Chapter 133: One Week's Time

He took the design proposal for the Ultra-light Alloy Mortar out of his briefcase and handed it to Minister Zhao.

"This is a new type of mortar I recently designed. It is made using a special Aluminum-Magnesium-Lithium Alloy. Its weight is only 40% of a traditional mortar, yet its range and accuracy are significantly improved."

Minister Zhao took the blueprints and cast a casual glance at them, but suddenly froze, his eyes widening as if he had seen something inconceivable.

"This... this..." His hands began to tremble slightly, and his voice became unsteady. "Is this really a mortar?"

Li Mingyuan nodded. "An 82mm caliber light mortar. The total weight is only 15 kilograms, and it can be carried by one person."

Minister Zhao's expression shifted from shock to a state of near-numb acceptance.

He had personally experienced two wars, knew well the importance of mortars on the battlefield, and understood the limitations of traditional mortars.

In his memory, a mortar was a heavy weapon that required at least three or four strong men to transport, and deployment also took a considerable amount of time.

When operating in mountainous areas, transporting mortars was simply a daunting task, often requiring dozens of soldiers to take turns carrying them, trekking over mountains and through rivers, enduring all sorts of hardships just to get them to the front lines.

Yet, the design before him completely overturned his understanding of mortars.

"15 kilograms? One person can carry it?" Minister Zhao repeated in disbelief. "And the range has been increased to 4000 meters? This... how is this possible?"

Li Mingyuan patiently explained, "The key lies in the innovation of materials and structure. Traditional mortars are mainly made of steel, while the one I designed uses a special Aluminum-Magnesium-Lithium Alloy. This alloy has a strength close to steel, but its weight is only one-third that of steel. Coupled with an optimized structural design that removes all non-essential components, such lightweighting was achieved."

Minister Zhao carefully flipped through the design drawings, paying special attention to the mechanical automatic calculation and adjustment device. "What is this?"

"A simple Guidance System," Li Mingyuan explained. "After the gunner inputs parameters such as target distance, wind speed, and temperature, it automatically calculates the optimal firing angle and direction, then adjusts the barrel through a mechanical transmission device. In this way, even a novice gunner can complete precise firing in a short time, no longer needing repeated test firing and adjustments."

Minister Zhao's gaze shifted from shock to a state of near-numb calmness.

This was not the first time Li Mingyuan had brought him this kind of impact.

From Numerical Control Machine Tool to Radar System, from rocket launchers to the current Ultra-light Mortar, every single time, Li Mingyuan was refreshing his understanding of the limits of technology.

"Mingyuan," Minister Zhao took a deep breath, "do you know what this means? If this type of mortar can be put into use, our infantry units will gain unprecedented firepower mobility, especially in mountain and jungle warfare..."

Before his eyes, the arduous mountain combat conditions of the past seemed to emerge; soldiers had to endure all sorts of hardships just to transport heavy mortars up a mountain, but now, one soldier could easily carry a more powerful artillery piece. This was truly a dream come true.

"I have already performed detailed theoretical calculations and simulation tests," Li Mingyuan said, "but the real effect still requires verification with a physical object."

Minister Zhao came back to his senses and said decisively, "Arrange for the production of samples immediately! Highest priority! Tomorrow I will coordinate with the Military Industry Department to provide all necessary materials and equipment. This technology... is too important!"

Li Mingyuan nodded. "Producing the samples will take about one week, mainly because the smelting and processing of the Special Alloy require special techniques."

"A week is a week," Minister Zhao said bluntly. "I will notify the Military to prepare the test firing site. Once the samples are completed, we will conduct live-fire tests immediately."

After arranging the production matters for the Ultra-light Mortar, Li Mingyuan returned to his laboratory.

Although he had been working continuously for many days, he did not feel tired; instead, he was incredibly excited by the progress of the new project.

Closing the laboratory door and confirming that no one was following, Li Mingyuan took out the technical data on Vacuum Tube and Transistor from the System Space.

In this era where the electronics industry had just started, Vacuum Tube was the mainstream technology, while Transistor was cutting-edge technology that had not yet been popularized.

Even in developed countries, Transistor Technology was still in its infancy.

If he could master these two technologies, it would be a qualitative leap for the electronics industry of Long Country.

Li Mingyuan carefully opened the materials and began to study them earnestly.

The materials started from the most basic electronic theory, detailing the working principles, structural design, and manufacturing processes of Vacuum Tube and Transistor.

As his reading deepened, fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead; this knowledge was much more complex than he had imagined.

"Vacuum Tube is relatively simple," he muttered to himself, "the basic structure is a cathode, anode, and grid; by controlling the grid voltage, the current from the cathode to the anode is regulated..."

He continued to turn the pages, studying the manufacturing process of Vacuum Tube, from glass encapsulation to vacuum treatment; every step required precise control.

"Transistor is much more complex," Li Mingyuan frowned, "it requires high-purity semiconductor materials, precise doping processes, and complex packaging technology..."

He was completely immersed in his studies, and time slipped away without him noticing.

When he read the detailed description of the Transistor doping process, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness as a massive amount of information flooded into his mind.

【Ding! Insight Value sufficient, triggering the "Heaven-defying Insight" talent.】

【Obtained "Electronic Tube Manufacturing Technology".】

【Obtained "Primary Transistor Manufacturing Technology".】

Li Mingyuan closed his eyes, letting this stream of information integrate in his mind.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze shimmered with excitement.

"So that's how it is!" he whispered in surprise, as if he had solved a complex puzzle.

The manufacturing process of Vacuum Tube appeared clearly in his mind: first the preparation of the glass tube, then the installation of the electrodes, followed by vacuum extraction and gas filling, and finally encapsulation and testing.

The specific parameters and precautions for every step emerged one by one, and even the details of the required equipment were clear in his mind.

Li Mingyuan quickly took out a notebook and began to record this key information:

"Vacuum Tube manufacturing equipment list:

Glass processing equipment: high-temperature furnace (above 1500°C), precision blowing tools

Metal processing equipment: precision lathe, stamping machine, curling machine

Vacuum equipment: rotary pump, diffusion pump, vacuum gauge

Gas filling system: inert gas storage tank, precision gas flow controller

Testing equipment: voltmeter, ammeter, Oscilloscope

Manufacturing process:

Glass tube preparation: melt glass at high temperature, blow into the required shape

Electrode preparation: process cathode, anode, and grid; the cathode needs to be coated with oxides to improve electron emission efficiency

Assembly: fix the electrodes inside the glass tube at precise positions and distances

Vacuum extraction: use a vacuum pump to create a high vacuum (10^-6 mmHg) inside the glass tube

Gas filling: fill with a small amount of inert gas (such as argon) as needed

Encapsulation: seal the glass tube at high temperature

Testing: test the electrical characteristics of the Vacuum Tube, including amplification factor, frequency response, etc."