A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Wang Zhi was also full of questions and asked, "What is this intermediate-power ammunition?"

Song Hongfei said, "It is different from the full-power bullets currently in use. Its propellant is reduced by about half, and its length, weight and power are all reduced. This is beneficial for controlling the recoil and vibration of automatic weapons in continuous fire."

Wang asked, puzzled, "The power will also decrease?"

“Yes, the power will be reduced,” Song Hongfei said. “Actually, bullets nowadays are too powerful. It’s a misconception to pursue high power and long range. In modern warfare, artillery accounts for the majority of the damage, and rifle engagements are almost always within 4 meters. There’s no need to pursue excessively long range.”

This is yet another fresh idea, and everyone is thinking about it carefully.

Song Hongfei asked Zhang Yi, "Your eyesight and marksmanship are excellent. How about I give you visual aiming and shooting at a human target 400 meters away?"

Zhang Yi thought for a moment and said, "I'm confident at 200 meters, but 300 meters is quite difficult, and 400 meters is too risky. At 400 meters, the target is extremely small, and half of the crosshair can cover the target, making it basically impossible to aim. I can only shoot by feel."

Song Hongfei nodded and said, "That's right. Even an excellent marksman can only aim at targets 2 to 3 meters away with iron sights. On the battlefield, it's even more difficult to aim accurately."

Zhang Yi asked Song Hongfei, "You can't even manage 400 meters?"

Song Hongfei shook his head slightly and said, "I could give it a try, but I'm not very confident."

Song Hongfei continued, "Long-range suppression fire is what machine guns do. The 'weapon family' I envision is for equipping infantry below the platoon level, with standardized ammunition calibers, including light machine guns, rifles, and assault rifles."

Song Hongfei added, "The first generation of semi-automatic rifles and light-heavy machine guns with full-power ammunition were mainly used for long-range precision shooting and fire suppression. In other words, we can even equip infantry companies with heavy machine guns."

Yu Dawei and the two trainees were shocked. They knew very well that if heavy machine guns were equipped to infantry companies, it would mean that the firepower of Chinese infantry companies could completely suppress Japanese companies.

Even the best-equipped major powers could only equip their infantry with heavy machine guns down to the battalion level. During combat, the battalion-level heavy machine gun company would be broken up and reassigned to the infantry company. Routine training and management remained at the battalion level. This was because modern heavy machine guns were water-cooled, extremely heavy, and required a whole squad to equip with ammunition, accessories, and spare parts, making marching maneuverable only by mules and horses.

Yu Dawei said, "Your idea is very advanced and feasible. However, developing new munitions is not an easy task."

Song Hongfei nodded and said, "Commander Yu, I have already made preliminary calculations and designs for intermediate-power bullets. According to the calculations, the effective range of the rifle can reach 400-600 meters, the light machine gun 600-800 meters, and the heavy machine gun 800-1000 meters. It's good that you, a ballistics expert, are here. I will give you the data and design drawings. There is still a lot of testing and matching work to be done."

Yu Dawei could no longer contain his excitement and joy. He patted Song Hongfei on the shoulder and said, "Good lad! I've studied your paper carefully, and I have to admit, even I, a so-called ballistics expert, have to admit defeat!"

Yu Dawei said, "I was appointed by Mr. Chiang Kai-shek for two reasons. First, to convey the encouragement and commendation from the Military Commission to you. Second, to appoint you three talented individuals as logistics ministers. Mr. Chiang Kai-shek has instructed the Military Commission's Office for Supervising Students Studying in the United States and the Embassy in the United States to provide all necessary conveniences and assistance. As for funding, you need not worry about it."

All three were overjoyed.

Yu Dawei continued, “Our nation is impoverished and weak, facing countless challenges and a difficult path forward. We, the sons and daughters of China, must all strive to strengthen ourselves and shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing with diligence and determination! I hope that you three young talents will continue your efforts, pursue your goals with steadfastness, and innovate with pragmatism. We must never forget Premier Sun Yat-sen’s last words: ‘The revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades must continue to work hard!’”

The three were still very excited.

Yu Dawei's tone turned serious as he solemnly addressed the three: "Everything I say today must be kept strictly confidential! Until it is fully developed, you must not let a single word be known to a fourth person!"

He looked directly at the three men, tears welling in his eyes: "This is a matter of life and death for the nation and its people!"

The three men, their hearts pounding with emotion, stood at attention and declared resolutely, "Yes, sir!"

Song Hongfei designed for two calibers. The 7.92mm caliber used domestically adopted the 600mm barrel of the Mauser M1924 rifle, with a gas port drilled in. The 7.62mm caliber used the barrel of the Garand semi-automatic rifle, which also features a gas-operated long-stroke piston, requiring minimal modification to the barrel.

Song Hongfei considered changing the 10-round magazine of the prototype Type 56 semi-automatic rifle to a 10-round magazine. The front-mounted, rear-locked magazine is more convenient for loading than the magazine, and changing magazines takes less time, resulting in a higher actual rate of fire. In his "family of rifles" design, there will also be automatic, semi-automatic, and short assault rifles, which definitely cannot use a magazine.

Some parts could only be manufactured in arsenals, which took considerable effort. It must be said that in 1930s America, the Chinese Exclusion Act still held sway, and Chinese people in the US frequently faced various restrictions.

At this point, the Song family's connections and the power of the capitalist class came into full play. Through various relationships with the Nationalist government, the Song family, and overseas Chinese, and by using Song Hongfei's research findings as leverage, they were able to smooth things over and commission the Winchester Arms Company factory in New Haven, Connecticut, to carry out custom production.

"Who the hell said Americans don't care about connections?" Song Hongfei thought to himself. "I can't care about that now. As long as they can be of use to me, they're good connections!"

Song Hongfei knew that many people in later generations held this view. Now he understood that it was all nonsense; the Americans not only said it, but they always said it, and sometimes even more so.

What impressed him most was that West Point graduates have a deeply ingrained tradition—extremely strong emphasis on alumni relationships! As long as you are a West Point alumnus, no matter what happens, just look through the alumni directory and you can find outstanding individuals from West Point in any field. Moreover, everyone sticks together and will do their best to help each other.

Unity is also the source of West Point's strength.

"Make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible." Song Hongfei deeply understood and kept in mind this truth from a certain great man in the future. This is the true essence of the invincible united front.

Song Hongfei paid a special visit to Situ Meitang, a famous overseas Chinese leader in the United States and a bigwig of the Hongmen Zhigongtang.

The mysterious old man who taught Song Hongfei martial arts mentioned his old friend Situ Meitang in his letter. So, Song Hongfei should visit him.

In 1904, Situ Meitang met Sun Yat-sen, the "Father of the Nation," who was in the United States. They hit it off immediately and became sworn brothers. Situ Meitang actively supported and helped Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities.

In 1905, Situ Mei-tong established the "On Leong Tong" in New York, serving as its president for over forty years. On Leong Tong was the most powerful Hongmen organization in North America, with branches in dozens of cities across the United States, boasting a large scale and more than 2 members.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, then governor of New York and soon-to-be president of the United States, who turned the tide during the Great Depression, was once the legal advisor to the On Leong Tong.

When Song Hongfei and Master Situ talked about the mysterious old man, Situ Meitang couldn't help but sigh with emotion, and couldn't help but recall the passionate past of their old friends when they were young.

Memories of youth are always warm and sentimental, and everyone in the Hongmen couldn't help but smile and sigh.

Situ Meitang, a prominent figure in the Hongmen and a patriotic overseas Chinese leader, praised Song Hongfei highly, saying with a smile, "Since the September 18 Incident last year, I have seen many articles about your deeds in the newspapers. You have truly brought honor to our country!"

He nodded repeatedly, praising, "Truly, the younger generation is to be feared! Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"

This made Song Hongfei a little embarrassed, and Situ Meitang readily agreed to his request without hesitation.

With these official and unofficial connections, things become much easier.