Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Late autumn, 1957, Tianjin Port.

The winds of the Bohai Bay, carrying a salty and chilly feel, swept across the docks. Huge cranes and gantry cranes, like silent steel giants, steadily placed containers and bundled cargo unloaded from ocean-going freighters onto the storage yards under the yellowish searchlights. The sounds of ship horns, machinery, and workers' chants mingled with the crashing waves against the seawall, creating a tireless symphony for this vital northern port.

Deep within the port area, in front of a relatively secluded storage yard, the atmosphere was different from the bustling activity elsewhere, carrying a tense, vigilant quiet. Sixty military-green Red Star brand Jiefang trucks were parked neatly in two rows, their front ends all facing the exit. The engines were not completely shut off, humming low, and wisps of white smoke rose from the exhaust pipes into the cool air. Each truck bore a striking red five-pointed star painted on its front, below which were the words: Red Star United Industrial Corporation.

Around the truck stood dozens of men in dark green combat uniforms, but with red "Protect" armbands on their arms, their expressions solemn. Their sharp eyes, carrying submachine guns, vigilantly scanned the surroundings, the beams of their flashlights occasionally piercing the shadows of the storage yard. Surrounding these security personnel were a dozen or so men in cadre uniforms, nervously checking documents with port authority staff and directing the loading. Leading them was Li Huaide, the deputy director of logistics at the Red Star United Industrial Corporation.

Li Huaide, wrapped in a worn military overcoat, frowned deeply. The cigarette in his mouth was almost burned down to the filter, but he seemed oblivious, his eyes fixed on the cargo being unloaded from the cargo ship and carefully loaded onto his truck by forklifts and cranes. It consisted of long, narrow wooden crates tightly wrapped in waterproof tarpaulins, neatly bound metal components, and square containers printed with foreign letters. Inside were the cornerstones of the "housing dream" for the 50,000 employees of the Hongxing Factory, and even more future employees—key building materials and equipment shipped from Hong Kong for the first phase of the "Hongxing Workers' Living Area" project.

High-grade cement, special steel, aluminum door and window components, electrical wiring, bathroom fixtures… and most importantly, a full twenty brand-new, meticulously packaged American-made elevator main units and car components. These were all acquired through barter trade by Wang Huanbo's father's company in Hong Kong, in exchange for export quotas of "Red Star" brand cars, Hongqi brand luxury sedans, and soon-to-be-mass-produced motorcycles manufactured by the Red Star Factory. Each item was hard-won, and each was crucial to whether the family housing complex could be transformed from blueprints into reality, according to Wang Huanbo's "outrageous" high-standard blueprint.

"Director Li, the last box of elevator control cabinets has been counted and loaded onto the truck!" A cadre in charge of the count jogged over and reported in a low voice, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat, whether from being busy or nervous, it was hard to tell.

"Alright!" Li Huaide finally threw his cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it out with his foot, and said in a hoarse but resolute voice, "Tell the brothers, the convoy must keep moving, even if the vehicles don't stop. Take turns eating and resting. The convoy must set off tonight and leave Tianjin before dawn, returning to Beijing!"

"yes!"

Li Huaide mobilized such a large force, personally overseeing the operation, and gathering almost half of the factory's truck capacity (this was only possible because Hongxing Factory had its own automobile branch and produced and used its own trucks), and also deployed elite security personnel, for one reason only—he was afraid of being intercepted.

The news that Hongxing Factory was going to build its own high-rise apartment buildings with elevators spread like wildfire throughout the industrial system of Beijing and even the surrounding areas. Some were envious, some were surprised, but most were green with envy from their sister units, who were also struggling with housing problems but couldn't get enough building materials. In those days, cement, steel, and timber were all scarce commodities. Hongxing Factory's ability to obtain so much, especially elevators, a "rare commodity," attracted countless eyes, and many people were wondering if they could "borrow" or "allocate" some.

Having navigated the official and business worlds for many years, Li Huaide was well aware of the complexities involved. Having the approval in hand was one thing; actually getting the supplies back to his construction site was another. From Tianjin Port to Beijing, a journey of just over a hundred kilometers—who knew what unexpected problems might arise? Could the supplies be "temporarily requisitioned" by higher authorities halfway through? "Emergency borrowed" by a sister unit? Or even intercepted directly by some influential "figure"? All were possible! This wasn't just Li Huaide being overly pessimistic; he had seen it before. Not long ago, a batch of urgently needed machine tool parts for a certain factory was "coordinated" away during transport, resulting in a six-month-long dispute that ultimately came to nothing.

Therefore, he had to come and personally oversee the operation. Not only did he come, but he also brought the factory's most capable and reliable security team, as well as a massive convoy of sixty trucks. He wanted to make a clear statement: this shipment was the lifeline of the 50,000 employees of the Hongxing Factory, and no one could touch it! The steel torrent of sixty trucks was itself a silent deterrent.

"Factory manager, everything is loaded, we can set off!" the convoy leader reported as he ran over.

Li Huaide jumped into the passenger seat of the lead truck and, speaking into the vehicle's walkie-talkie (a small-scale communication device produced and used by the Hongxing Factory, which proved invaluable at this critical moment), gave a stern order: "Attention all personnel! Proceed in convoy as planned! Maintain distance between vehicles and pay attention to safety! Under no circumstances are you allowed to stop without my order! Proceed!"

"Vroom vroom vroom—!" The roar of sixty diesel engines suddenly intensified, merging into a deep, furious roar. The massive convoy, like a steel dragon awakening, slowly drove out of the Tianjin Port yard, breaking through the night and heading northwest towards Beijing. The headlights pierced the darkness, leaving two winding ribbons of light on the highway.

Li Huaide leaned back in his seat, wearily closing his eyes, but his nerves remained taut. He knew this was only the first step. The goods were safely transported back to the factory; what followed was more complex construction, coordination, and management… But at this moment, listening to the continuous roar of the engines behind him and feeling the steady descent of the truck beneath him, he felt a little more at ease. These sixty Jiefang trucks were also the pride of the Hongxing Factory, another "trump card" left behind by Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo.

Speaking of these trucks, there's a story about their relationship with FAW, a story of both cooperation and competition, full of hidden complexities.

Under the leadership of Wang Huanbo, the Hongxing Automobile Factory successfully developed China's first truly high-end sedan. The factory initially intended to retain the "Hongxing" brand and name it the "Hongxing High-End Sedan." However, after the prototype was sent to the central government and tested and reviewed by several leaders, it caused a huge sensation. Its sleek and elegant appearance, superior ride comfort, and advanced performance (relative to the domestic level at the time) completely overturned people's perception of domestically produced cars. Overjoyed, the top leaders personally named it "Hongqi" (Red Flag), and the model was designated "Xingyao S600."

The name "Hongqi" (Red Flag) carries profound meaning, symbolizing revolution and leadership. It was not only the highest affirmation of the Hongxing Factory's technological breakthroughs but also reflected the nation's high expectations for the automotive industry, especially for high-end sedans. However, a decision followed: to quickly establish production capacity and meet the dual demands of official vehicles and export earnings, the central government required the Hongxing United Industrial Corporation to transfer all design drawings and production process data for the "Hongqi Xingyao S600" to its elder brother—the First Automobile Works in Changchun—so that the two companies could jointly produce the "Hongqi" sedan.

When the news reached Hongxing Factory, Party Secretary Yao Jianghe and Factory Director Yang Weimin were naturally displeased. It was as if their child, whom they had raised with great care, had just achieved success, only to be asked to be given away as half. But this was an order from higher authorities, a strategic decision based on the overall layout of the national automotive industry, and no matter how upset they were, they had to obey.

Upon learning of this, Wang Huanbo remained calm. At a factory Party committee meeting, he made a crucial suggestion: "The higher authorities' requirement for us to transfer blueprints and technology is to strengthen the 'Red Flag' brand and quickly achieve industrial scale. This decision is correct, and we must resolutely implement it. However, in terms of the specific content transferred, we can and should focus on different aspects to create differentiated competition and avoid homogeneous internal friction. This also aligns with the national interest."

Under his specific planning, what Hongxing Factory ultimately handed over to FAW was the complete design blueprints of the basic version of the "Hongqi Xingyao S600" model, as well as the complete set of technical data for the EA111 series 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, which had undergone preliminary optimization. This version had balanced performance, relatively mature technology, and was suitable for mass production, enough to establish the high-end image of the "Hongqi" brand and meet the needs of most official vehicles.

However, Wang Huanbo and the Red Star Factory left behind a crucial "backup plan." They did not transfer the following core technologies and designs:

More advanced V6 engine technology: This is the "heart" prepared for higher power versions.

The entire design of the Hongqi Xingyao S600L extended version is tailored to the needs of higher-level leaders and special occasions.

The complete design and manufacturing technology of the Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard bulletproof sedan: This is a top-level safety vehicle, involving complex armor, explosion protection, life support, special chassis and special materials technology, and belongs to the strategic level product.

This means that after FAW received the blueprints, it could only produce a decent, but not top-of-the-line, four-cylinder version of the "Hongqi Xingyao S600". Meanwhile, the Hongxing plant retained a complete product line: the entry-level "Hongqi Xingyao S300" (equipped with the first-generation EA111 engine, positioned slightly lower), the mid-to-high-end "Hongqi Xingyao S600" four-cylinder high-power version, the flagship "Hongqi Xingyao S600L" V6 extended version, and the top-of-the-line "Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard" bulletproof sedan. The latter, with a length exceeding 6.1 meters, featured a heavily armored body and chassis, bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, a self-sealing fuel tank, a four-wheel drive system, a 300-horsepower V6 turbocharged engine, and rear-wheel steering technology reserved by Wang Huanbo (later upgraded), exclusively for top leaders and top scientists of vital importance to the nation, such as Qian Xuesen and Wang Huanbo himself. This naturally created a hierarchy and barriers within the "Hongqi" brand. FAW is the foundation and main force of mass production for "Hongqi", while Hongxing Plant is the technological pinnacle and top-level customization center for "Hongqi".

At FAW, the plant manager at the time was Rao Bin, a man of broad vision and strategic foresight. When he received the stack of design drawings and technical documents, several meters thick, from the Hongxing plant, he was amazed by the exquisite design and advanced technology, but also keenly aware of the Hongxing plant's "reservations." He didn't point it out, nor did he "report" it to his superiors. Instead, after careful study, he made a decision that surprised everyone, yet was entirely reasonable.

Rao Bin personally called Yang Weimin, the factory director of Hongxing Plant, his voice ringing with laughter: "Comrade Weimin, thank you so much for your selfless support, brothers at Hongxing Plant! 'Hongqi' is a national treasure. You've set a great example. We at FAW are under a lot of pressure, but also full of motivation! It wouldn't be polite not to reciprocate. We at FAW don't have much to offer, so we're sending you the complete set of blueprints for our latest Jiefang CA10 heavy-duty truck, along with the technical data for the engine, transmission, and chassis. It's a small token of our appreciation and a technical exchange between brother units!"

Rao Bin's move was extremely clever. It not only demonstrated FAW's magnanimity and vision, avoiding the embarrassment of "taking" technology for free, but also returned the ball to its owner—the Jiefang truck was the benchmark of China's automobile industry at the time, a true "national treasure," and its blueprints and technology were equally invaluable. This was an equal and dignified technology exchange.

When the blueprints for the Jiefang truck arrived at the Hongxing Factory and were handed to Wang Huanbo, this future chief engineer felt a complex mix of emotions—a blend of historical sentiment and a drive for technological innovation. The Jiefang truck, with its boxy, unassuming yet resilient image, was practically a totem of China's industrial development and urban and rural transportation for the first thirty years of the People's Republic, carrying the memories of countless people.

"Good stuff, but it can be better." This was Wang Huanbo's first assessment after reviewing the blueprints. Under his leadership, a "deep transformation surgery" on the Jiefang truck quietly began. He didn't make major changes to the classic appearance (preserving its recognizability and contemporary feel), but instead focused all his energy on the revolutionary upgrades of the internal "three major components" and key systems:

Heart Enhancement: While retaining the basic structure of the original six-cylinder engine, turbocharging technology was introduced. Through a meticulously designed turbocharger and intercooler system, coupled with optimized fuel injection (changing from a carburetor to preliminary mechanical injection), the maximum power was boosted from the original 90 horsepower to a staggering 150 horsepower! Maximum torque also increased by nearly 70%. This enabled the improved "Red Star" brand Jiefang truck (to distinguish it, the Red Star factory used the Jiefang truck name, but branded it "Red Star") to have ample power reserves when starting under heavy loads and climbing hills, completely eliminating the predicament of "an old ox pulling a broken-down truck."

Transmission Optimization: The clutch structure has been improved for smoother engagement and increased durability. The biggest highlight is the gearbox, where Wang Huanbo introduced synchronizer technology. This eliminates the need for the traditional "double-clutch" operation (clutch down to disengage, revving the engine, then clutch down again to engage). The driver simply depresses the clutch to directly and smoothly shift into the desired gear! This significantly reduces driver fatigue, improves operational efficiency and shifting smoothness, and is especially user-friendly for novice drivers. The gearbox layout has also been optimized to a more reasonable 5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear, with a more scientific gear ratio distribution that balances heavy loads and fuel economy.

Innovations in driving and handling: On some models, a part-time four-wheel drive system has been added. A simple transfer case lever allows switching between conventional rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, greatly enhancing traction in harsh road conditions such as mud, snow, and wilderness, truly achieving "all-terrain adaptability." Simultaneously, a hydraulic power steering system is standard across the entire range, making the steering wheel lighter and more responsive. Even when fully loaded, female drivers can easily maneuver the truck – a complete revolution from the original Jiefang truck's "heavy, sluggish steering wheel."

A significant leap in overall performance: Higher-strength steel and a more optimized design were used in the body structure and chassis, increasing the rated load capacity from 4 tons to 6 tons. The streamlined, improved cab and chassis design, coupled with enhanced powertrain efficiency, increased the top speed from 65 km/h to 90 km/h, while simultaneously reducing combined fuel consumption from an astonishing 29 liters per 100 kilometers to around 20 liters! This represents a substantial saving in transportation costs.

When the first "Red Star" brand Jiefang CA10 improved truck, manufactured according to the new blueprints, rolled off the production line, its performance astonished everyone. Loaded with 6 tons of sand and gravel, it started smoothly, climbed hills powerfully, and easily traversed the cratered and muddy sections of the test track in four-wheel drive mode. After test-driving it, an experienced driver, touching the light steering wheel and experiencing the smooth gear shifting without needing to use the clutch twice, was so excited he was almost incoherent: "This...is this even a truck? It's smoother to drive than our factory's Jeep! Powerful! Fuel-efficient! Easy to drive!"

From then on, the "Hongxing Jiefang Truck" became another flagship product of the Hongxing Plant. It not only met the plant's growing logistics and transportation needs (such as this massive transportation task), but also, with its superior performance and reliability, quickly opened up markets in transportation, engineering construction, and military logistics, becoming another star in export earnings. It formed a differentiated competitive advantage over FAW's original Jiefang truck—FAW Jiefang focused on reliability, durability, and large market share; Hongxing Jiefang, on the other hand, emphasized high performance, high load capacity, high passability, and driving comfort, meeting higher-end and more demanding transportation needs. Upon learning of Hongxing Plant's improvements, Plant Director Rao Bin was not dissatisfied. Instead, he publicly stated at an industry conference: "The comrades at Hongxing Plant have broad vision and excellent technology. Their improvements provide valuable direction for the development of our domestically produced trucks! This is healthy competition, and it's about mutual progress!"

At this moment, this long line of sixty roaring steel vehicles, laden with the hopes of the Hongxing Factory for a "comfortable home," is the best proof of the factory's powerful industrial capabilities and Wang Huanbo's "alchemy" of technology. They are not only means of transportation, but also a demonstration of the Hongxing Factory's strength and the strongest support for Li Huaide's trip.

The convoy sped through the night, traversing silent fields and passing slumbering villages. Li Huaide frequently inquired about the status of each vehicle via walkie-talkie, vigilantly observing the road ahead and behind. Perhaps because the convoy was so large and imposing, or perhaps because the Red Star Factory's reputation was now truly prestigious, the anticipated obstacles did not materialize. At dawn, the convoy safely entered Beijing's borders. When he saw the familiar gate and fluttering flag of the "Red Star United Industrial Corporation," Li Huaide's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled completely.

"Reporting to the factory manager, the entire convoy has returned safely! The goods are intact!" the convoy leader reported excitedly.

"Good! Notify the Infrastructure Department, Housing Department, and Security Department to immediately inventory and store the items, and assign personnel to guard them! All comrades involved in the mission, go back and get some rest; your bonuses this month will be doubled!" Li Huaide jumped out of the car. Although he hadn't slept all night and his eyes were bloodshot, his spirits were exceptionally high. The most crucial and dangerous step had been a success!

Building materials arrived one after another, and preparations for construction were in full swing. Through his father-in-law's connections, Li Huaide invited the "elite army" of the domestic construction field—an elite construction team that had participated in parts of the "Ten Great Buildings," including the Great Hall of the People. When the team leader, a senior chief engineer surnamed Zhao, saw the construction blueprints for the eighteen-story residential building with elevators, personally drawn by Wang Huanbo and refined with the assistance of "Pangu" (to allow more workers to be assigned to the design, which was increased from sixteen to eighteen stories), even this well-informed old expert couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

"High-rise...shear wall structure...cast-in-place concrete floor slabs...prefabricated component assembly...and such complex water supply and drainage, electrical, and especially elevator shaft design..." Chief Engineer Zhao adjusted his glasses, carefully examining the drawings, his eyes growing brighter with each look. "Chief Engineer Wang, this design...is so advanced! Many of the techniques are rarely used in China, or even never used before. Seismic calculations, load analysis...are these data reliable?"

Wang Huanbo nodded affirmatively: "Chief Engineer Zhao, rest assured, all structural calculations have undergone rigorous review, and some key data have even been simulated and verified using our factory's computers. There are indeed challenges in terms of technology, but they are not insurmountable. We can first invite several engineers with experience in high-rise buildings from Hong Kong to provide technical guidance; our workers have a strong learning ability. As for the concrete, the high-grade cement we imported this time fully meets the requirements. For precast components, our own machine tool branch can assist in processing molds and some non-standard parts. This is both a learning experience and a breakthrough. Once completed, it will not only solve the housing problem for our factory's employees, but also accumulate experience and cultivate a workforce for our country's future high-rise construction!"

Chief Engineer Zhao was impressed by Wang Huanbo's confidence and vision, and nodded vigorously: "Great! With Chief Engineer Wang's words, these high-quality imported materials, and your factory's strong industrial capabilities as a backing, we'll take this job! No matter how difficult it is, we'll do it well! This will be a milestone for our construction industry!"

With the first batch of imported cement and steel bars used to pour the foundation, and with the huge tower crane erected on the planned site, the first phase of the "Hongxing Staff Living Area" project officially broke ground! This news, once again, spread like a spring breeze to every workshop and office of the Hongxing factory.

The construction site was surrounded by a temporary fence, but observation windows were opened in the fence. Every day after get off work, countless workers, their families, and even local residents gathered outside the fence, craning their necks to watch the daily changes inside. They watched the huge foundation pit being dug open, the steel bars standing up like a forest, the concrete being poured continuously, and the buildings rising one by one from the ground…

"Look! Another layer has formed!"

"Wow, that's fast! This speed is much faster than the three-story building being built at the factory next door!"

"I heard they use imported cement, which is especially strong!"

"Look at that frame, it's so tall! They'll really need to install an elevator there!"

My husband said that their workshop exceeded its sales target this month so they could accumulate enough work points to get a place in the housing lottery!

People pointed and discussed, their eyes filled with eager anticipation. The rendering that had once been posted on the bulletin board was now deeply etched in the hearts of every Red Star employee. It was no longer just talk on paper, but a tangible hope that was gradually becoming a reality, built brick by brick by the materials they had helped create, brick by brick by their future neighbors (whose families were also employees or staff from related units).

Wang Huanbo also frequently visited the construction site, wearing a safety helmet, to check the progress and solve technical problems with Chief Engineer Zhao and others. Standing before the gradually rising building, watching the busy figures on the scaffolding, and listening to the roar of the mixers, tower cranes, and rammers, he was filled with emotion. This was not just building houses; it was forging a dream of "modern life," building a haven for the most ordinary workers in this country—a place where they could shelter from the wind and rain, have dignity, privacy, and basic living conveniences. This might change the fate of tens of thousands of people more directly than building a luxury car or a precision machine tool, and it could unite people's hearts and inspire the most simple yet powerful passion for construction.

"It'll be soon," he said, gazing at the building's nascent framework and mentally calculating the construction schedule. "At this pace, if everything goes smoothly, the first batch of employees will be able to get their keys and move into their new homes, complete with separate kitchens, bathrooms, and balconies, by next summer, or at the latest, next autumn."

Not far away, a towering crane slowly rotated its long arm, hoisting a bundle of steel bars to a new height. As the sun rose, golden rays bathed the construction site, the busy workers, and the ever-growing gray concrete framework, as if gilding this jungle of steel and cement with a warm, hopeful gold. The rumble of machinery, the workers' shouts, and the ceaseless roar of machines emanating from the Hongxing factory area intertwined, creating a magnificent symphony of this vibrant era, a symphony of home and dreams.