Chapter 4: Type 56

"I heard that people from the Military Industry Department have also come?" someone whispered.

"Yes, it seems they place great importance on our group."

Along the way, the students' spirits grew higher and higher.

Through the train window, Li Mingyuan saw the cities and villages along the route.

Compared to the prosperous scenes of later generations, the current Long Country appeared exceptionally barren.

Dirt roads, thatched huts, farmers wearing patched clothes... these sights made his mission even more firm.

Three days later, the special train arrived in Jingcheng.

On the platform stood a row of cadres dressed in military uniforms and Zhongshan suits; at the head was a middle-aged man with graying hair, his expression serious but his gaze kind.

"Welcome, comrades, back to the embrace of the motherland!" The man stepped forward, his voice resonant, "I am Zhao Zhiyuan, Deputy Minister of the Military Industry Department, ordered to receive you returning students!"

Li Mingyuan's heart gave a jolt—Zhao Zhiyuan!

He had seen this name in history books; one of the founders of the Long Country's military industry!

The students followed Deputy Minister Zhao to a simple guesthouse.

In the courtyard, several bright red flags fluttered in the wind, and a thick sense of the era rushed toward them.

Inside the guesthouse auditorium, Deputy Minister Zhao delivered a passionate speech.

"Comrades, your choice to return to the country at this moment is the most correct decision! The motherland is waiting to be rebuilt, especially the national defense industry, which is almost a blank sheet of paper. We need talents like you who have mastered advanced technology!"

Deputy Minister Zhao's tone became serious, "Of course, the conditions will be very difficult. We have no advanced laboratories, no precision instruments, and even basic raw materials are scarce. But—" his eyes were bright and piercing, "we have conviction, we have determination, and we have an unyielding will!"

Listening to these words, Li Mingyuan felt a surge of hot blood in his heart.

This was the spirit of that era—arduous struggle and self-reliance.

"For the next three days, everyone rest well and familiarize yourselves with the environment. We will distribute work based on everyone's professional specialties," Deputy Minister Zhao said in conclusion, "The motherland thanks you for your return!"

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan was arranged into a crude dormitory.

A wooden plank bed, a small table, and a dim light bulb were the only facilities.

"Even cruder than I imagined," Li Mingyuan muttered softly, but he did not mind.

After dinner, Li Mingyuan sat alone in the dormitory, starting to think about his next plan.

There was still about a year until the great war; there was still time to prepare, though not that much time.

"Time is running out," Li Mingyuan frowned in thought, "I must quickly produce some results to prove my value."

What is important now?

Firearms!

This is the most practical technology with the fastest results.

He recalled the descriptions in historical materials regarding the equipment of the Long Country's military during this period: a motley collection with no unified standard.

Captured Arisaka Type 38s, Mosin-Nagants aided by the Polar Bear, American-style Springfield Rifles, British-style Lee-Enfields, and various light and heavy machine guns... dozens of different models using over a dozen different calibers of ammunition.

Supply and maintenance were simply a nightmare!

"System, pull up the full technical data for the Type 56 Rifle and the style Submachine Gun."

【Data retrieval complete, please view, Host.】

Detailed design blueprints and technical parameters for these two classic weapons appeared in Li Mingyuan's mind.

The Type 56 Rifle was a 7.62mm automatic rifle improved on the basis of the AK-47, while the style Submachine Gun was a 7.62mm short-barreled submachine gun.

Both used 7.62×39mm ammunition, with a simple and reliable structure suitable for mass production.

Most crucially, there was the accompanying Copper-clad Steel Bullet technology!

"This is the core technology," Li Mingyuan became excited.

In this era, the Long Country was extremely deficient in copper resources and could not support large-scale ammunition production.

Traditional shell casings required a large amount of brass, but Copper-clad Steel Bullet casings only needed a thin layer of copper plated on the surface of the steel casing, which could save over 90% of copper material.

"I'll start with this!" Li Mingyuan decided immediately.

He took out pen and paper and began drawing the structural diagrams and production process instructions for the Type Weapon.

All night, he buried himself in work, completely forgetting the time.

"Mingyuan, still not sleeping?" When Zhang returned, he saw him still drawing.

"I have an idea and want to write it down while it's fresh," Li Mingyuan answered without raising his head.

Zhang curiously leaned over, "What are you drawing? A new type of rifle?"

"Yes, a concept for a standard weapon suitable for our country's national conditions," Li Mingyuan answered vaguely, "You go to sleep first, I'll draw for a while longer."

After Zhang fell asleep, Li Mingyuan continued working until late at night.

Not only did he complete the basic design drawings for the Type 56 Rifle and Submachine Gun, but he also specifically prepared detailed instructions for the Copper-clad Steel Bullet technology.

"I'll find an opportunity to submit this to Deputy Minister Zhao tomorrow," Li Mingyuan yawned, finally put down his pen, and lay on the hard wooden bed.

Early the next morning, Li Mingyuan got up to organize last night's drawings.

At breakfast, he deliberately sat next to Group Liu Zuzhang of the reception group.

"Group Leader, eating well?" Li Mingyuan greeted with a smile, placing his tray down opposite Group Liu Zuzhang to sit.

Group Liu Zuzhang looked up at him, the corners of his mouth curling slightly, "Breakfast is just steamed corn buns and pickled vegetables, nothing good about it; you kid sure know how to chat."

"This is already quite good; at the school cafeteria, you have to queue for half an hour," Li Mingyuan picked up a chopstick of pickled vegetables and asked as if unintentionally, "Group Leader, how is our country's military equipment situation now? Especially regarding firearms."

Group Liu Zuzhang's hand stopped, and he looked at Li Mingyuan vigilantly, "Why are you asking about this?"

Li Mingyuan hurriedly explained, "I studied mechanical engineering over at the Polar Bear's side and am particularly interested in firearm manufacturing; I want to know if I can put what I've learned to use."

Group Liu Zuzhang sighed, put down his chopsticks, and his gaze became distant, "To tell you the truth, the situation is not very optimistic."

"What is the specific situation?" Li Mingyuan feigned curiosity.

"The guns we are currently using have seven or eight models and over a dozen calibers; supply and maintenance are simply a nightmare," Group Liu Zuzhang said, lowering his voice.

"Captured Japanese Arisaka Type 38s, Mosin-Nagants aided by the Polar Bear, American Springfields, British Lee-Enfields... we even have Hans's Mauser; we are using everything you can think of."

Li Mingyuan nodded, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face, "Then why not standardize the specifications? Establish our own standard-issue weapon and Bullet standards?"

Group Liu Zuzhang was stunned; the chopsticks in his hand dropped onto the table with a *clack*, and the few people around them all turned to look over, "What did you say?"

"I mean, standardize the specifications, standard-issue weapons, and Bullets," Li Mingyuan smiled, as if he were merely discussing today's weather, "Design a series of weapons suitable for our national conditions, where the Rifle, Submachine Gun, and light machine gun use the same caliber ammunition, with parts as interchangeable as possible, easy maintenance, and low production costs."

Group Liu Zuzhang widened his eyes, his mouth slightly agape in surprise, "You... you aren't joking, are you?"

"Of course not." Li Mingyuan pulled several folded blueprints from his pocket, "I read many books while in the Polar Bear and had some preliminary ideas; I drew some blueprints last night, would you like to take a look?"

Group Liu Zuzhang took the blueprints, his hands trembling slightly; as the pages were unfolded one by one, his breathing became noticeably rapid, "This is..."

"This is a complete weapon system design; I am calling it the Type Weapon for now," Li Mingyuan said in a calm tone, as if speaking of the most ordinary matter, "The basic model is an automatic rifle, using 7.62×39mm intermediate power cartridges, with a range of 300-400 meters, a 30-round Magazine, and extremely high reliability."

Group Liu Zuzhang's eyes widened further and further, fine beads of sweat seeping onto his forehead, "This, this..."

"From this basic model, it can be easily modified into a short-barreled Submachine Gun, or have the barrel lengthened to become a sniper rifle, or have the barrel and bipod replaced to become a light machine gun."

Li Mingyuan continued to explain, pointing at the details on the blueprints, "The most critical part is that their parts are interchangeable, maintenance is convenient, and the design is simple, suitable for large-scale production."

Group Liu Zuzhang stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound, his hands trembling as he clutched the blueprints, "Xiao Li, come with me!"

Everyone in the dining hall was stunned; Senior Student Zhang watched with his mouth wide open as Li Mingyuan was pulled up by Group Liu Zuzhang, not even bothering to put down his rice bowl.

Li Mingyuan was dragged by Group Liu Zuzhang through several corridors until they arrived in front of an office door; Group Liu Zuzhang pushed it open and rushed in without even knocking, "Minister Zhao! Minister Zhao! Big news! An important discovery!"

Zhao Zhiyuan was looking down, reviewing documents; hearing the commotion, he looked up, his brows slightly furrowed, "Xiao Liu, why are you being so rash?"

"Minister, you must see this!" Group Liu Zuzhang was so excited his face turned red, and he placed the blueprints in front of Zhao Zhiyuan, "This is a weapon system designed by Comrade Li Mingyuan; it is too... too incredible!"