Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 98 "Feitian Fen"

With a heavy snowfall, the time came to January 1938.

Since the Japanese troops in the county town did not take any major military actions, but only strengthened the defense of their strongholds, Wolong Mountain remained peaceful for a period of time, and the local militia enjoyed a period of steady development.

"A timely snow promises a bumper harvest," Tang Weiguo remarked, looking at the heavy snowfall.

“Yes, Commander, the people will have a good harvest next spring,” Bi Shoucai added, continuing Tang Weiguo’s words.

"How's the spring planting plan coming along?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"The basic plan has been finalized. We will organize the militia soldiers to carry out unified farming."

"Yes, that's fine. Our militia soldiers are all recruited from farmers, so farming shouldn't be a problem for them."

"We need to prepare enough seeds, farm tools, fertilizers and other supplies for planting next spring so as not to delay the planting time. Please prepare a detailed sowing plan and submit it to me first."

"Yes, Commander." Bi Shoucai accepted the order.

"This matter is currently your top priority. We cannot afford any unforeseen circumstances regarding our grain reserves. We must be prepared for the long-term survival of our militia under the Japanese blockade," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Commander. The logistics department is currently increasing the reserves of various supplies for our militia in an orderly manner," Bi Shoucai said.

"Okay, don't worry about funding for logistical supplies."

"Yes, Commander, don't worry, I will definitely complete this mission," Bi Shoucai assured him.

"By the way, Commander, there's something I need to report to you."

"Oh, what is it?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"The Japanese devils in the county town are selling something to the people. What's it called? Let me think... Oh right, it's called Fertilizer Powder."

"The Japanese say that using 'fertilizer powder' can increase grain yield, but the villagers are skeptical and no one is buying it. The Japanese are now promoting it in the villages around the county seat," Bi Shoucai reported.

"Fertilizer powder, isn't that just fertilizer? Oh no, I forgot about this important thing. The fertilizer the Japanese provided seems to be potassium sulfate—potassium sulfate is an important raw material for making high explosives. If we collect the Japanese fertilizer powder and turn it into high explosives, it will be extremely useful. The damage caused by the landmines, grenades, and explosive charges currently being made by the militia can be increased by a whole level." Tang Weiguo thought to himself.

"Our militia should immediately find a way to collect the Japanese's fertilizer powder. Remember, we must not let the Japanese find out about this. You should ask Director Li from the intelligence department to assist you," Tang Weiguo immediately said to Bi Shoucai.

"Commander, is the Japanese fertilizer powder really useful for our crops?" Bi Shoucai asked doubtfully upon hearing Tang Weiguo's order.

"That's right, the Japanese fertilizer powder does work for crops, but the Japanese aren't so kind as to give these things to the people," Tang Weiguo said with a sneer.

"Commander, what kind of evil scheme are those damn Japanese devils plotting now?" Bi Shoucai asked.

"After the farmers used the fertilizer powder and the crops were harvested in abundance, the Japanese devils were seizing more grain and then asked the Chinese people to grow grain for them for free. The Japanese devils were really scheming," Tang Weiguo explained.

"Damn it, those Japanese devils are so wicked, they deserve to die a horrible death," Bi Shoucai cursed.

"Commander, now that I know about this, I must collect more of the Japanese fertilizer powder to increase our production."

"I asked you to collect this not for growing food," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Ah, then, Captain, what are we collecting this for?"

"You just need to collect them and send them to the arsenal; you don't need to worry about anything else," Tang Weiguo replied.

"Commander, could it be..." Bi Shoucai hesitated before speaking.

"Yes, keep this matter confidential. Let Director Li assist you properly," Tang Weiguo instructed.

"Yes, Captain."

"Alright, do this right now," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Commander, I'll do it right away." Bi Shoucai said and left the room.

"Hahaha, the Japanese are such good people. They've delivered this assist, so I'll accept it." Tang Weiguo laughed happily.

Two days later, with Li Qukou's help, Bi Shoucai returned to Wolong Mountain with the first batch of "fertilizer powder" he had acquired.

"Commander, the first batch of 50 bags of fertilizer powder has been delivered to the warehouse." Bi Shoucai returned to the regimental headquarters immediately to report to Tang Weiguo.

"So fast! That's great!" Tang Weiguo said with delight upon hearing that Bi Shoucai had already acquired the fertilizer powder.

"Commander, we owe a lot to Director Li's help this time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to collect the data so quickly with just the logistics department." Bi Shoucai did not claim all the credit.

"You have all made contributions. Now, immediately send the fertilizer powder from the warehouse to the arsenal," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

“I’ll go with you,” Tang Weiguo said.

After a while, Tang Weiguo and Bi Shoucai, along with soldiers from the logistics department, transported 50 bags of fertilizer powder to the arsenal's warehouse.

Tang Weiguo and Bi Shoucai left first with the soldiers from the logistics department, while he waited here for Wang Qiang to arrive. Tang Weiguo had just told someone to inform Wang Qiang to wait for him at the warehouse.

A moment later, Wang Qiang came running from the arsenal's production workshop, panting, and said:

"Commander, you haven't been here for a while now. You didn't even let us know in advance so I could greet you at the door."

"Director Wang, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. I don't want to waste your precious time."

"Director Wang, how is the arsenal operating lately?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Reporting to the commander, everything is operating normally. The first batch of production technicians we trained have already mastered the production skills. Now, in order to ensure production efficiency, the arsenal is implementing a three-shift system, ensuring that people can rest but the machines cannot," Wang Qiang reported.

"Yes, very good. Weapons and ammunition are our guarantee for fighting the Japanese devils. We must ensure the supply of weapons and ammunition for our regiment."

"But I would like to remind you of one thing: you must pay attention to safety, ensure safe production at the arsenal, and safeguard the health of the production personnel. After all, health is the foundation of production, especially for you older generation technicians, each of you is a treasure," Tang Weiguo said.

Hearing how much Tang Weiguo cared about all the staff at their arsenal, Wang Qiang's eyes welled up with tears.

"The regimental commander is so good to them," Wang Qiang thought to himself.

"By the way, how's the research on explosives going?" Tang Weiguo asked.

Since a chemistry student joined the militia, Tang Weiguo assigned him to the arsenal for explosives research.

"We have made some progress. We have improved the formula that we are currently producing, and the explosive power has been increased slightly."

"However, it's difficult to make a major breakthrough under the current conditions of our arsenal," Wang Qiang explained to Tang Weiguo from the perspective of a technician.

"Yes, progress is a good thing. It seems your arsenal has done a lot of work." Tang Weiguo didn't question Wang Qiang's work. He also knew that in such a rudimentary environment as the militia arsenal, it would be difficult to make significant changes.

"Commander, I have failed your trust in the arsenal." Wang Qiang patted his head in frustration.

"Director Wang, there's no need for that. I brought a bunch of raw materials with me this time. See if you can turn these materials into explosives." Tang Weiguo pointed to the pile of fertilizer powder behind him.

It was only then that Wang Qiang noticed a pile of things he had never seen before in the arsenal's warehouse.

"Commander, what is this? It's actually a raw material for making explosives?" Wang Qiang asked in confusion.

"The Japanese used fertilizer powder to increase grain production, but I read in a book that it's a raw material for high explosives. So I had some collected and sent it to your arsenal to see if we could turn it into explosives," Tang Weiguo explained.

"Commander, I see. I'll have someone study these raw materials right away." After saying that, Wang Qiang immediately turned around and ran towards the arsenal.

Tang Weiguo didn't have to wait long before Wang Qiang came over with a young man.

"Reporting to the commander, Lin Zhenglei is reporting for duty," the young man said to Tang Weiguo.

"Yes, Director Wang just praised me. You did a good job, keep up the good work." Tang Weiguo patted Lin Zhenglei on the shoulder and said.

"Yes." Lin Zhenglei blushed with excitement upon hearing the commander's praise, turning a thousand words into a single utterance.

"Xiao Lin, this is the raw material for explosives provided by the regimental commander. I'm handing it over to you," Wang Qiang said, pointing to the fertilizer powder on the ground.

"Yes, factory manager, I guarantee the task will be completed."

"Commander, if I may ask, do you know the composition of this raw material?" Lin Zhenglei asked Tang Weiguo. Knowing the composition of this batch of raw materials would make the research much more efficient.

"It should be potassium sulfate," Tang Weiguo said.

"What? Potassium sulfate? That's great!" Upon hearing the news, Lin Zhenglei jumped up excitedly.

"Commander, Factory Director, we've got the high-performance explosives!" Lin Zhenglei said excitedly.

"Then it's up to you. Get the explosives produced as soon as possible," Tang Weiguo instructed.

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee the mission will be completed," Lin Zhenglei said earnestly.

"it is good."

"Commander, I'm going to do some research now." After saying that, Lin Zhenglei grabbed a bag of fertilizer powder and ran towards his research lab.

"Director Wang, there's nothing else going on now. How about you take me on a tour of the arsenal?"

"No problem, this way please, Commander." Wang Qiang led the way.

After completing his inspection tour, Tang Weiguo left.