Reborn in 1950: Shorting the Federal Reserve at the Start

Zhongnanhai, that familiar office.

There is no smoke of battle on the front lines here, nor the biting cold wind.

The only sounds were the crackling of the burning coal stove and the faint scent of oranges filling the room.

Marshal Nie sat on the sofa.

This founding father, who was usually so imposing and commanded thousands of troops, did not look at the mountain of documents at this moment.

He was holding a large, golden orange in his hand, and he was peeling it bit by bit with his head down.

The movements were slow and meticulous.

He even patiently peeled away the white veins on the orange segments.

"sit."

Marshal Nie didn't even look up, just pointed to the sofa next to him, his tone as casual as if he were greeting a junior.

Just as Shen Jinghong was about to salute, Marshal Nie glared at him and stopped her.

"There are no outsiders here, so let's not do any of that nonsense."

Marshal Nie broke the peeled orange in half and stuffed it directly into Shen Jinghong's hand.

"Try it, it was just shipped from the south, it's sweet."

Shen Jinghong held the half orange, her palms slightly warm.

That was the warmth of Marshal Nie's palm.

Looking into Marshal Nie's bloodshot eyes, which were full of love, he felt a deep, tender feeling stir within him.

This is hardly a superior-subordinate relationship.

This is clearly an elder in the family, feeling sorry for their child who has just returned from a long trip.

"Sir, you're too kind."

Shen Jinghong smiled, and without being coy, broke off a piece and put it in her mouth.

Juice overflows, refreshing and delightful.

"sweet."

"Eat more if it's sweet."

Marshal Nie watched him wolf down his food, his wrinkles crinkling with laughter, but quickly, a hint of heartache crept into that smile:

"I've seen the battle reports from the front. Well done! That's fucking satisfying!"

"But Jinghong, you're pushing yourself too hard."

Marshal Nie sighed and reached out to pat Shen Jinghong's somewhat thin shoulder:

"I heard from Chen Weiguo that you stayed up for three days and three nights at the base to modify that engine? And when you got to the front lines, you were busy collecting survey data?"

"You're only twenty-four! Even if you were made of iron, you couldn't withstand this kind of strain!"

"The country needs you, but it needs a vibrant and energetic Shen Jinghong even more, not just a martyr's monument!"

These words, though harsh, are full of warmth.

Shen Jinghong swallowed the orange in her mouth and sat up straighter.

He knew that Marshal Nie truly cared for him.

But there are some things he has to do, and he has to do them quickly.

"Commander, I'm not tired."

Shen Jinghong pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands, her eyes instantly becoming clear and sharp, the childishness from before completely gone.

"Moreover, now is not the time to rest."

He took out a tightly sealed document from his briefcase.

There are no words on the cover.

There was only a single striking red five-pointed star, which was the symbol of top secret.

"What is this?"

Marshal Nie's expression hardened, and he put down the orange peel in his hand.

"This is the next phase of the Shenzhou Bureau's plan."

Shen Jinghong pushed the document over, her voice low but each word carrying immense weight:

"In the Korean War, we fought the Americans to a draw, or even gained the upper hand, using conventional weapons."

"But as long as we don't have that thing, the Americans' nuclear blackmail will hang over our heads."

"That thing?"

Marshal Nie's pupils suddenly contracted.

He certainly knew what Shen Jinghong was referring to.

It was a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of all Chinese people, the last trump card of the great powers.

Mushroom eggs.

"Are you going to develop an atomic bomb?"

Marshal Nie's voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from excitement.

"It's not just the atomic bomb."

Shen Jinghong held up two fingers, his gaze intense, as if it could pierce through time and space:

"And missiles."

"If we're going to do it, we'll do it all. Two bombs, one satellite—all in one go!"

"I want our mushroom eggs to not only explode loudly, but also be delivered wherever we want, carried by our own 'Dongfeng' express delivery service!"

"Once this thing stands up, it will be the pillar of our nation!"

"At that time, not only Americans, but even the Emperor himself would have to treat us with utmost respect!"

boom!

Marshal Nie felt a buzzing in his head, and his blood boiled.

His hands trembled as he opened the document.

The densely packed data inside includes centrifuge parameters, heavy water purification processes, and missile aerodynamic layouts.

These are things that many people wouldn't even dare to dream of!

"A stunning sight..."

Marshal Nie closed the file, raised his head, and looked intently at the young man before him.

His eyes changed.

It's no longer just about appreciation; it carries a sense of solemnity and trust, as if entrusting one's life to another.

"It's so good to have you here."

Marshal Nie's voice choked with emotion as he reached out his rough, calloused hand and firmly grasped the back of Shen Jinghong's hand:

"Our country has suffered for so many years and endured so much injustice."

"Thank God, you were sent to our family."

"Looking at this plan, I feel... at ease."

Marshal Nie let out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and he felt completely relaxed.

"With you, even if I close my eyes now and go to see my old comrades, I can stand tall and tell them—"

"We've stood tall! Our descendants will never have to be bullied again!"

"Sir! What are you saying!"

Shen Jinghong grasped Marshal Nie's hand in return, her eyes reddening, "You still have to live to be a hundred, and you still have to press that launch button yourself!"

"Okay, okay, I'll wait for that day!"

Marshal Nie laughed loudly, wiped his eyes, and then changed the subject, revealing a mischievous smile on his face.

"Alright, business is done."

He glanced at the clock on the wall, then at Shen Jinghong's trench coat, which she had specially changed into—neat but slightly thin.

"What time is it? Get out of here!"

"If you've kept Miss Lin waiting, I won't let you off the hook!"

Shen Jinghong chuckled, grabbed his briefcase, and stood up.

"Get out now, get out now."

"etc."

Just as Shen Jinghong was about to reach the door, Marshal Nie suddenly called out to him.

Shen Jinghong turned around.

Marshal Nie picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and put on a mysterious yet gossipy expression.

"There's something else I forgot to tell you."

"What's wrong?" Shen Jinghong's heart skipped a beat, thinking that something else had happened.

"It's your old home, the courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang."

Marshal Nie said slowly, his eyes revealing a sense of satisfaction that "evil people will always be punished by other evil people":

"I heard that ever since your younger brother was arrested and your parents were kicked out, the atmosphere in that courtyard... has changed drastically."

"Oh?"

Shen Jinghong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How will it be changed?"

"Those neighbors are as docile as quails now."

Marshal Nie chuckled:

"Especially that old man Yi Zhonghai, and that second old man, now their legs tremble when they see someone in military uniform."

"I heard that the neighborhood committee visited them a couple of days ago and mentioned your name."

"Yi Zhonghai was so frightened that he wet his pants on the spot, knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, saying that he had been blind and foolish before."

"And that Qin Huaihua, she doesn't dare to play the victim and gain sympathy anymore. She avoids men like the plague, afraid of being arrested as a spy."

At this point, Marshal Nie put down his teacup, looked at Shen Jinghong, and said meaningfully:

"Jinghong, you did a brilliant job making an example of someone to scare others."

"For these cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong, they need to be taught what... swift and decisive action really means!"

As Shen Jinghong listened, the smile on his lips grew colder and colder, finally turning into a contemptuous snort.

"They deserved it."

He straightened his collar, pushed open the door, and walked out into the sunlight.

"However, how they are doing now is none of my business."

"In my eyes, there are only the stars and the sea."

"And... Lin Qinghan."