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

Chapter 34: Ginger is still spicier when old

However, since these two were able to bring back equipment with just one Hell Cannon, Li Muzhi was also inclined to give them two cannons as well.

After all, Lao Li is good at running side businesses.

His brigade commander was no ordinary man either; a hero should be equipped with a fine sword!

The foundation of our arsenal must be laid by our combat troops!

Before Li Muzhi could speak, Lao He said sternly, "Commander Li, your appetite is a bit too outrageous. All the materials can only make eleven cannons, and you want two right away. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Moreover, you are only a brigade-level unit.

If your brigade-level unit takes two hell cannons with it, what are you expecting from the division-level units?

Li Yunlong ignored Lao He and looked at Li Muzhi with a smile: "Li Muzhi, with this equipment we can make artillery shells. If we just trade it for two cannons, we'd be at a disadvantage. Don't you think so?"

"Commander Li, shouldn't the things your combat troops have captured be handed over to our headquarters logistics department?" Lao He said in a very serious tone, "Whether you can take cannons or not is not up to Minister Zhang; it requires the approval of the headquarters leaders."

Lao He wasn't joking!

The destructive power of the Hell Cannon has been proven on the battlefield, and only eleven cannons were ever produced!
The use of each of the few infantry gun shells in the warehouse required the approval of the headquarters commander.

Moreover, these are hell cannons, and the approval of each one must go through the headquarters leaders!
The brigade commander spoke up: "Li Muzhi, we need cannons so that we can better secure materials and equipment for the arsenal. You yourself said that a thousand catties of sugar or a general's sword can be exchanged for a cannon. You can't say that the equipment I brought back is less valuable than two thousand catties of sugar or two general's swords, can you?"

When it comes to ginger, the old is spicier!
The brigade commander's words were very clever; the rules were set by you, Li Muzhi.

Based on what you said, it's clear that what we brought back is worth two Hellfire cannons.

You can't take back what you said now.

As for the distribution of artillery, which required approval from headquarters leaders, the brigade commander didn't think it would be a big problem.

Li Muzhi is now a precious asset in the hands of the headquarters leaders. The headquarters leaders have said that as long as it is for the sake of military production, Li Muzhi has the right to act first and report later.

What does this mean!
This shows that Li Muzhi was fully capable of making the cannon.

Give us the cannons first, then we'll report back to the headquarters.

Li Yunlong immediately chimed in, "That's right, Li Muzhi. The headquarters leaders value those few infantry gun shells in the warehouse so highly! And the equipment we brought back can produce shells, which is of great significance. Li Muzhi, it's not unreasonable for us to only ask for two cannons, is it?"

"You..." Old He was about to say something when Li Muzhi waved his hand to interrupt him: "Old He, don't speak."

"Factory manager, you're not really going to give them two cannons, are you?" Old He asked suspiciously.

Li Muzhi did not answer Lao He's question, but looked at Li Yunlong and his brigade commander and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, I can see now that you're not planning to leave if we don't give you the cannons, are you?"

"Not at all, not at all. This is a heavily guarded arsenal; we wouldn't dare disturb them." Li Yunlong understood Li Muzhi's meaning. With the two cannons within reach, he immediately said with a grin, "Give us the cannons, and we'll leave right away, not a minute longer." The brigade commander also laughed, "Li Muzhi, we're not unreasonable people. If you're capable, you deserve to eat meat; if you're not, you won't even get soup. Don't you think so?"

The brigade commander meant that by giving us the two cannons, we were setting an example for other units.

We got the Hell Cannon through our own abilities!

If other troops get envious, they'll also try to seize equipment, sugar, and officers' swords.

This way, your logistics will be easier to handle, and you can also increase revenue.

“You already have a Hell Cannon, and the arsenal just finished making another one. When you leave, just take it with you…” Li Muzhi didn’t finish his sentence.

Old He was stunned: "Factory Director, are we really going to give them another cannon? Didn't the headquarters leaders say that once the new cannon is made, it should be delivered to the headquarters leaders first?"

"The headquarters leaders have said that military production is paramount!" Li Muzhi said to Lao He. "Giving them the cannons is also to let them hurry up and produce sugar. As for the headquarters leaders, I'll talk to them about it later."

To build a rocket launcher, you need rockets.

You can't make rockets without sugar!
Therefore, Li Yunlong and his brigade commander still need to hurry up and get the sugar.

"Factory Director, you should think this through. That's a high-ranking official from headquarters. You're being disrespectful..." Old He was shocked. Even now, no one dares to disrespect a high-ranking official from headquarters.

"Old He, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and bring the cannon out for us!" As if afraid that Li Muzhi would come to his senses and change his mind, Li Yunlong interrupted Old He and urged him to get the cannon.

"Old He, go and bring the cannon out," Li Muzhi instructed Old He again.

"Yes, factory manager." No matter how much Old He had objections, he had to keep quiet and go about his business.

The brigade commander and Li Yunlong beamed with joy, and these flattering words immediately followed in quick succession.

"Oh, Li Muzhi, Li Muzhi, you're surnamed Li, and so am I. If we had a family tree, maybe if we went back a few generations, we'd be family." Li Yunlong tried to get closer to Li Muzhi. "You really know my temperament, don't you? Once I get the sugar back for you, let's become sworn brothers."

The brigade commander laughed and scolded, "Li Yunlong, what are you even capable of? How dare you try to climb the social ladder!"

Then the brigade commander smiled and said to Li Muzhi, "Li Muzhi, the moment I saw you, I felt a strong connection. Are you married? I have a few comrades whose daughters are all grown up. I'll show you their photos in a few days. Which one do you like? I'll be your matchmaker. If you're not satisfied with any of them, that's okay too. I'll find you someone else until you're satisfied."

"Ahem, thank you for your kindness, Brigade Commander Chen. Right now, I only want to manufacture weapons for our army and have no plans to get married for the time being." Li Mu was speechless for a moment. The famous brigade commander was actually going to change careers and become a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for him. He was truly flattered.

“Brigade Commander, look at you, you’ve gone too far with your flattery,” Li Yunlong said to the brigade commander. “There’s an old saying: ‘How can I think of a home when the Huns are not yet defeated!’ Li Muzhi is clearly a man destined for great things. He’ll definitely only consider matters of the heart after the Japanese devils are driven out. In this respect, Li Muzhi is just like me…”

The brigade commander interrupted, "Li Yunlong, do you really think Li Muzhi is like you? Li Muzhi is only concerned with our military's industrial development and doesn't want to think about personal matters for the time being. As for you, you can't even find a wife. How can you be the same?"

(End of this chapter)