Volume One, Chapter 15: The Brigade Commander Was Stunned—You Really Built This Gun Yourself, Kid?!
Lin Mo’s baton struck heavily on the map.
“The destruction of Hongya Cave has nearly wiped out all our military production capabilities. But on the flip side, this means our independent regiment’s Ordnance Research Institute—the only unit still capable of technological development and production—has become Yamamoto Kazuki’s next, and indeed only, essential target!”
“It’s foreseeable that in the near future, Yamamoto Kazuki will marshal all his forces to launch a devastating infiltration and assault against us. The scale and intensity will far surpass the previous reconnaissance squad.”
Lin Mo’s words sent a bone-chilling cold through everyone present.
The brigade commander’s eyes grew brighter as he looked at Lin Mo.
This young man not only understands technology but also strategy!
Such insight and precise grasp of the enemy’s mindset were hardly the traits of a man in his early twenties; he seemed more like a battle-hardened veteran staff officer!
“Then show me that submachine gun the Independent Regiment built themselves!” the brigade commander said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately perked up, eagerly snatching a “Lin-style submachine gun” from the guard and proudly presenting it like a treasure.
“Commander, look! This is the masterpiece of our comrade Lin! It’s far better than those fancy contraptions the damned Japanese use!”
The commander took the gun, feeling its weight at once.
Though its exterior was rough, with clear welding marks and a strong homemade feel, its structure was remarkably compact and solid, without a single unnecessary part.
The cold steel touch of the body and the dark muzzle radiated an unmasked aura of deadly intent.
He pulled the bolt back; the crisp, powerful click of the mechanism echoed clearly.
He removed the magazine to examine the bullets inside, then rested the stock against his shoulder and took aim.
An expert’s touch reveals all.
From these simple actions alone, the commander knew—it was a good gun! A simple, efficient weapon!
“This gun… really made by you with the scrap metal from our base?” The commander lowered the gun, incredulity shining in his eyes as he looked at Lin Mo.
Having led a munitions factory himself, he knew how difficult it was to create a functioning firearm from nothing, let alone one with such excellent performance.
The technical skill required was no less than growing rice in saline-alkali soil!
“It’s mainly an optimized combination of existing materials,” Lin Mo said modestly.
“Nonsense!” Li Yunlong interrupted. “Commander, you don’t know—Lin nearly threw himself into the steel furnace trying to forge steel for the barrels! His skill is truly like turning stone into gold!”
The brigade commander ignored Li Yunlong’s boasting and fixed his gaze on Lin Mo as if trying to see through him.
Shock, exhilaration, disbelief—
A storm of emotions twisted within him.
He finally understood why Yamamoto Kazuki would go insane trying to eliminate Lin Mo at all costs.
This man’s value defied ordinary measures.
To the enemy, one man like him was worth an entire well-equipped first-class division!
No, his value was even greater!
A division could be rebuilt if destroyed.
But such a genius? How many like him could be found across all of China?
The loss of Hongya Cave’s ordnance factory was indeed catastrophic.
But if Lin Mo could be kept safe, the Eighth Route Army’s military industry still had hope for revival!
“Good! Good! Good!” the commander said three times in rapid succession, then abruptly stood and approached Lin Mo.
His large hands landed heavily on Lin’s shoulders.
“Comrade Lin Mo! On behalf of the brigade headquarters, the 129th Division, and the countless officers and soldiers of the Eighth Route Army, I apologize to you!”
The commander bowed deeply to Lin Mo.
“I take back what I said earlier! You’re no fool! You are a treasure of our Eighth Route Army, a hero in the fight against the Japanese!”
This sudden scene stunned Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang.
Their hot-tempered commander, who rarely bowed his head, was actually bowing and apologizing to a young man?
Lin Mo quickly stepped aside, saying, “Commander, what are you doing? I don’t deserve this.”
“You do!” The commander straightened and fixed him with a burning gaze. “The loss of Hongya Cave is my responsibility, the entire Eighth Route Army command’s responsibility. It is not yours! You are not only blameless but have contributed greatly! Immensely!”
The commander’s attitude had done a complete about-face.
He pulled Lin Mo to sit and personally poured him a cup of water, his tone unusually gentle.
“Comrade Lin, your analysis just now was very sound. That madman Yamamoto Kazuki will surely come looking for trouble again. Tell me, what should be our next step?”
This was no longer a question to a subordinate, but a consultation with an equal, even a superior strategic advisor.
Li Yunlong stared in awe and envy.
He felt bitter—he had taken several kicks from the commander, but now with Lin here, the commander seemed like a different man.
Yet also pleased—Lin was from their Independent Regiment! His face was their face!
Lin Mo pondered for a moment and said, “Two matters are urgent. First, relocation. Second, reconstruction.”
“Relocation?” the commander asked.
“Yes.” Lin pointed to Yang Village on the map. “Yang Village is flat and lacks natural defenses. It’s been exposed and can no longer be held. We must immediately move the research institute and the Independent Regiment to a safer, more concealed, and more defensible location.”
“And reconstruction?”
A resolute gleam flashed in Lin Mo’s eyes.
“Though the Hongya Cave ordnance factory was destroyed, some of its technicians and skilled workers surely escaped. We must find and gather them quickly.”
“Then, using them as the backbone and our institute’s technology as the core, we will rebuild a new ordnance factory in a completely safe place!”
Lin Mo’s voice rose sharply, brimming with strength.
“We will establish a truly modern military production line! We will manufacture our own submachine guns, our own semi-automatic rifles, our own light and heavy machine guns, and even… our own artillery!”
“I want every one of our soldiers to wield weapons made by ourselves, weapons more advanced than the Japanese’s! I want Yamamoto Kazuki to pay a bloody price for what he has done today!”
Lin Mo’s words thundered through the command post like a bolt from the blue.
The commander, Li Yunlong, and Zhao Gang all felt their blood stir and their spirits soar!
Rebuild the ordnance factory!
Make our own guns! Make our own artillery!
What a magnificent blueprint! What a grand vision!
The commander looked at this young man before him, knowing that the future of their entire unit might truly rest on this young man’s shoulders.