Armor-Piercing Munition: Face Me, Carbon-Based Monster!
Chapter 260 - 109 Rumors Abound

Chapter 260: Chapter 109 Rumors Abound

Chen Jian previously asked Fu Xi how long it would take to produce a howitzer.

At that time, the answer was 60 days.

But now, starting from scratch to build a small converter steelmaking plant only takes 5 days.

However, Chen Jian was not surprised by this.

Because compared to a cannon, the difficulty of manufacturing converter steelmaking equipment is significantly lower.

A cannon barrel, even with all equipment fully available, takes from initial rolling, to electroslag remelting, to forging with a ten-thousand-ton forging machine, then to central drilling, and then precision forging and lengthening. Just these steps alone take three to four days, even in the all-industries complete environment of the past.

And the subsequent heat treatment and straightening processes take even longer.

Immediately after that, there are tasks like surface, internal finish turning, autofrettage, inner wall cutting, and rifling...

How long does this take?

And that’s just the cannon barrel!

So, in a situation with limited equipment and no specialized or specialized equipment, taking 60 days to manufacture a cannon is not because this process is underwhelming; on the contrary, it’s practically like cheating.

In fact, even by 2025, there aren’t more than ten countries in the world with the capability to manufacture full-caliber cannon barrels.

Moreover, as of then, according to Chen Jian, countries that didn’t learn how to manufacture cannon barrels within 1800 days have not learned how two hundred years later in 2025.

Those that can manufacture rely on the introduction of technology and production lines.

Even twenty years later, in an era where technology monopoly trends become increasingly evident, Chen Jian was sure they wouldn’t learn.

Therefore, Fu Xi’s time prediction was quite reasonable.

---- But, of course, Chen Jian was more concerned about the 5 days.

If a basic small converter steelmaking plant could be built in five days, it meant that even without relying on iron ore and just by recycling scrap steel, the Huaxia Army could continuously have access to high-quality steel.

Combined with Level 2 smelting and casting equipment in the intelligent workshop, they have the foundation for producing special steel and metal materials.

By that time, if they wished to further push the industrialization process, or skip the foundational part and establish a "specialized" weapon production line, it would be much simpler....

Standing outside the 011 fortifications, watching a set of equipment being transported out of the facility and piled on the cleared and leveled ground, Chen Jian couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Finally, the first step of industrialization has been taken.

But unlike him, Lei Jie was more concerned with the technical details.

"Having just converter steelmaking is not enough; we also need supporting industries."

"According to Fu Xi’s plan, this initial steel plant primarily relies on using coal and charcoal as fuel, but the calorific value of coal is insufficient, and obtaining charcoal is quite difficult."

"We still need to quickly proceed with coal coking—fortunately, haven’t a dozen migrants arrived? Let’s have them do it, give them something to work on."

After Lei Jie finished speaking, Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully:

"Makes sense."

"In my memory, there are many methods of coal coking, and artisanal coking doesn’t seem difficult?"

"It’s not difficult."

Lei Jie answered:

"Using the open-air method, pile up coal and use straw or something similar to ignite it on top, and in four or five days, you get coke."

"But the problem is that with this method of coking, the chemical raw materials contained in the tar are almost completely wasted."

"Tar is a valuable thing; it’s the foundation for us to establish a chemical system in the future."

"So, a more economical method is to build a relatively simple but relatively complete Otto-type coke oven."

"This kind of oven was used frequently before liberation. It’s not advanced, but absolutely sufficient."

"Once we get through the most difficult stage, we can reform and expand into more modern coking ovens."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded again and then asked:

"What do those migrants need to do, specifically? Fire bricks?"

"Yeah, firing refractory bricks—this isn’t difficult. With Fu Xi’s guidance and some key equipment provided, a dozen people are enough to run a medium-sized brick kiln."

"....Are we some kind of shady brick factory owner.... Well, let’s just do it."

Chen Jian decisively made the decision, then switched the topic:

"The subsequent technical aspects and tech tree climbing issues will primarily be up to you to handle, but in these few days, you need to make time to help me solve the Jinling City issue first."

"Have an idea already?"

Lei Jie asked curiously.

"Yes."

Chen Jian nodded and replied:

"I plan to use the drone inside 095."

"That drone is indeed very suitable."

Lei Jie nodded:

"Futuristic design, large size, fast speed, even just flying over would be shocking enough for those Mechanical God Sect believers."

"But how do you specifically plan to do it? Use a hanger to lift Zhang Tao up, and then drop him from the sky?"

"He’s not a Holy Blood, you know. Doing that could kill him, right?"

"....Funny you should mention, I actually did think about doing it that way at first."

Chen Jian chuckled and replied:

"But after thinking it over, I found that method a bit too... extravagant."

"Even if he survived a fall from such a height, it wouldn’t solve our fundamental problem."

"Look, we first need to undermine Jin Cheng’s prestige, and next, establish Zhang Tao’s prestige."

"So our best bet is to use a drone to address both issues simultaneously."

"Therefore, I plan to first use the drone to take out Jin Cheng and then use the same drone to back Zhang Tao."