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

Zhou Chunsheng, who was standing to the side, had not yet recovered from the shock and could only nod mechanically.

Although he had studied in Japan and majored in mechanical engineering, the opportunity to physically disassemble a complete military tank like this was absolutely rare and hard to come by.

Jiang Fan also stood blankly in front of the truck bed.

However, he had already automatically compared the steel parts in front of him with historical data.

Type 94 ultralight tank.

If he remembers correctly, this thing was a small tank developed by Japan in the early 1930s.

Its main role on the battlefield is reconnaissance, liaison, and infantry fire support.

This thing weighs only about 3 tons, and the thickest part of its armor is only 12 millimeters.

Although it was a miniature tank, it was equipped with a 7.7mm machine gun, and some later models also had a 37mm cannon added.

Despite its small size, this little thing caused great trouble for the Chinese army, which lacked anti-tank weapons, in the early stages of World War II, especially in the early stages of the War of Resistance against Japan.

The most brutal battle of these was the Battle of Nanjing.

However, in the later stages of World War II, with the large-scale deployment of those steel behemoths weighing tens of tons by the US and the Soviet Union, this little bean was completely inadequate and could only be relegated to the second line as a reconnaissance vehicle or ammunition tractor.

In the Pacific theater, the US military often used Sherman tanks to riddle them with bullets, and that's when the nickname "Little Bean" spread.

Jiang Fan remembers it so clearly because he had previously made a popular science video about the development history of tanks.

However, a problem arises.

This thing has absolutely nothing to do with the Type 59 main battle tank, the first mass-produced tank after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

It's worth noting that the famous Type 59 tank with its "five road wheels" was directly copied from the Soviet T-54A medium tank during the First Five-Year Plan, and it was only completed with the full technical assistance of the Soviet Union.

Whether it's the special steel formula, the vehicle body welding process, or the power engine, almost everything is based on the Soviet Union.

The Japanese Type 94 in front of me is not even in the same league as the Soviet Type 59.

Therefore, even if Ansteel spends a huge amount of manpower and resources to thoroughly study the steel formula of the Type 94 tank, how much practical help will it provide for the future development of the Type 59 tank?

Jiang Fan had a big question mark in his mind at this moment.

It wasn't that he didn't trust his predecessors; it was simply that the historical technological barriers were there for all to see.

Without a complete heavy industrial system, it is impossible to understand modern tank armor and build a real tank with just a few sledgehammers and outdated blast furnaces.

Even if I were there, this systemic chasm that transcends eras cannot be bridged out of thin air.

The foundational assistance the Soviet Union provided to my country's industrial system back then was absolutely immeasurable.

However, Jiang Fan then wondered if his "God's perspective" was too advanced.

Even before the new China was formally established, the top leaders already had the strategic awareness to independently manufacture tanks, which is an extremely remarkable thing in itself.

As for materials research, it's all about feeling your way across the river, which is much better than standing on the riverbank staring blankly.

Let's figure out the steel used in this little thing first, just to let the technicians from Ansteel practice and accumulate some valuable experience in smelting and reverse dismantling.

Even if we ultimately fail to build a tank, this technical experience will certainly not be wasted.

Presumably, the higher-ups assigned this task with the intention of laying a solid foundation for training.

Just as he was pondering to himself, under the direction of He Xiying and Minister Liu, the truck had already driven into the factory in the western district.

Jiang Fan and a group of technical cadres, along with the guards brought by Minister Liu, immediately began a meticulous unloading operation.

Jiang Fan and Zhou Chunsheng were assigned to the same group.

As he disassembled the tank, Jiang Fan's hands touched almost every single component of the chassis.

But as he looked at it, he felt that the layout of the chassis looked more and more like another kind of machine he had seen before.

Power system, drive shaft, gasoline engine, tracked running gear, steering clutch, suspension, gearbox...

hiss--!

Jiang Fan gasped.

If we just remove this turret...

Removed all weapon systems...

Then recut and weld the rear half of the vehicle body...

Isn't this just a ready-made "tracked tractor"?!

The more I look at Jiang Fan, the more he resembles him.

It's worth noting that tracked tractors were invented by Americans as early as the late 19th century, and they were one of the prototypes used in the invention of tanks during World War I.

In other words, tractors and light tanks share the same chassis structure and are completely interconnected.

If tanks were converted into tractors and used for agricultural purposes in 1949...

The scene was too beautiful for Jiang Fan to imagine.

As we all know, Northeast China has the largest plain in China.

The black soil here is so thick that you could squeeze oil out of it if you grabbed a handful; it is definitely a natural granary for the new China.

However, agriculture in Northeast China today still relies heavily on animal and human power.

Farmers pull plows with oxen and harrows with their backs to the sky, working themselves to the bone all year round, yet they can't reclaim much wasteland.

If we could directly convert these ultralight tanks, discarded from the battlefield, into tracked tractors and send them to farms in the Great Northern Wilderness to plow fields, till the soil, and pull farm implements...

The increase in land reclamation efficiency would be exponential.

This all-weather tracked tractor, running at full power on the black soil, is far more efficient than dozens of oxen. Whether it's deep plowing, harrowing, or sowing, its versatility is absolutely unmatched.

More importantly, the engineering difficulty of modifying a tank is far, far lower than building a brand new tractor from scratch.

The engine, the chassis, and the tracked running gear are all readily available.

By simply removing the turret and armor, adding a tow hook and power take-off shaft to the rear of the vehicle, and making some simple structural reinforcements, it can be put into operation directly.

This is much more effective than painstakingly researching armor steel formulas and then waiting four or five years to build a tank factory.

Moreover, who knows how many broken-down vehicles the Northeast Field Army has captured in the years of fighting?

Now that the military finds them outdated and unnecessary, why not just bring them all to Anshan Iron and Steel Group for recycling?

If all else fails, Ansteel can take the lead and first figure out how to make a successful prototype, and then distribute the drawings to machinery factories in various parts of Northeast China for contract manufacturing and assembly.

This is simply another excellent way to serve the country through industry while also making a fortune!

Jiang Fan's heart raced faster the more he thought about it, and the more convinced he became that this was definitely going to work.

But he forced himself to suppress his excitement and ultimately did not say it out loud.

After all, He Xiying and Minister Liu had just clearly emphasized that this was a direct order from higher authorities and a top-secret mission.

If I were to say something like, "Why don't we turn it into a tractor?" right now, I'd probably be considered crazy on the spot.

"No rush... Let's take a look first. Once we have a clear understanding of the actual wear and tear on each component of this Type 94 tank, we can come up with a modification plan!"

Jiang Fan secretly made plans in his mind.

While he was racking his brains, the pile of complicated tank parts had been completely unloaded and placed in the workshop.

Then, He Xiying solemnly said:

"Minister Liu, Ansteel will officially accept this batch of parts."

"Tomorrow morning, I will organize these experienced craftsmen to register each item one by one. As for the reverse engineering, I will take the lead in coming up with a preliminary plan as soon as possible."

Minister Liu nodded in satisfaction: "Good, it's settled then! Any technical difficulties or material needs should be reported directly to the higher-ups!"

"clear!"

Afterwards, Minister Liu handed over several top-secret escort documents to He Xiying, then waved his hand and led the guards back to the Northeast Bureau overnight to report back.

After seeing the convoy off, He Xiying turned to everyone and gave them a few words of advice on maintaining strict confidentiality and paying attention to safety, then said:

"Everyone, go to the logistics department to get your bedding and washbasins."

"For the past few days, in order to keep things confidential, everyone has been living and eating in this isolated factory area."

"As for your family's situation, the factory's security department will send someone to notify your family."

"Stay put, everyone, and prepare for the tough battle!"