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

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, second floor of the office building.

In Deputy Factory Director Li's office, the curtains were drawn tightly, leaving only a small gap through which a sliver of pale moonlight shone.

The heating in the room was very strong, but the atmosphere was as cold and damp as an icebox.

Deputy Factory Director Li sat behind the large mahogany desk, a cigarette between his fingers, the ash already quite long, but he forgot to flick it off.

His brows furrowed into a deep frown, and his eyes were fixed on a document on the table.

The file was just posted above.

The content is very vague, full of platitudes: strengthen ideological construction, cleanse the class ranks, and strictly prevent enemy infiltration...

But Li, the deputy factory director, a seasoned veteran of the officialdom, immediately sensed the murderous intent within.

The wind is about to rise.

And it was a typhoon.

Last time, due to an incident involving enemy agents, he was punished for "inadequate supervision." Although he wasn't dismissed, it left a stain on his record.

This stain may not bother him normally, but once a political movement occurs, it becomes a handle for others to attack him.

He must save himself.

The best way to save oneself is to perform meritorious service.

At this critical juncture, what kind of contribution is the most commendable?

Arrest them.

Catching bad guys, catching traitors, catching those "impure" dissidents. That's called a pledge of allegiance.

As long as you have a knife in your hand, even if you're covered in mud, your superiors will still think you have a "firm stance."

"Knock knock knock".

The knocking interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter."

Deputy Factory Director Li stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, resuming his authoritative leadership demeanor.

The door opened, and Xu Damao scurried in like a lapdog.

"Factory manager, you wanted to see me?"

Xu Damao smiled obsequiously, holding two bottles of fine liquor in his hand. "This is Lao Baigan that I just got from the commune below. Please have a taste."

Deputy Factory Director Li glanced at the wine, neither refusing nor showing excessive enthusiasm.

"Da Mao, have a seat."

Xu Damao was flattered and cautiously stuck half of his bottom on the edge of the chair: "Factory Manager, please feel free to give any instructions you may have."

"Have you sensed the recent shift in the factory's atmosphere?" Deputy Factory Director Li asked unhurriedly.

Xu Damao's eyes darted around. He was a shrewd man; although he didn't understand high-level politics, he could still sense the atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

"I can feel it. It's a little...tight," Xu Damao said tentatively.

"Tight is just right."

Deputy Factory Director Li sneered, "That was before. Now the higher-ups are demanding we conduct self-examination and self-correction, cleaning up any impurities within our ranks. Da Mao, you're from the propaganda department, you're well-informed, are there any 'suspicious' people in our factory... or rather, in your institute?"

Xu Damao's heart skipped a beat.

opportunity!

This is an opportunity that's come knocking on our door!

Who is his greatest enemy in this life?

Sha Zhu? That's his mortal enemy.

But now there's someone he hates even more and is so afraid he can't sleep—Su Zheng.

Su Zheng is too arrogant now.

He was a level-eight worker, a military advisor, and also had a gun.

If we let him continue like this, will Xu Damao still have a way to make a living in this factory and this yard?

"Factory manager, now that you mention it, I've actually remembered something."

Xu Damao lowered his voice, his face mysterious, "That Su Zheng in our compound... he's been acting a bit strange lately."

When Deputy Factory Director Li heard the name "Su Zheng," his eyelids twitched.

His feelings for Su Zheng were complicated.

On the one hand, Su is a top technical expert in the factory, and he's on the official payroll, so there's a risk in touching him.

On the other hand, it was because of Su Zheng that he was punished.

Moreover, Su Zheng's attitude of "not taking him seriously" had long made him unhappy.

"Something's not right?" Deputy Factory Director Li asked calmly.

"Think about it, he was a fitter, a quiet guy before. How did he suddenly become a jack-of-all-trades? Repairing machine tools, modifying guns, even setting up a lab..."

Xu Damao added fuel to the fire, "And his room is always locked, he doesn't let anyone in... Factory director, is that normal?"

That's because he's a military advisor.

Deputy Factory Director Li frowned. "This matter is on file with higher authorities."

"He's a consultant, that's true. But do consultants never make mistakes?"

Xu Damao said ominously, "I heard from people in the courtyard that there are often strange noises coming from his house, and lights at night. And... his background, although he's a worker, his skills are of dubious origin! Could it be... that?"

Xu Damao pointed to the north, then to the east.

This implies that he is an "enemy agent" or a "Soviet revisionist."

Deputy Factory Director Li remained silent.

This accusation is vicious.

In the past, this would have been called making unfounded accusations.

But in this current climate, this is a "clue".

As long as there are clues, we can investigate.

Even if an investigation doesn't uncover any major problems, it will still break through Su Zheng's "invincible" defenses.

If his golden image is broken, can he still hold onto his "advisor" title?

The scales in Deputy Factory Director Li's mind began to tip.

Moving towards Suzhou is risky, but also potentially rewarding.

If we can really dig up some "dirt" on Su Zheng, that would be an earth-shattering achievement.

But he couldn't do it himself.

He needs a knife.

A dirty knife that can be thrown away at any time.

Xu Damao is too slippery, not firm enough.

"Da Mao, this can't be done just by talking. We need evidence."

Deputy Factory Director Li tapped the table. "Besides, someone needs to take the lead in handling this matter. You alone aren't enough."

"So you mean...?"

"Liu Haizhong".

Deputy Factory Director Li uttered a name, "He's the second oldest man in your compound, and a veteran worker in the workshop. It seems he has some issues with Su Zheng, doesn't he?"

Xu Damao slapped his thigh: "That's it! Liu Haizhong has been dreaming of killing Su Zheng! Last time Su Zheng signed up for the eighth-level worker exam, he was so angry that he didn't eat for two days."

"That's good." Deputy Factory Director Li's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Go and call Liu Haizhong here. Tell him I have an important task for him."

Ten minutes later.

Liu Haizhong ran into the office, panting.

His fat body trembled with excitement, and his face was flushed.

"Factory manager! You wanted to see me!" Liu Haizhong gave an awkward salute.

"Old Liu, have a seat."

Deputy Factory Director Li was much more enthusiastic this time, and even personally poured Liu Haizhong a glass of water.

This glass of water almost moved Liu Haizhong to tears.

The leader personally pours water for you—that's a huge honor!

This is a signal that it's going to be reused!

"Old Liu, you're a veteran comrade with high awareness."

Deputy Factory Director Li began his brainwashing: "You've seen the current situation. The factory needs backbone members like you who dare to fight and have a firm stance to step forward."

"Yes! Yes! I will definitely follow the factory manager closely!" Liu Haizhong pledged his loyalty.

"There is a task, which is both difficult and important."

Deputy Factory Director Li lowered his voice, "Regarding Comrade Su Zheng... some people have reported that he has questionable political stances. He may even be suspected of... leaking secrets."

"Leaked secrets?!" Liu Haizhong's eyes widened like saucers, then burst into a light of wild joy.

If Su Zheng leaks the secret, that would be a capital offense!

"Of course, this is just a suspicion."

Deputy Factory Director Li changed the subject abruptly, "We need evidence. Old Liu, you live nearby in the compound, so it's convenient for you to be in the workshop. Go and collect some materials. Anything, as long as it's suspicious, will do."

"For example, the scraps of paper he throws away, the drafts he writes, or the people he interacts with..."

"If you can prove his problems, you'll be a great contributor to our factory. I think you can even consider becoming the deputy workshop director."

Deputy workshop director.

This huge pancake came crashing down and knocked Liu Haizhong unconscious.

Those were cadres! Those were the steps he dreamed of climbing!

"Don't worry, factory manager!"

Liu Haizhong patted his chest, his face trembling, "I'll definitely find out what's going on with that Su Zheng kid! I've disliked him for a long time; he's always acting suspiciously, there's definitely something fishy going on!"

"Go ahead. Be careful to keep it a secret." Deputy Factory Director Li waved his hand.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao walked out of the office.

The two looked at each other and saw the fire in each other's eyes.

That was the fire of jealousy, and the fire of greed.

"Second Uncle, we really need to do this well," Xu Damao said with a sinister smile. "As long as we bring down Su Zheng, you'll be the director and I'll be the section chief. This courtyard house will still be ours."

"Walk!"

Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth, "To the garbage dump! I refuse to believe that Su Zheng can clean up his mess so easily!"

outside the window.

The first biting gust of wind, carrying withered leaves, slammed against the glass.

got windy.

Unbeknownst to Su Zheng, a massive net was being cast against him, quietly unfurling in the shadows.