Munitions Empire

```

Some things are just so frustratingly tricky. Those in charge of organizing production know that the most perfect situation would be, that in a month, you produce 3 gears, 3 iron plates, and 3 rotors, which just enough to assemble into three motors.

But in reality, what often happens is that you end up with 5 gears, 3 iron plates, and 1 rotor in a month. In the end, only one motor can be assembled, leaving 2 iron plates and 4 gears leftover.

A perfect balance is also impractical, because if everything went just right, then suddenly if there's a need to produce some new item that requires an increase in gear production, it would become very troublesome.

Therefore, how to balance the excess capacity without wasting too much and still meet sudden increased demand becomes a science.

Tang Mo was now facing this problem. His engine production capacity was high, but the production of other parts couldn't keep up, so those engines were being produced for nothing.

"At this rate of production, they're going to have to shut down and stop production next month," Parker said helplessly.

The surplus engines produced, after setting aside those reserved for maintenance and replacements, and those for next month's tank chassis production, were still in excess.

This meant that if similar engines continued to be produced next month, there would be even more inventory that couldn't be dealt with.

What rendered Tang Mo speechless was that both Parker and Mathews knew that they were working hard to develop diesel engines to replace these gasoline engines.

The surplus gasoline engines might end up completely idle, turning into useless excess materials, which would be a problem to handle at that time.

"It really is a troublesome issue," Tang Mo knew that the Tang Army would soon be equipped with newer model tanks, which would be fitted with diesel engines, feature more advanced rear-positioned gearboxes, and sloped frontal armor designs.

The current Type 4 tank chassis would continue to serve as a second-line support chassis, just like the current Type 2 tank chassis.

So, after thinking for a while, he seemed to come up with an idea, slapped his forehead, and said to Parker, "Wait here for a moment, I'm going to get something."

After saying that, he stood up and quickly walked to the door, returning to his office. He then came back with a stack of blueprints.

His troops still didn't have a proper infantry transport that could truly replace the half-track armored vehicles.

Thus, an armored vehicle that could be mass-produced, was cheap and durable, and with almost no drawbacks except for high fuel consumption, seemed to be ready to be introduced.

That's right, Tang Mo was planning to put the M113 armored personnel carrier into production, a very practical, economical, and "outdated" armored vehicle that used gasoline engines.

This thing had no cutting-edge technology, it was entirely a conceptual design. It appeared to replace the misguided half-track armored vehicles, similar to the BMP.

However, the M113 used gasoline engines, which would consume Tang Mo's excess gasoline engine capacity, so there was no need to worry about the diesel engines required by the BMP-1 competing with their own diesel engine capacity—perfect!

"These can make it easier for our Armored Grenadiers to keep up with our tanks' advance, allowing them to initiate attacks together with the tanks," Tang Mo had been considering how to bring the concept of armored vehicles into use.

Now was the perfect opportunity to introduce the "infantry fighting vehicle" concept, to evolve motorized infantry into highly combat-effective "mechanized infantry."

"This… wouldn't we need to build another factory?" Parker felt the weight on his shoulders growing at the prospect of a new weapon and a new production line.
Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"This new weapon will enhance infantry combat effectiveness," Tang Mo was confident. The M113 armored vehicle, born after World War II, with over 70,000 units produced, was a mature vehicle.

Such large-scale production proved the excellence of this equipment, so Tang Mo had no doubt that the troops would like it.

In fact, infantrymen liked all kinds of transportation that could save them from walking. Jeeps, trucks, even horse-drawn carriages, were all acceptable.

Even just one car was welcomed, as long as it could take away the tents, bedding, ration boxes, and raincoats they didn't want to carry.

As for armored vehicles that could provide basic armor protection, had strong off-road capabilities, and could occasionally be modified with a mortar or a machine gun, the infantry would like them even more.

"Additionally, there is this," Tang Mo took out another stack of blueprints and handed them to Parker, "the Cougar wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicle."

"It's for the reconnaissance battalions of the Armored Corps. It can move ahead of the rest of the forces at a faster speed, providing more accurate reconnaissance for the armored troops, and can operate independently," he explained to Luff and others.

Luff, as the Chief of Staff of Tang Country, couldn't help but admire his King's keen judgment of the frontline's operational needs.

His Majesty was simply a genius who could accurately grasp the actual needs of front-line soldiers without stepping out of his palace. Indeed, with such a technically minded King, many things became much easier.

```

It is very difficult to convince other kings to pay for a new piece of equipment. However, whenever there is a practical need, Tang Mo would not hesitate to approve the procurement of new equipment. He could even offer suggestions, correct the mistakes of the frontline troops, and introduce more suitable weaponry to lead a transformation in warfare.

The frontline troops were indeed in short supply of these two types of equipment, especially the reconnaissance units, which were in a dire situation. They had never received better equipment and were thus still using the most primitive tactical system.

It's hard to imagine, isn't it? The units that currently lead the way for the Tang Army's armored corps are actually a group of traditional cavalry on horseback.

These cavalry often risk advance recon, armed only with submachine guns and their horses. Since they cannot carry radio equipment, they even have to gallop back to report the intelligence they've gathered.

Not only did this back-and-forth waste a lot of time, but it also slowed the advance of the tank units' main forces.

So, the current armored corps have developed their own exasperating tactic for conducting their own advance recon: they send out a few tanks ahead of the main forces, using tanks as scouts for tanks.

If they had dedicated armored reconnaissance vehicles, then the existing reconnaissance units could perform their tasks more effectively, and the battle efficiency of the tank corps would be further improved.

Meanwhile, if the infantry could also be equipped with armored vehicles similar to tanks, and operated under the cover of assault guns, then their assault speed and capability would begin to match those of the armored corps.

Such troops could operate alongside tanks, protect the flanks of the armored corps, and quickly widen the gaps that the tanks had torn in the enemy's defenses.

In this way, the equation wouldn't be simply one plus one equals two. Their combined strengths would significantly enhance the frontline troops' combat efficiency, achieving a synergy where one plus one equals more than two, even greater than three.

However...

Currently, in the Tang Army's combat units, there is only one type of tank, the No. 4 tank, and if you add in self-propelled guns and assault guns, there is at most one more based on the No. 2 tank chassis, which is quite straightforward.

But with the addition of the M113 armored personnel carrier and the Cougar wheeled armored vehicle, the complexity of supply logistics instantly doubled from what it was before.

The frontline soldiers must be over the moon. Damn, who cares about logistics—whoever does it is just out of luck. Plus, with the subsequent diesel engine tanks and more than five types of cars...

Even Tang Mo himself felt it, yes, that was really a San Dezi kind of situation!

Moreover, Luff, who stood by, imagined the various units the Tang Army had formed in his mind and suddenly realized a problem.

Something was not right, very wrong indeed!

Equipping the infantry with No. 4 assault guns and providing armored infantry with armored transport vehicles, both their actual and blueprint armored vehicles, as well as the No. 4 assault guns already being equipped to troops, were far more powerful than Shireck's tanks.

You say, when your own infantry's combat power is stronger than the opponent's armored troops, this doesn't leave any path to survival for the opponent at all.

The most frustrating part is that the reconnaissance units have been issued 8-wheel armored reconnaissance vehicles fitted with autocannons and machine guns, which are fiercer than the opponent's tanks. What's the point in the reconnaissance units sending back intelligence, why not just take out the enemies they spot themselves? Is there even a need to go through such pointless extra steps?

Tang Mo had also realized this issue: the weapons and equipment he was issuing to the second-line units seemed to be stronger than the opponent's main battle equipment.

But he couldn't be blamed for that! He gave the opponent a chance, but they just weren't up to it!

Thinking of this, Tang Mo glanced at Luff and saw the same sentiment in his eyes: Shireck must be about to cry, and probably cry for a long time, right?

Whether Shireck is crying or not, Parker doesn't know; all he knows is that he himself is about to cry. He came to report on the engine's overcapacity, and as a result, he ended up with two new production lines.

Next month, not only does he have to modify the engines' design and production to meet the needs of the new equipment, but he also has to oversee the construction of two new factories... It's not just a matter of maxing work—it's outright doubling!

Why is it so tragic for him?

Too bad he couldn't sigh and groan in front of Tang Mo, so he could only assure Tang Mo, "Your Majesty, please rest assured! I will complete the task and strive to set up the new equipment production lines as early as possible!"

"It's hard on you!" Tang Mo once again patted Parker on the shoulder, and this time he genuinely felt a bit sorry for his old pal, "Don't worry! Alice will help out."

Parker was almost in tears when this was brought up: That lady is much tougher than you. You at least offer words of consolation, but when she sets targets for me in her office, she does it as if it's the most natural thing in the world—as if I should be grateful just for completing them, and if I don't, it's like I deserve a thousand cuts.

----------

Happy holidays to everyone, and a happy birthday to our motherland!