Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

Back in his office, Lin Weidong immediately dialed the security department: "Take men to the machining workshop immediately, detain Master Wang and the relevant apprentices, and investigate thoroughly!"

Upon hearing that it was the newly appointed Chief Engineer Lin, the security department arrested him without asking any questions, as a way of giving him face as the chief engineer.

The security personnel acted swiftly, bringing Master Wang and his two apprentices to the interrogation room within half an hour.

At first, Mr. Wang tried to argue that it was just "improper maintenance of parts".

But when the apprentices, under pressure, cried and said, "Master Yi Zhonghai made us do it, he said he would give us benefits," Master Wang's psychological defenses completely collapsed.

"It was Yi Zhonghai! He gave me 200 yuan to deliberately damage the hydraulic valve, delay the machine tool modification progress, and embarrass Lin Weidong."

Master Wang hung his head and said, "He said Lin Weidong became the chief engineer at such a young age, stealing his thunder, and he'll teach him a lesson."

Two hundred yuan was a huge sum of money in 1958, equivalent to four months' wages for an ordinary worker, which shows how much effort Yi Zhonghai had put into suppressing Lin Weidong. The head of the security department did not dare to delay and immediately led a team to the Hongxing Courtyard.

The courtyard house was already asleep, except for the light still on in Yi Zhonghai's house.

He was sitting at his desk, pondering how to "recommend himself" to the factory manager after the workshop renovation failed the next day, when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from the gate. Before he could react, the security guards had already pushed the door open and entered.

"Yi Zhonghai, someone has reported you for deliberately sabotaging military production equipment. Come with us!" The section chief showed his badge, his tone serious.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale, and he abruptly stood up: "You've got it wrong! I didn't!"

"Is there a mistake? Let's talk at the security office!" Without saying a word, the security guards grabbed him and started to walk out.

The neighbors in the courtyard were awakened and came out to see what was going on.

An elderly woman chased after him, crying and shouting, "Old Yi! What right do you have to arrest him?!"

Yan Bugui huddled behind the door, his small eyes filled with shock and schadenfreude.

Madam Jia slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "I told you he wasn't a good person! He really did something bad!"

The news of Yi Zhonghai being taken away spread throughout the entire courtyard overnight.

The next morning, an older woman tearfully approached the deaf old woman, begging her for help: "Grandma, you are highly respected and know Director Yang. Please put in a good word for Old Yi!"

The deaf old woman, leaning on her cane, said with a grim face, "I watched Xiao Yi grow up. He wouldn't do something so foolish. He must have been framed. You're coming with me to the factory. I want to ask Yang Weimin why he's arresting people so arbitrarily!"

When the two arrived at the steel rolling mill and found Director Yang in his office, he was holding interrogation records. Upon seeing the deaf old woman, he quickly stood up and offered her a seat. Years ago, when Director Yang first entered the factory as an apprentice, his family was so poor that they couldn't even afford to eat. It was the deaf old woman who often helped him out, and he had always remembered this kindness.

"Director Yang, what exactly did Yi Zhonghai do that you're treating him like this?"

Factory Director Yang sighed and said, "Madam, the evidence that Yi Zhonghai bribed Master Wang to sabotage the machine tool modification and delay the military order is conclusive. According to regulations, it must be handed over to the higher authorities for processing."

The deaf old man slammed his cane down hard. "I don't care about any rules! Yi Zhonghai has worked in the factory for thirty years. Even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly put in a lot of hard work. Can't he be treated leniently?"

"When you were starving, who brought you cornbread? Now that you're successful, have you forgotten your roots?"

Factory Director Yang looked troubled, torn between the irrefutable evidence on one side and the debt of gratitude for saving his life on the other.

After hesitating for a while, he finally compromised: "Grandma, for your sake, I won't report this to the higher-ups, but the factory's punishment cannot be less severe. Yi Zhonghai will have his salary reduced by one grade, from an eighth-grade fitter to a seventh-grade fitter, and will be fined three months' salary as a warning to others."

The deaf old woman nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it. Let him reflect on his actions and not make the same mistake again."

That afternoon, Yi Zhonghai was released by the security department.

His face was haggard, his eyes were evasive, and he no longer had his former imposing manner.

But at Liu Haizhong's home, the scene was quite different.

When Liu Haizhong got home from get off work, he heard that Yi Zhonghai had been demoted and fined. He was overjoyed and immediately asked his second aunt to fry an extra egg.

"Dad, it smells so good!"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu watched expectantly.

Liu Haizhong picked up a fried egg and took a big bite.

Then he put a small piece on each of his two sons' plates, and Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu ate with their eyes squinted.

The next day, Lin Weidong learned that Director Yang had not handed Yi Zhonghai over to his superiors for punishment, but had only demoted and fined him lightly. His hand holding the calipers paused slightly, and a sense of disappointment welled up in his heart.

He knew it must have been the deaf old woman who approached Yang Weimin. Over the years, Lin Weidong had thought that Yang Weimin's relationship with the deaf old woman had been used up when Yi Zhonghai was taking the eighth-level worker exam, but he didn't expect that she still had this trick up her sleeve.

Lin Weidong had just stepped out of the workshop when he was stopped by Li Huaide, the deputy factory director.

He patted Lin Weidong on the shoulder with a smile: "Dongzi, you've worked hard these past few days. The machine tool modification was a great success, and you've done a great job. Tonight, I'll treat you to a simple meal at the state-run restaurant near the factory gate as a celebration."

Lin Weidong was somewhat surprised. Li Huaide rarely managed workshop affairs, mainly handling administrative work, and the two didn't interact much. He initially wanted to refuse, but couldn't resist Li Huaide's enthusiastic invitation, so he had no choice but to agree.

At the state-run restaurant, Li Huaide ordered two meat dishes and one vegetable dish, and also specially ordered a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Huaide put down his glass, looked at Lin Weidong, and said, "Dongzi, you are a truly capable person. You solved a major problem for the factory at such a young age. Your future is limitless."

Lin Weidong smiled but didn't reply.

Li Huaide changed the subject: "Yang Weimin is a good person in every way, except he's too selfish. You must have some thoughts about that, right?"

Lin Weidong's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected Li Huaide to point it out so directly.

He didn't hide anything, saying calmly, "I just hope the factory can operate according to the rules, so that those who work hard won't be discouraged, and those who cause trouble won't get away with it."

"Well said!"

Li Huaide nodded. "Now is the time when the country needs technical talents like you. We can't let these crooked people and things affect you. If you encounter any difficulties at the factory, just tell me. I will definitely support you."

He paused, then added, "Go ahead and do the technical work in the workshop. I'll put in a good word for you with the factory's Party committee. When we're building a business, we need like-minded people to work with, don't you think?"

Lin Weidong picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Li Huaide's, already understanding his meaning.

Li Huaide was trying to win him over.

Meanwhile, in the Red Star Courtyard, Yi Zhonghai sat in the dark main room, staring menacingly in the direction of the Lin family.

Instead of reflecting on his own mistakes, he blamed all his resentment on Lin Weidong: "Lin Weidong, you just wait, I will definitely avenge this!"