Chapter 6: The Shocked Experts

"Copper-plated steel shell?" Lao Chen repeated with a trembling voice, "You mean... the steel shell surface is plated with copper? This... how could this possibly be achieved?"

Li Mingyuan took a step forward and tapped the blueprint with his finger: "Teacher Chen, traditional concepts hold that steel shells will jam the chamber, but as long as a thin layer of copper is plated on the surface, this problem can be solved. This can save over 90% of copper material, and the strength is higher than that of pure copper shells."

Lao Chen's lips began to tremble, and he turned to the bald old man: "Lao Li, you are a materials expert, is this... is this possible to achieve?"

The bald expert called Lao Li took a deep breath: "Theoretically... it is feasible. But the process requirements are extremely high, can we... do it?"

Li Mingyuan smiled and took out another blueprint: "This is the accompanying process flow chart. Considering our country's existing technical conditions, all adopted process parameters are achievable."

The bald Lao Li took the blueprint, looked at it carefully for a minute, and suddenly burst into laughter: "Wonderful! Truly wonderful! Young man, how did you grow that brain of yours? We might not even think of these things after researching for several years!"

The atmosphere in the laboratory changed completely; the previous hostility and skepticism were swept away, replaced by intense interest and amazement.

An old man who hadn't spoken stepped forward. He looked the oldest, with completely white temples and a slightly hunched back, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's: "Comrade Xiao Li, I am Zhou Ming, responsible for the final review. May I ask you to explain in detail this set of... what did you call it again?"

"Type Weapon System," Li Mingyuan replied.

Zhou Lao's eyes lit up: "Not bad! Come, explain this system in detail."

Li Mingyuan walked to the blueprint and pointed to the core part: "The core of the Type Weapon System is this automatic rifle, using 7.62×39mm intermediate power cartridges, with an effective range of 300-400 meters. It adopts a gas-operated automatic mechanism, a 30-round magazine, has extremely high reliability, and most importantly, is suitable for mass production."

Yanjingnan couldn't help but interject: "This caliber selection is too brilliant! It is between a rifle cartridge and a pistol cartridge, balancing power and controllability, and the battlefield range is sufficient."

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan continued to explain, "And starting from this basic model, with slight modifications, a whole family of weapons can be derived—add a short barrel to become a submachine gun, add a long barrel to become a sniper rifle, change to a bipod and heavy barrel to become a light machine gun, and the parts interchangeability exceeds 60%."

"A genius!" Shanyanghu exclaimed, "This directly reduces the logistical pressure by more than half!"

Lao Chen also came back to his senses at this time, and his attitude softened significantly: "Xiao Li, this design concept is indeed advanced, but I still have questions about a few details. For example, this ejection mechanism, will it jam in high-cold regions?"

Li Mingyuan was unhurried: "Teacher Chen's eyes are truly sharp; this is indeed a difficult point in the design. My solution is to enlarge the ejection port while chrome-plating the inside of the receiver to prevent icing."

Lao Chen's mouth opened slightly, and he couldn't speak for a long while, finally having to nod: "Considered very thoroughly..."

Zhou Lao stroked his beard, his gaze moving back and forth between the blueprint and Li Mingyuan: "Comrade Xiao Li, frankly speaking, I have been in the military industry for decades and have never seen such a comprehensive and detailed design. How did you do it?"

The laboratory fell silent again, and everyone pricked up their ears, waiting for the answer.

Li Mingyuan was unhurried: "During my time studying in Polar Bear, I came into contact with a lot of military industry data and also studied the advantages and disadvantages of mainstream weapons in the world. More importantly, I have been thinking about a question: what kind of weapon is most suitable for our country's national conditions?"

Li Mingyuan paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Our resources are limited, and our industrial base is weak, but our human resources are abundant. What we need is not the most advanced weapon, but the weapon most suitable for us—simple to manufacture, easy to maintain, reliable and durable, and capable of mass production. This Type system is designed based on this concept."

These words seemed to have magic, and the eyes of the experts in the laboratory flickered with strange light one after another.

For many years, they had been bound by the slogan of "catching up with the world's advanced level," but had neglected the most basic consideration of national conditions.

Shanyanghu sighed: "So true! We have been imitating others, but never thought about walking our own path."

Yanjingnan was so excited that his voice changed pitch: "This is true self-reliance and independence!"

Zhao Zhiyuan, who had been silent, spoke up at this time: "Everyone, I think we have found the direction. Comrade Li Mingyuan's design is exactly what we need."

Lao Chen pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "This young man really has some skills; I am convinced."

Li Mingyuan smiled modestly: "The experts here have rich experience and deep practical knowledge; my design still needs everyone's continuous improvement. Especially Teacher Chen, your insights into firearm structures are unique, and there is much I need to learn from you."

This made Lao Chen beam with joy, and he patted Li Mingyuan on the shoulder: "Good lad, you have real talent and aren't arrogant, rare!"

Zhou Lao made a decision at this time: "Minister Zhao, I suggest immediately forming a special group to develop a prototype as soon as possible based on Li Mingyuan's design!"

Zhao Zhiyuan nodded: "I agree. Starting today, the Type Weapon System R&D group is established, with Li Mingyuan as the technical consultant, Comrade Zhou Ming as the Group Leader, and I will take charge personally."

"Wait!" Lao Chen suddenly interjected, "Minister Zhao, there is still a key problem that hasn't been solved. Can we actually manufacture these designs on the blueprints?"

Once this question was raised, the excited atmosphere cooled down a bit. Yes, no matter how good the design is, if the industrial base cannot keep up, it is just empty talk.

Li Mingyuan seemed to have been prepared, and he took another stack of blueprints from his bosom: "Teacher Chen asked a very pertinent question. Here are the production process flow charts and equipment modification plans I prepared, all based on existing domestic conditions or technologies that can be realized with simple modifications."

Everyone was dumbfounded again. How much stuff did this kid prepare?

Lao Chen took the blueprints, scanned them hurriedly, his eyes widening, and finally he took a deep breath and said solemnly to Zhao Zhiyuan: "Minister, I apply to join the R&D group."

Zhao Zhiyuan smiled: "Lao Chen, I thought you were going to object."

Lao Chen shook his head: "In the face of truth, there is no room for argument. This kid... no, this Comrade Li's design is indeed the most suitable plan for our country's current situation that I have ever seen. If it can be realized, it will completely change the equipment status of our military."

Hearing this, Li Mingyuan felt a surge of excitement.

His first step of the plan had already succeeded.

Zhao Zhiyuan looked around the circle, saw that everyone was high-spirited, and nodded with satisfaction: "Alright, the R&D group will be officially established this afternoon, and work will begin!"

Afterwards, he turned to Li Mingyuan: "Xiao Li, there is one thing I am curious about; when did you complete such a complete design?"

Li Mingyuan answered with a smile: "On the train back from Polar Bear, I spent five or six days."

This sentence caused another exclamation, and even Zhao Zhiyuan couldn't help but widen his eyes: "Five or six days?"

"Yes," Li Mingyuan said calmly, "At that time, the Polar Bear side confiscated all our notes and materials. I was very angry, so I conceived this system in my mind and only found paper and pen to draw it after arriving in Long Country. That's why I called it Type."

"Good heavens..." Zhou Lao muttered to himself, "What is inside this young man's head?"

Yanjingnan shook his head and sighed: "Drawing such detailed blueprints in five or six days, what kind of genius is this?"

Li Mingyuan revealed a look of fatigue at the right time: "Actually, I am just better at integrating knowledge. I haven't slept well during this time, and I finished it after pulling several all-nighters."

These words moved everyone even more, and Shanyanghu patted his chest and said: "Don't worry, Xiao Li, with us old guys helping you in the future, you don't have to work so hard!"

A trace of appreciation flashed in Zhao Zhiyuan's eyes: "Alright, everyone, take a break first, and we will officially meet at two o'clock in the afternoon. Li Mingyuan, come with me for a moment."

Li Mingyuan followed Zhao Zhiyuan out of the laboratory, and the enthusiastic sounds of the experts continuing to discuss the blueprints came from behind.

Walking into the corridor, Zhao Zhiyuan stopped and looked back at Li Mingyuan deeply: "Xiao Li, I will ask you one thing: did these ideas of yours come from the Polar Bear side?"