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

"The fighting in the south is still ongoing, and the front lines are extremely lacking in heavy firepower, especially direct-fire weapons that can fight tough battles and capture key positions."

"These tin cans of ours don't require much maintenance, and the operation is very easy. We just need to send a few military instructors down, and they can teach a squad of soldiers in two days."

"Furthermore, the southwest is mostly mountainous terrain, making it impossible to transport heavy artillery there. But with these canisters, we can disassemble them and carry them up the mountains using mules. We can fire and run, making them extremely flexible!"

At this point, He Xiying raised her finger and pointed heavily at Jiang Fan:

"Finally, I agree with your point about how if you achieve good results, people will naturally come to you."

"Back when we were in the Jin-Cha-Ji base area, there was a batch of inferior grenade launchers made by the Kuomintang arsenal. Because of their rough workmanship, no one wanted them at first."

"But later, the soldiers on the front lines discovered that this thing was useful in close combat, and we even went out of our way to buy it through the black market."

"The big machine we've built now is much more powerful than that old, broken grenade launcher."

After listening to Director He's thorough analysis, Jiang Fan finally felt a sense of relief.

He could tell that the old factory director was not the kind of person who would easily agree, but once he did, he would definitely use all available resources to push things forward.

Taking advantage of the pleasant atmosphere, Jiang Fan immediately added:

"Oh, right, factory manager, there's one more thing."

"Regarding the civilian version of the gas cylinders, I suggest we make a batch as well."

"We don't need many. We'll just distribute them to the factory workers or villagers in the nearby rural areas for trial use. We won't charge them anything; consider it a fuel subsidy from the government."

He Xiying was taken aback: "No money? Then how do you calculate the initial costs?"

Jiang Fan immediately explained:

"The costs will be entirely recorded in the R&D account for now."

"Factory manager, civilian products are different from military weapons. They need a good reputation, and the people need to get used to their convenience and ease of use first."

"Once people get used to using it and can't live without it, they'll naturally be willing to spend money to buy it."

"Before that, let's use the foreign exchange earned from military exports to make up for the initial civilian investment and get the entire industrial chain up and running."

He Xiying remained silent for a few seconds after hearing these words.

He stared intently at Jiang Fan for a long while, his eyes gradually revealing undisguised admiration.

"Comrade Xiao Jiang, I really didn't expect that you not only know how to manufacture weapons and work in the chemical industry, but also understand such profound business principles."

"With a bright and quick-witted young person like you, how could the new China not prosper?"

Jiang Fan felt a little embarrassed by his straightforward praise and quickly steered the conversation back to the main topic:

"Factory manager, please don't say that. I was just rambling on with whatever random thoughts were coming to mind."

"The most crucial step next depends on you to deliver a message to the leaders of the Northeast Bureau."

"As long as the higher-ups agree to send a batch of this to the southern front for trial use, our path ahead will be much easier."

He Xiying nodded solemnly, her expression becoming serious and earnest again:

"Don't worry, this is a very important matter. I'll personally go and generate the electricity first thing tomorrow morning!"

After speaking, he turned around and waved to the cadres behind him:

"Alright, that concludes tonight's live-fire test. After you all return, first compile everything you saw tonight, including the power of the explosions, into your classified notebooks. The technical department will hold a meeting early tomorrow morning to discuss the preliminary mass production plan."

"Where is Zhou Chunsheng?"

Zhou Chunsheng, who had just been inspecting bomb craters on the hillside with his backside sticking out, immediately ran over and stood up straight when he heard Director He call him, ready to be ordered around.

He Xiying looked at him and instructed, "When you get back tonight, first work with Comrade Jiang Fan to get the basic framework of the mass production plan out for me."

"Strictly distinguish between the specifications of the civilian and military versions, then quickly draft a plan outlining material consumption, labor time estimates, the personnel needed, and any additional machining processes required, and submit it to me, understand?"

Zhou Chunsheng stood at attention and saluted as if by reflex: "Yes, sir."

Finally, He Xiying glanced at Jiang Fan again and kindly instructed him:

"Comrade Xiao Jiang, you should go back and rest too. There's still a lot to do at the factory."

"By the way, we've made some progress on that shovel you handed in today. We'll discuss it in more detail when you come to the factory tomorrow."

Jiang Fan nodded quickly: "Don't worry, factory manager, I promise I won't stay up all night tonight."

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky again, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

It'll probably be dawn soon, so there won't be a chance to stay up all night anymore.

He Xiying hummed in agreement, then turned and led several cadres toward the factory's office building under the cover of night.

He had only taken a few steps when he stopped, turned back, and called out to Zhou Chunsheng:

"Zhou Chunsheng, readjust the angle of that military version of the launcher again tomorrow."

"The range of that shot just now wasn't far enough. According to the safety requirements of frontline assault operations, the range needs to be at least another two hundred meters."

Zhou Chunsheng immediately pulled out his notebook and pencil and quickly wrote it down:

"Understood, I'll make the transfer first thing tomorrow morning!"

Only after the group of leaders had completely disappeared into the night did Zhou Chunsheng feel as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He let out a long sigh and squatted down on the ground.

He looked up at Jiang Fan, who also looked exhausted, and said:

"Engineer Jiang, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all tonight."

"The moment I close my eyes, all I see is that fireball... it was absolutely breathtaking!"

Jiang Fan laughed and squatted down beside him, standing side by side next to the launch tube, looking together at the charred crater in front of them.

The two remained silent for a while before Zhou Chunsheng broke the silence, his tone tinged with curiosity:

"Engineer Jiang, tell me the truth from the bottom of your heart..."

"This military version of a gas cylinder mortar, you didn't learn it from a foreign magazine, did you? You designed it yourself, didn't you?"

Jiang Fan was taken aback, wondering why these honest old guys suddenly became so wise at this moment.

But he neither denied nor admitted it; he simply smiled as he looked at the distant smoke and said something that left Zhou Chunsheng completely baffled:

"Engineer Zhou, some things are destined."

Zhou Chunsheng wore a pained expression, rubbed his hair, and couldn't understand what Zen riddle he was trying to spout.

But he didn't press the matter further. He patted his thigh, stood up, and extended his right hand to Jiang Fan.

"Come on, let's not just squat there in the cool breeze. We have a lot to do tomorrow!"

Jiang Fan glanced at him, then grasped his hand and used it to help him stand up.

The two walked one after the other in the direction of home.