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

A platoon of soldiers was left to temporarily guard the cleared Eagle Cave, responsible for watching over the prisoners and conducting a preliminary inventory of the captured supplies. Zhao Ping'an led the main force, escorting the prisoners, and embarked on the road back to the village where they were stationed.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the group onto the mountain path. Unlike the tense and somber atmosphere at the start, the return journey was filled with a sense of relief after victory.

Although exhausted, the soldiers had bright eyes and whispered among themselves about what they had seen and heard in the battle, especially about the novel equipment that could "see through" rocks and the night, which filled them with awe and curiosity.

As soon as Zhao Ping'an returned to the village entrance, he saw Political Commissar Xu Yuanshan already waiting there, his face showing obvious concern.

"Peaceful! You're back? How are things?" Old Xu quickly stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the group. He frowned slightly, especially when he saw the seriously injured man on the stretcher and several lightly injured men with their arms and legs bandaged.

"Successfully, the hidden danger has been eliminated." Zhao Ping'an briefly reported on the battle process. "Using the newly arrived reconnaissance equipment, we have basically figured out the situation inside the cave. The assault platoon fought very cleverly. Our losses were not significant. With seven light and one heavy weapons, we annihilated all twenty-six stubborn enemy soldiers and captured eight."

Old Xu listened attentively, and when he heard about the "reconnaissance equipment" and the near-zero casualties, his eyes lit up with admiration.

He first went to comfort the wounded and instructed the medics to do everything they could to treat them, especially the seriously wounded soldier, demanding that no expense be spared.

Then he inquired in detail about the battle, especially the effectiveness of the "radar" and "life detector" mentioned by Zhao Ping'an in actual combat.

Seeing that Old Xu was very interested, Zhao Ping'an decided not to hide anything. He had the soldiers find a relatively open and flat rooftop platform on higher ground in the village.

Set up the LRAS-2 man-portable reconnaissance radar.

"Old Xu, look, this is the power button, this is the mode selection..." Zhao Ping'an explained as he operated the device.

As the radar activated, the screen lit up, displaying a complex scanning interface and parameters. Zhao Ping'an adjusted the angle and distance.

Soon, scattered dots of light began to appear on the screen, representing scattered people moving in the mountains a few kilometers away, and objects moving faintly on the road further away.

"Look, here, about three kilometers away, there's a target moving slowly. Judging from the signal characteristics, it could be a pedestrian or small livestock," Zhao Ping'an said, pointing to a faint signal on the screen.

"Here, five kilometers away, the signal is slightly stronger and the movement speed is relatively fast. Judging from the direction, it is probably our own patrol team or a small unit of friendly forces nearby that is maneuvering."

Old Xu stared intently at the screen, his eyes wide, his face first showing surprise, then turning into immense joy:

"This...this is truly...amazing! To be able to see the enemy's movements clearly across mountains and miles away?"

If this were used on the battlefield, wouldn't we have complete control over where the enemy moves and where they ambush us?!

"Theoretically yes, of course, but in practice it is affected by terrain, weather and the enemy's counter-reconnaissance measures." Zhao Ping'an nodded, "But the one-way transparency advantage it provides on the battlefield is unmatched by traditional reconnaissance methods."

Old Xu circled the cold, electronic device twice, rubbing his hands excitedly: "Treasure! This is the real treasure! More precious than a few more cannons!"

After several demonstrations, watching the clearly displayed near and far dynamics on the screen, the joy on Lao Xu's face gradually subsided, turning into a deeper contemplation.

He gestured for Zhao Ping'an to turn off the device, then patted him on the shoulder: "Ping'an, come on, let's find a quiet place to talk."

The two arrived at a secluded old locust tree on the edge of the village.

Old Xu didn't directly mention the equipment; instead, he first told Zhao Ping'an some good news that had just arrived:

"Ping An, those eight 122mm howitzers you got before have come in very handy! Just yesterday, a force of enemy troops attempted to counterattack on the eastern defense line. They were quite large and their offensive was very fierce."

Our artillery calmly responded, using the firing tables you provided to conduct fire coverage and precision strikes from more than ten kilometers away. This not only successfully halted the enemy's offensive but also disrupted their charging formation.

Even more impressively, as the enemy retreated, our artillery extended its fire, precisely destroying several enemy trucks used to tow artillery and transport troops from 12 kilometers away, completely blocking the road! The brother units behind seized the opportunity to encircle and outmaneuver them, achieving a brilliant victory!

The commanders specifically praised our artillery in their battle reports, saying it was the key to turning the tide of the battle!

Old Xu's tone was full of pride, but then his tone changed, his expression became unusually serious, even tinged with self-reproach:

"However, Ping An, this matter, and your personal leadership in suppressing the bandits today, have made me reflect on my actions. As the political commissar, I have failed in my duties in some aspects."

He looked at Zhao Ping'an, his tone sincere yet heavy:

"Through this practical experience, the higher-ups have become increasingly aware of you, and the 'supply channel' behind you."

This is of strategic importance to our cause! Your safety is no longer just a matter for the Independent 6th Brigade; it is a matter of paramount importance to the entire strategic situation!

But what about me? I knew perfectly well that you had a special identity and heavy responsibilities, yet I didn't take the most resolute stance to stop you from personally participating in frontline combat operations.

This was my negligence, my mistake! I have already submitted a preliminary self-criticism to the brigade's Party Committee, and I will submit a written self-criticism to higher authorities upon my return.

Zhao Ping'an understood immediately. Old Xu wasn't genuinely criticizing himself; he was clearly using the guise of self-criticism to convey the superior's clearest stance.

Zhao Ping'an, you can no longer take unnecessary risks. Your value far exceeds that of an outstanding commander or combat hero.

Old Xu drew a line for him in the most tactful yet unquestionable way, and thoughtfully admitted his mistake first, saving him face.

Zhao Ping'an felt a mix of emotions, a warm feeling of being valued, but also a slight resentment of being "bound".

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to lay out his own thoughts as well:

"Old Xu, I understand what you mean, and I thank the leaders and the organization for their concern for me. My trip this time was actually based on my own judgment."

Look, our weapons and equipment are overwhelming to the enemy, and now with these reconnaissance devices, the battlefield is almost completely transparent to us.

With these dual advantages, I feel the risks are completely controllable, which is why…”

"Comrade Ping An!" Old Xu interrupted him gently but firmly, "Your judgment may be correct from a tactical perspective."

But have you ever thought about how much bloodshed and more victories our army could achieve with the equipment, medicine, and technology you provide?

How much faster can it accelerate our business?

He looked directly into Zhao Ping'an's eyes and said earnestly, "From the perspective of results alone, ensuring your absolute safety and smooth operation of your channel is far more helpful and important to the overall situation than you personally leading a team to wipe out one or two bandit strongholds, or even winning one or two small-scale battles!"

Old Xu paused, lowering his voice even further, but every word struck Zhao Ping'an's heart like a hammer blow:

"Don't forget that 'grand plan' you told me about in private! A steel plant with an annual output of 800,000 tons! Do you know what that means?"

That's the backbone that truly allows a nation to stand tall! I can tell you definitively, for a factory like this, let alone a division, even a whole corps...

The commanders wouldn't even flinch! Ping An, you've seriously underestimated your own importance. You're not just a simple combat hero or a logistics expert, you are...

You are the key person who can bring hope for qualitative change to our country!

A word to wake up the dreamer!