Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Starting with the Korean War, returning home to take charge

The lights were already on in the workshop when it was still barely light.

Ma Yuejin squatted beside the test bench, running his fingers over the new cylinder body from end to end, three times in total. He scrubbed each weld seam with his fingernail to make sure it was smooth and free of pinholes. Li Zhiming adjusted the instruments beside him, his fingers pressing the buttons, pausing after each press, his lips moving as if he were counting.

When He Yuzhu came in, everyone stood up straight.

He didn't say anything, but walked up to the stand and examined the cylinder from top to bottom. The surface was shiny, the welds were even, and the color was the gray of freshly cooled metal.

Ma Yuejin rubbed his hands together beside him.

"Dean, this time there shouldn't be any problems."

He Yuzhu nodded.

"Let's begin."

The motor still makes a loud noise when it starts.

The flywheel slowly began to spin, faster and faster. Everyone stared intently at the cylinder, not daring to blink. Ma Yuejin stood in front of the control panel, his right hand pressed against the stop button, his palms sweaty, leaving a damp imprint on the button.

boom--

The cylinder vibrated slightly during the first ignition, but then stabilized.

He Yuzhu stared at the pressure gauge. The needle slowly climbed upwards: one hundred, two hundred, three hundred…

When it reached 500 meters, the cylinder body was not cracked.

Climbing to 600 meters is still a safe bet.

Climb to 700, 800, 900...

The pointer stopped at the thousand mark.

The machine is still running. The sound is much more stable than last time, and the vibration is within the normal range.

Ma Yuejin turned around and looked at He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu nodded.

"continue."

One thousand one hundred, one thousand one hundred and fifty, one thousand two.

The pointer hovered around 1200 before settling back down.

two hours.

The machine ran for two full hours without any abnormalities. The curve on the recorder was so smooth it was unbelievable. Ma Yuejin stared at the piece of paper, his hands trembling, the corners of the paper shaking along with them.

Li Zhiming stood up from beside the instrument, his face looking as if he had seen a ghost.

"Dean, power... 1203."

The workshop fell silent for a second.

Then someone shouted. Then came a second shout, and a third. Sun Fulai plopped down on the ground, Zhou Guoqiang threw his hat into the air, and Wang Erzhu hugged the person next to him, laughing and jumping.

Ma Yuejin stood in front of the control panel, without moving.

He turned around and looked at He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"It's done."

Ma Yuejin tried to stand up, but his legs gave way and he sat back down.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out. Then he slowly raised his trembling hand and reached for the record sheet on the control panel. He tried to take the sheet down, pinching the corner with his fingers three times, but he couldn't manage to pick it up—his hand was shaking too badly.

He Yuzhu reached out and held the paper down for him. Ma Yuejin then pulled the paper out, clutching it tightly in his hand until it was crumpled.

He Yuzhu stood up and walked towards those people.

The cheers shook the workshop ceiling. He didn't stop them; he just stood there and waited.

He only spoke after the sound subsided.

"Alright."

Everyone fell silent and looked at him.

He Yuzhu looked at them, one by one. The paper in Ma Yuejin's hand, the dust on Sun Fulai's buttocks, Zhou Guoqiang's bald head, and the tears on Wang Erzhu's face.

"Remember today," he said. "For decades to come, when you brag to your children and grandchildren, you can say that you contributed to that 1200 horsepower. Whether you can brag about it well or not depends on how much you earn tomorrow."

No one responded.

Zhou Guoqiang picked up his hat, dusted it off, and put it back on. Wang Erzhu wiped his face with his sleeve. Sun Fulai got up from the ground and patted his bottom.

Ma Yuejin was still sitting on the ground when he unfolded the crumpled piece of paper, flattened it, folded it neatly, and stuffed it into his breast pocket.

He Yuzhu turned around and walked to the window.

It was already broad daylight outside. Sunlight shone on the open space in front of the workshop, on the row of new factory buildings, and on the people coming and going. Someone rode by on a bicycle, a lunchbox strapped to the back seat.

The voice in my head rang.

[Main Story/Side Story: The Power Core is Partially Completed]

[Mission Reward Points: +3,000,000]

[Current total points: 48,180,000 + 2,000,000 = 50,180,000 points]

He Yuzhu didn't look at the number.

He lowered his head, looking at his feet. The cement floor of the workshop was swept very clean, with broom marks visible. He stood there with his head down for about five seconds.

Ma Yuejin saw it. The dean had his hands in his pockets, and his shoulders slumped down an inch.

Just an inch.

Then He Yuzhu raised his head and walked out.

In the evening, Deputy Factory Director Li arrived.

He stood at the laboratory door, holding two bottles of wine in his hand, a smile plastered on his face.

"Director He, I heard that you've made it to the internal combustion engine, so I came here to congratulate you."

He Yuzhu looked at him.

"Deputy Factory Director Li is quite well-informed."

Deputy Factory Director Li's smile froze for a moment.

"It's all over the factory. 1,200 horsepower, even stronger than the Soviet ones."

He Yuzhu did not respond.

Deputy Factory Director Li shoved the two bottles of liquor into his hands.

"It's just a small token of my appreciation."

He Yuzhu took the wine and placed it on the table next to him.

"Deputy Factory Director Li, please have a seat inside."

Deputy Factory Director Li followed him inside and sat down in a chair. He Yuzhu poured him a glass of water.

"Vice Factory Director Li didn't come here today just to offer congratulations, did he?"

Deputy Factory Director Li was taken aback for a moment.

"Director He, you're right. I've come to see you all, the heroes."

He Yuzhu looked at him.

"I don't deserve to be called a hero. The project is still a long way off."

Deputy Factory Director Li smiled.

"1200 isn't considered a success? Then when is it?"

He Yuzhu pushed the water glass forward a little.

"One thousand and five."

Deputy Factory Director Li's eyes lit up.

"Fifteen thousand? That's really impressive. What can you do with it?"

He Yuzhu did not answer.

Deputy Factory Director Li waited a few seconds, but didn't get an answer, so he smiled awkwardly.

"I was just asking casually. People in tech fields are interested in these things."

He Yuzhu stood up.

"Deputy Factory Director Li, I'll accept the wine. Thank you."

Deputy Factory Director Li paused for a moment, then stood up as well. He walked to the door, then turned back.

"Director He, if there's any progress next time, could you let me know in advance? I'd like to learn from you."

He Yuzhu stood at the door, the light and shadow cutting the lines on his face in two.

"Deputy Factory Director Li."

"Why?"

"The day it can be installed on a tank," He Yuzhu paused, "I'll invite you to come and see it first."

Deputy Factory Director Li's smile froze again. This time, the freeze lasted longer than the last.

"Then...then I won't bother you any longer."

he's gone.

He Yuzhu stood at the door, watching his figure disappear into the night. Deputy Factory Director Li walked steadily, unhurriedly, his back ramrod straight.

He Yuzhu didn't move.

He recalled those eyes when he had just spoken.

The time to laugh hasn't come yet.