Others show their swords, I show my missiles!

In the deep, dark and airtight underground fortifications, lack of oxygen became the most severe challenge faced by the soldiers.

As time went by, the oxygen content in the air gradually decreased, and every breath seemed extremely heavy, as if it was a silent battle with invisible pressure.

This constant feeling of suffocation not only tests the soldiers' physical limits, but also quietly erodes their psychological defenses.

In fact, in such a short time, the oxygen content in the air can't drop too much. The soldiers felt uncomfortable, mostly due to psychological suggestion.

For a moment, a barely perceptible sense of regret flashed through Zhao Gang's heart.

He thought to himself that if the soldiers had not received popular education in science and technology and culture, and had no idea of ​​the concept of oxygen, they might still be able to maintain a primitive, unpolished tenacity.

However, this regret was soon replaced by a stronger sense of responsibility.

Zhao Gang understood that it was the thirst for and mastery of knowledge that enabled the soldiers to think more rationally and respond more scientifically when faced with difficulties.

They know the importance of oxygen and understand how to maximize the conservation of resources under limited conditions. This in itself is a kind of power, a power that can support them through difficult times.

A tense mood spread in the underground fortifications, and the soldiers' heartbeats involuntarily accelerated, and their blood pressure rose accordingly.

This physiological stress response undoubtedly increases oxygen consumption, making the already scarce air even more precious.

But it was at moments like this that the soldiers showed amazing unity and tenacity.

They encouraged each other, faced challenges together, and overcame the difficulties brought by lack of oxygen bit by bit with firm beliefs and unremitting efforts.

Zhao Gang pulled a medic over and said, "Can you give the wounded an injection of sedatives so they can get some sleep? If they learn the importance of oxygen, I'm afraid they'll do something stupid!"

No one told the injured about the blocked vents, and they are still unaware of the crisis.

But we cannot rule out the possibility that they will find out in the future. Considering the self-sacrificing spirit of the wounded, they may end their own lives in order to reduce oxygen consumption.

The medic was stunned for a moment, then nodded and replied in a loud voice: "Please rest assured, Political Commissar, I will do my best to get the wounded back to the battlefield as soon as possible!"

The medical soldiers hurried back to the wounded, checked their wounds, and quietly prepared sedatives.

Zhao Gang then asked the warehouse keeper, "Are there any oxygen cylinders in the warehouse?"

Upon hearing this, the custodian immediately pressed the power button of the computer monitor. The screen lit up and displayed the warehouse management system interface.

He skillfully tapped the keyboard, inputting query commands, his eyes fixed on the screen, as if waiting for a miracle to happen.

However, after a moment, the expression on his face gradually became solemn. Finally, he shook his head in disappointment, turned off the monitor, and said to Zhao Gang: "Political Commissar, I have confirmed again that there are only two oxygen concentrators in the warehouse, and no oxygen cylinders."

Zhao Gang and the custodian both knew that based on the principle of the oxygen generator, using it in a confined space would not only fail to increase the oxygen content, but would also consume electricity.

Air is mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The principle of the oxygen generator is to separate the nitrogen in the air, so that the remaining air has a high oxygen content.

But the separated nitrogen is still discharged into the indoor space.

It is just like placing the indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner in the same house in summer. After turning on the air conditioner, the overall temperature of the room will rise.

Zhao Gang's brows were furrowed like two heavy mountains, and his eyes were flashing with anxiety and thought. He stood under the dim light, and the air around him seemed particularly dull due to the closed environment. Every breath seemed to consume precious oxygen resources. He knew that the urgency of time and the severity of the environment did not allow him to slack off in the slightest.

If the vent cannot be opened, Zhao Gang knows that he can electrolyze water to produce oxygen based on his knowledge of chemistry. However, this method has similar defects to the oxygen generator mentioned above.

Relying solely on the battery power is definitely not enough to meet the needs, so it is necessary to start the generator, but the generator will consume a lot of oxygen.

The generator consumes much more oxygen than it produces!

This is an unsolvable cycle, and Zhao Gang's hope has once again sunk to the bottom.

Moreover, the byproduct of this method of producing oxygen is hydrogen. If it accumulates to a certain level in a confined space, the slightest spark will cause an explosion.

Some people may have questions: Doesn’t submarines use the method of electrolyzing water to produce oxygen?

In fact, the oxygen source of submarines comes partly from electrolyzed water, but not entirely. Oxygen can also be produced through chemical reactions.

Additionally, nuclear-powered submarines do not require oxygen to operate their engines;

The diesel engine of a diesel-electric submarine only works when it is on the surface. After diving, the diesel engine stops working and uses the electricity in the battery.

In addition, in order to overcome the shortcoming of conventional diesel-electric submarines in terms of their short underwater navigation time, some countries have developed AIP (air-independent propulsion) technology.

When sailing underwater, AIP submarines do not rely on outside air, but instead use their own energy systems to provide power.

Some AIP submarines use closed-cycle engines, such as Stirling engines, which use oxidizers such as liquid oxygen carried by the submarine to react with fuel to generate power.

While these engines still require oxygen as a combustion aid, they are not dependent on outside air, thus extending the submarine's underwater navigation time.

A more advanced AIP technology is fuel cell technology.

Fuel cells power submarines by converting hydrogen and oxygen, or other oxidants carried by the submarine, into electricity and water through electrochemical reactions.

This technology has the advantages of high efficiency and environmental protection, and is completely independent of outside air.

Now, the generators in the underground fortifications are just ordinary generators. Their oxygen comes only from the air, and only because there are sufficient vents and exhaust fans can their oxygen supply be maintained and the exhaust gas can be discharged in time.

Zhao Gang rubbed his temples, his heart full of self-blame. He thought to himself: "If Li Yunlong were here, he would definitely find an effective way.

Li Yunlong always finds a way to solve problems when faced with desperate situations.”

Thinking of this, Zhao Gang walked into the communications room, "Can the radio station still contact the outside world?"

The signalman shook his head and said, "Commissar, we are too deep. The thick soil and concrete block the signal."

This sentence was like cold water poured on Zhao Gang's head.

Indeed, there is one more vent from which a wire can be extended to act as an antenna, but such an action would easily expose the last vent.

Zhao Gang didn't want to play his last card until it was absolutely necessary.

However, the communication squad leader's words at this time made Zhao Gang overjoyed, "Political Commissar, I received a telegram from Brigade Commander Li just before I withdrew. I was too busy at the time and forgot about it."

"What? Tell me, what did Commander Li say?"

The communications squad leader quickly found the translated telegram and handed it to Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang took the telegram and read it carefully under the dim light. It said: "Hydrogen peroxide plus potassium permanganate can produce oxygen, the reaction is violent, test with a small amount, pay attention to safety." These simple words moistened his dry heart like a sweet rain.

It turned out that Li Yunlong had been paying attention to the battle in the direction of the material transfer station and guessed that Zhao Gang might be trapped underground. Then there was a certain possibility that he was facing the danger of lack of oxygen.

Li Yunlong used the knowledge provided by the system to come up with a solution.

In addition to weapons, ammunition and daily necessities, the material transfer station also had a lot of medical supplies. Hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate were both commonly used disinfectants at the time, and there were large reserves of them at the material transfer station.

This is the perfect time to use it to solve the problem of hypoxia.

"Considering that we were evacuated urgently at that time, we will not pursue your issue further this time. Once you are safely out of the siege, you can write a self-criticism and hand it in. This will not happen again!" Zhao Gang said to the communications squad leader.

The news is good, but the communication squad leader's failure to report the telegram in a timely manner should still be criticized. We cannot just leave the mistake as it is and make the same mistake again next time.

At the same time, Zhao Gang's frown relaxed.