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Text Chapter 132 Rapidly developing Western Sichuan

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    "Marshal, generals. This is a new 155mm heavy howitzer developed by our arsenal. The caliber is 155mm, and the barrel is twelve times as long as the caliber. The high and low firing range is 0 degrees to 42 degrees. The shell weighs 42 kilograms, and the muzzle velocity of the shell is  325 meters per second, the maximum range is 7,500 meters, and the gun weighs 2.5 tons. Now it has been improved and can be mass-produced at any time! We plan to name this cannon the Type 91 155mm heavy howitzer "from the Chengdu Arsenal  Tang Mu, director of the R&D center, personally introduced Wang Yuze and others.  Although he is now in his fifties, this old man who has devoted himself to military research since his early years still appears to be in good spirits.  He has been involved in the research and development of every type of cannon in western Sichuan. From the old cannons that have been eliminated long ago to the new cannons currently being researched, they are all soaked in his hard work.

    Looking at the cannon with its barrel raised high in front of them, Wang Yuze and the military leaders were very happy.  Cannon is regarded as the god of war, and heavy artillery has extremely powerful power.  If the Western Sichuan Army is equipped with heavy artillery, its ability to attack cities and demolish strongholds will definitely be greatly enhanced.  Like in the last war, facing the city walls of Xi'an and the capital, if hundreds of heavy artillery could be mobilized, it would be enough to knock down the strong city walls.

    "This cannon is very good. I think each division can be equipped with a company. Moreover, the staff can establish one or two independent artillery brigades for use in a big war. It will definitely be able to play a very good role!"  Wang Yuze said with a smile.

    "This should be considered. However, the heavy artillery is too heavy. It can still be used within the scope of Western Sichuan. Beyond Western Sichuan, the road conditions are very bad. It is difficult for this kind of heavy artillery to keep up with the speed of the troops!" Already a national defense officer  Minister Jiang Xingguo said.  A 2.5-ton heavy artillery would have to be dragged by at least eight or more horses.  As the domestic road conditions are always poor, the combat effectiveness of this heavy artillery will be greatly reduced.

    "That's true. However, our enemies are not only the Manchus, but also the great powers. Facing the great powers, we must have heavy artillery. The 155mm caliber howitzer is just the beginning, we also need larger  caliber heavy artillery. 210mm heavy howitzers, 305mm heavy howitzers, we all need to equip these. In addition, the navy's naval guns and arsenal also need to start looking at it as soon as possible. Compared with the cannons used by the army, the caliber of naval guns  It is bigger and the requirements are more stringent. I hope Director Tang can develop more and stronger cannons for us in western Sichuan!" Wang Yuze said.  After Western Sichuan defeated the Manchu Qing, it was inevitable that it would face the great powers.  At that time, it will be a bigger challenge for western Sichuan.  Although everyone believes in the combat effectiveness of the Western Sichuan Army, it is also necessary to provide the Western Sichuan Army with sophisticated weapons and equipment.

    "Don't worry, young marshal, even if I risk my old bones, I will create more and better weapons for western Sichuan!" Tang Mu immediately assured.  Researching more and better weapons for the Western Sichuan Army has become the old man's lifelong belief.

    Later, Tang Mu took Wang Yuze and the others to visit other cannons under development.  Such as the 105mm cannon.  150mm cannon and more.  Compared with howitzers, cannons have longer barrels, generally 30 times the caliber, and have a range of more than ten kilometers.  However, western Sichuan is relatively weak in this aspect and is currently intensifying research.  But Tang Mu said that mass production will be completed within three to five years.

    After visiting the heavy artillery, Tang Mu took Wang Yuze and his party to the mortar research and development area.

    "Young Marshal, this is an 80mm caliber mortar developed according to the requirements of the army. After the research is successful, the army can eliminate 37mm caliber mortars and deploy 60mm caliber mortars to platoons and companies.  The first level will be replaced by this 80 mm caliber mortar. In addition, we are also researching a heavy mortar with a caliber of 120 mm. After the research is successful, it will provide powerful fire support for the infantry in battle!  Tang Mu introduced Wang Yuze and others with excitement.  At this moment, he was like a parent introducing his outstanding child to others.  He was also very happy after getting recognition from others.

    Wang Yuze and a group of military bosses felt excited when they looked at the artillery being studied.  I have to admit that a large part of the reason for the strength of the Western Sichuan Army is reflected in its equipment.  If the Western Sichuan Army used the same equipment as the Qing Army, even if the Western Sichuan Army could win, the casualties and price would probably be much greater.  The arsenal R&D center is where the Western Sichuan Army continues to provide weapons that are stronger than its opponents. This is also where the Western Sichuan Army can win.

    Next, Wang Yuze and the others also visited the research and development center for heavy machine guns and other firearms.  The Maxim heavy machine gun currently used by the Western Sichuan Army, although powerful, is too bulky and weighs 28 kilograms.  The latest heavy machine gun developed by Chengdu Arsenal will be changed from water-cooled to air-cooled. After the research is successful, the weight will be reduced to less than 25 kilograms, making it easier to carry.?.  In addition, the arsenal is also studying light machine guns to enhance the firepower of each infantry squad.

    "Director Tang, can you design a grenade that can be fired with a rifle? The range does not need to be too far, two hundred meters is enough. The grenade relies on the shock wave generated when the propellant in the bullet burns to push the grenade to fly. For example, use a blank bullet to  Instead of firing grenades with live ammunition. In this case, combined with the light machine gun, the firepower of the infantry squad will be further strengthened!" Wang Yuze said.  In fact, what he proposed was the rifle grenade that was widely used after the twentieth century.  It's just that it's less powerful now and doesn't attract much attention.

    "Hey, this is a good idea. I have to write it down and organize a special person to study it. Don't worry, young marshal, we will get out the sample as soon as possible!" Tang Mu said excitedly.

    It was already dark when we left the arsenal.  Wang Yuze and the military bosses had spent a whole day inside without knowing it.  However, after this visit, they also gained a better understanding of the power of Western Sichuan.  Western Sichuan became more confident in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and even joining the great powers to compete for world hegemony.  Although the various foundations of Western Sichuan are still slightly insufficient compared with the great powers.  But Western Sichuan is catching up. With the wisdom and hard work of the Chinese people, everyone believes that Western Sichuan will succeed.

    At the end of 1891, Wang Yuze left Chengdu and began secretly touring the provinces in western Sichuan.  However, this time his main targets were the newly incorporated provinces in western Sichuan.  Depart from Chengdu and go south from Panzhihua into Yunnan.  While passing through Panzhihua, Wang Yuze inspected Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group again.  Currently, the Iron and Steel Group is undergoing expansion and is expected to be completed and put into operation in the middle of next year. By then, Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group's pig iron production and steel production will have doubled, reaching an annual production of 100,000 tons of iron and 50,000 tons of steel, making western Sichuan a leader.  Steel production in Asia.  Of course, this is insignificant when compared with the great powers. According to historical data known to Wang Yuze, France's pig iron production this year is 1.9 million tons, Germany is 4.1 million tons, and the United Kingdom is 7 million tons.  500,000 tons, compared with 8.4 million tons in the United States.  Steel production in France is 750,000 tons, Germany is 2.45 million tons, the United Kingdom is 3.2 million tons, and the United States is 4 million tons.  The early 20th century was an era of competition for steel. Therefore, Western Sichuan still had a long way to go if it wanted to catch up with the great powers.

    The Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is a relatively poor area in China.  Along the way, Wang Yuze discovered that the lives of the people here were completely different from those in western Sichuan.  In the western Sichuan region, after more than 20 years of government efforts, the problem of food and clothing has been basically solved. However, in these two provinces, the people have not even been able to solve the problem of survival.  However, the government is already working on improvements.  When the land is distributed to farmers, they also have hope for their future life.  I am even more grateful to Sichuan West and Wang Xiao and his son.

    From Yunnan to Guizhou, and then from Guizhou to Hubei.  Compared with Yunnan and Guizhou, Hubei's living conditions are much better due to geographical factors.  Because they were exploited by landlords and officials in the past, the lives of ordinary people were relatively difficult.  However, after Western Sichuan defeated the Manchus and gained control of Hubei, and carried out reforms based on the Western Sichuan model, although it only took half a year, the lives of the people had already begun to change.  He is also very supportive of the western Sichuan government.  The Chinese people are undoubtedly the most simple. As long as they can have enough to eat, they are very satisfied.

    In Wuhan, Wang Yuze inspected Wuhan Iron and Steel Group. For this steel group, Wang Yuze also raised high expectations.  If you want to catch up with the great powers, it is very difficult to rely only on the two or three steel bases in western Sichuan. You must have flowers in all directions.  After learning about the annual output of Wuhan Iron and Steel Group, Wang Yuze asked the competent authorities to increase production and increase production capacity as much as possible.  Infrastructure construction in western Sichuan is now in full swing, and there are still many places where steel is needed.

    Entering Shaanxi from Hubei, comprehensive construction here has already begun.  In Shaanxi, construction of many railways has begun, and the entire Shaanxi is like a busy construction site.

    After the inspection, Wang Yuze returned to Chengdu from Shaanxi and arrived home years ago.  The cabinet has begun summarizing last year's work.  In 1891, Western Sichuan's fiscal revenue reached 127 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23%.  Of course, war reparations are not included, and the Qing Dynasty only had more than 80 million.  As for the great powers, France has 3.3 billion francs, Germany has 700 million marks, Russia has 900 million rubles, the United Kingdom has 100 million pounds, and the United States has 400 million US dollars.  If converted into Chinese dollars, Western Sichuan's fiscal revenue ranks only behind the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.  (The above data are obtained from Palgre's world history statistics. Xiaoyu doesn't know whether it is accurate or not. Let's leave it like this for the time being! If there is any error, I hope book friends will forgive me!)

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