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

(This chapter is slightly darker than before*, some names have been changed, please forgive me)

Early July 1954, Beiping (Beijing).

As soon as Zhao Ping'an's special train pulled into the station, someone came to pick him up.

It was none other than the leader's secretary, Xiao Li.

"Minister Zhao, the leader requests that you proceed directly to the conference room."

Zhao Ping'an nodded and got into the car.

On the way, Xiao Li handed him a document.

"These are the materials from today's meeting. The leader said that everyone has seen your industrial classification report, but there are some points that you need to explain in person."

Zhao Ping'an opened the document, which was his "Scheme for the Classification of Industrial Categories in the Republic".

There are 41 major categories, 207 medium categories, and 666 minor categories, each clearly written out.

This is what he spent half a month copying and organizing.

The car stopped at the entrance to the sea. Zhao Ping'an straightened his clothes and went inside.

The conference room was full of people. After Zhao Ping'an arrived...

The main leaders and several comrades in charge of economic affairs walked in one after another.

Everyone sat down, and the leader nodded to Zhao Ping'an.

"Comrade Ping An, we invited you here today to hear your views on this industrial division plan."

Zhao Pingan sat down on one side of the long table.

The leader continued:

"We've all read your report on industrial classification. 41 major categories, 207 medium categories, and 666 minor categories—this is a comprehensive overview of the entire country's industries from beginning to end."

But to be honest, there are some things we don't quite understand.

For example, what is the difference between "precision instrument manufacturing" and "ordinary instrument manufacturing"?

What exactly is this "biopharmaceutical"?

Zhao Pingan smiled.

"Leaders, esteemed leaders, it is my honor to be your teacher today."

Number Three laughed from the side.

"Okay, let's listen to Teacher Zhao's lecture."

A soft laugh rippled through the conference room.

Zhao Ping'an stood up and walked to the blackboard on the wall.

He first drew a large circle.

"Industry, to put it simply, is about freeing people from the land so they can do other things. But there are too many and too varied other things, so they need to be categorized and managed."

He drew several small circles inside the circle.

"These 41 major categories are divided according to raw materials and processes."

For example, steel, non-ferrous metals, and chemicals are in the same category;

Mechanical, electronic, and instrumentation fields belong to another category;

Textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals form another category.

He turned to look at the people present.

"Each major category is further divided into subcategories. For example, under machinery, there are heavy machinery, general machinery, and precision machinery."

Precision machinery can be further divided into subcategories, such as machine tools, instruments, and bearings.

He wrote a string of numbers on the blackboard.

"41 major categories, 207 medium categories, and 666 minor categories."

Once this is clear, it will be obvious which industry is under which department, which factory should produce what, and which school should train what kind of people.

Number Three asked, "Comrade Ping An, where did this classification come from?"

Zhao Pingan paused for a moment.

"They provided the reference materials. I also consulted some foreign experiences and combined them with our actual situation."

The top leader nodded.

"Okay. Then tell me, what's the purpose of this classification?"

Zhao Pingan said, "It has several uses."

He pointed to the circle on the blackboard.

"First, planning. Only by knowing how many types of industries there are in the country can we know what is lacking and what needs to be supplemented."

"Second, management. Every industry has its own characteristics, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. Only by clearly distinguishing between them can we address the specific problems."

"Third, education. To cultivate talent, there must be direction. This classification is the future university major catalog."

He paused.

"Fourth, statistics. Our current statistics on industrial output are a mess. Only by clarifying the breakdown can we know which sectors are strong and which are weak. This will facilitate our overall planning and management, as well as the allocation of resources to fill gaps."

The meeting room fell silent.

The leader glanced at the senior leader.

The top leader was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Comrade Ping An, are you going to thoroughly review our industry from top to bottom?"

Zhao Pingan said, "Yes. Once things are clear, the rest will be easier."

The discussion lasted for more than two hours.

When asked for details, Zhao Ping'an explained them one by one. When offered suggestions, Zhao Ping'an took careful notes.

Later, the leader joked, "Comrade Ping An, you really had your fill of being a teacher today!"

Zhao Pingan smiled.

"Boss, being a teacher isn't easy. No student is a boss."

Everyone laughed.

Near the end, the top leader spoke.

"Comrade Ping An, I agree with your classification in principle. But there's one thing you need to remember."

Zhao Ping'an looked at him.

"Currently, most of our scientific research capabilities are located in the Northwest."

Qian and his team have just developed missiles; the next step is satellites.

Only when satellites are in orbit can those top talents be freed up to lead other disciplines.

He paused.

"So for this classification, you can proceed according to your own ideas, but don't rush. Take it one step at a time and lay a solid foundation first."

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

"Big boss, I understand."

After the meeting, some comrades left one after another.

The leader called Zhao Ping'an over.

"Comrade Ping An, could you stay for a moment? There's a short meeting."

Zhao Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then followed the leader into the small conference room next door.

The door opened, and inside sat the top leader, the leader, 03, Leader Liu, and several other important leaders.

Zhao Ping'an's heart tightened.

This is quite a scene.

The leader gestured for him to sit down.

"Comrade Ping An, we've called you here for a small meeting because there are a few important matters we'd like to discuss, and we'd like to hear your opinions."

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

The leader was looking at him.

"Do you remember your previous report, the one about DNA analysis?"

Zhao Pingan thought for a moment.

"Remember."

The leader said, "There's a situation we've discovered. We've found a considerable number of former Tungusic descendants who have disguised themselves as Han Chinese and infiltrated government agencies."

Some even held important positions.

His voice lowered.

"These people need to be identified."

Zhao Ping'an remained silent for a few seconds.

"Boss, DNA analysis can indeed determine whether there are Tungusic ancestors in our bloodline."

But this alone cannot determine whether the other party is a remnant of the old regime.

Having Tungusic blood doesn't automatically make someone a spy.

The leader nodded.

"So what do you think we should do?"

Zhao Pingan said, "My suggestion is to first conduct a DNA screening of all government officials to identify those with Tungusic blood."

Then, for these people, we use our traditional method—going back eight generations—to investigate their history and social relationships to see if there are any problems.

Of course, what I mean is to focus on screening, not that if other officials pass the DNA test, their ancestral lineage doesn't need to be investigated.

He paused.

"DNA is a clue, not a conclusion. The real conclusion comes from investigation."

The leader and the top leader exchanged glances.

The top leader spoke up.

"This approach is feasible. Comrade Ping An, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Promote it as a key project, just like you've promoted industry."

Zhao Pingan stood up.

"Yes. I guarantee the mission will be completed."

The senior leader nodded, gesturing for him to sit down.

The leader then asked, "Comrade Ping An, you previously submitted a report proposing that veterans be resolutely employed in some management positions."

Please explain this idea in detail.

Zhao Ping'an was prepared.

"Sir, when I was the commander of an armored brigade, I summarized a set of methods."

Divide the class into six groups, each responsible for one subject: military affairs, political work, agricultural technology, education, industry, and logistics. The class leader must be knowledgeable in all six subjects, while group members must specialize in one.

He paused.

"This approach can be applied to business management. A company's workshop is like a military company. It needs people who understand technology, people who understand management, and people who understand ideological work. Where do these people come from?"

He looked at the people present.

"Veterans are the best source. They have been trained in the military, know discipline, and follow orders. Most importantly, they are loyal to this country and to this Party."

Number Three asked, "What about the technology? What if they don't understand the technology?"

Zhao Ping'an said, "Technical skills can be learned. Three months of training and a year of practice will get you started. The key is that the people are reliable and loyal to us."

The top leader nodded.

"You're right. So, Comrade Ping An, what's your plan?"

Zhao Ping'an said, "Among the combat heroes who returned from the northern battlefield, we selected a group with management potential and sent them to factories or schools in the Northeast for internships of six months to a year. Then, we selected a group of technically skilled personnel from the Northeast who were supporting various regions, and used them in combination. The old mentored the new, the military helped the civilians, and both sides were combined."

Leader Liu interjected, "You mean to gradually replace those who joined the government through speculation back then?"

Zhao Ping'an looked at him.

"Yes, Leader Liu, I think those who need to be replaced should be replaced, and those who need to be investigated should be investigated. Now that the battle is over, it's time to clean up the mess."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

The senior leader stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside.

"Comrade Ping An is right. The battle is over, it's time to tidy up our quarters. This coincides with what we discussed earlier..."

He turned around.

"These are all things that need to be done. DNA screening must be carried out, management positions must be reshuffled, and industrial classification must be promoted. We must do them one by one, without any disorder."

He looked at Zhao Ping'an.

"Comrade Ping An, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders."

Zhao Pingan stood up.

"Big boss, I understand."

The top leader nodded.

"Go ahead. If you encounter any difficulties, come to us anytime."

Zhao Ping'an saluted and withdrew.

It was already dark when I stepped out of the conference room.

The winter nights in Beijing were a bit cold, but Zhao Ping'an felt warm inside.

He stood in the courtyard, looking at the scattered lights in the distance, and recalled what Number One had said earlier.

"It's time to tidy up the house."

Yes, the war is over, the external threats are gone, it's time to clean up the internal affairs.