Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

In his office, Li Yu was writing furiously at his desk, his gaze falling on a thick booklet on the table with the title "Five-Year Aircraft Carrier Development Plan Outline" on the cover.

The booklet has a full three hundred pages and is divided into three main sections.

The project focuses on key areas such as aircraft carrier-supporting weaponry, pre-research of aircraft carrier platforms, and industrial infrastructure support, aiming to build a complete industrial chain that is independent of external partners.

"Factory manager, you're still not resting?"

The office door was gently pushed open, and Old Wang walked in carrying a steaming bowl of shredded pork noodles. "This...this is the aircraft carrier plan?"

"Yes."

Li Yu took the bowl of noodles. "The Sino-Soviet cooperation provided a five-year buffer period, and the West dared not act rashly for the time being. This is the best opportunity. Any later, and once they recover, it will be difficult for us to do anything."

Old Wang stepped forward: "This is a huge deal! Is our Longxing Shipyard really going to take the lead in building the 'fist' and 'eyes' of the aircraft carrier?"

"Not 'us,' but 'the nation.'"

Li Yu took a sip of hot soup. "I'm just an engineer. I'll do the planning that needs to be done, and leave the rest to the country to decide."

Three days later, the plan was reviewed by the military at various levels and reported all the way to the table of the national high-level joint meeting.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was so heavy it was almost palpable.

The long table was filled with heads of various departments, and arguments rose and fell.

"Our domestic industrial base is too weak! Metallurgy, electronics, precision machining—which of these can compare with the West? Building an aircraft carrier is no child's play; it requires investments of tens of billions of yuan. If we mess it up, it will drag down the entire national economy!"

One official slammed his fist on the table, his voice trembling with emotion, "The most urgent task is to develop agriculture and light industry, so that the people can have enough to eat and wear!"

That's incorrect!

The naval representative immediately retorted,

The Weihai successfully repelled the enemy twice thanks to the anti-aircraft guns and radar developed by Li Yu! The Longxing Shipyard has already developed mature shipborne weapon technology; it's not starting from scratch! A five-year buffer period is a golden opportunity! Once the West realizes what's happening, the blockade will only tighten, and we won't even have a chance to breathe!

"Aircraft carriers are crucial assets of a great power. Without them, our maritime borders will forever remain easy prey for others!"

"But what about funding? What about talent?"

The debate intensified, and the planning booklet was worn out from being turned over and over.

The meeting lasted a full day, with each aspect, from technical feasibility to fundraising, from talent development to industrial support, being repeatedly discussed and debated.

As the drafter of the plan, Li Yu participated in the meeting and defense remotely. He combined the technical accumulation of Longxing Factory to elaborate on the core idea of ​​"step-by-step approach with controllable risks" and also submitted a "Supplementary Suggestion on the Long-term Development of Science and Technology in the Country".

The proposal clearly puts forward three points: First, attach importance to the popularization of basic education, especially the cultivation of talents in mathematics, physics and chemistry, because the development of the military industry ultimately depends on talents.

Second, we must support the self-reliance of national industries, ensure that core technologies are not controlled by others, and protect nascent domestic industries such as precision machining and semiconductors.

Third, we should make early investments in high-tech fields such as aerospace and nuclear energy to seize the commanding heights of future technology.

This reasoned and well-founded explanation gradually changed the attitudes of many officials who had previously held opposing views.

Ultimately, after comprehensive evaluation, the meeting unanimously approved the "Five-Year Aircraft Carrier Development Plan Outline".

At the same time, Li Yu's supplementary suggestions were adopted. The document clearly stated: "With the full support of the nation, led by Longxing Shipyard, and coordinating high-quality resources nationwide, we will advance the research and development of aircraft carrier-supporting weapons and the pre-research of the platform."

When the news reached Longxing Factory, the entire factory area was in an uproar.

Old Wang, holding the official document, was trembling with excitement: "Factory Director! It's done! Our aircraft carrier project has been approved!"

Li Yu looked at the bright red seal on the document, and his eyes welled up slightly.

He knew that this was not just his victory, but the fulfillment of the wishes of countless military industry workers, and an important step for the country towards the deep blue sea.

The National Military Industry Leading Group issued a special commendation notice, awarding Longxing Factory the title of "National Defense Science and Technology Pioneer Unit" and presenting Li Yu with the "Outstanding Contribution Award for National Defense Science and Technology".

The award certificate is printed with the eight characters "Self-reliance and striving for progress".

On the night he received the certificate, a banquet was held at Li Yu's home.

Bai Xiaoling personally cooked several dishes that Li Yu loved, including braised pork ribs and steamed fish, which smelled delicious. Her daughter, with pigtails and a floral dress, saw him enter and immediately ran towards him, waving her little legs and calling out in her sweet, childish voice, "Daddy!"

Bai Xiaoling's parents were unable to attend due to their busy work schedules, but they called to offer their congratulations and had their secretary deliver a set of exquisite calligraphy and painting supplies. They also urged Li Yu to take care of his health and focus on his research and development.

Upon hearing the news, Li Huaide, Li Jianshe and his wife, along with others, rushed over, bringing fruit and snacks, filling the room with people.

"Factory manager, tell us quickly, which technology should we tackle first?" Old Wang asked impatiently.

Li Yu smiled and raised his glass: "First, the miniaturized mass production of shipborne missiles; second, the rare-earth tungsten alloy deck welding technology! In five years, we will build the 'fist' and 'armor' of our aircraft carrier! I propose a toast to our aircraft carrier dream!"

"Cheers!"

The clinking of wine glasses echoed through every corner of the living room, accompanied by laughter.

The daughter held up her certificate and scribbled crookedly on the paper, muttering as she drew, "Aircraft carrier, cannons, protect!"

Looking at the scene before him, Li Yu felt a warm glow in his heart.

Late at night, in the office.

Li Yu unfolded the complete aircraft carrier design blueprints he had obtained through the system, placing them side by side with the "Five-Year Aircraft Carrier Development Plan Outline." He picked up a pen and wrote a line of vigorous characters in his notebook:

Five years of foundation building, ten years of showcasing its power—China's aircraft carrier will surely sail into the deep blue sea!

Meanwhile, in a distant Western country's intelligence agency, intercepted planning documents are on the desk of the supreme commander.

The commander's face was grim. He ordered in a deep voice, "Activate 'Operation Dragon Lockdown,' upgrade the technological blockade, launch a full-scale attack on their industries, and at all costs, crush their aircraft carrier dream!"

Meanwhile, in an office in Moscow, Andrei looked at the telegram sent from his inside contact in China, a smile playing on his lips.

He dialed the number and said, "Notify the Ministry of Military Industry to prepare the most advanced technical data. We want to engage in deeper cooperation with China."