Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 221 What a bummer!
Once Jia Botao and his son Jia Gong started discussing the issue, they quickly became completely engrossed in it.

As highly educated individuals, they possess a unique focus on knowledge and technology.

Chen Ming was very pleased to see the two of them so engrossed in their discussion.

Now that they've already participated in the weapons development at the arsenal, they want to leave again.

"Da Biao, go get some paper, pens, food, and drinks. Once Engineer Jia gets focused on his work, he'll probably forget to eat."

Chen Ming spoke softly to Da Biao.

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Da Biao immediately sent someone to fetch it.

After that, Chen Ming didn't bother the Jia family father and son. Since he was already there, he figured he might as well inspect the arsenal.

So Chen Ming, along with his entourage, began inspecting the arsenal.

This should be considered a surprise inspection.

Without issuing notices, giving greetings, listening to reports, or requiring accompaniment or reception, they went straight to the grassroots level and directly to the production site.

When the cadres in charge of various production departments learned that Chen Ming had conducted a surprise inspection of the arsenal.

Some people stood tall and proudly presented their reports, while others came with their heads drooping.

No one knew that after Chen Ming's surprise inspection, he was sweating profusely and terrified.

Chen Ming kept a close eye on the production at the arsenal and formulated a complete set of targeted systems.

Those who are capable should be promoted, and their results should speak for themselves. Those who are not capable will be left out.

Regardless of where the cadres were promoted or transferred from, they should obediently return to where they came from.

Even cadres sent down from the Ministry of Military Industry are the same.

Chen Ming certainly trusted his comrades, but their individual abilities wouldn't be guaranteed just because he trusted them.

A complete system can be considered as adding a strong guarantee to the production red line.

The first to arrive and the most proactive was the director of the power plant in the fourth district, who was in charge of the energy supply for the arsenal.

"Reporting to the commander, Qian Shoucheng is reporting to you on the power supply situation of the arsenal over the past month."

Holding a list, the power plant director, Qian Shoucheng, straightened his back and spoke in a strong voice.

After Chen Ming received the list, Qian Shoucheng reported:

"After receiving the power generation equipment this month, our power plant immediately put the equipment into production, and it is now fully meeting the power supply needs of the arsenal."

"The surplus electricity is then supplied to our hospitals and government offices."

After the equipment from the Datong Power Plant was seized, a portion of it was transported to the rear for production.

The other part was left directly in the Fourth Division's arsenal to supply the arsenal's production energy.

Before this batch of equipment was available, it was very difficult to supply the arsenal's production with the original number of generators in the Fourth Division.

As a result, even the various offices in the Fourth Division were short of electricity, and Chen Ming's command post could only rely on kerosene lamps.

But once this batch of equipment arrived, the power supply suddenly became abundant.

Northern Shanxi possesses abundant coal resources, and the Fourth Military Sub-district controlled numerous coal mines within its base area.

In particular, the Huai'ren area and the Dahuaizuo County (the mining area where the independent detachment confronted the Japanese in Datong) were wealthy areas with large coal production.

Although the coal mines in the Dahuaizuo County area could not be fully exploited due to the standoff between the enemy and our side.

Even so, the coal mines operated in the fourth district far exceeded the district's own needs.

A significant portion of the coal was transported to other areas lacking coal and energy.

With a stable coal supply and newly added power equipment, the power generation of the fourth district has achieved a leapfrog increase.

It not only fully met the production needs of the arsenal, but also supplied surplus electricity to other important institutions.

Qian Shoucheng, the power plant director, suddenly stood tall, his status rose sharply, and he walked with a swagger.

Chen Ming listened to Qian Shoucheng's report and nodded in satisfaction:

"I am aware of Comrade Shoucheng's contributions."

"When the equipment arrived, Comrade Shoucheng personally participated in the installation."

"I heard from Comrade Li Zhu of the Logistics Department that there was an accident when the power was first connected. If it weren't for the quick thinking and action of a power plant cadre nearby, Comrade Shoucheng would have almost sacrificed his life."

Hearing Chen Ming's praise and the mention of his near-sacrifice, Qian Shoucheng smiled nonchalantly.
"It's all for the revolution. I have the best technology in the whole power plant. If I don't go, who will?"

"If we can get the power plant into production sooner, our arsenal can produce more weapons and eliminate more Japanese devils. Even if I sacrifice myself at that time, I will be happy."

"Haha, look at the awareness of our comrades," Chen Ming said with a smile to the people around him.

Next, Qian Shoucheng joined the team. The others hadn't arrived yet, so the group continued their inspection.

Chen Ming entered the workshop where mountain gun shells were produced and asked a worker:
"Comrade, what kind of job are you doing?"

The worker who heard the question didn't even turn his head, and continued inserting the fuse into the missile.

"Don't cause trouble. Can you take responsibility if production is delayed?"

Seeing the other party's reaction, Da Biao was about to speak when Chen Ming waved his hand, signaling Da Biao to be quiet.

The group waited for the worker to continue operating the equipment.

He only turned around to look after the worker had finished his work.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?"

The worker asked.

With so many people in the fourth division, it's impossible for everyone to know Chen Ming.

"We came to inspect the production and were just about to ask about the situation."

Chen Ming said with a smile.

"Oh, you have to check every day, and sometimes you even give me wrong advice. Do you guys know more about the technology or do I?"

The worker spoke up, somewhat dissatisfied.

"Hey, you comrade." Da Biao couldn't hold back this time after seeing Chen Ming being criticized repeatedly.

“Da Biao, this comrade is right. We don’t know as much about technology as he does. Everyone has their own expertise.”

Chen Ming said with a smile.

At this moment, the director of the shell production department arrived.

Before the other party could speak, Chen Ming inquired about the daily inspection issues mentioned by the workers.

"Reporting to the commander, the daily inspections are safety inspections. Shell production is a very dangerous process, and safety inspections are necessary."

"Although the workers on the production line don't like it, these are the jobs we have to do."

The head of the artillery shell department spoke up.

Workers sometimes have certain habits during production that could lead to danger.

The daily safety checks are to eliminate these dangerous factors.

Upon hearing the report, Chen Ming nodded, then turned to look at the workers.

"Comrade, the daily inspections are also for safety. Only by ensuring a safe production environment can we ensure that shells are produced continuously and sent to the front lines to fight the Japanese."

The workers were somewhat surprised to see the director in charge of shell production address Chen Ming as "commander."

The arsenal is not of a low level; anyone who can be addressed as "chief" by the director must be someone of considerable importance.

"Are you the head of the organization?" the worker asked.

"Yes, I'm Chen Ming." Chen Ming nodded.

Upon hearing this, the worker was immediately terrified and exclaimed excitedly:

"You are Chief Chen Ming? It really is Chief Chen! I didn't recognize you at first."

"It's great to finally meet you today."

Chen Ming's personal prestige is unparalleled within the Fourth Division, making him a respected officer by every soldier.

Even young children are the same.

"Sir, I'm sorry. I didn't think before I spoke. I was wrong, please criticize me."

The worker spoke with remorse, revealing that this was his true feeling.

"Hey, you weren't wrong, I really don't know as much about technology as you guys," Chen Ming said with a smile, not caring at all.

"By the way, I just asked you, what kind of job do you do?"

"Reporting to the commander, I am installing fuses on our mountain gun shells."

"Hmm, not bad. So how much work do you need to do every day?"

Chen Ming wanted to find out the production capacity by asking about the workers' workload.

“I load a dozen or so rounds a day, and sometimes more than twenty.”

"At other times, I attach fuses to other types of shells," the worker replied.

"Ah."

Chen Ming nodded, having come up with a number in his mind.

Based on previous information, the arsenal's daily shell production capacity is between ten and twenty rounds. In a month, it can produce approximately six hundred rounds.

This production capacity is already considered top-tier in the country.

More than 600 rounds a month is enough for the mountain artillery battalion of the independent detachment.

It is worth mentioning that the technology for the special steel used in mountain gun shells was obtained from a senior Japanese technician at a steel factory in Datong, Japan.

However, the Japanese technician did not know the exact nickel-chromium content, only providing a rough ratio.

An error of ±0.2% in nickel-chromium content can lead to a barrel explosion.

It took countless experiments at the arsenal to narrow down this approximate ratio to within the acceptable error range.

More than a dozen workers were killed in the process of repeated experiments.

It can be said that the production of every mountain gun shell was watered with the blood of our comrades.

Next, Chen Ming continued to inspect the production situation of the arsenal.

After taking over Datong, the arsenal's production capacity did indeed experience a leap forward.

Chen Ming was very pleased to receive concrete figures from the front lines.

Chen Ming not only did not blame the logistics department cadre who came to report with a gloomy face and a droopy head, but also praised him.

The other party looked worried because they couldn't guarantee the food supply for the arsenal workers.

Of course, this diet does not refer to staple food. In the arsenal, people were sure to have enough to eat.

The logistics officers were distressed because they lacked the ability to procure enough non-staple foods, etc.

This is the general situation. In times of great disaster, people are struggling to make ends meet, so where would they find the extra grain to feed livestock?

After Chen Ming and his entourage finished their inspection, the technical exchange with the Jia family was also nearly complete.

"Oh, so that's how it was solved! That's brilliant! Dad, you're amazing!"

When Jia saw that the technical problem that had troubled him for so long had finally been solved with his father's help, he said excitedly.

Hearing his son's admiring praise, Jia Botao was also very happy.

However, he immediately followed up with a discouraging remark.

"The problem is now solved, and I need to get down to business with you."

“Come home with me, and I will contact my old friends in China to arrange a marriage for you.”

Upon hearing his father's words, Jia's face stiffened.

"No, I'm not going back. I have my own plans. I want to make my own contribution to the War of Resistance," said Engineer Jia.

"Making a contribution is fine, I won't stop you, but you can't stay here."

"Don't you know where you are? This is Eighth Route Army territory. If you stay here, you'll be finished sooner or later."

Jia Botao said.

In his mind, or rather, given the current situation, the mountain city is the true orthodox city.

The government that established Chongqing as its secondary capital is widely recognized internationally.

In Jia Botao's mind, his son's involvement with the Eighth Route Army was a misguided path.

"Dad, do you think I don't know whether the Eighth Route Army is good or not?"

"Look at what kind of battle is being fought in the mountain city, and what kind of battle is being fought by the Eighth Route Army?"

"I also lived in the Kuomintang-controlled area, and my personal experience tells me who the real fighting force against the Japanese was."

"I believe that the Eighth Route Army is the only force that has the potential to save our country, and our Party is the right choice for us."

"That's what Jia Gong retorted."

"You fool, would your old man harm you? I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, you can't go wrong by listening to me," Jia Botao said stubbornly.

"Come on, Dad, how many times have you said that?"

“I eat three big bowls of rice every day now. Considering our ages, can you eat one and a half bowls of salt every day?” Engineer Jia retorted.

"You unfilial son, are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Jia Botao felt that his father's authority had been challenged, and his fingers trembled with anger.

"Alright, Dad, I'm having a very fulfilling time here. The weapons I've led the production of have wiped out countless Japanese devils."

"That's what Jia Gong said."

"You unfilial son, you've become a leader now?"

Jia Botao asked in surprise.

"What leader? That sounds awful. I'm currently the head of technology at the arsenal, Deputy Director Jia, Director Jia."

"No matter what you say, I'm definitely not leaving."

"I'm going around in a huff," said Engineer Jia, puffing out his chest.

"Hmph, you unfilial son, if you won't leave, I will. I'll pretend I never had a son like you."

"I said angrily."

Now that his son has become a leader, it will be very difficult for him to clear his name.

"Father, it might be too late for you to leave now."

"Having seen so many secrets of the arsenal, and having learned about the secrets of the recent rocket artillery improvement, you will need to undergo a rigorous review if you wish to leave."

A sly yet earnest expression appeared on Jia's face.

"You unfilial son!"

Jia Botao was furious.

He said he had initially thought his son was trying to save face by asking him a question.

I never imagined I'd be digging my own grave.

Knowing the secrets of key weapons would lead to an escalating level of scrutiny many times over.

Now, the hope of leaving is slim.

"Dad, you can stay here for now. I'll have someone arrange accommodation for you later, since the investigation will take quite a while."

After saying this smugly, Jia Gong made his escape, worried that his father might lose his composure and resort to violence later.

Although I am now strong and healthy, my father can no longer beat me.

But as a son, he certainly couldn't fight back; he could only passively take the beating.

If you can't beat him, can't you just run away?
After the father and son separated, Engineer Jia found Chen Ming and his group, who had been identified during the examination.

"Reporting." Engineer Jia saluted Chen Ming happily.

"How about it?"

Chen Ming asked a question, both about the technical problem they had just encountered and about Jia Botao's situation.

"It's all sorted out. My dad is really capable; he solved the technical problem of rocket propellant that had been bothering me."

"Our rockets are now expected to break through the seven-kilometer range and reach eight kilometers or even eight.5 kilometers."

"The situation on my father's side is almost settled."

"He only has one son, so where else can he go if he doesn't come here with me?"

"Otherwise, who will collect his body and arrange his funeral after he passes away?"

"I'm so happy," Jia said.

"By the way, sir, I have a few more ideas to get my father to join us more quickly, but I need you to arrange for someone to cooperate."

Mr. Jia then added.

"Whatever the method, I'll definitely cooperate."

“We do this.”

Mr. Jia explained several methods he used to address his father's personality weaknesses.

After listening, Chen Ming and the two smiled at each other.

"By the way, now that my father is here, it's not good for my mother to stay in Germany alone. I'll write to her later and see if I can invite her over too."

“My mother is also a highly educated person. Although she is not involved in the military, she can be a teacher for our base area.”

"In addition, my father has many students. After I get my father on board, I will ask him to write a letter to see if he can invite them over as well."

The return of his father to China inspired Jia Gong with many ideas, all of which he reported to Chen Ming.

P.S.: I'm finally fully recovered. Tomorrow I'll get back to my old ways and resume writing 6,000 words a day, occasionally 8,000, and 10,000 a day when I'm in good shape.

Additionally, I'd like to clarify something about the slower pace.

Since my book title includes the word "development," I must write about the development process. Otherwise, if weapons or troops suddenly pop up, readers will feel inexplicably expectant, like the power source problem for the arsenal that a reader commented on earlier.

At the same time, things are very tense lately, with the military parade approaching, and my upcoming storyline will likely involve Shen He, so I'm slowing down the pace for now.

Once things calm down, you'll have all the content you want to see. I myself really want to write that content, if I don't die suddenly.

Finally, it's almost the end of the month, could I ask for some monthly votes? I really need those votes.

(End of this chapter)