Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

Inside the meeting hall where high-ranking officials were receiving visitors, the heating was on full blast. A dozen round tables covered with white tablecloths were arranged in a row, with tea, melon seeds, and peanuts on the tables, and wisps of steam rising from the teacups. Figures dressed in dark Zhongshan suits gathered in twos and threes, exchanging pleasantries, their laughter and voices blending into a warm, buzzing hum.

Liu Yuheng followed Minister Song through the crowd toward the table where Elder Chen and Minister Zhao were sitting. Elder Chen and Minister Zhao were talking, each holding a teacup, looking relaxed.

Minister Song greeted him with a smile from afar, walked over and sat down at the table, and Liu Yuheng also sat down next to Minister Song.

Old Chen glanced at Liu Yuheng, smiled and nodded at him, then turned to Minister Song and said, "Old Song, your Second Ministry of Machine Building is newly established and has a weak foundation. I know you're here today to beg for money. Tell me, what do you want?"

Minister Zhao, who was about to drink his tea, quickly put it down upon hearing this and waved his hand at Old Chen: "Hey, Old Chen, this isn't right. The splitting plan was decided by higher-ups, and they've already received what they were owed. Now you're bringing people to their door to ask for more? Are you saying I'm just a warehouse for them?"

Minister Song chuckled but didn't reply, only glancing at Liu Yuheng. Liu Yuheng understood, immediately picked up his cup, stood up, gave Minister Zhao a slight bow, and said with a perfectly timed smile, "Minister Zhao, you are a senior. Our Second Ministry of Machine Building has just been established and is in dire need of development. We've come here to learn from our elder brother."

His words were polite and humble, so Minister Zhao couldn't refuse directly. He simply smiled and snorted, holding his teacup, "Seeking knowledge? I think you're after my engineers, aren't you?"

Liu Yuheng, unfazed by being pointed out, readily picked up the conversation, his tone displaying the straightforwardness of youth: "Minister Zhao, you have an excellent eye. Our Second Ministry of Machine Building has several factories with weak foundations and limited technology, and what we lack most are experienced senior engineers. Your First Ministry of Machine Building is a large and powerful organization with hundreds of technical backbones under your command. Giving us five or six engineers of level five or above is a drop in the ocean for you, but it would be a lifesaver for us."

Minister Zhao smiled and shook his head, pointing at Liu Yuheng a few times: "Back in the Jin-Northwest, you guys from the 386th Division were the most shameless when it came to demanding supplies, using every trick in the book. You haven't learned the good stuff from your old brigade commander, but you've thoroughly mastered his shamelessness. The soldiers your old brigade commander trained are all cut from the same cloth; their eyes light up when they see something good, and their tongues are sharper than gun barrels."

Liu Yuheng didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, he smiled and replied, "Minister Zhao, what you're saying is true. Back in the Jin-Sui region, our 386th Division had poor equipment and a weak foundation. How could we fight the Japanese if we didn't shamelessly ask for help? Today, the Second Ministry of Machine Building is the same. We have a weak foundation and heavy tasks. How can we develop our military industry if we don't ask you for help, my elder brother? It's all for the sake of national construction."

Minister Zhao was speechless after hearing his words. He shook his head and sighed to Old Chen, "Old Chen, look at him, this man has become even more eloquent since joining the ministry."

Old Chen slowly took a sip of tea, and was about to speak when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him, deep and with a hint of teasing: "Old Zhao, what you're saying doesn't make sense."

Everyone turned around at the sound and saw the old brigade commander, dressed in military uniform, walking towards the table with a smile.

He stopped at the table, gestured with his chin towards Minister Zhao, and said, "What do you mean by shameless? We 386 were poor back then, but we weren't poor in spirit. You rich and powerful people, with your deep pockets and vast wealth, shouldn't you take care of us poor folks?"

Minister Zhao shook his head at his words, pointing at the old brigade commander: "Alright, Old Chen, do you guys from 386 all have a set of mantras for asking people for things?"

The old brigade commander laughed heartily upon hearing this, his laughter echoing loudly in the auditorium. He turned to look at Liu Yuheng, his eyes filled with a satisfaction and approval that only his old subordinates could understand: "Little Liu, well done. You've grasped three-tenths of the essence of my skill. From now on, you need to know what you want and what you should want, and you need to be able to say it properly."

Liu Yuheng immediately replied with a smile, "That's all thanks to your excellent teaching. Back then, when I followed you, aside from anything else, the ability to secure supplies for the army was ingrained in my bones."

The old brigade commander chuckled and sat down in the empty seat next to him, raising his teacup towards Minister Zhao: "Alright, Old Zhao, don't look so pained. It's your good fortune that we soldiers from the 386th Division can work for you, Minister Zhao. A few engineers are nothing; you have plenty under your command. Give a few to my old subordinates so they can hold up the Second Ministry of Machine Building. In the future, the airplanes and artillery they build will also have a share of the credit, Minister Zhao."

Minister Zhao was both amused and exasperated by his flattery and praise. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, you two, old and young, I can't leave without spending money today. Five, no more than that, all engineers at level five or above. I'll have my secretary send you the list."

Minister Song, standing nearby, raised his teacup to Minister Zhao with a broad smile: "Old Zhao, you're so generous! If there's anything the Second Ministry of Machine Building can do to help in the future, just let me know."

Minister Zhao raised his teacup in return, still muttering "You people," but his smile had completely widened. He glanced at Liu Yuheng, his tone carrying a hint of experienced advice: "Little Liu, I've given you the man. Whether you use him well or not is your own business. Engineering and technical personnel aren't like cabbages; you have to make good use of them and treat them well, otherwise you won't be able to retain them."

Liu Yuheng nodded earnestly: "Minister Zhao, please rest assured, once they arrive at our Second Ministry of Machine Building, I will personally make the arrangements. They will receive excellent treatment, including housing, salary, and research facilities—we will provide everything we can. These veteran engineers are the nation's treasures, and we will not mistreat them."

When the New Year's gathering ended, it was already past four in the afternoon. People in the hall gradually left, walking in twos and threes. Some were still talking quietly, while others had already put on their coats and hurried towards the door.

Liu Yuheng followed Minister Song out of the auditorium and stood on the steps at the entrance. A cold wind blew in his face, dispelling the lingering smell of alcohol on his body.

Minister Song turned and shook hands with Liu Yuheng, smiling as he added, "Today's results are quite significant. Go back and digest them thoroughly. I've had the General Office follow up on the transfer procedures for those engineers; keep an eye on things there too."