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

"Is this how you treat heroes who have contributed to the nation?!"

The elderly man in the Zhongshan suit was none other than Minister Liu, who had visited not long ago.

He had originally decided to come and check on the progress of Su Zheng's laboratory today on a whim.

But I never expected to see this scene!

Although Minister Liu usually appears kind and approachable, and enjoys listening to operas and eating delicious food, at this moment, his imposing aura, forged in the fires of war, was fully unleashed, making the air in the entire laboratory seem to freeze.

Deputy Factory Director Li felt his calves cramping.

The person he feared most in his life was this old commander.

"Commander...Commander, what brings you here again?"

Deputy Factory Director Li stammered, cold sweat streaming down his face, "I...I also received a report from the public saying that someone here was engaging in speculation and profiteering. In order to maintain the factory's atmosphere, I..."

"Speculation and profiteering?"

The leader snorted coldly and strode over to the miniature precision grinding machine that was still running slightly.

Although he's not a tech person, he's knowledgeable in the field.

More importantly, he understands strategy.

At this moment, at the machine's exit, the silver needle, thinner than a hair, had been fully formed.

Su Zheng stepped forward, gently picked up the silver needle with a pair of specially made tweezers, placed it on a piece of black velvet cloth, and presented it to the leader with both hands.

"Sir, please take a look."

"Although the guns I promised to build haven't officially started yet, I've managed to put together a little thing these past few days."

Su Zheng's voice was calm and confident: "This is a medical vascular suture needle with a diameter of 0.05 millimeters. It cannot be produced domestically at present and can only be imported from Germany. Each needle also needs to be paired with special sutures, and a set costs US dollars. Moreover, they often hold us hostage, taking it or leaving it."

The senior leader carefully took the velvet cloth and examined it closely.

The needle gleamed with an almost invisible cold light under the lamp, and the thread hole at the end of the needle was so small that it was difficult to see with the naked eye and could only be seen with a magnifying glass.

"You mean...?"

The high-ranking leader's voice trembled slightly, "This thing, we created it ourselves?"

"Yes."

Su Zheng pointed to the shoebox-sized machine, "This is the miniature machining center I've built over the past few days using recycled parts. With it, we can make as many of these needles as we need. The cost is less than a penny."

"Good! Good! Good!"

The top leader said "good" three times in a row, his face beaming with excitement.

He whirled around, pointing at Deputy Factory Director Li, his finger almost poking his nose:

"Li Huaide! Open your dog eyes and see clearly! Is this speculation and profiteering? What is this? This is forging swords for the nation! It's a powerful weapon to break the Western blockade!"

"Comrade Su Zheng works day and night on scientific research to save foreign exchange for the country and to ensure our doctors have access to good needles! And you? You bring your men in like bandits, trying to smash up the country's treasures?"

"You're committing a crime! You're hindering the progress of the nation!"

With these heavy accusations slammed down on him, Deputy Factory Director Li was completely paralyzed.

He knew he had kicked a hornet's nest this time, and a red-hot one at that.

"Commander, I...I was wrong! I was deceived!"

Deputy Factory Director Li reacted quickly, pointing with his backhand at Xu Damao, who was cowering in the corner, trembling with fear:

"It was him! It was Xu Damao! He swore to me that Su was doing side jobs, and even said he had witnesses! I was used by him!"

Xu Damao was terrified out of his wits.

He originally thought he could bring down Su Zheng and rise to prominence, but he never expected to attract such a powerful figure.

"I...I..."

Xu Damao wanted to explain, but found that his throat was blocked and he couldn't say a word.

"Xu Damao?"

The high-ranking leader gave the shifty-eyed man a look of disgust:

"How can such a troublemaker, who thrives on rumors and fabricates stories, be allowed to stay in the propaganda department? He's spoiling the whole thing!"

At this opportune moment, Factory Director Yang stepped forward and delivered the final blow:

"The leader's criticism is correct. Comrade Xu Damao has low ideological awareness. He not only framed key technical personnel, but also attempted to sabotage scientific research and production. I suggest that he be removed from his position as projectionist and sent to the grassroots level for reform."

"I think it's a good idea."

The top leader waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly, "Since he likes to cause trouble, let him go to the dirtiest and most tiring place to sober up."

"No! Factory manager! Commander! I was wrong!"

Xu Damao suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face. "I don't want to clean toilets! I'm a projectionist, I'm a skilled worker!"

"Cleaning toilets?"

Su Zheng suddenly spoke up, looking at Xu Damao with a half-smile, "I think it's quite suitable. Although the toilet is dirty, as long as it's cleaned up, it's still serving the people. I'm just afraid that some people's hearts are dirty, no matter how much you clean them, they can't get them clean."

"take away!"

At Director Yang's command, two security guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed Xu Damao, who was lying like a dead dog, and dragged him out.

After dealing with the "flies," the senior leader's gaze returned to Deputy Factory Director Li.

"Li Huaide, although you were misled, as the deputy factory director, you failed to investigate or research, made subjective assumptions, and led the way in venturing into forbidden scientific research areas. You cannot escape this responsibility."

The senior leader said in a stern voice, "Go back and write a profound self-criticism, which you must read aloud at a factory-wide meeting! Also, this is a major demerit! If there's a next time, you're fired as deputy factory director; go home and take care of your children!"

Deputy Factory Director Li, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! I will definitely conduct a thorough self-examination and deeply reflect on my actions!"

He lowered his head and slunk away with the disciplinary team.

Before leaving, he gave Su Zheng a deep look, his eyes filled with resentment and even more so with deep fear.

He knew that from this day forward, Su Zheng's position in the factory, and even in the entire industrial system, was now unshakeable.

The laboratory was finally quiet.

The senior leader looked at Su Zheng, his admiration impossible to hide.

"Xiao Su, you've given me another big surprise."

The senior leader patted Su Zheng on the shoulder, "Can that machine from earlier be mass-produced?"

"And that gun I mentioned before..."

"Yes! Yes, we can!"

Su Zheng nodded, "As long as the materials are in place, I'm confident I can manufacture ten of these machines within a month. At that time, we can not only meet domestic demand, but also export them to earn foreign exchange."

"As for the gun, I can get one out in a few days!"

"Hahaha! You've got some nerve, kid! You've got some big talk, but I believe you!"

The senior leader laughed heartily: "Director Yang, did you hear that? Comrade Su Zheng's needs are orders. Give him the manpower, give him the money. If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible!"

"Mission accomplished!"

Factory Director Yang straightened his back, his face beaming with joy.

After seeing off the top leader and Director Yang, only Su Zheng and Zhao Ming remained in the laboratory.

Zhao Ming plopped down on the ground, panting heavily. The scene he had just witnessed was so thrilling that his heart was still pounding.

"Master...you're amazing...even the top leaders..."

Su Zheng, however, was not particularly excited.

He walked to the window and looked at the sky outside, which was gradually darkening.

Although he had used the big leader's influence to severely punish Deputy Factory Director Li and Xu Damao, he knew that the real crisis was not over.

Since the other side was able to make such precise use of Xu Damao, it shows that the enemy's spy network has already infiltrated very deeply.

This time, we've alerted them, and they'll definitely lie low.

They might even resort to more extreme measures.

However, Su Zheng was not worried.

Although the enemy is in the shadows while we are in the open, as long as they remain interested in Laboratory 001, and as long as we hold our ground and don't panic...

So... it's only a matter of time before we catch the big rat!