"I need to expand a synthetic ammonia plant and a nitric acid plant. You should have been prepared for this already, right?" Roland asked.

Previously, both were bottlenecked by catalysts, relying on Agatha and White Paper's abilities, keeping production at a moderate level. It was much better than the initial saltpeter-to-acid method, but limited by the witches' magic power and the population, it couldn't be further expanded.

Since completing the periodic table of elements, the chemistry lab immediately prioritized establishing sample specimens. With Lucia's element separation, the Ministry of Chemical Industry has now matched each element in the table with actual specimens. This makes some quite rare substances no longer unfamiliar, such as the catalysts commonly used in industrial nitric acid production – platinum, rhodium, etc.

Perhaps in terms of efficiency, it’s not as good as Agatha and White Paper, but as long as there are people, as many factories can be built as needed. The saying goes, if the quality isn't enough, make up for it with quantity, and the former has neither quality nor quantity without witches.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Kaimo said slowly, "we have already verified the principle through technical validation and created a small reaction vessel to simulate the synthesis process. As long as there are enough people, we can start construction at any time."

"I can prioritize providing literate immigrants to you. Go prepare after the meeting," Roland paused, "Also, I plan to open a new production line for manufacturing lead-acid batteries."

The Minister of Chemical Industry didn't show the slightest surprise. Others might not know what this thing is, but he had long since memorized the elementary and intermediate chemistry textbooks.

Lead-acid batteries have a common name: batteries. The materials used are extremely simple, only requiring lead, lead dioxide, and dilute sulfuric acid. This is not difficult for the Alchemy Association, let alone the current Ministry of Chemical Industry – using electrolyte solutions to light up lamps is considered a classic high-level chemistry experiment.

The advantage of batteries is that they can be repeatedly charged and used, only needing to add pure water from time to time. The manufacturing difficulty of lead and lead dioxide plates is close to zero. The reason why they weren't produced before was because of their narrow application and low priority due to insufficient population.

"The quantity you need is approximately..." Kaimo took out a small notebook to record.

"About a hundred units a month will be enough," Roland replied.

Batteries are mainly used for cold starts of piston engines. As the most dazzling industrial crown of Neverwinter, the biplane still requires ground crew to crank it for a long time during takeoff, which is too undignified. It didn't matter before when there weren't enough people, but now that Neverwinter has been supplemented by a large number of immigrants, there's no need to be so restrained.

Having a lot of people means you can do whatever you want.

"Such a small quantity can be completed by a dozen or so new people from the factory," Kaimo twirled his beard, "Of course, the manufacture of lead plates, shells, and other parts will require the help of Princess Anna."

"If you can provide detailed blueprints, the Ministry of Industry has no problem," Anna nodded.

"Then allow me to think for a few days before sending the blueprints."

Roland took a satisfied sip of tea. After years of cultivation, the administrative hall is now full of talent. Cross-departmental cooperation has become the norm, which means he only needs to make a start on many new projects, and then someone will complete them.

"Next is the task of the Ministry of Industry –"

After the Battle of Taquila, his mind was filled with a large number of things that needed to be improved and supplemented. Now, he could finally let go and get to work.

The most urgent need was to improve the combat capabilities of infantry squads.

Also known as the general purpose *jiqiang* plan.

Replicate the Mark I heavy *jiqiang* with lighter materials and optimize its structure so that the gun body and gun架 can be carried separately by a single person. The ammunition supply uses a drum or *dànjia*, so that enemies can be immediately fired upon at any time. Even if the opponent is a high-level demon, as long as they are not suddenly attacked, they can provide fire suppression and create opportunities for anti-demon grenade launchers.

Since there are no major structural changes, the focus of weight reduction is on materials. Such as aluminum alloy and rubber worm mucus-based plastic products – both have low yields, and the demand for biplanes is extremely high, so production will inevitably not be very high.

But having something is better than having nothing, and air knights also need *jiqiang*.

Putting this project on the agenda can be said to be a win-win situation.

In Roland's vision, even if the First Army goes to Wolfheart or Eternal Winter to fight, it should still maintain a local advantage in troops and firepower against the enemy as much as possible. Elite squads responsible for reconnaissance, cover, rescue, and other special tasks will be equipped with this weapon.

In addition, Varna's modified semi-automatic *buqiang* has been officially put into production by the arsenal, and is currently being replaced with bolt-action *buqiang* at a ratio of 1:5, meaning one in five people will have a "Varna *buqiang*." The reason for not completely replacing them is that, in addition to logistical pressure, the exposed linkage mechanism leads to decreased durability and easier jamming.

However, its effect on improving soldiers' firepower is real.

Secondly, the biplane – after nearly four months of high-intensity testing, the first generation biplane has completed its final design and has been named "Skyfire." It is not much different from "Unicorn." Disassembled, the structure is not complicated. However, if it is really handed over to ordinary workers for production and assembly, the yield rate is still a problem. As for the engine, for a short time, it can only be manufactured by Anna.

Even so, Roland still plans to gather all the best workers in the industrial zone to overcome this difficulty. From the first steam engine factory to today, it has been more than three years, and those blacksmith apprentices have transformed from wielding hammers to operating machine tools. The current level of manufacturing in Neverwinter is the best time to test what level it has accumulated to.

To curb the mobility of Terror Beasts, taking the sky is the only fundamental solution.

And "Skyfire" is undoubtedly just the beginning.

Finally, it is aimed at the newly emerged spider-type mutated beasts of the demons, as well as the shortcomings exposed by the First Army – Roland plans to add a new type of small-caliber artillery between the mortar and the fortress gun for fortification and fighting mutated beasts. Its size is tentatively set at seventy-five millimeters short-barreled, without relying on Hummingbird weight reduction and hardened roads, it can also move with the army. Usually, one or two horses can tow it, and people can do it without horses.

This kind of infantry gun has no technical difficulty. Transferring some workers from the original artillery factory to guide the new ones can start work – but before that, he must first complete the trial production and test firing of the prototype gun.

Roland had discussed these contents with Anna privately countless times, and there was no need for detailed explanation. She would understand immediately with a single sentence.

Nearly ten factories are being built at the same time, investing two or three hundred thousand people in new projects at one time, which can be regarded as the most magnificent manufacturing plan since the establishment of Neverwinter.

And with the accelerated influx of immigrants, this pace will not only not stagnate, but will intensify.

The machine named "Nation" has already started.