Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 162: Ch.161 Industry

Chapter 162: Ch.161 Industry

The times are still too early to introduce certain advanced things, but there are some technologies that can be developed now, and when compared to historical standards, they're already quite impressive.

For example, the 98K rifle, which can be introduced ten years earlier than it historically appeared, as well as the M24-style grenade, also arriving ten years early. If these were used in World War II, there would be no problem at all since they were originally products of that era.

As for the Springfield rifles initially equipped by American soldiers... while the .30 caliber bullets are also 7.62mm, they have poor versatility. The short bullet design leads to insufficient chamber pressure due to less propellant. Su Ming plans to take over the defense contracts during World War II, and he might even authorize other factories to produce them under license. Therefore, to standardize future firearms, his rifles should only use 7.62mm NATO standard rounds and 5.56mm NATO standard rounds.

As for odd calibers like .233 or 2mm, those are better suited for hunting.

These designs are relatively simple, and Su Ming can explain the principles clearly. He just needs to draw the blueprints and have the military factory's designers test them a few times.

Would other calibers of weapons emerge to compete? Su Ming isn't worried. Once he introduces the AK-47 and M16 in the future, no weapon will be able to rival his.

Of course, the other factories acquired also serve their purposes. The chemical factory will start researching synthetic fibers, aiming to develop nylon as soon as possible.

Su Ming only knows that a doctor named Carothers discovered it, and it was first introduced in 1938. This isn't an issue; Gin can find the right people by waving a check around.

If the talent is willing to join, their salary will be doubled, they'll receive the position of chief engineer, and the most advanced research environment will be provided.

Nylon is one of the most widely used military materials, capable of making ropes, parachutes, gear, and more.

During World War II, aside from their cotton uniforms, American soldiers were decked out in nylon gear from head to toe. It was a goldmine, and even in peacetime, nylon could be used to make essential items like stockings.

The shipyard needs to conduct technical research and recruit talent. By 1941, they must be capable of launching a 30,000-ton cargo ship. Such a vessel can be converted into an aircraft carrier during wartime. If it can be converted, with a little more effort, it can be built from scratch. When the time comes, multiple slipways can be working simultaneously, and the Navy's military budget will flow into Su Ming's pockets.

The aircraft manufacturing plant can start making money right away. Although World War I-era planes are outdated, they just need to be fitted with metal skins, repackaged, and converted from cargo planes to passenger planes. They can be sold to Middle Eastern kings and sheikhs in exchange for oil, or a domestic airline company can be established to gradually grow the business.

The key is engine technology. With proper engine technology, developing fighter jets and bombers becomes easy. Su Ming just needs to sketch the iconic designs and describe some of the aerodynamic principles he knows, leaving the experts to reverse-engineer the rest.

The tractor factory will stop production and shift to tank research. They can buy some outdated World War I tanks from Britain to study their design concepts, and then Su Ming can draw up designs for them to modify into future tanks. With the right protection and firepower, the soldiers will definitely approve, and these will certainly be better than the future Sherman tanks.

Finally, there are the ranches and farms that were acquired. During World War II, American soldiers drank Coke, ate canned food and chocolate, and defeated Germany.

Canned food places too much pressure on logistics. Su Ming has a better idea—build a large factory to produce compressed biscuits using materials from his farms. Soldiers can eat one when they're hungry, then wash it down with some soda. They'll be so stuffed they might roll their eyes.

Instructions on how to consume these will be printed on the packaging as a recommended method.

If they want a change of taste, they can try the dehydrated vegetable packets or beef jerky. Canned food is too heavy and nowhere near as convenient as Su Ming's options.

This is the basic layout—these are the first batch of products being prepared for future wars. More advanced items will be gradually introduced until the company can independently research and develop without Su Ming's involvement. Then, Su Ming can focus on his own matters.

As for the bidding process for military procurement, Su Ming isn't worried. When World War II breaks out, Britain won't have many options left.

Britain's production capacity couldn't keep up with consumption; historically, they relied on American support. Su Ming definitely plans to make a fortune off them first when the time comes.

By the time the U.S. joins the war in late 1941, Su Ming's weapons will have already proven themselves on the battlefield. Then, a little financial persuasion will easily win over the military generals.

A month later, during the most difficult period, Su Ming initiated a major recruitment drive in New York, causing quite a stir.

After all, the president's efforts to stabilize the market had failed, and companies everywhere were laying off workers and filing for bankruptcy. Yet, Su Ming was expanding production capacity, making those in the know see him as a lifeline.

Most of those in the know were consumers of the Skywalker brand of alcohol, giving them a unique sense of pride.

The products they had supported all these years were now extending a helping hand during tough times, bringing many to tears.

At the docks on the Hudson River, two middle-aged men were secretly drinking. They were neighbors and good friends, and they had hidden the alcohol in their lunch baskets, bringing it to the place where they used to work.

This was the spot where Su Ming first arrived in America, once a bustling port, but now there were hardly any ships coming and going. The Great Depression had brought everything to a standstill.

Hiding in a sheltered spot by the dock, they could only see the back of the Statue of Liberty, turning a cold shoulder to them.

This winter, there was no snow, but the cold sea breeze kept seeping through their clothes, forcing them to rub their hands and exhale warm breaths.

They couldn't sit down; they were too hungry. Sitting down in the cold winter might mean never getting back up.

A flock of seagulls circled overhead, cawing like crows, as if they might swoop down to feast on their corpses at any moment. There had been no shortage of people drowning themselves recently, so the seabirds had altered their diet.

But these two weren't here to die together.

They were just laborers and didn't understand the complexities of the stock market, so they hadn't suffered direct losses.

However, the Great Depression still affected them, as they were both dockworkers—one was responsible for tallying piecework, and the other managed vehicle dispatching.

Their boss was one of the first to jump from a building—the fattest one among them, they say. His grease was still smeared on the second-floor windows of the stock exchange, impossible to wipe away.

And so, both men lost their jobs.

With no income, the food at home had nearly run out after more than a month. Getting food was difficult because farmers couldn't afford to hire workers to harvest or pick crops, drivers had no money to refuel their vehicles, and the supply chain had broken down.

Seeing their wives and children suffering from hunger, they searched the city for work, but found nothing. Everywhere they went, they hit a wall—there were no new jobs.

The dark-haired man glanced around, then secretly pulled out a bottle of golden liquor from the lunch basket, wiping the frost from the label caused by the temperature difference.

He pulled out another bottle and handed it to the blond man next to him. Compared to him, the blond middle-aged man seemed even more burdened, or at least less optimistic.

"Here, drink up and warm yourself. If you don't, I'll finish it all."

The dark-haired man smiled as he nudged his friend with his shoulder. Seeing that his friend was too preoccupied to take the bottle, he opened both and shoved one into the blond man's hand before taking a big swig himself.

The blond man could only shake his head in resignation at his friend's behavior. What else could they do besides drink?

He looked down at the bottle in his hand. The stylish black-and-yellow label depicted a small winged helmet, inspired by Hermes, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, who was said to walk the skies with unimaginable speed.

Skywalker brand. Thankfully, after the stock market crash, Skywalker's liquor prices had dropped across the board. Otherwise, it would've been too expensive to drink.

The distillery must have stockpiled raw materials in advance. While other brands have raised their prices, they've lowered theirs—it's truly generous.

But none of this mattered to him. All he could do was exhale a breath, clink bottles with his friend in a mock toast, and take a sip.

Although Skywalker whiskey still had the same excellent taste, with the fragrance of oak barrels, all he could taste now was bitterness. The weight of his worries made it hard for him to enjoy it.

At that moment, the dark-haired man threw a stone, scattering the seagulls above, and smiled broadly as if he had some good news.

"Last night, when the Midnight Express delivered my liquor, they told me some good news. Want to hear it?"