Chapter 274: The Unteachable

After finishing with the neighbors, He Daqing stepped through his own door and his eyes widened.

The brand-new furniture upstairs and downstairs made him smack his lips and say, "Zhuzi, you've really managed this home well over these past few years!"

"If the father isn't responsible, the son has to work hard!" He Yuzhu said.

"I think your skin is getting a bit tight; I haven't been here for a few years, and I see you've become a bit arrogant!" He Daqing said.

"Dad, you just stay home properly; I'm going to live at my sister's place!"

"Don't go!" He Daqing hurriedly grabbed He Yuzhu, his face showing his difficulty: "Zhuzi, actually, I came back this time with a mission, if you could do me a favor."

He Yuzhu frowned as soon as he heard this: "Dad, haven't I done enough favors for you? What big deal is it this time?"

He Daqing shook his head: "Actually, Lao Yang and I returned to Si Jiu Cheng this time to set up a Military Factory... Doesn't Liu Rusi have a Bicycle Factory? The higher-ups' intention is to hope she reduces production and supports the Military Factory with high-quality steel to produce Anti-aircraft Guns."

"That's too much!" He Yuzhu became anxious all of a sudden, "Dad, my sister has helped you so much; not only did she help you build a Steel Smelting Furnace in Heifengzhai, she also supported you with grain and weapons. Now you want to sacrifice her interests? Isn't this burning bridges after crossing the river?"

He Daqing explained helplessly: "The Bald Party's defeat is a foregone conclusion, but they won't just give up; they send planes to bomb us every few days. The factory that was just built turns into ruins in the blink of an eye; who can stand this?"

He Yuzhu was silent for a moment, his tone softening: "I understand your difficulties. But how am I supposed to bring this up to my sister?"

"If you find it difficult, just arrange a meeting between Division Commander Yang and Miss Liu, and let them talk face-to-face."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Then I'll go find her quickly, but don't get your hopes up too high. She might not agree!"

As soon as He Yuzhu finished relaying He Daqing's words, Liu Rusi exploded on the spot.

"All crows under heaven are black!" She was so angry she slapped the table, "Officer Fu just returned the steel mill, and now Division Commander Yang wants to come and snatch it? When have they ever considered the life or death of our Bicycle Factory? I absolutely do not agree!"

He Yuzhu hurriedly persuaded her: "Sister, they won't snatch it by force like Officer Fu, but we don't need to offend them either!"

"Then what do you suggest I do?" Liu Rusi's lingering anger had not yet subsided.

"I think we can negotiate terms with them," He Yuzhu said, leaning closer, "First, ask them for land; second, ask for export qualifications—if we produce bicycles and can't sell them, it's all for nothing; third, if they can put up some money to build new Steel Smelting Furnaces, once production capacity goes up, let alone steel for Anti-aircraft Guns, even building a Warship wouldn't be a problem. Though I suspect they likely don't have the money."

"That is a good idea!" Liu Rusi said.

"Actually, we can also upgrade the steelmaking process during the expansion. By then, we'll even be able to produce cars!" He Yuzhu added.

"Really? But how do we improve the process? Rely on Zhao Ying to buy equipment from the United States?" Liu Rusi asked.

"To tell you the truth, I haven't spent these six months at the Rolling Mill in vain; I've figured out a set of methods to improve converter steelmaking myself."

Liu Rusi looked him over in surprise: "Not bad, He Yuzhu. You can even figure out steelmaking technology while being a lousy security section chief; you're a talent!"

Her tone had clearly softened, no longer as confrontational as before.

"I will persuade them to modify old weapons and improve air defense capabilities before the new Steel Smelting Furnace is ready. So, even if they don't fully agree to your conditions, you should agree to them readily to show your high moral character; at the same time, it won't affect your bicycle manufacturing!"

Liu Rusi laughed: "You kid, you're really something; you never let yourself suffer a loss."

"That goes without saying!"

Early the next morning, the Nanluoguxiang No. 95 Courtyard became lively.

He Yuzhu didn't intend to cook for these hundred-plus neighbors himself; he specifically invited a professional chef team from He Ji Restaurant in Shichahai, and the one leading the team was none other than Li Xiangxiu—ever since she started working at the Military Control Commission, she had been the manager of that shop.

In the early morning, the Huaihua flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance hitting the nose.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadows, and children chased and played in the courtyard.

He Yushui, wearing a beautiful dress, ran back and forth through the various courtyards with her three little friends.

Seeing the four little girls, Jia Zhangshi cursed: "Wearing new clothes every day, you're just money-losing goods!"

The four little girls retorted in unison: "You're the money-losing goods!"

Once these words were out, it left Jia Zhangshi looking disgraced.

Near noon, several cars drove into the alley one after another; important guests like Division Commander Yang, Liu Rusi, Lou Laoban, and Liu Xiaohua arrived one after another.

Seeing this display, the neighbors in the courtyard finally realized: He Daqing had truly made a name for himself out there over these years. Even the boss of their Rolling Mill had come to show support.

After an introduction by He Yuzhu, Liu Rusi and Division Commander Yang were acquainted. After a few pleasantries, they got straight to the point.

Division Commander Yang rubbed his hands in embarrassment and said: "Although we have achieved a great victory, the Bald Party over there still harbors evil intentions and keeps sending planes to bomb us... I hope Miss Liu will show high moral character and yield some steel production capacity to our Military Factory."

Liu Rusi nodded and said: "It concerns the big picture, I understand. But I have a few conditions; I wonder if Division Commander Yang can agree to them?"

"Just say them." Division Commander Yang replied hurriedly.

Liu Rusi immediately stated her conditions one by one.

Division Commander Yang thought for a moment, and as He Yuzhu had expected, he only agreed to the first two.

Seeing this, Liu Rusi had no choice but to call over Factory Director Lou to discuss the expansion of the steel mill together.

After some thought, Factory Director Lou also agreed to invest in expanding production capacity.

Seeing that the mission was completed so smoothly, Division Commander Yang said with great relief: "Thank you for your deep sense of justice, Miss Liu! Once the country catches its breath, I will definitely pay back all the money I owe you."

"There's no rush for that." Liu Rusi responded calmly.

On the other side, He Yuzhu and Liu Xiaohua were sitting on stone stools.

He Yuzhu poured him a glass of cola and said: "Brother Liu, forgive my bluntness, but with our current industrial foundation, even if we build Anti-aircraft Guns, it will be very difficult to shoot down high-altitude bombers. I think the top priority is to first develop a Radar early-warning system and a Fire Control System. As for Anti-aircraft Guns, we can research them while simultaneously modifying existing Anti-aircraft Machine Guns and captured Japanese Anti-aircraft Guns, so as to rapidly improve our weak air defense capabilities."

Liu Xiaohua's eyes lit up: "Zhuzi, tell me more in detail!"

"For example, with the American-made M2 Heavy Machine Gun and the Japanese-style 25mm Anti-aircraft Gun, we can equip them with 360-degree rotating chassis, improve the Fire Control System, and link them with analog Computers and Radar... to organize dense fire for interception!"

"You have research on Radar too?" Liu Xiaohua asked excitedly.

He Yuzhu shook his head modestly: "I wouldn't call it research; I just bought a few books to read when I was in the United States and had some shallow ideas." As he spoke, he took out a hundred-plus-page "Air Defense System Construction Plan" and handed it to Liu Xiaohua.

When Liu Xiaohua flipped to the Radar system design proposal, he looked at it carefully for a long time. Before he had even finished reading it, he closed the plan and said excitedly: "Zhuzi, although I studied chemistry, my physics is actually quite good. Seeing your ideas for the Radar part, if they can really be realized, it could put us 20 years ahead of foreign countries. By then, no matter how advanced a plane enters our airspace, we can make sure they never return!"

"Therefore, we must join forces to manufacture these Radars as soon as possible." He Yuzhu said firmly.

"Dinner is served!" He Yushui's high, bright voice rang out in the courtyard.

Hearing this, the people in the courtyard rushed to the large round tables and sat down, afraid that if they came late, they wouldn't get to eat.

At the table in the Zhongyuan, Yi Zhonghai and his wife, Yan Bugui and his wife, Wang Zhifu and his wife, and over a dozen others were seated.

Jia Zhangshi's way of eating was the most eye-catching; she didn't eat the Boiled Fish, but focused only on the Braised Pork, stuffing it into her mouth piece after piece, swallowing it almost without chewing, afraid that if she was slow, she wouldn't get enough.

Jia Dongxu whispered a reminder from the side: "Mom, eat some fish, it's delicious!"

"I'm not eating it, that fish has bones, it'll get in the way of me eating meat!" Jia Zhangshi said without even raising her head.

"Mom, I saw that a big pot in the East Cross Courtyard has been stewing Braised Pork! There's plenty to go around!" Jia Dongxu added.

Sitting at the table in the Houyuan were Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng, Li Yong, Wang Shucheng, Liu Guangqi, and over a dozen other half-grown boys.

While eating Boiled Fish, Xu Damao muttered, "The He Family is really stingy, they only made two dishes, they don't even have a single green vegetable; who are they trying to make sick with grease?"

Wang Shucheng couldn't listen anymore: "Xu Damao, you're becoming more and more ungrateful. People are treating you to a free meal, and you're still here making snide remarks. If you're so capable, why don't you host a meal!"

"Why should I host?" Xu Damao retorted, stiffening his neck.

"Does the He Family owe you anything? They're feeding you, and you're still not satisfied?" Wang Shucheng countered.

"You're just a dog raised by the He Family!" Xu Damao cursed.

Yan Jiecheng chimed in to smooth things over: "Can't all this meat plug your mouths? I think it's great to have meat; my family eats green vegetables every day."

Xu Damao curled his lip in disdain and cursed: "You've never seen the world!"

The half-grown boys went back and forth, and as they talked, they actually started shoving each other and ended up in a scuffle.