In addition, the mined ore must be smelted and processed, which requires a lot of manpower. As for the specific number of people needed.
The chief is not sure. He can only say that he has roughly transferred a group of workers from various places. He can take this opportunity to ask if there is still a shortage of manpower in Northern Jiangsu.
When Su Bei on the other end of the phone heard this, his eyes lit up instantly.
"Chief, I was just about to tell you about this. Currently, we have enough manpower. The daily output of these two mines is completely sufficient for the production of our arsenal."
"It's just that now our arsenal is only producing two weapons at full capacity, the M1 Garand rifle and the DP light machine gun. If we want to produce a third weapon."
"Then this output is not enough. We need to send more people from the chief's side. The more, the better. The more, the better."
"This time, there is no requirement for people with experience in mining and smelting, as long as they are young adults."
The reason why there was a request in this regard last time was because Subei wanted to get the mining and smelting work of these two mines on track in the shortest possible time.
If the following workers have been exposed to mining and smelting-related work before, then it will not be so strenuous for Subei to teach them.
But things are different now. With the current mining and smelting work on track, even if new workers arrive later.
There was no need for Su Bei to personally teach them how to mine and smelt, but to leave it directly to these old people.
It's like an old man leading a newcomer in later generations. Even if it's a newcomer who doesn't understand anything, I believe it's one-on-one.
They can quickly master the mining and smelting of mines, so now it is no longer important to Subei whether the subsequent batch of workers have been exposed to this aspect.
"No problem, Xiao Su. If there is no experience requirement and you are just a young adult, then it won't be difficult. I will arrange for soldiers to send it to you tomorrow."
"One more thing is about the security of these two mines and the smelter. What do you think, Xiao Su?"
Regarding security issues, this is the top priority. It is no exaggeration to say that these two mines and the smelter are.
It is considered to be the core of the arsenal and even the entire Eighth Route Army, but there must be no problems, if an accident occurs.
For example, if it was blown up by the Japs, it would be a very serious blow to the Eighth Route Army.
Therefore, in terms of security, we have to think carefully. Considering the current situation of the Eighth Route Army, Su Bei also gave an answer.
"Chief, the importance of these two mines and the smelter is self-evident, so I think at least three regiments should be sent to protect them."
"Station a regiment around each mine and smelter. At the same time, all the surrounding areas of these places are classified as military important areas. No idlers are allowed to approach."
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This troop strength surprised the chief.
"Three regiments? Isn't that too exaggerated?"
The chief's original idea was to send a regiment to take charge of the security of the two mines and the smelter, with one battalion sent to each place.
There are almost five to six hundred people, and it is more than enough in the opinion of the chief to be responsible for the security of a mine and factory.
You must know that in the original work, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army only assigned two regiments to be responsible for its security work, if it were not for the fact that Li Yunlong later led a team to sneak attack the truck-load of observation groups belonging to the Little Japs.
It's hard to say how things will develop in the end. There are only two regiments in one headquarters, and now there is only a mine and a smelting plant.
There is a group around, which is undoubtedly a bit fussy in the eyes of the chief, but from the perspective of northern Jiangsu.
If the current strength of the Eighth Route Army was not insufficient, he would really like to persuade the commander to deploy three brigades of troops in these three places.
A brigade has been placed near each mine and smelter to be responsible for its protection, but currently, this is unrealistic.
The Eighth Route Army was not so generous as to use three brigades to protect the mines and smelters, so Su Bei took a step back and suggested that the commander deploy three regiments of troops.
So when Su Bei heard the chief's words, he also said in a deep voice.
"Chief, the strength of the three regiments is just right. These places are the core of our Eighth Route Army, as long as there are no accidents in these two mines and smelting plants."
"Then we can ensure that our Eighth Route Army is self-sufficient in weapons and ammunition. If this continues, it won't be long before all the troops under our Eighth Route Army will be self-sufficient."
"They can all be equipped with rifles and light machine guns manufactured by our own arsenal. It's just that during this period, our Eighth Route Army has undergone such big changes."
"It will definitely attract the attention of the little devils. If the little devils investigate the existence of our arsenal, mines and smelting plants."
"Then the Japs will definitely send heavy troops to destroy them. This is what I'm most worried about. If the mines and smelting plants are destroyed by the Japs, then we will have no raw materials to make more weapons and ammunition."
Su Bei's words were not unreasonable, which made the commander instantly fall into deep thought. The strength of the three regiments was not a small number.
If it were one regiment, the leader might just send it out with a wave of his hand without even thinking about it, but with three regiments, it would take some careful consideration.
Finally, after thinking for more than ten minutes, the chief made a decision.
"Xiao Su, then as you said, send three regiments to take charge of the defense function of these three places. You are right, these places are already the core of the Eighth Route Army."
"As long as there are no accidents in these places, we can continue to make weapons and ammunition as long as there are weapons."
"Then it will be easy to raise the army. To be honest, in the past half month, I have raised several regiments. This is all thanks to the weapons you made, Xiao Su."
In response, Su Bei laughed.
"Chief, you are being polite when you say this. I am doing all this to contribute to the revolution."
"Hahaha, Comrade Xiao Su, your awareness is very good, keep it up."
Immediately afterwards, the two parties briefly chatted for a few words, and after each got the results they wanted, they hung up the phone.
The leader promised that the troops of these three regiments would be in place the day after tomorrow at the latest, and the workers would come to the arsenal tomorrow.
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