Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the bet test day for the bulletproof vest development arrived as scheduled.

In the live-fire testing ground of the research institute, the smell of gunpowder was faintly present. Su Zhenbang, along with a group of leaders and researchers, stood in the safe zone, their eyes focused on the test rack in the center of the field.

Lin Weidong, accompanied by Su Wanqing and Li Yichuan, walked over with a bulletproof vest that was entirely dark gray with smooth lines. Its modular design made it look light and convenient, quite different from the heavy traditional bulletproof vests.

On the other side, Chen Bin's team also carried their work onto the stage. The structure, made of interwoven steel plates and nylon, looked heavy and solid, and the surface was covered with dense test markings.

"Let's start the test."

At Su Zhenbang's command, the testers first secured Chen Bin's team's bulletproof vests to the support, then retreated to a safe distance and raised their standard rifles.

"Bang!" The gunshot rang out crisply, and the bullet whistled out, accurately hitting the core protective area of ​​the bulletproof vest.

After the test, everyone crowded around.

Chen Bin eagerly stepped forward to check, a smug smile on his face: "Look, everyone, the bullet was successfully stopped, and the protective layer was not penetrated." His team members immediately echoed, their eyes filled with excitement.

However, when the testers removed the bulletproof vest, although the bullet did not penetrate, it created a deep dent at the point of impact, and the internal cushioning layer was crushed. If a real person wore it, their chest cavity would inevitably suffer severe damage.

"This..." Chen Bin's smile froze on his face, and his expression instantly turned ugly.

When it was Lin Weidong's turn to test his bulletproof vest, Chen Bin and his team were all watching with a detached, almost theatrical, attitude.

"Something this thin can't possibly stop a bullet," someone scoffed in a low voice. The tester secured the body armor and fired a shot as well.

The crowd rushed forward to inspect the vest and were instantly stunned by what they saw. Not only had the bullet been successfully stopped at the outer layer of the vest, but the protective layer had only bulged slightly, the inner buffer layer was intact, and the modular joints were not loose at all.

The testers removed the bullet and reported the data: "The bullet's kinetic energy was completely absorbed, the protective layer was undamaged, and the cushioning performance was excellent."

Lin Weidong stepped forward, picked up his bulletproof vest, and looked at Chen Bin, whose face was pale: "This is the kind of bulletproof vest that soldiers really need. It can stop bullets without hindering their movements, and it can also minimize secondary injuries."

"Your pile of scrap metal made from materials is pointless except for adding weight."

These words were like a slap in the face to Chen Bin.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "I lost. From now on, I'll follow your orders."

Lin Weidong then said, "No need. Just do your own thing and don't think about unnecessary things all day long."

The researchers around Lin Weidong looked at him with admiration.

"Team Leader Lin is amazing! This technique is revolutionary!"

"I never knew bulletproof vests could be designed like this! It's truly eye-opening!" Su Wanqing and Li Yichuan also had bright smiles on their faces. Their hard work over the past few days had finally paid off.

Su Zhenbang was even more excited, patting Lin Weidong on the shoulder: "Weidong, well done! This bulletproof vest completely meets the military's requirements, and even exceeds expectations!"

"I will immediately report to the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and send it for further comprehensive testing. As long as it passes the final test, it will be mass-produced! At that time, the country will definitely give you a generous reward!"

The news quickly spread throughout the research institute, and Lin Weidong's name became famous. No one dared to question his abilities anymore.

Meanwhile, at the state-owned automobile factory, Liu Zhiqiang was so worried that he lost all his hair and his eyes were sunken.

When he first secured the heavy truck project, he thought he had made a great contribution, but it turned out to be a hot potato.

The technical drawings are understandable, but the manufacturing process cannot be completed. The core components' processes and materials do not meet the requirements, causing the project to stagnate.

Two days ago, he heard that the steel rolling mill had the technology and the actual product of an eight-cylinder engine, so he used Liu Jie's connections to forcefully snatch the engine away.

But when they got their hands on it, they discovered that the engine was not only unsuitable for heavy truck chassis, but they couldn't even replicate it themselves, so it was just a decoration.

Liu Jie's time at the Ministry of Industry was also difficult.

The news of his forcibly seizing projects and driving away key technical personnel had already spread, and his reputation was almost ruined.

His superiors spoke with him several times, their tone full of dissatisfaction, and even hinted at reassigning him to a different job.

Liu Jie was so angry that he was trembling all over, and he called Liu Zhiqiang.

"Liu Zhiqiang, let me tell you, you must produce a heavy-duty truck prototype within six months, or even if you offend the old man, I will make you pay the price! Then you can forget about being the factory manager!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Zhiqiang slumped into a chair, his face filled with despair.

He knew that it was impossible to complete the task in six months, but he had no other choice.

Meanwhile, in a safe house on the outskirts of Fengtai, the bearded man and his group were making final preparations.

Faced with the impregnable weapons research institute, they tried various methods but failed to find an opportunity to get close to Lin Weidong.

"Since we can't go after the research institute, let's target his family," the bespectacled man said grimly. "If we capture his parents, he'll come running."

The bearded man nodded, his eyes filled with malice: "Fine! We'll head to the courtyard tonight, kidnap his parents, and force Lin Weidong to show himself!"

With Yi Zhonghai's support, Yan Bugui has been helping this person and that person in the courtyard every day during this period.

At first, Yi Zhonghai did not help Jia Zhangshi, and Jia Zhangshi blocked his door and cursed him. It was then that Yi Zhonghai realized that Jia Zhangshi was actually the best weapon. Let her curse anyone who disobeyed him.

Later, Yi Zhonghai went directly to Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi said that if she could be guaranteed a monthly food allowance and ten yuan, she could then make trouble according to Yi Zhonghai's arrangements.

Thanks to Yi Zhonghai's diligent management and the powerful alliance between Jia and Zhang, the people in the courtyard increasingly respected Yi Zhonghai and his group.

Recently, the group has started to frequently handle matters related to the courtyard house. For example, if any family has a conflict with another family, Yi Zhonghai will have Yan Bugui step in and give each family some benefits.

Now, Yi Zhonghai has simply moved from the forefront to behind the scenes, and Yan Bugui always mentions Yi Zhonghai's good qualities when giving him benefits.

Now, people greet Yi Zhonghai when he goes out.

However, he became increasingly indifferent to the older woman, and would occasionally speak coldly to her.

Especially after He Daqing was caught by Yi Zhonghai carrying water for the old woman several times under the deaf old woman's deliberate guidance, he began to suspect the old woman and He Daqing.