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

Old Cheng's knuckles were white from gripping the pen so tightly, and his voice was deep: "Old Guo, what do you think?"

"Their people, their technology, their data. They say it's enough, but that's based on their standards and needs. But what we need, they may not really understand, nor may they be willing to consider it for us. This matter can't be settled like this; it needs to be reported."

Liu Yuheng nodded, folded up the simple map in front of him and put it in his pocket, then looked at everyone present: "Gentlemen, I have a suggestion. Let's each report this matter to our respective systems. Even if a 20,000-ton vessel is safe for Dunhuang now, we will definitely conduct tests with larger yields in the future. These locations, especially the one near Dunhuang, are not suitable."

He paused, then turned to Lao Sun: "However, in terms of diplomatic posture, our investigation cannot stop. Now that the experts are here, we still need to visit the places we need to visit and see the places we need to see. On the surface, we will proceed according to the original plan and visit all the sites, but in reality, we need to wait for a response from above."

Old Sun took a deep breath and nodded heavily: "Okay, I understand. We'll set off as planned first thing tomorrow morning and head to the first location. Don't delay your report either; this can't be put on hold."

"it is good."

After the meeting adjourned, several people stood up one after another.

Old Sun stood at the conference room door and cursed again. Liu Yuheng patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, stop cursing. Go back and write your reports, make your phone calls. There's not much we can do about this. Just report the situation truthfully and let the higher-ups handle it."

Old Sun cursed again, then turned and strode away without saying another word.

Liu Yuheng and his entourage left the conference room and walked back to the guesthouse. By then, it was completely dark.

He returned to his room, and instead of washing up, he sat down on the bed, picked up the phone on the table, shook the handle a couple of times, transferred a few calls, and finally dialed Minister Song's number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. Liu Yuheng skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Minister Song, I have something to report to you. At tonight's meeting, the experts from our side proposed four preliminary locations, none of which are ideal, especially one of them, which is southeast of Dunhuang, only about 80 kilometers from the Mogao Grottoes."

"I have raised my concerns, but they insist that a 20,000-ton test will not affect Dunhuang. In addition, their attitude is very clear: they do not advocate that we conduct nuclear tests with larger yields."

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, Minister Song's voice came through, carrying a calm composure born of experience: "Understood. Continue with the original plan on your end. Do what needs to be done, and visit what needs to be visited. Maintain a good working relationship with the people from the older brother organization, and don't let things fall apart. As for the final site selection and the issue of scale, I will report to my superiors, and they will negotiate with them."

Liu Yuheng replied, "Understood. I've already communicated with Lao Sun and several experts from the Science and Technology Commission, and we will all report the situation to our respective superiors."

"Okay. Let me know any progress on your end."

"Yes."

......

Half a month later, in the Northwest.

One by one, the lights in the conference room went out.

Old Sun walked beside Liu Yuheng, taking larger steps than usual, his restlessness akin to the frustration that had been building up throughout the meeting and finally finding an outlet.

He walked a short distance, making sure no one was following him, before slowing down and turning around. His face showed undisguised frustration and resentment: "Damn it, haven't I wasted the last two weeks?" He spread his hands, as if gesturing to something intangible. "I went to all four locations, endured countless sandstorms, and wore the tires down to the bone. And what was the result? It was all for nothing. Now I have to go back to the original location and start all over again."

Liu Yuheng didn't reply immediately. He walked for a while before shaking his head slightly, his tone carrying a calmness and helplessness that came with experience: "There's nothing we can do about it. Circumstances are beyond our control, and we have to endure when necessary. Their technical reserves and experience in this area are indeed stronger than ours. Our current foundation is what it is, and there are many things we don't have control over, so we have to endure for now."

He paused, but didn't stop walking. He continued forward: "Some things can't be rushed. We have to wait and be patient. Only when we develop our own things can we truly stand tall."

Old Sun didn't refute, but only sighed heavily. He took a few steps, kicked away a small pebble that was hurting his foot, and then spoke, his tone a little softer than before, but the resentment was still there: "Actually, it's not that I have a problem with running these past few days. Running a few more trips across the Gobi Desert isn't something I, Old Sun, can't handle. But you do the math—"

He counted on his fingers as he spoke: "Several planes and trucks were dispatched, along with fuel, logistical support, and coordination along the way. How much did all this cost? These supplies would have been enough for one of my reconnaissance companies for a year. A year's worth of fuel, a year's worth of rations, a year's worth of equipment wear and tear, just gone like that, without even a sound."

Liu Yuheng turned his head to look at him, a smile playing on his lips. He patted Old Sun's shoulder, his tone casual and reassuring: "Alright, alright, I know you're worried. But these things, you have to spend the money when it's necessary. Some money can't be saved. You're only considering the small details; the higher-ups are considering the bigger picture."

Old Sun listened to this and remained silent for a moment, as if pondering the weight of his words. He took a few more steps with his head down, then sighed. When he looked up, his expression had relaxed considerably, and his tone had returned to the straightforwardness characteristic of a man from Northwest China: "Alright, alright, you're always better at reasoning than I am. I can't argue with you." He patted Liu Yuheng on the shoulder. "Let's go, we'll be busy tomorrow. Get some sleep tonight; we have to leave early tomorrow morning."

Liu Yuheng nodded and led his entourage toward the guesthouse.

A few days later, just as dawn broke, the door to the east wing opened.

Today marks the one-month anniversary of Liu Er and his daughter Liu Qingyan.

Liu Shuanzhu poured a basin of water onto the blue brick ground in front of the door. The splashing water settled the dust that had accumulated overnight. He straightened up, squinted at the rising sun, and turned to call out into the yard, "Erhe! Have you moved the tables out yet? Go get two more from another house! There will be a lot of people today, so we don't want to run out of seats!"

Liu Erhe was squatting under the old locust tree in the front yard moving stools when he heard this, and replied, "Yes! Right away!" He became even more efficient. Liu Tingting, who was nearby, was also helping, carrying stacks of clean bowls and plates out of the house and carefully placing them on the makeshift cutting board. The rims of the bowls clinked together with a crisp sound.