Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The next morning, as dawn broke, the courtyard at No. 95 was still shrouded in tranquility. Only the early-rising old ladies were lighting their stoves in the courtyard, and the faint smell of coal smoke drifted in the chilly air.

With a creak, the heavy, newly painted vermilion gate of the west wing was slowly pushed open. First to emerge were the driver, Xiao Zhao, and the guards, Xiao Li and Xiao Xiao. All three were dressed neatly in navy blue Zhongshan suits, their posture upright and their movements swift. Xiao Zhao held the car keys, while Xiao Li and Xiao Xiao began carrying things out of the side rooms of the west wing.

First to be brought out were two heavy camphor wood chests. Next came bags and boxes of seemingly ordinary but neatly stacked supplies: white flour bags and bags of Northeast rice printed with "Special Supply from Red Star Farm"; square oil drums (peanut oil) tied with straw rope; woven bags of refined salt printed with "Tianjin Saltworks"; tin cans of candy printed with "Shanghai Candy Factory" (actually high-end goods redeemed through the system and repackaged); and dried goods such as Jinhua ham, dried shrimp, red dates, and walnuts packed in burlap sacks. Finally, there were several large items such as sewing machines, bicycles, radios, and electric fans carefully wrapped in burlap sacks and straw rope. Although wrapped, their distinctive outlines were still easily recognizable.

This commotion immediately alerted the early risers.

Yan Bugui was rinsing his mouth at the sink, his enamel mug full of foam, but his eyes were wide open, staring at the ever-growing "mountain" of food piled up at the west courtyard entrance. He almost dropped the mug. His mind raced, calculating: flour! rice! oil! salt! And that outline… a sewing machine? A bicycle? My God! Is Engineer Wang moving or something? Wait, he just came back from fishing yesterday… Is he going out? Visiting relatives? I haven't heard of Engineer Wang having any close relatives in Beijing…

Liu Haizhong, heavily pregnant, came out to empty the chamber pot. Seeing this scene, he froze, forgetting his work. So many good things! He subconsciously swallowed. Especially the bicycle and sewing machine—those were the most sought-after items among the "three turns and one sound" (bicycle, sewing machine, watch, and radio)! Hard to buy even with money and coupons! What was Wang Huanbo up to?

Yi Zhonghai also came out of the door. Seeing the scene, he frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He was more focused on his nephews and nieces and his work at the factory, and felt more awe than curiosity about Wang Huanbo's matter.

Sha Zhu, rubbing his sleepy eyes, came over from the backyard, heading to the factory canteen. He was startled when he saw the pile of things: "Wow! Engineer Wang, are you... opening a general store? Or... a dowry?" He joked.

Wang Huanbo was just coming out of the courtyard. Today he was wearing a well-tailored, high-quality dark gray Zhongshan suit, over which he wore a neatly pressed white shirt, and on his feet were a pair of gleaming black leather shoes. His hair was combed meticulously, and he looked exceptionally energetic, upright, and distinguished. Hearing Sha Zhu's words, he smiled and said, "Good morning, Zhu. It's not about opening a shop, nor is it about a betrothal. My father wrote to me, instructing me to return to my hometown to pay respects to our ancestors. These are just some small gifts for our relatives back home."

"Going back to your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors?" Yan Bugui quickly spat out the mouthwash, wiped his mouth haphazardly with a towel, and leaned closer, his small eyes shining. "Engineer Wang, where is your hometown...?"

"Changping, Wangjiazhuang," Wang Huanbo said calmly.

"Oh! Changping is a wonderful place! It's a land of outstanding people and beautiful scenery!" Yan Bugui quickly flattered, but in his heart he thought: I've never heard that Engineer Wang has a hometown near Beijing before? It seems that the roots of his overseas connections are still in our suburbs of Beijing?

Just then, the deep roar of a car engine came from outside the courtyard gate. A military green Jiefang CA10 truck came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the courtyard. A middle-aged driver, a kind-faced man with shrewd eyes, jumped out of the cab—it was Old Chen, whom Li Huaide had arranged. He jogged in and saluted Wang Huanbo (though not a soldier, his movements were impeccable): "Engineer Wang, the truck has arrived. How should we load the goods?"

"Thank you for your help, Master Chen. Xiao Zhao, you and Master Chen, please help us load everything onto the truck. Be careful, especially with items that are fragile," Wang Huanbo instructed.

"Yes!" Xiao Zhao and the other two responded and immediately began to move the items in an orderly manner. Old Chen also joined in to help, moving quickly and efficiently.

Then, something even more astonishing happened. Three gleaming black Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard armored sedans, exuding an imposing presence, slowly drove up from the alley entrance! They silently glided behind the truck and came to a neat stop. A young man (security personnel), dressed in a similar Zhongshan suit and looking sharp, stepped out of each car, nodded to Xiao Zhao, and then stood silently beside the vehicle.

Three Hongqi sedans! One Jiefang truck! This scene was absolutely earth-shattering in the hutongs of Beijing in the mid-1950s! Not only the residents of No. 95 courtyard, but the entire hutong and even several nearby hutongs were alarmed, with people peeking out and discussing the spectacle.

"Oh my! Who...who is this important leader?"

"It doesn't seem like it. Look at that young man, he came out of the west courtyard..."

"The west wing? Isn't that Chief Engineer Wang's house? Is... is Chief Engineer Wang going out?"

"My God! Three Hongqi sedans! And a big truck! How much stuff are they carrying?"

"What's Chief Engineer Wang up to? Why such a grand entrance?"

Yan Bugui's calculations completely stalled, leaving him utterly shocked. Liu Haizhong's mouth gaped open, his last shred of "second uncle" superiority shattered. Yi Zhonghai was also slightly moved. Sha Zhu clicked his tongue: "Goodness, Engineer Wang's trip back to his hometown is quite a show!"

Wang Huanbo remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the stares of the onlookers. He turned and whispered a few words to Lou Xiao'e, who had come out to investigate after hearing the commotion—simply to watch the house and that he would be right back. Lou Xiao'e nodded gently and smoothed out non-existent wrinkles in his collar.

The goods were quickly loaded onto the truck. Two camphor wood crates and valuables were placed in the back and bottom of the truck cab and secured with ropes. Rice, flour, cooking oil, and other grains were piled at the front of the truck bed, while larger items were placed in the middle and rear, covered with tarpaulins, and tied securely.

"Engineer Wang, everything is installed. We can set off now," Xiao Zhao reported after completing the inspection.

Wang Huanbo nodded and said to Old Chen, "Master Chen, thank you for your hard work. Take it easy on the road, there's no rush."

"Don't worry, Engineer Wang! I guarantee it will be a sure thing!" Old Chen patted his chest confidently.

Wang Huanbo nodded to the newly added guards (these were bodyguards arranged by Li Huaide through the security department; ostensibly porters, but actually security personnel), then walked straight to the middle Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard armored sedan. Xiao Zhao quickly opened the rear door. Wang Huanbo bent down and got in, settling in. Xiao Zhao closed the door and sat in the passenger seat. The other two guards got into the front and rear vehicles.

The convoy started slowly, led by a Hongqi sedan, followed by another Hongqi sedan carrying Wang Huanbo, then a Jiefang truck loaded with supplies, and finally another Hongqi sedan bringing up the rear. The four vehicles, in a grand yet orderly fashion, drove out of the alley and headed towards Deshengmen, towards Changping.

Even after the convoy disappeared at the entrance of the alley, the crowd inside and outside No. 95 courtyard remained, their discussions buzzing.

"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Engineer Wang's entourage... is it even more impressive than a minister's procession?" An old man in the front yard clicked his tongue in amazement.

"More than that! Look at those cars, that setup! And all that stuff... my goodness, how much is that worth!" another older woman chimed in.

Yan Bugui finally came to his senses, his mind churning with a mixture of envy and calculation: Wang Gong's hometown is Wangjiazhuang in Changping? I've never heard of it before. Judging from this, the Wang family is incredibly wealthy and powerful overseas! Going back to pay respects to their ancestors is practically a triumphant homecoming! If he could establish some connection... even just to become acquainted with them... his mind started working.

Liu Haizhong, with a sour look, yelled at Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who were equally dumbfounded, "What are you looking at! What's so interesting! Go back! What does it have to do with your money and power! You should use that time to read more books!" With that, he sullenly went back into the house, hands behind his back, his heart aching like it was being scratched by a cat. They were all residents of the same compound, how could there be such a huge difference between them?

Yi Zhonghai silently watched the direction the convoy had gone for a while, then turned and went back into the house. He sighed to an older woman who was making breakfast, "You can't compare people. Engineer Wang... he's a real dragon. We'll be content if we can benefit from his success and live a stable life." The older woman nodded in deep agreement.

The convoy left the city and picked up speed. The Hongqi sedans, with their superior performance and excellent shock absorption, remained smooth and comfortable even on the slightly bumpy Beijing-Zhangjiakou Highway (the predecessor of the current Beijing-Tibet Expressway). Wang Huanbo leaned back in the back seat, closing his eyes to rest. Pangu's virtual interface unfolded in his mind, displaying the real-time route, the terrain along the way, and detailed information about Wangjiazhuang.

"Wangjiazhuang is located about fifteen li east of Changping County, nestled against the foothills of the Yanshan Mountains and facing a tributary of the Wenyu River. The farmland is primarily dry, with a small amount of irrigated land. The main crops are corn, sorghum, and millet. The village is predominantly in the Wang surname, accounting for 72%, with the remainder being surnames such as Li, Zhang, and Zhao. The current village head, Wang Yuanshan, is 52 years old, from a poor peasant background, and a former head of a primary cooperative. He is upright and respected in the village. The village party secretary, Li Youtian, is 48 years old, a demobilized soldier, a party member, and a man of strong principles. The most senior member of the clan is Wang Shanshui, 78 years old, a scholar who passed the imperial examinations in the late Qing Dynasty, and a respected village tutor; he belongs to the 'Shan' generation. My father's cousin, Wang Jinhe, mentioned in his letter, should belong to the 'Jin' generation, is about the same age as my father, and is a farmer. My cousin, Wang Huanrong, is five years older than me, also a farmer, and has some education..."

The information was very detailed. Wang Huanbo had a clear understanding of the situation. This trip back to his hometown had a clear purpose: to pay respects to his ancestors on behalf of his father, to strengthen ties with relatives, to demonstrate his strength (appropriately), to offer small favors, and to leave a good impression. He needed to make a grand entrance without being too ostentatious; he needed to reflect the "wealth" of his overseas relatives without appearing aloof or out of touch. Finding the right balance was crucial.

About an hour and a half later, the convoy turned off the main road and onto a bumpy dirt road. In the distance, a village with gray walls and gray tiles came into view, with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys and the sounds of chickens and dogs—a typical scene of a northern rural village. Under an old locust tree at the village entrance, a group of people seemed to be gathered, looking in the direction of the convoy.

"Pangu, scan the crowd at the village entrance and compare their information with that of your relatives."

"Scanning in progress... Comparison complete. Approximately 37 people in the crowd. Among them, Wang Yuanshan (89% match) and Li Youtian (91% match) are present. Wang Shanshui, Wang Jinhe, and Wang Huanrong were not found. Crowd emotions: curiosity, surprise, slight tension, and anticipation."

It seems the village has already received the news. Did Li Huaide give the order? Or was the convoy so large that villagers had already informed them? Both are possible. Wang Huanbo straightened his clothes and sat up straight.

The convoy slowly came to a stop under the old locust tree at the village entrance. A light dust rose. Three gleaming black, imposing Hongqi sedans, plus a fully loaded Jiefang truck covered with a tarpaulin—for a remote village, this spectacle was akin to visitors from outer space. The crowd under the tree instantly fell silent. Men, women, and children alike stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, at these "luxury cars" and "trucks" they had only ever seen in magazines. Children tried to move closer, but were held back tightly by their parents.

Xiao Zhao got out of the car first, quickly walked to Wang Huanbo's car, and opened the door. Wang Huanbo bent down and got out, standing still. His attire today, against the backdrop of the dusty villagers, made him stand out like a crane among chickens. Sunlight shone on him; his Zhongshan suit was impeccably tailored, his leather shoes gleamed, his face handsome, and his demeanor composed yet exuding an indescribable air of nobility and authority.

All eyes of the villagers were fixed on him, filled with curiosity, awe, and a barely perceptible sense of alienation and unease. Who was this high-ranking official? Or… a major capitalist?

At this moment, a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and a stocky build, wearing a patched but faded Zhongshan suit, accompanied by another equally capable-looking man in an old military uniform, mustered his courage and stepped forward a few steps. He asked somewhat nervously, "Comrades... what brings you to our Wangjiazhuang?"

Xiao Zhao stepped forward and said in a calm but clear tone, "Hello, fellow villager. This is Comrade Wang Huanbo, who has come from Beijing. He is the son of Mr. Wang Jinshan from your village, who has been living away from home. He has come back today to pay respects to his ancestors on behalf of his father and to visit his relatives."

"Wang Jinshan?" The middle-aged man was taken aback, then suddenly realized what he meant, his eyes widening. "Uncle Jinshan? Is he...is he the Uncle Jinshan who made his fortune in Beijing in his early years, and later moved his family to the United States because of the war?"

"That's right." Wang Huanbo smiled and nodded, stepped forward, and said in a gentle tone, "You must be Uncle Yuanshan? My father often mentions you in his letters, saying that you are a capable person in the clan and now you are the village chief, leading the villagers in production. You've worked hard." Based on Pangu's hint, he directly revealed the other party's identity and position.

Wang Yuanshan was a little confused by being called "Uncle," and even more surprised that the other person had accurately called out his name and position. He quickly waved his hands, "I dare not accept such praise! Huanbo...nephew? Is he really Uncle Jinshan's son? Oh my! This is truly...a distinguished guest! Quickly, please come into the village!" He was so excited that he was almost incoherent. He turned around and shouted to the crowd, "It's Huanbo from Uncle Jinshan's family who's back! He came from Beijing! He drove back in a car! Quickly, go tell Grandpa Shan! Tell Uncle Jinhe! Huanrong! Call them all here!"

The crowd erupted in chaos!

"The son of the Jinshan family?"

"That Jinshanbo who came back from America?"

"My God! They came back in cars! And big trucks too!"

"Look at those clothes, that air of authority! He must be a high-ranking official!"

"Uncle Jinshan has struck it rich!"

"Go check it out!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the village. Villagers who had been working in the fields or busy at home all dropped what they were doing and surged towards the village entrance like a tidal wave. Cars! Trucks! Relatives returning from America! This was a rare and momentous event, something that hadn't happened in Wangjiazhuang for decades!

Accompanied by Wang Yuanshan and village party secretary Li Youtian, Wang Huanbo walked into the village. Xiao Zhao, Xiao Li, Xiao Xiao, and three plainclothes guards stood guard around them discreetly. The Jiefang truck followed slowly behind, its massive body and fully loaded cargo attracting countless surprised and envious glances.

Wangjiazhuang, a peaceful village on the outskirts of Beijing, has become completely bustling with excitement because of the return of its residents.