Chapter 27: Still More Experts?

The test continued, and Li Mingyuan personally operated the Sniper Rifle again, firing under extreme conditions: in high-wind environments, he was still able to accurately hit the bullseye 800 meters away.

After being soaked in muddy water, the Sniper Rifle still maintained perfect performance; after firing 50 consecutive rounds, the accuracy did not drop significantly, and the mechanism still operated smoothly.

These performances completely conquered everyone present.

……

The test concluded, and the atmosphere at the testing ground had shifted from initial skepticism to total shock.

General Zhang and a group of experts surrounded Li Mingyuan, excitedly discussing the various performance metrics of the three weapons.

At this moment, Li Mingyuan stood where he was with a faint smile on his lips; he knew the upcoming demonstration was the real main event.

"Chiefs, experts," Li Mingyuan's voice was not loud but clear, instantly attracting everyone's attention, "The Type Weapon System has one more important feature that has not yet been demonstrated."

"There's more?" General Zhang raised his eyebrows, already so shocked he was nearly numb.

"Comrade Li, your performance today has already far exceeded our expectations. What else is there that we haven't seen?"

Li Mingyuan did not answer directly, instead placing the three guns on the test bench and taking a Bullet out of his pocket, holding it high for everyone to see clearly.

"Please pay attention, everyone; this is the standard 7.62mm Bullet used by the Type Weapon System." Li Mingyuan paused, looking around.

Ensuring everyone heard clearly, "The most critical point is that these three different types of weapons—the Rifle, the Submachine Gun, and the Sniper Rifle—all use the exact same Bullet."

"What?" An old expert nearly shouted out, "That's impossible! Different types of weapons require different calibers and different characteristics of ammunition; that is basic common sense!"

General Zhang narrowed his eyes: "Comrade Li, is this true? Are you sure you aren't joking?"

"Please witness it for yourselves." Li Mingyuan calmly picked up the Type 56 Rifle, inserted the Magazine, fired a few rounds, and accurately hit the target.

Afterward, he removed the Magazine, inserted it into the Submachine Gun, and continued firing, just as accurately and effectively.

Finally, he loaded the same ammunition into the Sniper Rifle, which still displayed astonishing accuracy.

The entire testing ground fell into a deathly Silence.

All the experts were dumbfounded; this completely overturned their understanding.

"This... this is simply a miracle!" murmured Li Dechang, an old expert from the Fengtian Arsenal, who had been studying the field of firearm design for over thirty years.

"What does standardized ammunition mean? It means logistics support can be greatly simplified, and the pressure of frontline supply will be significantly reduced!"

Wang Mingde, the Chief Engineer of the Hanyang Arsenal, was even more shocked and unable to speak.

As one of the oldest modern arsenals in Long Country with a century of history, the Hanyang Arsenal had once produced weapons for warlords, but compared to the system Li Mingyuan demonstrated, their products were like the difference between an ox cart and an automobile.

"Theoretically speaking, this is feasible," Wang Mingde finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

"But in actual operation, one would face countless technical difficulties, such as the different requirements for initial bullet velocity for different weapons, the barrel length, the rifling design, all being different... To be able to achieve this shows that the design precision of the Type Weapon System has reached an astonishing height!"

General Zhang immediately walked to the side, picked up the phone, and dialed the direct line to the Military Commission.

His voice was low and urgent: "It's me, Zhang Guoqiang. Please notify them immediately; we have a major discovery here... Yes, a major breakthrough... No, it's not a small matter; it's something that can change our military's overall firepower configuration... Please have him rush to the Western Suburb Testing Ground immediately, as fast as possible!"

Hanging up the phone, General Zhang's face was filled with excitement: "Comrade Li, you may not know what you have created. If this system can be put into production, it will fundamentally change our military's combat capability!"

Less than an hour later, Wang, the head of the Military Industry Department, arrived at the testing ground at full speed with several Advanced officers.

Wang was an old general in his sixties with graying temples, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

As soon as he got out of the car, he headed straight for Li Mingyuan, and before General Zhang could introduce him, he excitedly extended both hands:

"You must be Comrade Li Mingyuan? I am Wang Deshan, Minister of the Military Industry Department. I heard the weapon system you designed is excellent?"

Li Mingyuan respectfully grasped Wang's hand: "Hello, Minister Wang, I just did the work I was supposed to do."

"Good, good, good! A talented young man!" Minister Wang held Li Mingyuan's hand and didn't want to let go, his eyes full of admiration, "Come, let me see this weapon system with my own eyes!"

Under Li Mingyuan's repeated demonstration, the expressions of Minister Wang and the several officers went from curiosity to shock, and then to ecstasy.

Especially when they personally test-fired these weapons and felt their superior performance, several officers were so excited they clenched their fists, whispering to each other with excited light flashing in their eyes.

"It's incredible!" Minister Wang put down the Sniper Rifle, his eyes full of complex emotions.

"For so many years, we have been chasing others, never thinking that one day we would be able to lead! Comrade Li, this weapon system of yours not only solves the firepower shortcomings our military currently faces, but more importantly, it is completely independently developed!"

Several senior military experts had already surrounded Li Shouzheng, eagerly questioning him: "Lao Li, where did this Comrade Li Mingyuan pop out from? Why haven't we had such results after researching for decades?"

Li Shouzheng's face was full of pride: "Xiao Li is a genius; he not only understands theory but also has extremely strong practical ability. His understanding of mechanical structures has reached a level of perfection!"

"It's not just mechanical structures," Cheng Yanhai interjected, "He has unique insights into materials science, heat treatment processes, and even ballistics. The most critical thing is that he can integrate this knowledge to create such a perfect system!"

The experts from Fengtian and Hanyang looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

They represented the most traditional and oldest arsenals in the country, possessing decades of history and experience, but at this moment, they had to admit that all their accumulation and experience appeared so pale and weak in front of this young man.

"Our Hanyang Arsenal," Wang Mingde said in a low voice to his colleague beside him, "has been manufacturing firearms since the past, and it has been over sixty years now, but our highest achievement was merely copying foreign weapons; we have never had true originality. Today, I have finally witnessed what true innovation is!"

Li Dechang from the Fengtian Arsenal also shook his head, his face full of emotion: "To be honest, our old arsenals have long had solidified technical thinking. This Type Weapon System completely breaks traditional thinking and fundamentally redefines what modern light weapons should look like!"

At this time, several more figures who looked like generals hurried over.