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

Chapter 257 Expanding the Arsenal, the Chief of Staff Has Arrived!
Acquiring a tractor factory already met Chen Ming's expectations.

The problem the armored units of the special forces used to face was that when their tanks were damaged, they could only find parts from other scrapped tanks.

But these parts are limited; once they're used up, they're gone.

Some tanks also have damaged vulnerable parts that are difficult to find suitable for repair, so they can only be left in the warehouse waiting for suitable parts.

Now that we have a tractor factory, we can produce the right parts.

Moreover, the technological barrier between tractors and tanks is not that great; you could say that if you can build tractors, you can build tanks.

This means that the military will no longer rely on captured or aided forces to acquire armored capabilities, and can instead produce and develop its own tank units.

This is a leap forward.

In the minds of Chinese people, it is better to produce weapons themselves, even if the output is small, than to directly acquire a large number of ready-made weapons.

Chen Ming naturally shared this view; having his own factory gave him more confidence.

"As expected, these gifts weren't a waste of money," Chen Ming said to Xu Desheng with a smile.

"Yes, Pavel may be a bit greedy, but he is indeed a capable person."

Xu Desheng echoed.

The two men had no idea how Pavel reported to the Far East Command.

But the two knew that getting the Far East Army to agree to provide additional support for an important tractor factory would be no easy task.

It should be noted that the Soviet army used only the equipment of two divisions to enable the Independent Column to move north and divert the attention of the Japanese Kwantung Army.

This forced the Japanese Kwantung Army to make adjustments, mobilizing two divisions to guard against the infiltration of the Independent Detachment into Rehe.

This is only during winter, when it is not conducive to large-scale military operations.

If the weather warms up, the likelihood of the Independent Detachment launching an attack increases, and the Japanese will continue to adjust their troop strength for defense.

With an independent detachment blocking the northwest of the Kwantung Army, the Far Eastern Army can then focus its efforts on the north and northeast.

The surplus troops can be deployed to support the western front and relieve the pressure there.

Using the equipment of two divisions to mobilize a large and powerful independent detachment—this deal was incredibly worthwhile.

Now, the Soviet army has provided additional aid to an important tractor factory on top of what was already in place, and Pavel definitely played a significant role in this.

Because this tractor factory is free; it doesn't require exchanging goods for it!

It can only be said that the art of language can sometimes be just as effective as real money.

Although Pavel may seem easy to fool and get along with, can someone who is a representative really be without any real skills?

Putting those aside for now, after finishing his reflections, Chen Ming quickly turned his attention to the second batch of equipment that had arrived.

More than 250 machine tools were delivered this time!
It mainly includes a bullet production line for producing bullets of Soviet weapon caliber.

A production line for 76mm field gun shells, along with Soviet-made artillery provided as aid.

An 82mm mortar production line is paired with a matching shell production line.

A production line for the Mosin-Nagant rifle, along with the supporting technologies.

There are also some other scattered small weapons technologies and production equipment.

In addition to the weapons and ammunition production line, the Soviet Army also provided relevant technical personnel to help the independent detachment set up the production line and successfully complete production.

It's like becoming rich overnight!

However, the sheer number of devices posed a challenge for Chen Ming.

The Fourth Military Sub-district's arsenal was built in the mountains, and the soldiers painstakingly hollowed out the mountains to construct a powerful defense system.

The arsenal was unfazed by Japanese air raids or artillery bombardments.

With the construction of numerous permanent fortifications, even the Japanese infantry attacks could be withstood.

However, strong defenses are not without their drawbacks.

That is, the space for expansion is limited, and hollowing out the mountain requires a huge amount of engineering work.

The original arsenal was dug out bit by bit by the soldiers.

Now that they have suddenly acquired a large amount of equipment, it is no longer possible to fit it into the existing arsenal.

The existing solutions are to choose a new location for the arsenal or to build a new arsenal.

Chen Ming preferred the second option: building a new arsenal.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket; that way, even if something unexpected happens, you won't lose everything.

The ability to withstand risks will be greatly improved.

Chen Ming plans to integrate the two arsenals and then separate them according to the types of products they produce.

For example, some important production lines, such as artillery production lines, shell production lines, and rocket artillery production lines, are located in an arms factory.

The bullet production line, rifle production line, and light weapons such as grenades and landmines were located in another arsenal.

The important production lines were located in the original 417th Arsenal, with a strong defense chain ensuring the safety of the core production environment.

The next level up were placed in the new arsenal.

However, the location of the new arsenal is a difficult problem facing Chen Ming.

We must meet the needs of material transportation and ensure the smooth transport of production materials, while also ensuring safety to prevent them from being discovered and destroyed by the Japanese.

This is really a difficult choice!

Areas with convenient transportation were also convenient for the Japanese soldiers, which was advantageous for combat.

If the Japanese suddenly went berserk and amassed a large force to attack the arsenal, deploying aircraft, artillery, and tanks, Chen Ming would find it difficult to ensure the safety of the new arsenal in an area favorable to the Japanese mechanized warfare.

However, the safe mountainous areas also mean inconvenient transportation, with transport relying solely on human and animal power, making it difficult to maximize the production capacity of the arsenal.

We can't keep calling on ordinary people to transport supplies, can we?
It's fine during the off-season, but during the busy farming season, if farmers miss the planting season, grain production will be affected.

After much thought, Chen Ming still couldn't come up with a suitable place.

"Comrade Desheng, where do you think would be a suitable location to build our new arsenal?"

Chen Ming asked Xu Desheng.

Xu Desheng is the commander of the cavalry detachment, with a wider range of activities and more places to see. Perhaps he can find a suitable place?
"Sir, I think we can locate the arsenal in Pinglu Town."

"This place has extremely defensive terrain, located at the angle between Hongtao Mountain and Heituo Mountain. The terrain is steep, making it difficult for Japanese mechanized units to deploy."

"The mountain has many natural caves. We can follow the example of our 417 Arsenal and place the core workshop inside the cave to protect it from bombing."

"At the same time, it has convenient transportation, is adjacent to the northern section of the Tongpu Railway (Shuoxian County), and is far away from the main line to reduce the risk of exposure."

"Within 30 kilometers there are Datong Coal Mine and Anzi Iron Mine, making it convenient to obtain raw materials."

"This place is safe, can take advantage of railway transportation, and the raw materials are nearby, so we can produce locally."

Xu Desheng spoke up.

Sure enough, the calluses on Xu Desheng's thighs were not for nothing; his extensive experience exploring the terrain on horseback over the years had given him a much richer understanding of the terrain than Chen Ming's.

Upon hearing the location provided by Xu Desheng, Chen Ming took out a map of northern Shanxi and confirmed it was indeed the location.

It is indeed a place with convenient transportation and easy to defend but difficult to attack.

It is close to the railway line controlled by the independent detachment, only thirty kilometers away.

Transporting materials over this distance using mules and horses is not a problem and will not consume too much manpower or resources.

At the same time, by utilizing the transportation capacity of the railway line, large quantities of minerals from the surrounding area can be transported over to ensure the production of the arsenal.

With the mountains blocking their way, the Japanese army's main force could not deploy effectively, and Chen Ming was not afraid of any number of Japanese soldiers coming.

"Okay, then let's settle on Pinglu Town!"

Chen Ming made the decision on the spot!
"Once the equipment is transported back, we'll immediately begin setting up the new arsenal." "Also, keep an eye on the Soviet technical experts. Get them drunk and squeeze every last drop of technology out of them."

"You've done a good job, I'll recommend you for commendation!"

Chen Ming smiled and said to Xu Desheng.

"Don't worry, boss, I guarantee I'll complete the task."

Xu Desheng patted his chest and said.

Xu Desheng gets happy when it comes to drinking!
This was done under Chen Ming's orders, and is not bound by disciplinary regulations!
How could he not be happy!
"Haha, I'm looking forward to more surprises from you!"

After the two chatted and laughed, Chen Ming began to organize the transportation of the equipment.

Let's get these valuable pieces of equipment back first.

This time, the quantity of production equipment was enormous.

Chen Ming used a combination of truck and rail transport.

First, they used railway to transport goods to Fengzhen, north of Datong, and then transferred them to trucks to bypass Datong and reach Huairen.

The equipment was then transported by train to Shuoxian County for temporary placement.

Once the site for the new arsenal is ready, the equipment will be transported there.

At the same time, some of the equipment from the original 417th Arsenal also needs to be transported to the new arsenal.

With many hands making light work, the equipment was transported from Jining in just seven days.

When the convoy passed through Datong, it terrified the Japanese soldiers there.

The sudden appearance of so many trucks made the Japanese soldiers in Datong think that the Independent Detachment was about to launch another major operation, so they immediately declared martial law in Datong.

Two battalions were also transferred from Beiping to reinforce the defenses.

As for sending troops to harass the convoy's transport, the Japanese soldiers in Datong no longer dared to do so.

You can't mess with a tiger's backside!
In the minds of the Japanese, this might be a tactic of the Independent Detachment, aimed at luring them out of the city and then annihilating them.

The Japanese troops stationed in Mongolia are now terrified of the Independent Detachment, so how could they dare to easily send troops to harass them?

If you look at it for even a second, you might be attacked by artillery fire.

It's the kind of thing that will explode if you look at it too much, and melt if you get too close.

Ultimately, the equipment was successfully transported to Shuoxian County.

Chen Ming also strengthened the defenses of Shuoxian County, adding two battalions of soldiers from Li Yousheng to the existing county brigade to protect the equipment.

This continued until the new arsenal was completed.

Meanwhile, the headquarters and the military industry department also sent people to inspect this batch of equipment.

When the cadres at headquarters and the military industry department saw so many machine tools and production equipment, their eyes lit up.

The cadres in the military industry department were especially excited.

"Great! We've struck it rich this time!"

"With so much equipment, we've finally upgraded from slingshots to cannons!"

When Ma Yunfei, a cadre from the Ministry of Military Industry, saw so much equipment, this burly man almost cried with excitement.

We have suffered from poor equipment for too long. In the past, we could only produce inferior weapons using machine tools made by hand.

Now we finally have complete and valuable production equipment, along with the supporting technology.

Let's see who dares to look down on the weapons and ammunition they produce in the future!

"Don't get too excited. Why are you holding onto this equipment like that? You're hugging this cold, hard metal thing like you're hugging a woman."

Chen Ming was joking with a smile.

"Hehe, it's not cold here. Holding this baby, even a woman would feel more comfortable being held."

Ma Yunfei said, holding several milling machines.

"Hahaha."

Hearing this, everyone laughed.

For soldiers, a gun is like their wife, even more precious than a wife.

For military industry cadres, machine tools are just like their wives, or even more important than their wives!

Zhang Wanhe said something like this: "What precious daughters and noble children can be worth fifty boxes of hand grenades?"

For Ma Yunfei, what are gold and jade compared to these precious machine tools!

Speaking of Zhang Wanhe, we must mention him here.

After the equipment arrived, Chen Ming asked the head of the department to bring Zhang Wanhe over to serve as the logistics manager to assist in production.

Chen Ming's former logistics manager, Li Zhu, was only the deputy captain of a district squad at the time, and his ability to manage logistics was somewhat lacking.

This problem wasn't so noticeable when the chassis was smaller.

However, the independent detachment is about to be expanded, and its scale will be larger, requiring more complex affairs and higher capabilities.

In addition, Comrade Li Zhu is not young, and he has been injured before, so he has old injuries and hidden ailments.

He was exhausted from handling the complicated affairs of the independent detachment without getting proper rest.

The logistics department staff had reported to Chen Ming that Comrade Li Zhu had once fainted in his office.

If it hadn't been discovered in time, the person would definitely have succumbed to the cold ground after lying there for another hour or two.

After careful consideration, Chen Ming decided to send Comrade Li Zhu back to the rear for treatment and to recuperate.

After Li Zhu left, Chen Ming needed a new logistics minister.

So he looked at the teacher.

While things aren't completely separated yet, it's not unreasonable to ask teachers and elders for more support, right?

As a result, Zhang Wanhe received a transfer order and came to the Fourth Division to serve as the Minister of Logistics.

Chen Ming acknowledged Zhang Wanhe's abilities.

Don't assume that Zhang Wanhe and Li Yunlong are incompetent just because they're arguing over twenty boxes of grenades in the show.

That's because we were so poor we had no other choice.

In fact, Zhang Wanhe's rank was one level higher than Li Yunlong's. He was in charge of the entire division's logistics and could independently allocate a large amount of supplies.

For example, he could order 20 boxes of hand grenades for Li Yunlong.

How could anyone not like such a capable cadre?

Chen Ming has already recruited enough talent from the brigade commander, such as Ding Wei, Kong Jie, and Zhao Gang, all of whom are top-notch talents.

It's not unreasonable to try and recruit some talent from the head teacher this time, is it?

We can't just keep targeting the brigade commander, can we?

What kind of sheep can withstand being sheared like this?!
After Zhang Wanhe was transferred here, Chen Ming entrusted him with the affairs of the arsenal, giving him full trust.

Zhang Wanhe, who was entrusted with this important task, lived up to Chen Ming's expectations and handled the relocation and construction of the arsenal in an orderly manner.

It is expected that the new arsenal will be expanded and put into production within a month and a half.

Chen Ming was very happy. The sooner production started, the more weapons could be produced and the more Japanese devils could be eliminated.

There were many other things that made him happy, such as the arrival of the talent transferred from headquarters.

Among them was Zhao Gang, and also the chief of staff that Chen Ming had been longing for!
P.S.: Last day! Please vote with monthly tickets! Tomorrow is my birthday, and I want monthly tickets as a birthday present. Thank you so much!
(End of this chapter)