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

The night was dark.

After the dramatic "Red Flag car siege" and "thunderous purge" during the day, the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang fell into an unprecedented deathly silence.

This silence was not the peaceful silence of the past, but a silence suffocated by immense fear and awe.

The lights in every household in the front and middle yards were turned off early.

The Jia family home was now eerily quiet, like a tomb, without the raucous cursing of Jia Zhangshi or the commotion of Bang Geng ransacking the place. Qin Huairu huddled on the kang (a heated brick bed) with her two young daughters in her arms, staring blankly at the rafters, not daring to utter a sound.

At Yi Zhonghai's house, the elderly couple sat facing each other, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of making any noise and angering the "Grand Master" in the backyard.

However, in stark contrast to the deathly silence of the front courtyard was Su Zheng's room in the back courtyard.

The place was brightly lit.

Soft, warm light shone through the gaps in the curtains into the courtyard, and the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses could be faintly heard coming from inside.

To the birds in the courtyard at this moment, that room was a heavenly palace, a forbidden place they could never reach in their lifetime.

……

inside the house.

The heating is just right; the thermometer shows a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius.

The octagonal table that was originally used for meals has now been cleaned spotlessly. A snow-white tablecloth covers the table, and eight exquisite dishes, four cold and four hot, are laid out on it.

This isn't the kind of haphazard, street-smart cooking that Sha Zhu serves; it's the standard for a real state banquet.

"Crystal Pork Belly", "Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth", "Braised Lion's Head Meatballs", "Steamed Grouper"... Every dish is a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, exuding an air of elegance.

This was specially prepared in Su Zheng's small kitchen by a chef specially transferred from the state guesthouse by the top leader.

Sitting in the main seat was the very same high-ranking leader who had personally greeted Su Zheng at the train station during the day.

Sitting to his left was Director Yang of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

At this moment, Director Yang had half of his buttocks hanging in the air, his back straight, and his face full of restraint and respect.

And sitting to the right of the big leader was naturally the protagonist of the evening—Su Zheng.

Ye Xinyi sat next to Su Zheng, playing the role of the hostess.

"Come here, Comrade Su Zheng."

The high-ranking leader picked up the tiny white porcelain wine glass in front of him, no bigger than a finger, and said with a smile, "This glass of wine, on behalf of the department, and on behalf of those old comrades still fighting on the front lines, is a toast to you! A toast to our 'Xuanwu,' and a toast to our soon-to-be-established 001 Research Institute!"

"Sir, you're too kind."

Su Zheng quickly stood up and raised his glass with both hands.

The liquor in the glass was viscous like oil, exuding a rich and unique aroma of soy sauce.

That's "Flying Moutai".

Moreover, it wasn't the kind you could buy on the market; it was a special-supply liquor with the words "internal recruitment" printed on the bottle. In those days, you couldn't buy this kind of liquor even if you had the money; it was a symbol of status and prestige.

"Slurp—"

After downing a glass of wine.

The high-ranking leader picked up a piece of lion's head meatball with his chopsticks, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Hmm, not bad. Still the same taste. Su Zheng, you've done a great job this time. The higher-ups were so happy after reading your report that they couldn't sleep all night, issuing directives overnight to provide manpower and funding as needed, ensuring our 'spark' isn't extinguished!"

"Please rest assured, sir."

Su Zheng put down his wine glass, his tone calm and firm, "As long as the resources are in place, I am confident that within three years, we can bring our semiconductor industry to a world-class level."

"Three years?"

Factory Director Yang, who was standing nearby, was speechless with astonishment. "Engineer Su... oh no, Dean Su, this is too fast! I saw in foreign reports that Intel is having a hard time even developing a transistor..."

"That's because they're stupid."

Su Zheng smiled faintly, picked up a pack of cigarettes on the table, took one out and handed it to the big boss, and lit one for himself as well.

Those are "Panda" brand cigarettes.

Without a filter, the cigarette was short and concise. In later generations, this was a legendary item; in this era, it was a "tribute" that only top leaders could enjoy.

Su Zheng took a deep drag on his cigarette, the pale blue smoke swirling around his fingertips.

"We're not going to follow their path. What we're going to do is develop carbon-based chips."

"Silicon-based wafers are limited by physical constraints, and Moore's Law will eventually fail. But carbon-based wafers are different; their electron mobility is ten times that of silicon, and their power consumption is only one-tenth. As long as we solve the purification problem of graphene..."

Su Zheng casually picked up a chopstick from the table and drew a hexagonal shape on the tablecloth.

"This is the key to the future."

Although the high-ranking leader didn't understand the specific physics parameters, he could see the light in Su Zheng's eyes. He had seen that light in Yan'an back then, and on the battlefield.

That was the belief that victory was inevitable.

"good!"

The top leader slammed his hand on the table. "That's exactly the spirit we need! Su Zheng, go for it! If the sky falls, we old bones will hold it up!"

The atmosphere inside the room was lively and exuberant.

It was a dialogue between master craftsmen and pillars of the nation, a grand narrative about the fate of the nation and the future of industry.

……

However, in the cold wind outside, two "mice" were shivering.

Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle in the front yard, was sneaking around at the base of Su Zheng's house, carrying a half-empty bottle of diluted Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

Ever since he saw Su Zheng return in a Hongqi car during the day, Yan Bugui's heart has been like a cat's claws.

There was fear, but more than that, there was calculation.

"A full colonel...that's a figure with immense influence."

Yan Bugui thought to himself, "If I could get on Su Zheng's good side, even just a casual remark from him, wouldn't my eldest son's job be solved? Besides, you can't hit a smiling face. I'm his great-uncle, someone I've watched grow up, and I've never really offended him. If I take the initiative to apologize and offer him a drink, he can't just kick me out, can he?"

With this "fortune favors the bold" mentality, Yan Bugui gritted his teeth and went.

He listened to the sounds inside the house, and smelled the aroma of wine and food wafting from the crack in the door, making his mouth water. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"This tastes... amazing! Even better than what Sha Zhu makes!"

Yan Bugui swallowed hard, straightened his faded Zhongshan suit, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

"Thump, thump, thump."

The knock was very soft, carrying a hint of tentativeness and humility.

The conversation inside the room abruptly stopped.

"Who?"

Su Zheng's voice came through, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Oh, Xiao Su... oh no, Dean Su, it's me, your third uncle."

Yan Bugui's face was plastered with a fawning smile as he called out through the door, "I heard you're back, and you've done a great service. So, on behalf of all the neighbors in our courtyard, I've come to see you. I brought some wine to celebrate your achievement..."

There was a few seconds of silence in the room.

Then, the door opened.

But it wasn't fully opened; it only opened a crack.

Su Zheng stood at the door, a half-burnt "Panda" cigarette still between his fingers. He was tall and blocked most of the doorway, looking down at Yan Bugui.

"Teacher Yan, is something the matter?"

Su Zheng's tone was very indifferent, as if he were talking to a stranger.

"Oh dear, Su Zheng, look at you, why are you being so formal?"

Yan Bugui brazenly tried to squeeze in, but his eyes scanned the room like radar.

This sweep almost scared the soul out of him.

He saw the snow-white tablecloth.

I saw that table of exquisite dishes that even state-run restaurants couldn't serve.

I saw the Moutai bottle with "Internal Recruitment" printed on it.

I also noticed the cigarette box with two giant pandas printed on it that was on the table.

"Good heavens...this...this is..."

Although Yan Bugui had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. He knew perfectly well what those things meant. They weren't things money could buy! They were privileges! They were status!

But that's not the scariest part.

The most frightening thing was when his gaze passed over Su Zheng's shoulder and landed on the old man in the gray Zhongshan suit in the main seat.

The old man happened to turn his head and glance at him.

What kind of look was that?

Calm, majestic, profound.

Like a dozing tiger, it glanced indifferently at a passing ant.

There was no emotional fluctuation, but the imposing aura he had cultivated over a long period of holding a high position instantly pressed down like a mountain.

"Buzz—"

Yan Bugui felt a buzzing in his head, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the ground.

Although he didn't know this high-ranking leader, he instinctively sensed danger. That danger was a hundred times stronger than facing Director Yang, or even the police station chief!

"This...who is this...?"

Yan Bugui's teeth chattered, and he could barely speak. The bottle of diluted Erguotou in his hand looked even more pathetic and laughable, like a beggar offering swill to the emperor.

Factory Director Yang then turned around, frowned, and shouted sternly, "Who are you? Don't you know the rules? Can't you see the leaders are discussing work?"

"Chief...Chief?!"

Yan Bugui was now completely convinced.

It’s over.

I've walked right into a trap. I just wanted to freeload a meal, but I ran into a real genius!

"I'm...I'm sorry...I...I went to the wrong door..."

Yan Bugui was so frightened that he retreated repeatedly, almost tripping over the threshold.

Su Zheng looked at Yan Bugui's disheveled appearance and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

He neither made way for Yan Bugui nor accepted the wine offered to him.

He simply flicked off his cigarette ash and said casually:

"Professor Yan, we were indeed discussing work. It involved state secrets."

"Also, from now on, do not come within five meters of this room without my permission. I don't want a repeat of the 'accidental injury' that happened last time."

Done.

"Bang!"

The gate slammed shut right in front of Yan Bugui's nose.

Yan Bugui stood frozen in place, his face deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He stared at the tightly closed door as if it were an insurmountable chasm.

He finally understood that Xiao Su, who had once schemed against him over a few cents, was completely dead.

Su Zheng is now a star in the sky, while Yan Bugui will forever remain an ant on the ground.

……

inside the house.

After the flies were driven away, the atmosphere became harmonious again.

"Is this your shrewd and calculating third uncle?" the big boss asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, sir." Su Zheng sat back down. "The wisdom of ordinary people may not be worthy of high art, but it is still a sight to behold in this courtyard."

"Hahaha, you have such a great attitude!"

The senior leader pointed at Su Zheng, "He has a commanding presence, yet remains approachable. Rare indeed!"

At this moment, Ye Xinyi, who had been silent all along, stood up.

She picked up the serving chopsticks, took a piece of the tenderest fish belly meat, carefully removed any small bones that might be inside, and then gently placed it into Su Zheng's bowl.

"This fish is good, eat more."

Her movements were natural and fluid, as if she had done them a thousand times.

Su Zheng turned to look at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "You eat too, don't just keep putting food on my plate."

"I like watching you eat." Ye Xinyi smiled, her smile revealing a girlish charm, completely unlike the aloofness she usually exuded as a female PhD.

This scene, seen through the gap in the curtains, was witnessed by another person outside the window.

Qin Huairu.

She was like a ghost, hiding in the shadows of the corner, staring intently at the window.

Her fingernails dug deep into the flesh of her palms, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.

Only my heart is bleeding.

She saw the fine wine and delicacies on the table, a life she never dared to dream of.

She saw Su Zheng chatting and laughing with those high-ranking leaders, a circle she could never reach.

What made her most desperate was that she saw Ye Xinyi.

The woman, dressed in an expensive cashmere sweater, possessed a noble and elegant demeanor. Sitting next to Su Zheng, they were such a perfect match, so dazzling.

In comparison, what am I?

A widow with three children to support? A rural woman who schemes against her husband for a few steamed buns? A haggard housewife who spends all her time around the stove and washing basin?

Why...?

Qin Huairu bit her lip, tears silently streaming down her face. "Why didn't I choose him back then? Why was I blind to choose the Jia family?"

If only...

Even if it's just a hypothetical...

Could it be me sitting at that table now, enjoying the treatment of a state banquet, being treated gently by Su Zheng?

remorse.

Hey.

despair.

A torrent of emotions gnawed at Qin Huairu's heart like venomous snakes. She knew her life was completely over. She had not only lost a promising prospect, but also a chance to rise to the top.

"Su Zheng..."

Qin Huairu silently murmured the name in her heart, took one last look at the warm light, and turned to disappear into the darkness.

Her back was hunched and desolate, like an abandoned, homeless dog.

……

inside the house.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The conversation finally shifted from casual chatter back to the main topic.

"Su Zheng".

The top leader put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious. "Have you decided on the location for that '001 Research Institute'?"

Su Zheng nodded.

He took out a map of Beijing that he had prepared beforehand and spread it on the table.

His finger traced across the map, finally landing heavily on a mountainous area on the outskirts of Beijing.

"here."

Su Zheng's voice was firm and strong, "Hongshankou. Backed by the Yanshan Mountains and facing the plains. It has good concealment, and there are abandoned air-raid shelters that can be used."

"I want to hollow out this entire mountain and build an underground nuclear energy and new materials laboratory."

Code name: Abyss.

The top leader looked at the spot Su Zheng pointed to and pondered for a moment.

"good!"

The top leader slammed his fist on the table. "I'll have someone process the paperwork tomorrow! Within three months, I'll spare no expense to vacate this place for you!"

"in addition……"

The senior leader glanced at Ye Xinyi beside him, "The research institute has just been established and is short-staffed. In particular, it lacks high-level talent like Dr. Ye."

"Su Zheng, you have full authority to 'cherry-pick' top talent nationwide. Anyone you want, whether from Tsinghua or Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, or even the military, just say the word, and I'll transfer them to you!"

This is an imperial sword.

With this sword, Su Zheng will be able to gather the most outstanding wisdom of the entire Chinese nation in this era.

Su Zheng stood up, his eyes gleaming with boundless ambition.

"Don't worry, sir."

Give me three years.

"Three years from now, I will make the technology that emerged from the 'Abyss' shock the entire world."

……