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

Chapter 212 The conditions are ripe for flashbangs

Li Muzhi followed Zhang Wanhe and quickly arrived at the new warehouse.

As the combat troops looted more and more items, new ones were constantly being unearthed from the warehouse.

However, it still couldn't keep up with the speed at which combat troops looted supplies.

After all, digging a cave dwelling isn't as simple as just digging a hole; there's a series of follow-up measures required.

For example, it needs to be load-bearing, waterproof, and have lighting, etc.

The new warehouse in front of us is already very full.

Zhang Wanhe said worriedly, "The tungsten ore and other supplies haven't been transported back yet. I'm worried about where to put them once they're back."

In the past, Old Zhang was worried about the lack of supplies, as the warehouse was empty.

Comrade Zhang is still worried because there are too many supplies and not enough warehouses.

"If there's not enough room for these supplies, just distribute them to the combat troops." Li Muzhi noticed that there were still quite a few supplies in the warehouse.

"We can't just distribute everything at once; the logistics department needs to make a living too," Zhang Wanhe said seriously. "If we have extra rations, we have to save them as much as possible. When food is scarce, the troops below are all asking me for more. Do you think it's easy for me to run the household?"

"It's not easy," Li Muzhi nodded.

Without their help in developing open-source weapons, Comrade Zhang's job as logistics minister would be difficult.

After all, although our army appears to have only three divisions, its actual strength exceeds 300,000 men.

The daily food rations for these 300,000 people are no small amount.

Although there were orders to solve one's own problems and be self-reliant.

But ultimately, not all units can accomplish this well, especially in harsh and cold regions, where they still have to ask Old Zhang for help.

And now.

With logistics now more accessible, we must remain true to our original mission.

From frugality to extravagance is easy, from extravagance to frugality is difficult!
Faced with abundant resources, it's even more difficult to not eat to one's heart's content and still live frugally.

“Xiao Li, look, this is all the stuff we snatched from Yuehua Station last night: potassium nitrate, sealant, and even light bulbs that the new factory urgently needs. With so many light bulbs, they can last us a while once our new factories are built.” Zhang Wanhe pointed to another new warehouse filled with supplies. “This is just a part of what we seized from Yuehua Station; the other new warehouses are all full.”

“Minister Zhang, there’s so much profit to be made at Yuehua Station. They’ve managed to snatch important military raw materials twice,” Li Muzhi pointed out. “You could remind the combat troops to send people to keep an eye on the transport trucks at Yuehua Station. See if you can follow these trucks to find the Japanese military raw material factory.”

Where there are military raw materials, there must be military raw material factories.

“Yuehua Station is a station on the Zhengtai Railway. The Japanese supplies should be transported by military trains, so they might not be easy to keep an eye on,” Zhang Wanhe said.

"It's also possible that other Japanese military material factories transported goods by truck to Yuehua Station, and then transported them away by military train," Li Muzhi said.

“Hmm, that makes sense,” Zhang Wanhe nodded. “I’ll remind the 120th Division later.”

Zhang Wanhe then added, "But I reckon the 120th Division is already keeping an eye on things. Even someone like you who only knows how to build weapons but not how to fight can think of this. The staff officers in combat units are no pushovers either."

"Hmm." Li Muzhi hummed in response.

Zhang Wanhe asked, "I heard from Lao He that tungsten ore can be used to make light bulbs?"

“Yes, the tungsten ore has been extracted. Tungsten wire has a very high melting point.” Li Muzhi nodded. “Most metals have low melting points and will melt if the temperature is too high. Tungsten wire won’t.”

"Then let's hope the combat troops can recover the relevant equipment quickly." Zhang Wanhe was full of anticipation.

We arrived at a new warehouse, which contained several unfamiliar supplies.

Zhang Wanhe pointed and said, "Xiao Li, everything is here. Take a look and see what it is."

“Okay.” Li Muzhi nodded and immediately stepped forward.

Li Muzhi opened a bag, took out a sample, and his eyes lit up: "Minister Zhang, this is good stuff!"

"What good stuff?" Zhang Wanhe asked hurriedly.

“If I’m not mistaken, this should be magnesium powder,” Li Muzhi replied.

It is described as a judgment because Li Muzhi still needs to conduct tests before he can be completely certain.

Judging raw materials requires a scientific approach; it cannot be done by sight alone, but must be supported by test results.

What is the use of magnesium powder?

“When magnesium powder burns, it produces a bright light, which can be used to make flares,” Li Muzhi said.

Of course, magnesium powder has many other uses.

In addition to making flares and fireworks.

It can be used as a reducing agent and also in organic synthesis.

It can even be used in rocket ramjet engines and to remove hydrogen chloride from propellant fuel gas.

Of course, there's no need to explain concepts like reducing agents and organic synthesis to Comrade Zhang; he wouldn't understand anyway.

“Making flares is a good thing,” Zhang Wanhe laughed. “Although the troops have also captured some flares from the Japanese, they will eventually run out of resources. It is of great significance that our arsenal can make flares ourselves.”

Our army is very good at night fighting. If we can use flares to help us, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Wanhe urged, "Xiao Li, take a look at the other things."

"Okay." Li Muzhi nodded and continued to examine the document.

Li Muzhi opened another package and took out a sample. "This should be aluminum powder," Li Muzhi quickly replied.

"What is aluminum powder used for?" Zhang Wanhe asked.

“Like magnesium powder, it can also be used to make flares, and explosives as well,” Li Muzhi replied.

Aluminum powder has many more uses than that.

In later generations, aluminum powder has been used in a wide range of fields, including industrial coloring, aerospace fuel, metal processing, safety protection, and the manufacture of special materials. Its unique metallic properties and physical properties have made it an indispensable material for modern industry.

Of course, it's the same old story.

Explaining these high-level technical terms to Lao Zhang is like trying to understand a chicken and a duck.

"It can also be used to make explosives, then it's definitely a good thing." Zhang Wanhe smiled happily again.

Li Muzhi then examined the remaining two types of supplies.

Ammonium nitrate, like potassium nitrate, is an important raw material for making explosives.

There was another point that Li Muzhi couldn't confirm on the spot.

Li Muzhi said to Zhang Wanhe, "Minister Zhang, I need to test all these raw materials before I can give you a report."

“Okay, okay, no problem, then hurry up.” Zhang Wanhe nodded repeatedly.

Li Muzhi took a few small bottles, filled them with samples of the raw materials, and then returned to his office.

Zhang Wanhe stood at the door of Li Muzhi's office, waiting for Li Muzhi's result.

Li Muzhi returned to his office and quickly tested the items.

Li Muzhi quickly identified the magnesium powder, aluminum powder, and potassium nitrate.

Li Muzhi spent some time on this last item, but he still managed to detect it in the end.

Finally, this material is copper perchlorate!

Copper perchlorate belongs to the perchlorate class and is mainly used as a combustion catalyst.

Li Muzhi couldn't help but laugh: "This time, we've gathered so many things. It would be a waste to use them all as flares."

Li Muzhi opened the door, and Zhang Wanhe, seeing Li Muzhi's smile, hurriedly asked expectantly, "Little Li, is this last item particularly valuable?"

"It's valuable, but it has a much wider range of uses," Li Muzhi said with a smile.

"What can we do?" Zhang Wanhe asked.

“When we’re playing guerrilla warfare in the field, our army has rocket launchers and new rockets. But when our army attacks cities and engages in street fighting with the Japanese, we still lack auxiliary tactical equipment,” Li Muzhi said. “When magnesium powder and aluminum powder are mixed together, they will release a bright light and a high-decibel sound when they come into contact with an open flame. This can temporarily blind the enemy and temporarily deafen them.”

That's right, these ingredients combined create a flashbang.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe exclaimed excitedly, "If we temporarily disable the Japanese devils' eyes and ears, won't they be at our mercy?"

Imagine if a group of Japanese soldiers lost their hearing and sight; they would be rendered incapable of fighting.

If it's done, one kill can wipe out a whole bunch of these Japanese devils.

Immediately afterward, Zhang Wanhe asked, "Xiao Li, how long will it take you to make this thing?"

“The raw materials are all ready. If things go smoothly, it should only take a day or two,” Li Muzhi said.

The materials are all there: the flashbang projectile and a few small parts. Manufacturing them is not difficult.

"One or two days?" Zhang Wanhe was stunned, then became incredibly excited. "Then hurry up and make it! The Japanese will soon launch a large-scale mopping-up operation. If you make this weapon and throw it out, causing thousands of Japanese soldiers to lose their hearing and sight at once, wouldn't that allow you to quickly annihilate the Japanese and break their encirclement and suppression?"

Li Muzhi chuckled; Old Zhang's imagination was truly boundless.

As I've already said, this is tactical equipment.

If it could instantly render thousands of Japanese soldiers deaf and blind, then it would be a strategic weapon.

Of course, Li Muzhi didn't mock Lao Zhang; Lao Zhang's background in military industry was... just a few scribbles.

Li Muzhi explained, "Minister Zhang, as I said, this weapon is for use in urban warfare. It's useless in open areas and can only be used indoors."

The intense light from a flashbang is essentially negligible in open areas, as it is similar to sunlight.

If it explodes in the sun, all you'll see is a cloud of smoke.

However, the noise from the high-explosion detonation did have some effect, but not much.

It works best when used in the room.

"It can only be used in the room." Zhang Wanhe looked somewhat stunned upon hearing this.

We thought the weapons Xiao Li made could take down a large number of Japanese soldiers, but since they can only be used indoors, the number of Japanese soldiers he can kill is limited.

What's more!

If they can throw weapons into a room, why not just throw grenades?

Seeing through Zhang Wanhe's thoughts, Li Muzhi smiled and said, "As long as the raw materials and equipment are ready, it's not difficult to manufacture a weapon that can kill a large number of Japanese soldiers at once; it's only a matter of time. If you put this flashbang weapon in a room, it will cause the enemy to lose their hearing and sight. When the troops rush in, they can still take the opportunity to wipe them out. It's perfect for training new recruits. Of course, its greatest use is for capturing prisoners, especially spies and spies; it's particularly useful."

“That’s right, that’s right.” Zhang Wanhe quickly composed himself and said, “Xiao Li, why don’t you make a few first and let us see?”

(End of this chapter)