Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

as predicted.

General Peng cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on Lin Yang like a torch.

"Lin Yang, you served as the Party Secretary at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, which laid a very solid foundation. The Central Committee has witnessed your management skills and iron-fisted approach."

General Peng said, emphasizing each word.

"Right now, the Ministry of Heavy Industry lacks a swift and decisive weapon—one that can cut through any mess and is willing to fight to the bitter end!"

"Our steel production falls far short of construction needs. The relationships between the various factories and mines are complex, and old habits from the past haven't been completely eradicated, hindering production efficiency. In some places, there are even enemy agents causing sabotage!"

General Peng walked up to Lin Yang and patted him on the shoulder.

"Approved jointly by the Central Military Commission and the State Council!"

"You are officially appointed as: Vice Minister of the Ministry of Heavy Industry of the Central People's Government! Concurrently serving as Director of the Iron and Steel Industry Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Heavy Industry!"

boom!

This appointment sent a jolt through Lin Yang's heart.

A vice-ministerial level official! And the "top leader" of the Iron and Steel Industry Administration Bureau, the most crucial department controlling the lifeline of the nation's industry!

This is definitely a powerful position at the level of a regional governor!

"Commander Peng, sir." Lin Yang stood up, his expression solemn. "I obey the organization's arrangements. However, this military uniform of mine..."

General Peng laughed heartily and waved his hand.

"This is the special arrangement for calling you here today!"

"Your military rank and benefits will be retained!"

The commander added from the side, "Comrade Lin Yang, your assignment to the Ministry of Heavy Industry this time isn't that of an ordinary demobilized cadre. You're a 'firefighter' sent by the Party Central Committee! You're a special forces unit deployed on the industrial front!"

"The Central Committee allows you to 'transfer with your military rank'! You can retain the tough style of the military and don't need to worry about the complicated interpersonal relationships in the local area. If you encounter anyone obstructing production, engaging in corruption, or causing sabotage, you can deal with them directly using military law! All the way, it's the green light!"

"What we need is your murderous intent! We need to increase steel production at the speed of a war!"

Lin Yang understood.

This is giving him a "royal sword"!

In this era of rebuilding from scratch, formal meetings cannot solve deep-seated problems. Only by using the iron-fisted, disciplined approach of the military can an industrial powerhouse be built in the shortest possible time!

"clear!"

Lin Yang suddenly brought his legs together and gave an extremely solemn military salute.

"Rest assured, sir! This sharp blade of mine can rip MacArthur's heart out on the battlefield, and it will cut through any obstacle on the industrial front as well! I guarantee we will meet the steel targets!"

……

As evening approached, the snow fell even heavier.

Lin Yang took the appointment letter stamped with a bright red seal and returned to the Yuquanshan Military Region compound.

As soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate, he heard a deafening commotion coming from the living room.

"Hahaha! Sister-in-law, I've brought all my prized Fenjiu liquor today! When Yangzi gets back, we have to drink to our hearts' content!"

Who else could have such a loud and gruff voice but Li Yunlong?

Lin Yang pushed open the door and entered the house, where he saw familiar faces sitting on the sofa in the living room.

Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Ding Wei, Kong Jie.

The Northwest Iron Triangle and the political commissar of the Independent Regiment gathered at his home once again.

On the coffee table were several plates of snacks brought from the cafeteria: peanuts, braised pig's head, smashed cucumber, and four or five unopened bottles of strong Fenjiu liquor.

Tian Yu was carrying a plate of freshly sliced ​​braised beef out of the kitchen when she saw Lin Yang. She smiled and said, "Yangzi, Chief Li and the others just arrived. They said they heard about you and came to congratulate you."

"Congratulations?" Lin Yang took off his coat, walked over with a smile, and said, "My appointment letter hasn't even warmed up yet, and your noses are already sharper than dogs."

"nonsense!"

Li Yunlong pulled Lin Yang to sit down on the sofa, opened a bottle of Fenjiu liquor, poured a full bowl, and pushed it over.

"You've really hit the jackpot! Vice Minister of Heavy Industry! And Director of the Iron and Steel Bureau!"

Li Yunlong stared with wide eyes, his tone revealing an undisguised envy and pride.

"Good heavens! Soldiers from our Fourth Field Army are damn tough! This Ministry of Heavy Industry controls the nation's steel lifeline. From now on, all the tanks and artillery under my command will depend on you, kid, for making steel!"

Ding Wei also picked up his wine bowl, his shrewd eyes gleaming.

"Yangzi, this is a real heavy responsibility. You're being transferred from military service to become a firefighter. The higher-ups have handed you the toughest task."

Ding Wei analyzed, "The steel plant nowadays has a complex composition. There are the old technical personnel who were retained, the expert group sent by the Soviet Union, and our newly transferred worker and peasant cadres. With these three forces mixed together, friction is inevitable. Your sharp knife has a lot of work to do."

"What's there to be afraid of!" Kong Jie said dismissively, puffing on his pipe. "Yangzi dared to go head-to-head with even the American devils' ace sergeant, so how could he not handle a few troublemakers in the factory? Anyone who disobeys will be dragged out and shot!"

Zhao Gang tapped the table helplessly.

"Old Kong, Old Li, you two are talking nonsense. Local development isn't war; you can't just kill people at the drop of a hat. Yangzi, when you go to the Ministry of Heavy Industry, you must be firm yet flexible. Arrest those who need to be arrested, and appease those who need to be appeased. Especially those technical experts; they are our country's treasures and must be protected."

Lin Yang picked up his wine bowl, looked at his old comrades-in-arms with whom he had shared life and death, and felt a surge of pride in his heart.

"Old Zhao is right, but Old Li's words, though rough, are not without merit."

Lin Yang took a sip of strong liquor, and his eyes sharpened.

"Building a nation is also a war. Anyone who dares to cause trouble or hinder me on my turf, I, Lin Yang, have no shortage of bullets!"

"Dry!"

Five large, rough porcelain bowls collided heavily together, splashing wine everywhere.

After a few bowls of wine, the atmosphere became completely lively.

Li Yunlong took a bite of pig's head meat, chewing as he complained, "Yangzi, now that you've left to become your minister, I'm stuck in this military compound without even anyone to drink with. It's so boring."

Lin Yang put down his wine bowl and reached out to stop Li Yunlong from lighting a cigarette.

"Old Li, don't smoke at my place today. The smell in the house is too strong," Lin Yang said casually.

Li Yunlong was taken aback, then his eyes widened: "What? You've become a deputy minister, and now you're telling me what to do just because I'm smoking a cigarette? Your official arrogance is too much!"

Ding Wei and Kong Jie also looked at Lin Yang with puzzled expressions. Lin Yang usually never cared about these things, so why was he acting this way today?

Lin Yang's lips curled into an undisguised smile. He turned his head and glanced at Tian Yu, who was sitting next to him with a smile.

"I'm not trying to show off my official power."

Lin Yang turned around, his gaze sweeping over his old comrades, his tone revealing an unprecedented pride and tenderness.

"Tian Yu is pregnant."

"I'm going to be a dad."