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

Chapter 349 Capturing Mysterious Radio Waves
Li Muzhi nodded: "We can't let Minister Zhang go back to report to the headquarters empty-handed."

"Then what does 'semi-automatic' mean?" Zhang Wanhe asked quickly after receiving an affirmative answer from Li Muzhi.

If we can't build these air defense weapons, we won't be able to explain ourselves to the headquarters leaders.

If we can develop a new gun that can outperform the Type 38 rifle, then we can be satisfied.

While the importance of anti-aircraft weapons is undeniable, light firearms like rifles are the basic weapons in the hands of soldiers.

The Japanese Type 38 rifles had a long range and high accuracy, putting our soldiers at a significant disadvantage in firefights with them.

With the new guns, we can crush the Japanese, and with their firepower, we can shorten the gap in combat effectiveness between our troops and the Japanese troops.

"It means that once the bullet is loaded, there's no need to eject the spent cartridge and reload midway. Just pull the trigger, and the bolt will automatically eject the spent cartridge and chamber a new round. Pulling the trigger repeatedly will fire bullets continuously," Zhang Ganren chimed in from the side.

"If you load bullets once and pull the trigger repeatedly, you can fire continuously. Isn't that similar to a machine gun?" Zhang Wanhe was stunned.

Wouldn't that mean each of our soldiers would be armed with a machine gun? Wouldn't that allow us to easily crush the Japanese Arisaka rifles?

After all, the firepower of a rifle cannot compare to that of a machine gun.

“Rifles and machine guns are definitely different. One fires a bullet every time you pull the trigger,” Li Muzhi said, shaking his head. “Besides, I also have to consider our army’s ammunition supply capacity.”

Although the Taiyuan Arsenal's equipment could supply the Japanese army with millions of rounds of ammunition a month, that was based on sufficient manpower, raw materials, and power.

This batch of equipment hasn't been transported back to the rear yet, and the equipment hasn't been set up. So how can there be production capacity?

"Hmm, that's true." Zhang Wanhe nodded and asked, "So how many bullets can this hold at once?"

“Eight shots,” Li Muzhi replied.

"How many, eight shots?" Zhang Wanhe's eyes widened again upon hearing this.

The Japanese Type 38 rifle only held five bullets. After each bullet was fired, the spent cartridge had to be manually ejected, the chamber reloaded, and then the target re-aimed.

While the Japanese soldiers manually ejected the spent cartridge, reloaded, and re-aimed, our new guns could use this precious time to continuously pull the trigger and fire.

At critical moments on the battlefield, this is not just simple firepower suppression; it means having the manpower to continuously kill Japanese soldiers.

If you fire eight bullets at once and they all hit their mark, you can take down eight Japanese soldiers in one go, which would almost completely wipe out an entire Japanese infantry squad.

Of course, this is the ideal reload. In a real battlefield, you won't have such good luck. The Japanese tactics are not to be underestimated.

But one thing is beyond doubt.

With our soldiers armed with new guns, our squads will definitely be able to suppress the Japanese soldiers so much that they won't be able to raise their heads.

On the battlefield, suppressing the enemy and gaining the upper hand means a significant increase in the chances of winning.

Before Li Muzhi could answer, Zhang Ganren said from the side, "The factory director is mainly considering that our army's ammunition supply capacity is insufficient and its equipment capabilities are inadequate. Otherwise, instead of making semi-automatic rifles, we should just make fully automatic rifles. As long as the trigger is pulled, the bullets will fire continuously, and the firepower will not be much inferior to that of a machine gun."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe blinked and looked at Li Muzhi: "Little Li, is what Zhang Ganren said true?"

“Minister Zhang, let’s not be too ambitious. Let’s focus on the actual conditions of our logistics.” Li Muzhi did not directly deny it.

"If we don't have the equipment, can we make some submachine guns?" Zhang Wanhe thought of this.

The submachine gun's firepower is fierce, and its significance on the battlefield goes without saying.

But submachine guns are also heavy consumers of bullets, so we might consider making fewer.

Although Kong Jie isn't very good at speaking, what if...?

In case the Japanese invaders ever come here, the guard captain's troops, or even Kong Jie's troops, will each have a submachine gun. This will at least ensure the safety of the arsenal to the greatest extent possible.

“Minister Zhang, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. The tungsten hasn’t been refined yet, the seamless steel pipes haven’t been made, and even the equipment hasn’t been moved into the factory.” Li Muzhi said tactfully.

"Hmm, that means it can be done." Zhang Wanhe felt a little more at ease, but then, remembering something, he couldn't help but ask, "Can this machine gun be made?"

“Of course we can make it,” Zhang Ganren said. “Even if Director Li doesn’t do it, I can still make it.”

"Then I'm relieved." Zhang Wanhe was completely at ease, and he could report back to his superiors at headquarters.

"Xiao Li, I've completed the transaction with Yan Kai. I've brought over a hundred workers and their families, but we still need some time to screen them." Zhang Wanhe prepared to leave.

"Okay, Minister Zhang, you can go ahead and get back to work." Li Muzhi nodded.

After giving a few more instructions, Zhang Wanhe left, and Li Muzhi and Zhang Ganren finished their meal.

Xiao Gu was instructed to take the lunchbox to be washed, Zhang Ganren continued assembling the radar, and Li Muzhi continued revising the details of the new gun blueprints.

……

"Why hasn't Section Chief Wu returned yet? It's driving me crazy!" Wang Xun, the captain of the anti-espionage team, paced back and forth, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Wu Yaohan received a phone call and then left in a hurry.

He didn't say what he went to do.

But Wang Xun could tell that Section Chief Wu must have found a clue about that bastard, so he went there in person.

That Section Chief Wu is really something, why didn't he take me with him?

I promise I won't cripple that bastard.

Wang Xun also harbored a deep hatred for this bastard who secretly sent telegrams.

Yesterday, Wang Xun's operation failed. The initial assessment is that it was most likely due to that bastard sending the message.

This operation resulted in the loss of three team members, a full three! These were all agile and experienced fighters, and very good comrades.

Their deaths were so humiliating and pathetic.

Therefore, Wang Xun really wanted to catch this bastard right away.

"Captain Wang, there's no use in rushing." The deputy section chief poured Wang Xun some water and said, "Have a drink first..."

“How could I possibly drink that much?” Constable Wang Xun waved his hand, looking at the deputy section chief. “Section Chief Wu, what exactly did he find out? Tell me now, and I promise I won’t do anything wrong.”

"Captain Wang, the section chief left in a hurry after receiving the call. He didn't tell me what it was about. I really don't know," the deputy section chief said, shaking his head.

"Sigh, talking to you intelligence people is such a waste of time." Wang Xun shook his head, saying that you always say you don't know, even though you're a deputy section chief.

Soon, someone came running over: "Deputy Section Chief, Section Chief Wu is back."

Upon hearing that Section Chief Wu had returned, Constable Wang Xun jumped up immediately: "Where is he? Where is he?"

"Just arrived at the courtyard..." Before the man could finish speaking, Wang Xun had already rushed out.

They rushed into the yard and, sure enough, saw Wu Yaohan returning with several wooden boxes.

Upon meeting, Officer Wang Xun hurriedly asked, "Section Chief Wu, where have you been? Didn't you go catch that bastard?"

“We can arrest him now.” Wu Yaohan understood Wang Xun’s feelings. Yesterday’s operation resulted in the loss of three people. If it were him, he would also be restless.

That bastard is truly despicable; we lack the means to detect radio waves.

Now that we have the radar made by Director Li, let's see where that bastard can escape to!
Upon hearing that he could make an arrest, Wang Xun immediately cracked his knuckles and asked, "Where is the person? Tell me, and I'll be right there."

"Captain Wang, no rush, we need to make some preparations first." Wu Yaohan called over the deputy section chief and whispered a few instructions in his ear.

"Yes, Section Chief, I'll go spread the word right away." The Deputy Section Chief hurried off.

I don't know when that bastard will send another message, but it doesn't matter.

Sending the deputy section chief to spread a message will surely get to that bastard's ears.

We'll keep the radar on; as long as you send a message, we can find you.

"Wang Xunbu, go and gather your men and wait for my message," Wu Yaohan said to Wang Xunbu. "Remember, it's best to gather them secretly and come quietly."

"Okay, I understand." Constable Wang Xun nodded and quickly left.

On his way back, Wu Yaohan had already read and understood the instruction manual left by Li Muzhi.

In addition, he also knew some telecommunications, so he immediately assembled the radar himself and had someone quickly crank the generator to start it up.

The screen is currently blank; there are no targets displayed.

Wu Yaohan wasn't in a hurry. As long as we keep the radar on, this bastard can be detected as soon as he sends a message.

The deputy section chief, who had finished disseminating the message, returned and looked at the strange device, asking suspiciously, "Section Chief, what is this?"

"This radar was made at the border region's arsenal. It can not only detect aircraft in the sky, but also locate unfamiliar radio stations," Wu Yaohan said. The deputy section chief was shocked: "Section Chief, you're not kidding, are you? Director Li really made this for us, and it can even detect Japanese aircraft?"

The deputy section chief remembers that not long ago, our section chief Wu communicated with Li Muzhi to see if Li Muzhi could tinker with something that our intelligence department could use.

Now, this thing has been delivered.

Not only can it search for radio stations, but it can also detect Japanese aircraft. This Director Li is too amazing.

"Anyway, that's what the factory manager's manual says about the function, so we believe he's not joking..." Wu Yaohan didn't finish his sentence.

The radar receiver picked up the radio waves, and the signal was immediately displayed on the screen.

Wu Yaohan immediately stopped talking and quickly calculated the position according to the method in the instruction manual.

The deputy section chief stood to one side, not daring to utter a sound.

I was naturally still incredibly shocked.

This thing is amazing! It can really capture radio waves.

Soon, Wu Yaohan put down his pen and said to the deputy section chief, "The location is Yan Village. Immediately notify Wang Xunbu and have him send some people to Yan Village. You go with them, take control of Yan Village, find this radio station and its owner, and find out his identity."

Yan Village was a fortified village in our base area, and its population was not large.

There is no garrison command of our combat troops there now, and no intelligence personnel are active there, but there is a radio station transmitting messages there.

Whoever it is, they're definitely not one of us.

It could be that bastard, or it could be some other spy.

Now that we've found it, we must take immediate control of it.

The deputy section chief nodded emphatically: "Yes, section chief."

Wu Yaohan did not leave, nor did he turn off the radar; instead, he continued to guard the area.

This radar is so useful. Before the enemy knows that we have equipment that can locate radio stations by using radio waves, we should find the spies and the radio stations as quickly as possible.

Upon receiving the message from the deputy section chief, Wang Xunbu personally led his men and set off immediately.

On the way, Wang Xun still asked, "Deputy Section Chief, how did Section Chief Wu find out that this bastard was in Yan Village?"

The deputy section chief replied, "Section Chief Wu only told us to go and take control of Yan Village, find the mysterious radio station here and its owner, but he didn't say that this was that bastard."

Wang Xun was taken aback: "Not arresting this bastard?"

The deputy section chief said, "We can't be sure if it's that bastard right now. We'll only know once we catch him."

"Damn it, no matter if it's that bastard or not, I have to get my revenge today." Wang Xun spat into his palm.

Even if the owner of this mysterious radio station isn't that bastard, you should still consider yourself unlucky. Who told you to infiltrate our base?

Wang Xun acted quickly, found the village chief, and first found a reason to gather the villagers together and have the deputy section chief hold a meeting for them.

Then Wang Xun led his men to search house to house.

Finally, in the cellar of a farmhouse, a secret compartment was discovered, and a radio was found inside.

"Whose house is this?" Wang Xun asked one of his men who was familiar with the area.

“This is Grandpa He’s house,” the subordinate replied.

Who are his family members now?

"My daughter-in-law has a child with her," the subordinate replied.

"Where is Grandpa He? Where is his son?"

"We just had a funeral a few days ago. The father and son both died in an accident, leaving only this daughter-in-law and a four-year-old daughter," the subordinate said.

"Although I never punch women, if this woman is a spy, then don't blame me for being impolite." Wang Xun waved his fist.

A woman with a child—that's a good cover.

However, it's quite strange that both Grandpa He and his son are gone.

Who knows, maybe these two discovered something and were silenced by this woman.

Seeing Wang Xun's posture, one of his men couldn't help but say, "Captain, from what I know, this woman has been married here for five years and hasn't left or seen anyone. Could there be something going on here...?"

"What meeting? Go talk to the deputy section chief. Take him under control first and let him find out the details." Wang Xun interrupted the other party.

Even before this war of aggression began, Japanese spies had already infiltrated the country.

Many spies remained in hiding for far more than five years.

"Yes." The subordinate nodded.

Soon, the deputy section chief had the woman and child under control.

Wang Xun didn't have a chance to vent his anger; the deputy section chief only threatened her a couple of times, and the woman confessed everything.

She had worked in the Military Intelligence Bureau and knew how to send messages.

Frightened by the actions of the Military Intelligence Bureau, she seized an opportunity to escape.

He went into hiding in Yan Village, but unfortunately, the Kuomintang secret police still found him.

The Kuomintang secret police coerced her into doing things, but she refused. So they first killed Grandpa He and his son, and then threatened her, saying that if she still didn't comply, her daughter would be next.

The woman had no choice but to give in in the end.

Holding the telegram information handed over by the woman, the deputy section chief's expression turned grave: "The Military Intelligence Bureau is really interested in our border region's arsenal. They're trying every possible way to dig up clues about our arsenal."

Wang Xunbu hurriedly asked, "Did the Military Intelligence Bureau discover any clues in this information?"

Although Wang Xun was quick and efficient at arresting spies, intelligence analysis was not his forte.

This information contains only ordinary information about the Eighth Route Army's base areas.

For example, collecting cotton, collecting chicken and duck eggs, etc., these seem to be very trivial and ordinary little things.

"This is a serious problem," the deputy section chief said sternly. "On the surface, collecting chicken and duck eggs, and collecting cotton, are all trivial matters. But think about it for a moment: where will all these collected things end up?"

After the deputy section chief's reminder, Wang Xun's eyes widened instantly, and a chill ran down his spine: "If the Military Intelligence Bureau follows these commonplace clues, won't they find our clothing factory and the logistics kitchen?"

They found the clothing factory, which wasn't far from the headquarters.

The food at the border region's arsenal was excellent. By keeping an eye on these eggs and ducks, we could trace the clues back to the arsenal. That was terrifying.

The Military Intelligence Bureau was adept at dealing with the Japanese because their methods were so difficult to defend against.

When they used this trick on us, it really sent chills down our spines.

Wang Xun couldn't help but think that if the Japanese were driven away one day, we would most likely still have to fight them.

The intelligence methods of the Military Intelligence Bureau are so terrifying that Section Chief Wu's head will probably be bald by then.

"Damn it, that was a really insidious move, those damned bastards!" Constable Wang Xun jumped up and down. "If you had focused all your energy on the Japanese, this war wouldn't have come to this..."

“Captain Wang, losing your temper won’t help,” the deputy section chief stopped Wang Xun and said, “This woman is cooperating with the Military Intelligence Bureau for the first time. According to her instructions, the Military Intelligence Bureau will also contact her via radio to discuss what she will do next. Leave two people here to keep watch. Let’s withdraw first.”

The deputy section chief could sense that Section Chief Wu was playing a big game, and that he was going to use radar to find out as many lurking spies as possible.

This woman cannot be arrested directly. Once the Military Intelligence Bureau discovers that her radio station is out of service, they will definitely become suspicious.

Then there is.

As the deputy section chief, he also knew that the headquarters wanted to lure the Japanese and the Jin-Sui Army, the elite forces, to the fake arsenal. After all, this was an intelligence operation, with Wu Yaohan in charge and the deputy section chief assisting.

Since the Military Intelligence Bureau wants to find our arsenal, isn't this a good way to turn the tables on them?

"Hmm." Wang Xun suppressed his anger and quickly returned with the deputy section chief.

Just as the two returned, Wu Yaohan detected a new radio wave, calculated its location, and said to them, "This time, the mysterious radio wave is located three kilometers northwest of Qianjia Town."

"Three kilometers northwest of Qianjia Town." Wang Xun silently recited this to himself, and immediately set off again with the deputy section chief.

(End of this chapter)