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

You should know that airplanes, cannons, aircraft carriers, missiles—everything is related to this inconspicuous seamless steel pipe.

At this moment, Jiang Fan stood in the conference room, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, the old leaders and key personnel. The urge to give lectures that he usually had as a science popularizer surged into his heart.

To truly witness Ansteel's transformation, we must wait until a few years later for the Soviet Project 156.

It was at this time that Ansteel had its first complete seamless steel pipe production line.

However, Jiang Fan did not want to wait that many more years. History was unfolding before his eyes, and all he could do was to give it a helping hand when the time was right.

Unfortunately, after Jiang Fan finished speaking, the cadres in the conference room all scratched their heads and looked puzzled.

"Comrade Xiao Jiang, what exactly is this seamless steel pipe?"

"How could a steel pipe possibly be seamless?"

"No matter how good the welding technique is, it's impossible to make it completely seamless!"

"That's right. I've worked in the factory for so long, and no matter how good the welding technique is, it's impossible to make it completely seamless!"

"Comrade Xiao Jiang, did you read the wrong thing while you were abroad?"

Although factory director He Xiying did not speak, her brows were furrowed and her eyes were filled with indescribable confusion, clearly waiting for Jiang Fan's explanation.

Jiang Fan took in the whole scene: Sure enough, people in this era had virtually no concept of seamless steel pipes.

Even He Xiying, the top leader of Ansteel, couldn't figure it out, let alone the workers under his command.

Jiang Fan immediately stood up from his seat, put his hands behind his back, and said:

"Distinguished leaders, please listen to me."

"When I was abroad, I witnessed firsthand those countries that had established complete industrial systems, and they all had one thing in common..."

That means we have mature seamless steel pipe production technology.

"This thing is known outside as the blood vessels of industry; it's ubiquitous and irreplaceable!"

"Blood vessel?"

He Xiying had never heard of this claim before and instinctively raised a question.

Jiang Fan immediately responded, "Yes, it's a blood vessel!"

"Factory director, leaders, think about it, the boiler of a steam locomotive contains high-pressure, high-temperature steam."

"If a welded pipe is used, the welded joint will definitely be the weakest point. If the pressure is too high, the pipe will burst and people will die."

"Furthermore, when a tank is running on the battlefield, its water circulation and oil systems are full of important fluids."

"If there are gaps in the pipes, they will crack after a few bumps, and this kind of large machine will break down on the spot."

"When an airplane is flying at high altitude, each of its systems needs to be transported through high-strength, tightly sealed pipes. These pipes must be seamless, otherwise the airplane will just fall apart in the air."

"On a larger scale, there are the boiler pipes of warships, the pressure hulls of submarines, and the propellant lines of missiles..."

"Seamless steel pipes are used in all applications requiring high-pressure fluid handling!"

"Therefore, steel is the skeleton of industry, and seamless steel pipes are the blood vessels of industry."

"Without this blood supply system, even the strongest body can't move!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone in the conference room speechless for the first time.

But Jiang Fan, once he got into the conversation, had no intention of stopping.

He then said:

"Let me give you a specific example."

"Take the Soviet Union for example. Everyone should know how fast the Soviet Union's industrial development is now."

"We cannot rule out reasons related to their mindset, systems, and talent."

"One of the reasons is that they made a breakthrough in seamless steel pipe technology."

"In the 1920s and 30s, the Soviet Union spent a lot of money to import a seamless steel pipe production line. With this production line, they were able to manufacture the gun barrel of the T-34 tank, the fuselage frame of the Il-2 attack aircraft, and the launch rail of the Katyusha rocket launcher."

"Furthermore, during the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union used seamless steel pipes in all its large-caliber artillery, rocket launchers, tanks, and aircraft."

"As for the United States, the reason why the United States has become the world's number one power is because they had mature seamless steel pipe manufacturing technology as early as the 19th century."

"Back then, after those capitalists imported the complete set of equipment from Germany, they replaced all the oil drilling pipelines that originally required welding with seamless ones, which directly increased the lifespan of an oil well several times over."

"This propelled their oil industry to new heights, subsequently triggering a comprehensive boom in the entire industrial system!"

"So, factory director, leaders, seamless steel pipes are an insurmountable hurdle for our industrial upgrading."

"If we don't overcome this obstacle, we will only ever be able to produce low-end steel and civilian ironware; we won't be able to build tanks, airplanes, or cannons."

"That's why I strongly recommend that this money must be spent in this direction."

"I hope everyone will think this through carefully!"

"Phew~~"

After Jiang Fan finished speaking, he let out a long breath and quickly had someone pour him a whole tub of water, which he then drank in one gulp.

I must say, it felt pretty good to say those words.

Even after he had finished drinking all the water, the veteran cadres remained completely silent.

They were all looking down, fiddling with their fingers, their mouths slightly open, clearly deep in thought.

Indeed, they were shocked.

To be honest, in the eyes of these old revolutionaries who came from the war years, the word "industry" often only meant iron, steel, and materials.

Even for those high-tech equipment, besides robbing them and using makeshift methods, there was no other way to get them.

I never imagined that beyond the rudimentary methods of production, there was such a sophisticated industrial logic, such a vital link that determined the fate of the entire industrial system.

The reason for not knowing these details can largely be attributed to the Qing Dynasty's policy of isolationism and Western sanctions during the Republic of China period.

It's no wonder they're not to blame.

But while everyone was silently processing this, a technical staff member sitting in the corner frowned and noticed something:

"Comrade Jiang Fan, since this seamless steel pipe you mentioned is so important..."

"This would definitely be very expensive if you bought it abroad, right?"

"Is this five kilograms of gold enough to buy equipment?"

Once this question was raised, the other cadres also came to their senses.

Yes, this thing is so good and so important, it's a waste if you can't afford it.

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment.

This thing is definitely not cheap.

The core production equipment for seamless steel pipes is the piercing machine.

This is the key equipment that can thread a solid steel billet through the middle to form a hollow tube.

Without a punching machine, nothing is possible.

A decent piercing machine, along with matching pipe rolling mills, sizing mills, straightening machines, and the entire production line, would cost an astronomical sum.

but...