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

Compared to the dark and twisted nature of these people, He Daqing and his son He Yuzhu, who were in the back room of the front yard, were beaming with health at this moment.

He Yuzhu was dressed in a crisp police uniform today, his belt tightly fastened. The scar on his left cheek from the Korean War did not look ferocious in the sunlight; instead, it exuded a sense of solemnity and honor unique to veterans.

He sat imposingly on his doorstep, holding a purple clay teapot, coldly watching the neighbors who were sneaking around in the yard.

"Dad, did you see those scumbags' eyes?" He Yuzhu took a sip of tea, making no attempt to hide the mockery in his tone. "They're so sour they're practically drooling, their eyes are practically bleeding from staring. They should take a piss and look at themselves in the mirror! Our leader earned this day by taking bullets for the country on the battlefield and eating sand in the Gobi Desert. These rats from the gutter, do they even deserve to talk about our leader?"

He Daqing wore an greasy apron and held a large palm-leaf fan in his hand, happily fanning himself.

"Zhu Zi, you've hit the nail on the head. A person has to accept their fate, but even more importantly, they have to recognize who they're dealing with." He Daqing proudly raised his chin. "The wisest decision I ever made was not following that hypocrite Yi Zhonghai back then, but instead wholeheartedly clinging to the Lin family's coattails. Look at us now, you're the head of the criminal investigation team, and I'm the one who calls the shots in the cafeteria. The Lin family eats the meat, and we get the soup—that's the He family's good fortune! As for those beasts in the compound, let them be envious in the shadows, let them suffer!"

He Yuzhu snorted coldly, placed the purple clay teapot on the steps, stood up, and patted the pistol at his waist.

"Anyone who dares to gossip about the leader at this critical juncture will be thrown into jail for a few years on charges of endangering national security!"

Within this microcosm of a courtyard house, Lin Yang's rise has created an absolute suppression of the soul. No one dares to harbor even the slightest thought of resistance; they can only look up to him in endless envy and fear.

……

A few days later, at the Ministry of Heavy Industry office building located on Fuxingmenwai Street.

This massive Soviet-style building is solemn and imposing. The soldiers of the Internal Security Forces standing guard at the entrance stand tall and straight like pine trees.

A black Hongqi sedan slowly drove into the compound and stopped in front of the main building. Chen Feng immediately got out of the car and opened the back door.

Lin Yang, dressed in a well-tailored Zhongshan suit, stepped out of the car. Although he was no longer bound by his military uniform, the imposing aura of a superior had become even more profound and weighty with the passage of time.

Today marks the day he officially assumes the position of Minister of Heavy Industry.

Top floor, the minister's office.

The former minister, Old Chen, was standing in front of his large mahogany desk, silently organizing the last few documents. This old revolutionary had devoted his last years to this office; now his hair was completely white, and his back was somewhat hunched.

Hearing the door open, Old Chen turned around and saw Lin Yang walk in. A relieved smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

"Comrade Lin Yang, you've arrived." Old Chen stepped forward to greet him and shook Lin Yang's hand tightly.

"Mr. Chen, you've worked hard." Lin Yang's tone was very respectful. He always maintained the proper respect for these older generations who laid the foundation for the country.

"It's not hard work. Seeing a young person like you take over makes me feel at ease retiring." Old Chen pulled Lin Yang and walked to the large desk.

This was an extremely spacious office. Thick carpets covered the floor, making no sound underfoot. Behind the desk was a row of enormous rosewood bookcases, filled with various technical documents and confidential files.

The most conspicuous items on the table were two telephones. One was an ordinary black secure telephone, and the other was a red dedicated line telephone—the Red Phone—symbolizing direct access to the highest levels of power.

On the wall hung a huge map showing the distribution of industries across the country. It was densely covered with red and blue markings.

"Lin Yang, this burden is heavy." Old Chen pointed to the map on the wall, his tone becoming serious. "Although we have a nuclear shield in the Northwest, our conventional industrial base is still too weak. The international situation is unpredictable. The Soviet Union has a million troops in the north, and the war between the Americans and Vietnam is raging in the south. The Central Committee has decided to launch the Third Front construction, transferring heavy industries from the coast and border areas to the inland. All these complex relocations, reconstructions, and technological upgrades have fallen on the shoulders of the Ministry of Heavy Industry."

Lin Yang gazed intently at the map and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Elder Chen. Industrial construction is like warfare; there can be no naiveté. Demolish what needs to be demolished, and build what needs to be built. I will unite the nation's steel and heavy machinery industries as quickly as possible. Anyone or any department that dares to hinder us or engage in bureaucracy at this critical juncture will face my utmost wrath."

Looking at Lin Yang's decisive and ruthless eyes, Old Chen nodded in satisfaction. He knew that in this critical period, what was needed was a tough and ruthless figure like Lin Yang, who was not afraid to offend anyone and had a strong hand, to keep things in order.

"Good! With you saying that, I'm completely relieved. From today onwards, this office will be your command center!"

Old Chen picked up his old briefcase, patted Lin Yang on the shoulder, and strode out of the office.

After seeing off the former minister, Lin Yang sat down in the large leather office chair. He didn't dwell on the past, but immediately pressed the intercom on the desk.

"Notify all vice ministers and heads of departments and bureaus in the ministry that an enlarged party group meeting will be held in conference room number one in ten minutes."

Ten minutes later, in Conference Room Number One.

The large conference room was packed. The atmosphere was unusually tense. Most of the dozen or so vice ministers and directors present were veterans in their fifties. Facing this new leader who was only thirty-five years old but possessed an impressive resume and a deep military background, everyone was on high alert, and no one dared to be the slightest bit negligent.

Lin Yang pushed open the door and strode to the head seat of the long oval conference table, where he sat down. Chen Feng stood behind him, holding a thick stack of documents.

Lin Yang didn't say any pleasantries; his sharp gaze swept across the room as if it were a physical presence, getting straight to the point.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'll skip the pleasantries. Everyone's time is valuable. I only have three announcements to make today."

Lin Yang's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet conference room, every word carried immense weight.

"First, starting tomorrow, the Ministry of Heavy Industry will abolish all unnecessary red tape and welcoming/farewell ceremonies. I don't care what your previous work style was like; here, everything is based on data and results. Anyone who reads a long, empty speech to me at a meeting should take their report to the security department and resign!"

The directors present, who were used to speaking in official jargon, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

"Secondly, regarding the relocation list for the Third Front construction. I reviewed your proposal submitted yesterday; it's too conservative! The construction progress of the Panzhihua Special Steel Base and the Southwest Heavy Machinery Plant must be accelerated by 30%! Eight large state-owned enterprises, including Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, will be among the first batch of supporting enterprises and must complete the dismantling, packing, and loading of core equipment within one month. I will personally coordinate with the Ministry of Railways regarding transportation. During this process, if any local government is found to have intercepted materials or shirked responsibility, we will investigate thoroughly and punish them severely!"

Lin Yang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

"Third, the General Office and Secretariat of the Ministry need to be streamlined. I need advisors who can lead the charge, not just figureheads who can only serve tea and water. Comrade Chen Feng will be appointed as the Director of the General Office. As for my personal secretary, Chen Feng, do you have a suitable candidate?"