Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

The car drove out of the courtyard gate and merged into the flow of vehicles and people on the street.

Liu Ying opened her notebook: "The report from Professor Qian is out. There are a total of 137 researchers and technicians working on semiconductors."

Zhao Pingan looked out the window.

"One hundred and thirty-seven people," he repeated.

"Yes," Liu Ying said. "I've seen the list. Most of them are from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Chemistry."

The semiconductor industry in the country is still in its infancy, and these people have already accumulated their entire fortune.

"One hundred and thirty-seven people," Zhao Ping'an said. "That's enough for a teacher. Take a note of it."

Liu Ying picked up her pen.

"The first batch consists of 2,000 people drawn from universities," Zhao Ping'an said.

"Physics, chemistry, and materials science majors. Juniors and seniors are welcome, as are recent graduates."

A normal political background check involves three rounds of review—once by the school, once by the Ministry of Education, and once by the security department.

Finally, let's have Lao Xu and Zheng Yaoxian go through it one last time.

Liu Ying quickly memorized it.

"After everyone arrived, there were 137 teachers, each with a dozen or so teachers."

First, classes, then practical training. I'll give you the materials later. Go and discuss with the 137 teachers how to assign tasks. Remember, it's crucial to assign tasks to specific individuals for each class, and there should be feedback. Then, after three months, there will be an evaluation, assessing not only the students but also the teachers' qualifications. The students who learn quickly will stay as teaching assistants. After a period of time, if they are deemed suitable, they can choose to become researchers or teachers.

Liu Ying looked up: "What about the second batch?"

"Let's see how the first batch learns. That's what we'll see," Zhao Ping'an said.

"But the initial plan is to send in 5,000 people in the second batch. We will allocate the places first, conduct political vetting in advance, and then send them here to study after they graduate."

Liu Ying paused for a moment: "So, what is the overall goal for this year?"

"We'll start with 20,000 people: 8,000 university graduates, and the rest will mainly be mid- to high-level skilled workers. We'll adjust the numbers based on their final needs," Zhao Ping'an said.

"We'll talk about the rest next year. By the way, have Lao Xu and Zheng Yaoxian give us more advice on security. There are so many people, we need to be careful about everything."

Liu Ying silently memorized it.

A week later.

The first special trains departed from Beiping.

On the platform, 1,800 young people carrying their luggage lined up to board the train.

Two hundred people were eliminated through background checks.

The remaining 1,800 people wore expressions of confusion, excitement, and nervousness—a mixture of emotions.

Some people glanced back in the direction of Beiping, some looked down at their train tickets, and some whispered to the people next to them.

The wind was strong, and the red flag fluttered loudly beside the platform.

A week after the first batch of 1,800 students departed, the list of the second batch arrived at Zhao Ping'an's desk.

Liu Ying stood in front of the desk, reading out the documents one by one:

Five hundred skilled workers were selected from various factories in Northeast China. The list is attached.

Three hundred engineers were transferred from various research institutes; the list is attached.

The teaching equipment, including 120 projectors, 20,000 textbooks, and 60 boxes of experimental equipment, has been loaded onto the truck.

Zhao Pingan flipped through the list.

Liu Ying paused for a moment before continuing her report, "In addition, a telegram arrived from the Northwest. The deputy director is personally leading a team, and they are already on their way. They should arrive in Beiping tonight, and they will be in charge of leading the team tomorrow."

Zhao Pingan closed the list.

What time does the bus depart?

"Tomorrow morning at seven o'clock."

Zhao Pingan stood up and walked to the window.

"Tell the station to add two more carriages," he said. "I'll go myself."

Liu Ying was taken aback.

"Yes."

The next morning at 6:30, Beiping Station.

The platform lights were still on, the steam locomotive was emitting white steam, and the entire special train lay quietly on the tracks.

When Zhao Ping'an arrived, Liu Ying was already waiting on the platform.

Along with Zhao Ping'an, there were more than thirty other people boarding the vehicle—two students sent by Qian Lao, several staff members transferred from various ministries, and a company of guards.

At 7:00 AM sharp, the train slowly started moving.

Zhao Pingan sat in the carriage and began to work.

Liu Ying came over to report, "The carriages are all arranged."

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

"What about the other two?"

"In the fifth section, with the engineers."

"Call them over," Zhao Pingan said. "Let's have a meeting."

Ten minutes later, the fourth carriage was full of people.

On either side of the long table in the middle of the carriage sat two students sent by Qian Xuesen—Huang Helin;

The veteran skilled worker representative from Northeast China, surnamed Zhou, is in his fifties, with thick calluses on his hands, and is an eighth-level skilled worker.

Moreover, he is an outstanding backbone, having trained one level eight technician, six level seven technicians, and more than twenty level six technicians, as well as countless intermediate technicians in the past two years.

The deputy director of the Northwest Research Institute, surnamed Chen, rushed over overnight to welcome Lao Zhou and some of the senior technicians he brought.

Zhao Pingan sat at one end of the long table, while Liu Ying took notes beside him.

"Let's begin," Zhao Ping'an said. "Everyone's here, let's discuss how to set things up once we arrive."

Deputy Director Chen spoke first:

"Minister Zhao, four buildings have been vacated in the Northwest: one for classrooms, one for laboratories, and two for dormitories."

A large number of staff have been organized, and the installation drawings have been reviewed. Once the equipment arrives, it can be fully installed within a week, and subsequent commissioning can begin.

Zhao Ping'an nodded and looked at Huang.

Huang was a student of Qian Xuesen. He was in his early thirties, wore glasses, and spoke slowly, but every sentence he uttered was very organized.

"Minister Zhao, Lin and I have come up with a plan." He opened the notebook in front of him.

"The first batch of 1,800 people has arrived, and with the second batch of 800 people, there are a total of 2,600 people."

Our idea was: we two would split up, and I would first focus on training one hundred people.

Zhao Ping'an looked at him: "One hundred people?"

"Yes," Huang said. "I will lead these 100 people, along with engineers drawn from various research institutes. We'll first give them lectures and hands-on training so they can quickly get started on the job. As an experimental class, we should be able to..."

The remaining 2500 people, led by Lin, will undergo standardized training as a regular class. The initial training is expected to be completed in three months.

This way, we have an experimental class while also considering the needs of everyone. We can adjust the course schedule for the remaining students based on the progress of the experimental class, which we feel is a more reliable approach.

After listening, Zhao Ping'an understood what the other party meant. Obviously, the other party, with a rigorous mindset, did not quite trust the teaching materials he provided. Zhao Ping'an understood this, after all, Qian Lao had also gone through a similar experience before he became convinced of the materials he provided and started to ask Zhao Ping'an for materials every now and then.

The carriage fell silent, with only the sound of wheels rolling over the rails.

After a while, Zhao Ping'an replied, "Three months for the regular version is too slow. How about one month? Besides the specific precision equipment I mentioned, could we learn by doing, like in the factory in Northeast China? Old Zhou should have experience with this. I heard your training secret is to make trainees focus on safety, dare to try new things, and summarize experiences to correct mistakes, right?"

Huang paused for a moment. Old Zhou, standing beside him, replied with a smile.

"Boss, you still remember me?"

"Of course I remember. Your son served in my guard battalion, and you're a model worker. Besides, I've seen your technical experience sharing sessions..." Zhao Ping'an replied with a smile. Old Zhou was practically one of his own.

Lin spoke up from the side: "Minister Zhao, if the equipment and teaching materials are in place,

Projectors and such can be used; classes are held during the day and hands-on practice is done at night. Just like you said, you learn by doing, and it might be possible to master it in a month.

Zhao Ping'an pressed further, "You said you had a plan."

Lin moved forward and said, "Our plan is conservative because we don't know when the equipment will arrive, whether the teaching materials will be sufficient, or whether they will be accurate."

But if the equipment has already been installed and the teaching materials have been distributed,

Then there's no need for a month-long adjustment period; we can start classes immediately.

She paused:

"Also, we've never seen a holographic projector before."

But if it really can be enlarged and moved, as the introduction says, then we can hold classes in a large lecture hall, increasing the number of students from 100 to 300 at once. With two teachers per class, we would only need 18 people, which we can manage with our 20-plus students.

"Comrade Lin, I suggest that you conduct in-class quizzes during the initial lectures in the large lecture hall."

First, select the first batch of students who learn quickly and understand concepts rapidly, and then assign them to Comrade Huang to enter the experimental class.

The work assignments will be determined based on the final results.

At the same time, you can also learn from Lao Zhou and the others in your spare time.

After class, we organize experience-sharing sessions and Q&A sessions to brainstorm and exchange ideas.

At the same time, Liu Ying, please remember to arrange for some instructors to record those who demonstrate positive performance and are willing to share their experiences.

Ideally, these people would be able to lead scientific research.

Even if their technical skills or academic performance do not meet the requirements, they should still be given priority in being assigned as teachers for the next batch of talent.

This selfless spirit deserves praise...

Zhao Ping'an looked at Huang Kun: "Comrade Huang, what do you think?"

Huang Kun was silent for a few seconds, then nodded:

"Minister Zhao, you're right. Among the 2,600 people, there must be some with high comprehension and a good foundation."

First, pick out these people and send them to the experimental class...

Zhao Ping'an made the decision immediately.

"That's settled then. We'll teach it this way for now, and discuss and correct any problems that arise."

I've already compiled a batch of teaching materials.

Comrade Huang and Comrade Lin, you two are in charge of the course plan. Deputy Director Chen, you are in charge of the venue and equipment.

Master Zhou, you're in charge of selecting promising skilled workers from among them.

He paused.

"Tell me what you want now."

Huang Kun was the first to speak: "We need enough projectors. One per classroom, at least ten."

Zhao Pingan looked at Liu Ying.

Liu Ying quickly wrote it down: "Twenty units, ten extra for backup."

Lin Lanying continued, "Everyone should have a copy of the textbook. This will allow them to study on their own in their spare time."

"I've got it."

Deputy Director Chen said, "We have no problem with installing equipment and providing living support. It's just that the Minister needs you to communicate with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the shore to expedite the construction of the next batch of factory buildings, laboratory buildings, and dormitories."

"Liu Ying, communicate with the Corps. If they don't have enough manpower, ask the nearby Railway Corps units and coordinate some personnel to prioritize completing the basic construction of this project," Zhao Ping'an replied.

Technician Zhou rubbed his hands together. "Minister Zhao, I don't want anything else. It's just... those young people shouldn't be so pampered. They should work overtime when they need to, and stay up all night when they need to. When we were learning our trades, it was much harder than this."

Zhao Pingan smiled.

"You can tell them that yourself. If they disobey, just discipline them like you would your own son..."

"Boss, that won't do! They're all college students, they're all treasures!" Master Zhou waved his hands repeatedly.

……

The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.

Liu Ying walked over and handed over a telegram.

"It was sent from Professor Qian's side."

Zhao Pingan took it.

The telegram was short: The Dongfeng-2 engine has been installed and is ready for a cold test. Are you coming or not?

Zhao Pingan finished reading it.

"Tell Mr. Qian to be careful. After I finish here, I still need to go to the North Crea women workers' area of ​​the Agricultural Reclamation Corps for an inspection, so I won't go there for now."

Liu Ying nodded and went to send a telegram.

In the afternoon, Deputy Director Chen came over again.

This time it wasn't a meeting, it was a separate report.

"Minister Zhao," he placed a document on the small table, "the supplies from Baotou have arrived."

Zhao Pingan picked up the document and flipped through it.

"How's the purity?"

Deputy Director Chen hesitated for a moment, "It's a little worse than the one we dismantled. But it's much better than the previous one."

Zhao Ping'an looked at him: "How much is 'almost'?"

Deputy Director Chen forced a smile and said, "About...five percent off."

Zhao Pingan put the document down.

"Five percent, is that alright?"

Deputy Director Chen remained silent.

Zhao Pingan stood up.

"They started working on it in Baotou in 1953, and it's been three years now." He said, his back to Deputy Director Chen.

"Achieving this much in three years isn't slow. But the precision of the chips is lacking in materials."

Five percent could represent a generation's difference. It could even be the difference between success and failure.

Deputy Director Chen kept his head down.

"Tell Baotou," Zhao Ping'an turned around.

"I'll accept this first batch. Then, if they need anything, they can tell me, and I'll provide it. But the next batch must meet the required standards."

If they can't reach that goal, I'll go talk to them myself.

Deputy Director Chen looked up: "Yes."