"

Gao Liujin glared at him: "Li Yunlong, you're pressing me for this debt way too hard! Don't you see? The arsenal hasn't even finished making the shells yet, and I haven't received a single one. How am I supposed to pay you back?"

“I’ll give this IOU to Director Li in front of you, and then they’ll deduct twelve shells from your shell quota and give them to me. What do you think?” Li Yunlong pointed.

"Li Yunlong, can't you wait a bit longer?" Gao Liujin said angrily.

Without enough shells, we can't go all out.

Gao Liujin still has seven shells left. He hasn't even taken the thirty shells he was supposed to exchange for the sealant, and Li Yunlong is going to take twelve of them. If things get delayed because of the lack of shells, he'll suffer a huge loss.

“I’m afraid that won’t work…” Li Yunlong shook his head. Before he could finish speaking, Li Muzhi reached out his hand: “Commander Li, give me this IOU. The debt can be transferred to me. When the shells are made, I’ll deduct the amount from your payroll.”

“Okay.” Li Yunlong readily handed the IOU to Li Muzhi.

Then, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei stopped arguing with Gao Liujin and immediately said goodbye: "Brother Li, we're going back now, we won't bother you anymore."

I'm exhausted after a whole night of running around.

The brigade commander must be getting impatient waiting at the brigade headquarters; I need to go back and let him know I'm safe.

"Take care, I won't see you off." Li Muzhi nodded.

"No need to see them off." Li Yunlong and Ding Wei quickly left.

With his old nemesis no longer there, Gao Liujin dropped his pretense and pleaded with Li Muzhi, "Director Li, thank you for paying back the shells I owed Li Yunlong. I owe you twelve shells. Could you deduct them from the payment later? I really need the shells."

Immediately afterwards, Gao Liujin looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then leaned close to Li Muzhi and whispered, "I'm planning to rob another Japanese military train."

"Commander Gao, when do you plan to do it?" Li Muzhi was very interested in this topic.

Logically speaking, we already have one locomotive and two armored train locomotives, so the power should be sufficient for the time being.

However, if the combat troops were to seize the Japanese military train again, they would certainly not miss the opportunity to dismantle and retrieve the train.

“The situation outside is very chaotic right now, and I need some time to assess the situation,” Gao Liujin replied.

"Here's what we'll do, Commander Gao. I'll also organize a dismantling team and a transport team. Let me know in advance when you're going to start, and I'll send the dismantling team and the transport team over. When this Japanese military train is dismantled and returned, you don't have to pay back the twelve shells you owe me. I'll make up for all the shells you used in the battle."

"Really?" Gao Liujin was so happy he almost jumped for joy.

With the debt forgiven and the spent ammunition replenished, we can finally launch a major offensive.

Seven rounds plus thirty rounds, that's thirty-seven shells. Even if I'm unlucky and run into a Japanese troop transport train, I can still take it down.

"Commander Gao, the shells have been produced. I'll send someone to deliver them to you as soon as possible."

"Okay." Gao Liujin nodded emphatically and happily took his leave.

After seeing Gao Liujin off, Li Muzhi turned around and stroked the fluffy puppy in his arms, muttering, "What should I name you?"

Li Muzhi is planning to raise this dog himself.

Upon hearing this, the guard beside him couldn't help but laugh and said, "Factory Director, I do have a good name."

"Oh, tell me about it?" Li Muzhi looked at him.

"Let's call them 'Little Japanese Devils'," the guard said.

Japanese devils?
Upon hearing this, Li Muzhi thought it was indeed a good name.

However, it was psychologically satisfying to use dogs to mock the Japanese.

But the dog is innocent. It's so cute, how can it bear the stigma of the Japanese devils?

So Li Muzhi decided that from now on, the puppy's name would be: Emperor!
How wonderful! It's catchy and elevates the little dog's status.

“From now on, your name will be Emperor, understand?” Li Muzhi said to the puppy.

Wang Wang!

Wang Wang!

The puppy barked twice, very intelligently, wagged its tail at Li Muzhi, and nuzzled against him a few times, seemingly very satisfied with the name.

The guards beside him burst into laughter: "Haha, as expected of the factory director, Emperor, hahaha, what a good name, what a good name indeed."

……

(End of this chapter)