Courtyard House: Home Alone

Lin Yifan left Tang Baolin's office, found a deserted alley, released the car, started the engine, and drove towards the pharmaceutical factory.

That evening, Lin Yifan, returning from the pharmaceutical factory, didn't go straight home. Instead, he drove to the Tang residence. Hearing the car outside, the butler, Old Zhang, quickly opened the gate. Seeing Lin Yifan get out of the car, he smiled and said, "Young Master, it's been a while since you've been to the Tang residence. Please come in!"

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I was away for a few days and just got back. Is the old man inside?" Lin Yifan asked as he followed Old Zhang inside.

"Yes, sir. The master met with that Soviet man this afternoon and has been staying in the study ever since. He even had dinner in the study."

Old Zhang answered respectfully, his steps never faltering, leading Lin Yifan through several courtyards to Tang Baolin's study.

"Master, the young master has arrived," Old Zhang announced softly from outside the door.

"Come in," came Tang Baolin's voice from inside the study.

Lin Yifan pushed open the door and entered, only to see Tang Baolin standing by the window, a cigarette between his fingers, his brows furrowed, his expression even more serious than when he was in the office that morning.

"Grandpa," Lin Yifan stepped forward and called softly.

Tang Baolin turned around, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and pointed to the sofa: "Sit down. That Andrei is no ordinary person."

Lin Yifan sat down on the sofa, waiting for what was to come. Tang Baolin sat down on the sofa opposite him, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then slowly began to speak: "He started by making outrageous demands, wanting us to supply him with 100,000 vials of penicillin every month, as well as large quantities of sulfonamide powder and tablets."

"One hundred thousand?"

Lin Yifan raised an eyebrow; this number did indeed exceed his expectations.

Even at full capacity, the pharmaceutical factory's current penicillin production is only around 150,000 doses per month. The Soviets certainly have a big appetite.

He also said that price was not an issue, but he demanded that we guarantee the supply, and that the medicines could only be supplied to them and not sold to anyone else, especially the Japanese.

Tang Baolin continued, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"They're quite arrogant, trying to turn our pharmaceutical factory into their exclusive logistics base."

Lin Yifan tapped his knee lightly with his fingers and said in a deep voice, "Just as I suspected. They don't just want to buy medicine; they want to control the flow of our drugs. There are probably deeper political considerations behind this."

He paused, then looked at Tang Baolin: "What was your reply to him?"

"As you said, I didn't agree. I just said I needed to report to 'Ghost' and told him to wait for news."

Tang Baolin said, "He didn't press the issue, but just said he hoped we would give him a reply as soon as possible, and even hinted that if the cooperation went well, the Soviet Union could provide some of the assistance we 'urgently needed'."

"Need urgent help?"

A glint of light flashed in Lin Yifan's eyes. "Heh! In just a few days, they won't even be able to save themselves."

Old man, try to contact him again tomorrow. Tell him that "Ghost" agreed to his request for 100,000 units per month, but the transaction must be in gold, and the price must be increased by 20%.

Because we would be liable for breach of contract. There's also a condition: they must provide five pharmaceutical production lines within ten days.

These five production lines are no ordinary products; they must be the most advanced pharmaceutical production lines in the country, and technical personnel must be sent over to be responsible for installation and commissioning to ensure normal production.

The Soviets are now eager to expand their military and prepare for war, and their need for medicine is more urgent than anyone else's, especially life-saving drugs like penicillin.

Let's seize this opportunity and have a good talk with them. Ten days should be enough to give them a major headache.

If they can really provide five production lines, our output will increase several times over, and then we will have complete control over the situation.

They received a large amount of gold from the Tsar; consider this as us collecting some interest for the Qing government.

"Ten days? How can that be possible in ten days? Just the transportation alone will take..."

Lin Yifan waved to stop Tang Baolin: "Grandpa, aren't there Commander Kong's men stationed at both Xiyuan and Nanyuan airports? Let them sort out Xiyuan airport first."

I'll find a way to provide them with another batch of air defense weapons, so that Xiyuan Airport can be put into use immediately.

If the Russians agree, let them transport the goods by plane, and they will land at Xiyuan Airport.

This would significantly shorten transportation time. If they don't even have that kind of courage, then this cooperation is better off not happening.

Upon hearing this, Tang Baolin's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "Right! Use airplanes! How come I didn't think of that! Xiao Fan, you're really quick-witted! This way, although ten days is still tight, it's not entirely impossible."

Lin Yifan smiled slightly: "If they really want this batch of medicine, they will naturally find a way. What we need to do now is to state our terms and see their reaction."

These five production lines are essential for us. Only with them can we truly achieve self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals and even have the capacity to support other regions.

He paused, his gaze deepening: "Moreover, this is also a test for them. To see how much they value us, and their current true strength."

If they're not even willing to pay this small price, then their so-called "urgently needed help" is probably just empty talk.

Tang Baolin took a deep breath, stood up, paced a few steps in the study, and said in a deep voice, "Fine! We'll do it your way! Tomorrow I'll meet with that Andrei and present him with these conditions! I want to see if this old Russian is genuinely cooperating or just trying to get something for nothing!"

Seeing Tang Baolin's resolute expression, Lin Yifan also stood up: "Grandpa, don't worry. As long as they're willing to get on this boat, we'll take the lead. The future situation in Beiping, and even the whole of North China and China, depends on these 'bargains' in our hands."

"By the way, sir, how's the site selection for the power plant and steel mill that I instructed you to do before I left? The American equipment has already arrived, and their engineers are on their way."

Tang Baolin showed a hint of relief on his face, walked to the map of Beiping hanging on the wall, and pointed to the name on it with his finger: "The location of the power plant has been basically decided. It will be near the Yongding River. There is plenty of water there, the terrain is flat, it is not too far from the city, and it is convenient for power transmission."

As for the steel plant, we considered several locations and finally preferred Shijingshan. There are readily available small iron ore mines there. Although the reserves are not large, they can solve our immediate problem. Moreover, it is close to the railway, making it convenient to transport raw materials and finished products.

"Once the American equipment and technicians arrive, we can start construction immediately."