Traveling Back to the 1960s: The Entire Internet Teaches Me How to Build Missiles

The capture of the U-2 reconnaissance pilot marked the successful conclusion of the mission.

Two days later, Ye Linghe and his staff officer Xu Qianxue returned to the Third Test Department to hold a commendation ceremony for the comrades who had made meritorious contributions to this mission.

Flags fluttered high in the auditorium, and a large, eye-catching framed picture hung directly above the stage, flanked by newly painted slogans.

"Build the Dongfeng Base to protect our homeland!"

Learn from the heroes on the defense research and development front!

As the Third Division comrades erupted in enthusiastic applause, Ye Ling and Staff Officer Xu took their seats on the stage.

"Comrades, today we are solemnly convening the Dongfeng Base Commendation Conference to commend the advanced collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding our airspace and completing major defense and support missions!"

"Under the unified deployment of the authorities, the vast number of scientific researchers, experimental teams, and support teams of our base, carrying forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and hard work, successfully completed the glorious tasks assigned by the higher authorities..."

"Everyone involved in this mission has put in tremendous effort. On behalf of the base branch, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to all participating units and personnel!"

At this moment, Zhou Yunxiao, along with Li Difeng, Shen Weidong, and others, all wearing big red flowers on their chests, were sitting in the front row with big smiles on their faces.

As for Dr. Xu's big red flower, the Fourth Division is thousands of miles away, so we can only owe it to them for now.

"..."

"It can be said that the successful test launch of the Hongqi-1 missile is a source of pride for us!"

"Therefore, with the approval of higher authorities, it has been decided to award the Dongfeng Base Surface-to-Air Missile Test Department a collective second-class merit citation for all participating personnel!"

"Comrade Zhou Yunxiao, in major scientific research experiments and combat readiness support work, remained calm and made accurate judgments, making outstanding contributions to the successful shooting down of enemy high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and safeguarding airspace security. His exemplary deeds fully demonstrate..."

"After careful consideration, it has been decided that this individual will be awarded a second-class merit citation!"

Amidst thunderous applause, representatives from various units including the Third Division's launch team, technical team, surveying team, engineers, guards, and motor transport team joined Zhou Yunxiao on stage.

Ye Ling and Staff Officer Xu personally presented them with certificates of merit and awarded Zhou Yunxiao a shining second-class merit medal.

After the awards ceremony, Ye Ling said:

"Comrades, the imperialists are still harboring evil intentions, attempting to use various reconnaissance methods to spy on our secrets!"

"But facts have proven that no matter how high the enemy flies or how advanced their equipment is, as long as we are united, we can crush all provocations and defend the blue sky."

"We hope that all comrades will take these meritorious comrades as role models, learn from their diligent research and innovative scientific spirit, and make new contributions to the development of cutting-edge weaponry!"

Finally, the entire audience stood up amidst enthusiastic applause and sang "Unity is Strength," concluding the meeting.

That evening, the Third Division held a simple celebration party.

There were no fine wines or delicacies, no sumptuous feasts, just some simple food—

Wild vegetables and sand onions stir-fried with eggs, cornbread made from barley and camel thorn, and a pot of reed root and corn soup.

The only decent dish they ordered was a few ribbonfish and yellow croakers transported from Zhoushan and Shanghai, which Instructor Tian had borrowed from the First and Second Divisions.

As for the celebratory wine...

The comrades took their mouthwash cups, poured in some cold water, swirled them around a few times, and then, instead of drinking wine, raised them up and downed them in one gulp with a loud bang.

After finishing the drink, he wiped his mouth as if he still wanted more, as if it contained Moutai.

When viewers in the live stream saw their predecessors using military rinsing mugs to hold cold water as a victory celebration, they became excited.

[Holy crap... This is unbelievable, guys! This is supposed to be a celebration party for shooting down a U-2 spy plane, and all we get is wild vegetables and cornbread?]

[Let's drink tea instead of wine, and let our ambitions soar! This is the hardship our ancestors endured, so what reason do we have to complain about today's takeout?]

[No fine wine or delicacies, but with unwavering resolve! Down this cup of cold water, and from this moment forward, our swords will make Westerners wet their pants!]

Looking at the hamburger I'd just taken a bite of, I silently slapped myself. Eating so well was practically a cardinal sin.

[Could the system add a logistics delivery function? I want to reward each of you with a case of Moutai!]

Zhou Yunxiao sipped the plain water in the jar and suddenly found himself craving the taste of a hamburger.

It's been so long since I've had this...

At this moment, Ye Ling and Staff Officer Xu also came over to greet the comrades. He sat among the soldiers, holding a jar of cold water, and clinked glasses with everyone.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, he patted Zhou Yunxiao on the shoulder and said, "That little gadget you made this time... it's really good. It came in very handy at a crucial moment!"

Zhou Yunxiao was very proud and said, "Ye Ling, that's called a lightning-attracting rocket. Don't let its small size fool you, it took me quite a bit of time to research it. I just didn't expect that the lightning-attracting effect would be so good."

I was content with releasing just a little charge from the clouds, at least reducing the risk to the Red Chess No. 1 rocket. Unexpectedly, after ten rockets were launched, the thunderclouds dissipated completely.

"Well, Dean Qian told me that you've been researching this stuff for a long time, and I didn't expect you to actually make a name for yourself. Dean Qian wants you to write a research report for him so he can help you get credit... Also, go to the personnel department tomorrow afternoon; someone wants to talk to you."

Zhou Yunxiao was taken aback. "The personnel department wants to talk to me? What's up?"

You'll see when you get there.

Ye Ling remained mysterious, refusing to reveal a single word.

The celebration party was very lively. As the saying goes, "It's not the wine that intoxicates, it's the atmosphere that makes people drunk." Zhou Yunxiao then tried to get closer to Ye Ling.

"Sir, is it true that the political commissar's family owns a bank? That's amazing!"

Upon hearing this, Instructor Tian, ​​Captain Shi, and others nearby curiously gathered around, wanting to hear a thing or two.

Apart from Chief of Staff Xu, who knew something about the political commissar's family affairs, the rest of the group knew nothing.

Ye Ling was in a good mood today, so she didn't hide anything, gulping down a large mouthful of cold water and slamming the tub down.

"Alright, then I'll tell you little rascals the story of our Comrade Sun Desheng!"

The crowd clapped and cheered, thinking they were about to hear another story.

Zhou Yunxiao listened for a long time, and he was surprised to learn that Political Commissar Sun was actually a rich young master.

The Sun family lived by the sea and made their fortune in their early years by doing business with the Dutch. Later, they bought three whole streets and more than 200 shops, as well as a department store, an agricultural bank, a power plant, a brewery, and 200,000 mu of land in Northeast China. They even had shares in the famous Tsingtao Beer and Changyu Winery.

Compared to Ye Ling, a martial artist from humble beginnings, Sun Desheng was born into a truly wealthy family with a silver spoon in his mouth. From a young age, he never needed to carry money when he went out shopping because his family owned the entire street.

This young master, who had never lacked food or clothing, secretly canceled his ship ticket when his family arranged for him to study abroad. Instead, he took the gold bars and US dollars he had saved for his studies and joined a group to fight the Japanese invaders...

After listening to Ye Ling's speech, everyone couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

In those days, he could have stayed at home and lived a life of luxury, but he chose to take up arms and brave the elements, enduring wind, rain, and bullets. He was a true hero!

……

The following afternoon, after completing his research proposal on lightning-inducing rockets, Zhou Yunxiao went to the personnel department for a talk.

When I got there, I found out it was another wonderful thing.

The staff member from the personnel department sat across the table, routinely inquiring about family circumstances and marital status, then capped his pen and smiled:

"Comrade Zhou Yunxiao, after organizational review and approval from higher authorities, it has been decided to promote you to the rank of Technical Captain. Furthermore, in recognition of the significant contribution of the lightning-inducing rocket research achievement, your professional technical grade has been raised from level 11 to level 10, with corresponding increases in allowances and benefits."

"I hope you will remain humble and diligent, avoiding arrogance and complacency, and continue to make new contributions to cutting-edge scientific research!"

Zhou Yunxiao happily accepted the new rank insignia, stood up and saluted, "I will resolutely obey the organization's decision!"