My girlfriend is from 1949

At this moment in the Soviet Union, one side is the delegation.

Negotiations are underway with higher authorities in the name of the state.

This involved some aid, as well as barter, exchanging stockings, fruit, and canned meat for fighter jets and tanks.

However, an urgent telegram was received last night listing the import of crude oil as the most urgent priority.

We must deliver 200 million tons of crude oil and 10 tons of potash to Shanghai in the shortest possible time.

Potash is a scarce commodity in the modern world, with imports exceeding ten million tons annually.

Although 10 tons is not a large amount, it still accounts for one percent of the total import volume.

If 30 shipments can be made a year, that accounts for 30% of the total import volume, which is already quite considerable.

These potassium salts could help the modern world pay more attention to Chen Huai'an.

The current negotiations, in addition to trade, also revolve around aid.

Although there are now channels for importing modern technology, the Soviet Union remains the nominal elder brother.

Since you're calling me "Big Brother," I should at least offer you some benefits; why not take advantage of it?

Moreover, suddenly ceasing aid would arouse suspicion.

Therefore, in addition to aid, trade in goods was added.

If we only talk about aid, it will definitely drag on and on.

The aid supplies will likely have to be released little by little, like squeezing toothpaste.

Moreover, aid is not so easy to obtain.

Usually, there are additional conditions.

However, after requesting aid this time, they immediately launched a deal for light industrial products.

During the negotiations, the delegation's words and actions revealed their determination to develop light industrial products and become a major agricultural country.

The reason is simple: China has experienced a century of war and chaos, and its people need time to recuperate.

Developing light industry and expanding planting and breeding scale can solve the problem of feeding people.

These are all perfectly legitimate reasons.

Moreover, it repeatedly conveyed the message that only with abundant resources could the Big Brother solve the predicament of shortages of light industrial products and daily necessities.

This is called complementarity!

The Big Brother is happy to see this.

By getting the smaller allies to abandon heavy industry, the threat can be reduced.

Whether in China or abroad, the saying "How can one tolerate another's snoring beside one's bed?" applies everywhere.

Without heavy industry, what military force can pose a threat?

In addition, both overt and covert measures have conveyed the message of developing light industry and moving closer to becoming a major agricultural country.

This was exactly what the elder brother wanted, as it was also the direction the new China hoped for in its development, as he had publicly stated.

Lacking military strength yet rich in resources, it became a major granary in the rear, practically a fat sheep to be exploited at will.

If this trend continues, we may need to rely on the Big Brother for national defense in the future.

Who wouldn't like having such a neighbor?

Of course, they don't believe everything the delegation says.

This time, we also brought samples of canned fruit, canned luncheon meat, and canned braised pork.

If these goods can be traded on time as agreed in the future, that will be enough to prove that it is true.

Without large-scale fruit cultivation, where would the raw materials for canned fruit come from? Without expanding livestock farming, where would there be enough meat for trade?

If the new China can produce this, it proves that it is indeed developing in this direction.

Even if they develop military power at the same time, most of their energy is focused on light industry, so even if they develop heavy industry, it will not pose a threat.

And isn't the Big Brother itself currently working hard to develop heavy industry?

Therefore, the negotiations went exceptionally smoothly.

The elder brother also particularly hoped that the new China could continue to follow the path they wanted to see.

This first transaction should naturally be treated with caution.

The elder brother didn't consider that if he refused, the new China might go down the opposite path.

At that point, it could pose a threat to them.

This is the last thing we want to see.

So once the delegation expressed its interest, the deal was already done.

Since my little brother is developing according to his own planned path, we naturally can't let the transaction affect his enthusiasm.

So that afternoon, the oil depots stored on the Sino-Soviet border began loading barrels of crude oil onto trucks, preparing to transport them to Shanghai.

They handled this as a special case, and their efficiency was exceptionally high.

It's not like China is the one asking for trade cooperation; rather, it's like the big brother is afraid the other side will back out!

So they loaded the crude oil onto trucks and shipped it directly, delivering the oil stockpiled at the border to the nearest location.

As long as a train carrying 200 million tons of oil enters Chinese territory.

There was no room for maneuver; the matter was considered settled.

Moreover, the big brother has absolute confidence that even if he provides crude oil and potash first, the little brother in the East will not dare to renege on his promise.

The traded goods would return with the train.

Originally, it would have taken three days to reach Shanghai because of the multiple transfers required.

Now it's a dedicated trade train, saving the time of multiple transfers. If you hurry, you can arrive in two days.

In the evening, a banquet was also being held in an upscale restaurant.

"Victor, my friend, it's been a long time!"

In a luxurious private room, Du Hengtai warmly stood up to greet him.

Seven or eight middle-aged men with common oval faces, blond hair, and blue eyes walked in.

This appearance is typical of Soviet people.

Leading the group was a high-ranking official in the Commerce Department known as Victor.

Du Hengtai had studied in the Soviet Union in his early years and was a close classmate of Viktor.

However, after graduating, Du Hengtai resolutely chose to return to China to fight against the Japanese.

Victor, on the other hand, joined the Department of Commerce.

After more than a decade of dedicated development, he has become the second most powerful figure in the commercial sector, wielding real authority!

This time, I came under the guise of seeing a doctor and visiting friends, but besides catching up, I also had other tasks.

So, in addition to Victor, other guests invited included people from the Ministry of Commerce.

"Dear classmates and old friends, it's been a long time!" Victor was happy to see his old friend whom he hadn't seen for many years and went up to hug him.

The two patted each other on the back, smiled at each other, and couldn't help but recall the wonderful memories of their school days.

Du Hengtai speaks excellent Russian and can communicate without any problems.

Even the two people accompanying them were carefully selected, as they were fluent in Russian and could communicate effectively.

As both parties took their seats, their entourages brought out three cases of Moutai liquor.

They were determined to drink until they dropped!

Victor and the other businessmen's eyes lit up when they saw Moutai.

In the Soviet Union, Moutai liquor was a very good thing!

In the 1950s and early 1960s, a small amount of Moutai was exported to the Soviet Union in exchange for steel and other materials.

One ton of Moutai liquor can be exchanged for 80 tons of steel.

Although Soviets were accustomed to drinking vodka, Moutai was one of the few soy sauce-flavored liquors they preferred.

Furthermore, later public records clearly indicate that the only Chinese liquor that the Soviets truly liked was Moutai.

Moreover, only the super-rich can afford to drink it!

Three cases of Moutai liquor are definitely not enough to finish.

But everyone here is a social person, and they know that if they can't finish the drink, they can just take it with them!