Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 380 378 Polysilicon, Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan Logistics Project, A Revolutionary Infantry Weapon: Walkie-Talkie

The Taishan Research Institute has officially begun research and development.

Of course, this was not the development of transistor technology from scratch. The researchers learned from Fang Wen that this mysterious scientific knowledge was already mature. What everyone needed to do was to thoroughly understand the entire technology and transform it from knowledge into practical applications.

Therefore, they do not need to go through theoretical construction or a large number of basic experiments.

They even skipped the use of germanium as a semiconductor material and went straight to polycrystalline silicon.

The polycrystalline silicon manufacturing process that Fang Wen provided them was not complicated.

It is a metallurgical method used in early polysilicon manufacturing plants.

Polycrystalline silicon is prepared by using high-purity silicon as raw material and combining techniques such as hydrometallurgy, vacuum melting, oxidation refining, and directional solidification.

Its process is simple and consists of five steps.

1. Raw material preparation: Prepare the prepared silicon as raw material.

Second, wet pickling: using chemical reagents such as hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia to clean the silicon material and remove surface impurities.

Third, oxidation slag formation: impurities in silicon are converted into slag through an oxidation reaction.

Fourth, vacuum melting: Silicon is melted under vacuum conditions to further remove impurities.

Fifth, directional solidification: Directional solidification technology is used to separate impurities in silicon during the solidification process, resulting in high-purity polycrystalline silicon.

This is the process that Fang Wen knows has the lowest energy consumption, minimal pollution, and is the easiest to implement.

The preparation in the laboratory was quickly verified, and the research team successfully prepared the first polycrystalline silicon material.

The next step is to fabricate polycrystalline silicon material into wafers.

The polycrystalline silicon rods to be prepared are sawn into thin slices.

Then immerse it in a chemical liquid to clean the surface of organic and inorganic impurities.

Once the wafer surface is clean and smooth, it can be processed into subsequent steps.

In the era before lithography machines, the manufacturing of semiconductor components was relatively primitive.

It is first used in the oxidation process to form a layer of silicon dioxide on the wafer surface. Silicon dioxide has a high melting point, high boiling point, good insulation and chemical stability, making it an excellent insulating and protective layer.

Then, a chemical solution is used to remove some of the material on the wafer using a wet etching process to form the desired circuit pattern.

Finally, there is packaging, which involves encapsulating the manufactured semiconductor components in a protective shell and providing an electrical connection to the outside world, thus forming basic electronic components.

Although the entire process is somewhat rough due to limitations, and even lacks technologies such as ion implantation and vapor deposition, which may result in slightly lower component performance, it has already reached application-grade standards.

After mastering the preparation technique, the researchers became extremely enthusiastic and devoted themselves to various experiments day and night.

But this kind of aimless research is not what Fang Wen wants.

We also need to provide some guidance on future electronic technologies.

Fang Wen set up two research topics for them.

Radios that use transistor technology.

And a decimal calculator that uses transistor technology.

The former involves transferring vacuum tube technology to transistor technology, transforming the bulky wiring and large component structure of vacuum tubes into a circuit and component structure.

The latter research mainly explores new ideas for logic circuits, preparing for future military technology development.

More importantly, it introduced the concept of integrated circuits, allowing researchers to conduct research and development in accordance with this model.

The research work at the Taishan Institute has entered the stage of tackling key technical challenges.

Electronic technologies that have never existed before will, once these researchers have thoroughly grasped the future concepts and knowledge provided by Fang Wen, change the technological course of the entire world ahead of schedule.

However, Fang Wen did not intend to promote and popularize these technologies globally, but rather to use them for military purposes until the invaders were driven out.

He has done everything he needed to do; now he's just waiting for the research institute to produce results.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen left the Taishan Research Institute and returned to the office building.

Upon entering his wife's office, Fang Wen immediately got into the swing of things and asked her about the latest developments.

How is the logistics project progressing?

Kuang Mingzhu put down the documents, stood up and walked to Fang Wen's side, asking with concern, "Aren't you going to rest? You've been leaving early and coming home late these past few days. What if you wear yourself out?"

"Don't you know my situation? I'm doing very well," Fang Wen replied with a smile.

Seeing that her husband showed no signs of fatigue, Kuang Mingzhu felt relieved and got down to business.

"The logistics department has dispatched its personnel, and the infrastructure construction is still underway. However, the managers in various regions have already begun their work, sending back information on local supplies and production levels via telegram. As per your request, this data has been compiled into a booklet, with one copy kept in the logistics department and another in the headquarters archives."

Hearing his wife say this, Fang Wen's mind began to wander.

With the product data of the three southwestern provinces available, the next step is to establish logistics warehouses based on the local product conditions.

In their initial stages, these logistics warehouses were not yet sufficient to provide the logistical infrastructure needed to support the War of Resistance against Japan; they first needed to establish a distribution network in the three southwestern provinces.

Only when supplies are circulating can the warehouses of the three provincial capitals be filled, and only then will there be enough supplies to continuously provide military aid to the troops fighting behind enemy lines.

He was talking to his wife.

"The first step in the logistics project is to establish material warehouses in various locations and begin receiving goods."

Kuang Mingzhu was surprised. Although she had heard and seen many business methods since she was a child, she had never seen her husband do this.

He couldn't help but reply, "Doing this will cost a lot of money. Your business is getting bigger and bigger, and you need money everywhere. Can you really do it this way?"

“Yes, you can. Look at what’s written in these documents, it clearly tells us what to do, doesn’t it?” Fang Wen explained to his wife with a smile.

The data reported from various regions include local output figures and local commodity demand.

As long as the logistics department's analysts review these daily reports, they can create a logistics and distribution plan.

Deliver the required goods to the appropriate locations.

The unsold goods that remain stuck in the logistics process will enter a larger logistics network and be distributed and exchanged with logistics companies in other provinces.

This kind of artificial big data analysis can facilitate the rapid circulation of commercial goods in Southwest China.

At that time, the three southwestern provinces adapted to this beneficial new way of commodity circulation, and the entire system was able to operate smoothly.

After hearing her husband's explanation, Kuang Mingzhu looked at him with admiration, realizing that her choice was indeed correct.

Early May 1938.

Taishan Airlines officially launched its logistics project in the three southwestern provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

The opening of logistics stations in various parts of the three provinces immediately attracted merchants and gentry from all over to celebrate.

These people are focused on the daily acquisition notices posted at the logistics station.

Many of the purchased goods are bulk agricultural products. Once selected, it means that the entire year's output will not have to worry about not being able to be sold.

At the same time, supplies that are lacking in various places, as well as scarce supplies that are in demand, will also appear from logistics stations and be sold at low prices.

This new method of commodity circulation spread rapidly in the three southwestern provinces. Because it was beneficial to everyone, it was quickly accepted by the three provinces.

Meanwhile, the Japanese army advanced towards the southern coast.

From the Marco Polo Bridge Incident to now, only four months have passed, and the speed at which the war situation has deteriorated is unimaginable.

Fang Wen observed this situation closely.

Having personally fought on the front lines and even formed and commanded armies, he deeply understood that the power of individuals and small groups was insufficient. Besides perseverance and sacrifice, there was another path to change this situation: the power of science and technology. Therefore, he decided to devote more of his energy to scientific research.

However, the enemy-occupied bases in the north could not be ignored.

So, on January 6, Fang Wen flew to Fuping again.

The seaplane arrived over Fuping after a 4-hour flight.

Fang Wen picked up the microphone.

"Calling location name, Tiger 4 has arrived."

The terrestrial radio station responded.

"Commander, there's thin ice on the river. Be careful when you land."

"receive."

Fang Wen lowered the fuselage, causing it to fall at a slower speed.

As the altitude decreased, the floats of the Tiger 4 gunboat touched the river surface.

Instantly, large swathes of thin ice were sliced ​​apart at high speed, splashing to both sides, but this did not affect the landing of Tiger 4.

Subsequently, the Tiger 4, which had landed on the water, changed direction under the power of its propeller and headed to the dock.

The hatch opened, and a blast of cold air rushed in.

Gong Xiuneng couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so cold!"

Fang Wen, who was in the cockpit, also felt the chill, pulled his collar tighter, and got up to get off the plane.

As soon as the two stepped onto the dock, they felt the ground was slippery and almost fell.

Fortunately, Fang Wen's physical fitness far exceeded that of ordinary people, and Gong Xiuneng was also a trained fighter; they both adjusted their postures and stabilized their bodies.

William, who came to pick them up, said, "The temperature suddenly dropped, and the wooden planks on the dock froze instantly. We just scraped them off with tools, but then it rained a little and they froze again."

"It's alright, just be careful." Fang Wen walked steadily and slowly, crossing the icy wooden plank road at the dock, and only felt steady when he stepped on the loose pebbles.

He spoke with William: "I won't be here long. I'll convene a meeting with the senior officers of the army."

William replied, "Pan Jiafeng is piloting the plane with Wu Yingzong patrolling around Fuping. I have already notified them, and they should be back in about half an hour."

"Then let's wait for them to come back before having a meeting. Let's take a look around first."

"Ok."

William then accompanied Fang Wen on a tour of both the airport and the camp.

Despite the cold winter and temperatures below zero, training did not stop.

Soldiers dressed in winter uniforms practiced various military skills on the scouting ground.

Shooting, bayonet fighting, and grenade throwing are basic training.

There are also special training programs for demolition and artillery firing.

William introduced Fang Wen beside him.

"We not only train various basic skills, but also conduct live-fire exercises, including night combat, coordinated operations between different branches of the armed forces, mountain warfare, and air-ground coordinated operations."

Fang Wen asked in surprise, "Oh, how do you conduct air-to-ground coordinated combat training?"

"It was organized by Pan Jiafeng, the battalion commander of the 2nd Aviation Battalion. He led the gunboat squadron to cooperate with ground troops in a joint combat exercise in the mountainous environment around Fuping. This was to help the soldiers adapt to the new combat environment in the Taihang Mountains as quickly as possible," William explained.

His apprentice, Pan Jiafeng, did a good job. A unit with an independent air force naturally needs special training methods.

Fang Wen was very satisfied and looked forward to seeing the training results of these troops after winter.
He and William walked around for a while before returning to the airport barracks.

Subsequently, a gunboat landed on the river, and Pan Jiafeng and Wu Yingzong got off the plane.

Meanwhile, high-ranking military officers also arrived at the garrison camp in groups.

Senior officers from the Independent Regiment and the Provisional 7th Division gathered in the airport conference room.

There, everyone received a gift that had been shipped from Wuhan, and a wave of joy swept through the crowd.

When Fang Wen stepped onto the stage, everyone immediately fell silent.

He smiled and said, "I went to Europe and brought back some foreign specialties for everyone. Take a look."

Everyone opened the gift bags as instructed.

The items were all the same: a Parker Vacumatic fountain pen, a Longines Tre Tacche watch, and a Paris alligator leather belt.

After the gifts were presented, the meeting officially began.

Fang Wen chaired the meeting.

"I just learned about the troops' training from William, and it seems pretty good. I hope they keep it up. Also, have any Japanese troops appeared in Fuping recently?"

Wu Yingzong replied, "A force of a dozen or so men went into the mountains. The locals informed the outpost immediately, and a battle ensued, in which the Japanese were completely annihilated. Judging from what they left behind, they were probably an advance reconnaissance unit, presumably preparing for an offensive after the winter."

Fang Wen nodded: "The Japanese army has already established a puppet government in the occupied area. We are spies planted in their rear, and a war will break out sooner or later. Even if they don't come after us, we will come after them. I came here this time not only to check your training, but also because of some important matters. I may not be able to command your operations in Fuping for a while. I hope you are mentally prepared for this."

These words silenced everyone.

The Taishan Independent Regiment's impressive victories were all related to Fang Wen, including his amazing aerial combat skills and various command abilities.

Without Fang Wen, how much combat effectiveness can this unit still exert?

Pan Jiafeng couldn't help but ask, "Commander, what could be more important than this?"

This was something everyone wanted to know, and all eyes turned to Fang Wen.

In response, Fang Wen had to explain and reassure the troops: "If some scientific research projects succeed, they will be used for military purposes, which will deal a greater blow to the Japanese army. Don't you want to see new weapons developed to deal with the Japanese army?"

People couldn't help but think of the suffocating smoke incendiary bombs in Taiyuan North, the thermobaric bombs in Shanghai, and the new aerial incendiary bombs in Nanjing.

The Taishan Independent Regiment owes its current reputation in part to these powerful weapons.

After that, no one said anything more.

Then, everyone began to discuss how to fight the Japanese army without Fang Wen's knowledge.

Fang Wen made a suggestion.

“If I am not here, adjustments will need to be made to the command structure. I suggest that a ground command center be established in Fuping. This command center will unify the command of the troops in combat. I order Wu Yingzong to be the head of the command center and William to be the deputy head.”

William and Wu Yingzong were stunned.

Both of them were surprised by the decision.

William asked, "Commander, isn't this just keeping us both tied to the command center? If a battle breaks out, we won't be able to go to the front lines to command, making it difficult to make timely and accurate judgments?"

Wu Yingzong chimed in, "Yes, how can you command a battle from the rear?"

This was a characteristic of military command in the 30s. Without satellites and real-time communication equipment, battlefield command required more timely information sources, so command posts could only be established near the front lines.

For example, during the Battle of Taiyuan, there were departments like the forward command post.

Fang Wen's establishment of the rear ground command center was not a random arrangement.

Although mobile armored command vehicles are not feasible in mountainous environments, Fang Wen is confident that he can develop a portable infantry communication device within a month.

He smiled and said, "Sure, I'll let you in on a secret: after this winter, a new type of infantry communication equipment will be distributed to company-level units. It's called a walkie-talkie."

(End of this chapter)