168: Entering 1981, Peng Lin is urged to get married!

December 31st, morning.

On the last day of 1980, the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award and the "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Meritorious Medal Award Ceremony was grandly held in the Great Hall!

Inside the Great Hall, the crystal chandeliers on the dome reflected on the red carpet, and the military flags and national emblems on both sides were solemn and majestic, like a silent Great Wall of steel.

Peng Lin stood in the center of the awarding stage, and a giant screen behind him continuously played shocking footage of J-10 fighter jets tearing through the sky, Beidou satellites forming a network and launching, and heavily armed combined arms brigades crushing enemy formations like a steel torrent.

The hall was packed, with military generals, scientific research experts, meritorious veterans, and military industry backbone all gathered together, their eyes focused on the awarding stage in the center.

The host's voice was loud, solemnly reading the award speech:

"Today, we witness the glory of an era!"

"The highest award in Longguo's scientific community—the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award—will be presented to Comrade Peng Lin!"

After the host's words, the entire hall instantly erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

"He forged swords with technology and defended the nation with wisdom! He pioneered the army's combined arms brigade system, ending the history of 'iron feet chasing tanks,' and leading the Longguo Army into a new era of intelligent warfare!"

On the large screen, footage of Longguo's combined arms brigades crushing "enemy formations" like a steel torrent during army exercises was simultaneously played!

The tungsten alloy rain of the Guardian rockets turned the "enemy" tanks into scrap metal, shocking the entire audience!

"He forged the J-10 'Mighty Dragon' fighter jet, reclaiming air superiority for the Republic! Its 4:0 crushing victory over the Mirage 2000 at the Paris Air Show announced the rise of the Longguo Air Force to the world!"

The scene switched to the J-10 fighter jet drawing sharp trajectories under the blue sky, the tail flames of the Thunderbolt missiles piercing the sky like sharp swords.

"He laid the foundation for the Beidou Satellite Positioning System, equipping major national assets with 'Heaven's Eye'! From the battlefield to civilian life, the Beidou system guides Longguo towards the stars and the sea!"

On the screen, Longguo auto workers were tearfully emotional about domestic cars being exported abroad, and the global satellite orbit map twinkled like stars.

"Moreover, he used the 'SkyNet' data link to integrate the three services, enabling coordinated operations between the Army, Air Force, and Rocket Force, forming a global integrated killing array!"

Finally, the scene froze on the magnificent modern training of the Longguo military, with the combined arms brigade, J-10, and Beidou system forming a trinity, building an indestructible golden triangle of national defense for the Republic!

The host's voice was impassioned, every word resonating:

"Today's awarding of the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award to Comrade Peng Lin is not only to commend his outstanding contributions but also to declare to the world—the sword edge of Longguo will always point to the future!"

As the host's words ended, thunderous applause erupted at the scene.

Elder Zheng walked onto the stage with steady steps, holding the gilded medal in both hands.

"Comrade Peng Lin, science and technology are not only the sword edge of national defense but also the primary productive force!"

"On behalf of the country and the people, I want to thank you for your outstanding contributions!"

The elder was very kind and solemnly pinned the medal to Peng Lin's chest.

Amidst the surging applause, Peng Lin raised the medal in salute!

And below the stage, everyone also stood up, applauding and saluting Peng Lin!

After the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award, it was the Ministry of National Defense's "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Meritorious Medal Award Ceremony.

The "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Meritorious Medal is divided into three levels: the first-class medal is awarded to system creators, the second-class medal to core technology breakthrough makers, and the third-class medal to key process problem solvers!

Marshal Xu Yong'an held the gilded medal in both hands. On the medal, sword blades and gears intertwined, and a miniature model of the Beidou constellation shimmered on a sapphire base.

"Comrade Peng Lin, the combined arms brigade system you designed allowed the Army to bridge a thirty-year gap, the Beidou system forged the nation's Eye of Heaven, and the J-10 fighter jet reclaimed air superiority!"

"This medal is the Republic's sword edge that will never dull!"

With that, Marshal Xu Yong'an solemnly pinned the Meritorious Medal to Peng Lin's chest.

Subsequently, 23 engineers and scientists successively took the stage.

They were all core technology breakthrough makers for major projects such as the heavily armed combined arms brigade, the Beidou Satellite Positioning System, the Dongfeng-6 Intercontinental Missile, and the J-10.

"Thirty years ago, we filled the battle lines with flesh and blood; now, our technology makes the enemy fill graveyards with steel!"

Air Force Commander Liu Yufei stepped forward and pinned medals on each of them!

After that, 186 young key personnel stood in an iron formation and took the stage.

They were all core technical backbones in various projects, problem solvers for key production processes!

It was their existence that enabled major projects to be produced in the shortest possible time!

Army Commander Zhou Zhenbang and Navy Commander went on stage together to present them with their meritorious medals!

...January 1st, 1981.

On the first day of the New Year's Day holiday, the front page headlines of all national newspapers, including Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily, reported on the grand ceremony of the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award and the "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Meritorious Medal held in Beijing!

[On December 31, 1980, the Longguo Highest Science and Technology Award and the "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Meritorious Medal Award Ceremony was grandly held in the Great Hall of the People.

Comrade Peng Lin was awarded the Highest Science and Technology Award, and his pioneering combined arms brigade system, J-10 fighter jet, and Beidou system forged the "Golden Triangle" of national defense.

Comrade Peng Lin, along with 23 core scientists and 186 technical backbones, jointly received the "Heavenly Works Forging Sword" Medal, demonstrating Longguo's firm steps in strengthening the military through science and technology and revitalizing the nation through innovation.

Marshal Xu Yong'an emphasized: "They are the Republic's sword edge that will never dull!"

"The sword edge of Longguo will always point to the future!"

With the newspaper reports and the broadcasts echoing in the streets and alleys, the land of Longguo entered a brand new year.

As in previous years, Peng Lin took a short day off for New Year's Day this year, and personally drove the "Jiuzhou" car, taking Zhu Lin on a full day's road trip around Yanjing.

It wasn't until evening that the two returned to Yanjing and drove to Shichahai for a walk.

The ice on Shichahai shimmered with a bluish-grey cold light, as Peng Lin and Zhu Lin walked across the snow-covered Yinding Bridge.

She was wrapped in a camel-colored cashmere coat, with a snow-white mink fur trim peeking out from the collar, accentuating her neck's delicate, creamy texture.

Zhu Lin's beret was tilted on her coiled up hair, and a pearl hairpin in her hair gleamed with a warm light under the winter sun.

When she leaned down to scoop up the snow on the bridge railing, the hem of her coat lifted slightly, revealing her slender ankles wrapped in black stockings and her lambskin boots.

Children's laughter echoed from the Houhai ice rink, and Peng Lin extended his arm to pull Zhu Lin into his embrace.

Now, with Longguo's economy developing at a high speed, Peng Lin also began to seriously consider their marriage.

Their free-love relationship had lasted for over two years, which was considered quite a long time in that era.

Especially the scene where Zhu Lin traveled thousands of miles from Yanjing to Changhe to find him on the eve of the self-defense counterattack against the Vietnamese monkeys, still deeply moved Peng Lin!

If he could find time this year, he planned to definitely get married this year.

The two walked around the lake once, then headed to Zhu Lin's parents' house for dinner.

Deep in a hutong in Xijing, the pomegranate tree in the Zhu family's small courtyard was covered with ice, and the warm stove inside made the window paper curl slightly. Peng Lin, in his neat military uniform, gently placed a box of Longjing tea on the Eight Immortals table.

When Zhu Lin's mother served the braised Yellow River carp, steam blurred her spectacles.

She suddenly noticed a plain band on her daughter's ring finger, which Peng Lin had polished from the leftover material of a J-10 tail fin.

"Little Peng."

Father Zhu took a sip from his wine glass and pointed the tip of his chopsticks at today's new newspaper.

"Surely the 'Sword Forger's' marriage can't be harder than satellite positioning, can it?"

Father Zhu asked jokingly.

Amidst the laughter at the table, Zhu Lin's ears instantly turned redder than the stove fire.

She gently kicked Peng Lin's shin under the table, as the first snow of 1981 silently fell outside the window.

"A timely snow promises a good harvest!"

Peng Lin laughed, changing the subject!