Courtyard House: A Major Power's Heavy Industry, Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion

December 20, 1989, Sergei Air Force Base on the outskirts of the capital of the Russian Empire.

The morning sun shone through the thick clouds onto this desolate land.

Su was sitting in an old military jeep, looking out the window at the dilapidated hangars and rusty fences in the distance.

"Is this the Russian air force base that once made the West tremble?"

Old Chen sat down beside him and sighed softly, "Why does it look...like a junkyard?"

"Because it's a junkyard."

Su Zheng said calmly, "However, the 'scrap' here is a treasure to us."

The convoy stopped in front of the base gate.

Sergei was already waiting there, dressed in a crisp air force uniform, his chest adorned with medals, but his smile carried a hint of ingratiation.

"Minister Su, welcome, welcome!"

Sergei warmly shook Su Zheng's hand. "It's my honor to host you at my base."

"General Sergei, you're too kind."

Su Zheng responded with a smile, "It's my honor to have you visit today."

"Come, come, Minister Su, let me show you our 'treasure'."

Sergei made a "please" gesture and led Su Zheng and his group into the base.

……

The scene at the base was even more desolate than Su Zheng had imagined.

On the tarmac, dozens of fighter jets were parked haphazardly, some of them dismantled into pieces, with parts scattered all over the ground.

Inside the hangar, the workers sat listlessly on the floor, smoking cheap cigarettes, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Minister Su, you've seen it too."

Sergei said with a wry smile, "The Russian Air Force today... is not the Russian Air Force it used to be. The country has no money, the planes can't fly, the workers can't be paid, and many people have deserted."

"I understand."

Su Zheng nodded. "So that's why General Sergei wants to sell these planes, right?"

"That's right."

Sergei's eyes lit up. "Minister Su, as you know, these aircraft are a bit old, but their performance is still very good. If you're interested, I can offer you a very favorable price."

"Don't rush."

Su Zheng smiled. "Let me check out the goods first."

"Alright, alright, please go ahead."

……

Sergei led Su Zheng to a huge hangar.

Several MiG-29 fighter jets were parked in the hangar. Although their fuselages were covered in dust, their former might was still evident.

"Minister Su, this is our MiG-29, NATO reporting name 'Fulcrum'."

Sergei patted the fuselage proudly and said, "This is one of the most advanced fourth-generation fighter jets in the world. It's highly maneuverable, has powerful firepower, and the price... is very affordable."

"How much does one cost?"

Su Zheng asked.

"If you want more..."

Sergei lowered his voice, "Five million dollars per aircraft."

"500 million?"

Old Chen gasped in astonishment. "So cheap?"

"It's cheap, but it's cheap."

Su Zheng shook his head. "But I don't need the whole machine for now."

"Then... what do you need?"

Sergei was somewhat disappointed.

"I need technical information."

Su Zheng asked bluntly, "Do you have the MiG-29's design blueprints, flight control system technical manuals, engine maintenance data...?"

"this……"

Sergei hesitated. "Minister Su, these things... are classified."

"I know."

Su Zheng smiled. "So I will give you a price that will satisfy you."

"How many?"

"A complete set of technical documents, $100 million."

"make a deal!"

Sergei hesitated almost without hesitation.

……

Over the next few hours, Su, accompanied by Sergei, toured every corner of the base.

He saw the wreckage of a Su-27 heavy fighter jet, the hangar of a Tu-22M Backfire bomber, and even several S-300 air defense missile system launchers.

"Minister Su, are you interested in the S-300?"

Sergei asked tentatively, "This is our most advanced air defense system."

"interested in."

Su Zheng nodded. "But I don't need the whole system. I only need the radar's technical data and the missile's guidance system."

"this……"

Sergei said with difficulty, "Minister Su, these things... I'm afraid they'll be difficult to handle."

Why?

"Because the technology of the S-300 is not under my jurisdiction. It falls under the purview of the Air Defense Forces."

"Then who cares?"

"A general named Igor. But..."

Sergei lowered his voice. "This man is difficult to deal with. He's greedy, and... very cunning."

"It's okay."

Su Zheng said calmly, "As long as he's willing to talk, I have a way."

"Alright then."

Sergei breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll arrange a meeting with him for you."

……

In the afternoon, Su Zheng returned to the City Hotel.

He summarized his findings for the day—

Technical data on the MiG-29 fighter jet, including aerodynamic design, flight control system, avionics architecture, etc., valued at $100 million.

Information on the Su-27 fighter jet: mainly the engine and weapon systems, valued at $50.

Tu-22M Bomber Maintenance Manual: Although not a complete design, it is a valuable reference for studying supersonic bombers and is worth $30.

For a total of $180 million, they acquired technologies that would cost billions of dollars in the West.

"Minister Su, this trip... was worth it!"

Old Chen exclaimed excitedly, "With this data, our country's aviation industry can progress by at least ten years!"

"Not enough."

Su Zheng remained calm. "These are just appetizers. The real feast is yet to come."

You mean...

"Aerospace technology."

A glint of light flashed in Su Zheng's eyes. "The space technology of the Russian Bear is the real treasure trove."

"But……"

Old Chen said worriedly, "Aerospace technology is more sensitive than military technology. Will they be willing to sell it?"

Yes, it will.

Su Zheng said confidently, "Because they desperately need money right now. There's nothing they won't sell if the price is right."

"and……"

He paused, then continued, "I've heard some news."

"What news?"

"The Russian country has a space research institution called the Energy Research and Production Consortium, which is the core of their space industry."

"Now, this organization... is on the verge of bankruptcy."

Bankruptcy?

Old Chen's eyes widened. "How could such an important organization go bankrupt?"

"Because the government has stopped providing funding."

Su Zheng sneered, "Their 'Buran' space shuttle project has been halted, and the 'Mir' space station is also on the verge of collapse. Scientists aren't being paid, and there's no money for equipment maintenance."

"so……"

"Therefore, they would be willing to sell their technology."

Su Zheng said confidently, "Moreover, it's being sold in large quantities."

"Then let's..."

"Tomorrow, I'm going to visit the head of the energy consortium."

……

Just as Su was preparing to rest.

The phone in the room suddenly rang.

"Feed?"

"Minister Su, it's me, Alexei."

Alexei's voice came from the other end of the phone, "I'm sorry to bother you so late."

"It's alright, what's wrong?"

"Well, I have a friend who would like to meet you."

"What friend?"

"A very capable person."

Alexei lowered his voice, "He has some... very special things. I think you'll be interested."

How special is it?

Nuclear technology.

Su Zheng's pupils suddenly contracted.

"What did you say?"

Nuclear technology.

Alexei said softly, "Design documents for nuclear reactors, and... some technical documents on the miniaturization of nuclear weapons."

"..."

Su Zheng remained silent for a few seconds.

Where shall we meet?

"Tomorrow night, same place."

"good."

After hanging up the phone, Su Zheng's expression became serious.

"Minister Su..."

Old Chen asked cautiously, "Nuclear technology...are we really going to get involved? This is..."

"I know."

Su Zheng interrupted him, "But this is a rare opportunity."

"But……"

"rest assured."

Su Zheng smiled. "I'll be careful."

……

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.

The high-ranking KGB officer codenamed "Wolf" is receiving a report from his subordinates.

"Sir, Alexei has arranged to meet with that Chinese man."

"Meet? What will we talk about?"

Nuclear technology.

"snort."

"Wolf" sneered, "This Alexei has quite the nerve."

"Should we...?"

"Ignore him."

"Wolf" waved his hand. "Let them talk. I want to see just how big this Chinese man's appetite is."

"yes."

……

Late at night.

The streets of the capital of the Russian Bear Kingdom remained deserted and desolate.

But beneath this frigid land, a battle for technology, money, and power is quietly unfolding.

Su was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with plans for the future.

Aviation technology, aerospace technology, nuclear technology...

These are things that the Chinese nation has always dreamed of.

And now, they are right in front of him.

But he also knew that every step was fraught with danger.

This isn't China; no one will protect him here.

If something goes wrong, he might never be able to go back.

"But...it's worth it."

Su Zheng muttered to himself softly.

"It's worth the risk for the country."

……