Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

The restaurant in the Lin family courtyard is small, and could even be described as somewhat rudimentary.

An old eight-immortal table, several long benches, and several yellowed black-and-white military photos hanging on the wall, filled with the smell of gunpowder.

But if the person sitting at this table tonight were to stomp their foot, the whole of China would tremble.

The seat of honor naturally belongs to Elder Lin.

To his left sat a high-ranking military officer with two gold stars on his shoulders, exuding an imposing aura. He was General Zhang, the number two figure in the General Staff.

To his right was a middle-aged man with glasses, a refined demeanor, but sharp, eagle-like eyes; that was Minister Qian, the Executive Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Across the table sat several other high-ranking officials of similar stature, some in charge of the national treasury, others in charge of the national mouthpiece...

Each of these people was either one of Lin Lao's old subordinates or one of his protégés and old friends whom he had personally promoted.

Together, they constitute the "Lin faction," the most powerful and stable faction in Chinese politics.

Liu Ming sat right next to Elder Lin, even closer than General Zhang.

He held a glass of liquor in his hand, a "shao dao zi" that Old Lin had treasured for thirty years, its strength as fierce as fire.

"Don't stand on ceremony, there are no outsiders here today, just treat it as a family dinner."

Old Lin raised his glass and roared in a strong voice, "Cheers!"

"I've called everyone here today for just one thing."

Old Lin put down his wine glass and patted Liu Ming's shoulder heavily with his calloused hand.

"This is the grandson of my old comrade-in-arms Liu Pojun, and also my adopted grandson, Lin Zhentian."

"From now on, he is a member of the Lin family. His affairs are my affairs, Lin Zhentian's affairs."

"If anyone dares to bully him outside and make him suffer any injustice, don't blame me, this old man, for personally going to their house and tearing down their roof!"

These words were spoken with an overwhelming sense of dominance, and the protectiveness of their own was utterly unreasonable.

The bigwigs present all smiled knowingly.

They knew the old coach's temperament all too well.

"Don't worry, old leader, we all like Xiao Ming. From now on, anyone who dares to touch him will have to ask our weapons first!" General Zhang was the first to speak up.

"Exactly!" Minister Qian adjusted his glasses, looking at Liu Ming with admiration in his eyes. "I've seen what this kid did in Jiangnan Province. He's methodical and decisive. He's a promising talent. In the future, if there's anything in the ministry that requires our organization department's coordination, just let us know."

For a time, people came in droves to offer toasts and try to establish a friendship.

Liu Ming sat there, a humble smile on her face, toasting these "uncles and elders" one cup after another.

But in his heart, a raging storm was brewing!

This is hardly a family dinner.

This was clearly a "coronation ceremony" tailor-made for him!

Elder Lin, this is a declaration to the entire Forbidden City and the entire Chinese political arena in the most direct and forceful way:

—Liu Ming is my person, Lin Zhentian's person!

—He represents the will of the Lin family!

With this layer, there is a "protective charm" thicker than the sky.

From now on, in this Forbidden City, as long as Liu Ming doesn't court death or commit some heinous crime like treason, he'll be safe.

Then you really can... walk sideways.

……

"Xiao Ming, just drinking isn't fun."

After a few rounds of drinks, Old Lin suddenly spoke up, steer the conversation toward the main topic.

"I heard you have some ideas about the future development of our country's high-tech industries?"

coming.

Liu Ming knew that this was the real purpose of tonight's "family dinner".

He put down his wine glass, his expression turning serious.

"Grandpa, uncles and elders, I wouldn't call it an idea, just some immature thoughts."

He didn't talk about those empty policies or spout any grandiose slogans.

He simply posed a question in the most concise and straightforward way, a question that made all the bigwigs present turn pale.

"We're being held hostage."

"Chip chips, lithography machines, advanced materials, biopharmaceuticals... these are the core areas that determine a country's future destiny. Our technology lags behind the West by at least ten, or even twenty years."

"We are now like a strong, muscular giant. But our heart and our brain were bought from someone else."

"Once others stop supplying us with these 'organs'..."

Liu Ming's eyes turned sharp as knives!

"Then our giant will collapse in an instant!"

Dead silence.

The entire restaurant was deathly silent.

The smiles on the faces of all the bigwigs vanished.

Instead, there was an unprecedented solemnity.

Because what Liu Ming said was true.

It's a national-level problem that they've been trying to solve for years, but haven't been able to figure out how to address!

"So what do you think we should do?"

The one who spoke was Minister Qian from the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

"The key to breaking the deadlock lies not in technology, but in... people."

Liu Ming said, enunciating each word clearly.

"We don't lack brilliant minds, nor do we lack the spirit of diligent research. What we lack is an environment where these 'most powerful brains' can focus on scientific research without any worries."

"A pure research environment that is not corrupted by 'comprador capitalism,' not bound by 'bureaucracy,' and not held hostage by 'short-term interests'!"

"Therefore, I suggest!"

Liu Ming stood up, and the powerful aura of a "national hero" instantly erupted!

"Led by the National Development and Reform Commission, and in conjunction with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Military Sciences, a 'National Strategic Technology Breakthrough Group' will be established, independent of the existing administrative system and possessing the highest level of authorization!"

"This group needs no rank or organizational structure!"

"Only the world's top talent!"

"Give them the best treatment, the greatest autonomy, and the most ample funding!"

"Let them, like we did when we developed the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite,' close the door and focus wholeheartedly on building our own... 'national treasures'!"

……

His words were spoken with great force and conviction!

His words stirred the blood of everyone present, especially the older generation of revolutionaries who had lived through that era of burning passion!

"Good! Well said!"

Old Lin slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly!

"I approve of this group!"

"I'll go talk to Number One myself!"

He looked at Liu Ming, and a burst of unprecedented brilliance erupted in his cloudy old eyes!

"You'll be the team leader!"

"I'm giving you the maximum authorization!"

"You need money? I'll get the Ministry of Finance to approve it!"

"If you need people, I'll get headhunters all over the world to poach them for you!"

"I only want one result!"

He paused, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth!

"Within five years! I want to see China's own lithography machines light up!"

……

This "family banquet," which would determine the future direction of China's technology, continued until late at night.

When Liu Ming walked out of the Lin family's heavy, black lacquered gate.

he knows.

Starting today.

He was no longer a "lone hero" seeking revenge for his father.

On his shoulders lies the last hope of a nation and a people on the battlefield of science and technology.

This is a heavy responsibility.

As heavy as Mount Tai.

But he enjoyed it nonetheless.

Because he knew.

This is the shared destiny of him and his father, two generations.

……

The black Hongqi car at the entrance is still waiting quietly.

Liu Ming opened the car door and got in.

Outside the car window, those bigwigs who had previously glared at him with disdain were now all stepping out.

They stood on the steps, waving at the Hongqi car that was slowly starting up.

The scrutiny that had been there before was gone from those eyes.

All that remains is the elders' earnest expectations for the younger generation.

"Little Liu, from now on, if anyone in the ministry dares to make things difficult for you, they can come straight to me!"

"Xiao Ming, my office phone is on 24/7!"

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to ask us uncles!"