Returning to 1949, I decided to hand it over to the state.

oilfield.

The moment those two words were uttered, the excitement on the faces of Chief Li and He Xiying vanished as if doused with a bucket of cold water.

Their expressions changed repeatedly, eventually settling into an undisguised bitterness and embarrassment.

How could they not know the importance of the oil field?

In this era, Western powers did not hesitate to wage war in order to seize the oil fields in the Middle East.

They know all too well how the Americans, relying on the oil industry, have kept their war machine running at full speed.

Oil is the lifeblood of industry and the lifeline of modern warfare!

Without fuel, tanks are just iron coffins, and airplanes are just scrap metal.

But what's the use of knowing?

At that time, Western experts in the international geological community had already drawn a definitive conclusion about China—"China is an oil-poor country."

For hundreds of years, no industrial oil field capable of large-scale extraction has been found on this vast land.

Knowing that oil is a treasure trove, but lacking the key to unlock it, is the deepest thorn in the hearts of this generation of revolutionaries.

Chief Li sighed, his face looking somewhat aged.

He smiled wryly:

"Comrade Xiao Jiang, you've been studying abroad, so you might not be familiar with the situation in our country..."

"It's not that we don't want to find oil fields, it's just that those foreign experts have already asserted that China is a truly oil-poor country! We..."

"Commander!"

Before Chief Li could finish his heartbreaking words, Jiang Fan raised his voice and abruptly interrupted him.

Who says China is an oil-poor country?!

A strange light flickered in Jiang Fan's eyes. He looked directly at Chief Li and said, word by word:

"Sir, the foreigners are talking nonsense. China has its own large oil fields; it's just that they haven't been discovered yet!"

These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Chief Li and He Xiying both gasped, staring at him in disbelief.

Jiang Fan knew he had to take drastic measures at this point, so he directly used the excuse he had prepared beforehand:

"Sir, during my years abroad, besides studying mechanical engineering, I also minored in geological exploration!"

"Before I returned to China, I carefully studied the geological structure map of Northeast China. Based on the theory of continental oil generation, I dare to guarantee with my life that there is an extremely large oil field with astonishing reserves buried in the Songliao Basin of Northeast China, specifically in the area of ​​Zhaozhou County, Heilongjiang Province!"

Jiang Fan spoke with unwavering conviction and conviction.

How could he not know?

As a modern person who has received nine years of compulsory education, the name of Iron Man Wang Jinxi is printed in textbooks and engraved in his bones!

He knew by heart the vow, "I'd rather live twenty years less, but I'll fight tooth and nail to take down this big oil field," and the black-and-white photo of him stirring mud with his body.

The Daqing Oilfield lies there, quietly underground, just waiting for a few drilling rigs to awaken it!

However, it remains to be seen whether these two people can believe his boastful words as a highly educated overseas student.

Chief Li and He Xiying were utterly shocked.

The two men stared intently at Jiang Fan's face, trying to find a trace of lying or arrogance in the young man.

But no.

Jiang Fan's eyes were clear, firm, and confident.

He even patted his chest, making a grand promise:

"Sir, this is absolutely true. As long as the exploration team goes there and drills down, they will definitely find oil!"

What Jiang Fan didn't know was that for Chief Li's generation, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, they were willing to risk their lives as long as they heard the words "China has oil fields"!

They were so desperate for oil.

Moreover, the one who said these words was a high-achieving student who had just impressed everyone with his superb skills after returning from abroad.

The hesitation in Chief Li's eyes lasted for less than two seconds.

Immediately, the decisiveness and courage of the older generation of revolutionaries burst forth.

"good!"

"Comrade Jiang, with your words, I'm willing to risk my reputation to get this done today!"

He turned to look at Jiang Fan and Zhou Chunsheng, and quickly gave the instructions:

"Director He, you need to approve this gas cylinder project you just drew up immediately!"

"Let Xiao Jiang and Xiao Zhou take full charge. Give them the manpower and the iron they need, and get the sample made as quickly as possible!"

Immediately afterward, Commander Li turned around abruptly, grabbed He Xiying's arm, and strode out, saying urgently as he went:

"Old He, come with me, we need to get back to the factory office and turn on the phone right away!"

"Immediately send a telegram to the Northeast Bureau and to the Central Committee, ordering all available geological exploration teams and drilling workers to assemble in the Zhaozhou direction!"

Just before leaving, Chief Li suddenly turned around, looked at Jiang Fan, and shouted loudly:

"Xiao Jiang, I'll handle the oil field matter. Even if I have to dig with my bare hands, I'll dig oil out for you!"

"I will give you an explanation within a week!"

After finishing his speech, Chief Li didn't linger for even a second longer. He turned around, took He Xiying, and strode out of the workshop.

In a corner of the large and empty finishing workshop, only Jiang Fan and Zhou Chunsheng remained, standing there bewildered.

Zhou Chunsheng stood there stunned for a long time before swallowing hard, turning to look at Jiang Fan with a surreal look in his eyes:

"Jiang, Engineer Jiang... So, what should we do now? Should we leave too?"

Jiang Fan turned slightly to avoid Zhou Chunsheng's gaze and glanced down at the broken watch on his wrist.

Time is really running out.

"A week... I can't wait that long."

Jiang Fan sighed inwardly, then his eyes narrowed.

No matter how much longer we can stay, we must hurry.

Before leaving this era, he had to entrust Zhou Chunsheng with the detailed blueprints of the export version of the gas cylinder with tail fins, as well as the rudimentary process for extracting propane and butane from coke oven gas and crude oil in steel mills.

As long as the technology is preserved, this fire will surely be able to ignite in the new China.

"Mr. Zhou, let's go too!"

"Take me to a place right away. I only have two requirements: a large blackboard and enough paper and pens. Does the factory have such a place?"

Looking at Jiang Fan's extremely serious expression, and recalling the anxiety and decisiveness with which Chief Li left earlier, Zhou Chunsheng naturally realized that the matter had been elevated to the level of national strategy and could not be taken lightly.

"have!"

Zhou Chunsheng nodded vigorously. "Come with me!"

The two quickly left the workshop.

Ansteel's plant area is extremely large, comparable to a small city, and the various branch plants and living areas are all connected by a network of internal railway lines.

The two had just left the workshop when they caught a small commuter train that transported scrap steel and workers within the factory.

Zhou Chunsheng pulled Jiang Fan along, and they jumped onto the carriage by grabbing the iron handle.

Accompanied by the clanging of steam, the small train passed through the factory area crisscrossed by steel pipes, heading straight for the center of the factory.

More than ten minutes later, the two jumped off the train not far from the small white building.

As Zhou Chunsheng led Jiang Fan inside quickly, he explained in a low voice:

"Our conditions at Ansteel are tough. We don't have a dedicated engineering design office yet, and our technicians usually work in a cramped open-plan office."

"However, on the third floor of the small white building, there is a spacious classroom. It was specially set up by the factory to provide literacy classes and night school for the illiterate workers."

"It's broad daylight now, and the workers are all on the front lines working in shifts. It's still early before evening classes start, so there's no one there right now; it's the quietest place, and the blackboard there is the biggest in the factory!"

Zhou Chunsheng pointed downstairs: "Moreover, Director He's office is on the second floor. Once we have results, we can go downstairs and report directly."

Jiang Fan walked briskly up the stairs, and after hearing these words, he nodded in satisfaction.

"good!"

He had no requirements for office conditions. He didn't care about borrowing a classroom from a literacy class, or even just using an open-air playground as long as there was a blackboard where he could pour out all the knowledge in his head.

time is life.