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

Chapter 324 is not a product of this era.

345th Regiment of Jin-Sui Army

"Commander, a message just arrived."

A staff officer from the 345th Regiment approached Regiment Commander Han Guanping, his voice filled with anxiety: "The Japanese vanguard has once again broken through our frontal defenses. If we cannot stop their offensive today, our regiment will probably have to be sent to take over."

Upon hearing this, Han Guanping's expression shifted: "Our regiment is a guard unit under the command of the headquarters. If even our regiment is to be sent up, wouldn't that be..."

Han Guanping didn't finish his sentence; the rest is self-explanatory.

Even the command's guard troops participated in the battle, which was tantamount to providing cover.

What are we covering up?

They covered the retreat of the command headquarters, who were about to leave Shanxi Province.

Once the Jin-Sui Army leaves Shanxi Province, it will be like a rootless duckweed, a stray dog.

"I don't know why Deputy Factory Director Yan is so slow. I asked him to ask the Eighth Route Army for the Hell Cannon, but I haven't heard anything yet. I wonder if something went wrong," the regimental staff officer said angrily.

"Yes, the reason why the Japanese are attacking so fiercely now is not only because they are eager to replenish their supplies, but also because our Jin-Sui Army does not have heavy artillery to suppress them." Han Guanping sighed, "If we had heavy artillery earlier, and could have gotten the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery shells over sooner, we wouldn't be fighting so humiliatingly today!"

The Jin-Sui Army actually had heavy artillery units, but they were destroyed by Japanese aircraft in the past.

The loss of the Taiyuan Arsenal meant that the Jin-Sui Army lost its ability to manufacture heavy artillery, resulting in a persistent shortage of heavy artillery firepower.

It wasn't just the Jin-Sui Army that lacked heavy artillery.

Even the bald man's most elite direct troops have a significant shortage of heavy artillery firepower.

At the beginning of the war, most of the heavy artillery was lost or damaged in the Battle of Shanghai.

The elite troops now have very few heavy artillery pieces left, and they can only be used as a deterrent.

The regimental staff officer continued, "That's not the worst part. What's truly terrifying is that if we're forced to retreat, the large number of troops we sent to the rear of Taiyuan will still be on their way back. If the Japanese drive us away and then turn around to intercept them, and they are surrounded and pursued by the Japanese, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Now, that large number of troops are rushing to withdraw.

But the journey is a bit long, and we can't turn back immediately.

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do. Without heavy artillery, we can't suppress it..." Han Guanping sighed. Before he could finish speaking, someone ran over excitedly: "Reporting to the commander, a group of Eighth Route Army soldiers have brought us Hell Cannons and shells."

The Eighth Route Army has delivered hell cannons and shells?

Upon hearing this, Han Guanping and the regimental staff officer both looked somewhat...uncomfortable.

At this critical juncture, did the Eighth Route Army proactively deliver the Hell Cannon and its shells?
This sounds a bit too far-fetched.

After all, the Eighth Route Army doesn't have many of these hellish cannons; they don't even have enough for themselves, yet they're sending them to us willingly?
Secondly, the Eighth Route Army's situation was also not good.

Although the Japanese army temporarily retreated, it was not annihilated.

Once the Japanese army gets the supplies, they will definitely come back again.

It can be said that the Eighth Route Army's situation was not much better than that of our Jin-Sui Army.

These heavy artillery pieces were lifesavers for the Eighth Route Army.

Would they be willing to give it?

"Commander, do you think it's possible that Deputy Factory Director Yan made a deal with the Eighth Route Army, and these cannons and shells were delivered as part of that deal?" the regimental staff officer said suspiciously.

"If these cannons and shells were obtained through a trade, shouldn't Deputy Factory Director Yan have brought them back?" Han Guanping questioned.

"In any case, now that the hell cannon and shells have arrived, let's go take a look right away," the regimental staff officer said. "Without these cannons to stop the Japanese, we would really be like stray dogs."

"Okay, let's go." Han Guanping nodded and quickly walked out of the regimental headquarters.

When the two arrived outside the regimental headquarters, they indeed saw a group of Eighth Route Army soldiers delivering Hell Cannons and ammunition boxes. There were even two Hell Cannons left.

Han Guanping walked up to the Eighth Route Army leader and saluted him: "I am Han Guanping, the commander of the 345th Regiment."

"Commander Han, hello, I am He Hai from the Eighth Route Army's logistics transport team." He Hai saluted Han Guanping as well, and then got straight to the point: "I am here on the orders of our Minister Zhang to deliver two Hell Cannons, twelve shells, and two Hell Missiles to your Jin-Sui Army. I'll ask you to receive them on my behalf, Commander Han."

"Did your Minister Zhang send you to deliver this?" Han Guanping was taken aback. "Did he give it to you voluntarily, or was it a transaction?"

"Hehe." He Hai chuckled and said, "This is of course a transaction."

"Only twelve shells? Isn't that a bit too few?" Han Guanping questioned.

Under normal circumstances, there would be at least two or three hundred shells.

Only twelve shots? That's like tickling the Japanese.

He Hai explained, "There are a total of two hundred shells, but our border region's arsenal hasn't finished producing them yet. We're working hard to get them ready, and once they're finished, we'll send them to you as quickly as possible. Although the Japanese are launching a fierce offensive right now, it's mainly because they see you don't have heavy artillery to suppress them. These twelve shells may seem a bit few, but I believe that once they roar on the battlefield, it will be a strategic deterrent to the Japanese, and they'll back down."

All twelve shells were lethal shells, fired into the Japanese ranks on the battlefield, aimed at charging Japanese groups.

That one shot killed two or three hundred Japanese soldiers.

After a dozen or so shells, an entire regiment was basically wiped out.

This sheer power was enough to intimidate the Japanese commander.

Unless he can get a plane to come.

"Yes, that's true." Han Guanping nodded, although there were a few fewer shells.

However, to contain the Japanese offensive, the main strategy needed was the strategic deterrence of heavy artillery.

The Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery was more effective at killing crowds than ordinary heavy artillery, and had a greater deterrent effect.

Han Guanping didn't waste any time and immediately said to the person, "Thank you for sending it over in time. I'll have someone take it to the battlefield right away. But you said there are two Hell Missiles. Do you really have those?"

The Eighth Route Army created a new type of shell that did not require a cannon barrel to fire, called the Hellfire Missile.

The news came from the mouths of the elite troops.

The elite troops said that these shells could be fired simply by digging a hole in the ground; they were reliable, effective, simple, and convenient.

Han Guanping was skeptical, after all, the shells were always propelled out by the pressure in the barrel, so to think that digging a hole would be enough to launch them was ridiculous.

However, now that the Eighth Route Army has brought the goods over, Han Guanping still wants to broaden his horizons.

Han Guanping ordered his men to immediately remove the Hell Cannon and its shells, along with the two artillerymen assigned by He Hai.

After all, the Jin-Sui Army didn't know how to use the Hell Cannons and needed to be paired with artillerymen.

Once the artillerymen of the Jin-Sui Army have learned how to use it, these Eighth Route Army artillerymen will return.

He Hai pointed to the two remaining long ammunition boxes and said, "Commander Han, these are two Hellfire missiles."

"Open it and take a look quickly," Han Guanping said impatiently.

Soon, the two long ammunition boxes opened, revealing two shells that were similar to ordinary artillery shells, only longer.

Han Guanping was stunned: "This is the Hell Missile that can fly on its own?"

“Yes.” He Hai nodded, pointed to the other two artillerymen, and said, “These two artillerymen can teach you how to use the Hellfire Missile.”

"So how are these Hellfire missiles used?" Han Guanping asked, looking at the two artillerymen.

The two artillerymen immediately demonstrated, digging a pit, tamping the soil down, then taking out the Hellfire missile, placing it on the pit, aiming it, and finally pointing to the protruding fuse, saying, "In the end, all you need to do is ignite it, and the Hellfire missile will be launched."

"Is this thing really that advanced?" Han Guanping didn't believe it.

This thing is too simple. You can just dig a hole, light a fire, and it will shoot.

That's so convenient.

Looking at the long cannonball, Han Guanping really wanted to have someone light it and test it immediately.

But the thought was quickly suppressed.

These are only two Hellfire missiles, and their importance is beyond question.

If he were to set it on his own, he wouldn't even need to go to a military court; he'd be executed on the spot.

Han Guanping did not hesitate and immediately ordered the two Hellfire missiles to be repacked and sent away along with the artillery.

He Hai didn't stay with Han Guanping for long and quickly took his leave.

"Well, with the heavy artillery as a deterrent now, our regiment probably won't need to go up anymore." Han Guanping's expression relaxed a lot.

"Yes, there are two more Hellfire missiles here. You can just dig a hole and fire them. They're practically essential for a sneak attack. If used well, they might just be able to drive back the Japanese." The regimental staff officer also expressed his anticipation.

Although these Hellfire Missiles are few in number, if used properly, they can still have a surprise attack effect.

"Commander, Deputy Factory Director Yan is here," someone quickly reported.

Han Guanping did not delay and rushed to greet him.

Sure enough, Yan Kai, protected by his guards, came running over, covered in sweat.

"Han Guanping, have you seen the equipment sent by the Eighth Route Army?" Yan Kairen asked before even reaching Han Guanping.

“I’ve seen the equipment.” Han Guanping nodded immediately and said, “There are two Hell Cannons and twelve shells, as well as two Hell Missiles.”

"Where is the equipment?" Yan Kai breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the equipment had indeed been delivered to Han Guanping.

"I've already sent someone to the battlefield," Han Guanping explained.

"You bastard!" Yan Kai's expression instantly turned furious when he heard that the equipment had been delivered to the battlefield. He shouted, "You've ruined my important plans! How long ago was it delivered?"

These Hellfire missiles and Hellfire cannon shells were used immediately on the battlefield, so why would I need to disassemble them?

Of course, more cannonballs from the Hell Cannon will be delivered later, and these cannonballs can be disassembled.

But what about Hell Missiles?

If the Eighth Route Army stops supplying Hellfire missiles, wouldn't that be a problem?

Han Guanping was a little confused by the scolding. You got this stuff from the Eighth Route Army, wasn't it to support the battlefield?
Han Guanping said in bewilderment, "Deputy Factory Director Yan, the battle is already in dire straits. Our army lacks heavy artillery to suppress the Japanese army's mass charges. If I don't immediately transfer these things to the battlefield once they arrive, wouldn't that be a major blunder?"

Yan Kai did not continue to reprimand Han Guanping, after all, what the other party did was not wrong.

Suppressing his emotions, Yan Kai asked, "How long ago was the equipment sent away? Which direction did it go?"

"About an hour later, on the western battlefield..." Han Guanping hadn't finished speaking when Yan Kai immediately shouted, "Hurry up, use your phone to contact the commander there right now. I want to speak with him personally." "Yes, yes, yes!" Han Guanping hurriedly shouted, instructing the people at the regimental headquarters to quickly make the contact by phone.

Yan Kai quickly ran towards Han Guanping's regimental headquarters, with Han Guanping following closely behind. He asked the guards who had caught up with him, "Hey guys, what's going on? Looks like they're going to intercept this cannon?"

The guard explained, "Our Deputy Factory Director Yan wants to dismantle the Hell Cannon's shells and Hell Missiles, but they've already been used on the battlefield, so how can we dismantle them?"

"Oh, I see." Han Guanping suddenly realized, and his heart immediately became anxious as well.

Hopefully it's not too late, otherwise I'll be in big trouble.

As Yan Kai ran to the telephone at the regimental headquarters, the call was just connected. Yan Kai grabbed the receiver: "This is Yan Kai. Did you receive the Hell Cannon shells and Hell Missiles?"

"I've received it and am about to use it. Deputy Factory Director Yan, is there anything I can help you with?" Commander Fu, the western commander, said over the phone.

At this moment, the Japanese soldiers were launching a mass charge. In order to suppress the Japanese, Commander Fu had already ordered his men to aim at the Japanese troops and was about to give the order to fire.

"Leave me one of the Hell Cannon shells. Try not to use the two Hell Missiles if possible. If you really have to use them, only use one. Keep the other one for me," Yan Kai said quickly. "Have someone bring it to the back as fast as possible. I want to dismantle it."

"Yes, Deputy Factory Director Yan, I understand." Commander Fu nodded.

After the call ended, Yan Kai said to Han Guanping, "Commander Han, you did nothing wrong. I was a little impatient just now. Don't take it to heart."

"It's alright, it's alright, as long as it didn't interfere with your business, Deputy Factory Director Yan," Han Guanping said, indicating that he didn't mind.

Yan Kai didn't linger and left in a hurry.

……

Now let's talk about the western front.

Major General Kawashima watched as his vanguard regiment surged toward the Jin-Sui Army's positions like a tidal wave, and a smile spread across his face: "Yoshi, the Jin-Sui Army's defeated foes are as pathetic as ever."

The Japanese officer next to him laughed and said, "If we take the Jin-Sui Army's position in this battle, their headquarters will be forced to leave Jin Province. This is like an unexpected surprise."

Originally, we only planned to replenish our supplies with the Jin-Sui Army.

If the Jin-Sui Army is unexpectedly driven out of Shanxi Province, then the resistance forces in Shanxi Province will be reduced.

As long as we can keep the elite troops under control, we can focus all our efforts on dealing with the Eighth Route Army.

"Oh my, this is..." Major General Kawashima's words were abruptly cut short.

His smile froze on his face instantly, as if he were a statue.

Because he saw three strange, large cannonballs flying out from the Jin-Sui Army's position.

Major General Kawashima was familiar with this thing; wasn't this the kind of shell fired by the Eighth Route Army's so-called Hell Cannon?

When did the Eighth Route Army's hellish cannons start targeting the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army?
The Japanese officers beside Major General Kawashima were also stunned, as if struck by lightning, staring intently at the three strange, large shells, clearly unable to understand them either.

How did the Jin-Sui Army suddenly acquire heavy artillery from the Eighth Route Army?
This is unreasonable.

If the Jin-Sui Army had brought out these heavy artillery pieces earlier, we would never have fought so smoothly, or even dared to be so bold as to send an entire regiment to charge.

boom!
boom!
boom!
The three cannonballs from the Hellfire Cannon landed with remarkable accuracy in the charging crowd.

The shockwave from the explosion sent iron pellets flying in all directions.

The charging crowd was blasted into three vacuum zones.

The total number of Japanese soldiers lying in the three vacuum zones was probably close to a thousand.

Most of them were injured, while a small number of lucky ones were relieved on the spot.

Most of these injured people were seriously injured, and even if they survived, they would basically be disabled for life.

Not to mention that the Kawashima Travel Group is currently in a situation where it is impossible to provide effective treatment.

Without effective treatment, the final outcome for these so-called lightly wounded will also be tragic.

It can be said that these three cannonballs from the Hellfire Cannon directly wiped out a Japanese battalion.

The terrifying psychological impact of the three cannonballs from the Hellfire Cannon immediately chilled the remaining Japanese soldiers to the bone.

They instantly forgot the Bushido code and turned back.

Seeing this astonishing result, the Jin-Sui Army was equally shocked.

I always heard how powerful the Eighth Route Army's hell cannons were, capable of killing two or three hundred people with a single shot.

Many people think that the Eighth Route Army is definitely exaggerating.

Now, having witnessed firsthand how three cannon shots wiped out a large Japanese battalion, instantly shattering the morale of the remaining Japanese soldiers, the Jin-Sui Army had no more doubts.

They had to believe that this seemingly crudely made, cobbled-together weapon was far more lethal on the battlefield than the heavy artillery of our Jin-Sui Army in the past.

"Haha, Commander Fu, those three shots wiped out a whole battalion of Japanese soldiers. This Hell Cannon truly lives up to its name!" The officers around him breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the Japanese soldiers suffer heavy losses in an instant.

Our battle has lasted so long, and we've only managed to inflict nearly a thousand casualties on the Japanese.

Now, the Hell Cannon only needs to fire three shots to achieve the desired effect.

The significance of heavy artillery on the battlefield was clearly demonstrated at this moment.

"Fire again immediately, don't let the Japanese get away!" Commander Fu suppressed his joy and shouted to the artillerymen.

This Hell Cannon is so useful that Commander Fu was actually still skeptical when it was first delivered.

Is this poorly made, cobbled-together product really that good?
Now, the true test is on this battlefield.

Commander Fu could already foresee that as long as the subsequent shells arrived, the Japanese would have no chance of driving us out of Shanxi Province.

Once the war is over, we must make repeated demands on the logistics department.

We must acquire more of the Eighth Route Army's hell cannons and shells, no matter the cost.

boom!
boom!
boom!
Under Commander Fu's orders, the three hell cannons soon roared again.

After those three shells landed, three vacuum zones were created in the Japanese troops.

Because the Japanese soldiers were scattered and not clustered together, the casualties caused by the three shells were less, totaling about 500 people.

Of course.

Although the number of Japanese casualties was slightly less, their deterrent effect remained the same.

Seeing another 500 casualties, the remaining Japanese soldiers trembled with fear, wishing they had more legs, and ran for their lives.

Some Japanese soldiers even threw away their weapons.

"Attack! Troops, charge forward immediately and seize the opportunity to counterattack!" Commander Fu ordered his troops to launch an attack.

"Come on!"

"Kill!"

The Jin-Sui Army was in high spirits and pounced on the Japanese army like tigers descending a mountain.

"Damn it, retreat! Retreat immediately!" Major General Kawashima's face showed panic, and he hurriedly ordered a retreat.

The battle ended in victory for the Jin-Sui Army.

"Commander Fu, it's a pity that we only have 5 shells left for the Hell Cannon, otherwise we could continue our advance." In this battle, the three Hell Cannons only fired two rounds, consuming six shells.

One shell should be reserved for Yan Kai, and the remaining five shells should be used to guard against another Japanese attack.

Otherwise, we could have pressed our advantage and continued to pursue the Japanese.

After all, the Eighth Route Army's cannons could be pulled by mules, so they were quite mobile.

"Take the time to rest and reorganize the troops and improve the fortifications." Commander Fu was naturally a little disappointed that there weren't enough shells, but he was mostly happy.

We need to quickly report the military situation to Commander Yan and tell him to stop being so stingy and to get more hell cannons from the Eighth Route Army.

As for the Hell Missile, Commander Fu did not use it.

His eyes were now only on the Hell Cannon; the Hell Missiles were temporarily put aside.

Since Deputy Factory Director Yan wants to dismantle them, let's send them all to him.

"Yes, Commander Fu."

……

Yan Kai arrived at the dismantling room at the back as quickly as possible. A cannonball from the Hell Cannon and two Hell Missiles had already been delivered there.

Yan Kai smiled and said to the two Hellfire missile artillerymen, "You two don't need to go to the battlefield for now. Go and rest."

The Hell Missiles need to be dismantled, and the Hell Cannon shells also need to be dismantled. Yan Kai cannot dismantle both at the same time, so he plans to dismantle the Hell Missiles first, which naturally requires him to divert the two artillerymen away.

“Okay, then we’ll take a break for now.” Neither of the two artillerymen had any objections.

Anyway, Minister Zhang already said that when we came.

If Yan Kai wants to get rid of them and wants to dismantle the Hell Missile, then let him tinker with it.

With the two artillerymen distracted, Yan Kai immediately took a Hellfire missile out of the box and quickly examined its appearance.

In the end, we decided to start from the back and work on it gradually.

half an hour later

"This, this, this anti-disassembly device is too ingenious!" Yan Kai looked at the Hell Missile in front of him, completely at a loss.

He had actually anticipated that the Eighth Route Army would be wary of his dismantling techniques.

But to my surprise, the disassembly technology far exceeded my expectations.

This disassembly device is completely beyond my capabilities; it seems to be from a completely different era.

Yan Kai brought out the other Hell Missile as well, and as expected, this other Hell Missile also had the same anti-disassembly device.

"This Hell Missile has an anti-disassembly device, so surely the Hell Cannon's shell also has such a device?" Yan Kai couldn't figure out the Hell Missile anymore, so he turned his attention to the Hell Cannon's shell next to him.

After fiddling with the cannonball of the Hell Cannon for more than ten minutes, he sat down in his chair like a deflated balloon and cursed, "How did that military expert from the Eighth Route Army even develop his brain? He's a monster! Only a monster could come up with this kind of anti-disassembly device!"

(End of this chapter)