Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The anger over the border tragedy is still burning in my chest.

After the meeting, Lin Weidong went straight to his office.

The complete technical plan for the third-generation supersonic fighter jet, which had been refined and perfected over several days and nights, was laid out on the table.

He knew that every minute of delay increased the risk of the country's airspace being provoked, and the villagers who died and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the border were waiting for this sharp sword in the sky to be drawn.

Lin Weidong picked up the confidential hotline and dialed the number of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

"I am Lin Weidong from Hongxing Machinery Factory. I am now formally submitting the independent research and development project for the third-generation supersonic fighter jet."

"We have met all the conditions for immediate project initiation and research and development; we request that an expert review be organized!"

The duty officer on the other end of the phone froze instantly, thinking he had misheard.

The third-generation supersonic fighter jet represents the pinnacle of global aviation technology.

Even the United States and Russia have only just completed prototype testing.

my country is still struggling to develop second-generation fighter jets, but Lin Weidong has actually brought out the complete set of third-generation fighter jet technologies!

The officer dared not delay for a moment and immediately transferred the call to the director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. The message was reported up the chain of command and reached the central core level in just ten minutes.

After listening to the report, the leader immediately made a decision: "The third-generation fighter jet project must be given high priority!"

"Immediately arrange for Professor Qian to lead a team of top experts in the national aviation field to conduct an on-site review at the Hongxing Machinery Factory. As long as the technology is feasible, we will provide unconditional and full support!"

Upon receiving the order, the expert group of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense assembled overnight, with Qian Xuesen personally leading the team. More than ten leading figures in the aviation industry and precision manufacturing experts boarded a special plane and headed straight to the Hongxing Machinery Factory in Beijing.

When the news reached the machine factory, the entire factory was instantly in an uproar. Workers spontaneously cleaned the workshop and debugged precision machine tools, while all members of the technical department stayed at their posts.

Su Wanqing led her team to check the processing list of third-generation aircraft parts, while Chen Bin squatted in front of the machine tool to repeatedly calibrate the accuracy. Everyone was holding their breath.

We must create a powerful sword for China's skies as quickly as possible.

Just as the entire machinery factory was preparing for the battle, a green train slowly pulled into the Sijiucheng Station. The doors opened, and a thin, travel-worn young man quickly stepped off the platform.

His military uniform was covered in dust, his eyes were bloodshot, and he hadn't slept for three days and three nights, yet he still stood tall and his gaze was piercing.

This person was none other than Li Yuanchao.

He didn't even go back to the military compound for a glance. Carrying the employment letter sealed with the name of the Red Star Machinery Factory, he traveled by train and long-distance bus all the way to his destination.

The villages on the border that had been bombed into scorched earth, the resolute way Sergeant Chen pushed him away, and the arrogant roar of enemy planes kept replaying in his mind. He had only one thought in his mind: build fighter jets, guard the border, and avenge his family.

Li Yuanchao clutched his employment letter and, after asking around, finally found the entrance to the Hongxing Machinery Factory.

Upon entering the machine factory, he overheard from the workers' snippets of conversation that the factory was going to build a third-generation aircraft.

"Third-generation fighter jet?"

Li Yuanchao felt a jolt, his blood rushed to his head, and his previously exhausted body was instantly filled with strength.

He didn't bother with the onboarding procedures; he grabbed the forms and rushed toward the factory manager's office building, his footsteps echoing loudly as he ran up to Lin Weidong's office. Without even catching his breath, he pushed the door open and went inside.

Lin Weidong was looking down at the engine blueprints when he looked up and saw a young soldier standing at the door. His uniform was worn and tattered, but his eyes burned with an overwhelming obsession and grief.

Li Yuanchao snapped to attention, raised his hand in a crisp military salute, and said in a hoarse but firm voice, "Reporting to Director Lin!"

"Li Yuanchao, report for duty at Hongxing Machinery Factory!"

"I have applied to join the development of the third-generation supersonic fighter jet."

Lin Weidong slowly stood up, his gaze falling on the man's bloodshot eyes.

Li Huaide had already given a detailed report on the situation of the border patrol team.

He knew that the young man in front of him was a witness who had seen the village bombed and his comrades sacrifice their lives.

"Li Yuanchao," Lin Weidong began, his tone serious, "do you know what developing a third-generation fighter jet means?"

"No holidays, no rest, facing countless blueprints and endless parameter calculations every day, enduring countless all-nighters and facing countless failures—can you handle it?"

Li Yuanchao's eyes instantly reddened, tears streaming down his dust-covered cheeks, but he still stubbornly straightened his back: "I can handle it!"

He pulled a gleaming military badge from his jacket pocket.

That was left to him by his squad leader, Chen Yongnian, before his death. He clutched it tightly in his palm: "This is the squad leader's insignia. He risked his life for mine. I will dedicate my life to building the most powerful fighter jet to avenge him!"

Lin Weidong stepped forward, gently patted Li Yuanchao on the shoulder, and nodded solemnly:

"I approve it."

"From today onwards, you are officially assigned to the core R&D group of the Technology Department, specializing in the adaptation module for third-generation turbofan engines."

"Su Wanqing will be the team leader, and Chen Bin will be the deputy team leader. You will work with them to tackle this problem. If you have any questions, come directly to me."

Li Yuanchao trembled, tears welling up in his eyes. He saluted again, his voice choked with emotion yet unwavering: "Thank you for your trust, Director Lin!"

"Li Yuanchao vows to complete the mission to the death, and will never let down his squad leader, his country, or the Red Star Machinery Factory!"

Just as Li Yuanchao officially joined the research and development team, the convoy of the expert group from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense arrived at the Hongxing Machinery Factory.

Mr. Qian got out of the car first and his eyes widened instantly when he saw the orderly production preparations in the factory area and the densely packed third-generation aircraft blueprints on the technical department's desk.

He picked up the engine blueprints, his fingers gently tracing the intricate structural lines. The more he looked, the more excited he became, his hands trembling uncontrollably: "Genius! Simply a once-in-a-lifetime genius!"

"Comrade Lin Weidong, your technology has enabled my country's aviation industry to leapfrog an entire generation, achieving complete self-reliance and control, with performance far exceeding that of Russia's current fighter jets!"

The expert panel conducted an overnight review, rigorously evaluating everything from aerodynamic layout and materials technology to avionics systems and mass production plans, and ultimately approved the project application unanimously.

The Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense read out the approval on the spot:

"Effective immediately, the Hongxing Machinery Plant's third-generation supersonic fighter jet project, codenamed 'Chang Kong No. 1,' is officially approved and designated as a top-tier national military project!"

"Allocate the full amount of special military funds, coordinate the nationwide distribution of special steel, precision machine tools, and aerospace materials, and draw on key personnel from the national aviation industry to support the Hongxing Factory. No expense will be spared to ensure the smooth progress of the project!"

The news spread throughout the factory, and the workers erupted in deafening cheers. Sparks flew in the workshop, and the machine tools began to roar. Li Yuanchao changed into his work clothes and plunged into the engine research and development group, studying the blueprints all night long.

Su Wanqing and Chen Bin led their team to work together, striving for perfection in every component.