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

Lin Yang closed the ledger and pushed it aside. He raised his head, his deep gaze sweeping back and forth between Lou Zhenhua and Lou Xiao'e.

"The abscess in the Northeast has been burst, and with Pei Yihong over there holding things in check, the industrial base has been stabilized. The reason I've secretly called you and your daughter here today is because I'm going to assign you a brand new task that will determine the fate of the nation for the next twenty years."

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhenhua and Lou Xiao'e's expressions instantly became extremely solemn.

Lin Yang picked up the teacup and gently skimmed off the foam.

"Old Lou, you should have a clear understanding of the current domestic situation, right?" Lin Yang's voice was deep and penetrating.

Lou Zhenhua nodded solemnly: "Minister Lin, the storm has passed. The country needs to vigorously develop its economy, and everything is in need of rebuilding."

"Yes, everything needs to be rebuilt." Lin Yang put down his teacup, his gaze becoming unusually sharp.

"Although our heavy industry has a foundation, the upgrading of core equipment requires a massive amount of foreign exchange. We have been closed off from the world for too long, and now this door is about to be slowly opened from the southern coast."

Lin Yang stood up, walked to a map of China on the wall, and pointed heavily at the small fishing village in the south, and the dazzling pearl across the sea—Hong Kong.

"The decision has been made from above: draw up several zones in the south and establish special economic zones. Open up to the outside world and attract foreign investment."

Lin Yang turned around and stared intently at Lou Zhenhua.

"Old Lou, you were a capitalist in Beijing back in the day, and you had your own set of business logic. You've been lying low in the shadows all these years, you must be getting restless. I want you to take Xiao'e and leave Beijing, head straight south."

"Go to Hong Kong."

Upon hearing these three words, Lou Zhenhua gasped, stood up abruptly, and his eyes flashed with unbelievable ecstasy.

Go to Hong Kong? That's a true free port, the financial center of Asia! There, his extraordinary business acumen will be fully unleashed!

"Minister Lin...you mean, you want us to do business over there?" Lou Zhenhua's voice was trembling.

Lin Yang walked back to his seat, his eyes revealing undisguised strategic ambition.

"This isn't just about doing business. I want you to establish an offshore trading group in Hong Kong that is ostensibly entirely controlled by foreign capital. I will allocate five million US dollars to you as start-up capital from the Ministry of Heavy Industry's secret overseas account."

"I want you to use this money to establish a strong foothold in Hong Kong's business community. Make connections with those big tycoons and bankers."

Lin Yang's tone turned cold and domineering; this was his true purpose.

"Although Western countries have superficially eased relations with us, they still impose severe technological blockades and embargoes on us in the most core high-precision CNC machine tools, special metallurgical equipment, and precision electronic components (COCOM Agreement)."

"Your mission in Hong Kong is to become the biggest middlemen and compradors. Use the shell companies of your foreign companies to buy up the embargoed equipment that our heavy industry desperately needs on the international market! Then, through smuggling, re-export trade, dismantling and concealing—everything you can think of—you must continuously transport this equipment back to the mainland and to the ports of the Special Administrative Region!"

Lin Yang placed his hands on the coffee table, like a tiger descending from the mountain, his aura so overwhelming that the two of them could hardly breathe.

"I want you to be a blood vessel inserted into the heart of capitalism, sucking the life out of China's heavy industry! Drain their technology to nourish our national defense and factories! If this is accomplished, your Lou family will be the true unsung heroes of the nation!"

Lou Zhenhua was filled with fervor. This was not merely doing business; it was participating in a battle for the fate of the nation, a battle fought without gunfire!

"Minister Lin, rest assured! I, Lou Zhenhua, will risk my life to fulfill my mission! I have absolute confidence in outmaneuvering those foreigners in the business world!" The old man excitedly patted his chest to guarantee.

Lin Yang nodded, then turned his gaze to Lou Xiao'e, who had remained silent.

"Xiao'e".

"Godfather, I'm here." Lou Xiao'e immediately straightened her back.

"Your father is getting old and is in charge of overall strategic control. The specific execution, cash flow, and the shady channels connecting with domestic entities are all handled by you."

Lin Yang looked at the female tycoon he had created, a stern look flashing in his eyes.

"Hong Kong is a glamorous world, but also a money pit that devours people without spitting out the bones. Gangs, spies, and foreign agents are as numerous as hairs on a cow there. When you go there, you will no longer be a covert agent for the Ministry of Heavy Industry, but a ruthless businesswoman who only cares about profit. Remember, use any means necessary, as long as there are results. If anyone dares to stand in your way, bury them in money; if money can't kill them, inform Chen Feng, and I will send the internal security forces to sink them to the bottom of the sea."

Lou Xiao'e took a deep breath.

Looking at Lin Yang's resolute and cold face, the fire in her heart burned to its fullest extent. She knew that this was the true world of this man. For the sake of the country, he could be more ruthless and more domineering than anyone else.

And she was willing to plunge into the deepest, darkest sea of ​​commerce for him.

"Godfather, I understand." Lou Xiao'e stood up, her eyes showing no fear, only a resolute determination.

"I guarantee that every precision machine tool and every technical drawing you request will be delivered to you intact."

The conversation ended. The strategic net has already been cast, unknowingly, across a much wider world.

Lin Yang stood up, preparing to leave.

Lou Xiao'e suddenly called out to him.

"Godfather".

Lin Yang stopped and turned around.

Lou Xiao'e stepped forward and took out the metal life-saving badge engraved with the red star that Lin Yang had once given her from her suit pocket.

This plaque, which gave her endless strength during countless life-or-death moments in Northeast China, has been warmed and glowed by her body heat.

"Godfather, this... I'll return it to you. In Hong Kong, I don't need the military's protection."

And I will use my own methods to create a talisman that is truly my own.

Lou Xiao'e held the nameplate in both hands and handed it to Lin Yang.

Lin Yang stared at her quietly for a few seconds.

He did not reach out to take it.

Lin Yang extended his right hand and gently pushed Lou Xiao'e's hands, which were holding the nameplate, back to her chest.

Then, Lin Yang turned around and strode towards the gate of the courtyard house.

The moment he stepped out of the door, Lin Yang raised his right hand and casually waved it in mid-air.

"Keep it. This is my only promise to you."

Along with these words, the heavy mahogany doors of the main house...

Chen Feng forcefully pulled it shut from the outside, making a dull "bang" sound as it closed completely.

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