Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

In the golden wheat fields, the Red Star brand fully automatic harvester, like a tireless steel behemoth, shuttles back and forth across the fields.

Wherever it went, the wheat stalks were cut cleanly, the wheat grains were stored away, and the wheat straw was neatly spread out in the fields.

Even the wheat ears at the edges of the fields were harvested cleanly, leaving nothing to waste.

Grandpa Wang, an elderly farmer in his sixties, squatted at the edge of the field, leaning on his cane, tears streaming down his face.

Reaching out to touch the scorching hot combine harvester, he muttered to himself, "I've lived my whole life and never seen such an easy machine!"

"Last year, my hands were covered in blisters from harvesting wheat, and I could barely straighten my back. Now, this iron machine just moves, and the wheat harvest is over. It's really changed, so much so!"

The children of the commune chased after the harvester, chattering and cheering, clutching the fallen ears of wheat in their hands, their faces full of wonder.

The women stood by the threshing ground, watching as buckets of golden wheat grains poured down, piling up into mountains of gold.

The worries on the women's faces completely disappeared, replaced by the joy and satisfaction of a bountiful harvest.

In just two hours, the wheat harvested by the combine harvester was equivalent to the entire day's work of all the able-bodied laborers in the commune.

As soon as Lin Weidong arrived at the factory gate, he saw thousands of workers standing at the gate waiting.

Upon seeing Lin Weidong's return, a thunderous cheer erupted.

"Director Lin is back!"

"The combine harvester is finished! The machine we made is helping farmers harvest wheat!"

"Our machine factory has accomplished another great feat!"

The workers surrounded Lin Weidong, their faces beaming with pride and excitement.

In the bustling workshop, workers who had been resting spontaneously returned to their posts.

Workers worked through the night to produce the second and third harvesters. Sparks flew and the machines whirred, making the factory area even busier than during the day.

Just as the entire factory was immersed in the joy of a bountiful harvest, the phone in the factory manager's office suddenly rang.

Lin Weidong picked up the receiver, and the voice of a leader from the Municipal Industry Department came from the other end of the line: "Comrade Lin Weidong! Good news!"

"The news of the great success of your fully automated grain harvester has been reported to the Ministry of Agriculture in Beijing!"

"Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Agriculture will personally lead a team to our Hongxing Machinery Factory tomorrow morning to inspect the research and development and mass production of harvesters!"

The news spread throughout the factory in an instant, and everyone was thrilled!

The visit of the Vice Minister of Agriculture is a national-level recognition and the greatest affirmation for the machinery factory!

Lin Weidong immediately convened an emergency meeting of the entire factory to deploy preparations for the inspection: the technical department was tasked with compiling a complete set of technical drawings and test data.

Cleaning the workshop and standardizing the production process.

A harvester has been tested and ready for on-site demonstration in the demonstration area.

The logistics team made preparations for the reception, and everyone was in top condition.

After a sleepless night, the entire factory worked together to give the machinery plant a brand new look.

The assembled harvesters are neatly arranged in the workshop.

The parts are also categorized and arranged in an orderly manner, showing meticulousness and professionalism everywhere.

At 10 a.m. the following morning, several black cars slowly drove into the Hongxing Machinery Factory and stopped at the factory gate.

Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Agriculture, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, with a kind face but a calm demeanor, stepped out of the car accompanied by leaders from the provincial and municipal levels.

Lin Weidong strode forward, saluted, and greeted them: "Vice Minister Zhang, distinguished leaders, welcome to Hongxing Machinery Factory for your inspection and guidance!"

Vice Minister Zhang gripped Lin Weidong's hand tightly, his gaze intense, his tone full of admiration: "Comrade Lin Weidong, you are remarkable!"

"Developing man-portable air defense missiles to protect the nation, and manufacturing fully automated harvesters to protect the people—one civilian, one military; one military industry, one people's livelihood—you have made great contributions to the country!"

Accompanied by Lin Weidong, the leaders first entered the production workshop.

Watching the workers assembling parts in an orderly manner, the precision machine tools accurately machining parts, and the special steel neatly stacked.

Vice Minister Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Very good! The transformation from a steel rolling mill to a dual-use military and civilian machinery factory is a clear strategy and an accurate positioning. It safeguards national defense while benefiting people's livelihoods. This is the path our industrial enterprises should take!"

Upon arriving at the demonstration area, the operator started the harvester.

The engine roared steadily and powerfully, and the lifting and lowering of the cutting platform, the threshing operation, and the power transmission were all performed smoothly and perfectly, demonstrating excellent performance.

Lin Weidong stood aside and introduced in detail: "Vice Minister Zhang, compared with the prototype in China 55 years ago, this harvester has a 70% lower cost and a 40% lighter weight, and can be operated by a single person."

"It is suitable for small plots of farmland and hilly terrain in our country."

"With the hybrid rice technology I developed, grain yields can double, solving all the problems in grain production from planting to harvesting!"

Vice Minister Zhang bent down to inspect the harvester's transmission system and header structure.

He picked up the technical documents again and carefully read through them, becoming more and more excited. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Great! Excellent! This is exactly the kind of machine we farmers need!"

"With hundreds of millions of farmers across the country, a massive amount of manpower is consumed every harvest season. With this harvester, labor can be completely freed up, ensuring national food security!"

The accompanying officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and provincial and municipal leaders gathered around, their faces full of amazement as they watched the harvester running smoothly.

The director of the municipal agriculture bureau remarked with emotion, "In previous years, the entire province had to mobilize government agencies and students to help with the wheat harvest during the summer and autumn harvests. With the harvesters from Hongxing Machinery Factory, we'll never have to worry about that again!"

In the workshop, several new workers surrounded Liu Haizhong again, their faces beaming with pride: "Master Liu, look! Even leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture have come to praise Director Lin! It's such an honor to work under Director Lin!"

Liu Haizhong puffed out his chest, adopting an official tone, his face full of smugness: "Of course! Who is Director Lin? A genius sent from heaven!"

"But let me tell you, I taught him a lot when he was young, and he wouldn't be where he is today without my help!"

After the inspection, Vice Minister Zhang solemnly announced at a general meeting of all factory workers: "On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I hereby announce that the Ministry will fully fund the expansion of the Hongxing Machinery Factory's fully automated harvester production line."

"Prioritize the supply of production materials such as steel and machine tools, achieve mass production within three months, and prioritize the deployment of the first batch of machines to key summer harvest areas nationwide!"

"Comrade Lin Weidong's research and development of fully automated harvester technology will be included in the national key agricultural promotion project, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, and implemented nationwide!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire factory erupted in cheers that lasted for a long time. The workers waved their fists and their eyes were filled with tears.

Su Wanqing stood beside Lin Weidong, looking at the cheering crowd below the stage, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride.