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

The train roared deafeningly, like a roaring steel dragon.

Braving the raging wind and snow, they resolutely plunged into the vast, boundless Siberian frozen wasteland.

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The K3 international train, like a giant steel dragon spewing thick black smoke, races across the vast, boundless frozen wasteland of Siberia.

Outside the train window stretched endless birch forests and thick snow. A fierce wind whipped up snowflakes, which lashed against the train windows with a sickening rustling sound.

The heating in the deluxe sleeper compartment was very strong.

Lin Yang, wearing a thin white shirt, frowned slightly as he looked down at a thick stack of Russian technical documents on the table.

During this multi-day trip, no one in the delegation was idle.

Wearing his reading glasses, Zhao Gang carefully checked the preliminary list of 156 projects. Chief Engineer Shen Zhiyuan, meanwhile, used a slide rule to repeatedly verify the load-bearing parameters of a large rolling mill on a sketch.

Outside the compartment, He Yuzhu, dressed in unmarked dark casual clothes, stood ramrod straight like an iron tower. His hawk-like eyes warily scanned every train attendant passing by in the corridor.

Since crossing the border, He Yuzhu has been on high alert. The Type 54 pistol at his waist was already loaded, and the safety could be pulled at any time.

"Minister, have some hot water."

The accompanying translator, Qiao Jian, walked in carrying an enamel teacup and gently placed it beside Lin Yang.

Lin Yang rubbed his slightly sore temples, picked up his teacup and took a sip, gazing intently at the vast snowfield outside the window.

"Qiao Jian, are we almost in Moscow?"

"Yes, Minister. The train conductor just informed us that we will arrive at Yaroslavl Railway Station in Moscow in two hours." Qiao Jian glanced at his watch, his expression becoming somewhat tense.

Lin Yang put down his teacup, stood up, and stretched his stiff shoulders.

"Comrades, put down what you're doing."

Lin Yang's voice was deep and powerful, instantly causing everyone in the private room to stop what they were doing and look up.

"We're almost in Moscow. We're going abroad to ask someone for something. Although our Soviet big brother promised to give us technology, those high-ranking technical bureaucrats are really arrogant at heart."

Lin Yang's gaze was as sharp as a knife, sweeping over everyone present.

"Once you get off the train, straighten your backs! We're here to negotiate on behalf of the new China, not to be guinea pigs! Technically, Mr. Shen, you must not yield an inch; in negotiations, Qiao Jian, your translation must not only be accurate, but also assertive!"

"Old Zhao, you're in charge of discipline within the delegation. No one is allowed to go out alone, and no one is allowed to accept gifts from the Soviet side without authorization!"

Zhao Gang nodded solemnly: "Yangzi, don't worry. Our team is absolutely unbreakable!"

……

Two hours later.

Moscow, Yaroslavl Railway Station.

With a long, drawn-out whistle, train K3 slowly pulled into the station.

As soon as the train door opened, a blast of biting cold wind, below minus twenty degrees Celsius, rushed into the carriage. Moscow winters are much colder than those in Beijing; the air carries a chilling, knife-like intensity.

Lin Yang put on his general's overcoat and a woolen hat, and was the first to step off the train.

He Yuzhu followed closely behind, his hands in his coat pockets, his fingers gripping the gun handle tightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings like radar.

On the platform, the Soviet side had arranged a grand reception ceremony.

A guard of honor of the Soviet Red Army stood in neat formation. In front of the guard of honor stood several high-ranking Soviet officials wearing heavy woolen overcoats and distinctive Soviet leather caps.

The leader was a deputy minister of the Soviet Ministry of Heavy Machinery Manufacturing, named Arkady.

Arkady was a typical Slavic strongman, tall with a full beard, and his eyes revealed the arrogance and scrutiny unique to Soviet bureaucrats.

As Lin Yang stepped off the train, Arkady strode over to greet him, extending his large, bear-paw-like hand from a distance.

"Welcome, General Lin from China! We hope that despite the cold winter in Moscow, you can feel our warm hospitality!"

Qiao Jian immediately began translating rapidly in Lin Yang's ear.

Lin Yang remained expressionless, extended his right hand, and firmly shook hands with Arkady.

The moment when two hands meet.

A hint of mockery flashed in Arkady's eyes. He suddenly exerted force, attempting to intimidate the young head of the Chinese delegation during the handshake. This was a common tactic used by the Soviets: to demonstrate their absolute dominance through force.

however.

The next second, Arkady's expression changed.

He felt as if he was holding not a human hand, but a pair of cold, hard pliers!

Lin Yang's hand muscles tensed instantly, and a terrifying, inch-force honed in piles of corpses pressed down on his palm like a tidal wave.

Arkady felt a piercing pain in his finger bones, as if they were about to be crushed. The muscles in his face twitched violently, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. He tried to pull his hand back, but found that he couldn't break free at all.

Lin Yang looked at Arkadina's face, which was flushed with pain, and a faint, cold smile appeared on his lips.

A full five seconds passed.

Lin Yang slowly released his grip, his tone calm yet authoritative.

"Thank you for the welcome, Deputy Minister Arkady. There's an old Chinese saying: 'True gold fears no fire, and good steel fears no cold.' The cold wind in Moscow is just right for us Chinese soldiers."

Qiao Jian translated the sentence verbatim, even with a touch of force in his tone.

Arkady hid his right hand, which was almost numb, in his coat pocket, trembling with pain.

The way he looked at Lin Yang again had completely changed.

Gone was his initial arrogance, replaced by a deep sense of apprehension. He finally understood that this excessively young Chinese general was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"General Lin, please get in the car. We have arranged for you to stay at the most luxurious Ukrainian Grand Hotel in Moscow. Tonight, Comrade Khrushchev will personally host a welcome dinner for you."

Arkady's attitude became noticeably more respectful, and he turned to the side and gestured for them to proceed.

The convoy drove out of the train station and cruised through the wide streets of Moscow.

Looking out the car window at the towering Stalinist buildings and the huge factory chimneys along the roadside, Lin Yang's gaze grew increasingly profound.

The Soviet Union's industrial foundation was indeed terrifyingly strong.

This further solidified his resolve for this trip. Even if it meant selling everything they owned, they had to bring all the core components of these 156 projects back to China!

……