Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

After Wu Cheng finished speaking, he took half a step back and turned his gaze to Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng took a step forward and stood at the very front of the earthen slope, the wind blowing the hem of his Zhongshan suit backward.

"Comrades, Commander Wu has just explained the mission clearly. Let me say a few more words."

"Each generation has its own mission. Our generation overthrew feudalism, drove out imperialism, and removed the mountain that had been weighing down on the Chinese people for decades."

"And now, our mission is to reclaim the dignity that belongs to the Chinese people in the world. This dignity is not something that can be achieved by talking or by protesting; it is something that can be earned through strength."

"Back when we were fighting the Japanese, the Japanese devils had airplanes, cannons, and tanks. What did we have? Millet and rifles. But we weren't afraid then, because we couldn't fight head-on. We fought with our brains and our courage."

"But what happened next? We went abroad and fought a battle face-to-face with the world's strongest army. After the battle, they said we had backbone and were good at fighting. But they didn't say one thing: you have backbone, that's good, but you don't have the necessary resources."

"What is that thing? It's an atomic bomb."

There's a saying that goes, "Having no sword in your hand is one thing, having a sword in your hand and not using it is another." When you don't have a sword, if you try to reason with someone, they won't listen because they have a sword. Only when you have a sword do your words carry weight, and only then will people sit down and talk to you.

"Only with this sword will those foreign devils dare not bully us so easily, and dare not shout that they will drop atomic bombs on us at the drop of a hat. Only then can the nation and the people truly stand tall."

"I have eight words for everyone at the base: 'Remain anonymous and dedicate yourselves to forging swords for the nation.' Your names may remain unknown for decades, and your contributions may not appear in the newspapers for a long time. But the Party and the country will remember your sacrifices, 600 million Chinese people will remember your sacrifices, and your descendants will remember your sacrifices. One day, your names will be engraved in the history of the Republic."

The parade ground was silent for a second or two, then applause erupted simultaneously from both lines of soldiers. The scientists clapped, with several elderly gentlemen clapping especially hard, their faces showing a moved expression of being understood and respected; the workers joined in; and the soldiers of the engineering corps clapped in unison, their loud and clear applause carrying far across the vast Gobi Desert.

The applause lasted for almost half a minute before gradually subsiding. Wu Cheng waved his hand to the audience and raised his voice, saying, "Alright, everyone disperse. Each team, go back to the canteen for lunch. Work as usual this morning. Specific tasks will be picked up from your respective units this afternoon."

Everyone responded and, guided by the base staff, began to evacuate in batches. The workers walked in a line towards the canteen. Fang Tie, walking in the crowd, nudged Liang Cheng beside him with his elbow and said in a low voice, "Working in anonymity to forge swords for the country. Minister Liu's words are quite powerful."

As Wu Cheng walked down the earthen slope, he quickly caught up with Liu Yuheng and patted him on the shoulder: "Old Liu, what you just said was really good. 'Hidden identity, forging swords for the country.' Eight words are more effective than any of my long-winded explanations. I'll have someone write them on the outer wall of the headquarters so that everyone coming and going can see them."

Old Sun also chimed in from the side: "Haven't seen you in years, you son of a bitch Liu Yuheng, you've become a great scholar, your words just now were so eloquent."

Liu Yuheng smiled and waved his hand, his tone casual and nonchalant: "I wouldn't dare say that, what great talent. These words have been swirling in my head for a long time, and I'm just taking this opportunity to say them. If you find them useful, feel free to use them. You can write them on the wall or print them in the briefing, I have no objection."

He paused, his expression becoming more composed. "By the way, I have to go back to Beijing with the supply truck tomorrow. There's a ton of work waiting for me at the ministry, so I can't stay here too long. If you need anything coordinated here, let me know as soon as possible."

Wu Cheng nodded: "Okay, I'll have someone double-check the supplies list today, and I'll give you a copy before the train departs tomorrow morning. After you return to the department, I'll leave the rest of the work there to you."

Old Sun, as if remembering something, tucked the unlit cigarette behind his ear and looked at Liu Yuheng, saying, "Old Liu, I had nothing to do last night, so I went through the list of workers who were transferred this time again. There's something I want to confirm with you. That Liang Cheng, the eighth-grade fitter, is he your brother's father-in-law?"

Wu Cheng was taken aback by these words, turning his gaze to Liu Yuheng with a hint of surprise on his face: "Oh? There's this kind of relationship?"

Liu Yuheng nodded, his expression remaining largely unchanged, his tone calm and composed: "Yes, he's my sister-in-law's father. This time, their factory nominated three level-eight workers, but one was eliminated during the political review, and in the end, he and another welder were chosen. Liang Cheng is a level-eight fitter, one of the best in the factory, and his assessment scores are among the top. Technically speaking, he's fully qualified; it's not because of my connections."

He paused, his gaze shifting from Old Sun's face to Wu Cheng's, his tone now carrying a more serious tone of entrustment: "I've brought him, and his skills are absolutely top-notch, you can rest assured about that. But in the future, during his time at the base, if there's anything he needs help with in his life or work, I'll have to ask you two to take good care of him. I don't ask for any special treatment, just like the other workers."

"However, he's not young anymore, he's fifty years old. If he encounters any heavy physical work or any special circumstances, you two should keep a close eye on him."

After listening, Wu Cheng nodded solemnly: "Old Liu, don't worry. I'll take good care of the people you've entrusted to me. Not just Liang Cheng, but all the workers you brought, I'll make arrangements for them. Accommodation, meals, and labor protection—they won't be neglected in any way."

Old Sun nodded in agreement, "That's right, Lao Liu, don't worry. These people were handpicked by you one by one; they're treasures. No matter how tight our logistics are here, we won't let these hard-working people suffer. If there are any problems, I, Lao Sun, will be the first to call you."

Liu Yuheng nodded to the two men without saying anything more. The three of them walked along the path at the edge of the playground toward the camp. In the distance, they could already see people queuing for food in the direction of the canteen. Smoke rose from the canteen's chimney, blown to one side by the morning wind, and soon dissipated into the gray-blue sky of the Gobi Desert.