Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

Lin Yang slowly removed the velvet cap from his head, his deep gaze quietly fixed on the surging molten iron.

The firelight illuminated his resolute and stern face.

Chen Feng stood to the side, holding a chipped enamel mug containing half a cup of warm water. He looked at Lin Yang's tired yet unusually upright back, his eyes slightly moist.

"Minister, have some water. We... won."

Chen Feng's voice was choked with emotion.

Lin Yang did not turn around.

He took the teacup, lowered his head and took a sip, his gaze still fixed on the golden fire dragon.

A few sparks of scorching steel burst open, drawing dazzling arcs in the air before fluttering down into the night sky like a grand golden snowfall, landing on the faded old military overcoat.

Lin Yang swallowed the warm water in his throat, his rough thumb gently rubbing the edge of the teacup.

"Not enough."

He said it softly.

In the firelight, his eyes remained calm and undisturbed.

···

The billowing smoke above Anshan Iron and Steel Plant resembled a giant black dragon, announcing to the world the awakening of the eldest son of New China's industry.

When the first batch of molten iron poured out like a golden waterfall, Lin Yang's mission was successfully completed.

He didn't attend the grand celebration banquet prepared for him by the Anshan Municipal Party Committee, but instead boarded a slow train back to Beijing overnight. For him, this was just the first step in a long journey; a much bigger game was yet to come.

Early summer, 1954.

Yuquanshan Military Region Compound, Building No. 6, Class A.

A loud and clear cry of a baby broke the tranquility of the early morning.

Outside the delivery room, Lin Yang, wearing only a thin white shirt, gripped the corridor railing tightly with both hands, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. This iron-blooded general, who had never even flinched in the icy snow of Changjin Lake or the hail of bullets at Shangganling, now had fine beads of sweat covering his forehead.

"It's a boy! It's a boy! Commander, it's a healthy baby boy! Mother and child are safe!"

The army doctor, covered in sweat, pushed open the door, his face beaming with joy.

Lin Yang felt his nerves, which had been tense for months, relax instantly, and he let out a long breath. He strode into the ward, not even caring that the military doctor was shouting from behind, "Put on your sterile gown first."

On the hospital bed, Tian Yu's face was somewhat pale, her hair damp with sweat and plastered to her forehead, but her eyes shone with unparalleled maternal radiance. In her arms, a wrinkled, red little life was struggling to wave its tiny fists.

"Honey, you've worked so hard."

Lin Yang walked to the bedside, knelt on one knee, held Tian Yu's hands tightly, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead deeply. His voice was hoarse, filled with tenderness.

Tian Yu smiled weakly and pushed the swaddled baby towards Lin Yang: "Yangzi, look at our son. He looks just like you."

Lin Yang carefully took the child. His large hands, accustomed to holding steel guns and military daggers, were now stiff as two planks. Looking at the little life in his arms, carrying his blood, a warm, moist light welled up in his deep eyes.

"Good lad, your cry is loud enough, you've got the makings of a soldier." Lin Yang's lips curled into a proud smile.

Just then, a thunderous burst of laughter came from outside the ward.

"Hahahaha! I heard crying! My godson is out!"

Accompanied by his signature booming voice, Li Yunlong, dressed in his general's uniform and carrying two bottles of specially supplied Moutai, strode in. Behind him were Zhao Gang, Ding Wei, and Kong Jie, all with equally joyful expressions.

"Old Li, when are you going to get rid of this habit of barging in! This is a hospital room!" Zhao Gang glared at him irritably, then quickly walked to Lin Yang's side, pushed up his glasses, carefully examined the baby in the swaddling clothes, and smiled gently, "Good, very good. Yangzi, Comrade Tian Yu, congratulations."

Li Yunlong approached without hesitation and gently poked the baby's cheek with his rough fingers, causing the little guy to burst into tears again.

"That voice is even louder than when I was cursing in the streets of Shanxi back in the day!" Li Yunlong slapped his thigh triumphantly. "Yangzi, I've decided on this godson! Once he's weaned, I'll personally teach him how to shoot! Have you picked out a name yet?"

Lin Yang looked at his old comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death with him and nodded with a smile.

"I've already decided. This child was born when our country was rebuilding from scratch and striving for strength. So, I'll name him Lin Weiguo."

"Defend the country and protect the homeland, great! This name is inspiring!" Ding Wei gave a thumbs up.

Lin Fan and Ding Qiunan also rushed over upon hearing the news. The whole family gathered around the hospital bed, and the entire Building 6 was filled with unprecedented joy and warmth. Lin Yang's return and the birth of a new life brought vitality to this strong family.

However, this peaceful and warm feeling did not last long.

The wheels of time rolled forward, and soon it was October 1954.

The city of Beijing welcomed a grand celebration for the fifth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

On Tiananmen Square, red flags stretched like a sea, and the crowd roared with excitement. The troops marched in perfect unison, accompanied by majestic military music, and marched proudly down Chang'an Avenue.

Lin Yang, dressed in a crisp general's uniform with his chest adorned with dazzling medals, stood high on the reviewing stand, gazing intently at everything.

His gaze did not linger too long on the infantry formations in the parade, but was fixed on the fighter jets flying overhead and the tank formations slowly moving by.

Too little.

Although the equipment was much better than the "hodgepodge" of foreign brands in the early days of the People's Republic, most of it was still outdated models provided by the Soviet Union. Our country still lacked the true lifeblood of heavy industry in a heartbreaking way.

Just as Lin Yang was deep in thought.

A high-ranking foreign leader appeared at the top of Tiananmen Gate.

Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

This was the first visit to China by a top Soviet leader since Stalin's death. Given the international context at the time, Khrushchev urgently needed strong Chinese support to solidify his position within the socialist bloc.

Political maneuvering is often accompanied by a huge exchange of economic interests.

The third day after the celebration ended.

Headquarters, West Flower Hall.

A top-secret meeting concerning the industrial lifeline of the new China for decades to come is underway.

Lin Yang, as the Vice Minister of Heavy Industry and Director of the Iron and Steel Industry Administration Bureau, was specially granted permission to attend this top-level meeting.

The conference room was filled with smoke.

General Peng Dehuai, Zhou Enlai, and several other core national leaders were sitting around a long table, their faces beaming with undisguised excitement.

"Comrades, the negotiations that just concluded achieved a major breakthrough!"