Chapter 90 The Moon Over the Past
Xie Ning only taught people about minerals for three days because her requirements were not high. She only needed people to search for minerals, and to find minerals, one naturally needed basic knowledge. After she finished teaching these people, the rest of the teaching was left to them to teach on their own, layer by layer.
She can't possibly teach everyone because she's too busy; not only is she busy, but everyone is working non-stop.
As for herself, besides repairing firearms and teaching firearms knowledge to her team members on a daily basis, she also has to study. No one is born a genius who knows everything. The knowledge of iron smelting alone is enough for her to study for a long time. Now she is basically learning and teaching on the spot.
Moreover, the location of the iron ore mine is still unknown, so Xie Ning only does the most basic research work, focusing her efforts on repairing firearms and manufacturing simple weapons.
This place is too poor, economically backward, and has poor transportation. It not only cannot solve the urgent needs of the Hongjun army, but also cannot support a large number of troops and institutions. That is why the Eastern Expedition is necessary to break this situation.
Xie Ning did his best to provide the army with firearms and ammunition. Thanks to the assistance of the Zhang family and overseas Chinese in the United States, many parts and equipment were transported over, as well as equipment that had been buried in the suburbs of Shanghai.
This finally solved her immediate problem. At least she can now lead a team to repair guns much more easily. Of course, these devices are far from meeting her needs, so Xie Ning uses some substitutes with the available materials.
For example, if nitric acid was unavailable, rotten wood was ground into powder and mixed with white powder to make gunpowder. In the production of explosives, common ceramic jars were used instead of lead chambers to produce sulfuric acid. Large iron pots were used to degrease cotton. Stone mills were used instead of pulping machines. Noodle presses were used instead of flaking machines. Fire pits were used instead of dryers. Porcelain basins were used instead of nitrifiers. Scissors were used instead of cutting machines, and so on.
However, raw materials were a major problem for both firearms and explosives. Less than one-tenth of the materials that could be brought in from the outside through the blockade could be saved. The majority had to be collected little by little by mobilizing the masses in the base areas. For example, copper, the main raw material for making bullets and detonators, was smelted from copper coins, candlesticks, incense burners, and other copperware donated by the people. Iron was also made from recycled scrap metal...
Here, every bit of material is precious, and Xie Ning can only do his best to avoid waste.
As the weather gradually warmed up, Xie Ning sighed again as she looked at her rejected report. The organization tried its best to meet all her other requests, but the one thing that was rejected every time was her request to lead a team to search for mineral deposits and oil fields.
They even sent a mediator to comfort him, saying it wasn't about the Kuomintang, but rather that bandits roamed the area outside the city, making it unsafe.
Nonsense! If such a precious child were to die out there, they would be heartbroken. Where would they find someone to compensate them?
As the saying goes, "Things shouldn't happen more than three times." After learning of the firm refusal from above, Xie Ning stopped insisting. She had her own ideas, but the higher-ups must have considered the overall situation and had their reasons for refusing. Going her own way would have consequences.
"Sister Changning." Erniu knocked on the door and poked her head in. "This year's single-layer clothes have been distributed. Try them on to see if they fit. If they don't fit, I'll alter them for you."
Xie Ning got off the kang (a heated brick bed) wearing straw sandals. These straw sandals were made for her by Erniu. They were like wooden clogs. She usually wore them in her room, and it was more comfortable to walk in them with thick socks on. Otherwise, her feet would get blisters after just a few steps.
Most people wear straw sandals when going out, since the military only issues two pairs of shoes a year, which is not enough. For example, Erniu wears straw sandals for half the year.
With Xie Ning's allowance, she shouldn't be unable to afford new shoes. It's just that she gave Er Niu acupuncture to relieve her menstrual cramps, and the little girl gave them to her in return. How could she refuse? There was even a small red flower woven from a strip of cloth on them, a fashion item unique to young girls.
Erniu took Xie Ning's measurements with a single layer of clothing, muttering, "Sister Changning, you've lost so much weight! Your waist is a whole size smaller than when I altered your clothes a few months ago!"
Xie Ning smiled but didn't speak. She received the best care here. She had no worries about food and lodging, and the meals provided by the special kitchen were good and she could eat her fill. Erniu also took meticulous and thoughtful care of her. However, she had been too busy these past few months, and things had only gotten better in the last few days. The Eastern Expedition had been victorious, and the base was filled with joy.
She can finally catch her breath.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
