Chapter 323

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Zhengzhou Railway Station, Military Transport Yard.

Steam locomotives pulled train after train loaded with arms into the platform.

Lv Muzhi, Zhang Fei, and Qiu Qingquan stood on an observation deck, looking down at the bustling unloading scene below.

Large numbers of soldiers and laborers in gray-blue uniforms, under the command of officers, carefully moved batches of canvas-covered cargo out of the boxcars.

"The most important cargo has arrived." Zhang Fei held a list and pointed to a just-opened carriage, saying, "This time, nearly eighty rocket artillery pieces have been transported, enough in quantity to equip three battalions."

Lv Muzhi said, "However, unlike the previous self-propelled rocket artillery battalion, these rocket artillery pieces brought this time are improved models designed for rapid production and cost savings."

As the canvas was lifted, the true appearance inside was revealed.

No longer the previous type of 12-tube self-propelled rocket artillery that needed trucks to carry it, but a simpler and more flexible rocket artillery piece.

Three by three, a total of nine launch tubes were installed on a sturdy two-wheeled carriage, which could be directly pulled by mules or horses or by manpower, with boxes of 132mm rocket shells with stabilizing fins stacked beside them.

"Just install a pair of wheels, and horses can pull it." Qiu Qingquan walked over and patted the sturdy rubber tire; there was no need to mount it on a truck anymore, indeed greatly saving costs.

"Doing it this way, plus the original self-propelled rocket artillery battalion, we now have four rocket artillery battalions!"

Lv Muzhi said, "According to the plan of one rocket artillery battalion per division, it's still far from enough!"

The three left the rocket artillery storage area, walking and talking about the upcoming reorganization plan.

Zhang Fei unfolded another document, covered with dense organization tables and serial numbers: "The Youth Corps expansion plan has basically been finalized."

"The Youth Corps has four armies under its command. The original Youth First Army and Second Army, as the core backbone, will have their organization and equipment basically unchanged, so that we can pull them out for combat at any time to deal with emergencies."

He turned a page: "The expanded Youth Third Army and Fourth Army will be based on the four divisions of the Sichuan Army 22nd Army Group for large-scale expansion, so as to expand the entire corps into four Youth Armies."

Qiu Qingquan interjected: "There are many missing quotas. Although the Sichuan Army 22nd Army Group has two armies, totaling four divisions;

but according to our Youth Army's standard, a Youth Army division has three infantry regiments of nearly four thousand each, plus divisional direct troops, a division is about sixteen to seventeen thousand people; these four Sichuan Army divisions have only over thirty thousand people, barely enough for two of our divisions."

Lv Muzhi said: "Enough, it's already not bad that the old man is willing to give people and organization. At least the Sichuan Army has fought many battles already. Scraping together on the Sichuan Army side, isn't there nearly forty thousand people?

We'll scrape together the rest. Transfer twenty thousand from the Southwest reserves first, and also absorb some troops scattered in the Xuzhou Campaign. These troops are now clustered near Zhengzhou; absorb them all!

Also, civilian corps and such within our defense zone can be absorbed into the regular army organization.

The Wuhan Campaign is ongoing; the old man himself complains of not having enough people. It's unrealistic for us to ask the Central Government for people now; we have to figure it out ourselves."

Zhang Fei pointed to the train car and said: "Besides this, weaponry and equipment cannot be fully equipped all at once. With the Youth Army's manpower suddenly doubling, military equipment for about one hundred thousand new troops;

According to our firepower intensity for configuration, the reorganization might last until next spring. Should we reduce firepower?"

Lv Muzhi said: "Of course we cannot reduce firepower. The Southwest arsenals have been working day and night to catch up. I'm not in a hurry to send the Third Army and Fourth Army to the battlefield either; personnel must be retrained first. Otherwise, even with the best weapons, it's useless;

So, before the weapons arrive, personnel training must be arranged first. We can first arrange for the grassroots officers of the Third Army and Third Army to insert themselves into units of the First Army and Second Army—companies, platoons, battalions, regiments, etc. —to follow and learn;

I have already transferred the educational backbone of the Southwest Military Academy and a batch of just-graduated excellent students over, preparing to set up a branch in Henan to retrain a batch of grassroots officers locally;

Learning our Youth Army's tactical regulations and coordination standards.

The main task of the Third Army and Fourth Army this year is retraining! All missing weapons will be gradually made up. Before that, they are training troops, at most undertaking some second-line garrison tasks.

As for frontline combat tasks, we have the First Army and Second Army, totaling six divisions and about one hundred thousand people, stationed in Henan South—no problem at all!"

Zhang Fei listened to these itemized money-burning plans and couldn't help but smack his lips: "Wei Yue, this is truly spending money like flowing water.

Four armies, twelve divisions, thirty-six infantry regiments, full strength nearly two hundred thousand people,

According to our standard equipment, we need twelve tank battalions, twelve rocket artillery battalions, twelve air defense battalions, thirty-six mountain gun companies... The cost of maintaining troops, I don't know if you can afford it..."

Lv Muzhi, however, appeared quite confident, smiling slightly: "The matter of money, no need to worry too much for now.

The penicillin from US Pacific Pharmaceutical is now hard currency, with domestic and foreign orders booked until next year, and very high profits. According to the shares I hold there, the money distributed to me is quite considerable......

Plus the large amount of US stocks I bought at the bottom using the Pacific Foundation back then—that part is the big head. Also, the Zhu Family has been operating domestically for many years and has some assets.

Moreover, maintaining an army is not my business alone. The Central Government has issued military funds to every subordinate unit. Although it's not enough, if I subsidize some myself, maintaining these troops—though not exactly easy—can be said to be barely manageable."

Zhang Fei was stunned: "Hmm, hmm, hmm, barely manageable."

Qiu Qingquan nodded with a smile: "Right, right, what a 'barely manageable'..."

Lv Muzhi stared at the two of them: "It's truly barely manageable! Do you know how much money and wealth I've advanced for the laborers on the Burma Road alone?"

Zhang Fei said: "This is a road jointly built by Xia Guo and the United States. When would it be your turn to spend money?

Besides, such a big project should have some oil and water to skim."

Lv Muzhi glanced at him: "You don't understand a damn thing. Why could the Zhu Family win the bid for this Burma Road project? It's because we could fully advance the funds!

Otherwise, with so many families in the country, why would this good thing fall to my father-in-law's Zhu Family?

The old man saw that we were willing to advance funds and start work immediately, so he immediately handed this project over to the Zhu Family. This road cannot be delayed. With sea transport cut off, imported materials from abroad can only rely on this road.

Behind this, I need to get the Central Government to borrow more loans from the Western European countries, borrow to the death! We need everything.

We've won quite a few battles. They should also realize that Xia Guo is not a country that will collapse at any time. Now, sending charcoal in the snow, lending money and materials to us, is a high-return investment.

All the wool that can be plucked internationally must be plucked ruthlessly. My money didn't come from the wind!"

Just as he was speaking, an adjutant of Qiu Qingquan ran over in a hurry and handed over a document.

Qiu Qingquan looked at it and said: "The guard troops stationed at my airfield just received a phone call transferred by the Aviation Committee.

A bomber squadron of the Soviet Volunteer Air Force, on its way from the Soviet Union to support, was ambushed by thirty Japanese fighter planes in the air. With no choice, they are now flying toward the Zhengzhou Air Force Base.

The Aviation Committee asks us to extend a helping hand to the Volunteer Air Force."

Lv Muzhi immediately smiled: "Of course. We cannot let friendly nations feel chilled. Let the Soviet Volunteer Air Force approach my airfield. My fighters will immediately take off to escort them!

Send a note to the Russian military attaché stationed in Xia Guo and to General Shanov of the Volunteer Air Force. Their planes, I will definitely protect them well!"