Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

Not long after Lin Weidong's military jeep drove away from the courtyard, two police cars with sirens blaring stopped at the gate.

After getting out of the car, several policemen went straight into the courtyard and asked the neighbors about Widow Li's whereabouts.

It turned out that the fire was discovered by early-rising passersby shortly after the three spies set fire to the abandoned courtyard house and left.

It happened to drizzle a little in the early morning, which prevented the fire from spreading completely, and Li's body was preserved.

After verifying the identity of the body by contacting the local street office based on the characteristics found on the body, the police quickly located the courtyard house.

The police knocked on the deaf old woman's door, and when she opened it, her face was filled with just the right amount of bewilderment.

"Officer, do you need something from me?"

Is Widow Li home?

The deaf old woman pretended to know nothing and said, "No, she went out and never came back."

"She is dead."

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman's eyes widened, and a look of shock appeared on her face. She then shook her head.

"I don't know! Widow Li went out to buy groceries before dawn this morning. I've been restricted from leaving the house by the neighborhood committee and have been staying at home the whole time. I don't know anything about it!"

As she spoke, she wiped her eyes, feigning sadness, "How could such a thing happen to this child?"

The police and the street office staff who came with her confirmed that she was indeed restricted from moving around, so they didn't ask any more questions and turned to leave.

As soon as the door closed, the sadness on the deaf old woman's face vanished instantly, replaced by uncontrollable ecstasy.

She walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and muttered to herself, "Widow Li, you're finally dead! You vicious woman, you made me suffer so much, now you've finally gotten your comeuppance!"

Her withered lips parted to reveal a ferocious smile, and the resentment that had been building up for days finally vanished in that moment.

The news of Widow Li's murder quickly spread throughout the courtyard, and the women turned pale with fright and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"That was terrifying! Something happened while grocery shopping this morning. I'll never dare to get up early to buy groceries again!"

"Exactly! I'd rather buy groceries in the afternoon and order less, but safety is paramount!"

"This area is so unsafe; I'll have to be more careful when I go out in the future!"

As a result of this incident, the nearby vegetable market has also changed its rules. The once bustling morning market is now only open at noon, for fear of any further accidents.

The mornings in the courtyard house became exceptionally quiet, and no one dared to go out before dawn anymore.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Fengtai Weapons Research Institute, Su Zhenbang, along with a group of researchers and staff, were waiting there early in the morning.

As the military jeep slowly drove up, Su Zhenbang smiled warmly and quickly went to greet it.

The car door opened, and Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing stepped out. Su Wanqing's eyes lit up when she saw her father; she quickly ran over and took his arm, exclaiming, "Dad, we're here!"

"Good, good!" Su Zhenbang patted his daughter's hand, then turned to Lin Weidong and extended his hand: "Weidong, welcome to the Weapons Research Institute!"

"I've been waiting for you like the stars and the moon, and finally you've arrived!"

Lin Weidong grasped his hand and smiled, "Deputy Director Su, I look forward to your guidance in the future."

The surrounding staff applauded in welcome.

But among the crowd, a young researcher looked extremely grim.

His name is Chen Bin. He is the most valued technical backbone among the younger generation of the weapons research institute. Based on several impressive research and development achievements, he has always been regarded as the core force for the future.

Now, Lin Weidong has just arrived and is receiving such a grand welcome from Su Zhenbang, who even seems to be overshadowing him, which fills him with anger and resentment.

He would never allow an outsider to steal the attention and resources that rightfully belong to him.

However, the atmosphere in the conference room of the state-owned automobile factory was extremely oppressive.

A group of technicians surrounded Liu Zhiqiang, their faces filled with exhaustion and despair.

"Factory manager, we really can't manufacture this heavy truck!"

A technician said urgently, "The technology on the blueprints is too advanced. We simply can't manufacture many of the parts, and the materials don't meet the requirements. Even if we force it together, it won't meet the design standards at all!"

"Yes, factory manager! This is simply a task we can't complete!"

Another technician chimed in, "If you insist on forcing us, we'll have no choice but to apply for a change of jobs; there's really nothing we can do!"

Looking at the angry group of technicians in front of him, Liu Zhiqiang's face turned ashen, and he felt extremely irritated.

He never expected that receiving the technical drawings would lead to this outcome.

Left with no other option, he dialed Liu Jie's number, his tone pleading: "Brother, could you find a way to transfer Lin Weidong to my team?"

"This heavy truck project simply can't function without him! If you step in, you can definitely get him transferred!"

"Transfer Lin Weidong?" Liu Jie's voice rose instantly, filled with barely suppressed anger.

"You're dreaming! Lin Weidong resigned a long time ago and has been transferred to the weapons research institute, which is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry at all!"

"I disagreed with you taking this project in the first place, but you insisted. Now you can't handle it and you expect me to figure it out? Solve it yourself! If you can't, you'll bear the consequences!"

After saying that, Liu Jie slammed down the phone, leaving Liu Zhiqiang standing there stunned, his face turning pale and then red.

He never imagined that Lin Weidong had already broken free from the Ministry of Industry's jurisdiction, and now the heavy truck project had stalled, plunging him into an unprecedented predicament.

Inside the weapons research institute, Su Zhenbang was showing Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing around the laboratory and research workshop.

"Comrade Weidong, although our research institute's conditions are not as good as those of a steel rolling mill, in the field of military industry, we have the most advanced equipment and the best team."

Su Zhenbang explained, "Currently, we are developing new military transport vehicles and bulletproof vest upgrade projects, which require technical talents like you."

Looking at the busy figures and advanced equipment, Lin Weidong's eyes were full of excitement: "Deputy Director Su, rest assured, I will do my best to make this project a success!"

Chen Bin followed behind the crowd, and seeing Lin Weidong's triumphant appearance, his anger intensified.

He secretly resolved to make Lin Weidong know that the weapons research institute was not a place where he could simply come and gain a foothold. He wanted everyone to know who the real technological core was here.