Qin Tongren put on thick industrial plain glass sunglasses and looked up at the sky. Through the lenses, the blinding sun turned into a slightly reddish circle that could be looked at directly. This was one of the many pieces of equipment prepared for the glass factory and the iron smelting plant under construction. Facing the molten liquid radiating high heat, protective goggles were basic equipment. So Qin Tongren didn't mind the trouble at all, testing hundreds of pairs of glasses one by one. The transparency of this kind of lens couldn't be considered too good, and the quality wasn't uniform enough; the difference could be seen with the naked eye. You Gou calmly watched Qin Tongren accept the equipment, turning a blind eye to Qin Tongren's occasional slight frowns. You Gou didn't take product quality lightly; this was already the maximum quality control level of the base area at this stage. Even if Qin Tongren was dissatisfied, You Gou couldn't produce better products in the short term.

"It's passable," Qin Tongren finally said slowly. Hearing this, You Gou immediately handed the signing form to Qin Tongren, signing to hand over the goods.

Watching Qin Tongren sign his name with a flourish, You Gou asked with a grin: "Teacher Qin, how is the hand grenade matter?"

Qin Tongren didn't answer immediately; he looked at his superior You Gou, not very sure how to answer. You Gou's current administrative title was Director and Secretary of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense [COSTIND]. The name Chen Ke gave was very grand, even grand to the point of being unworthy of the name. Qin Tongren had quite some criticism about this. Of course, a large part of this emotion was not really dissatisfaction with such a trivial matter as the name. In Qin Tongren's heart, the most suitable person for this director position shouldn't be the political work cadre You Gou; Yan Fu, who had led the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, was the object of Qin Tongren's sincere admiration.

After a pause, Qin Tongren said: "Less than eight thousand were produced. Gunpowder can't keep up."

The base area was still using black powder, only adopting the optimized granular black powder formula in the recipe, which was far from picric acid explosives. You Gou made no comment, just nodded. Shen Songwen beside Qin Tongren rolled his eyes at You Gou. Now the industrial department of the base area was composed of two major factions: one was the Beijing faction, and the other was the Southern faction. The Beijing faction came from the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, belonging to the origin of orthodox military industrial enterprises. There had never been female technical personnel in the factories, let alone letting a woman be the Director of COSTIND. If Qin Tongren hoped Yan Fu could replace You Gou out of consideration for practical experience, Shen Songwen was more out of aversion to female superiors. Watching You Gou go in and out of the political center, deciding the future major events of the People's Party—these decisions directly affected the future of hundreds of thousands of people in the base area, and could even determine Shen Songwen's future. Thinking of these, Shen Songwen felt a kind of discomfort and dissatisfaction in his heart. Most importantly, You Gou was also Shen Songwen's superior, directly managing Shen Songwen. Being ridden on the head by a woman made Shen Songwen feel an extreme dissatisfaction.

After You Gou left, Shen Songwen lowered his voice and said to Qin Tongren: "Mr. Qin, let's go talk to Chairman Chen and ask Mr. Yan to be this director."

Qin Tongren was slightly startled; he didn't expect Shen Songwen to speak so directly. Although he agreed in his heart, Qin Tongren didn't want to turn this kind of thing into a personnel struggle. When in the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, internal personnel struggles had already annoyed Qin Tongren to death. Since You Gou was an old party member of the People's Party with deep roots, unless Chen Ke made up his mind, it was unrealistic to want to pull You Gou down through the conventional route.

"Director You's ability is still pretty good; we must admit this." Qin Tongren said.

Shen Songwen immediately misunderstood Qin Tongren's meaning; he thought Qin Tongren agreed with his idea. "In terms of ability, how much capability can she have? Although Director You can't be said to be incapable, Director You comes from a chemical engineering background. It is said that the earliest pharmaceutical manufacturing was also done by Chairman Chen personally. regarding various designs proposed recently, Chairman Chen actually contributed the most. Director You is just responsible for implementation. Then if we change someone to be this director, how much difference can there be?"

These words were not unreasonable. Qin Tongren hadn't thought so much before; after Shen Songwen's analysis, he felt something wrong in it. Chen Ke's learning naturally made everyone admire him extremely, so Chen Ke couldn't possibly not know exactly how capable You Gou was. Knowing both You Gou and Yan Fu very well, Chen Ke still chose You Gou to be this director. It could only be said that You Gou was the suitable candidate identified by Chen Ke. If everyone went to propose letting Yan Fu be this director again, Chen Ke would absolutely not agree easily. Yan Fu was the designated Minister of Education and Principal of the Military Academy; everyone already knew this matter. Shen Songwen felt that even if Yan Fu concurrently held the position of Director of COSTIND, Yan Fu couldn't possibly really come to do research; it was just a title. But who actually led COSTIND? Was it You Gou? Or Shen Songwen?

Having seen many personnel struggles, Qin Tongren simply didn't want to get involved in these messy things anymore. Since it was impossible for Yan Fu to personally guide the military industrial enterprises no matter what, it would be extremely difficult to move You Gou. Moreover, You Gou had deep roots in the People's Party and the troops; she was definitely not someone Shen Songwen could move.

Thinking of this, Qin Tongren couldn't help but express his attitude. "Comrade Shen Songwen, we still have to obey the orders of superiors. Since Chairman Chen let Comrade You Gou be this director, it is absolutely not a reckless appointment."

Shen Songwen never expected Qin Tongren to have such a final attitude. "Mr. Qin, I think even if Mr. Yan doesn't be this director, you are the most suitable one. A woman, exactly how much capability can she have? Isn't it just benefiting from Chairman Chen's light? If you think Chairman Chen won't agree, then I'll go say it. You don't need to come forward."

"Comrade Shen Songwen, everyone needs unity now. Comrade You Gou's ability is not unsuitable for this post. If you go to demand a switch so hurriedly now, it looks like we are going to make trouble. Stop this matter here; you are not allowed to mention it again, nor think about it." Qin Tongren had made up his mind not to entangle himself in personnel struggles. As a scholar, Qin Tongren didn't like personnel struggles; this was his habit.

"Hmph!" Shen Songwen just snorted but spoke no more. He really didn't expect Qin Tongren not to support him. He dared not rashly ask Yan Fu if he wanted to take this position either. With his understanding of Yan Fu's serious attitude, Yan Fu very likely wouldn't agree to a concurrent post. Without the support of a heavyweight figure like Qin Tongren, wanting to drive the annoying You Gou off the stage would be extremely difficult. Just wait and see! Sooner or later I will pull this woman down. Shen Songwen thought angrily.

You Gou didn't know someone was already so dissatisfied with her, but with You Gou's personality, even if she knew, she wouldn't really care too much. Leaving the handover point, You Gou went to the Military Headquarters. Along the way, she saw the troops were conducting pre-war training in full swing. Soldiers carried long wooden ladders and ran, rushing towards the simulated city wall built temporarily. After erecting the ladders, soldiers began to climb up the ladders. The simulated city wall was only ten meters wide; after putting down three long ladders, it was fully occupied. Looking from afar, the wall surface was full of figures wearing blue military uniforms. Everyone carried broadswords on their backs and training grenades at their waists, training arduously.

Below the city wall, the rifle team was lining up for shooting training, and a smaller number of artillery troops were also conducting other training. As the Director of COSTIND, You Gou knew very well the troop equipment formulated by Chen Ke at this stage. These equipments were simple: rifles, hand grenades, mortars. Machine guns were not impossible to make; the problem was that machine guns required too large a quantity of bullets—they could afford to make them but not use them. You Gou couldn't be sure to what extent equipment would develop in the future. But You Gou was extremely clear about the equipment for attacking Anqing this time: rifles, hand grenades, mortars. You Gou was even very clear about the tactics: artillery suppression, rifle shooting, climbing scaling ladders [cloud ladders], throwing hand grenades onto the city wall continuously halfway. Using various firepower to suppress the enemy and seize control of the city wall. Finally, under the fire cover of the Worker-Peasant Revolutionary Army, deploy close combat troops to defeat and annihilate the enemies in Anqing in one fell swoop.

Imagining the scene of troops climbing scaling ladders under the enemy's hail of bullets, You Gou felt a burst of excitement. But thinking of the casualties of the soldiers, she shuddered again. So You Gou must ensure that the equipment output from military industrial enterprises was the best. It had been discussed at the Party Central Committee meeting of the People's Party that the Battle of Anqing must be won. Therefore, troop commanders were absolutely not allowed to hide in the safe rear; they must stand at the front. The civil affairs department made preparations for large-scale compensation for fallen soldiers after the war. For You Gou, among the team setting out this time, Hua Xiongmao and He Zudao were both old friends. Previous battles were small in scale with few casualties. For this Battle of Anqing, You Gou had to admit that she might face parting by death with old friends. So You Gou must go to the Military Headquarters once.

Entering the Military Headquarters, she saw people in every office. Everyone's voice was much louder than usual, and their pace was even more hurried. Just walking twenty meters or so, several people accidentally bumped into You Gou's shoulder when rushing past from behind.

Entering Hua Xiongmao's office, as soon as the door opened, she smelled an unpleasant smell of sweat and the pungent smell of tobacco pipes. You Gou couldn't help frowning. The sand table in the war room was surrounded by people, all political commissars and commanders of various units. Because of the lack of wood, these tables were built of red brick and cement. Hua Xiongmao held a pointer, pointing at the Yangtze River waters. He was explaining the anchoring in various areas, as well as local conditions and problems that might be encountered. Not only that, but every staff officer had a special area they were responsible for. After Hua Xiongmao finished speaking roughly, he would let these staff officers explain the responsible areas personally. The comrades of the troops asked questions. The staff officers explained these questions one by one. In this dialogue process, some problems not previously considered would be discovered and discussed specifically.

This was the characteristic of the People's Party's operational meeting. Everyone fought no unprepared battles, nor would they hide the operational plan from everyone. Serious, earnest, and realistic discussions were conducted for every link. Although Zhang Yu was the commander of the Water Detachment, Zhang Yu did not go down to explain personally. The detachment's staff officers answered questions. He just listened quietly. regarding various questions from comrades, even if the staff officers couldn't answer some questions that were a bit too demanding, looking at Zhang Yu with seeking eyes, Zhang Yu didn't make a sound.

Suddenly, many people's eyes turned to Zhang Yu, and even the explanation paused temporarily. Zhang Yu was a bit strange. Then he smelled the unique fragrance on a girl's body. In a room full of male comrades, this smell was quite pungent. He turned his head and saw You Gou standing behind him.

You Gou said openly and candidly: "Zheng Lan, Zu Dao. You guys come out for a moment; I have something to disturb you for a few minutes."

Hua Xiongmao didn't know what exactly You Gou wanted him for. He Zudao was also puzzled at first, then his face blushed slightly. Everyone knew He Zudao's attitude towards You Gou on ordinary days; several senior officers couldn't help showing smiles full of deep meaning on their faces.

The three stood still in the office [Note: likely outside the war room or in a corner/separate office]. You Gou spoke first: "Fighting Anqing this time is very dangerous. I have nothing much to say; Zheng Lan, you must be careful."

Hua Xiongmao didn't expect You Gou came over just to say this; amidst his surprise, he was quite moved. You Gou extended her right hand to Hua Xiongmao. The palms of the two old comrades and old friends immediately clasped tightly together. "We will definitely be able to take Anqing." Hua Xiongmao only said this one sentence.

"Mm." You Gou pursed her lips tightly and nodded almost exaggeratedly, only then letting go of the palm that was squeezed to pain.

After saying goodbye to Hua Xiongmao, You Gou took out a pistol holster with a pistol inserted from her satchel. That was the gun You Gou bought when she was in Shanghai, originally intended for self-defense during rural social investigations. Up to now, except for gun practice, it hadn't been put to use.

"Zu Dao, I lend this gun to you." After speaking, You Gou helped He Zudao tie the gun to his waist involuntarily.

"Sister You Gou! I will definitely win the battle." He Zudao was so excited that he stammered a bit.

You Gou listened to He Zudao's passionate voice. She knew He Zudao's character deeply. When it really came to a critical moment, He Zudao always dared to stand out. Attacking Anqing was a big battle; You Gou was very worried about He Zudao. Thinking that He Zudao might not come back, You Gou suddenly felt a burst of sourness in her nose. She quickly held back her emotions and said: "Return the gun to me after you come back."

"Yes!" He Zudao didn't know how to express his emotions; he could only salute You Gou with a most standard military salute.

You Gou nodded and also extended her palm to He Zudao. With tears filling his eyes, He Zudao held You Gou's hand. You Gou only felt that if she went on like this, she was afraid she would shed tears. She didn't want to shed tears. Because she felt this was very ominous. Almost breaking free from He Zudao's palm, You Gou turned her head without saying a word and walked out of the door quickly.

Walking out of the military command post, the cold air of winter rushed directly to her face. You Gou felt two particularly cold places on her face. She reached out and wiped them. Although she didn't want to shed tears, she finally let the tears burst from her eyes.