Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 362 Emerging from Seclusion

Tianjin Port, July 1976.

The air was filled with the salty smell of the sea.

Five giant ships, like steel mountains, slowly made their way to the shore, their heavy whistles carrying far in the humid afternoon heat. The dock had already been cleared out, and people in work clothes waited in the distance, their eyes fixed on the soon-to-be-opened cabins.

A tall, white man, around forty years old, was the first to descend the gangway, his light blond hair slightly disheveled by the sea breeze. He brushed the dust off his suit and looked up to see Sun Ce approaching.

"Mr. Alex, you must be tired from your journey." Sun Ce extended his hand.

"Director Sun." Alex grasped his hand, his Chinese so fluent that it was almost impossible to detect any foreign accent. The two exchanged few pleasantries, and almost simultaneously took the thick list from the attendant's hands. They stood in the shade of the dock and began to check the items against their respective cargo numbers.

The handover and inventory process lasted two days. The massive gantry crane worked day and night, hoisting the heavily packaged equipment out of the ship's hold. Once the final receipt was confirmed to be correct, Sun Ce visibly relaxed and offered Alex a cigarette.

Alex took the cigarette, lit it with the match in Sun Ce's hand, took a deep drag, and quietly moved closer.

"Sun Ce, this is the last batch. It's the latest electric arc furnace, 20% more efficient than the last one. Report this to Lin Sanbing later." He paused, flicking his cigarette ash. "As for payment, James has said it's the same old rule: half can be paid, and the other half can be IOU. However..." He glanced at the long line of workers waiting to unload, then added, "The ocean freight this time isn't cheap; it has to be included in the bill."

Sun Ce's smile deepened after hearing this, and he patted Alex's arm: "It's only because our young master... always has the country in his heart that he's willing to keep extending credit and helping like this."

Alex didn't speak, but simply nodded, his gaze following Sun Ce as he looked into the distance. The sea breeze swept across the dock, carrying the sweltering heat of July. The massive cargo ships were quietly moored, unloading the building blocks of the future that were being pieced together.

At night, the courtyards on Dongxinglong Street are filled with the chirping of cicadas.

Only a green-shaded desk lamp was lit in the study. Lin San sat in a chair with his brows slightly furrowed.

"Lin Yi, is there still no news from the young master's side?"

"No. My seclusion is urgent and I must not be disturbed. Is there something you need?"

The last batch of steel furnaces that James acquired from Japan was all handed over at Tianjin Port today. The country owes him approximately one hundred million US dollars in total. Our people at the Ministry of Foreign Trade have contacted us about this debt, requesting a clear resolution before they can submit a report and draft an agreement. This… should we consult the young master?

Without any hesitation, Lin Yi decisively cut off the conversation: "There's no need to disturb the young master's peace and quiet with such a small matter. I can give you a definite answer right now."

"Have our people clearly state in the report that James wants to convert this debt into priority investment rights in East China. Once the country opens up the domestic market, they should be allowed to appoint agents to acquire land and invest in factories in the three most crucial areas of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. They must receive the most favorable support in terms of land use, labor, and taxes. Make this a hard and fast rule, as part of the debt solution, and submit it along with the report."

Lin San pondered for a moment, then revealed a look of sudden realization and admiration: "I understand! This is about turning our current debt into a 'ticket' to making long-term profits in the domestic market. In this way, they won't be afraid of us chasing them for repayment; they'll probably even have to help us make this happen..."

"Exactly. So, the IOU will still be issued, and the interest will still be calculated, but the repayment method must follow our procedures. You should have Sun Ce make the report look impressive, showcasing his commitment to the nation's credibility. He had to work himself to the bone to negotiate this 'debt-for-investment' plan with the Australian side. This will be more beneficial for his promotion. What the central government needs most right now is foreign exchange and construction experience, so they have a high chance of approving this plan."

Lin Sanxin felt much more at ease: "I'll get on it right away and have the people from the Ministry of Foreign Trade draft the report framework overnight."

After hundreds of years of cultivation in the space, Lin Yan's essence, qi, and spirit had all reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm, with no further advancement possible. After washing up, he took Xiao Qi out of the space, walked downstairs from the bedroom, stood in the living room, and called out, "Lin Gang."

As soon as she finished speaking, the door to the next room opened, and Wang Yuling hurried out, her face beaming with undisguised joy: "Young Master! You've come out of seclusion?" Seeing Lin Yan's searching gaze, she continued, "Lin Gang went to Bazhenfang to check the accounts; he has to keep an eye on things. Are you looking for him?"

"Nothing important." Lin Yan waved his hand, walked to the window and looked at the sun outside. "I was so engrossed in meditation that I lost track of time. Yu Ling, what day is it today?"

"Young Master, today is July 20, 1976, the 7th day of the sixth lunar month," Wang Yuling replied crisply.

"July 1976," Lin Yan repeated softly, nodding as if he had reconnected a broken timeline. He felt his trouser leg being tugged, and looking down, he saw Xiao Qi pawing at him with its two front paws, its fluffy little head tilted back, its golden eyes gazing at him expectantly.

Lin Yan laughed and gently nudged it with his toe: "Alright, I know you've been craving it in there." He looked up at Wang Yuling and said, "Yuling, go get this little darling some good food and treat it well."

"Oh dear, does our little Qi want something delicious to eat?" Wang Yuling immediately smiled, her eyes crinkling, and squatted down to clap her hands. "Come on, come with your sister to the kitchen and see what delicious food we have today."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qi immediately wagged its tail loudly, looking like a little windmill. It no longer cared about pawing at Lin Yan and turned around to follow Wang Yuling, running towards the kitchen. Its eager appearance made Lin Yan shake his head and laugh.

He was left alone in the house. He walked to the sofa in the living room and sat down, repeatedly muttering, "July 1976... July 1976..."

He always felt he was overlooking something...

After a long while, Lin Yan suddenly shuddered.

On July 28, 1976, the Tangshan earthquake struck!