No one could have imagined that the small ancestral hall would gather China's top scientists and engineers at that time. Among them are China's modern iron and steel metallurgists and pioneers of ceramics, Zhou Ren and Zhou Zijing; There are four great masters of physics, Rao Yutai, Wu Youxun, Hu Gangfu, and Ye Qisun; There are three of the four masters of modern chemistry, Zhuang Changgong, Zeng Zhaolian, and Ren Hongjun; There are famous ballistics and physicist Zhou Junshi; There were the best engineers in China at that time, Sa Bendong, Yan Keats, and Gu Yuxiu; There is a famous meteorologist, Zhao Jiuzhang, who is as famous as Zhu Kezhen.

If there is a total of one stone in the world, then there are at least eight buckets here. These people are the hope of a strong nation! If converted into combat effectiveness, these people are worth at least five infantry divisions. Moreover, it is easy to form five infantry divisions, but it is difficult to find such a group of top experts in China.

Zheng Weiguo was also a little stunned for a while. He was a man in both lifetimes, and he had little interaction with scientists and engineers, but this did not mean that he admired these national elites. Especially at this critical juncture, suddenly seeing these science and engineering bulls is like Ximenqing seeing beautiful women, and the harazi are about to flow out. Originally, I had a good draft, but I forgot all about it for a while, and I only cared about silly music. The experts of that era were generally not very good at interpersonal communication, and when they saw Zheng Huzi smirking, they also looked at each other with big eyes and smirked.

Political Commissar Cheng couldn't stand it anymore, so he stretched out and stabbed Zheng Weiguo, and teased: "Commander, you are happy and happy, don't just smirk and don't speak!" ”

Everyone laughed when they heard this, and Xiong Dazhen, the director of the supply department, sat with the experts as a physicist, and took the opportunity to coax: "Yes." Commander-in-Chief Zheng, let me say a few words to everyone! If you don't speak, we can't speak! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled awkwardly and said, "Actually, I'm here to beat the side drum and play tricks today, and everyone here is the protagonist." So don't think of yourself as a guest, just say anything, don't scruple. He also said with concern: "The conditions of the base area are indeed incomparable with those of the big cities, and I wonder what difficulties you still have in life?" If you have one, just bring it up! I, Zheng Weiguo, pat my chest here and promise that I will be satisfied first! ”

Ballistician Zhou was the oldest, and this time he was ordered to preside over the experimental artillery shells. There is a faint posture of an expert leader. He saw that no one spoke. He waved his hand and said, "Commander-in-Chief Zheng, are we here to enjoy ourselves?" Besides, the hospitality of your army is already very good. To be honest, I feel a little extravagant. It's a time of war, and everything is just a matter of frugality. ”

Other experts echoed the rhetoric. During the Republic of China, the status of professors was high. Also very respectable. But science and engineering are always undervalued. Many of them have offended the powerful. It's almost impossible to mix in the rear. Unexpectedly, he was treated as a national treasure in the warlord army in the occupied area. This respect even made them feel a little uneasy.

Zheng Weiguo half-jokingly explained: "Well, the base area is indeed a little difficult at the moment, but it is not short of such a little money. As long as you can show your talents to the fullest. The cost is insignificant. If you are grateful, make a major breakthrough, and play extraordinarily, then we will make a lot of money. ”

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Zhou Junshi also quipped: "It turns out that Commander-in-Chief Zheng also set a trap, what should I do now, everything has been eaten in my stomach, and I can't spit it out." Go back and be more mindful! ”

The experts were still a little apprehensive when they saw Zheng Huzi at first, especially his face was very vicious, and it was not easy to provoke at first glance. As the saying goes, when a show meets a soldier, it is impossible to tell if you are polite. Those eight masters don't recognize any professors, and they don't agree with the big ears and shave you. Moreover, the old Chinese had a strange point of view, that is, the worse the military discipline, the stronger the combat effectiveness, that is, the so-called tiger and wolf division. Zheng Huzi has made a great name since the army in Ping'an County, and everyone thought it was a Zhang Zuolin-style character. When I saw it today, I realized that except for the beard that had grown a little, there was really no gangsterism. So gradually the atmosphere came alive.

Zheng Weiguo looked at these experts and professors with confidence, full of expectations for the future development of the military industry and the cause of national defense. With this group of top experts taking the lead in tackling key problems, plus the large number of talents collected by the eight roads. For example, Guo Dongcai, a graduate student of the Internal Combustion Engine Research Laboratory of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Zhang Huaqing, a doctor of metallurgy who studied in the United Kingdom, Cheng Mingsheng, an electrical engineer who graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering of Waseda University in Japan, Lu Da, who graduated from the Department of Steel of the Technical University of Berlin in Germany, Zhang Fang, a graduate student of the Department of Physics of Yenching University, Zheng Hantao and Niu Zhihua, graduates of the School of Engineering of Peking University, Gao Yuan and Li Shouwen, students of the School of Engineering of Tsinghua University, and so on...... To paraphrase Taizu's words, the revolutionary situation is not a small good, nor is it good, but a great good!

After a joking session, everyone gradually turned to the topic. Zhou Ren asked with some curiosity: "Commander-in-chief, what kind of weapon did Jun Shi and them experiment with last night?" When I asked them, they all pretended to be deaf and dumb, and they wouldn't say anything! ”

Zhuang Chang, a chemist who participated in the development of the experimental shells, hurriedly explained: "Zijing, don't blame us, this is the number one secret of the arsenal. The commander-in-chief does not speak, how dare we leak it at will? ”

Another chemist, Zeng Zhao, laughed and said, "Zijing, you are curious!" Now we are working in an arsenal, not a research institute, and if we violate military law, we will lose our heads. ”

Everyone laughed. Zhou Ren was not embarrassed, and hurriedly said: "Commander-in-chief, please forgive me for being reckless!" He added cautiously, saying, "But I don't mean to spy on the military." ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "Mr. Zijing doesn't need to blame himself. I was negligent in this matter, and there is obviously something unreasonable about the secrecy system of the arsenal. In the future, you will not be restricted by the confidentiality law, and you can communicate with each other, but you are not allowed to spread it. ”

Zhou Ren was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly thanked him, and said to Zhuang Changgong and the others proudly: "How about it, the commander-in-chief has approved, you can confess truthfully now!" ”

Zhuang Changgong smiled and said: "Since the commander-in-chief has approved it, we dare to disobey our orders!" He added: "This weapon can be called an air bomb or a fuel bomb. The principle is actually very simple, it is to blow up a fuel into the air and mix with the air to form an aerosol cloud. The clouds are then detonated to create a blasting effect. ”

This bomb was actually a cloudburst bomb that would later be known as a conventional nuclear weapon. Its main charge is fuel instead of explosives, and is also known as a cloudburst. The explosive is completely powered by its own oxygen when the detonation reaction occurs, while the cloud burst bomb makes full use of the oxygen in the atmosphere in the explosion area: under certain detonation conditions, the cloud burst agent is thrown away, mixed with the air and explodes violently.

This type of explosion is also known as cloud detonation, and the destructive effect on the target mainly depends on the overpressure and temperature field effects generated by the detonation, as well as the scouring effect of high-temperature and high-pressure detonation products. At the same time, because the cloud detonation will consume the surrounding oxygen, an oxygen-deficient area can be formed within the area of action, suffocating organisms to death.

Cloudburst agents release much higher energy than explosives of equal mass. Its power is generally about 2.7-5 times that of the same weight of TNT explosives. The resulting blast wave can damage a large area of military targets. Moreover, the detonation wave is reflected and superimposed between the walls, and the overpressure value is much higher than that of the open space, so the lethal effect of the cloudburst bomb is greater in the confined space.

This principle is indeed very simple, and the eyes of the experts here lit up. Apparently they all got it.

Zhou Ren smiled: "I see. It's pretty much the same as the explosion of a flour mill. Still, it was a genius idea to be able to apply this effect to weapons. How did you come up with the idea? ”

Zeng Zhao waved his hand and smiled: "It's not what we thought of. I don't dare to be greedy. ”

Zhuang Changgong and Ren Hongjun also shook their heads and said, "Brother Zijing doesn't have to look at it, and it's not us." ”

Zhou Ren said suspiciously: "Apart from the three of you, who else in China is so proficient in chemistry?" Could it be Hou Zhiben? (Note: Hou Zhiben is Hou Debang, who invented the combined alkali production method.) To Ben is his word)

Zhuang Changgong glanced at each other, shook his head and smiled: "No! The person who invented this weapon is close at hand, let me tell you, it is Commander-in-Chief Zheng. It's a shame to say that the recipe for the fuel, including the fuel, was provided by Commander-in-Chief Zheng, and we are just reading from the script. So if you want to ask for advice, it's best to find Commander-in-Chief Zheng. ”

Zhou Ren said in surprise: "Which school did Commander-in-Chief Zheng study chemistry?" ”

Political Commissar Cheng and Chief of Staff Zhou also looked at it curiously, because as far as they knew, Zheng Huzi was Qiu Ba, who barely recognized a few words, where did he know what chemistry.

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "It's at home in college!" ”

"Garrydon University?" The experts looked at each other and shook their heads to say they hadn't heard of it. Because Xiong Dazhen was young and active in thinking, he understood it all of a sudden, and he couldn't help but laugh. Only then did everyone suddenly realize that they also laughed. However, most of them thought that it was Zheng Huzi's technique obtained from a secret channel, and they didn't ask any questions.

Zhou Ren said: "Then this weapon is considered a success?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "Last night, dozens of shells killed the arsenal of the little devils, which should be considered a success." However, the specific situation has to be explained by Mr. Junshi. ”

Seeing that everyone looked over, Zhou Junshi said with some embarrassment: "Well, it's half the success!" And there are a lot of problems, and there are many things that need to be improved! ”

Zheng Weiguo's heart suddenly became nervous, and he hurriedly asked: "What aspects, is it a secondary explosion?" "Due to the technical constraints, last night's experimental artillery shells could not achieve a second explosion, and could only be detonated by special incendiary shells.

Zhou Junshi waved his hand and said: "I already have a way to use the secondary explosion technique of a single shell, but on the way back, I suddenly realized a problem, if you use the secondary explosion technique, the power of the shell will drop sharply, and it is even inferior to ordinary shells." ”

Everyone wondered, "Why is this?" ”

Zhou Junshi asked rhetorically: "Do you know what was so violent in the explosion last night?" Seeing that everyone didn't understand, he replied to himself: "We fired more than 30 cloud burst bombs in total, and due to the escape of the cloud burst agent, they were detonated almost at the same time. That is, it was the power of more than thirty shells superimposed. ”

"If the secondary detonation technique is adopted, then if one shell explodes, the power of the explosion of more than 30 shells will inevitably be much smaller. A relatively confined space like that may even be greatly weakened by a lack of oxygen. ”

Everyone understood when they heard this, and they all nodded.

Zhou Junshi explained: "The space for the 105-mm shell is too small, and it is necessary to install both cloud explosive and explosive, as well as a fuse and a secondary ignition device, and to thicken the shell wall in order to avoid self-explosion." As a result, the amount of cloudburst that can be placed is quite limited. According to my estimates, a modified 105mm cloudburst is not much more powerful than a 105mm grenade. It may even be weakened. Moreover, the cloud burst agent cannot withstand too high chamber pressure, and the propellant cannot be filled too sufficiently, and the maximum range is only more than 6,000 meters. ”

Political Commissar Cheng was stunned for a moment and said, "Then it's the same as last night, shoot dozens of cloud burst bombs in a row, and then detonate them together?" ”

Zhou Junshi said embarrassedly: "However, this use only has an effect on relatively closed spaces, and if it is replaced by open ground, or in the case of bad weather, the superposition effect will be greatly attenuated." There is also the problem of cost and manufacturing, and our current cloud burst agents are all manufactured by laboratory methods. Not to mention the high cost. It is not yet available in large quantities. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said regretfully: "So, this thing doesn't have much actual combat value?" ”

Zhou Junshi was ashamed and said: "The current situation is indeed like this, but I believe that as long as we continue to improve." It must have a great future. ”

Zheng Weiguo thought to himself, no wonder later generations rarely saw cannonballs changed to cloud burst shells. It's really not quite suitable. The space is too small, and the chamber pressure is too high. But without shells, what can be used as a carrier? Aerial bombs are undoubtedly the most ideal. But it's wishful thinking, at least in the near future. Individual grenades are a good choice, but bazookas haven't been made yet! Bazooka? By the way, it seems that this thing must be studied immediately. For now, it might be better to use a Flying Thunder Cannon!

Zhou Junshi was introducing some of the difficulties he was currently encountering, and when he saw Zheng Weiguo wandering, he hurriedly asked, "Did Commander-in-Chief Zheng think of any plan?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said regretfully: "Well, we have indeed taken a detour by using artillery shells as carriers. Or that the desired effect is not achieved for the time being. So how about we switch to the Flying Thunder Cannon? Although the firing range is short, it is enough to throw a projectile of more than 40 kg! ”

Zhou Junshi's eyes lit up and said, "Hmm, is the flying thunder cannon a lightning cannon?" It's a good idea, I think it is possible to create a cloudburst bomb with a power of close to 200 kg of TNT equivalent, and the enemy's fortifications will be vulnerable! ”

Zheng Weiguo was overjoyed and said: "Then it will be bothering Mr. Junshi, the faster the development work is carried out under the condition of ensuring safety, the better!" ”

Zhou Junshi hurriedly said: "The commander-in-chief treats people as a national soldier, how dare I not care." However, I think that this weapon is best launched with the rocket introduced by the commander-in-chief, although the flying thunder cannon is powerful, the range is shorter after all. ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Well, rocket artillery and recoilless artillery have to be engaged." Let me now turn to the next work arrangement. ”

Everyone hurriedly said: "Please command the commander-in-chief!" ”

In order to get the military industry up as soon as possible, Zheng Weiguo divided the experts present here and the scientific and technological personnel who stayed in the arsenal into eight groups, namely, the metallurgical group, the chemical group, the artillery group, the gun group, the meteorological group, the communications group, the power group, and the mechanical group. These scientific research groups are mainly engaged in R&D and promotion, and generally do not directly participate in production.

The metallurgical group is headed by metallurgical expert Zhou Ren, Zhang Huaqing, a doctor of metallurgy who studied in the United Kingdom, and Lu Da, who graduated from the steel department of the Technical University of Berlin in Germany, as the deputy leader. Due to the lack of manpower, Mr. Zhou recruited several of his protégés, including two metallurgical bulls - Zhou Xingjian and Xu Naiting. Soon after, Sun Dehe, a Chinese engineer at the German Krupp United Iron and Steel Company, also rushed back to serve the country. These people are also first-class in China, and the metallurgical industry in Jizhong has developed rapidly thanks to their efforts.

In the following period, the metallurgical group not only solved the problem of the barrel of the machine gun, but also successfully developed ductile iron. Shells and grenades made of this new material have an extremely large number of fragments, and their lethality is greatly increased.

The leader of the chemical engineering group is Zhuang Changgong, Zeng Zhaoluan and Ren Hongjun are the deputy leaders, and the team members are graduates of the chemistry departments of Yanjing, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Nankai and other well-known universities. Their group mainly produced all kinds of gunpowder and explosives, and later a medical group was divided into a special department responsible for the production of penicillin and other urgently needed drugs.

Of course, the leader of the artillery group was Zhou Junshi, but at that time, there were very few people in China who knew ballistics, so his subordinates were all senior technicians sent from Germany, except for some skilled old craftsmen. With the assistance of German technicians, Mr. Zhou not only completed the development of the Flying Thundercloud Bomb, but also manufactured the concave grenade, which greatly improved the firing range and accuracy of the existing artillery.

The leader of the gun team is Wen Chengding, a weapons expert from the Eighth Road Support, and the deputy team leaders are Liu Ding, Wu Yunduo, Wu Kuilong and others. Their achievements in this group are also outstanding, mainly completing the industrial production of the Czech ZB30 light machine gun. Later, semi-automatic rifles and assault rifles were also successfully developed.

In addition to individual studies, the artillery and gun crews worked together to develop recoilless guns and rocket artillery, and major breakthroughs were made with the assistance of German technicians.

The leader of the meteorological group is Zhao Jiuzhang, and the team members are all his students. The task of this group is very simple and cumbersome, that is, to provide weather forecasts for the military and civilians in the base areas. Whether it is military or agricultural affairs, it has a lot to do with weather conditions, which is a short board in Jizhong, and now it has finally been filled.

The leader of the communication group was Hu Gangfu, a physicist, who was proficient in many things, and had historically received radar equipment in Britain for the Nationalist Government. The deputy team leader was physicist Yan Keats and electrical engineering expert Sa Bendong, two of them, one had unique research in the field of piezoelectric crystals, and the other was proficient in vacuum tubes and three-phase circuits, both of whom were the best engineers at that time. Their main task was to provide technical support for communications for the base areas, and later they also participated in the development of proximity fuses.

The leader of the power group is Gu Yuxiu, an electrical engineer, and the deputy leader is Guo Dongcai, a graduate student in the Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. The power group is mainly to provide a power source for each scientific research group. Despite the rapid conditions at the time, they were able to build a steam engine and a thermal generator in a very short time.

The leader of the mechanical group is Ye Qisun, a physics expert, and the other two masters, Rao Yutai and Wu Youxun, are the deputy leaders. This group does not usually participate in production, but provides mechanical technical support for other groups and various workshops in the arsenal. The three masters of Ye, Rao, and Wu are all all-rounders, and their level is very high, and ordinary machinery is not a problem.

After dividing the groups, the experts excitedly discussed their goals. Zheng Weiguo also joined in with great interest, and from time to time threw out several new views of later generations, which shocked everyone. But just when the conversation was strong, an urgent call made Zheng Weiguo have to take the lead in saying goodbye.

"Commander-in-Chief Zheng, what happened?" The experts finally met a big man who respected and understood science, and they were a little reluctant.

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Oh, it's nothing. It was blown up too hard last night, and today the little devils in the whole of North China are going crazy! I'm going to have to keep them calm! (To be continued......)