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

Zhou's gentle yet powerful voice echoed in the conference room.

"Comrade Khrushchev made a significant decision to demonstrate his support and goodwill towards our new China. In addition to the 141 aid projects already finalized, the Soviet Union decided to add 15 more large-scale industrial projects!"

"Furthermore, we will conduct a comprehensive technological upgrade to some of the existing projects! We will provide them with the most advanced blueprints and equipment currently available in China!"

boom!

The news was like a bombshell, exploding in the conference room. All the ministers and generals present clenched their fists in excitement.

141 items, plus 15 newly added items.

The total number has officially reached 156!

These were the "156 Projects" that were later permanently recorded in the annals of the People's Republic of China and laid the foundation for China's modern industry!

These 156 projects are not ordinary factories. They encompass steel, coal, electricity, machinery, chemicals, and even aerospace and weapons manufacturing! Each project represents a vast industrial ecosystem. Once these 156 projects take root, China will completely bid farewell to its era as an agricultural country that couldn't even manufacture a single tractor or tank!

"However, comrades, don't be too happy yet."

General Peng stubbed out his cigarette, his brows furrowing slightly, like a tiger eyeing its prey.

"Although the Soviet big brother promised to provide projects and technology, there is no such thing as a free lunch."

"The contract has been signed, but the specific model of equipment to be delivered, when the blueprints will be delivered, and what level of experts will be sent—none of these details have been finalized!"

General Peng's gaze swept across the entire room like two sharp swords.

"Those technocrats in Big Brother's country are incredibly stingy! They'll definitely try every means to delay things, or try to cram some second-rate technology into our hands. If we want to extract every last drop of value from these 156 projects and get the core technology back, we must send a sufficiently influential, capable, and knowledgeable delegation to Moscow to compete with them face-to-face!"

Zhou nodded in agreement: "This is not just an economic negotiation, but also an industrial war without gunfire. The head of our delegation must be a formidable leader who can command respect and dare to confront challenges head-on at crucial moments!"

The meeting room fell silent.

Everyone was rapidly searching for suitable candidates in their minds.

A pure diplomat might be easily fooled by the Soviets on technical matters; a pure technical expert might lack the assertive presence required at the negotiating table and be unable to intimidate the arrogant Soviet officials.

Just then, General Peng's gaze, like a searchlight, fell directly on Lin Yang, who was sitting in the corner.

"Lin Yang!" General Peng suddenly called out his name.

"Here!" Lin Yang immediately stood up, his posture straight, like a javelin.

"You did a great job at Ansteel. You treated this massive project involving tens of thousands of people like the Huaihai Campaign, completing the merging of three major projects six months ahead of schedule. You even managed to subdue those arrogant Soviet experts."

General Peng stared into Lin Yang's eyes and asked loudly.

"Now, the Central Committee has decided to form a 'Plenipotentiary delegation to the Soviet Union for industrial inspection and technology introduction'!"

"I propose that you, Lin Yang, be appointed as the head of this delegation! You will be fully responsible for the specific technical implementation and equipment import negotiations for these 156 projects! Do you dare accept this order?!"

Swish!

All eyes in the conference room instantly turned to the young vice minister, who was only in his early twenties.

Lin Yang met General Peng's gaze without the slightest hesitation or retreat.

He understood all too well the significance of these 156 projects for the new China. These were the wings that propelled the Republic's takeoff! Whether in metallurgy, machinery, or national defense, these were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to leapfrog ahead!

"Reporting, sir!"

Lin Yang's voice was powerful and resounding, echoing throughout the West Flower Hall for a long time.

"On the battlefield, I, Lin Yang, can seize territory from the Americans; at the negotiating table, I can also extract the core technologies our country needs most from the Soviets!"

"I accept this mission! If I fail to retrieve the top-of-the-line equipment and blueprints, I'll offer my head in retribution!"

"Good! That's backbone!" General Peng slammed his hand on the table. "These are the soldiers who came from our Fourth Field Army! You have full authority to select the members of the delegation! You can choose any talent from every ministry and military region across the country! Anyone who dares to refuse to release them, let them come to me!"

……

After accepting this extremely important task, Lin Yang did not delay for a moment and immediately began the work of forming the delegation.

This is not just a negotiating team, but a "special forces" unit that will engage in close combat with the Soviet Union's top technical bureaucrats in the freezing cold of Moscow.

Inside the office of the Vice Minister of Heavy Industry.

Lin Yang stood in front of a huge map of China, holding a list in his hand, carefully considering it.

There was a knock on the door, and Secretary Chen Feng walked in.

"Minister, the preliminary list you asked me to draft has been completed." Chen Feng placed a document on the table, a hint of excitement in his eyes. He knew that this trip to the Soviet Union was crucial to the nation's long-term development.

Lin Yang turned around, picked up the list, and glanced at it.

"As for technical experts, bring along Chief Engineer Shen Zhiyuan from Ansteel." Lin Yang circled Shen Zhiyuan's name with a red pencil.

"During the expansion of Ansteel, Professor Shen had already figured out the quirks of Soviet equipment. With him around, the Soviets had no chance of fooling us with their technical specifications."

"Yes." Chen Feng immediately wrote it down.

Lin Yang continued looking down, his brows furrowing slightly.

"The translators and liaisons sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although fluent in language, lacked an industrial background and were not quick enough to react at the negotiating table."

Lin Yang put down the list and looked at Chen Feng: "I heard that there's a young man named Qiao Jian in the First Ministry of Machine Building. He studied in the Soviet Union in his early years and knows the Soviet heavy industry system like the back of his hand. Moreover, this kid has a very strong temper and is a good negotiator?"

Chen Feng's eyes lit up: "Minister, you mean Director Qiao! He is indeed a genius. He speaks Russian better than the Soviets themselves, and his mind is full of details about various Soviet machine factories. However, Minister Huang of the First Ministry of Machine Building treats him like a treasure, so he probably won't let him go easily."

"Won't release them? I'll go demand them myself!" Lin Yang sneered. "General Peng gave me his imperial edict; let's see who dares to stop me!"

After finalizing the key personnel for technology and negotiation, Lin Yang's attention turned to the positions of deputy head of the delegation and political commissar.

This position is crucial.

The negotiations with the Soviet Union were protracted. Not only did they face external pressure, but the delegation's internal ideological work and discipline also required an extremely steady and meticulous person to manage.

In Lin Yang's mind, a gentle and refined figure wearing gold-rimmed glasses instantly appeared.

"Prepare the car. We're going to the Ministry of Machinery Industry."