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

Lin Yang first looked at Lin Jianguo.

"Jianguo, you go first. What's your major in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Tsinghua University? What do you think is the biggest weakness in our country's current heavy machinery manufacturing industry?"

Lin Jianguo straightened his back without hesitation. Facing the suffocating pressure from his second uncle, he showed no fear. Because these qualities were already ingrained in his very bones.

"Reporting to Second Uncle." Lin Jianguo adjusted his glasses, his tone calm and highly professional, "For the past four years, my main focus has been on the hydraulic transmission of heavy-duty tracked chassis and the stress analysis of special metal materials."

"Based on my extensive review of foreign literature and participation in several internal reverse engineering projects led by my supervisor, I discovered that although our country's heavy industry has solved the problems of cold-rolled steel and basic machining precision thanks to the efforts of Director Pei and others, we are still at least fifteen years behind the West in the most crucial 'heart' components—high-pressure plunger pumps and servo proportional valves!"

Lin Jianguo spoke eloquently, his eyes burning with pure industrial fervor.

"We can build robust outer shells, but we can't manufacture hydraulic components that can withstand ultra-high pressure and maintain micron-level control precision even in extreme environments! This makes our heavy excavators and missile transport vehicles prone to oil leaks and breakdowns at critical moments. The West has imposed a strict technological blockade on us; even if we establish joint ventures, they will absolutely not share these blueprints with us!"

Lin Yang listened and nodded slightly, tapping his knuckles lightly on the armrest.

"Your analysis is quite thorough. So, what's your solution?" Lin Yang pressed.

Lin Jianguo took a deep breath, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"No joint ventures, no handouts! We must establish our own basic materials laboratory! I've already submitted a feasibility study to my advisor on 'The Application of Powder Metallurgy in Wear-Resistant Coatings for Hydraulic Components.' Once we solve the wear resistance and sealing properties of the materials, we can use imported machine tools to tackle the machining precision head-on! I'm applying to go directly to the military vehicle research institute in Northwest China after graduation. I want to start from the most basic components and personally smash down this technological barrier imposed by the foreigners!"

"good!"

A glint of admiration finally flashed in Lin Yang's eyes. What he wanted was this kind of engineering thinking that didn't blindly follow authority and dared to tackle tough problems from the most basic logic.

"You didn't waste your time eating those yellow sands of the Northwest. I've approved your application. Once you get to the research institute, don't mention my name. Start as an assistant engineer. If you don't make a name for yourself, don't come back to see me." Lin Yang decided Lin Jianguo's future.

Then, Lin Yang's sharp, knife-like gaze, like a searchlight, slowly shifted to Lin Weidong.

The atmosphere became even more somber at that moment.

The National Defense University's Advanced Command Department. This is the cradle for cultivating the Republic's future generals. What Lin Weidong learned here was not just being a cog in a machine on blueprints, but the laws of war that determine the fate of millions and the survival of a great power.

"Wei Dong," Lin Yang called out his full name, his voice as cold as ice. "You've killed people and driven tanks on the border. Now you've studied senior command for four years. Tell me, if armored conflict breaks out again on the northern front tomorrow, as the frontline commander, how would you play this game?"

This is an extremely challenging and complex tactical question.

Lin Weidong did not answer immediately.

He slowly stood up and walked to the blank wall on one side of the living room, as if a giant tactical sand table was hanging there.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his entire aura instantly changed, transforming him from a reserved young man into a lone wolf baring its fangs on the battlefield.

"If war breaks out tomorrow, our previous defensive system, which relied on human wave tactics and large-scale troop deployments, will become completely ineffective."

Lin Weidong's voice was deep and penetrating.

"Modern warfare is a collision of information and steel in seconds. The enemy is highly mechanized and will use armed helicopters and electronic warfare aircraft to completely destroy our forward radar and communication relay stations in the first hour of the war, rendering us blind and deaf."

"Faced with this kind of multi-dimensional attack, I only have one tactic."

Lin Yang suddenly turned around, slashing down with his right hand in mid-air, his eyes revealing a chilling coldness and determination.

"Abandon the first line of defense and implement absolute electromagnetic silence! Let them in and fight!"

"We must completely transform the outdated single-service structure and establish highly information-based 'heavy combined arms battalions'! We must dismantle and reorganize tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery, and electronic reconnaissance vehicles! Each battalion will become an independent, super-powerful fighting force!"

"Under electromagnetic silence, leveraging our familiarity with the terrain, we will infiltrate and divide the enemy. Once contact is made, it will no longer be a probing attack, but a concentrated, all-out saturation strike with all our anti-armor firepower!"

Lin Weidong clenched his fists, as if he had returned to that snowy border region.

"Detect and destroy! Once their armored formations are breached, their infantry, exposed on the vast plains, will be sitting ducks! I'll use my highly mobile combined arms battalions to slice their supply lines to pieces like sausages!"

The living room was silent.

Lin Jianguo listened with great emotion, his breathing becoming rapid.

Lin Yang sat in the armchair, quietly watching his son, who exuded the aura of a wild military genius.

This concept of "combined arms battalion" was extremely advanced, even somewhat unorthodox, for its time. But Lin Yang was well aware that this was the ultimate direction for army reform in the Gulf War and modern local conflicts of the next thirty years.

"Your idea is sharp. But your combined arms battalion requires extremely high logistical support and inter-service coordination. If you're not careful, it will become a target for the enemy's concentrated fire." Lin Yang pointed out the risks incisively, but the severity in his tone had dissipated considerably.

"There is no war without risks. I am not afraid of casualties, I am only afraid of not being able to hurt the enemy," Lin Weidong replied resolutely.

Just as Lin Yang was about to continue his comments...

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from outside the door, accompanied by the screeching of car tires screeching against the ground.

"Damn it! Where are you little brats?! Get your asses out here!"

That rough, irritable voice, reminiscent of a familiar bandit, could only belong to that old general guarding the southeastern coast.

The door was suddenly kicked open.

Li Yunlong strode in, wearing an old military uniform without a top button. His hair was completely white, and the wrinkles on his face were so deep they looked like they had been carved by a knife, but his eyes, as bright as copper bells, were still frighteningly bright.

Two guards who were responsible for blocking him followed behind, looking at Lin Yang with helpless expressions, not daring to use force against the veteran.