Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The news that Wang Huanbo was awarded the title of "Pillar of the Nation" and received by the highest leader brought him unparalleled honor, but also attracted widespread attention. Among these were sincere congratulations, but also some covert covetousness and potential threats. His safety, especially the core technologies he possessed, became of paramount importance.

A few days after the commendation ceremony, a director from the Ministry of Public Security personally led a team to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill for a secret meeting with Director Yang, Secretary Wang, and Wang Huanbo. The director solemnly pointed out that, given Comrade Wang Huanbo's extreme importance to the nation's industrial development, the strategic value of his research findings, and the complexity of the international struggle, special measures must be taken to ensure his absolute safety and technical secrecy.

"Following a decision made by higher authorities," the director announced, "a special police station will be established at the key traffic intersection between Nanluoguxiang and Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. The station will be expanded, with all officers selected from experienced combat heroes and top public security personnel. It will be equipped with the latest Type 54 submachine guns and pistols, and will be provided with five American-made Willys Jeeps and three Japanese-made sidecar motorcycles, implementing a 24-hour continuous patrol and emergency response mechanism. One of its main responsibilities is to ensure the absolute safety of Comrade Wang Huanbo during his commute, at the factory, and at home, and to have the authority to take initial action against any suspicious persons or situations!"

Upon hearing this, Director Yang and Secretary Wang were both shocked and gratified. This was the highest level of protection the country could provide for its talent! Wang Huanbo also felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that he was now in a much more complex situation.

Soon, this special police station, codenamed "Red Star Outpost," was quickly established and put into operation. The officers were all full of energy, with sharp eyes and swift movements. They escorted Wang Huanbo to and from get off work every day, jeeps and motorcycles shuttling back and forth, creating an impressive scene. The security situation around the steel mill and No. 95 compound improved dramatically; even petty theft disappeared.

The beasts in the courtyard had never seen anything like this before. They were all dumbfounded.

Yan Bugui clicked his tongue in amazement: "Good heavens! This security detail is even higher than that of a minister! Huanbo is truly becoming a protected species now!"

Liu Haizhong's eyes reddened with envy. When he got home, he gave his son another beating: "Look at that! Now that's what you call promising! When are you going to get the police station to send me a car?"

Yi Zhonghai fell even more silent, completely abandoning any thought of competing with Wang Huanbo.

Xu Damao became even more attentive, wishing he could be Wang Huanbo's personal secretary.

Ordinary residents feel proud, believing that living in this area is exceptionally safe and prestigious.

Wang Huanbo took this calmly, knowing it was a necessary measure. He focused his main efforts on the more important next step: technology promotion and upgrading.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry, the "National CNC Machine Tool Technology Training Course" officially commenced at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. Technical experts from major factories and mines across the country gathered to receive instruction from Wang Huanbo, who personally taught the principles, operation, programming, and maintenance of CNC machine tools. His explanations were thorough yet accessible, and he shared his knowledge without reservation, greatly benefiting the trainees. Soon, the first batch of "copycat" three-axis CNC machine tool blueprints and key components began to be exported to other units, and China's precision manufacturing capabilities began to spread rapidly.

Meanwhile, the success of the "Red Star" sedan greatly stimulated the development of the domestic automobile industry. The First Ministry of Machine Building decided to use the Red Star as a blueprint to select sites in Changchun, Beijing, Shanghai, and other places to build large-scale automobile manufacturing plants and achieve mass production. Wang Huanbo was hired as the chief technical consultant. He systematically organized the complete set of technical drawings of the Red Star sedan (after digestion, absorption, and adaptive modifications) and focused on tackling the technical difficulties of the EA111 series engine, training technical personnel. His proposed improvements, such as the four-door design, the lengthened body, and the replacement of plastics with steel, were also adopted, becoming the standard for the first national sedan of New China.

However, great success breeds envy. Wang Huanbo's meteoric rise and series of major technological breakthroughs also attracted close attention from foreign powers. Some foreign technical publications began publishing articles analyzing "Chinese CNC machine tools" and "Hongxing sedans," their tone filled with surprise and skepticism. A commercial attaché from a foreign consulate attempted to contact Wang Huanbo under the guise of "technical exchange," but was politely refused by Factory Director Yang and Secretary Wang on the grounds of "technical confidentiality." Several unidentified outsiders were also spotted spying around the factory area, but were promptly discovered and driven away by vigilant police officers from the "Hongxing outpost" and the factory's security department.

Wang Huanbo realized that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were beginning to stir. The prelude to the battle to protect technology had begun. He instructed his family and those around him to be vigilant, and at the same time suggested to the ministry that the confidentiality management of relevant technical data be strengthened, and that more rigorous political vetting be conducted on personnel involved in core projects.