Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Chapter 1: The Ark Shocks the World, Undercurrents Surge in Beijing

In the autumn of 1958, beneath the seemingly calm surface of Beijing, an international covert war sparked by technology was quietly unfolding.

The West Flower Hall in Haizi was brightly lit until late at night.

A telegram marked "Top Secret, Urgent" lay on a large desk. After three days and three nights of deciphering by cryptographers, the telegram finally revealed a chilling truth—the intelligence agencies of almost all countries with nuclear energy research capabilities, including Moscow, Washington, London, and Paris, had recently been frequently mentioning the same code name: "Eastern Prometheus."

"According to reliable intelligence," a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit, with a thin face, stood in front of the map, pointing his pointer at the location of Beiping, "the KGB's Third Directorate established the 'Dawn' Special Operations Group last month, dedicated to investigating the origins of our country's new energy technologies. The CIA's Far East Station has also dispatched twelve technical intelligence experts to Tokyo, and its operational radius has clearly extended to North China."

He paused, then moved his pointer to another document: "More noteworthy is the unusual activity of Taiwan's 'Ministry of National Defense Intelligence Agency' recently. Our intercepted coded messages show that they have activated at least three dormant teams that have been inactive for over five years, codenamed 'Night Owl,' 'Bamboo Viper,' and 'Pangolin.' The activation instructions for these teams all contain keywords such as 'Ark,' 'miniaturization,' and 'unlimited energy.'"

A brief silence fell over the room. Only the clock on the wall ticked rhythmically and heavily.

"The safety of Comrade Wang Huanbo is of paramount importance to our national security work at present." The elder sitting in the main seat spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying immense weight. "He alone is worth five mechanized divisions. No, it should be said that he represents the first-mover advantage of our Chinese nation in the technological competition of the next century."

"Sir, the current security force of the Red Star United Industrial Corporation is still the Security Department, which was formed based on the original security section of the steel rolling mill." The middle-aged man reported with a slight frown. "Comrade Lin Hongjie, the director, is a demobilized military officer. He is politically reliable and has an excellent work style. But to be honest, the existing security structure, personnel quality, and equipment level are adequate for dealing with the security problems of ordinary industrial and mining enterprises. However, to prevent infiltration and sabotage by top international intelligence agencies... I'm afraid it's beyond our capabilities."

What's your opinion?

"I suggest that the security department of Hongxing Factory be upgraded to a security department immediately, with its administrative level raised to deputy director-general level. Comrade Lin Hongjie should remain as the minister, but a deputy minister who is proficient in counter-espionage and security work must be appointed. At the same time, capable personnel should be drawn from the Central Security Bureau and the Beijing Military Region to strengthen the security team. The security sections of all affiliated factories should be upgraded to security departments simultaneously to form a complete security system."

The elder pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped his fingers on the table: "What are your considerations regarding the selection of the vice minister?"

"Wang Luofei from the Central Security Bureau." The middle-aged man named him without hesitation. "He served as a bodyguard for the commander of the 385th Brigade during the War of Resistance Against Japan, participated in the defense of Yan'an, and has been responsible for protecting important figures in the Central Security Bureau since liberation. He is extremely vigilant, has outstanding counter-surveillance capabilities, and what's even more remarkable is that he received personal guidance from the brigade commander and has unique insights into the patterns of enemy special agents' activities."

"Wang Luofei..." the elder repeated the name, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "I remember him. In 1947, during the defense of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, he single-handedly uncovered and wiped out three Kuomintang secret service infiltrating groups. Okay, he's the one."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the deep night: "Tell Lin Hongjie and Wang Luofei that their mission is only one: to ensure the absolute safety of Comrade Wang Huanbo at all costs, and to ensure the absolute safety of 'Ark' and 'Net Weaving' technology. If necessary, take all necessary measures."

"yes!"

The order was issued with the highest priority. A battle to protect the Red Star Factory and Wang Huanbo was launched in earnest, without most people even noticing.

Section Two: The Brigade Commander Personally Appoints Luo Fei to Visit the Red Star Factory at Night

Three days later, at dusk, a grass-green Hongxing Mengshi silently drove into the gate of Hongxing United Industrial Corporation. After the gatekeeper saw the license plate and pass, he immediately stood at attention and saluted, his eyes filled with awe—it was a special license plate number issued only to a very few units.

The car didn't drive to the office building, but went straight to an inconspicuous two-story building in the backyard. This was the former headquarters of the security department, and now, a brand-new white sign with black lettering hangs at the entrance: "Security Department of Red Star United Industrial Corporation".

In front of the building, a burly, square-faced, thick-browed, and large-eyed middle-aged man had been waiting for some time. He was Lin Hongjie, the former head of the security department and the newly appointed head of the security bureau. Seeing the jeep stop, he quickly stepped forward and personally opened the back door.

"Comrade Wang Luofei, you must be tired from your journey!" Lin Hongjie's voice was loud and clear, with the crispness characteristic of a soldier.

The man who stepped out of the car was around forty years old, with a lean build and an ordinary appearance—so plain you'd easily lose your way in a crowd. He wore a faded old military uniform, the top button fastened meticulously, and a pair of worn-out canvas shoes. The only striking feature was his eyes—calm, deep, and seemingly able to pierce through flesh and bone when he looked at someone.

"Minister Lin, you're too kind." Wang Luofei's voice was not loud and slightly hoarse. He extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Lin Hongjie. "I'm here on assignment and will be working under you from now on."

"Hey, don't say that! You're an expert sent from above to strengthen our work!" Lin Hongjie quickly waved his hand, his attitude sincere. "Come on, let's go inside and talk. I've prepared everything."

The two entered the small building. The original offices on the first floor had been combined and transformed into a spacious command center. The walls were covered with factory maps, personnel distribution diagrams, and key location markers. On several long tables were factory models, telephone exchanges, and several black telephones that were clearly newly equipped and equipped with secure lines.

"The conditions are basic, but they are being improved," Lin Hongjie explained. "As instructed by higher authorities, we have transferred a guard company of 87 key personnel from a unit of the Beijing Military Region, and they will all be in place next Monday. The 20 professional cadres from the Central Security Bureau will arrive tomorrow. In addition, the security sections of all the branch factories and affiliated units have been upgraded to security departments, with a total of 240 new personnel added. This is the list and the preliminary deployment plan."

He pushed a thick stack of documents in front of Wang Luofei.

Wang Luofei didn't look through it immediately. He first scanned the command room, then walked to the window, looked at the outside environment, checked the telephone lines and doors and windows, before returning to his desk and sitting down.

"Minister Lin, let's skip the formalities," Wang Luofei said, getting straight to the point. "Before I came here, the leader personally emphasized the importance of this mission. Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo, along with the 'Ark' project and the 'Network' project he oversaw, are top national secrets and targets that the enemy is willing to go to any lengths to obtain. Our Security Department is the last line of defense and the strongest shield."

"I understand!" Lin Hongjie nodded solemnly. "To be honest, Lao Wang, even before you arrived these past few days, I've been feeling uneasy. Our factory is huge, with nearly 100,000 workers and their families, and their backgrounds are very diverse. Although we've conducted several political vetting and clean-up operations, who can guarantee that no one has slipped through the net? In the past, we could manage to prevent theft and handle fights, but now we have to guard against professionally trained international spies, and I'm really not confident about that."

"It's normal to feel uncertain." Wang Luofei's tone remained calm, but her words revealed a strong sense of confidence. "Spies are human too; as long as they operate, they will inevitably leave traces. Starting today, we need to do a few things."

He held up his fingers and listed them off one by one: "First, immediately conduct a new round of more detailed political vetting and background checks on all personnel in the entire factory, especially those with access to core areas and technical data. Second, redefine the classified areas and establish physical isolation and electronic monitoring. Third, develop a 24-hour comprehensive security plan for Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo, combining overt sentries, covert sentries, and mobile sentries, with randomized travel routes. Fourth, and most importantly—"

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife: "We must take the initiative. If the enemy wants to come in, we'll set a trap for them. Starting tomorrow, I will select capable personnel to form a special operations team. Externally, they will be ordinary security officers responsible for patrolling the factory area; internally, they will be our eyes and ears, specifically responsible for discovering, identifying, and monitoring all suspicious persons and abnormal situations."

Lin Hongjie was thrilled and slapped his thigh: "Great! We'll do it your way! Just let us know what support you need! The factory's Party Committee has given us the maximum authorization!"

"Equipment." Wang Luofei said bluntly, "I've looked at the current equipment list, and it mainly consists of old-fashioned Type 54 pistols and a small number of submachine guns. That might be enough to deal with desperate criminals, but it's insufficient firepower against well-prepared professional spies. I heard that Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo designed a new automatic rifle?"

"You mean the Type 81 rifle?" Lin Hongjie's eyes lit up. "That's right! The blueprints have already been handed over to our sister factory for mass production. But our factory also has experimental small-batch production capabilities. I even submitted a report a few days ago to see if we could allocate a batch to our security department to replace our old equipment. The report was just submitted, and it hasn't been approved yet."

"I'll report and expedite it," Wang Luofei said decisively. "This new rifle far surpasses our existing equipment and must be prioritized for distribution to our frontline security personnel. In addition, we also need to equip ourselves with a batch of night vision equipment, miniature communication devices, and reconnaissance vehicles. I will submit these special applications to higher authorities in the name of the Security Department."

"That's great!" Lin Hongjie rubbed his hands excitedly. "Old Wang, with you here, I can finally relax a bit. Come on, let me take you to your place to settle in. It's in the staff quarters behind the factory; I specially reserved a quiet little courtyard for you."

As the two were talking, there was a knock on the door of the command room.

"Report!"

"Come in."

A young security officer pushed open the door and saluted: "Minister Lin, there's an old man at the door who says he's from No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, surnamed Yan, and wants to see you."

"Yan Fugui?" Lin Hongjie was taken aback for a moment, then frowned. "What does he want from me? That old miser, he never comes here unless he needs something. I told him I was in a meeting and didn't have time."

"Wait a minute," Wang Luofei suddenly spoke up, looking at Lin Hongjie, "No. 95 Nanluoguxiang? Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo, doesn't he live in that compound too?"

"Yes, Chief Engineer Wang lives in the west wing." Lin Hongjie nodded.

"Let him in." A barely perceptible glint flashed in Wang Luofei's eyes. "It's a neighbor visiting, so let's meet him. Sometimes, the most unassuming person can see things differently."

Section 3: The stingy old man comes to fawn over his children and grandchildren, his every calculation aimed at their children and grandchildren.

Yan Fugui stood at the entrance of the security department building, his heart pounding with anxiety. He carried a net bag containing two things: a packet of jasmine tea carefully wrapped in old newspapers, the date of which was last year; and a glass jar containing dozens of small cucumbers that he had picked before they fully matured from his own yard.

These two "gifts" were carefully selected by him and were the result of repeated consideration.

Giving tea as a gift would make him look respectable, like a proper gift. But he couldn't bear to buy new tea, so he took out a bag of old tea that had been sitting at home for almost a year and had become damp and had a slightly off-flavor. He thought that a big shot like Minister Lin must have tasted all kinds of good tea. Maybe he would like this "aged aroma"? Even if he didn't drink it, giving it away would still be a favor.

Sending pickled cucumbers shows closeness and is a heartfelt gesture from his own produce. The key is that it costs nothing! Those cucumbers were meant to have their stems removed before they grew too big anyway, so he just pickled them—the cost was practically zero. If Minister Lin accepted them, tasted them, and liked them, it would be a continuous "emotional investment"; if he didn't like them, he hadn't lost anything.

As for why he came to find Lin Hongjie, Yan Fugui had a lot of plans in mind.

Firstly, it's about building a relationship. Lin Hongjie is now the head of the security department, a higher rank with more power. His son, Yan Jiecheng, works at the Hongxing Motorcycle Factory (a branch factory under the Hongxing United Industrial Corporation). Although he's kept his job for now, he still has a criminal record, and who knows if the leaders have any reservations? If he can get along well with Minister Lin, he'll have someone to talk to if his son gets into trouble at the factory again in the future.

Secondly, he was scouting the situation. There had been quite a bit of activity at the factory lately. The security department had been upgraded to a security division, and it was rumored that they were bringing in personnel from the military, adding many new faces. Yan Fugui, a shrewd and calculating man, suspected this was related to those "powerful gadgets" Wang Huanbo had come up with. If he could get in touch with Minister Lin, he might be able to learn some inside information beforehand. Information was a resource, and resources could potentially turn into benefits.

The third and most important calculation was that he wanted to try to find a way to get his second son, Yan Jiefang, into the Hongxing Factory, even if it was just as a temporary worker!

Yan Jiefang graduated from junior high school more than half a year ago and has been staying at home idly ever since. The neighborhood committee arranged several temporary jobs for him, but he either complained that they were too tiring or the pay was too low. Seeing that he was getting older every day, he couldn't just drift along like this. The Hongxing Factory was currently a hot commodity, with good benefits and promising prospects. If they could get Jiefang in, even as a basic apprentice, he could earn ten or twenty yuan a month, which would be a stable income for the Yan family!

But he also knew that the Red Star Factory had high entry requirements; without connections, it was impossible to get in. What powerful connections could a primary school teacher like him have? After thinking it over, only the newly appointed Minister Lin might be able to put in a good word for him. After all, he and Lin Hongjie were somewhat "acquainted"—when Lin Hongjie was the head of security, Yan Fugui, as the third oldest man in the compound, had dealt with him a few times when handling some neighborhood matters. Although their relationship wasn't deep, they were still "familiar faces."

"Master Yan, Minister Lin invites you in," a young security officer announced.

Yan Fugui quickly forced out his most enthusiastic and humble smile, nodding and bowing, "Oh, okay, okay, thank you, comrade, thank you, comrade!"

He carried the net bag and followed the officer into the small building, feeling both nervous and expectant. Upon entering the command room, he saw Lin Hongjie sitting with a middle-aged man who was a stranger but had an extraordinary air about him, and he quickly went over to him.

"Minister Lin! I'm sorry to disturb your work!" Yan Fugui first placed the net bag on the chair against the wall, then took out a pack of "Daqianmen" cigarettes from his pocket—he had bought this specially. He usually only smoked "Economy" brands, which cost eight cents a pack, while "Daqianmen" cost thirty-five cents, which pained him greatly. But for his son, he accepted the investment!

"Here, Minister Lin, have a smoke, have a smoke!" He took out a cigarette and respectfully handed it to him.

Lin Hongjie waved his hand: "I've quit. Master Yan, please sit down. This is our new Deputy Minister Wang from the Security Department."

Yan Fugui was startled and quickly turned to Wang Luofei, his smile widening: "Minister Wang! Hello, hello! I am Yan Fugui, a teacher at Nanluoguxiang Elementary School. I live in courtyard number 95, the same courtyard as Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo! Please have a cigarette!" He then handed her a cigarette.

Wang Luofei glanced at the cigarette, then at Yan Fugui's shrewd and calculating eyes, and smiled faintly: "Thank you, I don't smoke. Master Yan, please have a seat. Is there something you need from Minister Lin?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Yan Fugui sat down, half his bottom touching the edge of the stool, waving his hands repeatedly. "I just heard that Minister Lin got promoted, and the Security Department became the Security Bureau. That's great news! It shows that our factory is getting more and more valued! As a neighbor, I'm also proud! I don't have anything fancy at home, so I brought some tea leaves I dried myself, and some cucumber slices my wife pickled—a little bit of local produce. It's just a small token for the two ministers to try. Please don't mind!"

As he spoke, he got up to get a net bag. The packet of tea wrapped in old newspaper and the meager jar of pickled cucumbers were thus presented to the two ministers.

Lin Hongjie's lips twitched, and he cursed inwardly: This stingy Yan really knows how to put something out of his mouth! The tea bag is covered in yellowed newspaper! And that cucumber knob is thinner than a little finger!

Wang Luofei remained unfazed, even reaching for the jar of pickled cucumbers, opening the lid, smelling them, and nodding: "Hmm, well pickled, it's the old-fashioned way. Master Yan is very thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Yan Fugui was overjoyed and quickly seized the opportunity: "Minister Wang, I'm glad you like it! It's homegrown, it's not worth much! It's just for the freshness! You and Minister Lin work day and night for the factory and the country, so this little token of our appreciation is only right!"

He observed their expressions and, seeing that Wang Luofei seemed more approachable, tentatively began, "Minister Wang, you're new here, so you might not know. Our No. 95 compound, though small, has very harmonious neighborly relations. Chief Engineer Wang lives in the west wing; he's a low-key person, highly learned, and an honor to our entire compound! As the third oldest in the compound, I usually help mediate neighborhood disputes and maintain the compound's cleanliness, just hoping to create a quiet and safe environment for Chief Engineer Wang so he can focus on his research and make greater contributions to the country!"

He spoke in a grand and righteous manner, portraying himself as one of Wang Huanbo's "protectors".

Wang Luofei looked at him with great interest: "Oh? Master Yan is very familiar with the situation in the courtyard?"

"I know them inside and out! I know them all!" Yan Fugui slapped his thigh. "I know every single one of the more than twenty households in the courtyard—how many people are in each family, what they do for a living, and who they associate with! I'm not bragging, but if a stranger comes to the courtyard, I can tell seven or eight parts of them just by looking at them!"

That's the truth. Yan Fugui is indeed stingy, but he has a keen eye for detail and a good memory. He knows everything about the households in the courtyard.

"Has anything unusual happened in the courtyard recently? Or have any unfamiliar faces been wandering around?" Wang Luofei asked casually.

Yan Fugui's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized that this was a good opportunity to show off! His mind raced, and he went through everything he had seen and heard recently, like sifting through a sieve.

"Well... Minister Wang, now that you mention it, I do remember something." He lowered his voice, adopting a mysterious air. "Just a few days ago, about... half a month ago, there was a junk collector who kept loitering around our alley for three or four days. Normally, junk collectors move around every day or two, but he kept hanging around our area, which was a bit strange. I paid special attention to him; he was in his forties, dark-skinned and thin, pushing a rickety cart. He shouted quite loudly, but his eyes kept glancing into the courtyards, especially... especially towards the west wing of Chief Engineer Wang's house."

Wang Luofei and Lin Hongjie exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious.

"And another thing," Yan Fugui said, getting even more excited after seeing that he had attracted attention, "Just last week, a woman who claimed to be conducting a census in the neighborhood went door-to-door registering people. When she came to our compound, she asked very detailed questions, not only about how many people were in her family and where they worked, but also whether she had any relatives working in special units, and whether anyone had recently traveled far away. I thought to myself, this census is asking way too many questions, unlike the usual neighborhood aunties who ask such questions. That woman was in her thirties, wore glasses, and spoke in a very refined manner, like a cultured person."

"Do you remember exactly what she looked like? Or what were her distinguishing features?" Wang Luofei pressed, her tone still steady, but her eyes more focused.

"Features..." Yan Fugui tried hard to recall, "Not very tall, probably up to my ear. Round face, and there seemed to be a faint mole on her left eyebrow. Oh right, the registration book she was holding had a kraft paper cover, it looked quite new, but there seemed to be a small water stain on the lower right corner, about the size of a fingernail. I have good eyesight, I could see it clearly."

A hint of approval flashed in Wang Luofei's eyes. This Yan Fugui, though shrewd and calculating, actually had quite good observation and memory skills. The details he mentioned were very valuable.

"Master Yan, the information you provided is very important," Wang Luofei said solemnly. "In the future, if you discover any suspicious people or things, you can come directly to the Security Department to find me, or Minister Lin. Remember, don't alert them; just quietly write it down and tell us."

"Definitely! Definitely!" Yan Fugui's face turned red with excitement. He felt like he was really involved in a "big event," and his back straightened up unconsciously.

Having laid the groundwork, he finally cautiously revealed his true intentions.

"Um... Minister Lin, Minister Wang, there's something else I'd like to trouble you two with." He rubbed his hands together, his face plastered with a fawning smile. "My second son, Yan Jiefang, is a junior high school graduate. He's honest and hardworking. He's been unemployed at home for half a year now, and I've been trying to find him a proper job so he can learn some skills and contribute to the country's development. I heard our factory is expanding, and we might... need some people. Could you two... help me inquire if any workshop is short of an apprentice or something? Even a temporary worker would be fine! We're not afraid of hardship or fatigue!"

He finally blurted out the request he had been holding back for so long, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked expectantly at Lin Hongjie and Wang Luofei.

Lin Hongjie remained silent and looked at Wang Luofei. Wang Luofei was a vice minister and had been sent from above; he didn't want to easily express his opinion on such a minor personnel matter.

Wang Luofei pondered for a moment. He was new to the factory and unfamiliar with its personnel, but the information Yan Fugui had just provided was indeed valuable. Moreover, if used properly, this kind of person could perhaps become an "eye" and "ear" in the courtyard.

"Master Yan," Wang Luofei began slowly, "the factory has strict rules and procedures for recruiting workers, requiring standardized exams and background checks. Our security department doesn't directly handle production recruitment. However..."

He changed the subject: "What you just reported is very good, which shows that you have a strong sense of vigilance and responsibility. Here's what I'll say: I'll take note of this. When I have the opportunity, I'll mention it to the relevant department. But let me make this clear: it's just a suggestion. Whether it works out or not depends on the factory's regulations and the child's circumstances. I can't guarantee anything."

"Oh! Thank you, Minister Wang! Thank you, Minister Wang!" This was exactly what Yan Fugui wanted to hear! Even a little hope of being "mentioned" was better than nothing! He immediately stood up and bowed ninety degrees to Wang Luofei. "With your words, I am eternally grateful! Whether it succeeds or not, that's up to the child's fate! Regardless of the outcome, I, Yan Fugui, will definitely pay close attention to your safety, Chief Engineer Wang's, and Minister Lin's! Don't worry!"

Having achieved his goal, Yan Fugui was completely satisfied. He expressed his gratitude and loyalty at length before taking his leave with profuse thanks. As he left, his steps were light, feeling that the packet of aged tea and the jar of cucumbers he had given away were truly worthwhile! Not only had he not given them away (Wang Luofei had told him to take them back, saying she appreciated the sentiment but couldn't accept the gifts), but he had also received a promise from the vice minister that he would "remember," and had even gained face in front of the minister, demonstrating his value!

"That old Yan, he's really got a knack for scheming." Lin Hongjie shook his head and laughed as he watched Yan Fugui's departing figure.

"He's a shrewd man." Wang Luofei sat back down at the table, tapping her fingers on the surface. "Moreover, the clues he provided are likely not unfounded. That scrap collector, that census woman... they all need to be investigated immediately."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "The enemy has already caught wind and begun their move. We must act even faster."

Section 4: Upgrading from basic weaponry to advanced security, deploying hidden sentries to create a comprehensive network.

The "unexpected intelligence" brought by Yan Fugui further convinced Wang Luofei and Lin Hongjie that infiltration and reconnaissance targeting the Red Star Factory and Wang Huanbo had quietly begun. Upgrading and strengthening the security department's weaponry was now imperative.

Three days later, a batch of brand-new equipment arrived at the Hongxing Factory under tight security.

The first items distributed were firearms. Two hundred Type 81 automatic rifles, fresh off the factory's experimental production line, along with 300,000 rounds of ammunition, were issued to key personnel of the Security Department's directly subordinate guard units and the security departments of various branch factories. Compared to the existing Type 56 semi-automatic rifles and miscellaneous pistols, the Type 81 had stronger sustained firepower, higher accuracy, and was more suitable for defense and assault missions in the complex environment of the factory area.

The security officers who received their new guns were all delighted with them. At the firing range, the crisp, continuous bursts of fire replaced the sparse single shots of the past, and the brand-new cartridge cases bounced in the sunlight, gleaming with a brass luster.

"Great gun! It's a really good gun!" A veteran transferred from the military region stroked the black barrel of the rifle and said excitedly, "It's so much better than the ones we used to have! If we encounter armed criminals or spies, we won't be afraid of any number of them!"

In addition to rifles, the Security Department was also equipped with ten new silenced submachine guns for special environments and covert operations; five Soviet-made active infrared night vision devices for night reconnaissance (at this time, domestically produced low-light night vision devices were not yet mature); twenty military walkie-talkies covering the factory area and a surrounding five kilometers; and five Red Star Warrior (modeled after the Mercedes-Benz G-Class) off-road jeeps that had been modified and equipped with protective and communication equipment.

At the same time, the security plan personally drafted by Wang Luofei began to be fully implemented.

Centered on the core area where Wang Huanbo worked and lived—the office building of the chief engineer of Hongxing Factory, the core laboratory, and the west courtyard of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang—three three-dimensional defense lines were constructed.

The first line of defense is the outer perimeter security line. This is the responsibility of the expanded security departments of each branch factory, which establish fixed sentry posts and patrol teams at all entrances and exits of the factory area, around the perimeter walls, and at high points, operating 24 hours a day. The checks on personnel and vehicles entering and exiting are extremely strict. All non-factory personnel must possess a factory-level letter of introduction and have it verified by the security department before being allowed entry.

The second line of defense was the inner surveillance network. This was overseen by the Security Department's direct guard team, which deployed a combination of overt and covert sentry posts in the core research area, the archives, and Wang Huanbo's office floor. Wang Luofei personally designed several rotation plans and emergency response plans. More importantly, he began selectively recruiting "safety officers" from among ordinary workers and logistics personnel in non-critical but important positions. These unidentified safety officers, like an invisible net, were spread throughout the factory area, responsible for observing and reporting anomalies. Yan Fugui, due to his "proactive" and meticulous observation skills, as well as his "suitable" identity (Wang Huanbo's neighbor), was also included as a potential candidate for observation and development.

The third line of defense was the personal protection line. This was the most crucial link. Wang Luofei selected four of the most experienced and skilled officers from among those transferred from the Central Security Bureau to form Wang Huanbo's personal protection team. The team leader, codenamed "Rock," was thirty years old and had previously been responsible for protecting key leaders during numerous important events. They did not wear uniforms, usually appearing as drivers, secretaries, and researchers, always by Wang Huanbo's side. Their sole mission was to ensure Wang Huanbo's absolute safety with their lives.

Wang Huanbo himself was initially somewhat unaccustomed to these arrangements. He was used to a relatively free research environment, and the sudden appearance of several "shadows" around him made him feel a little awkward. However, after a sincere and serious conversation with Wang Luofei, and understanding the current serious situation, he came to understand and cooperated.

"Professor Wang, your safety is not only a matter of your personal safety, but also of the nation's strategic initiative in future technological competition." Wang Luofei's words were direct. "Please trust our expertise. Your task is to focus wholeheartedly on continuing to scale the heights of science and technology. Leave the rest to us."

On the other hand, Wang Luofei launched a secret investigation based on the two clues provided by Yan Fugui: "scrap collectors" and "women conducting census."

The investigation results were alarming. The "scrap collector" disappeared the day after Yan Fugui reported the incident, leaving no trace. The neighborhood office also stated that they had not organized any such "detailed survey" recently, and that the "round-faced woman with glasses" was not a neighborhood office staff member.

These two people were like drops of ink in water, appearing briefly before vanishing without a trace. But this precisely proves that their appearance was by no means accidental.

"They're a reconnaissance outpost," Wang Luofei concluded at the case analysis meeting. "They're probing, observing, and familiarizing themselves with the environment. The real main force has likely not moved yet, or has already infiltrated using methods we haven't yet mastered."

He walked to the huge factory map and circled several locations with a red pen: "Starting today, install hidden cameras and listening devices in these areas. I'll coordinate the latest equipment with the technical department. The special operations team will intensify its investigation of the social relationships of all single dormitories, collective household registrations, and recently transferred personnel within the factory area. Pay special attention to those who are alone, have unusual behavior patterns, or have connections to overseas or Hong Kong/Taiwan regions."

"Furthermore," he looked at Lin Hongjie, "Minister Lin, the residential area, especially Nanluoguxiang, also needs stronger security measures. I suggest that, under the guise of strengthening joint security by the street office, we set up fixed joint defense posts at the entrances of several alleys near No. 95 Courtyard, and assign our people to these posts as joint defense team members. At the same time, we should recruit a few residents like Yan Fugui who live in the courtyard, have strong observation skills, and are somewhat 'shrewd,' to serve as our peripheral informants. We don't need to tell them too much; just have them keep an eye out for strangers and report any unusual activity."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Lin Hongjie nodded.

A three-dimensional protective network, comprised of professional guards, technical monitoring, and information from the public, is slowly unfolding in and around the Hongxing Factory, awaiting the possible storms that may come.

Section 5: A storm is brewing, undercurrents are rising, yet the old man still fumbles with the abacus beads.

While the security department was busy setting up defenses, life in the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang seemed to continue on its original track.

Sha Zhu and Yu Li's life was blissful. Sha Zhu continued to work as the head of the canteen, and Yu Li was also happy with her job at the street printing factory. With their wedding date approaching, the young couple would occasionally drive around in their car, buying fresh food and wedding essentials, becoming the envy of the young people in the neighborhood.

After being detained and beaten, Yan Jiecheng became completely silent. He went to get off work on time every day, buried himself in his work in the motorcycle factory workshop, and spoke less and less, but his skills improved considerably. He went straight home after get off work, no longer wandering around the yard, and no longer glancing at the house of Sha Zhu in the Zhongyuan Court. Yan Fugui wasn't exactly satisfied with this outcome, but he was relieved—at least, his eldest son's "long-term meal ticket" was temporarily secured.

His thoughts were now mainly focused on his second son, Yan Jiefang. Ever since he returned from the Security Department that day and received a definite "I've got it" from Deputy Minister Wang Luofei, a small flame of hope had been ignited in Yan Fugui's heart. Almost every few days, he would find an excuse to wander around the vicinity of the Security Department building, or "bump into" Lin Hongjie or Wang Luofei as they left work, bowing and scraping to greet them, but never mentioning work, only repeatedly saying, "Everything is fine at the institute, Chief Engineer Wang is fine, with me here, you can rest assured."

He was waiting, waiting for the right opportunity, waiting for the outcome after Minister Wang "mentioned" him. This anticipation even lessened his heartache over the undelivered package of stale tea and pickled cucumbers—after all, the items were still there, and he could give them to someone else next time.

That evening, at the Yan family dinner table.

As usual, it was a thin cornmeal porridge so runny you could see your reflection in it, a plate of stir-fried cabbage with hardly any oil, and a few dark cornbread buns mixed with bran. The third aunt put a small chopstick of pickled vegetable shreds into each person's bowl.

Yan Jiefang took a bite of his cornbread and muttered, "Dad, is there any news about my job? I'm getting sick from being cooped up at home all day."

Yan Fugui sipped his porridge slowly, without even lifting his eyelids: "What's the rush? Good things come to those who wait. What kind of place is Hongxing Factory? Is it something you can just walk into? Minister Wang is a high-ranking leader, his word is law. Since he said it and remembered it, he'll definitely keep it in mind. What we need to do now is to be steady, don't rush us, don't ask us, or we'll seem naive and let the leader look down on us."

"But when will we be able to go?" Yan Jiefang was not very patient.

"Wait until your older brother gets his salary this month, then we'll see how things go." Yan Fugui already had a plan in mind. "If there really is an opportunity at the factory, we'll have to grease palms. These days, you can't get anything done for someone without a word. I've heard that if you want to get a permanent position at Hongxing Factory, even if it's just a temporary job that gets promoted, having a referrer isn't enough; you need to show the right 'heart.' That money will have to come from your older brother's salary."

Yan Jiecheng, who had been engrossed in his meal, paused slightly with his chopsticks upon hearing this, but remained silent.

"Why should I use my brother's money?" Yan Jiefang protested. "My brother needs to save money to get married!"

"You don't know anything!" Yan Fugui slammed his chopsticks on the table. "Your brother's money, that's all the family's money! Without the family feeding and clothing him, would he be where he is today? Now that he has a job, it's only natural for him to help the family and his brother! Besides, getting you into the factory means you have a job and earn money, isn't that contributing to the family too? It's an investment! You need to think long-term!"

The more he spoke, the more impeccable his logic seemed: "Jiefang, let me tell you, as long as you get into the Hongxing Factory and work hard, you'll become a full-fledged employee and earn over twenty yuan a month. Then, your brother's financial burden will lessen, the family will be better off, and it'll be easier for him to find a wife. Only then can our Yan family gradually prosper! It's a strategic plan!"

Yan Jiefang was speechless after his father's "family economics" explanation and could only drink his porridge in silence.

The third aunt cautiously interjected, "Honey, I heard... things seem pretty tense at the factory lately, with really strict checks for people coming and going. A lot of unfamiliar faces from the security department have also arrived, patrolling with guns. At this time, what if... the news about Liberation getting in..."

"What do you know, you're just a woman?" Yan Fugui interrupted her impatiently. "The more critical the moment, the more it shows how important the factory is! Getting in will make things safer! This is called chaotic times... oh no, this is called critical moments where opportunities are truly precious! Minister Wang and his team are strengthening security to protect the factory's important personnel and technologies, it's completely different from recruiting! Perhaps, it's precisely because we need to expand production and protect important technologies that we need more people!"

He felt his analysis was insightful and couldn't help but feel a little smug. He slurped up a mouthful of porridge and smacked his lips: "In short, I know what's going on with the liberation work. You all better keep your mouths shut, especially you. Don't go around talking about liberation. Wait for my news."

He put down his bowl, his mind already racing: This month, his salary is twenty yuan, fifteen to be handed over, leaving five. He'd try to cut back on household expenses as much as possible, hoping to squeeze out two or three yuan from those fifteen. Adding that to what he'd saved before, he figured ten or eight yuan for "extracurricular expenses" should be enough, right? Someone like Minister Wang probably wouldn't care too much; it's more about the sentiment…

As for how and when to send this "gift," whether to send it directly to Minister Wang or through other channels, he still needed to think it over. He'd heard that Sha Zhu from the canteen had a good relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li and Chief Engineer Wang, so perhaps... he could try to get it through Sha Zhu as well?

He shook his head, dismissing the idea. That kid, Sha Zhu, still harbors resentment towards his family because of Yu Li. Asking him for help? It might just make things worse. He'd have to rely on Minister Wang's "proper path."

Outside the window, night was deepening. In courtyard number 95, lights were gradually coming on in each house, revealing the everyday life and tranquility of ordinary people.

Meanwhile, in the command center of the security department of the Red Star Factory, which never sleeps, Wang Luofei had just finished listening to a new monitoring report.

"Target 'Night Owl' has made a move," the officer in charge of surveillance reported in a low voice. "This afternoon, under the pretense of buying used machine tool parts, he tried to approach an old technician in Workshop 3. During the conversation, he repeatedly made subtle inquiries about the factory's 'electricity' and 'special materials.' After the old technician brushed him off with 'I don't know,' he didn't pursue the matter and left quickly. But we tracked him down and found that he later went to a small restaurant called 'Welcoming Spring,' where he had contact with a man wearing a mask and hat for about ten minutes in a private room on the second floor. Due to the distance and angle, we were unable to obtain clear images or audio recordings. The masked man was very cautious when he left, and our men lost track of him."

Wang Luofei stared at the location of "Yingchun Restaurant" on the map, her eyes cold.

"Have you investigated the restaurant owner and staff?"

"We've investigated. No issues were found with the background information so far, but the restaurant is in a very remote location and business is usually slow. We've already arranged for a surprise inspection under the guise of a hygiene check, and found nothing unusual. However, our people took advantage of the situation and left this in that private room."

The officer handed over an extremely small metal piece in a transparent evidence bag. It was irregularly shaped, like a piece of debris that had broken off from some machine.

Wang Luofei took it, examined it carefully under the light, and then smelled it, her brows furrowing slightly.

"There's a very faint... smell of machine oil and a special coolant. This isn't the kind of stuff used in ordinary machine tools." He handed it to a technician on loan from the research institute. "Take it to the lab immediately to analyze the components and compare them to our materials database. Focus on comparing them to the special lubricants and coolants that might be used in the equipment related to the 'Ark' project."

"yes!"

The technician left in a hurry.

Wang Luofei walked to the window and gazed at the deep night outside. The city was asleep, but in the darkness, an invisible battle was underway.

"Notify all locations that the masked man contacted by 'Night Owl' is a prime suspect, codenamed 'Shadow.' Strengthen surveillance and patrols around the factory area, especially Workshop 3, the power workshop, and the special materials warehouse. 'Shadow's' target is likely related to 'Ark's' technical clues."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the tense yet resolute faces in the command room.

"Comrades, the fox's tail has been revealed. It's time to tighten the hunter's net. Remember, our primary task is protection. But under the premise of protection, we must capture as many alive as possible and uncover the network behind them."

"yes!"

Once the order was given, the entire security system, like a sophisticated instrument, began operating at high speed once again.

The night was still long. Above the Red Star Factory, the starlight was dim, and the clouds hung low, foreshadowing an impending storm.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, Yan Fugui had just blew out the oil lamp. In the darkness, he was contentedly calculating how much he could "reasonably" siphon off his son's salary this month, and dreaming of his second son's "bright future," before falling into a deep sleep. He was unaware that the small matter he had casually mentioned during his "chance encounter" with Wang Luofei at the alley entrance that a craftsman who "sharpened scissors and knives" had been wandering around the area for two days and whose calls sounded somewhat out of town had been recorded and was about to form a subtle connection with the clues about "the shadow."

On this autumn night of 1958, the tides of the times and personal calculations, state secrets and the desires of the common people, intertwined in a complex and intricate way. On one side was the covert technological battle and iron-fisted defense concerning the fate of the nation; on the other side was the survival wisdom and shrewd calculations of ordinary people within their limited space. The two seemed parallel, but because of Wang Huanbo and the Red Star Factory, they were fatefully intertwined, together sketching a breathtaking yet mundane panorama of life in a special era.

The curtain is rising. Whether they are the players or the pieces, the guardians or the intruders, or even spectators like Yan Fugui who are calculating their own agendas on the edge of the game, they will all face their own turning points in the ensuing events.