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

The two brothers were talking.

A rough engine roar came from outside the door.

"Hahaha! Yangzi! I've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Accompanied by that familiar loud voice, the villa door was suddenly pushed open.

A cold wind carrying a strong smell of the sea and gunpowder rushed into the room.

Li Yunlong strode in, wearing a brand-new general's overcoat. His skin was much darker and rougher than it had been two years ago in Korea, the marks left by years of exposure to the sea breeze and sun on the southeast coast. But his fierce and valiant spirit was even more intense, like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey at any moment.

Following behind Li Yunlong were Zhao Gang, Ding Wei, and Kong Jie, who also looked travel-worn.

The Northwest Iron Triangle and the political commissar of the Independent Regiment gathered again at Lin Yang's home on this New Year's Eve, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

"Old Li! Old Zhao!"

Lin Yang laughed and stepped forward, embracing his brothers who had shared life and death with him.

"You old codger, you've been on the Fujian front for almost two years, how come you still smell like a bandit?" Lin Yang punched Li Yunlong.

Li Yunlong's eyes widened, and as he took off his overcoat, he shouted, "Bullshit! I'm now the Commander-in-Chief of the Fujian Coastal Defense and the Commander of the Main Force! I'm on the beach every day, setting up cannons and keeping an eye on those remnants of Chiang Kai-shek's army on the other side!"

Li Yunlong walked to the sofa, sat down, picked up the hot tea that Lin Fan had poured, drank it all in one gulp, and his eyes gleamed with fanaticism.

"Yangzi, you have no idea! Last September, warships from across the strait dared to loiter in the waters off Kinmen. I directly ordered them to bring out that batch of 152mm heavy howitzers that our Ministry of Heavy Industry had just manufactured and unleash a volley at the sea!"

"Hundreds of shells rained down, sending water columns tens of meters high right up the bows of those American warships! Those bastards were so scared they turned tail and ran, not daring to utter a sound! That was fucking satisfying!"

Li Yunlong slapped his thigh excitedly: "Yangzi, the cannons your Ministry of Heavy Industry made have a long range and great power! I find them extremely easy to use! Next year, send me a few hundred more, and I'll bomb Kinmen flat!"

Hearing Li Yunlong's bandit-like remarks, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Zhao Gang pushed up his glasses, shook his head helplessly, and then looked at Lin Yang with a solemn expression.

"Yangzi, although Lao Li speaks bluntly, what he said is the truth. In the past year or so, the equipment of our frontline troops has undergone tremendous changes."

Zhao Gang now holds an important position in a core department of the Central Military Commission and has a thorough understanding of the equipment situation of the entire army.

"In the past, when we were in North Korea, we used a mix of weapons from all over the world, and logistical support was a major problem. Now, with the continuous supply of special steel from your Ministry of Heavy Industry, our country's first batch of Soviet-made Type 59 medium tanks has begun to roll off the production line for testing! New jet fighters are also under intensive development."

Zhao Gang looked at Lin Yang with eyes full of respect: "Yangzi, you are not only a victorious general on the battlefield, but also a pillar of our nation on the industrial front!"

Ding Wei and Kong Jie nodded in agreement. They now serve as army commanders in the northern and northwestern border regions, respectively, and the new domestically produced weapons they possess are their greatest source of confidence in defending the nation's borders.

"Fellow senior leaders, please stop praising him. If you keep praising him, he'll get all cocky."

Tian Yu walked over with a smile and handed hot towels to the generals to wipe their faces.

Just then, a loud shout suddenly came from the kitchen.

"The food is here!"

The kitchen sliding door was suddenly pulled open.

He Daqing, dressed in a pristine white chef's uniform and wearing a tall chef's hat, walked out carrying a huge blue-and-white porcelain plate with a radiant face.

"Braised sea cucumber with scallions! Gentlemen, please enjoy it while it's hot!"

Following behind He Daqing was He Yuzhu, dressed in casual clothes with an apron tied around his waist. He was carrying two plates of bright red stir-fried pork kidneys and Kung Pao chicken.

To prepare this New Year's Eve dinner for Lin Yang, He Daqing and his son He Yuzhu brought large bags of top-quality ingredients to the military compound at 3 p.m. to take charge of cooking.

For the He family father and son, being able to cook New Year's Eve dinner for these generals who had earned their illustrious reputations on the battlefield was a more glorious achievement than holding any high-ranking official position.

"Hey! Isn't that the pillar?"

Li Yunlong recognized He Yuzhu at a glance and burst into laughter.

"You little rascal, back in the Korean War, you were killing American devils with a machine gun without batting an eye. I heard you're back in Beijing now, a police captain, specializing in catching spies. What's that apron on you again today?"

He Yuzhu chuckled and placed the dishes steadily on the table, his movements swift and composed.

"Reporting to Commander Li! I, He Yuzhu, am a public security officer outside, but at Commander Lin's house, I will always be the commander's bodyguard and the cook who prepares meals for all the leaders!"

He Yuzhu picked up the wine bottle and poured Li Yunlong a bowl full of Moutai.

"Commander Li, back in Korea, without your heavy artillery support, our special forces division wouldn't have been able to penetrate the enemy's heart. This glass is a toast to you on behalf of our fallen brothers!"

"Good lad! Loyal and righteous! He didn't disgrace our Fourth Field Army!"

Li Yunlong picked up the wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and exclaimed how satisfying it was.

Soon, a table laden with an extremely sumptuous spread of Tan family dishes filled the large round table.

Braised carp, steamed grouper, four-happiness meatballs, rock sugar bird's nest... a rich aroma filled the entire living room.

Lin Yang, holding Tian Yu's hand, and Lin Fan, holding Ding Qiunan's hand, sat together with several generals.

Outside the window, the New Year's bells are about to ring.

Brilliant fireworks burst in the night sky over Beijing, illuminating the swirling, fluffy snowflakes.

Lin Yang picked up his wine glass and slowly stood up.

His deep gaze swept over his gentle wife, his elder brother who lived a peaceful and contented life, and his comrades-in-arms who had risked their lives for him.

In his mind, he seemed to hear again the stirring bugle call on the shore of Changjin Lake, and see the endless flow of golden molten iron in the Anshan Iron and Steel Group's blast furnace.

"Respect for the Motherland"

Lin Yang's voice was deep and powerful, conveying a firmness and passion that transcended the vicissitudes of time.

"A toast to this hard-won peace!"

"Dry!"

Everyone stood up at the same time, and their wine glasses clinked together loudly, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

The wind and snow continued.

Thick frost flowers formed on the windowpane, reflecting the lively atmosphere inside as people ate and drank.

A crisp clinking of bowls pierced through the wind and snow, blending into the night sky over Beijing.

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