Young Marshal: Many children bring more blessings, marry a wife who is as powerful as the world

Chapter 10 Major Procurement at the Fengtian Arsenal

At the Fengtian Arsenal’s arms warehouse in North City.

In the future, it would become the renowned “East Three Provinces Military Industry Factory.” However, at present, because Zhang Zuolin had just taken control of Fengtian, the factory was still in its infancy.

The premises were cramped, and the equipment was rudimentary! The entire factory, including the guards, had no more than 400 people. They didn’t even have a rifle production line. They could only handle simple tasks like reloading ammunition and repairing rifling.

At this moment, Zhang Xueming arrived with a large group of cavalry. The factory manager, Zhang Youde, was immediately frightened. What was happening? Was this a military coup?

But Zhang Xueming said, “Uncle Zhang, I’m here to collect the equipment.”

“I remember there are 18 Czech-made light machine guns in the warehouse, pack them all up and take them with us.”

“And there are two 75mm mountain guns, bring those too!”

“By the way, there are over a hundred boxes of grenades buried in the north warehouse, dig them up and move them as well!”

Zhang Xueming had already been preparing to break away and set up his own forces. He had visited the arms warehouse in advance, so he knew exactly where the bullets and grenades were hidden.

The imperial cavalry regiment, being Zhang Zuolin’s close confidants, had always been arrogant, and now, with Zhang Xueming’s orders, they cheered and began hauling away the equipment.

“Stop! Stop!”

Seeing Zhang Xueming about to cart away all the weapons and supplies that Zhang Zuolin had accumulated over the years, the manager of the arsenal, Zhang Youde, became anxious. “Second Young Master! According to military orders, the General only gave you a cavalry regiment, but you’re acting like you’re emptying the warehouse!”

Zhang Youde was a member of the Zhang family, and according to family hierarchy, Zhang Xueming should call him Uncle Zhang. He was also one of the few with positive traits like “diligence” and “loyalty” in the family tree. So, Zhang Xueming didn’t take a heavy-handed approach with him.

Instead, he smiled and said, “Yes, my father gave me a regiment of cavalry, but he didn’t specify how much weaponry I can take!”

“Uncle Zhang, if I run into bandits outside and run out of ammunition and get captured, I’ll have to report it to my father!”

Hearing this, Zhang Youde shivered. Family matters were family matters—he should not meddle in the affairs of the direct branch of the Zhang family.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered, “What are you all standing around for?!”

“Move! Take all the weapons and equipment for the Second Young Master!”

“Second Young Master! Don’t just take the equipment, take the entire arsenal’s gate if you want it!”

Saying this, he grabbed a shovel from one of his subordinates and enthusiastically started digging up the grenades buried underground. Before long, Zhang Xueming had acquired more than 1,200 rifles, over 30,000 rounds of ammunition, 18 light machine guns, and two 75mm mountain guns. He was already capable of arming a full regiment!

With the cavalry regiment that Zhang Zuolin had provided him, Zhang Xueming now had half a brigade’s worth of armaments, even before leaving Fengtian city.

…

Half a day later, outside Fengtian city, a heavily armed cavalry unit was slowly departing. Looking at the ancient city walls receding behind them, Yu Fengzhi, who was slightly pregnant, leaned towards Zhang Xueming.

“Darling, are we heading to Harbin in Songjiang Province?”

Since the construction of the Middle East Railway in the 22nd year of the Qing Guangxu era, the industrial and commercial population had gathered around Harbin. It was a transportation hub connecting the Russian Far East, Manzhouli, and Dalian Port, home to a large foreign population.

In 1916, Harbin was considered an international commercial port, comparable to Shanghai. So, as a rich young lady, Yu Fengzhi hoped to go to such a big city. However, Zhang Xueming calmly shook his head.

“We’re not going to Harbin!”

The instructor had long mentioned that rural areas should surround cities. Harbin was home to more than 50,000 foreign troops. With only 1,000 cavalry, charging into the city would be like throwing an egg at a rock. Only after establishing his family and developing industry could they secure their position.

“We’re not going to Harbin?”

Yu Fengzhi was somewhat disappointed.

Zhang Xueming smiled.

“The world is vast, and there’s plenty of room for us. We’re going somewhere close to Harbin.”

“Do you know Daqing?”

“Daqing?”

Yu Fengzhi was stunned, then shook her head.

“Songjiang Province, is there such a place?”

Seeing her confused expression, Zhang Xueming smiled.

Before the discovery of the Daqing Oilfield in 1959, Daqing was just a barren land that could hardly even grow food. Compared to the fertile black soil, it was a wasteland that sometimes produced black oil, causing more harm than good. But Zhang Xueming knew the value of oil!

Oil was the lifeblood of modern industry, the foundation of the second industrial revolution. Petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic production, even industrial fertilizers—all required massive amounts of oil.

The vast territory of the country was rich in resources, but the one thing it lacked was oil. Therefore, oil, as a strategic resource, had to be in his hands!

And Daqing…

By the 20th century, it would produce over 40 million tons of oil annually, accounting for 38% of the nation’s oil output. This was an enormous figure!

The appearance of Daqing Oilfield freed the country from the label of being oil-poor. 39lZhang Xueming decided to establish his family’s first base right in Daqing.

Steel needs strong support from oil. Before capturing the Middle Eastern oil fields, this place would provide the continuous energy the family needed!

Building a base directly on top of rich mineral resources—was there anything better than that?

Damn it! With oil, I’ll be on the same level as those oil magnates in the future!