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

In later industrial systems, gas cylinder nozzles used specialized trapezoidal threads, with specifications that were nationally standardized.

But in 1949, let alone trapezoidal threads, even metric threads had not yet been fully standardized.

Jiang Fan considered his words carefully before saying:

"No need for special taps. We can just use a lathe to machine it ourselves. As long as the tolerances are tight and the valve doesn't leak, it meets the standard."

Since Chief Designer Jiang Fan had said that a simple solution could be found, Zhou Chunsheng stopped worrying about it.

He looked at the two main steps written down by Jiang Fan and muttered to himself:

"Once these three steps—material preparation, stretching, trimming and annealing, and thread cutting on a lathe—are completed, the basic shape of the tank will emerge."

"Yes. After you have the two halves of the tank, the final and most skill-intensive step is assembly and welding!"

Jiang Fan nodded and drew a complete exploded view of the gas cylinder structure on the right side of the blackboard.

He clearly broke down the original drawing into five main parts:

The upper half of the tank, the lower half of the tank, the valve, the base, and the top handle and protective ring.

He explained as he drew:

"A complete gas cylinder consists of two bowl-shaped halves that fit together perfectly. Then, submerged arc welding is applied to the middle waistline as the base layer, and then a full circle of welding is applied to the outside."

"Before that, we need to weld a handle and protective ring onto the upper half of the tank, and weld a support base onto the lower half of the tank."

"Because it has to withstand high pressure inside, the skill requirements for the welders are extremely high. The weld must be absolutely uniform and completely penetrated."

"After welding, a rigorous flaw detection inspection must be carried out. Since there is no ultrasonic testing available now, we will use the most primitive method: tapping to listen to the sound, applying soapy water to the surface and conducting a pressure test. There must be absolutely no tiny cracks or pores present."

"Once all inspections are completed and everything is fine, the entire finished can is sent into the tempering furnace for a final overall annealing to eliminate welding stress and restore its overall toughness. Then, it's taken out and coated with anti-rust paint. That's it!"

Jiang Fan slammed the chalk heavily onto the blackboard. The entire large blackboard was filled with his drawings.

He let out a long sigh of relief, dusted off his hands, turned to Zhou Chunsheng, and asked:

"Mr. Zhou, do you understand now?"

Zhou Chunsheng stood by the window, staring at the flowchart on the blackboard.

He remained silent for a full ten seconds, his eyes shifting from doubt to deduction, and finally to disbelief.

"Engineer Jiang..."

Zhou Chunsheng looked at Jiang Fan with an expression as if he had seen a ghost:

"I've gone through the processes you just described in my mind."

"I did the math, and all in all, including the final pressure check, the whole process... only has four major steps?!"

"Chief Li just treated this thing like a vital national treasure, but its manufacturing process... is that simple?!"

Jiang Fan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

He completely understood Zhou Chunsheng's shock.

For a technician with a formal mechanical engineering background who is used to designing precision transmission gears and complex machine tools, how could an industrial iron can that can withstand high pressure and even be valued by the military as a strategic weapon be made in just a few simple steps?

That's way too brutal!

After all, when an old carpenter makes a stool, he has to go to the mountains to select wood, shavings, and mortise and tenon joints first!

"Mr. Zhou, the greatest truths are the simplest. The charm of industry lies in using the simplest processes to achieve the greatest efficiency."

"This thing isn't as complicated as you think. All it needs is qualified materials, skilled workers, and strict operating discipline."

"Although our current industrial conditions are not good, as long as we can produce the first batch of samples and take them to the battlefield or abroad, as long as they can be successfully converted into money, that will be a tremendous victory."

That's absolutely true. If it had been built according to the modern standards of fully automated seamless spinning and welding and X-ray non-destructive testing, then this project would never have been completed in 1949.

After hearing these words, Zhou Chunsheng nodded in deep agreement.

Immediately, as if given a shot of adrenaline, he began to count on his fingers:

"If that's the case, then we don't need to wait at all. We can start construction right now."

"We have high-quality carbon steel ingots readily available at the blast furnace. Shearing machines and presses are all in the second workshop! Welding machines are a given. Although we're short on welding rods, Ansteel has plenty of top-notch, level-eight welders. If all else fails, I can do it myself!"

As Zhou Chunsheng spoke, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and by the end, an expression of excitement appeared on his face.

In that oppressive and impoverished era, the thought of personally building a piece of "equipment that brings honor" to the leader was an irresistible temptation for any technician.

"Engineer Jiang, let's stop this theoretical discussion!"

Zhou Chunsheng suddenly turned around and strode towards the door:

"Let's get back to the workshop before it gets dark. Even if I don't sleep tonight, I have to get the first sample done."

"Hey, hey, hey! Engineer Zhou, wait a minute!"

Seeing that he was about to run away, Jiang Fan quickly called out to stop him.

He originally wanted to take advantage of the blackboard to explain the most crucial next step: the chemical process of "how to purify propane and butane from coke oven gas and crude oil using traditional methods."

But seeing Zhou Chunsheng's almost burning posture, Jiang Fan thought for a moment and swallowed his words.

Too much to chew.

Zhou Chunsheng is a mechanical engineer, and may not be an expert in chemical purification.

It would be better to wait until the first steel tank sample is actually manufactured, and then run the liquefied gas extraction process with a carrier. This might be more efficient.

"It's alright, it's alright," Jiang Fan changed his tune. "Engineer Zhou, you go downstairs to the workshop to gather people and prepare the equipment. I'll pack up and come down right away."

"Okay. I'll wait for you in Workshop Two!"

Zhou Chunsheng responded without turning his head.

Immediately, a series of hurried footsteps echoed in the stairwell, as people rushed downstairs.

In an instant, only Jiang Fan remained in the empty classroom.

He stood alone on the podium, quietly gazing at the dense chalk writing on the blackboard.

Gas cylinders, seemingly insignificant household items, not only brought convenience to countless families in later generations, but also became a powerful tool for guerrillas on the battlefields of the Middle East, changing the fate of countless people.

Therefore, Jiang Fan firmly believes that he made an absolutely correct decision to leave this technology decades ahead of schedule in this era of rebuilding.

Even if it's used to exchange for foreign exchange, or even if it's sent to the battlefield, as long as it can reduce the bloodshed in this country and help it stand up sooner, it's worth it.

Thinking of this, Jiang Fan slowly raised his left hand, pulled up his sleeve, and glanced at the holographic watch on his wrist.

【40:12:36】

One and a half days.

"We need to hurry."

If you hurry, you can hammer out the physical sample before you are teleported away. Then write down the formula and technical information for extracting liquefied gas and hand it over to Zhou Chunsheng.

So even if I suddenly disappear and never come back, this seed of industry will be enough to take root and sprout in this land.

Thinking of this, Jiang Fan accurately tossed the half piece of chalk in his hand back into the blackboard slot.

He strode out of the classroom.