Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

The humming of the machines inside the cave had become the most pleasant melody in Lao Xu's ears.

"Peace, peace," Old Xu turned around and looked at Zhao Ping'an standing to the side, "Just how many treasures are in your head?"

The penicillin factory just got up and running, and now this gun barrel production line is up and running! If Old Wang from the arsenal sees this, he'll cling to you and never let go!

Zhao Ping'an smiled and was about to speak when Old Xu's expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice and said, "Perfect timing, we have the latest instructions from the commander."

The two walked to a relatively secluded cubicle inside the cave. It had been temporarily converted by Zhao Ping'an into a small meeting room, and the soundproofing was quite good.

"The commander asked me to ask you two things," Old Xu said bluntly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

"First, can you still purchase those 122mm howitzers and their ammunition that you previously obtained through 'channels'? How many? What are the prices?"

Zhao Ping'an's heart skipped a beat. The 122mm howitzer was one of the heavy weapons he had previously "donated" to the troops, and it had played a key role in the previous blocking battle. It seemed that the front lines had tasted success.

"Yes," Zhao Ping'an answered readily. "As long as the gold arrives, the quantity... theoretically, is unlimited. However, considering the secrecy of transportation and reception, it's best not to exceed 5 units per batch. As for the price..."

He paused for a moment to think.

系统商城里，83式122毫米榴弹炮售价50万系统币一门，约合1.67根大黄鱼；炮弹2000系统币一发，约合0.067根大黄鱼百发。

However, Zhao Ping'an thought the price couldn't be too high, considering he'd already spent a considerable amount of money on the penicillin factory. It also couldn't be too low, otherwise it would hinder the future establishment of an industrial system.

After all, the idea that "it's better to buy than to build" still has a large market more than 70 years later. If it weren't for Comrade Trump's series of bizarre actions after going deep behind enemy lines to become the leader, the words "independence and self-reliance" would probably still be tarnished in some industries for a long time.

"122mm howitzer, 3 large yellow croaker shells per gun. Shells, 100 rounds per large yellow croaker shell." Zhao Ping'an quoted a price that was far below market expectations but still allowed for a reasonable profit.

Old Xu's eyes widened instantly, and his breathing quickened: "How much? Three per cannon? One large yellow croaker shell for 100 rounds?"

Old Xu had a "friend" in the Central Army who heard that a single American 105mm howitzer cost $40,000, and each shell cost $100. Based on the calculation of $35 an ounce of gold, $100 was equivalent to 81 grams of gold, which translates to about 100 large gold bars for a 105mm howitzer. One large gold bar couldn't even buy four shells.

The current price is much lower than his "upper limit" price—100 large yellow croakers for one cannon, and three cannonballs for each large yellow croaker! It's practically free!

"Wait a minute," Old Xu said, barely suppressing his excitement, "Comrade Ping An, I'm not kidding. Are you really sure it's three large yellow croakers for one cannon? One large yellow croaker for 100 shells?"

"Yeah, there's an even bigger cannon? A 155mm cannon that can fire 40 miles? Do you want one? It's cheap too!" Seeing Old Xu's surprised expression again, Zhao Ping'an, feeling that he had maximized the emotional value, continued his "Versailles-like presentation": "155mm howitzer, 5 large yellow croakers per cannon. Shells, 70 rounds per large yellow croaker."

Old Xu suddenly stood up, paced back and forth in the cramped cubicle, his face flushed with excitement:

"Great! That's wonderful! Ping An, you really are...you're a lifesaver!"

He stopped and stared intently at Zhao Ping'an:

"Second question: Can these heavy artillery pieces and shells be transported to Northeast China? Our army is about to launch a large-scale offensive along the Changchun-Siping line and urgently needs heavy firepower to break through the enemy's defenses! If they can be transported, how long will it take? How will they be transported?"

Zhao Ping'an had long anticipated this question. A few months later, the Liaoshen Campaign, the first of the three major campaigns, would begin on the Northeast battlefield, laying the foundation for the liberation of the whole country.

"Ship it there, no problem," Zhao Ping'an said confidently. "My 'channels' are capable of secretly transporting goods to pre-arranged locations in the Northeast inland or on the border via sea or land. But there are two problems."

"you say!"

"First, time. From coordination, preparation, transportation to safe handover, it takes at least a month. Second, and most importantly,"

Zhao Ping'an looked into Lao Xu's eyes. "They only recognize me. The handover location, identification method, and final acceptance must all be done in person. Otherwise, they won't deliver the goods."

Old Xu frowned. Zhao Ping'an was now the commander of the Independent Sixth Brigade and the core of a series of important projects, including the penicillin factory and the gun barrel factory. Sending him personally to the extremely risky Northeast to hand over munitions…

But the front lines urgently need it!

Old Xu gritted his teeth: "What if... what if the higher-ups agree and send a capable team to escort you there? Could you go?"

"Yes," Zhao Ping'an replied without hesitation. "It's my duty to do this for the front lines."

Old Xu nodded emphatically, then continued, "Ping An, there's something else I need to tell you. The commander asked me to convey that the higher-ups can currently allocate a total of 1000 large yellow croakers (a type of firearm) for the emergency purchase of heavy artillery. This is practically... our last remaining contingency fund. You need to be aware of this."

1000 large yellow croakers! According to Zhao Ping'an's quote, that's enough to buy over 300 122mm howitzers and tens of thousands of shells, or 200 155mm howitzers and their matching shells! That's enough to form several heavy artillery regiments and completely change the firepower balance on the Northeast battlefield!

But Old Xu wasn't finished: "However, in the Northeast... more than 90% of the area is now our secure rear. More importantly, we've discovered gold mines with considerable reserves in parts of Heilongjiang and Jilin! Although the current mining methods are outdated and production is limited, a rough estimate suggests that the local gold reserves, combined with existing reserves, will be at least this much—"

He held up two fingers: "Two thousand large yellow croakers. And if the harvest goes smoothly, there will be more to come."

Two thousand! Zhao Ping'an's heart suddenly raced. Adding the 1000 from inside the pass, that's 3000 large yellow croakers! Enough for him to do so much!

His mind raced with calculations, but his face remained impassive, instead displaying a sincere expression:

"Old Xu, don't worry too much about the funding. For the sake of the front lines, I can have the 'channels' deliver the goods first. Send the artillery over there so the soldiers can use it! As for the payment... we can make up the difference once the gold mines in the Northeast have stabilized, or when we have more money. Anyway, it's not the first time we've paid on delivery!"

"Comrade Ping An..."

Seeing the shocked yet touched expression on Old Xu's face, Zhao Ping'an chuckled inwardly and decided to make another joke:

"How about this, after this batch of cannons is handed over, you might as well leave me in the Northeast."

I'll take a look at that gold mine. Maybe we can even get a set of advanced mining equipment from 'the channels' and install it ahead of time to increase production. That would be contributing to our revolutionary cause!

This was just a casual remark, meant to lighten the mood.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Ping'an was stunned.

Old Xu was also stunned.