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

Chapter 42 Another instance of standing up the leader.

"If it's not sugar in this box, then what is it?" Zhang Wanhe asked again.

The goods that Brigade Commander Chen personally escorted must be extraordinary.

"Money," the brigade commander said succinctly.

money?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe's eyes widened: "Brigadier General Chen, are you kidding me? These boxes are full of money?"

Although Zhang Wanhe sent people to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates from the traitors, the traitors weren't stupid either. They knew how to treat people differently, and the amount of money borrowed wasn't as much as they had imagined.

The Japanese still have a lot of fertilizer left; if you want to buy it all, you'll need even more money.

If Brigade Commander Chen's boxes are full of money...

That was a real lifesaver!

We told you, the 386th Brigade is capable, so giving them two cannons is only fair.

The headquarters leaders are scolding people, but I don't lose a single hair.

"Open it." With Zhang Wanhe, the middleman, involved, the brigade commander knew there was no way to bypass him, so he ordered the box to be opened.

The guards opened the box, revealing gleaming silver dollars and colorful banknotes inside. Zhang Wanhe was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling: "Brigade Commander Chen, you guys are really capable! You're so capable! I knew giving you the cannon was my wisest decision. I was so brilliant!"

The brigade commander was truly disgusted by Zhang Wanhe's self-praising manner.

I already said, did you provide the cannon? Absolutely not.

The cannon was clearly given to me by Li Muzhi.

Besides, I don't even know who you, Lao Zhang, are.

Behind my back, you're probably still saying that I shouldn't have been given two guns for the 386th Brigade; one would have been enough.

However, the brigade commander suppressed his disdainful look.

Regardless, this middleman is the logistics manager, so we should still give him some face.

The brigade commander got straight to the point: "Old Zhang, your logistics department has some rules, you know. Besides a thousand catties of white sugar and a general's sword, you can also exchange money for the Hell Cannon. I've brought you the money, so you have to give me the cannon."

Upon hearing what the brigade commander said, Zhang Wanhe's happy expression immediately cooled down.

That's spot on!
Earlier, he joked with Li Muzhi that the 386th Brigade might take the third cannon again, and he would have to stand up the headquarters leaders again.

Unexpectedly, this actually happened.

Although the 386th Brigade didn't bring sugar, money could be exchanged for hellish cannons, which was indeed a rule set by the logistics department.

Zhang Wanhe had previously reported to headquarters and made assurances to the headquarters leaders.

The third cannon will be delivered.

Now, are we really going to stand up the headquarters leader again?
Good heavens, Zhang Wanhe felt that being the logistics minister was really too difficult.

The logistical rules couldn't be broken, and the headquarters commander couldn't be stood up, but there was only one cannon; it was a choice between the two. Seeing that Zhang Wanhe wasn't readily agreeing, the brigade commander's expression turned serious: "Old Zhang, are you after money? I've brought you the money, but where's your cannon?"

"Brigade Commander Chen, let's discuss something." Zhang Wanhe said with a fawning smile, "The cannon will definitely be yours, but can we postpone it? As you can see, the third cannon hasn't even been built yet."

“It’s alright. The arsenal’s production progress is limited, I understand.” The brigade commander thought Zhang Wanhe meant that the cannons had not been produced yet and could not be delivered. The brigade commander said he could accept it. “I can send people to guard the arsenal and wait. Kong Jie is here right now, isn’t he? When the third cannon is completed, we can immediately hand it over to Kong Jie and have him send someone to deliver the cannon to my brigade headquarters.”

“Brigade Commander Chen, let me be frank with you.” Zhang Wanhe invoked the authority of the headquarters leaders and said to the brigade commander, “The headquarters leaders have reserved this third cannon. If you want the cannon, you’ll have to wait for the next one.”

"Old Zhang, stop making excuses for me." The brigade commander refused to accept it. "Don't try to pressure me with the headquarters leaders. I'm giving the money to your logistics department, so you should follow the rules. If you, Old Zhang, can't provide the goods, then what rules are you setting?"

Seeing his old leader arguing with Brigade Commander Chen, Li Muzhi stepped forward and said to Brigade Commander Chen, "Brigade Commander Chen, may I say something?"

"Of course, of course, don't be so polite with me. Just say what you want to say." When the brigade commander looked at Li Muzhi, his attitude immediately changed completely, becoming very polite, as if he were a different person.

"Your 386th Brigade has secured the funds and delivered them to the logistics department as quickly as possible. This demonstrates the tremendous support your combat units have given to the logistics department. I thank you on behalf of the logistics department."

Li Muzhi also politely said to Brigade Commander Chen, "Originally, the headquarters leaders wanted to take the second cannon to see it, but you brought the equipment, so I gave the cannon to you directly. Now that you've sent money, the third cannon should indeed be given to you as well. However, the headquarters leaders have some complaints about our logistics work. Brigade Commander Chen, how about this: please give me some face and let me have the third cannon. When the fourth cannon is built, I'll give it to you immediately."

Li Muzhi added, "Besides, the shells haven't been made yet, so there's no use for the third cannon if you take it. Don't you think so? Once the shells are made, I'll give you three more. How about that?"

"Hey, you should have said so earlier! You should have said earlier that the headquarters wanted artillery!" The brigade commander immediately nodded readily. "No problem, no problem. I'm not an unreasonable person. I'll definitely give you face. I'll pass on the third cannon for now."

Now it was Zhang Wanhe's turn to look down on the brigade commander.

What do you mean we didn't tell the headquarters leaders earlier that they wanted artillery? I just told you, have you forgotten so quickly?

You agreed immediately when Li Muzhi asked for it. What kind of person are you?

Ignoring Zhang Wanhe's gaze, the brigade commander smiled and confirmed with Li Muzhi, "Li Muzhi, you said it yourself, when these shells are manufactured, give me three more!"

Three shots may sound like a few, but they're actually quite a lot.

These are heavy artillery shells, not comparable to the few infantry gun shells in the headquarters' logistics warehouse.

The use of infantry gun shells requires approval from headquarters for each round.

When it comes to the use of these heavy artillery shells, it will definitely have to go through headquarters.

The fact that Li Muzhi was able to open a back door and give him three shots makes a real difference.

“Of course, I keep my word.” Li Muzhi nodded.

The brigade commander immediately turned to Zhang Wanhe and said, "Old Zhang, you heard it too. Li Muzhi said it himself. He said he would give me three extra shells. You can't pretend to be stupid and withhold them."

Although Li Muzhi could open a back door, the logistical procedures still had to be followed.

"Don't worry, it won't happen." Zhang Wanhe suppressed his contempt for the brigade commander and nodded seriously.

The brigade commander added, "I haven't tallied the exact amount of money yet. You guys hurry up and do it. I'll keep an eye on things here. Any extra money will be recorded in the books. If we can continue to buy more cannons, I'll continue..."

(End of this chapter)