Chapter 144

It was late December. In a research and development room at the First Ministry of Machine Building, Liu Guangqi had just signed his name at the end of the second acceptance document. The instant his pen left the paper, outside the window, the loudspeakers in the ministry compound and the distant factory area seemed to receive the same silent command, bursting forth with a stirring prelude at the same moment. Immediately, the announcement, amplified by the radio waves and resounding through the sky, shattered the tranquility of the winter afternoon:

"Fellow countrymen! Today, our nation has repaid all its debts to our northern neighbor, completing the task three years ahead of schedule!"

As the announcement ended, a brief, vacuum-like silence enveloped the room. Then, seemingly from nowhere, a distorted roar erupted: "We... we don't owe anyone anything! We don't owe anyone anything anymore!"

The roar was like a fuse. In the next instant, cheers and shouts burst forth like a flood from every window of the building, quickly overflowing the courtyard walls and merging with the sounds rising from all over Beijing, weaving together into a boiling, earth-shaking ocean.

Amidst the jubilant cheers, Director Lin had somehow appeared beside Liu Guangqi. He didn't look out at the celebratory scene; instead, he placed a heavy hand on the young engineer's shoulder, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if trying to pierce through the brick walls and see into a wider world. "Did you hear that?" His voice wasn't loud, but each word was clear. "From today onward, we have no creditors, and we walk our own path. This path has a solid foundation laid by you."

Liu Guangqi didn't reply. Several years flashed through his mind, from the initial awkwardness of leading the Hongxing Factory in its exploration of foreign trade, to now, that name had become a symbol, a legend that used the factory's strength to drive upstream and downstream operations, leaving a deep imprint on the foreign exchange books. In the past, we offered the very lifeblood of our land—grain and minerals—in exchange for a chance to breathe during development; now, the industrial crystallization born on the assembly line, bearing the marks of independent design and precision cutting, has become our proof of standing tall. This is the most silent yet most glorious medal bestowed upon builders by the times.

Director Lin handed over a document stamped with a bright red seal, a complex smile playing on his lips: "When the people over there received the news, their expressions must have been quite interesting. They probably calculated that this debt would be enough to tie us down for eight or ten years, or even longer. Now, their calculations have fallen through."

Liu Guangqi took the document. The black and white text stated that the debt was cleared, but what it revealed was a clear path to breaking free from shackles and achieving an independent future. From now on, breathing could be more free, and steps more firm. This was not merely a financial settlement, but a quiet turning point in the nation's destiny, laying the strongest foundation for the journey ahead in the coming decades.

Of course, burning the debt contracts also means that the last veil of warmth has been completely torn away. In the days to come, there will only be more bumps and frictions, not fewer.

But Liu Guangqi's mind was unusually clear. He gazed towards the vast, cold north, knowing that the wheels of history had their own course. In a few years, when a thunderclap in the east shook the world, that seemingly invincible behemoth would gradually learn to restrain its roar. Time would ultimately side with the new. The current adversary was indeed powerful, often baring its fangs, but the setting sun of its fate had already cast a long shadow. The real threat never lay in the northern tundra, but in whether we could firmly grasp this hard-won time that belonged to us.

The winter sun shone through the glass, illuminating the front page of the "Minzhong Daily," a newspaper declaring the nation debt-free. The headline was devoid of any elaborate embellishment, consisting of only a line of simple yet powerful Chinese characters, like a nation exhaling a deep breath after shedding its heavy burden.

At the alley entrance, an elderly man wearing reading glasses ran his fingertips over the newspaper print, the trembling of his fingers causing the ink to bleed slightly. He blinked his cloudy eyes, but the headline was etched even more clearly into his heart—the debt was paid off. It really was paid off. He looked up at the hazy sky; snowflakes were falling slowly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

A muffled thud echoed through the workshop. The old master craftsman slammed his fist against the metal cabinet, sending coal dust flying from the corner. He didn't shout, but stared at the white scratches on his palm from the edge of a newspaper, before finally letting out a long breath. The breath condensed into white mist in the cold air, slowly rising and dissipating around the grease-stained light bulbs.

The news, carried by the north wind, crossed the border and drifted into a marble building in the west. Around the long table in the conference room, several men in suits exchanged glances. One of them tapped a folder lightly with his pen: "An agricultural country? Three years ahead of schedule?" He shook his head, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Unless they can conjure gold."

But the trade documents spitting out by the fax machine don't lie. As stacks of CNC machine tool orders lay out on the oak table, the hand tapping the pen stopped. Someone murmured a name, the syllables sounding abrupt in the overheated room. They began to flip through the files, the rustling of pages passing by, a photograph of a young man from the East being circulated—a face marked last year, now seemingly shrouded in a new shadow under the lamplight.

Meanwhile, the marked young man was yawning, slumped over his desk. Snow was falling heavily outside, and a thin layer of frost covered the windowpane. Liu Guangqi rubbed his eyes and pushed aside the sheet of paper covered in formulas. How should he write Chapter Three of the textbook? He stared blankly at the nib of his pen, ink dripping onto the paper and spreading into a small dot. In the distance, the sound of a radio broadcast drifted in, intermittently—a rerun of the New Year's Day special. Suddenly remembering something, he rummaged through his drawer for half a peach shortbread, took a bite, and put it down—too dry.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor, approaching from afar, pausing briefly at the doorway before continuing on. He listened intently, then refocused his attention on the paper. He underlined the words "binary conversion" with a wavy line, changing it to "like an abacus, except with only two beads."

The snow fell for a day and a night at the end of the year. On New Year's Day morning, the alley was covered with ankle-deep snow. The children's red cotton-padded jackets stood out against the white background, and their laughter bounced off the courtyard walls. The female voice on the loudspeaker spoke clearly and warmly. An old man selling gourds pushed his cart past, the hawthorns stuck in the straw baskets glistening with sugar, gleaming amber in the morning light.

That same day, Qin Huairu tied her scarf and stepped out of the courtyard. Her cotton shoes crunched on the snow. She glanced back at the wilted rose bush on the windowsill, then pulled her scarf up further, covering half her face. The steel mill's chimneys had already begun to smoke, the grayish-white plumes rising crookedly, mingling with the low-hanging clouds. She quickened her pace, her figure disappearing around the corner of the alley, leaving only a trail of footprints of varying depths in the snow.

The wind whipped up the snowflakes on the ground, swirling them over the wall. The aroma of stewed meat wafted out from somewhere, mingling with the smell of coal smoke, slowly spreading through the chilly air.

This valuable position naturally went to Qin Huairu according to regulations.

However, she was six months pregnant at the time, and the factory leaders, being considerate, granted her special permission to return to work after she had finished giving birth and recuperating.

During this period,

The steel mill did not mistreat this widow and her orphan family.

The allowance was consistently paid according to the standard for compensation for Jia Dongxu's death in the line of duty, without any reduction.

therefore,

In addition to the normal pension, Jia Dongxu received a funeral allowance of over one hundred yuan, and some savings he had accumulated over the years,

The Jia family's fortunes

Compared to most residents in the compound, their situation isn't necessarily much more difficult.

Even so,

Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu continued to complain to everyone they met and pretend to be in dire straits.

For this,

Everyone in the courtyard understood the unspoken agreement and did not fall for the same tricks as some characters in time-travel stories, who readily launched fundraising campaigns.

In this day and age, who isn't a wise person who can survive peacefully?

Every family has its cupboard.

Besides,

What kind of people live in this courtyard house?

They were all shrewd and calculating.

How can you not know how well each family is doing, since you see them every day?

The sewing machine under the Jia family's window was still gleaming brightly.

How much did Jia Dongxu's funeral cost, and how much of the funeral allowance was left?

These things,

Everyone saw it and remembered it.

Do not point it out, do not question it, do not expose it.

It's not that they don't understand, it's just that they don't want to get involved; nobody wants to stir up trouble in a widow's household.

Everyone should sweep the snow from their own doorstep.

Living your own life behind closed doors is more practical than anything else.

of course,

After Qin Huairu completes the formalities at the steel rolling mill and officially starts working there,

Jia Dongxu's seniority and job rank were completely reset to zero.

After all, according to the usual practice of substitution,

Qin Huairu had to start as an apprentice.

In other words, her salary for the next three years will be paid according to the standards for a steel rolling mill apprentice:

The apprenticeship period is three years.

The monthly salary was 18.5 yuan in the first year, 21.5 yuan in the second year, and 24.5 yuan in the third year.

Upon completion of the three-year term, he will be automatically promoted to Level 1 worker.

The monthly salary will be 27.5 yuan.

Although it is not as generous as the pension, it has the advantage of being a steady, continuous flow.

More importantly,

Using this job opportunity, Qin Huairu transferred her household registration to an urban area.

Her three children

He also registered with his mother and obtained urban household registration, from which time he was entitled to a fixed grain allowance and no longer needed to purchase high-priced grain.

This item alone,

You can save a considerable amount of money every month!

……

Meanwhile, inside the Institute of Computing Technology.

Even the biting cold wind couldn't dampen the lively atmosphere here.

In the corridor,

The computer researchers were in a hurry.

Clutching various calculation manuscripts, they exchanged data and terminology in hushed tones that were difficult for ordinary people to understand.

The air was filled with the unique tranquility and passion of academia.

When Liu Guangqi stepped into this place again, he felt the urgency of every second counting, and a sense of respect rose in his heart.

In Professor Lu Hai's office,

"Professor Lu, I have successfully completed the task before the end of the year."

Liu Guangqi carefully wrapped the two manuscripts in kraft paper and gently placed them on Lu Hai's desk, which was piled high with calculation papers.

Lu Hai raised his eyes,

His bloodshot eyes first showed a hint of weariness, but then lit up when he recognized Liu Guangqi.

"Guangqi is here! Please have a seat!"

His gaze was immediately drawn to the two thick manuscripts—

Computer Fundamentals and Future Applications

It is divided into two volumes.

The eight large, vigorous characters in regular script, still wet with ink, exude a fresh, clean scent of ink.

Lu Hai picked up the first volume,

My fingertips traced the slightly rough cover as I solemnly turned the first page.

His expression

The initial review gradually turned into focused attention.

From the most basic binary code and logic gates to the complete operating principle of vacuum tube computers...

The interweaving of text and images, along with the remarkably clear logic, is truly astonishing.

Lu Hai's reading pace slowed, his brow furrowing and relaxing intermittently, until he became completely engrossed in it.

It was as if he was the only one left in the office.

Liu Guangqi did not disturb them, but quietly stood aside and poured himself a glass of water.

……

I do not know how long it has been,

Professor Lu Hai slammed his hand on the table, startling even Liu Guangqi slightly:

"Great, that's very well written!"

He excitedly raised his head.

The way he looked at Liu Guangqi was like gazing at a brilliant star in the field of computer science.

"Liu Guangqi!"

Professor Lu closed the last page of the manuscript, his knuckles lightly tapping the open paper, his eyes almost overflowing with light. "These two volumes of computer lecture notes—the first volume lays a solid foundation and has a clear structure; the second volume offers a broad perspective and unique insights. In particular, the vision for future development is both forward-thinking and grounded in reality."

He took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and said with barely suppressed admiration, "I've read it three times and can't find anything that needs to be added or deleted. In my opinion, this content can be sent for typesetting and printing right now."

Liu Guangqi bowed slightly, his tone humble: "You flatter me. Many of my ideas were inspired by exchanges at the Institute of Computing Technology. Without the guidance of the seniors there, I wouldn't have been able to figure out these connections."