My girlfriend is from 1949

"Thermometers are in short supply everywhere right now, so our hospital is considered lucky."

At least the ones in our hospital are newly imported and distributed.

At the hospital where one of my classmates works, there are fewer than ten thermometers.

Moreover, they've all been used for many years, so their accuracy has deteriorated.

Despite having a fever, the temperature reading was only 36 degrees Celsius.

Or, someone may not have a fever, but a high fever is detected.

These problems are common and have delayed patients' treatment.

Leaders, which department are you from?

If possible, please help us report this to our superiors.

The nurse looked aggrieved and immediately explained the current medical difficulties.

If it were a regular patient, she naturally wouldn't say so much.

But these people in front of me clearly have extraordinary status.

Moreover, the sick person was also staying in a double room.

They must be government officials, which is why they said a few more words.

Whether or not things will improve, at least we tried our best.

The nurses knew in their hearts that even if they spoke up, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference.

Although the Communist Party is for the people, there are some things that are beyond its capabilities, and no matter how much it cares about the people, there's nothing it can do.

Lacking technology and machinery, it's not something that can be done simply by wishing for it.

The nurse gave a few brief instructions and then left with the tray.

The thermometer was carefully placed in the pocket of his work uniform jacket.

If one of these is broken, then there will be one less.

I don't know when I'll be able to add more next time.

Now, only large hospitals like these can take your temperature.

Other clinics don't even have thermometers, let alone individual thermometers.

Only wealthy capitalists would keep thermometers at home.

Chen Huai'an closed the ward door and sat back on the bed.

He asked in surprise, "Are thermometers really that difficult to obtain in China right now?"

As a modern person, I find it hard to believe that a similar situation would occur in 2026.

I never imagined that even thermometers would be in short supply right after liberation.

This is actually normal. There are countless types of daily necessities, such as clothing, food, housing, transportation, and chemical products. Who can be all-encompassing?

Moreover, there are priorities, and resolving national difficulties has always been the top priority.

The issues we need to consider are whether ordinary people can have enough to eat, whether they can wear warm clothes in winter, and whether they can safely get through a winter when people are freezing to death!

If I hadn't come to the hospital to visit someone today, I would never have imagined that thermometers were such a scarce commodity!

Chen Huai'an did not expect that this was also influenced by TV dramas.

In films and television dramas set in the Republican era, doctors wore white coats and would often pull out a thermometer from their pockets to take patients' temperatures.

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There's always a thermometer on the nurse's tray.

Therefore, in his mind, thermometers were just like modern ones, common medical devices that were ubiquitous.

Who would have thought that even thermometers used in reputable hospitals could be inaccurate?

If this happened in modern times, the purchasing personnel would probably be arrested.

We need to investigate how much kickback they took to have the heart to purchase counterfeit and substandard products!

However, during the Republic of China era, it was a different story.

The thermometer is inaccurate not because it's a counterfeit or substandard product, but because it's been used for too long.

Some have been used for decades, and even the markings have become blurred!

Even so, we have no choice but to keep using it.

"Sigh~." Zheng Changlin sighed, saying reproachfully, "It's our responsibility; we weren't careful enough in our work!"

Actually, this matter isn't Zheng Changlin's fault.

After all, he held multiple positions. In addition to overseeing the work of the 306 Bureau, he was also responsible for public security in Shanghai and counter-espionage missions.

The medical aspect is actually not his responsibility.

Moreover, Shanghai had only been liberated for four months, and there were still many things that needed to be handled by them.

The sheer number of 100,000 beggars and the large number of refugees from shantytowns is a headache in itself.

There's also urban development, and the daily necessities of ordinary people—their rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—all need to be guaranteed.

It's unbelievable that such a small thermometer could be used!

Moreover, the East China Military Region People's Medical College had only been established for two months.

Because of the hospital's needs, the government also purchased a batch of supplies and distributed them to various hospitals.

But to my surprise, it was still just a drop in the ocean.

Even getting my temperature checked in the ward took an hour.

Zheng Changlin frowned, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

He said in a deep voice, "Thermometers are no small matter. If a large-scale infectious disease breaks out, there will be huge chaos if we don't have thermometers!"

I didn't know the situation was so serious before, but now that I do, I naturally won't ignore it.

The other three nodded slightly, their faces showing agreement.

However, what they didn't know was that the situation across the country was far worse than previously thought!

After all, Shanghai is an international metropolis, known as the best in the Far East!

Therefore, in terms of medical care, it is already very advanced.

At least in major hospitals, there are still thermometers.

In other cities, only the largest hospitals might have one or two thermometers.

For other smaller hospitals, we can only rely on experience to make judgments.

In 1949, China had no thermometer industry, and all precision temperature measuring instruments were imported or inherited from legacy equipment.

There is an extreme shortage of core temperature measuring instruments, and the country relies on imports or the repair of old items. Ordinary civilian thermometers are almost non-existent.

After the establishment of the Military Commission Meteorological Bureau in December 1949, one of its primary tasks was to "establish an instrument manufacturing plant" to address the shortage.

Only 96 meteorological stations across the country conduct standardized observations, averaging less than 0.2 stations per million people.

Each station is equipped with only a few thermometers, and the total number of professional thermometers is estimated to be no more than a few hundred, yet they are to cover the entire country.

This shortage is a result of overall industrial backwardness and a lack of standardized weights and measures.

The situation gradually eased in the early 1950s through the restoration of old instruments, the initiation of imitation, and the establishment of unified standards.

The manufacturing of systematic instruments was gradually established only after the Soviet Union provided assistance during the First Five-Year Plan in 1953.

Therefore, the current medical situation is extremely dire!

For the past few months, Chen Huai'an and Lin Wan have been focused on the big picture and have really overlooked this small thermometer.

If I happened to run into this today, I really wouldn't know.

Zheng Changlin frowned and looked up at the young man and woman sitting opposite him.

"Comrade Huai'an, Comrade Lin Wan, when you go back this time, you must purchase a batch of thermometers."

Medical equipment related to the surgery was also procured.

Tomorrow I will convene a meeting with the directors of several hospitals to discuss the specific items that are missing.

I'll make a list and give it to you next time I come back.

His voice was low and his face was full of solemnity.

After all, the people present were skilled at infiltration and catching spies, but they really knew nothing about medicine.

Moreover, only the people working at the hospital truly know the situation there.

So we'll convene a meeting at the city hall tomorrow to list all the issues.

Only then can the system solve everything.

The best solution at present is to purchase from the modern world.

Based on Zheng Changlin's understanding of the modern world, it was a world of extreme abundance.

There must be a lot of thermometers.

Purchasing just one million units would alleviate the pressure nationwide.

Upon hearing the instruction, Chen Huai'an blinked, but did not react as he usually would.

He patted his chest and confidently accepted the task.

Instead, he frowned and said, "This... I'll try my best..."

His voice was slightly hesitant, and it was obvious that he lacked confidence.

This reaction stunned everyone present.

What I thought would be a simple matter now seems quite difficult.

Lin Wan blinked her big eyes, a look of confusion appearing on her pretty face.

The impression of modern times is that they are abundant in resources and very prosperous.

During the Republic of China era, it was considered a wealthy family's life if ordinary people could cook a pot of porridge with rotten vegetable leaves and add some pickled vegetables.

But in modern times, even congee with pickled vegetables is considered meager for breakfast.

You need at least two salted duck eggs, or a large meat bun.

She has also seen hospitals in the modern world with her own eyes.

In her mind, the only place that was bigger than a shopping mall and had more people was a hospital.

Especially on weekends, there are long queues of people registering.

If you arrive late, you might not even be able to get a number.

If it's an appointment with a specialist, then it's even harder to get one.

Moreover, businesses near hospitals typically thrive, whether they're renting apartments, running restaurants, or opening pharmacies.

If you didn't know better, you'd think that Chinese people eat something unclean and are prone to getting sick!

Although the East China Military Region People's Medical College was considered a large hospital in Shanghai in 1949.

People come to see the doctor in a constant stream every day.

But compared to hospitals in later generations, it's not even a fraction of what they are!

When Lin Wan first passed by the hospital, she was stunned by the sight of the crowds.

I almost thought that refugees had arrived!

Despite having so many patients, the nurses were able to take the temperature of those who needed it immediately.

This suggests that thermometers should be quite common in modern times.

That's why I was surprised to hear Chen Huai'an's troubled voice.

I asked instinctively, "But I saw on the news that you had to have your temperature checked at the mall a few days ago, so there should be plenty of thermometers, right?"

Chen Huai'an shook his head and corrected, "That's an electronic thermometer, not a mercury thermometer."

After thinking about it, I immediately added the supplement.

"Electronic thermometers are fast; they can measure the temperature in just one second."

However, the measurement results are not accurate and will contain errors.

For example, I bought one at the pharmacy before, which cost more than two hundred yuan.

The temperature measurement efficiency is quite fast.

However, its accuracy is so poor that it's almost unbearable to look at.

It's quite accurate when it comes to whether someone has a fever or not.

However, when it comes to specific degrees, there is an error.

For example, the first measurement is 36.5 degrees, the second measurement is 36 degrees, or even 35.8 degrees.

The same applies to fever.

Each measurement will have a deviation in the obtained number.

Unlike mercury thermometers, it does not provide the most accurate results.

So now, when people have a fever and go to the hospital or community clinic, some use electronic thermometers, but most still use mercury thermometers.

Chen Huai'an explained the difference between electronic thermometers and mercury thermometers.

They even used their own experiences as examples in their explanations.

Zheng Changlin narrowed his eyes and pondered, "Since hospitals and clinics use mercury thermometers, it must be very common. Why would there be difficulties in procuring them? Are there any restrictions?"

Those who work in intelligence immediately noticed the anomaly.

Since it's in use in the modern world, it should be available.

Furthermore, we have now formally established trade relations with the government there.

If even anti-aircraft missiles can be traded, why should something as small as a thermometer be restricted?

Chen Huai'an shook his head, his expression strange.

"Because...production has been banned!"

Starting January 1, 2026, my country will completely ban the production of mercury-containing thermometers and mercury-containing sphygmomanometers.

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and readily evaporates into mercury vapor.

A thermometer contains approximately 1 to 2 grams of mercury.

Once broken, it can cause mercury concentrations in a closed room to exceed the standard by hundreds of times.

Inhalation can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and immune system, and is especially harmful to children and pregnant women.

This is the result of gradual progress based on international conventions, fulfillment of commitments, and public safety considerations.

The technologies being promoted now are electronic thermometers, ear thermometers, and the like.

Because the production of mercury thermometers is prohibited, there were panic buying incidents some time ago.

Many people distrust electronic thermometers and trust mercury thermometers more.

So I'm rushing to buy and stock up, buying a few to keep at home for future use.

Hehe, Chinese people are used to hoarding goods.

They've even panic-bought rice and salt before, and it's not a waste.

Chen Huai'an grinned, already used to the Chinese people's habit of hoarding things.

Even my parents have stockpiled ten bags of rice.

However, each time I open a bag to eat, I always introduce something new, and I always keep it at ten bags.

If something really happens in the future, we can handle it for a while.

When it comes to buying thermometers, one immediately thinks of the panic buying that occurred after production ceased.

I want to buy a million units, but I don't know if it's even possible.

If the manufacturer is out of stock, then you can only slowly scavenge for it online.

Although it will take a while, collecting one million units shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, this is only the worst-case scenario.

If you're lucky, you might just find a factory and get the goods.

The reason for raising the difficulties first is simply to leave a way out.

Now that I'm practically part of the system, I can't make any overly definitive statements.

Old Zhang hurriedly asked, "Comrade Huai'an, is there any solution?"

Chen Huai'an narrowed his eyes and said seriously, "If there's no stock on the market... then we'll buy the production equipment and produce it ourselves!"

Forehead…….

Instantly, all three people in the ward widened their eyes in astonishment.

Lin Wan gritted her teeth, as if she wanted to crush the guy.

He asked through gritted teeth, "Why didn't you say so before that we could buy the machine?!"

The other two nodded, also expressing their doubts.

If you had mentioned earlier that you could acquire the factory, we could have just bought it, moved the machines here to produce, and solved the fundamental problem!

Chen Huai'an shrugged, his face full of grievance.

"You asked me if I could buy thermometers, but you didn't ask me if I could buy the factory."

Is there anything wrong with my answer to the question about the thermometer?

"I'll answer whatever you ask; that's called being meticulous!"

In an instant, all three of them were speechless.

Lin Wan blinked her big eyes, her mind involuntarily recalling the first time she bought penicillin.

I also asked him if I could buy him a vial of penicillin.

To show his seriousness, this guy replied that it was too strictly controlled to buy one.

Three days later, I bought two large boxes!

Lin Wan still remembers how, when penicillin, whose value was comparable to gold and for which even one dose was difficult to buy, was described as being "unloaded,"

The expressions on the comrades' faces were truly fascinating!