Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The north wind of December swept across the fields outside Beijing like a knife, whipping up the remaining snow and swirling it under the gray sky. On the highway leading to Changping, a special convoy was slowly making its way through the bitter cold.

Leading the way was the familiar Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard armored sedan, its gleaming black body appearing exceptionally dignified in the snow's reflection. Inside, Wang Huanbo leaned back in the back seat, eyes closed, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees as he mentally rehearsed the "Red Star Little Steel Cannon's" parameters in extreme cold conditions. Sitting in the passenger seat, the simple-minded He Yuzhu was restless, touching the leather-wrapped armrests by the windows and examining the adjustment buttons on the side of the seat.

"Mr. Wang, your truck... is so stable!" Sha Zhu finally spoke after holding back for a while. "When we went over that washboard road just now, I was almost shaken to pieces in the truck behind me, but here it's like sitting on a heated brick bed!"

Xiao Zhao, who was driving, glanced in the rearview mirror and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Engineer Wang's car was custom-made; its suspension, sound insulation, bulletproofing, and temperature control were all top-notch. It could handle even rough roads and unusual situations with ease. However, he didn't speak, focusing intently on the road ahead—the snow, compacted by the ruts from the previous two days, had iced over and was very slippery.

Wang Huanbo opened his eyes and smiled: "Zhuzi, once the 'Little Steel Cannon' goes into mass production, you can drive it around the village too. It'll be even more exciting than this car."

"That's great!" Sha Zhu chuckled, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Engineer Wang, you said it's freezing cold, the ground is completely frozen solid, can our iron ox really plow it? We don't want it to break the plowshare again..."

This is exactly what Wang Huanbo wants to demonstrate. His "Red Star Little Cannon" design incorporates special features in areas such as low-temperature starting, hydraulic system antifreeze, and reinforced working devices. "You'll find out soon enough whether it works or not."

In the middle of the convoy, the newly-rolled Red Star brand multi-functional small wheeled tractor—its bright red paint standing out against the white snow—was being carefully driven by a technician. A standard 1.5-ton steel dump trailer was attached to the back of the tractor, loaded with various modules needed for the test: a heavy-duty single-furrow plow, a rotary tiller, a hydraulic drilling rig, and a water pump unit, all secured with tarpaulins. The young technician, Xiao Liu, wearing thick cotton gloves, had a red nose from the cold, but his eyes shone with excitement. This was his first time driving this "treasure," and although he could only keep up with the vehicle in front at 30 kilometers per hour, the feeling of gripping the steering wheel made his blood boil.

The convoy was brought up by two military green Jiefang CA10 trucks. One of them carried more testing instruments, spare parts, fuel, and living supplies, while the other carried the leaders and experts of the Ministry of Agriculture's inspection team.

The atmosphere in the cab of the second truck was somewhat subtle.

"Old Zhang, do you think this Engineer Wang... is too young?" A bespectacled scholar, around fifty years old, sitting in the passenger seat, whispered to his companion. He was Professor Liu Shouren from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, specializing in agricultural machinery, and had been selected by the ministry to participate in the inspection.

Zhang Siyuan, known as "Old Zhang," is the deputy director of the Agricultural Machinery Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and the leader of this inspection team. He pulled his military overcoat tighter and exhaled a puff of white breath: "Young? Comrade Shouren, don't judge a book by its cover. Although Comrade Wang Huanbo is only in his twenties, CNC machine tools, 10,000-ton hydraulic presses, Hongqi sedans... aren't they all his work? Even Soviet experts gave him a thumbs up."

"That's not what I meant," Professor Liu adjusted his glasses. "I meant that agricultural machinery and industrial machine tools are different. Our country has complex terrain; the paddy fields in the south, the dry land in the north, the slopes in the mountains, the saline-alkali land... all require different machines. Can someone who specializes in precision machine tools really make a tractor suitable for all rural areas in the country?"

The driver, a veteran technician sent by the Hongxing Factory, chimed in, "Don't worry, boss. Our Engineer Wang led us to the workshop, drew up blueprints, and conducted experiments for this 'little powerhouse,' working countless sleepless nights. Just the diesel engine's electric starter alone was tested over a hundred times in a freezing storage room at minus twenty degrees Celsius!"

Zhang Siyuan nodded, looking out the window at the desolate fields rushing past. Smoke curled from the mud-brick houses of a distant village, and several children, bundled up tightly, played at the village entrance. It was winter of 1955, only six years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and everything was in ruins. The Korean War had boosted national prestige, but it had also depleted the already meager national resources. Now, the "Pride Project" was underway, and national resources were being channeled towards the Northwest. Even the people of Beijing were queuing up to buy grain and hoarding supplies.

Thinking of the report the ministry received yesterday—that many areas in Hebei and Shandong provinces reported a severe shortage of farm tools for spring plowing, with animal power reduced by 30% compared to pre-war levels, and many places still relying on manual labor to pull plows—Zhang Siyuan felt a heavy weight in his heart. If this "Red Star Little Cannon" was truly as the report described, capable of plowing, transporting goods, and pumping water for wells, it would be a godsend!

"By the way, Director Zhang," Professor Liu said, remembering something, "I heard that the 'YTO' (First Tractor Manufacturing Plant) in Luoyang, which was built with Soviet assistance, won't start production until 59, and it will mainly be a copy of the Soviet DT-54 tracked tractor. Those large machines are suitable for land reclamation in the Northeast and Northwest, but they are not needed in many places inside the Great Wall. If Engineer Wang's 'Little Cannon' succeeds, it could fill that gap."

"Therefore, this inspection is of utmost importance." Zhang Siyuan said solemnly, "The ministry is waiting for our report. If the performance is indeed reliable, we must arrange mass production as soon as possible and strive to send a batch to the countryside before next spring's planting season."

As they were talking, the truck suddenly lurched, throwing everyone from their seats. The driver quickly slowed down: "I'm so sorry, everyone, this road is in terrible condition..."

Zhang Siyuan waved his hand to indicate it was alright, but his mind was already on Wangjiazhuang ahead. He vaguely remembered seeing it mentioned in the files; it was the hometown of engineer Wang Huanbo. Was choosing that place for the test a coincidence, or was it intentional?

Ahead, the brake lights of the Hongqi sedan came on. Xiao Zhao turned around: "Engineer Wang, we've reached Wangjiazhuang. You can see that old locust tree at the village entrance."

Wang Huanbo sat up straight and looked out the car window. The familiar outline of the village appeared in the twilight, and the bare branches of the century-old locust tree at the village entrance were covered with icicles. Under the tree, a group of people could be vaguely seen craning their necks in anticipation.

Almost at the same time the convoy appeared, the village resounded with the sound of gongs—"Clang! Clang! Clang!"—followed by the sound of running footsteps and shouts: "They're here! They're here! Nephew Huanbo is back! And with a big truck!"

Wangjiazhuang was in an uproar once again.

Village chief Wang Yuanshan and village party secretary Li Youtian were already waiting at the village entrance with the production team cadres, militiamen, and a group of teenagers. They had received a call from the commune around noon, saying that a high-ranking leader from Beijing was coming to inspect the "new-style tractor," and that they should prepare for his arrival. Wang Yuanshan immediately realized that this "new-style tractor" was the "little cannon" that Huanbo's nephew had mentioned before. He quickly organized people to clean the threshing ground, tidy up the empty rooms next to the ancestral hall, and have each household contribute firewood—it was too cold, and they couldn't let the comrade from Beijing get cold.

As the convoy slowly approached, the villagers' eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh my god! Three cars!"

"Those are... trucks? Two big trucks!"

"Look in the middle! What's that bright red thing? A tractor? Why does it look different from the one in the magazine?"

"It must be Huanbo's new machine! Look how energetic it is!"

The children tried to push their way forward, but the adults pulled them back: "Don't run around! You'll bump into the leaders!"

The Hongqi sedan came to a stop under the old locust tree. Xiao Zhao quickly got out of the car and opened the door, and Wang Huanbo bent down to step out. Today he was wearing a dark blue cotton overcoat, without a hat, and his short hair was a little messy from the cold wind, but his posture was upright and his eyes were clear.

"Huanbo! You're back!" Wang Yuanshan rushed forward, excitedly shaking Wang Huanbo's hand, then looked at the people getting off the bus behind them, "And these people are...?"

Just as Wang Huanbo was about to make his introduction, the door of the truck behind them opened. Zhang Siyuan, Liu Shouren, and five or six others got out of the truck one after another. Although their legs and feet were a little numb from sitting in the truck for several hours, the leaders and experts still tried their best to maintain their composure.

"Uncle Yuanshan, this is Zhang Siyuan, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Machinery Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, this is Professor Liu Shouren of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and these are all experts in agricultural machinery." Wang Huanbo introduced them one by one, "Director Zhang, Professor Liu, this is Comrade Wang Yuanshan, the production team leader of Wangjiazhuang, and this is Comrade Li Youtian, the village party secretary."

Zhang Siyuan immediately stepped forward and warmly shook hands with Wang Yuanshan and Li Youtian: "Comrades Yuanshan and Youtian, we're sorry to have troubled you! The main reason we came here is to see firsthand how the new tractor developed by Comrade Wang Huanbo is actually being used in our rural area. We also need the villagers' cooperation in the testing."

"It's no trouble at all!" Wang Yuanshan waved his hands repeatedly, his dark face full of a simple smile. "It's an honor for us leaders to come to our little village! It's cold, come inside and warm up!"

Li Youtian quickly added, "The accommodations have all been arranged. They're in an empty room next to the ancestral hall, with a heated kang (traditional Chinese bed). The conditions are simple, so please bear with us, leaders."

Just then, the passenger door of the truck behind opened, and Li Huaide nimbly jumped out. He was wearing a slightly worn navy blue Zhongshan suit with a military overcoat over it, and his face always wore a perfectly measured smile. As soon as he got out, he directed Cui Dake and several workers who were getting off another truck: "Dake, quick, unload the things we brought for the village! Be careful not to damage them!"

Cui Dake—a bright-looking young man in his early twenties—immediately responded and led the workers to open the back of the truck. Good heavens! The truck bed was neatly stacked with ten 50-pound bags of flour, five barrels of soybean oil, two slabs of pork, several large bags of salt and sugar, as well as bundles of cotton cloth, gloves, cotton hats and other work protective equipment.

The villagers stared in disbelief. In those days, who had ever seen so much white flour and so much fatty meat? Several children couldn't help but swallow hard.

Li Huaide walked up to Wang Yuanshan and Zhang Siyuan, first nodding respectfully to Zhang Siyuan, "Director Zhang, you must be tired from your journey." Then he turned to Wang Yuanshan, his smile widening, "Captain Yuanshan, we apologize for disturbing you all by coming to the village to test the machines. This is a small token of our appreciation from the factory, to provide some food for the village and as a way of thanking you for your cooperation in the testing. It's not much, please don't mind."

Wang Yuanshan was at a loss: "This...this is too much! It's too...too valuable!"

"Of course, of course!" Li Huaide pressed Wang Yuanshan's hand, his tone sincere. "We workers and peasants are one family! Besides, this 'little cannon' is meant to serve farmers all over the country. Testing it in our Wangjiazhuang is fate! If you don't accept it, you'd be being too polite!"

Having said that, Wang Yuanshan could only thank him repeatedly and quickly called over several strong young men to help move the things. The villagers' eyes immediately filled with gratitude and goodwill as they looked at Li Huaide. What a magnanimous and benevolent leader!

Zhang Siyuan watched from the side, nodding inwardly. This Deputy Factory Director Li was thoughtful and knew how to handle people. Moreover, it was clear that he respected Wang Huanbo greatly, always putting Wang first. For a deputy factory director to treat him with such respect, Wang Huanbo's status and influence within the factory were evident.

"Oh, right," Li Huaide said, as if suddenly remembering something, waving behind him, "Zhu Zi! Come here!"

Sha Zhu, who was taking his kitchen utensil bag from the trunk of the Hongqi sedan, quickly ran over: "Director Li, what are your instructions?"

"Zhu Zi, you're the star of our factory canteen, you'd better show off your skills for dinner tonight!" Li Huaide said with a smile. "Use the ingredients you just brought to cook a hot meal for the leaders and villagers! Let everyone taste the culinary skills of our Hongxing Factory canteen!"

Sha Zhu patted his chest and said, "Don't worry! I'll make sure the leaders and villagers eat well!" Then he looked at Wang Yuanshan and said, "Captain, does our village have a large stove? Can I borrow it? And find two quick-witted aunties to help me."

"Yes, yes, yes! There's a large stove right next to the ancestral hall, used for weddings and funerals!" Wang Yuanshan quickly told his son to go and call for help.

Zhang Siyuan wanted to say something like "Don't bother," or "Just have something simple," but seeing the villagers' expectant eyes, he swallowed his words. Oh well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Besides, he also wanted to see what kind of skills this cook, whom Wang Huanbo had specially summoned, possessed.

The group walked into the village. Wang Huanbo deliberately walked over to the "Red Star Little Steel Cannon". Technician Xiao Liu had already gotten out of the driver's seat and was carefully inspecting the vehicle.

"Xiao Liu, how are you? Anything unusual on the way?" Wang Huanbo asked.

"Reporting to Engineer Wang! Everything is normal!" Xiao Liu answered standing at attention, unable to hide his excitement. "The low-temperature start was successful on the first try. It ran for more than two hours on the road, and the water temperature and oil pressure were stable! It's just that the road was too bumpy, and I was afraid of damaging the machine, so I didn't dare to drive fast."

Wang Huanbo nodded and carefully inspected the tractor. The tire pressure was normal, all bolts were tight, and there were no leaks of oil or water. He reached out and touched the engine cover—it was still warm.

"Park the car in a sheltered spot tonight and check the coolant and fuel. We have heavy work to do tomorrow, so we can't afford any mistakes."

"yes!"

Zhang Siyuan, Professor Liu, and others also gathered around and carefully examined the machine.

In appearance, the "Red Star Little Cannon" is smaller than common imported wheeled tractors, measuring approximately 3.2 meters in length, 1.6 meters in width, and 2 meters in height (to the top of the cab). Its overall lines are square and robust, and the vermilion paint remains bright even in the twilight. The front features a simple steel grille, with two exhaust pipes standing upright at the rear. The cab is open, consisting only of a steel pipe safety frame and roof, but the seat appears thick and comfortable, and it is fully equipped with a steering wheel, instrument panel, and control levers.

The most striking feature is the rear. A standard three-point suspension is already installed, with a robust and sturdy lower suspension arm. Next to it is the power take-off (PTO) connector, protected by a shield. The piston rods of the hydraulic cylinders gleam with a metallic sheen.

"Engineer Wang, how much does this machine weigh? How much horsepower does it have?" Professor Liu couldn't help but ask, his hand already touching the cold steel plate.

"Weighing approximately 1.8 tons, it's equipped with a modified 40-horsepower vertical water-cooled diesel engine," Wang Huanbo explained with familiarity. "It has electric start and comes standard with a 12-volt 100 Ah battery. The gearbox is a 4×2 mechanical type with a sub-gear, actually consisting of 8 forward gears and 4 reverse gears. The rear axle is a rigid drive axle with a gear ratio of 5.83. The tires are 6.00-16 on the front and 11.2-28 on the rear, low-pressure off-road tires."

A string of technical jargon was thrown out, and Professor Liu's eyes lit up. Weighing 1.8 tons, it's lighter than the Soviet MTZ-5 (2.4 tons), but only 5 horsepower less. Electric start! That's a rare find! Many imported tractors still require a hand crank, which can be exhausting in winter. An 8+4 speed gearbox means a wide speed range…

"Engineer Wang, your report says that this machine can run at 45 kilometers per hour with a trailer attached and has a load capacity of 1.5 tons. Is that true?" Zhang Siyuan was more concerned about its practical performance.

"That's the theoretical design. We can start the actual testing tomorrow." Wang Huanbo's tone was calm but confident. "However, Director Zhang, it's too late today, the lighting is poor, and we can't guarantee the safety of the test. I suggest we start testing the field operation performance tomorrow morning, and then test the transportation and well-drilling functions in the afternoon."

"Of course, safety first!" Zhang Siyuan nodded, then looked at the machine and sighed, "If it can really meet the design specifications, it will solve a big problem. What rural areas lack most right now is transportation capacity. Delivering grain, transporting fertilizer, and delivering building materials all rely on people carrying loads on their shoulders, or using oxcarts and horse-drawn carts. Not only is it inefficient, but it also causes a lot of suffering for people."

Just then, an enticing aroma wafted over.

Everyone turned their heads and saw smoke rising from the kitchen next to the ancestral hall. Sha Zhu, wearing a white apron, was wielding a large iron ladle, stirring the food in a wok nearly a meter in diameter. Two women from the village were helping him, one tending the fire, the other chopping vegetables. The firewood crackled in the stove, and the steam from the wok, mingled with the aroma of oil and seasonings, filled the cold air, making everyone's mouths water.

"Is that... braised pork?" Professor Liu sniffed, somewhat uncertain. He was from the South, but the aroma was just too authentic.

"It's not just braised pork," a local villager said proudly. "I just glanced at it, and there's also stewed chicken, braised fish, cabbage and vermicelli, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar... Wow, it's like Chinese New Year!"

Li Huaide smiled and explained to Zhang Siyuan, "Director Zhang, the cook is Comrade He Yuzhu, the head of our factory canteen. His cooking skills are passed down from his family. When he heard that we were coming to Engineer Wang's hometown, he specially brought all his best seasonings. You can try them in a bit; I guarantee they'll be authentic."

As they talked, it became completely dark. Wangjiazhuang had no electricity, so each household lit kerosene lamps. Inside the ancestral hall, four lanterns hung high, illuminating the room brightly. Three tables, collected from various households, were joined together in a long row, covered with clean coarse cloth. Long benches were arranged neatly.

Wang Yuanshan invited everyone to take their seats. At the main table sat Zhang Siyuan, Professor Liu, Wang Huanbo, Li Huaide, Wang Yuanshan, Li Youtian, and others. The other tables were occupied by other members of the inspection team, village officials, and several respected elders from the village. Women and children sat at two separate tables in the kitchen and an adjacent room—this was the custom; women and children did not sit at the main table when there were guests.

Sha Zhu started serving the dishes.

The first dishes served were cold appetizers: a plate of braised beef, sliced ​​as thin as paper with distinct marbling and a rich, savory sauce; a plate of smashed cucumber, crisp and refreshing with a pungent garlic aroma; and a plate of tomatoes with sugar, bright red and sprinkled with sugar granules.

These three cold dishes alone were enough to catch everyone's eye. In this day and age, can you find fresh cucumbers and tomatoes in winter? Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the cucumbers were pickled cucumbers from the fall, soaked and then mixed, and the tomatoes were tomato sauce made in the summer and then seasoned. But with Sha Zhu's skillful handling, they tasted just like fresh vegetables.

Hot dishes were served one after another.

The braised pork belly was made with fresh pork belly that they brought with them, cut into one-inch cubes. It was braised until it was a bright red color, fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry, and melted in their mouths. Zhang Siyuan picked up a piece; the meat was tender and succulent, with a perfect balance of salty and sweet. The rich aroma of the meat exploded in his mouth, making him squint his eyes involuntarily.

The stewed fish is made with two large grass carp weighing three or four pounds each. It is stewed with homemade soybean paste, dried chili peppers, scallions, ginger, and garlic until it is very flavorful. The fish is tender and the soup is rich. It is absolutely delicious when eaten with flatbread.

Braised pork with cabbage and glass noodles is a classic northern Chinese farmhouse dish. The cabbage is sweet, the glass noodles are smooth, and the pork belly slices are fragrant. It comes in a big, hot bowl.

Stir-fried cabbage with vinegar is tangy and refreshing, balancing the greasiness of meat dishes.

Scrambled eggs with scallions: The golden eggs are fluffy and soft, garnished with bright green scallions, simple yet delicious.

The staple foods are white flour pancakes and mixed rice (a mixture of white and millet). The pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with distinct layers; the mixed rice is oily and fragrant.

Finally, there was a big bowl of hot and sour soup. Drinking it hot warmed me from my throat to my stomach, dispelling the chill from my body.

This meal was a perfect blend of meat and vegetables, hot and cold dishes, with both main courses and soup, all well-balanced and delicious. What was even more remarkable was that most of the ingredients were ordinary things they had brought that day, but Sha Zhu had transformed them into something extraordinary. The experts in the inspection team had traveled extensively and had seen a wide variety of cuisines, but this seemingly simple farm-style meal left them completely satisfied, praising it highly.

"Master He, your cooking is superb!" Professor Liu gave Sha Zhu a thumbs up. "This braised pork is even more authentic than the one I had at the Beijing Hotel!"

Sha Zhu smiled憨厚ly: "You flatter me, boss. It's mainly because the ingredients are good and the meat is fresh. I just made something simple."

"If this is the level you can achieve with just a casual effort, what would you be like if you took it seriously?" Zhang Siyuan laughed and said to Li Huaide, "Director Li, your factory is full of hidden talents! With such a good chef, the workers are in for a treat."

Li Huaide, beaming, said, "Not at all, it's all for the workers! Zhu Zi, did you hear that? The leader is praising you!"

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively. Wang Yuanshan, on behalf of the village, raised a toast to thank the leaders and the factory for their care and support. Zhang Siyuan also offered words of encouragement, stating that if the "Little Cannon" test was successful and mass production was achieved, Wangjiazhuang would be given priority for production.

Wang Huanbo was a man of few words, but very considerate. He frequently served food to the elderly clan members and inquired about the village's situation. When he heard that this winter was unusually cold and that several elderly people living alone in the village were short of firewood and coal, he hesitated for a moment and whispered a few words to Li Huaide. Li Huaide immediately nodded and said to Wang Yuanshan, "Captain Yuanshan, here's what we'll do: after the tests are finished tomorrow, when our two trucks go back, bring a few tons of coal from the nearby coal mine to the village. The factory will pay for it. Also, send some quilts and cotton-padded clothes to those families in need. In this freezing weather, we can't let our fellow villagers get cold."

Wang Yuanshan and Li Youtian were so moved that they didn't know what to say, and could only keep offering toasts.

After dinner, everyone settled down. Zhang Siyuan, Professor Liu, and other members of the research team were arranged to stay in a clean side room next to the ancestral hall. Although it was simple, the kang (heated brick bed) was warm, and the bedding was new. Wang Huanbo, however, insisted on staying in his father's old house—the three mud-brick houses had been renovated, with new tiles on the roof, new mud plaster on the walls, new paper on the windows, and a kang inside.

Inside the old house, Wang Huanbo sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), reviewing the detailed plan for tomorrow's test by the light of an oil lamp. His driver, Xiao Zhao, and bodyguard, Xiao Li, were making the bed beside him.

"Mr. Wang, you should rest. You have to get up early tomorrow," Xiao Zhao advised.

"Let's keep watching." Wang Huanbo said without looking up. "Has Xiao Liu finished inspecting the tractor?"

"The check is complete, everything is normal. It's parked in the thatched shed in the backyard, covered with a tarpaulin. He'll sleep in the small hut next to the thatched shed tonight, so I can keep an eye on him."

Wang Huanbo nodded and closed his notebook. He walked to the window and gently pushed it open a crack. A cold wind immediately rushed in, carrying the crisp chill unique to a northern winter night. A few barks came from afar, making the village seem even more tranquil.

Through the window, he could see that the lights were still on in the ancestral hall. Zhang Siyuan and Professor Liu were probably staying up late discussing tomorrow's test.

"Xiao Zhao," Wang Huanbo suddenly spoke up, "tell me, if the 'Little Cannon' is successful, how many units can be produced in a year?"

Xiao Zhao paused for a moment, then scratched his head: "This... I don't know. But Engineer Wang, the things you make are definitely guaranteed to be good! Rural areas all over the country will be scrambling to buy them!"

Wang Huanbo smiled but didn't speak. He recalled Professor Liu's comment in the car that afternoon: "They really can build a tractor suitable for rural areas across the country." Indeed, China is vast, with huge differences between the north and south, and vastly different terrains and climates. Although this "little powerhouse" had been meticulously designed, could it truly adapt to the different environments from the black soil of Northeast China to the water towns of Jiangnan?

However, we must take things one step at a time. Tomorrow, we'll first get through the frozen soil operation.

He closed the window and returned to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). The oil lamp flickered, casting a swaying shadow on the wall. Outside, the north wind howled, and the faint clicking sound of a diesel engine cooling down could be heard from the thatched shed at the village entrance.

That was the "Red Star Little Cannon" quietly waiting for dawn.

Inside the ancestral hall's side room, Zhang Siyuan and Professor Liu were indeed still awake. Wrapped in cotton-padded coats, they huddled under a kerosene lamp, rereading the technical documents provided by Wang Huanbo.

"Old Zhang, look here," Professor Liu pointed to a detail on the drawing, "This hydraulic system uses a split design, with the gear pump, distributor, and cylinders arranged separately. It's more complex than the common integrated design, but it's easier to maintain, and external cylinders can be added as needed. It's a very advanced idea."

"And here too," Zhang Siyuan pointed to the transmission system diagram, "8+4 gears, with a speed range from 1.5 kilometers per hour to 45 kilometers per hour. This means it can perform both the most delicate field operations and transport. The Soviet MTZ-5 only went up to 25 kilometers per hour."

The two men were increasingly astonished as they looked at it. This machine, in its design concept, had surpassed all the tractors currently available in China. It was not merely a "copy" or "improvement," but a completely new creation tailored to the actual needs of rural China.

"If the test data tomorrow is accurate..." Professor Liu took a deep breath, "then our country's agricultural mechanization may be about to take a big step forward."

"So we must be very careful and accurate tomorrow." Zhang Siyuan said solemnly, "Every piece of data must be verified repeatedly. This is a major issue concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, and we cannot be careless in the slightest."

Night fell. Wangjiazhuang gradually drifted off to sleep. Only in the thatched shed at the village entrance, technician Xiao Liu got up again to check the tractor, connected the battery to an insulation blanket, and after confirming that everything was normal, returned to the hut and lay down fully clothed.

He couldn't sleep; he was too excited. Tomorrow, in front of leaders and experts, he would drive this "Red Star Little Steel Cannon," designed and manufactured in China, and complete a series of challenging tests. This was the highlight of his life as an ordinary technical school graduate.

Outside the window, the wind seemed to have died down a bit. In the dark night sky, a few cold stars twinkled, foreshadowing a sunny tomorrow.

On the snow, the red "Iron Bull" stood quietly, like a beast poised to pounce, awaiting the call of dawn.

Meanwhile, in Beijing, a hundred miles away, long queues still stretched at grain stores. People, clutching their newly issued grain coupons, shivered in the cold wind, their faces etched with anxiety. Unbeknownst to them, in a small village in Changping, a group of people and a machine were making a crucial attempt to ensure the nation's food security.

The night is still long. But dawn will eventually break.