Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The cheers of the entire factory workers still lingered in my ears.

A system notification suddenly sounded in Lin Weidong's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully developing a fully automated grain harvester, solving the nation's grain harvesting problem, promoting agricultural modernization, and completing a milestone in people's livelihood!]

[Mission Rewards: Core precision components for nuclear weapons, complete set of design blueprints for vacuum valves, special material formulas, ultra-precision machining processes, assembly and debugging techniques!]

A torrent of technical information flooded into Lin Weidong's mind in an instant.

From the ultra-high vacuum sealing structure of the vacuum valve and the processing of the nuclear radiation resistant valve core, to the smelting of ultra-low temperature alloys and the micron-level assembly precision, every parameter and every process is crystal clear.

Lin Weidong clenched his fists, his heart pounding wildly. Vacuum valve!

This is the core valve for initiating the chain reaction of an atomic bomb, a critical component for which foreign countries have been holding my country's nuclear weapons development back by the throat.

Countless researchers have worked day and night to overcome this challenge, but now the system has directly provided a complete set of independent technologies, which is tantamount to installing the most critical heart for a national strategic asset!

Meanwhile, in a secret room at the KGB headquarters in Moscow, the atmosphere was as cold and gloomy as an icebox.

Several high-ranking Russian officials sat around a long table, cigarettes between their fingers, smoke swirling around them, their eyes filled with sinister intent.

"China's man-portable air defense systems have already broken our air superiority; we must never allow them to acquire nuclear weapons!" A high-ranking official slammed his fist on the table, his tone ruthless.

"Their northwestern nuclear base is working intensively to develop an atomic bomb. Once the test is successful, China will be completely free from nuclear blackmail and become our biggest threat."

The KGB chief in the main seat sneered, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Don't worry, I've already dispatched my most elite agents to infiltrate the Northwest nuclear base. Their target is their vacuum valve."

"Without this core component, their atomic bombs would be nothing but a pile of scrap metal."

"Even if they discover the damage, they'll have no choice but to bow down to us and spend two hundred million US dollars to buy our outdated technology!"

In the northwestern Gobi Desert, where yellow sand swirls everywhere, a secret nuclear weapons testing base is heavily guarded, with numerous sentry posts and an infrared detection network covering every inch of the land.

Late at night, under the cover of a sandstorm, a dark figure, dressed in a counterfeit base uniform and holding a forged pass, slipped silently into the core assembly workshop, bypassing patrol posts like a ghost.

The agent's target was very clear: the incredibly precise vacuum valve in the center of the workshop.

He took out a specially made miniature corrosive agent from his pocket and precisely applied it to the critical connection between the valve core sealing groove and the vacuum pipe. He then quietly loosened the core fastening bolt, damaging the internal vacuum sensing components.

The entire process was smooth and efficient. In less than three minutes, the precision structure of the vacuum valve was completely destroyed, yet no trace could be seen on its surface.

The agents quickly cleared the scene, followed the pre-planned escape route, crossed the border, and successfully escaped back to Mauritius, disappearing into the night.

In just three days, as if by prior arrangement, major media outlets around the world simultaneously broke out a shocking scandal!

Reuters front-page headline: "China's atomic bomb development suffers fatal setback; core vacuum valve completely rendered unusable."

The Associated Press published an article titled: "Nuclear Program Stalled! China Lacks Indigenous Vacuum Valve Technology, Test Detonation Postponed Indefinitely."

TASS went even further, arrogantly declaring: "If China wants to complete an atomic bomb test, it must pay the Soviet Union two hundred million US dollars to purchase the core technology of the vacuum valve; otherwise, it will never be able to cross the nuclear threshold!"

When the news reached China, the entire nation was outraged!

An emergency inspection at the Northwest Base revealed that all vacuum valves had been maliciously damaged beyond repair. Taking advantage of this, the Russians made exorbitant demands, attaching a series of unequal treaties in an attempt to strangle my country's nuclear program.

In the high-ranking office, the leader looked at the report from the front lines, his face ashen. He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup rattle loudly.

"Spy sabotage, technological blockade, exorbitant ransom demands!"

"They're trying to strangle our nation's most important weapon in its cradle! We must develop the atomic bomb, even if it means selling everything we own, we must build our own nuclear weapons."

The high-ranking officials looked grave, facing an unprecedented predicament.

The vacuum valve is the heart of a nuclear bomb; without it, all efforts will be in vain.

Inside the Red Star Machinery Factory, Lin Weidong was furious as he read the news in the newspaper, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

The despicable actions of the Russians and the malicious mockery from abroad were like sharp knives stabbing into his heart.

He immediately grabbed the phone, dialed the hotline for the Minister of Industry of the city, and spoke urgently and solemnly, each word carrying immense weight: "Minister Shen, this is Lin Weidong!"

"I possess the complete independent technology for the core vacuum valve of nuclear weapons, from design and materials to processing and assembly—all are independently controllable. This is crucial to the nation's atomic bomb test plan. Please contact the higher-ups immediately; I need to report this in person!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongtao was struck dumb, thinking he had misheard: "Comrade Lin Weidong, are you serious? The vacuum valve is a core component of a nuclear bomb, and countless academicians have failed to solve it. You...you really can solve it?"

"Absolutely true! The technology is fully mature and can be directly used for nuclear bomb assembly, with performance far exceeding that of Russian products!" Lin Weidong's tone was firm and unquestionable.

Minister Shen dared not delay in the slightest and immediately dialed the central top-secret hotline to report the matter up the chain of command.

When the news reached the leader's ears, the entire central government was in an uproar.

At a critical moment when the whole country was in dire straits and its life was being held hostage, Lin Weidong once again brought out the core technology of this vital national asset!

The leader immediately instructed: Arrange a special car to pick up Comrade Lin Weidong, and Mr. Qian will personally receive and inspect him!

Lin Weidong, carrying a complete set of sealed technical documents for vacuum valves, headed straight for the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute under the escort of his bodyguards.

Mr. Qian, dressed in a white lab coat, with gray hair and a sprightly demeanor, was already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Lin Weidong, Old Qian quickly stepped forward, grasped his hand tightly, his eyes slightly reddened, and his voice trembled: "Comrade Lin Weidong! You are truly a hero of the nation!"

"The vacuum valve was our last major hurdle; countless researchers worked day and night without success, and you actually solved it!"

Lin Weidong handed over the top-secret documents and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Qian, this is the complete set of vacuum valve technology, including special radiation-resistant steel, ultra-precision machining processes, and micron-level assembly solutions."

As Qian opened the documents, he became increasingly excited, his hands trembling as he pointed to the innovative sealing structure on the drawings, praising it repeatedly.

"This design perfectly solved the world-class problem of vacuum leakage. With this technology, we can test our atomic bomb very soon! You have made an unparalleled contribution to the nation's nuclear program!"

Qian immediately took the materials and rushed to the Northwest Nuclear Test Base.

After rigorous vacuum testing and nuclear radiation compatibility testing, all indicators scored full marks, perfectly meeting the requirements for atomic bomb testing!

On the Gobi Desert, the wind howls and yellow sand fills the sky.

Inside the observation room, all the researchers held their breath, their eyes fixed on the iron tower that symbolized the dignity of the nation.

The base's officers and soldiers, fully armed and on high alert, guarded this moment that would determine the fate of the nation.

All device indicator lights are lit up green, and all parameters are stable and normal.