Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 16 The Initial Construction of the Arsenal

With the soldiers working together, the newly purchased machine was finally carried up the mountain before dark.

Nothing unexpected happened along the way, and Wang Qiang finally felt relieved.

The next morning, Wang Qiang and his group went to find Tang Weiguo early.

"Commander, I plan to first survey the terrain and see where it would be suitable to place the machines."

"Sure, Xiao Hu, you can accompany Factory Director Wang to look around." Tang Weiguo said to Wang Qiang with great enthusiasm.

"I have only one request: make sure you are safe," Tang Weiguo instructed.

"It's the regimental commander."

Accompanied by Tang Xiaohu, Wang Qiang spent a day inspecting the military camp. They ultimately selected a cave within the Wolong Mountain cave complex, a dry location near a water source, suitable for use as an arsenal.

At that moment, he was preparing to direct the soldiers to move the machinery and equipment into the cave.

"Slow down, slow down," Wang Qiang kept a close eye on it. Fortunately, this equipment also came with a diesel generator, which could solve the electricity problem.

After selecting the location, Wang Qiang directed the soldiers to install the machine.

On the other side, Chu Xin had also chosen a location and hurriedly called Tang Weiguo over to take a look at the location.

"Brother Tang, I've chosen a few stone houses near the cave entrance for the hospital. This will ensure adequate lighting and make it easier to move patients in case of danger," Chu Yu said.

"Alright, we'll do as Miss Chu says." Tang Weiguo also had his eye on this place.

"Chu Yu, we'll need your help to recruit some soldiers as medics for Tang Xiaohu. When it comes to war, these medics will be the lifesavers for the wounded."

"War? With whom?" Chu Yu asked, puzzled.

"Of course it's the Japanese devils. Who do you think we'll fight?" Tang Weiguo retorted, his eyes seemingly revealing that he knew what Chu Yu was thinking.

"The Japanese devils, are they going to invade again?" Chu Yu asked in shock.

"The situation is becoming increasingly tense. The Japanese are ambitious and their appetites are not satisfied with just the three northeastern provinces. Sooner or later, they will continue to invade us. So I must prepare early to defend my country and make a contribution to the war of resistance against Japan."

Tang Weiguo's tone revealed his determination.

"Brother Tang, I will definitely help you train medics so that we can contribute to the fight against the Japanese," Chu Yu solemnly promised.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work," Tang Weiguo said gratefully.

"Tang Xiaohu, bring all the medical equipment over. Now you just follow Miss Chu Yu's instructions. Do whatever she tells you to do. You don't need to report to me," Tang Weiguo shouted to Tang Xiaohu.

"Yes, Commander." Tang Xiaohu ran over.

In the following days, the construction of the hospital and the small military factory also proceeded in an orderly manner.

The newly purchased weapons were gradually distributed to the troops, while the remaining weapons and obsolete firearms were temporarily stored in the warehouse, waiting to be equipped to the recruiting units of the replenishment battalion.

For a moment, Tang Weiguo had some free time. With nothing to do, he planned to chat with Chu Xin, but unexpectedly, Chu Xin and Chu Yu were busy building the hospital; the two sisters' enthusiasm for their work was bursting forth. Chu Xin didn't have time to pay any attention to Tang Weiguo, who simply frowned and returned.

Tang Weiguo glanced at the pile of gasoline drums in the corner of the military camp, patted his forehead, and knew what he had to do. He returned to his room and, recalling the appearance of the "Heartless Cannon" from later generations, drew a rough sketch. He would then have Wang Qiang and the others make it according to this design.

The famous Flying Thunder Cannon was thus born ahead of schedule in Tang Weiguo's hands.

The next morning, Tang Weiguo arrived at the arsenal early. In the few days since he last visited, the arsenal had changed. The once quiet cave was now filled with the roar of machines, and the dimly lit cave, which used to be illuminated by torches, was now brightly lit by light bulbs.

Under the lights, Wang Qiang was busy with several brothers, with a few soldiers helping out, all working hard and enthusiastically.

"Director Wang, you've really worked hard. The arsenal has changed a lot these past few days, and electricity has been connected now." Tang Weiguo greeted Wang Qiang happily, seeing that the arsenal was being built in a very good manner.

"Commander, you've come over." Wang Qiang saw the commander returning to inspect the work, put down his work, wiped the dirt on his apron as he walked, and came to Wang Qiang.

"I didn't have anything to do today, so I came over for a look around. I see the arsenal is doing quite well now; they've even turned on the lights," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander, there happened to be an old diesel generator among these machines. One of my men knows how to fix it, so I had him fix it, and it turned out to work," Wang Qiang said.

"Director Wang, you must give your brother a good commendation for me. He's been a huge help to us," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"However, there are not many supplies like electric lights and wires available right now, so we can only deploy them at the arsenal."

"A few days ago, Chu came over and begged us to install power at their hospital to solve the problem of nighttime surgeries."

"But we haven't been able to achieve it yet," Factory Director Wang said.

"Light bulbs and wires are no problem. I'll arrange for someone to purchase them right away," Tang Weiguo replied immediately.

"We should also store more diesel fuel and other supplies," Wang Qiang immediately suggested.

“Yes, let’s prepare more.” Tang Weiguo replied.

"Director Wang, when can we officially start production?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"The equipment has been adjusted in the past few days, and the bullet reloading line is easy to start. As long as there are bullet casings, bullet heads, and gunpowder, I can start it immediately."

“That’s right. The grenade production line might be a bit more complicated. We need to prepare materials like steel, which I don’t think we have at the moment,” Wang Qiang said.

"Okay, Director Wang, please see if there's anything else we need and make a list. I'll then notify the logistics department to prepare everything together."

"The bullet casings and bullet heads are easy to handle."

"Communications officer," Tang Weiguo called out.

"arrive."

"Give the order: after all the soldiers have finished training, collect all the bullet heads and casings used in the training. Also, inform Tang Xiaohu to send someone to thoroughly clean up the area where the fighting with the bandits took place."

"Yes." After saying that, the messenger jogged out.

“Okay, with these supplies, I guarantee the arsenal will work overtime to produce them,” Wang Qiang assured Tang Weiguo.

"Okay, but Director Wang, please take good care of your health. The arsenal will have to rely on you in the future." Tang Weiguo looked at Wang Qiang in front of him. Although he was full of energy, his face showed signs of fatigue, indicating that he had been working overtime for the past few days.

"By the way, Director Wang, do any of your brothers have experience in making weapons?" Tang Weiguo asked.

“There’s one, he’s got some experience,” Factory Director Wang replied immediately. He knew all too well what his men were capable of.

"Old Li, come here for a second," Wang Qiang called out to someone who was busy at work.

"Hey Lao Wang, what's up? I'm busy right now," Lao Li said, looking annoyed.

"The regimental commander has something to ask you, so you'd better show me your true skills and don't hold back." Wang Qiang glared back at Lao Li.

"Ah, Commander, tell me, what do you want with Old Li?" Old Li said to Tang Weiguo.

"Here are the blueprints. See if you can build it." With that, Tang Weiguo took out a sketch from his pocket and handed it to Old Li.

When Lao Li opened it, he saw that the drawing showed things that looked like gasoline drums, which resembled cannon barrels, filled with propellant, and something that looked like an explosive charge.

Old Li looked at it for a while, his brows furrowing repeatedly. Tang Weiguo and Wang Qiang, seeing that Old Li was concentrating on looking at the picture, didn't want to disturb him, so they just watched from the side.

"Whoever invented this is a fucking genius! It's just a firework made from firecrackers!" Old Li slapped his thigh and shouted.

This startled Tang Weiguo and Wang Qiang.

"How about it? Can you build it?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"No problem. By the way, Commander, who invented this? They're a real genius." Old Li asked as he answered.

“A very great man,” Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"When can it be made?" Tang Weiguo asked again.

"Give me a week, and then you can come and inspect it, Commander," Old Li replied.

"Alright, there's no joking in the military. We'll see the results in a couple of days."

"it is good."