Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The news that 38 Soviet experts had officially entered the Red Star United Industrial Corporation spread throughout the entire factory that very day.

This group of experts covers multiple core fields such as mechanical manufacturing, automotive engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, metallurgy and chemical engineering. Most of them are technical backbones who have worked in the Soviet Union for more than ten years, and several of them are authoritative figures at the level of chief engineers. Their arrival means that the Red Star Plant's technological iteration and capacity upgrade have gained a strong boost, and the entire plant has high hopes for them.

To show his appreciation, Yao Jianghe, the factory's Party Secretary, went to great lengths to obtain a batch of vouchers for the Moscow Restaurant. Known locally as "Old Moscow," this restaurant was the most authentic Russian restaurant in the city. In the early days of the People's Republic, it was the preferred venue for receiving foreign guests and hosting diplomatic banquets. Its high standards and great reputation made it perfect for welcoming Soviet experts.

On the day of the welcome banquet, Yao Jianghe personally led a reception team consisting of five people: factory director Yang Weimin, deputy factory director in charge of logistics Li Huaide, chief engineer Wang Huanbo, and Wang Huanbo's technical assistant Zheng Yunfeng. They waited early in front of the Lao Mo Restaurant.

At 5:30 p.m., two Red Star brand minibuses pulled up smoothly in front of the restaurant. Thirty-eight Soviet experts disembarked one by one, each dressed neatly and with a solemn expression. Leading the group was Petrovich, the chief engineer and a leading authority in Soviet heavy machinery.

"Welcome, experts, from all over the world! You've had a long journey!" Yao Jianghe stepped forward quickly, took the initiative to shake hands with Petrovich, and said in a warm and sincere tone, "We have prepared a small banquet today to welcome you all. If you have any needs while working and living at the Hongxing Factory, please feel free to ask, and we will do our best to support you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two entered the restaurant one after the other.

The interior of the Old Moscow Restaurant is in a typical Soviet style, with high domes, heavy wooden tables and chairs, and warm yellow lighting, exuding a dignified and elegant exotic atmosphere. As soon as the Soviet experts entered, their faces showed a sense of familiarity—the decor and atmosphere here are very similar to high-end restaurants in Moscow, giving them a fleeting feeling of coming home.

The group took their seats, and the cold appetizers were served first: crisp and refreshing Russian pickled cucumbers, thickly sliced ​​smoked salmon, and savory Kiev cold cut sausage, accompanied by neatly cut black and white rye bread. This authentic Russian appetizer pairing instantly brought everyone closer together.

Following closely behind, the hot dishes were served one after another. The borscht was rich and flavorful, topped with a spoonful of thick sour cream, which was sweet and sour with a rich aroma. The braised beef in a clay pot was sealed in a small earthenware pot, and when the lid was lifted, steam wafted out. The beef was stewed until tender and flavorful, and the thick broth coated the potatoes and carrots, making each bite a burst of freshness and aroma. The creamy baked mixed vegetables were covered with melted cheese and contained sausages, mushrooms, chicken, and mashed potatoes, which were rich in creaminess and had a complex texture. There was also the crispy-skinned, tender-on-the-inside Kiev pork chop, drizzled with a sweet and sour tomato sauce, cooked to perfection.

The main course is served with creamy mushroom pasta, and the drinks are chilled kvass and hot cocoa. Every dish is authentic Russian in flavor, with generous portions and genuine taste.

"It's so authentic!" Petrovich took a sip of the borscht and couldn't help but nod in praise. "I thought it would be a long time before I could eat such authentic hometown flavors after arriving in China. I didn't expect my first meal to be such a pleasant surprise."

Other experts echoed their sentiments, some praising the perfectly cooked beef stew, others enjoying the crispness of the pickled cucumbers, and still others frequently raising their glasses to the kvass. They had expected that it would take some time to adjust to the food in a foreign country, but they hadn't expected the Red Star Factory to be so thoughtful, arranging the most authentic Russian banquet. Everyone could feel their care and attention.

During the meal, Yao Jianghe and Yang Weimin served as the main hosts, chatting about life and the environment in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. Li Huaide carefully attended to the replenishment of dishes and the replacement of drinks at each table, handling the details of the reception flawlessly. Wang Huanbo was surrounded by several experts in the field of technology, and they talked about everything from precision machine tools to automotive power, from electronic equipment to energy applications, and the conversation went deeper and deeper.

His fluent and standard Russian, coupled with his expert knowledge of various technical parameters, greatly surprised the Soviet experts. They had initially thought that this excessively young chief engineer had only risen to his high position because of his overseas background. However, after several exchanges, they discovered that his technical vision and theoretical depth far surpassed those of many of their veteran engineers who had worked in the field for many years.

Beneath the lively surface of the banquet, a gaze remained silently fixed on Wang Huanbo.

Vasily sat in a corner, a half-eaten loaf of bread and pickles in front of him, a friendly smile on his face. He occasionally joined in the small talk of his colleagues, looking no different from any other technical expert. But behind his glasses, his gaze repeatedly and seemingly casually swept over Wang Huanbo next to him, etching the man's appearance, figure, speech and mannerisms into his mind.

Before his departure, the only information provided by the KGB headquarters was Wang Huanbo's file photo and a vague resume. His actual appearance and the level of security he was under remained unknown. After observing him up close at the banquet today, Vasily gradually formed his own judgment.

Young, excessively young, yet frighteningly composed. Facing technical questions from a group of Soviet experts, he answered calmly and confidently, without the slightest hesitation; when greeted by factory leaders, he handled the situation with perfect tact, neither arrogant nor timid. What struck Vasily even more was the relaxed yet alert demeanor surrounding him—seemingly absorbed in the conversation, yet seemingly able to detect the slightest movement around him instantly.

This is by no means an ordinary chief engineer who only understands scientific research.

Vasily picked up his kvass and took a sip, using the gesture to conceal the cold glint in his eyes. The target had been identified; it was this man. Younger and more unfathomable than described in the intelligence. Obtaining the core technologies of the three-axis machine tool, the electronic computer, and the arc reactor from him would likely be far more difficult than headquarters anticipated.

He calmly withdrew his gaze, lowering his head to cut the fried pork chop on his plate, as if his earlier observation had never occurred. The laughter and chatter of the banquet, the aroma of wine and food, provided the perfect cover for his concealment. No one knew that among these thirty-eight technical experts who had traveled from afar, there were more than a few spying eyes, more than a conspiracy waiting to be launched.

At the end of the banquet, Petrovich raised his glass and solemnly said to Yao Jianghe, Wang Huanbo, and others, "Thank you for the warm hospitality of Hongxing Factory, and thank you for the excellent exchange with Chief Engineer Wang. We look forward to the cooperation ahead and believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, we will surely achieve fruitful results."

The clinking of glasses filled the air, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

After the banquet, the experts returned to their temporary accommodations by car. At the restaurant entrance, Yao Jianghe watched the convoy drive away and smiled at the people beside him, saying, "Looks like a good start; the experts are very satisfied with our arrangements."

Li Huaide nodded, a weight lifted from his shoulders. With food and lodging arranged, as long as the daily support was carried out step by step, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Wang Huanbo stood to the side, gazing in the direction the convoy had disappeared, a subtle, profound meaning flashing in his eyes. He hadn't been oblivious to the several subtle glances he'd received during the gathering. This group of experts had come from afar, seemingly all technical personnel, but there were likely ulterior motives hidden among them; things were probably not as simple as they seemed.

As night deepened, the lights in the Lao Mo Restaurant remained warm and yellow. A seemingly successful welcoming banquet had come to an end, but a silent contest surrounding the Hongxing Factory and its core technologies had only just begun.