My girlfriend is from 1949

Oxen are the foundation of a major agricultural country.

Without oxen, the land could only be cultivated by human labor.

Not only is it extremely inefficient, but it also consumes a large amount of labor.

Victor squinted, put his hands on his hips, and nodded in agreement.

My old classmate's offer to take the oxen for plowing perfectly demonstrates the country's policy of vigorously developing agricultural planting.

This aligns with national interests and the mission of this exploration, and should be supported in principle.

Otherwise, it would dampen the enthusiasm of the Eastern brothers, who would think that without oxen for plowing, developing heavy industry would be disastrous.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Du, my good brother, I will include your request in the report. I believe the leader will definitely agree!"

Her words were meant to comfort, as she was afraid the other person would misunderstand and think she was being rejected.

Moreover, he was confident that once the higher-ups saw these photos and data, they would definitely agree to increase aid.

As long as it's not about developing heavy industry, we can talk about anything else.

Du Hengtai's face lit up with joy when he heard the other party agree.

Although my old classmate can't make the decision, as long as the report is submitted, it will definitely attract attention.

With our people cooperating through other channels, we will definitely be able to reach an agreement.

At the same time, he secretly gave his older brother a thumbs up: "Comrade Huai'an, you really have your big brother completely under your thumb!"

It was Chen Huai'an who brought up the idea of ​​demanding oxen for plowing.

Adhering to the modern principle that it's a fool not to take advantage of a good deal, people naturally won't miss the opportunity to fleece customers.

In modern times, Chen Huai'an consulted relevant materials.

According to historical statistics, in 1949, the total number of cattle, water buffalo, and dairy cows in my country was 8000 million.

On the contrary, the Soviet Union saw a decrease in numbers during this period due to the war.

Although there has been a slight recovery in recent years, the weight is only 6500 million, which is still less than that of my country.

However, these data are statistics compiled by later generations.

Since the liberation of the entire country is not yet complete, there is naturally no data available.

Moreover, in recent months, there has been a growing perception of a shortage of labor and draft animals.

Furthermore, our deliberate concealment of our current numbers has led the Big Brother to believe that we lack draft cattle.

After all, the country was still at war, and the local areas had suffered from the ravages of the Kuomintang reactionaries, so the shortage of cattle and grain was bound to be a common situation.

The current demand for oxen perfectly aligns with the needs of a country that has not yet fully emerged from war.

Unfortunately, I never dreamed that when I tried to mislead others, I would be the one who was outsmarted.

Although the elder brother's intelligence system is powerful, it is not enough to extend to the village.

They lack knowledge about the specific situation of cattle in China.

Such a large country, they really can't verify everything one by one.

As a sovereign nation, China will not allow intelligence agents to operate on this land!

Chen Huai'an's idea was to solve the rural labor problem by combining machines and oxen.

After all, the country is very large, and the number of micro-tillers needed is too great.

Moreover, in some remote areas, gasoline supply and maintenance are problems.

The best approach is still to rely primarily on oxen for draft work.

If a remote mountain village could have three to five oxen for plowing, the amount of land that could be cultivated and the amount of grain harvested would increase.

Solving the problem of feeding ordinary people has always been the biggest concern of our ancestors.

When Du Hengtai saw that the other party had agreed, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said, "Old classmate, I have a business opportunity here. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

He leaned slightly forward, looking quite mysterious.

Victor narrowed his eyes, a look of doubt on his face: "What kind of business?"

Du Hengtai glanced around, seemingly worried that someone might be overheard.

He lowered his voice when he saw that his entourage was more than ten meters away.

"I received news that our army has reached the outskirts of Guangdong."

As required by the Central Military Commission, Guangdong could be liberated within seven days.

Next, Hainan Island will be liberated.

The assault boats that demonstrated super-fast speed during the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign have now been delivered to the coast.

The speed of the assault boats allowed the soldiers to be thrown into battle.

In modern times, transoceanic navigation is strictly prohibited and controlled.

Because the Qiongzhou Strait is characterized by large waves, complex ocean currents, and is a strictly controlled waterway, going out to sea in violation of regulations will result in legal penalties and extremely high risks to one's life.

Moreover, most of the assault boats are unregistered and do not meet the requirements for maritime navigation registration.

Maritime regulations explicitly prohibit them from engaging in cross-sea transportation, and violators will be shut down.

However, there aren't as many related regulations here.

Besides, they are the ones who set the rules, so they can change them however they want!

Based on discussions held at a central meeting, plans were developed for Hainan Island.

The plan is to allocate 2000 million mu of land for rubber planting.

However, my country is in dire need of reconstruction and many places require construction.

Although a plan has been made, its implementation is still a challenge.

It's estimated that at the earliest, it will be seven or eight years from now.

Only when the country recovers will it be able to develop Hainan Island.

However, if the Soviet Union could help, it would accelerate domestic development.

If domestic construction is completed ahead of schedule, then naturally the rubber plantations in Hainan can be developed, right?

Her voice was incredibly seductive, making it impossible to resist.

Moreover, they just make empty promises and exaggerate the numbers.

Even in modern times, the rubber plantation area on Hainan Island is only about 750 million mu.

Chen Huai'an's pie-in-the-sky plan nearly tripled as soon as he opened it.

The bigger the pie, the greater the temptation, right?

my country is extremely dependent on imports for rubber.

Tires, machines, and many other products all rely on rubber.

Even now, in 2026, the total import volume of rubber is approximately 566 million tons.

my country's import dependence on natural rubber is as high as 88%-90%, making it the world's largest importer of rubber.

To make up for the rubber shortage, my country will implement zero tariffs on Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia starting in December 2024.

Therefore, rubber planting was inevitable after the liberation of the whole country.

Moreover, due to Chen Huai'an and Lin Wan, the War of Liberation was accelerated.

Guangzhou, which was originally scheduled to be liberated in two months, will be fully liberated in the next few days.

The remaining Kuomintang troops either fled or surrendered, and were no longer capable of resisting.

Of course, this information was specifically given to Du Hengtai by his superiors; otherwise, he wouldn't have known it.

The purpose was to fool my old classmates.

You have to paint a big enough picture to entice the other person.

Moreover, it's not just China that lacks rubber; even our neighbor, the Big Brother, is in the same boat.

Due to geographical reasons, it is not suitable for planting.

So as long as we mention rubber as a weakness, we're not afraid that the big brother won't be tempted.

Chen Huai'an proposed rubber planting based on history, in order to give us the initiative.

Otherwise, in a few years, the Big Brother will forcefully demand that rubber be planted on Hainan Island.

Moreover, they are the ones who planted the rubber here; the rubber plantation does not belong to the Chinese side.

For the elderly, the issue of sovereignty is not open to negotiation.

So I decisively refused.

Although after negotiations, it was later agreed that my country would cultivate the crops independently as an aid program, and sell a certain share to the elder brother every year.

However, this process also damaged their relationship, sowing the seeds for their later breakdown.

Anyway, whether we plant it or not, Big Brother will keep an eye on it and make demands later.

Why don't we take the initiative and bring it up ourselves?

After all, regardless of whether the Soviet Union was involved or not, planting rubber trees domestically was inevitable!

This time, however, the partner is not the Soviet Union, but the modern world.

Of course, Hainan Island's output was only enough to supply China in 1949.

It is far from enough for the behemoths of the future world.

Therefore, the modern world has never considered importing goods from Hainan Island.

They simply provide technology and machinery to assist with planting and get through the most difficult times.

Once the international situation stabilizes, we can import from abroad and give back to the modern world.

Taking advantage of the unstable situation in 1949, the timing of proposing planting now is just right.

The Soviet Union did not have that idea yet, so it would not make excessive demands.

Moreover, we are currently in a honeymoon period, and with a grand strategic plan in place, we will also follow suit and provide support.

When rubber production begins in the future, it will provide another supply channel.

So now if someone actively requests to engage in rubber planting, the big brother will support them. There might be some greed, but at least there will still be some reservations.

This is a good opportunity to take advantage of them and develop ourselves.

As for the figure of 2000 million mu, various uncontrollable factors can be used as an excuse to evade the issue.

Moreover, as the country grows stronger, it no longer needs to be mindful of the attitude of the older brother next to it.

No matter what you do, it will only delay the relationship at most, but it's only a matter of time before things fall apart.

Victor's eyes lit up when he heard about rubber planting.

As a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Commerce, he was all too aware of the dire domestic shortage of rubber.

This Ministry of Commerce official was nearly driven mad by the issue of how to import rubber.

I often get so stressed that I can't sleep at night, and my hair is falling out in clumps!

Especially after the start of the Cold War with the United States, imports from abroad were also blocked.

The Soviet Union was even willing to trade fighter jets for rubber!

If at this time there is a country that is willing to take the initiative to develop rubber planting, then they are definitely like brothers!

What Victor didn't know was that, whether China liked it or not, it would face the same problem next year.

The older brother, lacking in resilience, will make excessive demands in a rather forceful manner.

Only after repeated negotiations did they agree to refrain from interfering.

So since we'll be negotiating this issue next year, we might as well bring it up ourselves.

You can also get more benefits in return.

Victor's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "My brother, you're truly my brother! Don't worry, I'll go back and submit a report proposing to increase aid to China!"

He then added, "As long as we can supply rubber every year!"

I can already imagine that the report I write after returning will only require a little polishing.

He embellished the story by portraying China's initiative to plant the crops as a result of his own connections and extensive advocacy, which led to the new China's agreement to plant them.

The difference in their contributions is enormous!

Anyway, according to my old classmate, the Chinese government only held a meeting and passed a resolution, but did not announce it to the public.

So when the time comes, with your own efforts in polishing it, no one will be able to find fault with it.

Moreover, with the general's support, the benefits of one's achievements can be maximized.

The ability to overcome the difficulties of rubber restrictions was undoubtedly the greatest achievement of 1949!

He immediately thumped his chest and promised that he would definitely say good things in the business report when he got back.

Du Hengtai lit a cigarette and slowly shook his head: "You're so foolish!"

He looked disappointed and frustrated with his old classmate's decision.

Victor was stunned, looking completely bewildered.

I don't understand. I meant well, so why am I being called confused?

Before anyone could ask, Du Hengtai said, "At present, our country is in dire need of reconstruction, and the top priority is in the north."

Only after the northern region is developed can we have the resources to develop agriculture in Hainan.

If your superiors knew that we wanted to develop agriculture and rubber, wouldn't they strongly support us?

Would your superiors refuse the assistance we request?

Sigh!

Du Hengtai sighed helplessly as he finished speaking.

He glanced at her sideways, looking at her with a disappointed expression.

"I've already told you the central government's arrangements, so why can't you take the initiative?"

Now that you know about my country's development path, you can bring it up in your report.

Treat what we were supposed to do as your personal analysis and report it!

When the higher-ups read your report, they will have a precise analysis of my country's development path.

When the time comes, will people look at you with new respect?

Since we've come this far, I'll be frank with you.

Our country's current policy is to vigorously develop the Northeast.

However, electricity is needed for production development.

Therefore, seeking assistance from the big brother in power plants and water plants is a necessary prerequisite for development.

Oh, and we also need to provide assistance to the tractor factory.

As you can see, our country lacks oxen for plowing, so we have to remove the engines from tractors to plow the fields.

The country's first five-year plan was to reclaim hundreds of millions of acres of farmland.

Can it be done without enough machines?

The reason for focusing development on the Northeast is to facilitate the production of light industry and enable trade with the Northeast from nearby regions.

The sooner the development of light industry in Northeast China is completed, the sooner your shortcomings will be resolved.

Moreover, with the assistance from our elder brother in Northeast China, our country can also free up resources to invest in rubber planting on Hainan Island.

When the plan is completed in a few years, how much credit will you get?

Your taking the top position in the Ministry of Commerce is practically a done deal!

Every word he said resonated with Viktor and was exactly what the Soviet Union desperately needed.

Making no attempt to conceal the need for assistance is a calculated move.

Moreover, the Soviet Union had no way to refuse.

Victor narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious, his blue eyes revealing vigilance.

How could he not see through such an obvious attempt to bribe him?

But the benefits were too good to pass up.

In particular, becoming a minister has always been a dream come true.

With China's commercial cooperation and the help of generals in China, it might actually be possible!

He asked in a deep voice, "So what did you think of?"

Du Hengtai smiled and said, "My brother, there's no need to be so nervous. What our country needs is very simple: we just want your friendship so that you can consider our side in some of the Soviet Union's decisions in the future."

Victor narrowed his eyes, knowing that this was an attempt to win him over.

After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "I know what to do!"

My heart was pounding; I simply couldn't resist the temptation of being promoted to minister.

……

On the evening of the third day, Chen Huai'an, Lin Wan, and Zheng Changlin sat in the police station's canteen for dinner.

He asked with a hint of doubt, "Director Zheng, what's on your mind?"

Zheng Changlin nodded, looked at the young man sitting opposite him, and tentatively said, "The amount of coal briquettes consumed by citizens of H is constantly increasing, and the municipal government is worried about it."