Although the New Year is not long away, He Zhengdao, as the commander of the independent column, still feels that his feet are busy every day. In addition to the affairs of the column, he needs to be responsible for many things, and he also has to take responsibility for the affairs of the arsenal.

Although the machinery and equipment brought back from Taiyuan the previous time have made a major breakthrough in the production and research of the arsenal. But for He Zhengdao, the arsenal is currently more in the exploration stage.

The only thing to be happy about is that the bullet production line dismantled from Taiyuan has successfully produced 7.62mm bullets for submachine guns. However, due to the shortage of raw materials, the production of bullets is also not high.

But even so, the bullets and submachine guns produced by the arsenal every day have also begun to equip the guards of the Eighth Route Army one after another. For this submachine gun, according to He Zhengdao's requirements, a very strict system of special personnel and special management has been formulated.

In addition to the successful production of bullets, the arsenal has successfully developed high-standard carbon steel and tungsten steel by using the original small-scale steelmaking equipment. Favorable technical support was provided for the subsequent production of standard rifles.

In short, after obtaining the equipment of the Taiyuan Arsenal, experts invited from all over the country and even overseas burst out with great enthusiasm for research. Especially in the field of steel, we have accumulated a lot of experience in refining high-quality steel.

However, the matter of the formation of a steel plant is still in the preparatory period. However, the preliminary site selection work is still in progress. After waiting for the year, it is estimated that He Zhengdao will also go to Baoji to stay for a while.

At present, the steelmaking equipment snatched back from Taiyuan has been transferred to Baoji. After the steel plant was built, the equipment was reinstalled and began to increase the output of the Eighth Route Army in terms of steel.

Even in order to develop high-performance gunpowder, He Zhengdao also assigned tasks to experts in charge of related research. Because in He Zhengdao's view, high-performance gunpowder is also very necessary.

After the fall of Taiyuan the previous time, Yan Xishan transferred a lot of equipment to Linfen and other places. But many technicians in the Taiyuan Arsenal are now working in the Yulin Arsenal, producing weapons and ammunition for the Eighth Route Army.

Judging from the current situation, the most important constraint that restricts the development of the Eighth Route Army Arsenal is the shortage of steel, in addition to the scarcity of raw materials. It is precisely in view of this situation that the central government and the headquarters of the steel mill have high hopes.

Although the current arsenal is lacking in high-performance steel. But for He Zhengdao, it is still very necessary to accumulate some corresponding research and development technology. Therefore, at present, the scientific research group of the arsenal has also developed many projects.

However, if the current results are the most gratifying, it should be the progress in medical and chemical engineering. Considering that many specific drugs in China need to be imported from abroad, even some antibacterial drugs may not be available if they have money.

In order to change this situation, and at the same time to generate income for the Eighth Route Army, He Zhengdao thought about developing these special drugs. Even as for how these drugs are developed, He Zhengdao is not too clear.

But he believes that as long as support and investment are given, antimicrobial drugs similar to sulfonamides, which have been developed abroad, should also be able to be developed. Now, the first batch of sulfonamides has entered the stage of clinical trials.

In addition, the technology of extracting quinine from the cinchona tree has been fully mastered by the Chemical Research Institute. This also means that the Eighth Route Army can basically be self-sufficient in some special medicines.

As more and more scholars with overseas study qualifications are invited to the Yulin Research Institute. These experts who are keen on research are naturally very excited about the fact that the Eighth Route Army has spent so much effort and supported them to engage in research.

In recent years, many warlords in China seem to prefer to buy finished products from abroad. It seems that they are not very enthusiastic about investing money in research. The reason is that there is a lot of such a capital investment.

But for He Zhengdao, in addition to equipment, raw materials, and accommodation, many invited experts don't seem to pay much attention to the so-called salary. For them, they are happy to be able to provide such a place.

Originally, there were many people who were skeptical about such a large investment in research, and when they saw that these research projects with invested funds were producing results one after another. Only then did I really realize that this is a real small investment, big gain!

At present, the sales volume of quinine alone is exchanged for much-needed funds and urgently needed materials from the Eighth Route Army. If the sulfonamide clinical trial is over, it is believed that this drug will also bring huge benefits to the Eighth Route Army.

Just as the year was approaching, the director of the arsenal said in a somewhat eager tone: "Commander, the experimental gun has been built!" After our experiments, it has met the requirements you need. It's time to come and accept! ”

He Zhengdao, who heard this, also said with joy in his heart: "Okay, I'll bring someone over immediately!" ”

'Communicator, call Zhu Fei and wait to go to the arsenal! ’

Not long after, the two cars arrived at the arsenal outside Yulin. For this arsenal, He Zhengdao undoubtedly attaches great importance to it. Most of the people living around the arsenal are family members of the army and the arsenal.

In addition to the courtyard, the entire arsenal, including the factory building and laboratory, are all built in the cave. In the vicinity of the arsenal, He Zhengdao even arranged the troops of a main regiment to be on alert, and there was also a special operations detachment on combat readiness duty all year round.

As soon as they enter the perimeter of the arsenal, patrols formed in the name of village-level militia will guard any personnel and vehicles entering the arsenal. Even merchants who used to be able to sell goods in the Yulin countryside were forbidden to enter this area.

The choice to set up the arsenal here is more because of a river next to the arsenal, and the water source is still relatively sufficient. Around the river, He Zhengdao built a dam in the middle of the river and built a hydroelectric power plant.

It is this hydroelectric power plant that provides an abundant power supply for the development of the arsenal. Even if it was not cheap, it was well worth it.

Even the transportation of materials in the arsenal was directly escorted by the reconnaissance brigade. Most of the workers and family members who work in the arsenal are restricted to the surrounding area, and they are also forbidden to enter this military restricted area without permission.

In fact, the arsenal currently set up in Yulin City is more of a parts processing factory. The real core equipment and personnel of the arsenal were all moved into this newly constructed underground arsenal.

With Zhu Fei and several special combat team members, He Zhengdao pulled Xiao Jinguang together, and after the car was inspected, he smoothly entered the underground parking garage of the arsenal and met Qin Tai, the director of the factory, who was waiting here.

Looking at the two people who got out of the car, Qin Tai also said happily: "Commander, political commissar, live up to your mission." The performance of the three newly developed experimental guns has reached the standard. Just wait for the test of the two! ”

'Okay, Director Qin, hard work! ’

Under the guidance of Qin Tai and a group of arsenal managers, He Zhengdao and Xiao Jinguang came to the arsenal light weapons research and development center, which was also built underground. For the arrival of He Zhengdao, the experts who are working are also very happy.

smiled and said, "Commander He, you are finally willing to come over." Check it out! These three guns, all the performance has achieved the expected effect. It's just that the cost of this gun and the demand for high-quality steel are not small! ”

Listening to the words of these weapons experts, He Zhengdao also smiled and said: "This is just our experimental gun, and it must consume a lot of money to finalize it." However, it is still necessary to accumulate technology first and improve various technical reserves.

Once our large-scale steel plant is successfully built, I believe that the high-quality steel that restricts our development in the future will also be mass-produced. In this way, whether it is the cost of steel or rifles, it will be well solved.

By the way, what about my last suggestion? Has there been any improvement in the wear resistance of the barrel? You know, this gun will become the standard rifle of the Eighth Route Army in the future, and whether the barrel is durable is also one of the most important criteria! ”

Faced with He Zhengdao's inquiry, the expert said happily: "This is thanks to the commander's advice!" Although the barrel we used tungsten steel earlier was good in all aspects, the accuracy decreased under continuous firing.

Later, after we put a layer of chromium on the barrel according to the commander, we found that this problem was well solved. The barrel of the current production, firing a hundred rounds in a row, will not change much in accuracy.

Most importantly, the life of the barrel has also been extended a lot. The three experimental guns that have been made so far have fired 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and the wear and tear of the chamber is also not very large. That's why we want the commander to come over and check it out! ”

Looking at the three rifles placed in the laboratory, He Zhengdao also looked very happy. Even if it was only an experimental gun at present, he also knew how important this rifle was to the Eighth Route Army.

At present, this unnamed infantry, if there are military fans of later generations, you can see at a glance that this is the standard rifle of the People's Liberation Army after the founding of the People's Republic of China. The first Type 56 standard rifle used by the People's Liberation Army was also a semi-automatic rifle from the Soviet Union.

He Zhengdao, who picked up the rifle, skillfully pulled the bolt and made a gesture of raising the gun to aim. Looking at the excitement of Zhu Fei and the others around him, he immediately said: "Director Qin, move a box of bullets to the experimental shooting range and do a test!" ”

'Good! ’

Handing the rifle in his hand to Zhu Feidao: "This rifle, if nothing else, your special combat team will be the first to use it." Wait for the gun inspection, or you will be responsible. Look at this gun, how different it is from the 38 big cover you use! ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

As the most elite unit of the Eighth Route Army, the saber special combat team members are very clear that if there are any new weapons in the arsenal, most of them will give priority to equipping sabers for battlefield experiments.

A gun that has not been tested on the battlefield is undoubtedly a bit too much if it is used as a standard rifle. But for He Zhengdao, this semi-automatic rifle with a ten-round load is also not a standard rifle for the special combat team.

But with semi-automatic rifles, is the future of fully automatic rifles still far away? (To be continued.) )