Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

Time flies like sand, and in the blink of an eye, it's New Year's Eve.

On the last day of 1965, the courtyard was unusually filled with a festive atmosphere. Every household had put up red couplets, and the air was filled with the sulfurous smell of firecrackers and the aroma of dumplings.

Even the beasts who had been thoroughly subdued by Jiang Chen showed genuine smiles on this special day. After all, there has to be something to look forward to in life.

As night deepened, the noise gradually subsided.

Jiang Chen didn't stay indoors to celebrate the New Year; instead, he climbed up the ladder to the roof of his house.

The winter night in Beijing was bitterly cold, but for Jiang Chen, who had been injected with the [Primary Gene Enhancement Fluid], the chill was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

He was wearing a black military overcoat, sitting cross-legged on the roof ridge, with a heat-insulating mat he had redeemed from the system beneath him. In his hand, instead of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), he held a red can of soda that, even in later generations, symbolized happiness—ice-cold cola.

"laugh--"

The pull tab was pulled, and the sound of bubbles bubbling was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Jiang Chen tilted his head back and took a big gulp. The icy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a refreshing sensation that went straight to the top of his head.

In this era of scarcity and lack of entertainment, he is the only outlier. He is a solitary observer, and also the most powerful interventionist in this world.

"System, report the current status," Jiang Chen commanded in his mind.

A pale blue light screen unfolded before his eyes, and lines of data flowed by like water.

[Host: Jiang Chen]

Combat Strength: Special Forces Elite Level (3 times the normal human limit). Skills Mastered: Military Boxing (Proficient), Firearms Proficiency (Master), Melee Weapon Combat (Proficient).

[Position and Status: Head of Security Department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Executive Deputy Leader of Technical Research Team, and Specially Appointed Combat Instructor of the Municipal Bureau.]

Assets: 2800 yuan in cash, 10 small yellow croakers, and various receipts.

System space: 5 cubic meters (expanded). Inventory materials: Precision machine tool blueprints (fragments), 50 boxes of antibiotics, 1 ton of compressed biscuits, 10 high-explosive grenades (for self-defense)...

[Current Main Story Progress: Phase One, "Initial Accumulation," is complete. Rating: S-Rank (Perfect).]

Jiang Chen looked at the impressive report card, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

In just a few months, he went from a junior security guard who had just been demobilized and was being schemed against by a bunch of scoundrels in the factory to a powerful, wealthy, and extremely strong factory tycoon.

Yi Zhonghai fell, Liu Haizhong was crippled, Sha Zhu became his prisoner and prospective cook, and Qin Huairu became a frightened bird. The courtyard house that once suffocated him was now nothing more than a pile of loose sand beneath his feet.

But this is not enough.

Jiang Chen cast his gaze toward the dark night sky in the distance. There, a few sparse stars were twinkling faintly.

1966 is almost here.

As a time traveler, he knew better than anyone what that meant.

It was a raging storm that swept everything, a catastrophe that could completely rewrite the fate of countless people. In this storm, upright cadres like Director Yang would fall, capitalists' daughters like Lou Xiao'e would be affected, and speculators like Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong would tear at people like sharks smelling blood.

That was an era of collapsing order, and a stage for ambitious people to revel.

"Are you scared?" Jiang Chen asked himself.

He took another sip of cola, a haughty smile curving his lips.

What's there to be afraid of?

A few months ago, he might have simply gone with the flow, trying to survive. But now, he has a gun, power, technology, and, more importantly, the incredible cheat code of the system.

He had already built an impregnable empire. The security department was his private army, the technical team was his shield, and the top leader was his political backer.

"In this crazy age, I will not be a drifting duckweed."

Jiang Chen stood up, perched atop the high roof ridge, letting the cold wind flutter his clothes, like a god looking down upon all living beings.

"I want to be that pillar of strength that stabilizes the sea."

"I want to protect those I care about, like Ran Qiuye, and the top leaders. I want to eliminate those clowns who want to jump out. I also want to take advantage of this opportunity to elevate China's industrial and technological development, even in these chaotic times!"

Just then, a dazzling firework suddenly rose into the night sky in the distance.

"Bang!"

A burst of multicolored light exploded in the darkness, illuminating Jiang Chen's resolute and cold face.

The new year has arrived.

Jiang Chen downed the last bit of cola in one gulp, then with a slight squeeze of his hand, the aluminum can was flattened into a metal sheet with a "crack." He casually flicked his wrist, and the metal sheet traced an arc before disappearing into the void of the system's recycling bin.

"A gentle breeze stirs the water, and waves rise in the distance."

Jiang Chen straightened his collar, turned around and looked at the sleeping courtyard house, his eyes burning with a flame called ambition.

"Come on, storm!"

"I'm ready."

(End of Volume One)