Chapter 731: Crushed Technology
If Xu Chaoyang had to give a reason for attacking the BT-5 light tank…

He would probably answer like this.

While working at the Military Museum, Xu Chaoyang came into contact with a lot of information that he had never seen before, including the quotations given by the Russians for many tanks on the eve of World War II.

1932年BT-2轻坦的造价为93313卢布；1933年，造价为76192卢布。

The cost of the BT5 light tank in 1934 was 66830 rubles;

BT7轻坦在1935年的造价为91309卢布，到了1936年就变成了96435，1938年为104168卢布。

The model Xu Chaoyang chose was an outdated one with the lowest price. More importantly, purchasing this model would not attract too much attention from the Russians.

What was the exchange rate at that time?
In 1936, according to the Tripartite Currency Stabilization Agreement signed by the finance ministries of Britain, the United States and France, 1 pound was approximately equal to 105 francs, 1 pound was approximately equal to 10 Reichsmarks, which was approximately equal to 4 US dollars. At this time, the official exchange rate of 1 ruble was 4.25 francs, but this was only the official price that could be found. Therefore, the exchange rate at that time was basically calculated based on 1 pound being approximately equal to 4 US dollars, and 1 ruble being approximately equal to 4.25 francs.

But by 1939, the cost of BT7M had reached 168196 rubles, and in 1940 it reached a staggering 177609 rubles.

The T34 that suddenly appeared was even more frightening. Its cost in the first year of 1939 reached 596373 rubles!

But as technology improved, it became cheaper and cheaper. By 1945, the cost of this thing had fallen to 136380 rubles.

1945. Want to know what happened?

Who bowed in history that year? Who entered the Northeast first? The wealth accumulated by the Zhang family and the Japanese devils over the past ten years has turned the common people into dried yellow croakers. But where are the things?
How could Xu Chaoyang not think about the Russians?

“Chaoyang, we got back all the money from the Americans, and now we have 1,500 left.”

This is what Yang Jingyu said to Xu Chaoyang before he joined the army. He said: 15 million, Meizi!
But this amount of money is, at most, the amount used by the National Government to support a group of corrupt officials under its control after receiving aid from various parties.

That may not be enough!

At that time, Xu Chaoyang looked at the clear moonlit sky after the snow, letting the unspeakable hatred in his heart gradually spread. He hated these bastards who were just sitting there doing nothing…

“Chaoyang?”

“Master.”

The two commanders came back from below. When Xu Chaoyang returned, the two commanders were patrolling the front line at Tuanchengkou.

“Has the matter of going to Yan’an been resolved?”

The two commanders stood in front of Xu Chaoyang and asked.

Xu Chaoyang sighed: “How can it be so fast?”

“Mr. Wu just left. When I came back, we had just resolved the initial tug-of-war with the Soviets. Isn’t that right? I just reported what we need to Yan’an. As for what the negotiation will be like, I don’t know yet.”

The commander of the 115th Division spoke directly to the point: “Have you reported the anti-aircraft weapons we are currently in greatest need of?”

“Even if we apply, we probably won’t get the results we want. In October this year, the Russians just completed the development of the 10mm 37-K. Can they sell us that new thing? We’d be lucky if they can sell us the M61…”

Upon hearing this, the commander of the 129th Division frowned and said, “Then why do we buy it? We have the ability to produce Oerlikon. In terms of caliber, what is the difference between 20mm and 25mm?”

This is a very correct comment. In 1939, after the art students blitzed Poland, the Russians also sent troops. Two strong men took Poland in turns and picked up the Bofors 40 anti-aircraft gun on the battlefield. After comparison, they found that there was not much difference between it and the 37mm 61K. Therefore, they even stopped the development of the 45mm 72K anti-aircraft gun.

Xu Chaoyang could only sigh and respond to the previous sentence: “Don’t we have the confidence to buy back the 61K? If we can buy it back and change the 20mm to 37mm, how would we feel?”

The two commanders were stunned for a moment and said nothing.

In the face of such technological crushing, hard power is the basis for speaking, and Xu Chaoyang knows this very well. When our ocean darts appeared, how many new jokes did all netizens come up with? That’s what we call a national carnival, and that’s what we call a cigarette without white spots.

Now?

“Hey, did You Kui’er and the others tell you about your relative’s matter?” Xu Chaoyang was happy: “Did this matter reach your level?”

That’s right. Since he is not in Xin County, Yang Jingyu has no idea about this matter and can only report it to his superiors. In the end, it will fall into their hands.

“What on earth are these magnetrons, antennas, and receivers?”

“radar.”

“Magnetron is the main component for transmitting high-power electromagnetic waves;”

“The antenna is responsible for transmitting electromagnetic waves and then receiving them back;”

“The receiver is to help the staff complete the interpretation. The sensitivity of the receiver is related to the performance accuracy of the radar. These are all high-tech gadgets that the Americans have tinkered with.”

The 115th Division Commander continued to ask: “Can they sell it?”

“What are you selling? If our Xiaoduo hadn’t seen this scene while trying to save those Chinese workers, we wouldn’t have known that this thing existed in the world until today.”

“Wouldn’t it be a waste to get such precise information back?”

Xu Chaoyang lowered his voice and said: “It’s not in vain. This is all information sent to the Kremlin as a condition of exchange. If we go there empty-handed, the Russians will dare to sell you a BT5 for at least US dollars. Wouldn’t you be willing to bear the consequences?” He didn’t expect that he had underestimated the price!

“With the development information of the world’s top technology, the Russians have a research direction. Otherwise, how can we compete with the government for the qualification of spokesperson?”

After Xu Chaoyang finished saying these words, he suddenly realized his worries. It was as if a chill ran down his spine!
This feeling of being crushed in technology and having to rely on others is so fucking terrifying, as if your own destiny is in the hands of others.

The commander of the 129th Division put his hands behind his back and asked, “When can we let others have a taste of this?”

Xu Chaoyang didn’t know who he was asking, or maybe he himself didn’t know either, but at this moment Xu Chaoyang was full of confidence in the future, because he had seen it!

“Chaoyang, we came here just to tell you…”

“Now that you’re back, the 217th unit has been changed into a column. There’s nothing to do before the New Year, so we both went back.”

“No, Commander…” Xu Chaoyang still made this rejection voice even though he had no reason to keep the two commanders. He was a little reluctant. If the veil that could protect him from wind and rain was removed, wouldn’t he have to take responsibility for everything in the future?
However, the two division commanders each stretched out a hand and patted Xu Chaoyang’s arms: “You are already a leader, but you still act like a child. Is that okay?”

After looking at each other, the two smiled in tacit understanding, turned around without saying a word and said, “Let’s go.”

They knew that Xu Chaoyang no longer needed anyone to remind him at this time. After so many years of war, he had long since become an independent general. However, the 217th Military Region under his command was still far from the world’s top level. So, what about other places?
We can’t focus all our attention on Shanxi. Don’t Shandong, North China, and Chahar all need development?

Seeing the two division commanders leave, Xu Chaoyang felt uncomfortable as if someone was taking his time away. But when he saw them leaving the headquarters on horseback, what Xu Chaoyang was thinking in his mind was what would happen if he had a falling out with the Russians one day and they treated him badly?

“Yuquil? Yuquil!”

“Commander, you called me?”

“How are things going between Lao Yang and those Russian mining companies?”

“Have you got the technology?”

You Kui’er glanced around and said, “That’s not bad. This year, Lao Yang has been drinking with those old Russians whenever he has time. One time, Lao Yang went to the mine to drink, and when he was walking to the office, he was stopped by the Russians’ subordinates. Their leader was so angry that he beat up the guy under his command. What do you think happened to their relationship?”

Xu Chaoyang felt a little relieved: “Wait for Lao Yang to come back and tell him to summarize all the techniques in a report and send it to Yan’an.”

He needs to make adequate preparations before making a sweeping move. The couple has to make do with their lives together, let alone cooperation between the two countries?

Old Russian, don’t blame us for our losses. This is called serving each other’s master!

(End of this chapter)