Zhang Liang couldn’t believe that Su Yang not only captured so much weaponry and supplies, but also had an armory workshop.
This was one of the most lacking pieces of military equipment in the army!
This was even more significant than surrendering the field artillery.
Su Yang had actually hidden it!
Why…?
After spending some time together, and based on Su Yang's way of doing things, Zhang Liang believed that there must be a reason behind this.
However, this was a serious matter, he couldn’t help but ask: "Comrade Su Yang, what's the story with this armory workshop?"
“Why didn’t you mention it in your letter?”
Su Yang explained: “It’s a long story, so I didn't mention it in the letter. I thought it would be better to discuss it when you arrived.”
“It's a rudimentary workshop, only capable of producing some black powder and artillery shells.”
“The main reason I didn't mention it in the letter is that I obtained some books on gunpowder, so I am using this workshop to conduct research.”
“I'm trying to see if I can research the production of smokeless powder.”
Rudimentary even though it can produce shells?
He wondered what kind of armory would actually meet Su Yang's standards.
Su Yang had seen the world.
The reason for not reporting it was because Su Yang wanted to research smokeless powder?
Zhang Liang was flabbergasted!
He never imagined that Su Yang wasn't just talking, but actually taking action.
Su Yang had once again refreshed his understanding.
“Su Yang, you really gave me a big surprise!”
“Let’s go!”
“Hurry and show me this so-called rudimentary armory workshop.”
“Alright!” Su Yang gestured with a welcoming hand.
“Please follow me.”
As for Su Yang's claim of researching smokeless powder, Zhang Liang simply ignored it.
After all, the armory had gathered quite a few university students, yet they hadn’t been able to develop smokeless powder yet.
Although Su Yang appeared knowledgeable, Zhang Liang didn’t believe he could research it, or find a solution in such a short time.
However, Zhang Liang still offered encouragement.
After a long journey, the two finally arrived at the armory workshop in the back mountains.
When Zhang Liang saw the armory workshop in front of him, his excitement was evident.
“Su Yang, you call this an armory workshop?”
“This is almost as good as the regiment’s armory.”
In order for the troops to reduce the pressure on the armory, a regiment would typically have its own armory.
However, these armories were only capable of repairing firearms, reloading bullets, and making some explosive packages.
They couldn’t even produce artillery shells.
This was also one of the reasons why the regiment lacked artillery shells.
Su Yang nodded matter-of-factly: “If it can't even produce bullets or firearms, isn’t it a workshop?”
Er...
Zhang Liang was speechless.
“Comrade Su Yang, you’ve seen the world, do you know our armory's production capacity?”
To this, Su Yang wasn’t really sure. He only knew that during the war against Japan, the army's ammunition supply relied on either capturing it, reloading it, or receiving a limited supply from the National Government.
He shook his head and said: “I’m not sure.”
“But every time we fight, we only have a few bullets to spare, so it probably isn’t very good.”
“That’s right!” Zhang Liang sighed.
“Due to the Japanese invasion, and some other reasons, it is very difficult for our army to obtain machinery, steel, and other resources.”
“So we rely on reloading bullets, we have no capability of producing shells, and we don't even need to talk about machinery. Although the military engineers can build some rifles, the efficiency is too slow.”
“The entire armory’s production speed isn’t enough to equip the troops, which is why the organization requires everything to be surrendered and then distributed.”
“The equipment you captured this time is extremely rare, even for the headquarters armory.”
“Therefore… I hope you can consider surrendering this equipment, so we can centralize it and improve our production capacity.”
“I hope you can consider the greater good.”
“Of course, I will give you credit, and the organization will remember your contribution.”
Su Yang listened to Zhang Liang’s heartfelt and reasonable persuasion and thought for a moment before saying: “Captain, since I told you about it, I do intend to surrender it.”
“However, can I keep the third platoon’s currently equipped weapons, and can we have some priority in the future supply of artillery shells?”
Zhang Liang was taken aback for a moment.
Then he readily agreed.
Compared to the armory equipment, those weapons were insignificant.
Moreover, Su Yang had surrendered so many supplies, it was only fair to give him some special privileges.
It would be unfair to the party that captured the supplies if they were to surrender everything.
Often in these situations, superiors would give some special privileges, or preferential treatment.
“I will speak to the regiment commander about this, but I cannot guarantee whether he will agree.”
“But I will do my best to help you secure it!”
Su Yang nodded: “Thank you…”
“I should be thanking you!” Zhang Liang grabbed his hands in gratitude.
“This is no small matter. Be vigilant during this time, I will go to the regiment headquarters.”
Seeing Zhang Liang in such a hurry, Su Yang could only let him go.
After all, Su Yang also had to start researching the synthesis of nitrocellulose from nitric acid and cellulose.
After seeing off Zhang Liang.
Su Yang arranged for people to send the supplies back to the county brigade’s base, and made a list of supplies needed by the research institute, which he gave to Li San, instructing him to collect or purchase them.
.