Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Early autumn, 1957.

In the western suburbs of Beijing, deep within the factory grounds of the Red Star United Industrial Corporation, lies the newly built motorcycle assembly workshop.

Fluorescent lights illuminated the spacious workshop as if it were daytime. The air was filled with the unique scent of machine oil, metal, and fresh paint—not unpleasant, but rather imbued with the aroma of industrial power. Three brand-new assembly lines, like three giant steel dragons, lay quietly in the center of the workshop, awaiting to be infused with life.

At this moment, a crowd had gathered around one of the assembly lines. There were workers in blue overalls and caps, their expressions focused; technicians holding notebooks, occasionally whispering amongst themselves; a group of factory leaders led by Wang Huanbo, Yang Weiguo, and Li Huaide; and several cadres from the General Logistics Department and the Ministry of Public Security, dressed in military uniforms or Zhongshan suits. All eyes were fixed on the end of the assembly line, on the motorcycles about to complete their final assembly.

These were no ordinary motorcycles. They had sturdy, heavy frames, wide tires, a striking military green paint job, and a distinctive sidecar with a small wheel and seat on the left side of the vehicle. The sidecar's sleek lines blended seamlessly with the main body of the motorcycle, giving it a powerful yet practical appearance. This was the first military-grade three-wheeled motorcycle produced by the Red Star Factory after undergoing numerous rigorous tests and finally entering mass production—the Red Star Guardian.

Its prototype was inspired by the captured German BMW R71 (and subsequent models such as the R75 and R60) and the Soviet M72, but underwent extensive localization improvements and optimizations under the leadership of Wang Huanbo. The engine is a 750cc, self-developed, technologically mature, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine from the Hongxing Factory. It features a robust structure, strong low-end torque, and is particularly suitable for complex road conditions. The transmission is a four-speed gearbox with reverse gear, and the sidecar wheels also have drive capability (via shaft drive), enhancing off-road performance. The frame is robust, and the addition of electric start and a suspension system specially tuned for China's complex road conditions contributes to its reliability, ease of maintenance, and strong adaptability.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, all assembly processes are complete. Requesting final inspection before shipment!" The assembly line section chief stood at attention and loudly reported to Wang Huanbo.

Wang Huanbo nodded, his gaze calmly sweeping over the brand-new "steel steeds," before turning to a colonel from the General Logistics Department and a deputy director from the Ministry of Public Security beside him: "Sir, we can begin."

"Alright! Proceed according to procedure!" The colonel waved his hand with interest.

Immediately, several testers who were already prepared and dressed in work clothes stepped forward, skillfully mounted the motorcycles, inserted the keys, and started the engine.

"Put-put-put—Boom! Boom!" The deep, powerful roar of engines instantly echoed throughout the workshop. It wasn't sharp, but it was full of a robust sense of power, like the low growl of a beast. Several motorcycles started successfully one after another, their exhaust pipes spewing out wisps of blue smoke.

"Lighting system is working properly!"

"The instrument readings are normal!"

"The braking system is functioning normally!"

"The steering system is agile!"

"The sidecar connection is secure!"

The checks were carried out quickly. Afterwards, the testers drove the newly manufactured "Red Star Guardians" slowly out of the final assembly workshop and onto a specially marked test track within the factory area. Here, there were smooth cement roads, simulated gravel roads and washboard roads, as well as a small steep slope and a wading pit.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, several motorcycles demonstrated their performance in turn. They accelerated rapidly on the concrete road, steering stably; they effectively filtered out bumps on the gravel road, exhibiting excellent overall body stability; they easily climbed steep slopes, showcasing powerful low-end torque; and they smoothly traversed puddles, proving their excellent sealing. Especially noteworthy was their unique sidecar drive capability. On simulated muddy sections, when the main wheels slipped, the sidecar wheels provided timely power, helping the vehicles easily extricate themselves, earning repeated nods of approval from the military and police officers present.

"Great! Excellent stuff!" The deputy director of the Ministry of Public Security slapped his thigh excitedly. "Chief Engineer Wang, Factory Director Yang, Factory Director Li, you've truly solved a major problem for our public security system!"

He then poured out his grievances: "To be honest, the three-wheeled motorcycles our public security system uses are a motley collection. There are 'Lu Wang' motorcycles captured from the Japanese during the War of Resistance, Harleys acquired from the Americans during the Liberation War, and some we got from Big Brother later. These vehicles are all old, and after years of war and intensive use, many parts are worn beyond recognition and should have been scrapped long ago! But our country's industrial base is weak, and there are no substitutes, so we have to grit our teeth and use them. Parts are even more of a headache; we can't find original parts at all. We can only scavenge salvaged parts from various places or have them custom-made by small machine shops. The quality of those parts varies greatly; it's a miracle they even work, let alone reliable!"

The deputy director grew increasingly excited as he spoke: "What are our comrades at the grassroots level most afraid of when on a mission? Breaking down halfway! Chasing a fugitive, the vehicle breaks down; handling an emergency, the vehicle stalls! Who knows how much time is wasted! Some old vehicles overheat in the summer and won't start in the winter—that's common. Our comrades even made up a rhyme about our motorcycles: 'Everything rattles except the bell; everything turns except the wheels!' But now, with our own domestically produced, high-performance 'Red Star Guardian,' we can finally replace those outdated junk!"

A colonel from the General Logistics Department chimed in with a smile, "Yes, our military also has a great need for mobile transport vehicles. Reconnaissance, communications, and rapid deployment of small units all rely on reliable motorcycles. We've seen the test reports and inspected your 'Red Star Guardian' motorcycles in person, and we're very satisfied! They're robust, easy to modify, have good mobility, and are relatively easy to maintain, making them ideal for troop use. We hope to equip some of them as soon as possible for the formation and testing of motorized units."

Li Huaide beamed with joy and quickly assured his superiors, "Please rest assured, esteemed leaders! Our Hongxing Factory will definitely work overtime to ensure both quality and quantity, fulfill the orders, and fully support national defense and public security construction!"

As the final inspection was passed, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the final assembly workshop. The assembly line officially started, and under the skilled operation of the workers, parts were gradually assembled into complete "Red Star Guardians," rolled off the line, inspected, painted, and finally neatly arranged, awaiting delivery. The beauty of the order and power of steel was displayed to its fullest extent here.

Just as "Red Star Guardian" gained recognition from the military and police system and received huge orders, the film projection team under the factory's publicity department also ushered in new changes.

As the Hongxing Factory rapidly expanded, it grew from a factory with 10,000 employees into an "industrial complex" encompassing multiple sectors including steel, machinery, automobiles, motorcycles, and special equipment, with its workforce approaching 60,000 and its family members exceeding 100,000. The factory's need for cultural promotion also increased dramatically. The old method of having only Xu Damao carrying a projector and riding a bicycle (now a motorcycle) around was clearly insufficient and would easily lead to other factories mocking Hongxing Factory for being "big and powerful, yet stingy with its publicity."

Therefore, after deliberation by the factory committee, it was decided to select more than ten bright, hardworking, and politically reliable young men from among the newly hired young workers with junior high or high school education to form a formal "film projection team." The responsibility of helping these novices quickly master the "technical skill" of film projection naturally fell on the factory's only "veteran"—Xu Damao.

Li Huaide personally spoke with Xu Damao, patting him on the shoulder and speaking earnestly: "Damao, you're a veteran in our factory's projection work, technically proficient and experienced. Now the organization has entrusted you with an even more important task: train these dozen or so greenhorns! Get them capable of handling things independently as soon as possible, delivering our factory's films to every workshop, every residential area, and even to more remote partner units! This is the organization's trust in you, and also a test. If you complete this task well," Li Huaide lowered his voice, tempting him, "I'll reserve the position of team leader for you in this newly established projection team!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's initial displeasure at having to mentor apprentices and potentially have his "business" reduced vanished instantly, replaced by a burning enthusiasm! Squad leader! Although it was just a team leader title, it was still a leadership position! Salary would increase, benefits would improve, and most importantly, he would have the power to manage people! In the future, when showing movies in the countryside, he wouldn't have to carry the equipment, set up the screen, or rewind the films himself; he could just direct his subordinates! This was practically the career advancement he had always dreamed of!

"Director Li, don't worry! I, Xu Damao, may not be able to say anything else, but when it comes to projecting movies, I'm absolutely top-notch! I will definitely teach you everything I know and get these kids out here as soon as possible. They will definitely not bring shame to our factory or to you!" Xu Damao thumped his chest loudly, his face showing a mix of excitement and the lingering bruises from before.

In the days that followed, Xu Damao put in his utmost effort. He locked himself in the projection room and storage room, polishing and tidying up the precious projectors, generators, speakers, screens, and film reels until they shone. Then, he gathered a dozen or so new recruits and began explaining the most basic principles of filmmaking and the structure of film, then the function of every component and screw in the projector, the use and maintenance of the generator, the angle at which the screen was set up, and even how to deal with common malfunctions during projection, such as film jams, film breaks, and sound distortion…

He talked until his throat was dry, demonstrating step by step. Although he inevitably harbored a little bit of ulterior motive—"teaching the apprentice will starve the master"—and might hold back some key techniques, overall, he taught with considerable dedication for the sake of the "class monitor" position. After all, if these novices made mistakes, it would tarnish his reputation as Xu Damao and affect his chances of being promoted to class monitor.

The new workers knew this was a rare learning opportunity, and they all studied diligently. Soon, the first batch of quick learners were able to operate the machines independently and play some simple films. Xu Damao then took them to the countryside for on-site teaching. Watching these newbies go from being clumsy and inexperienced to gradually becoming proficient, Xu Damao's vanity as a "veteran" was satisfied.

Hard work pays off. When the first batch of "Red Star Guardian" sidecar motorcycles were officially issued to the Propaganda Department, Xu Damao's film projection team also successfully "graduated." Li Huaide kept his promise and officially appointed Xu Damao as the head of the film projection team at the Propaganda Department's plenary meeting, with an administrative rank of 24th-level clerk and a corresponding increase in salary and benefits.

Xu Damao was brimming with pride, walking with a swagger. The injuries on his face had long since healed, and the unpleasant incident in Qinjiacun seemed to have been temporarily suppressed in his heart along with the joy of his "promotion." He began to plan how to use his power and these brand-new motorcycles to make the film screenings even more "vibrant," while also securing more "convenience" and "benefits" for himself. He could almost see himself riding his sidecar motorcycle, leading his men, swaggering through the factory area and the countryside, receiving envious glances from his coworkers and villagers.

The outstanding performance of the "Red Star Guardian" motorcycles and the large orders from the military and police systems were like adding high-octane fuel to the engine of the Red Star factory, propelling the entire enterprise to a new level of efficiency. The order for 30,000 motorcycles (20,000 from the Ministry of Public Security and 10,000 from the military) represented not only enormous economic benefits but also a weighty political honor and national trust. The motorcycle factory operated at full capacity, working three shifts, producing a continuous stream of dark green "steel mules," covered in military green tarpaulins, and directly transported by military trucks to various parts of the country, becoming a sharp sword for public security officers to maintain order and wings for PLA soldiers to enhance mobility.

This strong impetus also successfully propelled the finalization and production of two other civilian motorcycles from the Hongxing Factory.

One model, named "Red Star Walker," is a civilian street bike based on the Honda CB77 but with significant modifications. It boasts a sleek and stylish design, a 350cc engine that runs smoothly, is quiet, and fuel-efficient, making it ideal for urban commuting and short trips. The other model, named "Red Star Liberty," is a heavy-duty cruiser inspired by Harley-Davidson's large-displacement cruisers and developed to suit Chinese road conditions. It is large and imposing, with an impressive 1200cc V-twin engine that delivers powerful low-end torque, a deep, resonant sound, excellent stability, and prioritizes long-distance comfort.

The "Red Star Wanderer" targets the civilian market and exports, and its excellent performance and highly competitive price (compared to imported cars) quickly won the favor of some of the newly wealthy people in China (such as senior technicians, engineers, and artists) as well as overseas markets (especially Southeast Asia). The "Red Star Concierge," on the other hand, was chosen by higher authorities at first glance because of its dignified and elegant appearance and excellent driving experience.

At an internal demonstration, several leaders from the diplomatic system test-drove the "Red Star Lieutenant" motorcycle and were full of praise. Soon after, an order was issued: to order 200 "Red Star Lieutenant" motorcycles, requiring special paint schemes and detailed optimizations, to be paired with the "Hongqi Xingyao S600L" extended sedans to form a state guest motorcycle escort and ceremonial motorcade for welcoming ceremonies at important diplomatic occasions! This means that in the future, at grand ceremonies welcoming visiting foreign heads of state, people will see a majestic motorcade composed entirely of domestically produced "Red Star Lieutenant" motorcycles and "Hongqi" sedans—undoubtedly the best demonstration of the new China's industrial achievements and the demeanor of a great power!

The success of civilian motorcycles, coupled with the continued strong sales of automobiles (Hongqi luxury cars, Hongxing automobiles, and Hongxing trucks) and special agricultural machinery (Hongxing small steel cannons), led to a steady increase in the production capacity and revenue of Hongxing United Industrial Corporation. The existing workforce could no longer meet production demands. Therefore, at another expanded meeting of the factory's Party Committee, Wang Huanbo put forward a bold and necessary suggestion: to recruit workers on a large scale again.

"...Based on the current and foreseeable order situation, as well as the projects we are currently undertaking, such as the construction of family housing and the planning of new production lines, I suggest that we immediately launch a new round of recruitment, with a scale of about 6,000 people." Wang Huanbo pointed to the planning map, his voice clear and powerful. "These 6,000 people can be divided into two parts. Four thousand of them will be recruited from within Beijing, prioritizing urban residents with financial difficulties and no stable employment, as well as families of martyrs, especially those with multiple unemployed members and struggling financially. This will help alleviate urban employment pressure, improve the lives of lower-income citizens, and also inject fresh blood into our factory."

He paused, then continued, "For the remaining two thousand people, I suggest recruiting from rural areas surrounding Beijing, especially from Hongxing Commune (formed by merging the former Wangjiazhuang and four surrounding villages), which is a key area of ​​support for our factory, and its subordinate production brigades. These rural youths are hardworking, diligent, and can quickly become qualified industrial workers after training. At the same time, this is also a form of 'promoting agriculture through industry,' directly feeding back the benefits of our industrial development to the rural areas that provide us with food and non-staple foods, creating a virtuous cycle."

The proposal was quickly approved after discussion. The recruitment notice, once posted, immediately caused a huge sensation in Beijing and the Red Star Commune.

In Beijing, countless unemployed youths and people from impoverished families flocked to the recruitment site of the Hongxing Factory, clutching certificates issued by their local street offices, their eyes filled with longing for "working-class" status and hope for a change in their fate. The recruitment site was packed with people, an unprecedented spectacle.

In the Red Star Commune, however, a completely different scene of joy and celebration unfolded.

Wangjiazhuang, the hometown of Wang Huanbo, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Thanks to the continuous technical and material support from the Hongxing Factory, especially the widespread adoption of the "Hongxing Little Cannon" multi-functional agricultural vehicle, the efficiency of arduous farm work such as plowing, sowing, harvesting, threshing, and transportation has been revolutionaryly improved. Farm tasks that previously required the entire family to work from dawn till dusk can now be efficiently completed by the "Little Cannon" with a small workforce. A large amount of labor has been freed from the land.

Meanwhile, with funding from the Hongxing Factory, a brand-new "Hongxing Commune Central Primary School," complete with bright classrooms and a standard playground, rose from the ground in the heart of the commune. The county education bureau assigned teacher-training graduates to teach there, and for the first time, school-age children from Wangjiazhuang and several surrounding villages were able to receive formal primary education right at their doorstep. The idea that knowledge could change their destiny began to sprout in these once-isolated villages.

The freed-up labor force was not left idle. With Wang Huanbo's suggestion and Li Huaide's coordination, Hongxing Factory introduced high-quality piglets, chickens, fish fry, calves, and lambs to the commune through various channels. The commune, adapting to local conditions and integrating resources, established large-scale pig farms, chicken farms, fishponds, cattle farms, and sheep farms in five villages. Women became the main force in these sideline productions; they participated in training, learned scientific breeding techniques, and worked enthusiastically. These livestock farming operations not only significantly increased the income of the commune and its members (through work points plus rewards), but also provided Hongxing Factory with a stable and high-quality source of meat, eggs, milk, and fish for its logistical needs. Li Huaide, representing Hongxing Factory, signed a long-term agricultural product purchase contract with commune secretary Chen Dashan, ensuring fair prices and stable sales, giving the commune members complete peace of mind.

The news that the Red Star Factory was recruiting 200 workers for the commune brought this joy to a climax. The recruitment conditions were clear: age 18-25, good health, politically clean, and priority would be given to those with at least a primary school education. This last requirement, "educated," was like a silent command, inspiring the young people in the commune who had attended school for a few years or were attending night school literacy classes.

Qin Family Village, Qin Huairu's maternal home.

Qin Huairu's eldest brother Qin Dachuan, second brother Qin Erhe, and cousin Qin Jingru's eldest brother Qin Dashan all signed up. With their strong physique and "higher primary school graduation" education (which was rare in the rural areas at that time), they successfully passed the initial screening and their names appeared on the recommended list posted by the commune! Not only that, but five or six other young people from Qin Family Village who met the same criteria were also selected.

When the news reached the Qin family, Old Man Qin was so excited that his hands trembled, and he almost dropped his pipe. "Great! Great! Go to the city to work! Get a government-subsidized food ration! This is a wonderful thing! May our ancestors bless us, may our ancestors bless us!" He could almost see his sons wearing brand-new worker's clothes, receiving a fixed salary every month, and sending money home.

Qin Jingru's older brother, Qin Dashan, was so excited that his face turned red as he circled the yard, shouting, "Dad, Mom! I'm going to be a worker! I'm going to work at the Red Star Factory!" He seemed to have forgotten about his sister's still unresolved "troublesome matter."

While wiping away tears of joy, Qin's mother looked at Qin Jingru with concern as she silently sewed shoe soles, her head bowed. Since that night, her daughter had become a different person; she spoke less, smiled less, and often spaced out. She knew her daughter still harbored feelings for that "heartless" Xu Damao, but Xu Damao had returned to the city and there had been no further news. Now that her sons were all going to the city to work as laborers, what would become of Jingru…?

Qin Laoshuan noticed his wife's gaze and glanced at his youngest daughter. The joy on his face faded slightly, and he snorted, "It's a blessing for the Qin family that your brothers have made something of themselves. Jingru, don't always look so downcast. I know what's going on with Xu Damao. Once this busy period is over and your brothers are settled, I'll have my own plans. Xu Damao wants to renege on his debt? Not so easy!" He touched the neatly folded "debt" with his fingerprint on it in his pocket, a hint of certainty flashing in his eyes. His sons getting jobs at the Red Star Factory—maybe... they could become another bargaining chip to control Xu Damao?

The entire Hongxing Commune, encompassing its five villages, was filled with the joy of a New Year celebration. Every family with a child selected was beaming with happiness, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. The production brigade, for the first time ever, used its surplus funds to buy meat and wine for a collective celebration. The elders exclaimed, "These days, there's really hope! Engineer Wang (Wang Huanbo) is a great benefactor to our commune!" The young people, meanwhile, were eager to get started, looking forward to their new lives in the city.

Recruitment, like a strong bond, more closely connected the ever-growing Red Star United Industrial Corporation with the rural land where it was rooted. The lifeblood of industry flowed into the countryside, and the nutrients of the countryside nourished industry in return. Hope, like the full ears of rice in early autumn, hung heavily on the fields of Red Star Commune, and also on the hearts of every ordinary person who longed to change their destiny.

Beneath this seemingly thriving and hopeful scene, the subtle, individual destinies are quietly changing and intertwining. Xu Damao, brimming with pride as the head of the film projection team, is unaware that in Qinjiacun, Qin Laoshuan, emboldened by the recruitment of workers, is silently calculating the opportune moment to go to Beijing to "demand justice." In the courtyard house, Yan Fugui meticulously manages every penny and every grain of food, his conflict with his eldest son, Yan Jiecheng, deepening in silence. In the Jia family, Qin Huairu is genuinely happy that her brothers can go to the city to work, but she is also secretly saddened by the increasingly heavy burden of life in the Jia family and the increasingly harsh words of her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi.

The tide of the times surged forward, sweeping everyone along. The machines at the Red Star Factory roared, newly produced motorcycles sped into the distance, skyscrapers rose day by day, and the fields echoed with the rhythmic clatter of "little cannons" and the laughter of harvest. This was a complex era, filled with both passionate construction and material scarcity, collective ideals and personal calculations, grand narratives and mundane daily routines. Hope and anxiety, opportunity and challenge, like warp and weft, were intricately woven into the canvas of early autumn 1957, foreshadowing some things breaking ground, while others quietly sprouted beneath the calm surface.