Anti-Japanese War, weapons designer at Fengtian Arsenal

After placing an order for 100 guns, Captain Li Xiaoshan planned to return home. Before leaving, he told Li Qinwu that he must be notified when the new submachine gun was ready to come and observe. He wanted to see what a submachine gun that could be made at a lower cost than a rifle would look like.

Li Qinwu agreed, and together with Director Huang, he sent Captain Li out of the arsenal, and then planned to go back to draw the blueprints of the Sten submachine gun.

But Director Huang stopped him.

"Director Li, our arsenal is quite large. I see that you have been here for a few days, but you have been hanging around the workshop. You haven't really seen the factory, right? Why don't I take you around now?"

Li Qinwu saw the smile on this guy's face and knew that he had something to say, so he nodded in agreement.

"Then I would like to thank Director Huang."

The two of them strolled around the factory leisurely, and this tour allowed Li Qinwu to understand the strength of the Xiaoyi Arsenal.

Although the Xiaoyi Arsenal is not as large as the Fengtian Arsenal, it has all the necessary facilities and can manufacture pistols, rifles, machine guns, bullets, grenades and artillery shells.

Li Qinwu followed in the footsteps of Director Huang and looked at these weapons factories, feeling deeply moved.

The Xiaoyi Arsenal has left an indelible mark in the history of China's military industry development. For a long time to come, it will continue to develop, expand its workforce and factory area, and produce the Zhongzheng rifle and Type 82 mortar, which were heroes in the fight against the Japanese aggression.

Later, it also produced poisonous gases and gas masks, making an indelible contribution to the entire War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Unfortunately, after the July 1937 Incident in , North China fell and the Xiaoyi Arsenal came into the attack range of Japanese bombers. Japanese bombers bombed the Xiaoyi Arsenal many times. As a last resort, superiors ordered the dismantling of the machinery and transporting it to Changsha, Henan and other places. Some machines were also sent to Sichuan.

At this time, the two were walking on a section of railway. There were several railways in the Xiaoyi Arsenal, crisscrossing various factory areas. They could quickly transport various raw materials into various factory buildings, and could also transport heavy machinery in and out.

There were not many people around this section of railway, and Director Huang, who was walking in front, spoke.

"Director Li, regarding Director Huang Xiansheng's order for 2000 submachine guns, I have consulted with my superiors."

Li Qinwu's ears pricked up instantly. No wonder Lao Deng wanted to chat with him today. It turned out to be about this matter.

To be honest, when he signed the order with Huang Xiansheng, he was not very sure. Those who knew about the relationship between the Nationalist government and the warlords knew it well. If a northern official wanted to buy 2000 submachine guns at one time, the Nationalist government would most likely not approve it.

Huang Xiansheng probably didn't hold out much hope. He was thinking of giving Li Qinwu an order. If it was successful, it would be a good thing. If it wasn't, it could also improve Li Qinwu's status in the Xiaoyi Arsenal.

Li Qinwu promised to bring the gun to Huang Xiansheng. He planned to commit corruption, a job he was quite familiar with, as he had done it once at the Fengtian Arsenal.

However, because the 918 Incident was imminent, he operated very roughly for the sake of efficiency. Now that he is in the Xiaoyi Arsenal, he can operate more meticulously.

However, this matter still has some risks. Whether to do this or not depends on what Director Huang says next.

Li Qinwu asked cautiously, "Director Huang, what does Shangguan mean?"

Director Huang said calmly, "Director Li, when I reported this matter, my superiors disagreed.

Director Li, you are one of us now, so I will not hide anything from you. The relationship between the Central Government and these warlords... I don't need to say more, right?"

Li Qinwu stared at the fat face of this guy, waiting for him to say but.

But after waiting for a long time, this guy just stood there shaking his head and sighing, looking helpless.

Li Qinwu probably had no choice but to sigh in his heart. It seemed that he would have to engage in corruption again.

As a result, just as he started thinking about how to embezzle money, Director Huang's mistake came up.

"But after my repeated persuasion, the superior officer also considered that the Japanese invaders were rampant in the north, the people in the north were suffering from the Japanese army's iron hoofs, and the northern soldiers were eager to serve their country but had no suitable weapons in their hands, so he agreed to this business."

Li Qinwu was immediately overjoyed, thinking that he would not have to engage in corruption anymore. However, looking at Director Huang with a look of “I’m so awesome, right?” on his face, he started cursing in his heart again.

This guy kept saying that the success of this business was all due to him, but the problem is, 2000 submachine guns, a business worth nearly 20 dollars, what can a mere factory manager like you do about it?

Li Qinwu remembered that the Northeast Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army was formed in the past two days. When the Northeast Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army was formed, a young marshal who was scolded and had his soul out of his body also did something useful. He went around collecting weapons and handed them over to the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army and provided them with supplies.

Li Qinwu estimated that the order was initially rejected by the top leaders of the Nationalist government, but the young marshal was active and perhaps made some exchanges of interests with the Nationalist government, which led to the approval of the order.

Li Qinwu thought to himself, damn it, if I hadn’t come from the future and knew history, I would have been fooled by this.

"Yes, yes, thank you Director Huang for your kindness. With these submachine guns in the hands of the northern soldiers, they will be more confident in fighting the Japanese. Director Huang's contribution is really great! He will definitely go down in history."

Director Huang smacked his lips. It sounded like he was being praised, but why did the words smell so strong?

Never mind, the next part is the key point.

Director Huang looked around to make sure there was no one around, and said cautiously, "Director Li, it's almost December. According to our factory's previous practice, we, the on-duty leaders, have to pay New Year's fees."

Li Qinwu became alert instantly. New Year's Eve expenses?

He remembered what the old fireman had told him before, that Director Huang wanted to embezzle the workers' New Year's money. Seeing this guy looking around with a guilty look on his face, he was afraid that he was going to tell him about it now.

Li Qinwu pretended to be ignorant and asked casually: "Oh? Our factory has such a system? That's good, but I don't know how much the New Year's fee is?"

Director Huang stretched out five fingers and waved them in front of Li Qinwu.

"Director Li, given your current position, you should at least be paid this amount."

Li Qinwu tentatively replied: "50 dollars?"

This is a relatively normal number. His current monthly salary is 120 oceans, which would be considered a super high-income group with a monthly income of over 10 oceans in the future. The New Year's fee should be around one month's salary, which is about 50 oceans.

Director Huang shook his head and said proudly, "It's 500! 500 dollars?"

Li Qinwu's eyes widened. A benefit similar to the year-end bonus that pays four or five months' salary? It was confirmed that this guy was talking about the New Year's allowance for Meixia workers. He was trying to get him to join.

Li Qinwu didn't want to get involved in this shit. The country is in crisis, and yet these officials are still doing these petty intrigues. They are truly the iron-hatted kings among the trash, iron trash.

"Oh, Director Huang, it's almost the end of the year. I've only been in the factory for a few days and haven't made any contribution to the factory. As the saying goes, there's no reward without merit. If I accept the New Year's money this time, I'll feel guilty.

I think it would be better if I would voluntarily give up this year's New Year's money. By the end of next year, when I have worked for a full year, I can receive next year's New Year's money. This way, I will feel at ease!

Hmm? Director Huang, what is that factory building in front of us for? Let’s go over and take a look!”

After saying this, Li Qinwu ran straight towards the large factory building in front without waiting for Director Huang to reply.

Director Huang sighed a few times and hurriedly chased after him. He wanted to say a few more words of advice, but Li Qinwu didn't give him a chance and ran into the factory in a few steps.

This factory is a machinery factory, mainly used to produce generators and machine tools with low technical requirements.

When Li Qinwu entered the factory, he saw a generator being pushed down from the production line and the workers were carrying out the final debugging.

They added precious fuel to the generator and started it up. The generator began to roar and the light bulb connected to the side lit up.

This is a small to medium-sized generator. Judging from its design, it should be used by field troops to provide power for telegraphs. At this time, China had not yet achieved initial industrialization and fuel was extremely expensive. Only the field army headquarters could be equipped with fuel and generators.

Looking at the rapidly rotating mechanical structure on the generator, Li Qinwu suddenly remembered China's first self-produced car, the Minsheng brand freight truck.

Speaking of which, this thing was invented by Shaoshuai. When motorcycles and cars were introduced to China in the early years, Shaoshuai bought a Harley motorcycle and a Buick car. Since then, he has come up with the idea of ​​producing and manufacturing cars by himself.

At that time, China had not even completed the most basic industrialization, so one can imagine how difficult it was to manufacture an industrial treasure like vehicles.

However, the young marshal was very determined to produce and manufacture cars by himself. He converted the Liaoning Mortar Factory into an automobile factory, named it Minsheng Automobile Factory, allocated 72 oceans, hired American engineers, and then recruited domestic technical talents before setting up the stall.

Minsheng Automobile Factory had no experience in designing cars, so it imported vehicles from foreign countries, disassembled them for reverse technical analysis, and then purchased parts from foreign countries to assemble them. After that, it began to produce, design and manufacture cars on its own.

This first Chinese-made car was born on May 1, 1931. It is a memorable day because it marked the beginning of China's industrialization and the possibility of changing the country's destiny.

It must be said that the Zhang family has their own ideas about development. If they are given some time, maybe they can really complete primary industrialization?

In comparison, the Nationalist government, which controlled China's economic circle and possessed more resources, more economy, and more cultural population, had a terrible industrial development. The reason for this was ultimately due to the idea that it was better to buy than to make.

China's first self-produced car was called the Minsheng 75 truck. It consisted of more than 600 parts, of which more than 400 were domestically produced. It was equipped with a 65-horsepower six-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine, a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour, and a load capacity of 2 tons.

The car was exhibited at the Shanghai Auto Show, and its performance is not much worse than that of Japanese-equipped cars.

At that time, this type of car was ready for mass production, and Minsheng Company had prepared auto parts for 300 cars. Unfortunately, the September 18 Incident came, and China's automobile development was ruthlessly strangled.

This wave of blows brought China's automobile development to a halt for 25 years until the Jiefang brand came out.