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

Chapter 351 Empty-load hold function
Border Region Arsenal

"Hmm, that should work."

Li Muzhi took a pen and sketched lines on the part of the eight-shot breechblock drawing, changing the details of the breechblock's reset after the magazine was loaded.

In this way, even if the movement is not standard, the bolt will not pinch your fingers.

With that detail resolved, the next detail is that after the last bullet of the eight-round rifle is fired, the magazine will automatically pop out of the bolt.

On the battlefield, the enemy, based on the characteristic of eight large bullets, judged that the opponent's gun was out of ammunition. The enemy took the opportunity to charge or make other tactical moves, which caused the US military to suffer losses.

Li Muzhi needs to correct this weakness.

In later generations, firearms were often equipped with a bolt hold-open function, which kept the bolt rearward after the bullets were fired, reminding the shooter to reload.

Li Muzhi also decided to adopt this feature.

"Factory manager, look, the radar is installed for you." Just as Li Muzhi was about to make the changes, Zhang Ganren approached him.

Originally, Zhang Ganren did not intend to remind Li Muzhi, but instead wanted to hurry up and work on the last radar.

Once the radar is finished, we can hurry up and start building guns.

But Li Muzhi reminded Zhang Ganren that this radar was extremely important, and once it was completed, he must be informed immediately.

Li Muzhi stopped writing, looked at the radar that Zhang Ganren had installed, and asked in surprise, "Comrade Zhang Ganren, your efficiency is even faster than when you installed the first radar. You saved almost a quarter of the time. How did you do that?"

Even though Zhang Ganren had experience assembling the first radar, this efficiency was still astonishing.

"Hehe." Zhang Ganren chuckled, then explained, "I just thought of a few tricks during assembly, which saved time."

"What's the little trick?" Li Muzhi asked.

"As you instructed, I've written it all down in the notebook." Zhang Ganren handed the notebook to Li Muzhi.

As Li Muzhi once said, if you have any inspiration or important information at work, it is best to write it down in a timely manner.

"You take a rest, let me take a look first." Li Muzhi took the notebook.

“Okay.” Zhang Ganren nodded, picked up the water glass on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

As she put down her water glass, she noticed the blueprints for the large eight-shot rifle that Li Muzhi had placed on the table.

Zhang Ganren's gaze was immediately drawn to it again, and he began to look at it intently.

Seeing this, Li Muzhi instructed, "Zhang Ganren, you can look at it, but you can't just make random changes with a pen. If you have any ideas, talk to me after I've finished checking the radar."

"I know, I know, don't worry, factory director. How could I possibly scribble on your hard work?" Zhang Ganren said without looking up.

Li Muzhi opened the notebook and looked at it.

After reading the tips recorded by Zhang Ganren, he was full of admiration: "I didn't expect that. How come I didn't think of that before?"

These tips are not only highly feasible, but the assembled parts also operate more smoothly. Li Muzhi estimated that this radar, which has not yet been tested, should be able to withstand the intensity of continuous operation for ten hours.

The radar that Li Muzhi assembled himself could operate continuously for eight hours.

Radar is very important; if possible, it's best to keep it on all the time.

In this way, the intelligence department could detect in time whether Japanese planes took off or an unfamiliar radio station was sending out radio waves.

But there is no way.

Due to limitations in the system, the electronic components have a limited load-bearing capacity, so the radar cannot be kept on continuously.

This is also why Li Muzhi instructed Zhang Ganren to inform Li Muzhi as soon as the second radar was developed.

After Li Muzhi's test showed no problems, he would immediately provide the information to the intelligence department again.

In this way, they can operate the two radars in turn, thus achieving 24/7 monitoring.

Li Muzhi closed the notebook and looked up at Zhang Ganren.

Zhang Ganren remained focused on the blueprints and did not pick up a pen to scribble.

Li Muzhi didn't disturb him, and called out to Xiao Gu outside, "Xiao Gu, come in for a moment."

"Factory Manager, what's the matter?" Xiao Gu opened the door and quickly walked up to Li Muzhi.

"Start cranking the hand-cranked generator as I instructed," Li Muzhi said, pointing to the hand-cranked generator connected to the radar.

"Yes, Factory Manager." Xiao Gu nodded and immediately started the hand-cranked generator as instructed by Li Muzhi.

The power indicator light turned green, and Li Muzhi connected the power source.

The moment the power was switched on, the radar receiver immediately began scanning, and the display lit up.

There are several small bright spots on the monitor; those are birds.

This time, the radar did not show a large spot of light as it did last time, because there were no Japanese planes in the sky now.

Li Muzhi didn't care. An airplane is a much bigger target than a bird. If radar can detect a bird, it can naturally detect an airplane as well.

In other words, the radar's air target acquisition function is normal.

At that moment, the receiver captured the radio waves.

Li Muzhi quickly calculated and immediately determined from the location that it was the high-powered radio station at headquarters transmitting a message.

Li Muzhi picked up the phone: "Connect me to Section Chief Wu Yaohan."

The call connected quickly, and Wu Yaohan's voice came through: "This is Wu Yaohan."

"Section Chief Wu, I am Li Muzhi," Li Muzhi said.

"Oh, it's Factory Director Li! You called me personally. Is there something you need me to do?" Upon hearing Li Muzhi's voice, Wu Yaohan's tone instantly became more excited.

Thanks to the radar built by Li Muzhi, Wu Yaohan has already uncovered eight spies, a full eight!

If it weren't for Li Muzhi, those eight spies might have dropped a bombshell at any time, and the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Putting aside everything else, take the intelligence that the Military Intelligence Bureau was collecting about eggs, duck eggs, and cotton. If it wasn't dealt with in time, the clothing factory being found would be secondary. If the arsenal were found by the Military Intelligence Bureau, not only would Wu Yaohan, the head of the intelligence section, be out of a job, but the development of our Eighth Route Army's military industry might also be quickly brought back to its original state. No one could bear that price.

"Section Chief Wu, it's nothing. I just wanted to ask if your high-powered radio is transmitting right now?" Li Muzhi asked.

The radar display is still receiving radio waves.

This means that the radio station is still operating.

“Yes, that’s right.” Wu Yaohan nodded and said, “It was the headquarters commander who ordered me to…”

Before Wu Yaohan could finish speaking, Li Muzhi interrupted him: "Section Chief Wu, all I need to do is confirm that your high-powered radio is currently transmitting. As for the content, there's no need to tell me."

Wu Yaohan asked excitedly, "Director Li, you received the radio waves from my high-powered radio station. Could it be that you've developed another radar?"

Wu Yaohan was naturally excited.

Although Li Muzhi had managed to build himself a radar, it had to be shut down after eight hours of continuous operation to allow the machine to cool down and rest.

The machine needs to be properly rested before it can be turned on again.

If a spy sends a message while the machine is resting, wouldn't that interfere with monitoring?

If Li Muzhi makes a second radar, then we can use them alternately.

“Yes, that’s right,” Li Muzhi nodded and said, “I’m currently testing the second radar. It seems to be working well so far, without any problems, and it’s even been in use for two hours longer than the first radar.”

"Director Li, that means the second radar is of even better quality than the first one," Wu Yaohan said happily. "Then can I send someone to pick it up right away?"

Factory Director Li's speed in building radar is just too fast.

“If my test shows no problems, I’ll send someone to deliver it to you,” Li Muzhi said. “You’ve probably discovered quite a few spies on your end, and you’re probably short-handed.”

"Yes, that's true." Wu Yaohan admitted, "We've discovered quite a few spies all at once, and some of them haven't been caught yet. In addition, Wang Xun's men have suffered losses, so we're really short-handed. Director Li, then I'll have to trouble you."

"Why are you being so polite? Your intelligence department's ability to promptly screen and arrest enemy spies and traitors is also ensuring the stability and security of our rear." After saying that, Li Muzhi hung up the phone.

"Alright, Xiao Gu, stop now." After checking a few more details and confirming that there were no problems, Li Muzhi instructed Xiao Gu, "Go find Lao He and tell him that the second radar is finished. Have him bring some people with the boxes to unpack and repack it."

"Yes, Factory Manager." Xiao Gu stopped cranking the generator, stood up, and jogged out.

Li Muzhi picked up the instruction manual for the second radio and changed a sentence: "The normal operating time of this radar is estimated to be around ten hours, and the maximum operating time should not exceed twelve hours." The reason for noting the maximum operating time is to take into account the load-bearing limits of the radar components.

On the battlefield, anything can happen.

If one of the two radars reaches the end of its normal operating time and should be shut down, while the second radar malfunctions when turned on, then the first radar's operating time must be extended to avoid delaying emergency military situations.

After Li Muzhi finished writing, he read the instruction manual from beginning to end again, checked it again to make sure there were no problems, and then closed the manual.

At this moment, Lao He arrived with several people.

Under Li Muzhi's instructions, the radar and hand-cranked generator were quickly disassembled and packed into a wooden crate.

"Old He, find the guard captain and ask him to send some men to deliver this equipment to Section Chief Wu in the intelligence department," Li Muzhi instructed Old He.

"Yes, factory manager." Old He nodded, led his men to carry away the boxes, and closed the door before leaving.

After Lao He left, Li Muzhi walked to the table. Zhang Ganren immediately said to Li Muzhi, "Factory Director, you drew a circle on this spring. Are you planning to cancel the device that automatically springs back up when the bullet is empty?"

“Yes.” Li Muzhi nodded and said, “Originally, when the bullets were empty, the magazine would automatically pop out of the bolt, which could alert our soldiers very promptly. But if the magazine pops out, the enemy will observe the details and soon know that the soldiers’ guns are empty, which is definitely a threat on the battlefield.”

Although, U.S. soldiers often pretend to throw an empty magazine when on the battlefield to mislead the enemy.

Make the enemy think they're out of bullets, then rush at them, and take the opportunity to kill them.

However, our army has limited resources, and it's impossible for every soldier to carry a large eight-round magazine. Most likely, only one of these magazines can be distributed.

After all, a magazine holds eight bullets, which means a soldier can only have eight bullets, posing a significant challenge to our army's ammunition supply capabilities.

Although the equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal has been acquired, the installation of the equipment, raw materials, workers, and power will all take time.

Therefore, this tactic of ejecting magazines into the air is only suitable for the well-funded US military, not for our army.

"Hmm." Zhang Ganren nodded and said, "I do have a solution."

"Tell me."

Zhang Ganren pointed to the bolt on the blueprint and said, "I think we can make some changes here. When there is no next bullet in the chamber, the bolt will not reset. This way, it can remind the soldiers that there are no bullets."

Upon hearing this, Li Mu paused again.

This solution of Zhang Ganren is exactly the kind of empty-load hold-on function that Li Muzhi planned to use in later generations.

It's important to know that Li Muzhi directly copied and pasted material from later generations.

Zhang Ganren came up with the idea on his own in such a short time, which is enough to prove that he also has an amazing talent for designing guns.

“Excellent, Comrade Zhang Ganren, your solution is very good, and I also plan to adopt it,” Li Muzhi praised. “I will revise the blueprints; you should go and install the last radar.”

The more amazing the talent Zhang Ganren displayed, the greater the help he provided to Li Muzhi later.

"Yes, Factory Director." Zhang Ganren was full of energy after receiving Li Muzhi's praise, just like a thoroughbred horse meeting its discerning owner.

Zhang Ganren immediately began assembling the third radar, while Li Muzhi picked up a pen and changed the magazine ejection mechanism on the blueprint to an empty magazine hold-up mechanism.

After the revisions were completed, it was lunchtime, and Xiao Gu's voice rang out from outside: "Factory Manager, it's time to eat."

"Understood," Li Muzhi replied, putting down his pen.

There are still some details in the drawing that are not yet complete, but you can't get fat in one bite, and the remaining details have to be revised step by step.

Li Muzhi stood up, preparing to go to the canteen for lunch, and then inspect the assembly workshop.

The equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal has arrived. Li Muzhi instructed the technicians to assemble it. Li Muzhi wrote the procedures and related instructions, but he certainly couldn't just wash his hands of the matter; he still had to go and take a look.

Seeing Zhang Ganren still working diligently, Li Muzhi asked knowingly, "Zhang Ganren, do you want to go eat together?"

"No need, factory manager, I need to hurry up and finish this last radar, then I'll make guns for you." Zhang Ganren didn't even look up. "When you come back, just bring me a meal."

"I still need to inspect the workshop, let Xiao Gu bring you some food." Zhang Ganren's decision to have Li Muzhi bring him food was clearly overstepping his bounds, but Li Muzhi didn't mind at all.

If the ancients could treat the virtuous with respect and humility, why can't we?

“Okay, sure.” Zhang Ganren didn’t even look up.

Li Muzhi walked to the door, opened it, and Xiao Gu was standing outside.

Li Muzhi said, "I'll eat at the cafeteria this time. You can come eat with me. After you finish eating, bring some for Zhang Ganren."

"Yes, Factory Manager." Xiao Gu nodded and followed Li Muzhi respectfully.

"Xiao Gu, come over here," Li Muzhi said to Xiao Gu.

"Factory Director, I'm not worthy." Xiao Gu shook his head. Who was Factory Director Li? He was the most outstanding military industry expert in our army.

Xiao Gu dared not walk alongside Li Muzhi, believing herself unworthy.

“What do you mean by being a good match? In my eyes, you’re like my younger brother,” Li Muzhi said gently. “Besides, doesn’t our army also emphasize equality between officers and soldiers? If you walk behind me like this, it makes me seem like I’m not being fair.”

"Factory manager, do you consider me your younger brother?" Xiao Gu was surprised, not expecting Li Muzhi to say such a thing.

This is Director Li, a military industry genius whom Minister Zhang and the headquarters leaders cherish as their precious treasures. He treats me like a younger brother!
“Come over here.” Li Muzhi nodded. “You’ve been working for me for a while now, and I still don’t know you well enough.”

"What's there to understand? I'm just a poor kid." Xiao Gu walked up to Li Muzhi at his instruction, her tone somewhat ashamed.

“What’s wrong with children from poor families?” Li Muzhi said seriously. “Before our troops were re-equipped, weren’t they all organized by children from poor families? In the past, our troops fought for the poor, and now they are defending our country. Everyone has a responsibility to defend our homeland and resist the Japanese invasion, regardless of social status.”

"Director Li, you're right. It's everyone's responsibility to defend our land and fight the Japanese. But I want to go to the battlefield to kill the Japanese devils, and Minister Zhang won't let me. Can you make an exception for me?" Hearing Li Muzhi say this, Xiao Gu mustered up his courage.

"Xiao Gu, from what you're saying, you want to go to the battlefield to kill the Japanese, is that right?" Li Muzhi sensed Xiao Gu's emotions.

“Yes.” Xiao Gu nodded, her eyes a little red. “I have four older brothers. They all died on the battlefield, sacrificing their lives for the country. I am the youngest in the family. When my mother sent me to the army, she told me that I must kill four Japanese devils to avenge my four brothers. But I have been a soldier for so long, let alone killing four Japanese devils. I was directly assigned to logistics by Minister Zhang. I have never even seen a Japanese devil.”

"I see." Li Muzhi was somewhat moved. He hadn't expected that this seemingly introverted and timid child would have such a family background.

His four older brothers all died in battle, and his mother still sent him to join the army. This is just too much...

After a pause, Li Muzhi asked, "Do you have any other family members, like younger siblings or something?"

"No, I'm the youngest." Xiao Gu shook her head.

“Xiao Gu, there are actually other ways to kill Japanese soldiers.” Li Muzhi adjusted his emotions. If he were Zhang Wanhe, he probably wouldn’t have been willing to send Xiao Gu to the front line.

All four of his older brothers are dead. If Xiao Gu is also gone, what will happen to his mother?

"What method?" Xiao Gu's eyes lit up.

“Like me, making weapons for our army, so that the troops can use those weapons to kill the Japanese, it’s like they’re killing the Japanese for me,” Li Muzhi said solemnly.

"Factory manager, I don't have your skills at all." The light in Xiao Gu's eyes dimmed again.

"I wasn't born with this skill either; I learned it through studying and thinking," Li Muzhi said. "I'll get you some materials later. You can read, so you can take your time and look at them yourself, okay?"

"Factory manager, can I learn something from you?" Xiao Gu asked in surprise.

In his eyes, and in the eyes of the workers at the arsenal, the factory director was like a shining sun.

His light shone on everyone, making everyone feel warm and cozy.

Now that she can learn from the factory manager, Xiao Gu not only feels warm, but her whole body instantly feels hot.

Xiao Gu had seen all those hell cannons and hell missiles manufactured in the factory; they were all made by Factory Director Li.

The combat troops used these weapons to kill many Japanese soldiers. Even the Jin-Sui Army used these weapons to behead a Japanese brigade commander, turning the tide of the battle.

Learning skills from the factory manager is definitely better than fighting the enemy on the battlefield.

Although this way he couldn't personally kill the enemy, at least he could serve the country in another way and also see his mother off in her final days.

“As long as you are willing to learn…” Li Muzhi did not finish his sentence.

Xiao Gu immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Li Muzhi: "Factory Director, I am willing to learn, I am willing to learn."

“Get up, our army doesn’t do this.” Li Muzhi pulled Xiao Gu up. “We’ve arrived at the mess hall, let’s eat first.”

"Yes, factory director."

……

(End of this chapter)