Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

Li Zhenhua needed a guide, so he nodded.

"Okay, thank you for your help. What's your name?"

"Reporting to the section chief, my name is Wang Jianjun, and I'm a member of the third team of the Security Section of the Security Department. I'm on duty at the gate today!"

The young security guard answered with his back straight.

"Okay, Comrade Wang Jianjun, then please take me there."

Li Zhenhua pushed his bicycle and, guided by Wang Jianjun, entered the factory area.

Throughout the journey, Wang Jianjun appeared somewhat reserved, yet he couldn't help but secretly observe his new superior with curiosity.

As Li Zhenhua walked, he observed the factory environment: tall factory buildings, crisscrossing pipelines, busy workers—everything was filled with the unique industrial atmosphere of this era.

"Comrade Wang Jianjun, could you give me a brief introduction to our Security Department?"

Li Zhenhua spoke first.

"Yes, Section Chief!"

Wang Jianjun seemed to have been called upon, his spirits lifted, and he began to introduce himself.

"Our security department has over 300 people in the entire factory, responsible for the factory's security, fire prevention, and production safety. The department is divided into several sections..."

Through Wang Jianjun's explanation, Li Zhenhua gained a preliminary understanding of the Security Department.

The Security Department has the following sections: Public Security Section, Fire Protection Section, Economic Security Section (mainly responsible for key departments such as warehouses and finance), Production Safety Section, and... Intelligence and Security Section.

"Intelligence and Security Section?"

Li Zhenhua's heart stirred as he remembered his appointment.

"Is this the department I'm going to?"

"Ah? You...you're the head of the Intelligence and Security Section?"

Wang Jianjun showed surprise again, then his eyes became somewhat complicated, with a hint of sympathy, which he quickly concealed.

"Yes...yes, Intelligence and Security Section."

Wang Jianjun hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and added.

"Section Chief Li, the Intelligence and Security Section... a few years ago it was the most powerful section in our department, specializing in counter-espionage and counter-intelligence, wielding immense power, and everyone in the factory was afraid of it. But... but the situation has changed in recent years, and the work there... um... isn't as busy anymore. Including you, there seem to be only five or six people in the section now, mostly older comrades..."

Li Zhenhua immediately understood.

In the early days of the People's Republic of China, when enemy agents were rampant, this "Intelligence and Security Section" was undoubtedly a core and vital department, possessing special powers such as investigation and interrogation.

However, as the situation stabilizes, its functions will inevitably weaken, turning it into a powerless department, or even an unpopular department for placing idle personnel.

Director Yang placed him in this position, which seems to be of a high rank, but in reality, it marginalizes his power. This is probably due to both fear of his background and not wanting him to be involved in core business, as well as the fact that he is young and is being "suspended" here for observation.

"Oh, I see."

Li Zhenhua's expression remained calm, showing no disappointment or dissatisfaction; he simply nodded slightly.

Guided by Wang Jianjun, Li Zhenhua arrived at a separate two-story building next to the factory's office building.

The small building looks older than the main office building, with peeling paint revealing the red bricks underneath, exuding a sense of silence forgotten by time.

"Section Chief Li, this is the Security Department. The director's office is on the first floor at the very back. The Intelligence and Security Section is on the second floor at the east end."

Wang Jianjun pointed to the small building, his tone respectful.

"Thank you, Comrade Wang Jianjun. You can go back to your work now."

Li Zhenhua nodded, propped up the bicycle in the open space in front of the building, and locked it.

"Yes, Section Chief! Please let me know if you need anything!"

Wang Jianjun saluted and jogged back to his post.

Li Zhenhua straightened his collar and stepped into the small building.

The hallway was dimly lit.

Compared to the roar of the machines in the factory area, it was almost too quiet here.

Following the instructions, he walked to the end of the first floor and knocked on the door of the room with the sign that read "Director's Office".

"Please come in."

A slightly muffled voice came from inside.

Li Zhenhua pushed open the door and entered. The office wasn't large, and the furnishings were simple: a desk, a few filing cabinets, and a pair of old sofas. A middle-aged man, around fifty years old, slightly overweight, and with thinning hair, was sitting behind the desk looking at documents.

He looked up at Li Zhenhua with a scrutinizing gaze, his face expressionless and cold.

"Reporting to the director, I am Li Zhenhua, the newly appointed head of the Intelligence and Security Section. Reporting for duty!"

Li Zhenhua stood still and introduced himself in a calm tone.

The head of the security department is named Sun Weimin.

He looked Li Zhenhua up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on his young face and brand-new Zhongshan suit, before slowly putting down the documents.

"Oh, Comrade Li Zhenhua, please have a seat."

Sun Weimin pointed to the chair opposite him, his tone neither warm nor cold, revealing no enthusiasm whatsoever.

"Director Yang called yesterday to inform us that he's sending a young and promising section chief to our security department. That's you."

Li Zhenhua sat down as instructed, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

"Yes, Director, I look forward to your guidance in the future."

Sun Weimin took out a cigarette case from the drawer, lit one, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke, without offering to smoke.

He leaned back in his chair, squinting at Li Zhenhua.

"It's not really about guidance. Our security department, especially your intelligence section, doesn't have a heavy workload right now. We just need to follow the established procedures."

Sun Weimin flicked his cigarette ash, his tone somewhat nonchalant.

"Young man, it's good to have ideas, but you also need to be down-to-earth. The intelligence section is mainly responsible for some file organization and follow-up on historical issues. There are no urgent, difficult, or dangerous tasks. After you go there, just get familiar with the situation and lead the older comrades to do the daily work well."

Li Zhenhua understood.

This Director Sun was clearly not one of Director Yang's cronies, and Director Yang probably didn't tell him about Li Zhenhua either, only saying that he was a new section chief.

Judging from his age and the fact that he was directly assigned to a sinecure position in the intelligence department, Sun Weimin probably saw himself as a scion sent by a high-ranking official's family within the system to gain experience. Naturally, he kept his distance and just drifted along as long as Sun didn't cause him any trouble.

"I understand, Director. I will familiarize myself with the work as soon as possible and cooperate with your arrangements."

Li Zhenhua echoed the other party's words, his face revealing no emotion.

Sun Weimin seemed satisfied with Li Zhenhua's "sensible" attitude and nodded.

"Well, that's good. The situation in your department... might be a little different from what you're thinking. There are a lot of older colleagues, and the pace is slow, so be prepared. Go ahead, go to the second floor, east end, and find Deputy Section Chief Zhou. He'll get things arranged for you."

The brief exchange was filled with a sense of detachment and formality, as if it were just business.

Sun Weimin clearly had no interest in learning more about his new subordinate, nor did he have any intention of introducing him to the department's situation or offering him support.

"Okay, Director, I'll head over now."

Li Zhenhua stood up, turned around, and left the director's office.

As Li Zhenhua walked out of the office, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

This feeling of being marginalized suited him perfectly.