Chapter 284: Defying Orders

He Yuzhu knew that He Daqing could not avoid this war this time.

He Daqing was right; if it weren't for the Military Factory producing many new types of weapons, their unit would have had no chance to participate in the war at all.

It was precisely He Yuzhu, this transmigrator, who flapped his butterfly wings and changed the fates of countless people.

Since the Military Factory began developing Radar and Anti-aircraft Guns last August, the new Radar had been successfully developed, and the Anti-aircraft Gun specifically for dealing with aircraft had also been built.

What was most gratifying was that He Yuzhu and Liu Xiaohua had successfully developed a Fire Control System with distinct characteristics of the era. It was neither the Mk. 37 Fire Control System of the United States that relied purely on mechanical calculation, nor was it like the Fire Control Systems of later generations that relied purely on a Computer; rather, it was between the two, belonging to a simplified version of a mechanical-electronic hybrid computing device.

Simply put, he connected the Computer to the Radar system, which could quickly calculate artillery firing parameters and then inform the gunners, thereby greatly increasing the probability of shooting down enemy aircraft.

Besides this, he and Liu Xiaohua also improved the American-made Bazooka Rocket Launcher, making it more threatening to a Tank.

"Dad, please talk to Division Commander Yang and let me go along."

Shen Guizhi was mending some small clothes for He Yushui, and upon hearing this, the needle tip immediately pricked her finger. She threw down the needle and thread, grabbed He Yuzhu, and scolded: "You little bastard, I won't let you go! The government has to be reasonable too—our family only has two men; if something happens to you two, how are He Yushui and I supposed to live?"

He Daqing sighed; he knew that once his son made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

"I will go talk to Division Commander Yang."

"He Daqing, you are a bastard too!" Shen Guizhi was so angry she stamped her feet, tears swirling in her eyes.

With one month left before the troops departed, He Yuzhu began making preparations for the front line.

He found Liu Rusi and got straight to the point: "Sister, I want to join the Volunteer Army."

Liu Rusi originally wanted to dissuade him, but seeing He Yuzhu's firm gaze, she could only sigh lightly: "You must take care to protect yourself; if you have any requests, just ask."

"I want to make a batch of Handcart units, and I hope you can help me work overtime; I will pay for it myself."

"Why are you still being so formal with me, you brat?" Liu Rusi chided, "How many do you want to make? Just say it."

"Let's start with one hundred."

Liu Rusi took the blueprint, on which a two-wheeled flatbed cart was drawn. "Can this thing be useful on the battlefield?"

He Yuzhu nodded: "It's all heavy snow over there. Look, this can be used as a pushcart, and if you flip it over, it becomes a Snow Sled; it's very convenient and can also be folded."

Liu Rusi examined it for a moment and said: "The Security Inspection System you designed is selling very hotly in Southeast Asia and Europe, and our factory has earned a lot of money. This time, consider it a reward for you; I will make two hundred for you for free."

"Thank you, Sister." He Yuzhu revealed a grateful smile, "Once I leave, it might be a year or two; I'll have to trouble you to look after my family."

"The country is peaceful now; nothing will happen."

He Yuzhu lowered his voice: "I'm just worried about those people in the courtyard. Both men in my family are gone, so they will inevitably have crooked thoughts. Please help me check on them when you have time."

"With me here, they won't dare!" Liu Rusi said decisively.

When He Yuzhu said goodbye, Liu Rusi hugged him tightly and said: "You must come back alive; I will wait for you!"

When He Yuzhu walked out the door, he looked back and saw two lines of clear tears hanging on Liu Rusi's face.

Over the next two days, He Yuzhu stayed in the Bicycle Factory and only left after solving many production difficulties.

Leaving the factory, he specifically went to find Tian Dan to say goodbye.

Tian Dan was very reluctant: "Zhuzi, you've helped me a lot over this past year. I really don't want you to go to the battlefield; I think you have a real talent for catching spies and solving cases. When you return from the battlefield, you must come to our Criminal Investigation Team."

"I promise you." He Yuzhu said solemnly, "But if you have time, please also help look after my family."

"Rest assured, I will protect your family well."

In this final month, He Yuzhu purchased a large amount of supplies: cotton-padded clothes and shoes, food, and even livestock such as pigs, horses, and sheep.

On Division Commander Yang's side, he also quickly approved He Yuzhu's request to join the Volunteer Army.

Ershuan, who was the Security Captain at the Lou Steel Rolling Mill, insisted on following He Yuzhu to fight in the war no matter what.

Facing his old friend's enthusiasm, He Yuzhu truly could not refuse.

In the end, He Yuzhu was appointed as the Company Commander of the new artillery company, leading two sets of newly developed anti-aircraft equipment to embark on the journey.

When He Yuzhu handed the two hundred Handcart units over to Division Commander Yang, he was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.

These Handcart units were cleverly designed and easy to fold; each squad was equipped with one, which could greatly reduce the burden on the soldiers during marches.

When they gathered to board the train, soldiers from brother units saw these convenient Handcart units and were all envious.

Various units filed reports requesting to be issued them, eventually causing such a stir that the higher-ups scolded Division Commander Yang, saying he was relying on the Military Factory to seek special treatment.

Division Commander Yang had no way to argue and could only smile bitterly.

The autumn wind swept up the fallen leaves on the platform, and the train whistle blew long and loud.

Ershuan sat in the bumpy carriage, looking at the wilderness rapidly receding outside the window, and couldn't help but rub his hands, which were frozen red.

"Zhuzi, why is it so cold? I'm afraid we'll freeze into icicles before we even see the American soldiers."

He Yuzhu took a pair of thick cotton socks and leather gloves out of his pack and threw them over: "I told you to prepare more things to keep out the cold, but you wouldn't listen."

Ershuan took them with a grin.

He Yuzhu stood up and looked out through the frosted train window.

They had arrived at Jian Station; the platform was crowded with soldiers changing their gear, and the white mist they exhaled intertwined into a fog in the cold wind.

Just then, He Yuzhu's sharp eyes caught two familiar figures—the brothers Wu Qianli and Wu Wanli were directing soldiers to move supplies.

His heart tightened, and fragments of memories from his past life flashed through his mind: enemy aircraft were about to air-raid the station.

"Attention everyone! Unload the anti-aircraft equipment immediately!" He Yuzhu's voice was exceptionally clear in the cold wind.

Ershuan was stunned for a moment, then reacted and went into the carriage to urge the men in his company to get off.

Not long after, more than a hundred soldiers from the artillery company were busy on the platform; the sounds of metal clashing, footsteps, and commands rose one after another.

"He Yuzhu! What are you doing?" Division Commander Yang jumped down from the carriage, furious, and shouted, "Our division is only stopping here for one hour to change gear; what are you doing?"

He Yuzhu was directing the soldiers to set up the Anti-aircraft Gun and said without looking back: "Enemy aircraft are coming soon; we must organize air defense! Otherwise, we are all finished!"

"Nonsense! This is insubordination!" Division Commander Yang's face turned bright red.

He Daqing hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Division Commander, Zhuzi's judgment has always been very accurate..."

Just then, He Yuzhu had already opened those two huge wooden crates, revealing the dense electronic tubes and circuits inside.

His fingers were somewhat stiff in the cold wind, yet he was still connecting various wires at high speed.

Beads of sweat slid down his forehead, turning icy cold in the low temperature. He did not stop for a moment, continuing his work.

"It's here!" Ershuan suddenly pointed at the sky and exclaimed.

A reconnaissance plane whistled as it swept over the station, the massive roar making the ground tremble slightly.

The platform was suddenly in chaos; some new recruits panicked and crawled under the train, while the experienced veterans quickly sought cover.

He Yuzhu stared fixedly at the Radar screen, the black dots on it becoming clearer and clearer.

Six enemy planes, like hunting vultures, formed into three-by-three attack formations in the sky.

Sunlight shone on the silver wings, reflecting a blinding glare.

The first wave of three planes flew in rapidly, the massive sound of explosions deafening.

They dropped bombs, and the carriages furthest away were overturned in an instant, massive fireballs swallowing many soldiers.

"Parameters 37-26-18!" He Yuzhu's voice pierced through the roar of the explosions.

The Anti-aircraft Gun immediately adjusted its angle, and the muzzle spewed out scorching flames.