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

Zhao Ping'an's description made 502's eyes flash with a strange light.

Heavy machine guns enhance firepower suppression, mortars and multiple rocket launchers provide instantaneous saturation damage, and individual rocket launchers give infantry an anti-armor "jab."

—If these weapons can be equipped to the troops, the East China Field Army's tactical options will become more diverse, and its firepower will be more three-dimensional. In particular, its advantages will be further amplified in mobile annihilation of the enemy and rapid assault. Especially since the topic was just raised at the meeting, Zhao Ping'an immediately thought of it and provided a solution, and even added some things.

This gave Chief No. 502 a new understanding of Zhao Ping'an.

But what Zhao Ping'an said next truly shocked 502 and even Xu Yuanshan standing to the side.

"However, sir," Zhao Ping'an changed the subject, his tone carrying the excitement of someone who had discovered a treasure.

"When I was thinking about how to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops, I realized that I had overlooked something before. There is an extremely critical and cost-effective piece of equipment for our troop transportation and logistical support - trucks."

"Trucks?" 502 was slightly taken aback. They did have trucks, including captured old American Dodges, 10-wheel trucks, and even some Japanese trucks, but the number was limited, their condition varied, and fuel and spare parts were difficult to guarantee, making it hard to rely on them on a large scale in field conditions.

"Yes, a truck." Zhao Ping'an nodded vigorously, his mind filled with the classic, green-painted, boxy steel figure from the system.

—Jiefang CA10 truck. Unit price—6 system coins!

Having once again experienced the allure of Industrial Cthulhu, Zhao Ping'an directly uttered the name.

"We call it the Liberation Truck."

"This is a medium-sized truck with a very mature design, simple structure, and robust durability."

Its maximum speed on highways can reach about 65 kilometers per hour, and its standard load capacity is 4 tons.

It lacks complex power steering and power brakes, requiring some effort to drive and demanding a high level of skill from the driver.

Zhao Ping'an made no attempt to downplay its "shortcomings," but then his voice rose.

"It has several unparalleled advantages:

First, it is extremely durable and reliable, has relatively low requirements for road conditions, and is relatively easy to maintain;

Second, it has good fuel adaptability;

Third, and most importantly—its price is extremely low relative to its carrying capacity and reliability!

Zhao Ping'an didn't keep anyone in suspense and immediately offered 1.2 million.

"Therefore, we can provide 2000 Jiefang trucks and a large amount of fuel in the first batch, and continue to provide them as needed."

"2000 vehicles?!" 502's breathing quickened slightly.

He knew all too well what large-scale motorized mobility meant for an army aiming to annihilate the enemy through large-scale maneuvers!

That means troops can assemble, maneuver, infiltrate, and pursue more quickly; it means artillery, ammunition, and food can be delivered more rapidly.

The wounded can be evacuated more promptly, and the rhythm and initiative of the entire battle will be firmly in our own hands!

He knew all too well that with the weak industrial base and limited resources under the blockade, it was nothing short of a pipe dream to assemble a large-scale convoy.

But now there are 2000 trucks! And that's the first batch!

"Two...two thousand vehicles?!" Xu Yuanshan gasped, almost standing up from his chair.

Two thousand trucks with a load capacity of four tons! This means that eight thousand tons of supplies can be transported at once! Or an army of 4 to 5 people, which is the strength of a corps!

This is equivalent to increasing the strategic mobility of the main force of the East China Field Army by several orders of magnitude!

"However, sir," Zhao Ping'an continued.

"Driving and maintaining this fleet requires a large number of trained drivers and mechanics."

We can provide simplified training materials and teaching aids simultaneously.

It was also recommended that young people with mechanical skills or strong learning abilities be immediately mobilized from the military and local communities for intensive training.

"Great! That's fantastic!" 502 abruptly stood up, paced around the office a couple of times, then turned around abruptly.

"I'll take care of the drivers and mechanics! Recruit and select them immediately throughout the army and the base areas!"

"Comrade Ping An, when will these 2000 trucks arrive? How will the handover be handled?"

"The handover location and method should remain the same as last time, preferably close to our secure rear. I will immediately coordinate with the channels to strive for phased delivery within a week," Zhao Ping'an gave a relatively conservative but feasible deadline. System shipments and transportation can be quick, but the actual receiving, concealment, and distribution take time.

"I'll choose the location! I'll personally arrange the security and guard duties!" 502 said decisively. He knew the importance of these trucks and that there could be no mistakes.

After discussing the most crucial aspect—mobile forces—Zhao Ping'an brought up the request from the army commander at the meeting regarding small-scale arsenals and medicines.

"Sir, regarding the penicillin factory and the arsenal mentioned at the meeting," Zhao Ping'an said.

"In principle, I completely agree, and we can provide more complete and higher-capacity equipment than Higashino's."

However, Political Commissar Xu and I originally planned to go to Nakano first to provide a batch of agreed-upon supplies.

I suggest we proceed with the original plan and go to Nakano first. Once the handover of supplies and necessary assistance are completed in Nakano, we should immediately return to Hanano. I can provide some factory blueprints here so we can begin site selection and basic factory construction. As for the equipment, I will bring it back with me when I return.”

"However, the troops urgently need medicines, especially penicillin, and cannot wait."

I can immediately provide one million bottles (20 units/bottle) of penicillin through existing channels, as well as a large quantity of basic medical supplies such as hemostatic powder and bandages.

To meet the current needs for treating the wounded and for emergency response in subsequent battles.

"One million bottles?!" Xu Yuanshan was once again stunned by this astronomical figure. Penicillin! A life-saving drug more valuable than gold! What does one million bottles mean? That's enough to support the entire East China Field Army, and even more units, in treating wounded soldiers during prolonged, high-intensity combat without worrying about drug shortages!

Then, upon further reflection, he realized that he had personally witnessed Zhao Ping'an establish several penicillin factories, the lowest of which produced 5000 bottles per day. So, a million bottles would only last for a few months, which was really not much.

"Comrade Ping An," 502's voice was unusually solemn, "On behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the East China Field Army, I thank you!"

He walked to the map, his finger tracing a line from Jinan down to the heart of the Central Plains:

"With these, we'll be even more confident in fighting this battle in the Central Plains! Here, truck delivery, driver training, new weapons deployment training, and campaign planning will all proceed simultaneously! You go to the Central Plains Field Army first, and return quickly. By the time you come back, the basic construction of our factory will definitely be completed!"