Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

Chapter 131 New System Quests and a Visit from an Old Friend

When Zhao Ping'an returned to the hotel, it was already past 4 p.m., and the sky in Beiping was gradually darkening in late autumn and early winter.

The room was quiet. He took off his coat, sat down in a chair, and poured himself a glass of water.

Just as I picked up the cup, that familiar mechanical voice suddenly echoed in my mind.

[System upgrade task conditions have been met; system upgrade task issued]

[Current experience points: 8000/8000]

Current level: Level 3

Current technological limitations in 2011

[Upgrade Basic Condition 1: Detonate the Mushroom Egg (Completed)]

[Upgrade Basic Condition 2: Establish a nuclear laboratory to research nuclear energy technology (Completed)]

[Upgrade prerequisite 3: Industrial base reaches 1970 level (all sectors have reached 1973 level)]

[Upgrade Task Released]

【Upgrade Task 1: Establish the Agricultural Reclamation Corps and Develop Northwest China】

[Requirement 1: The total number of personnel in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps shall not be less than 200 million (including family members)]

[Requirement 2: The area reclaimed/utilized shall not be less than 3000 million mu (2 square kilometers)]

[Requirement 3: The average standard of living of the population shall not be lower than the 1990 standard]

[Reward for completing the task 1: Unlock access to ultra-high voltage power transmission technology in 2026]

[Reward for completing the mission 2: Access to unlock nuclear power technology in 2026]

[Reward for completing the mission 3: Access to unlock wind power technology in 2026]

[Upgrade Mission 2: Expand Territory - Possess a 5 square kilometer military control zone outside of your own territory]

[Reward for completing the mission 1: Unlock any one technology until 2026]

[Note: One technology can be unlocked for every 5 square kilometers of control area.]

【Upgrade Task 3: A Peaceful Life - Live in a courtyard house for 15 days, current days: 0/15】

[Reward for completing the task: None]

[Special Note: Completing any task will upgrade the system. Unfinished tasks will be retained after the upgrade. You will receive rewards for completing them, and no rewards will be given for not completing them.]

After reviewing the task, Zhao Pingan picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this the secretariat of 02? This is Zhao Ping'an. Could you please transfer me to Secretary Li?"

A voice quickly came from the other end of the phone: "Minister Zhao, this is Xiao Li. What can I do for you?"

Zhao Pingan said, "I have a personal matter I'd like to trouble you with."

I want to stay in the east wing of the courtyard house at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang for a while; it's the east wing that I bought in 49.

I need to report this to 02.

Secretary Li paused for a moment.

"Minister Zhao, your current security level... in that kind of residential environment, security work is not easy."

Would you like us to arrange a suitable courtyard for you?

Zhao Ping'an smiled and said, "No need for that. I bought that courtyard with Comrade Xu back then, and I still have the property certificate."

I haven't really lived there properly since it was repaired. I'm just going to stay for a few days to relax.

Secretary Li hesitated for a few seconds.

"Minister Zhao, I need to report this matter to my superiors first."

"You know your current status, living in that kind of place, what if something happens to you..."

"I know," Zhao Ping'an said. "Just report the facts. If the leader doesn't agree, I'll think of another way."

"Okay, the leaders are in a meeting right now. I'll report to them as soon as the meeting is over. Minister Zhao, you should get some rest today."

The phone hangs up.

Zhao Pingan leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

When he bought that courtyard in 1949, he was just a junior brigade commander.

Now, several years later, he has become the head of the Northeast Industrial Zone and the Republic's "Zhao Wugong"—the vice minister of five industrial departments.

Although both were deputy positions, it was because his primary responsibility at the time was industrial development in Northeast China to ensure the safety of the northern battlefield.

Secondly, arrange for some people to assist you.

Third, I was too young back then, not even 20 years old, and I'm only 22 now.

Moreover, of the eight industrial sectors, the remaining three—aviation, aerospace, and nuclear engineering—are now under Qian Xuesen's supervision, with Qian Xuesen assisting. Perhaps he can become a "Zhao the Eighth Engineer" in the future?

Pah! That's no good name! If I can't handle it, I'll just apply for an eight-in-one government and become the minister myself.

As for the security level? Zhao Ping'an had thought about this question before and even wrote a report to submit to his superiors.

Unexpectedly, it has now become an obstacle to completing my mission.

It seems we need to think of a solution.

Just then, a guard came in to announce: Comrade Liu Dazhu requests an audience. He is accompanied by another person.

Zhao Ping'an paused for a moment, then smiled: "Let him in."

The door opened, and a young soldier entered, dressed in a crisp military uniform.

He wasn't tall, but he stood very straight with a smile on his face.

"brigadier!"

Zhao Ping'an stood up and looked him up and down. Two years had passed, and the former guard battalion commander had changed completely.

His military uniform was crisp and clean, and his face had lost some of its childishness and gained more composure.

"Dazhu!" Zhao Ping'an walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Good lad, I heard you've been promoted to brigade commander of an armored brigade now?"

Liu Dazhu grinned: "It's all thanks to you. If you hadn't taught me to read and given me so many armored corps textbooks back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Zhao Ping'an laughed: "Don't give me that. Your own efforts have nothing to do with me."

Liu Dazhu was about to say something when Zhao Ping'an interrupted him.

"What brings you here today? Wait, you shouldn't know I'm here, right?"

"Brigade Commander, I just came back from the commendation ceremony and saw your car, so I came to ask. What a coincidence!"

Liu Dazhu replied with a grin, "Oh, right, Brigade Commander, someone else asked me to visit you."

"Alright, since you've asked, I need to meet him." Zhao Ping'an knew Liu Dazhu wasn't someone who acted without discretion.

Liu Dazhu laughed heartily, waved to the door, and soon, a "familiar face" appeared at the door.

Zhao Ping'an was stunned when he saw it.

Lou Bancheng.

The once powerful business tycoon who commanded respect in Beiping now stood at the door, all smiles, but dared not come in.

"Chief...Chief." His voice was a little tight, "I apologize for this intrusion."

Zhao Pingan looked at Liu Dazhu.

Liu Dazhu quickly explained, "Brigade Commander, Boss Lou asked me to bring him here today."

He said he had something important he wanted to tell you in person, and I figured you knew him from back then, so…”

Zhao Pingan waved his hand.

"Come in."

When Lou Bancheng entered, Zhao Pingan almost didn't recognize him.

A few years ago, Lou Bancheng was impeccably dressed and had a grand presence, always surrounded by a retinue wherever he went.

The man standing before him now, Lou Bancheng, was wearing a worn-out Zhongshan suit. Half of his hair was white, and his back was slightly bent. He stood there respectfully, like a junior employee waiting to be criticized.

"Commander..." He had just started to speak when Zhao Ping'an interrupted him.

"Boss Lou, don't call me that. We're old acquaintances. You were the one who introduced me to Lao Xu back then, so don't be so formal. I'll still call you Boss Lou. You can call me Ping An or Comrade, it's fine. Let's get straight to the point."

Lou Bancheng paused for a moment, then quickly nodded.

"Then let's call him Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Ping'an nodded, gesturing for him to sit down.

Liu Dazhu glanced at the two men and tactfully said, "Brigadier, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Let me go out and make some arrangements. I'll have a meal here with you later?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded, laughing and scolding, "You brat, you!"

Liu Dazhu went out and closed the door.

Only Zhao Pingan and Lou Bancheng remained in the room.

Lou Bancheng sat in a chair with his hands on his knees and his body leaning slightly forward.

He looked at Zhao Ping'an, his lips moved, but he didn't know where to begin.

Zhao Ping'an looked at him, recalling the events of 1948.

At that time, he had just transmigrated and had nothing. He got his first pot of gold by exchanging penicillin with Lou Bancheng. Lou Bancheng also helped him make connections and eventually got in touch with Comrade Lao Xu.

Although it was all a transaction, I will always remember the favor I received.

"Boss Lou," Zhao Ping'an said, "just say what you want to say. We're old acquaintances, no need to beat around the bush."

Lou Bancheng nodded and took a deep breath.

"Sir, I've come today to ask you for guidance."

He paused.

"As you know, I haven't had a good time these past few years. Back in 49, I actively responded to the call to donate money and supplies, hoping to find a way out."

But over the past few years, my businesses have been declining day by day.

The workers are hard to manage, the raw materials are hard to obtain, and there are always inspections from above. I'm currently…”

He looked up at Zhao Ping'an.

"I don't know what to do."

Zhao Ping'an remained silent for a while.

He knew Lou Bancheng was telling the truth. In 49, the government implemented a policy of "utilization, restriction, and transformation" towards private industry and commerce, and life was indeed difficult for large capitalists like Lou Bancheng.

In a few years, it will be a joint public-private partnership, then a buyout, and finally complete nationalization.

This is an inevitable trend, and no one can stop it.

But he owed Lou Bancheng a favor.

Zhao Pingan thought for a moment and came up with a plan.

"Mr. Lou, I have a question for you."

Lou Bancheng nodded quickly: "Please go ahead."

"Do you still want to keep those businesses of yours?"

Lou Bancheng was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Pingan continued, "You should be able to see the current situation clearly."

Private businesses, except for small vendors, like Mr. Lou's large-scale operation, will eventually need to be transformed.

It will happen either this year or next year, or the year after next.

You can't force it; you can't.