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

After Zhao Ping'an proposed the idea of ​​a penicillin factory to Lao Xu, he felt that time was of the essence, or perhaps he wanted to show his sincerity, or perhaps he wanted to make another contribution. So he exchanged for a set of penicillin preparation factory equipment that same day. However, it was clear that this time the equipment system was once again given in batches due to insufficient space.

Zhao Ping'an simply led his guards to find a relatively secluded cave nearby and dug it.

Zhao Ping'an was very satisfied with this cave—the entrance was hidden, the interior space was spacious and well-ventilated, and there was an underground river running through it, which could just meet the water needs of industrial production.

That very evening, a complete set of industrial-grade penicillin preparation equipment, using deep-tank fermentation technology from the early 2000s, quietly appeared in the cave.

The next day, Zhao Ping'an transferred the technical personnel he had trained himself, and selected more than twenty soldiers from various companies who were quick to read and had strong practical skills.

A temporary "factory construction task force" was formed.

"Comrades," Zhao Ping'an said, his voice echoing through the cave entrance, which was filled with various metal containers, pipes, and instruments.

"What we're about to do may be more difficult than fighting a war, but its significance is no less than winning a battle."

What we're building is a pharmaceutical factory that can save the lives of tens of thousands of comrades and civilians!

The soldiers stared at the gleaming stainless steel equipment, both excited and bewildered. Could these lumps of iron really produce penicillin, more valuable than gold?

Zhao Ping'an didn't explain much and got straight to work. He directed everyone to begin assembling the equipment according to the detailed installation diagrams provided by the system.

The installation of fermentation tanks, the welding of pipelines, the calibration of instruments, the laying of power lines...

Zhao Pingan personally demonstrated and explained the principles behind each task.

"This is a fermenter; we'll be cultivating Penicillium mold here. The temperature needs to be controlled between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, and the pH needs to be stable..."

What does 25 degrees Celsius mean? Do you see that chart? Do you see the green section in the middle? That's between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius!

"This is an air filtration system; not a single germ can get in, otherwise the entire batch of bacteria will be ruined..."

What are "miscellaneous bacteria"? Well, let me put it this way: there are a lot of tiny dust particles in the air. Look at the area where the sunlight shines in from the cave entrance; can you see a lot of tiny things floating around? The miscellaneous bacteria I'm talking about are also collectively called bacteria. They are a type of substance even smaller than dust particles. Can we see them with our eyes when they're functioning normally? Once the equipment is installed, I have a microscope there, and I'll show you what bacteria are..."

"This is a centrifuge, used to separate bacterial cells and fermentation broth..."

Zhao Ping'an explained things in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and the soldiers learned with great eagerness.

They worked during the day and studied principles and memorized operating procedures under kerosene lamps at night. The entire cave became a temporary technical school.

On the seventh day, when Political Commissar Chen Xiangmin noticed that Zhao Ping'an had been leading a group of soldiers to the back mountain in a mysterious manner, he couldn't help but follow to check. What he saw there completely stunned him.

The once empty cave has been transformed into a well-organized production workshop:

The enormous fermentation tank stood firmly, with pipes of varying thicknesses crisscrossing it. Indicator lights on the instrument panel flickered softly, and a faint, sweet and sour smell, similar to malt, filled the air.

A dozen soldiers, dressed in "work clothes" made from old military uniforms, were gathered around Zhao Ping'an, listening to him explain how to inoculate the bacteria.

"Commander Zhao... what are you doing...?" Chen Xiangmin's eyes widened, and he could barely speak.

Zhao Pingan turned around and saw Chen Xiangmin, then smiled and dusted off his hands:

"Political Commissar Chen is here? Perfect timing! Let me introduce you—our 49th Regiment's penicillin experimental production base officially enters the strain cultivation stage today."

If all goes well, the first batch of penicillin stock solution should be ready in ten days. Oh, by the way, penicillin is called penicillin by Westerners!

"Penicillin? Production?" Chen Xiangmin thought he'd misheard. "You...you produce penicillin yourselves? How is that possible?!"

"How is that impossible?" Zhao Ping'an walked to a fermentation tank that had already been started, pointing to the stable readings on the instrument.

"The equipment is mature technology obtained through patriotic channels overseas, and our people are learning the operating procedures."

"If Political Commissar Chen doesn't believe me, he can come and check every day. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

Chen Xiangmin was skeptical, but looking at the sophisticated equipment that was clearly beyond his comprehension,

Watching the soldiers' focused and skillful operation, his shock gradually overcame his doubts.

In the days that followed, Chen Xiangmin indeed came to the cave almost every day.

He couldn't understand the complex instruments and chemical equations, but he could understand the soldiers' seriousness and Zhao Ping'an's determination.

Meanwhile, Xu Yuanshan, far away in the rear headquarters, is facing another "storm".

The penicillin factory plan proposed by Zhao Ping'an, and the "sky-high price" of those 500 large yellow croakers, sparked heated discussions at the high-level meeting.

Supporters believe that if self-sufficiency in production can be achieved, its strategic value will be immeasurable.

Opponents worry that this might be another unfulfilled "castle in the air," or even some kind of trap.

The meeting lasted from daytime until late at night, and then from late at night until dawn.

Ultimately, the plan was approved after a key leader made the decision to "trust those you employ and not employ those you don't trust."

However, to be on the safe side, the meeting also made several resolutions:

First, immediately dispatch an elite force—the 32nd Regiment, led by Regiment Commander Zhou Liang—to the 49th Regiment's location to be responsible for receiving, protecting, and transferring the equipment.

Secondly, given Zhao Ping'an's numerous outstanding achievements and the formidable combat strength and unique style of his troops, it was decided to merge the 48th and 49th Regiments with the newly arrived 32nd Regiment.

It was reorganized into the "6th Independent Brigade of the North China Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army," with Zhao Ping'an serving as brigade commander and concurrently as commander of the 49th Regiment.

Xu Yuanshan was appointed as the political commissar of the brigade, and Zhou Liang was appointed as the deputy brigade commander and commander of the 32nd Regiment.

Third, Zhou Liang, an experienced cadre, was dispatched as Zhao Ping'an's deputy to assist in the work, while also serving as a learning and observation opportunity.

As soon as the meeting ended, Xu Yuanshan, along with Zhou Liang and the 32nd Regiment, rushed day and night to the 49th Regiment's camp.

On the tenth day, when Xu Yuanshan and Zhou Liang, weary from their journey, arrived with nearly two thousand men from the 32nd Regiment, the scene before them left them somewhat bewildered.

The camp was well-organized, and the training was in full swing, which was to be expected.

However, the faint rumbling of machinery coming from the direction of the cave in the back mountain, and the faint smell of fermentation in the air, were completely beyond their expectations.

"Old Xu! You must be tired from your journey! This is..." Zhao Ping'an greeted him upon hearing the news, looking energetic, though his clothes were still covered in oil stains.

"Oh, Comrade Ping An, the leaders have discussed and approved your plan to build a penicillin factory."

They sent Regiment Commander Zhou Liang with the 32nd Regiment to be responsible for protecting the equipment and overseeing the transportation work.

At the same time, the military region leaders ordered the 48th, 49th, and 32nd Regiments to be merged into the military region's Independent Sixth Brigade.

Comrade Ping An, you are appointed as the brigade commander and concurrently the commander of the 29th Regiment.

I served as the political commissar of the brigade, and Comrade Zhou Liang served as the deputy brigade commander and concurrently as the commander of the 32nd Regiment.

Comrade Zhao Dongliang was appointed Deputy Brigade Commander and concurrently Commander of the 48th Regiment.

Old Xu first announced the appointments and handed the appointment letters to Zhao Ping'an and Zhao Dongliang, then continued speaking.

"Comrade Ping An, what are you doing...?" Xu Yuanshan looked at the entrance to the cave behind Zhao Ping An. It had obviously been reinforced and disguised, and the sound of machinery could be heard from time to time.