Courtyard House: The Long-Lost Eldest Son Returns with Military Merit

Jia Dongming was born in 1935. His father was Jia Youcai and his mother was Zhang Cuihua. In 1943, when Jia Dongming was eight years old, he went to the market with his father to buy grain. They were caught in a street shooting by Japanese soldiers. Jia Youcai and his father were separated while trying to escape.

While running, Jia Dongming tripped and fell, hitting his head on a stone block by the roadside, and immediately lost consciousness.

Not long after Jia Dongming collapsed, a theatrical troupe happened to pass by. When the troupe members saw him lying on the ground, they came to his aid.

When Jia Dongming regained consciousness, he had forgotten everything except his own name.

The troupe leader, seeing that he was young, took pity on him and took him in, and then took him back to Shanxi.

In 1944, the opera troupe was attacked by bandits on their way to perform in Ping'an County.

Just as Jia Dongming was facing another life-or-death situation, he was rescued by the Eighth Route Army passing by, and nine-year-old Jia Dongming thus became a member of the Eighth Route Army.

In 1949, during the Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign, Jia Dongming was knocked unconscious by enemy artillery fire while trying to save his regimental commander. When he woke up in a rear hospital, his body had been replaced by Jia Dongming from the future.

The fusion of two souls allowed Jia Dongming to recover fragmented memories, learning that he was originally from Beijing, that his father was Jia Youcai, and his mother was Zhang Cuihua. However, he still had no recollection of his family's address or the number of people living there.

After more than half a month of fusion, Jia Dongming, who came from the future, finally gained control of the body and became the master of this body.

After recovering from his injuries and returning to his unit, Jia Dongming quickly distinguished himself on the battlefield with his military skills, rising from squad leader to platoon leader, and then to deputy company commander and company commander!

On the battlefield in Korea, Jia Dongming repeatedly made meritorious contributions and was promoted from company commander to deputy battalion commander, and then to battalion commander.

In 1962, on the battlefield in India, Jia Dongming witnessed his battalion's medical officer treating wounded enemy soldiers when enemy soldiers detonated a hidden explosive device, dragged the medical officer, and rushed towards the soldiers clearing the battlefield, resulting in one death and three injuries in his own battalion.

Enraged, Jia Dongming immediately killed the remaining enemy soldiers.

Because of the killing of prisoners of war, Jia Dongming, who was supposed to be promoted to deputy regimental commander, not only lost his promotion opportunity but also faced a military trial.

After mediation by several leaders, Jia Dongming had no choice but to take off his military uniform and board the train back to Beijing amidst the farewell glances of his many comrades.

"Attention passengers! We have arrived at Sijiucheng Railway Station. Please gather your luggage and disembark in an orderly manner."

Just as Jia Dongming was deeply immersed in the intertwining memories of his two lifetimes, the train's arrival announcement came over the loudspeaker.

Jia Dongming picked up his luggage and followed the flow of people out of the Beijing Railway Station.

"Comrade! Who are you looking for?"

Around 10 a.m., after making several inquiries, Jia Dongming finally arrived at the gate of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Upon hearing the voice, Jia Dongming instinctively saluted the other person, then took out a letter of introduction from his pocket and introduced himself: "Hello comrade! My name is Jia Dongming. I have been ordered to report to the steel rolling mill. This is my letter of introduction."

The security personnel accepted the letter of introduction and, upon learning that the young man before them was their future superior, immediately stood at attention, saluted, and respectfully said, "Hello, Section Chief Jia! My name is Wang Jianjun, and I am a member of the First Brigade of the Security Section, currently on guard duty!"

Seeing Wang Jianjun's respectful expression, Jia Dongming did not put on airs as his future superior, but politely replied, "Comrade Wang Jianjun! I have not yet officially taken office, there is no need for such formality between us."

Wang Jianjun handed back the letter of introduction with both hands and respectfully introduced, "Section Chief Jia! The personnel department of this factory is handled by Deputy Factory Director Li, who is in charge of logistics. Your onboarding procedures need to be processed by him."

Please wait in the security room for a moment, and I will have someone take you there.

Jia Dongming smiled and thanked him, "Comrade Wang Jianjun! Thank you for your trouble!"

Jia Dongming hadn't been waiting in the security room for long when Wang Jianjun arrived with a young man, smiling and saying, "Section Chief Jia! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"This is Comrade Guo Weiguo from the Security Department office! He will take you to see Deputy Factory Director Li to complete the formalities."

After hearing this, Jia Dongming nodded his thanks to Wang Jianjun: "Wang Jianjun! Thank you so much!"

Several days ago, rumors circulated within the security department that a combat hero would be sent by higher authorities to the steel rolling mill to serve as the head of the security department.

Because of Jia Dongming's status as a combat hero, Guo Weiguo originally thought that the new section chief should be a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, but he found that he was much younger than expected when they met.

After exchanging pleasantries with Wang Jianjun, Jia Dongming said politely, "Section Chief Jia, Deputy Factory Director Li's office is on the second floor of the administration building. I'll take you there now."

Jia Dongming nodded with a smile: "Comrade Guo Weiguo, thank you for your trouble."

Before long, the two arrived outside Li Huaide's office.

Guo Weiguo knocked on the door and respectfully reported to Li Huaide behind the desk: "Deputy Factory Director Li, the newly appointed Security Section Chief, Comrade Jia Dongming, has come to complete his onboarding procedures."

As Jia Dongming walked in, he looked up and felt that Li Huaide's face looked somewhat familiar, but he didn't have time to think about it. He simply stepped forward and greeted him politely: "Hello, Director Li, I am Jia Dongming. This is my letter of introduction."

Upon seeing Jia Dongming, Li Huaide immediately stood up to greet him warmly: "Comrade Jia Dongming, we've been eagerly awaiting your arrival ever since the ministry notified us!"

With a humble expression, Jia Dongming handed over the letter of introduction and said, "Director Li, I look forward to your guidance in the future."

Li Huaide took the letter, turned to Guo Weiguo and instructed him: "Xiao Guo, take the letter of introduction to the personnel department to complete the onboarding process, and while you're at it, pick up Section Chief Jia's work protection supplies."

Guo Weiguo accepted the gift with both hands and solemnly replied, "Deputy Factory Director Li, Section Chief Jia, rest assured, I will definitely handle it properly."

Li Huaide added, "By the way, before you go to the logistics department to collect your labor insurance, go to the second canteen and tell the director to ask Shazhu to prepare a few dishes for lunch to welcome Section Chief Jia."

Hearing "Silly Pillar"

The two words stirred something in Jia Dongming's heart, and he suddenly remembered a TV series called "Full House of Love".

Upon further considering the names of the parents of this body—Jia Youcai and Zhang Cuihua—he was immediately alarmed: Could it be that he had not only transmigrated into the story, but also become Jia Zhangshi's eldest son, who had never appeared in the story?

To confirm his guess, Jia Dongming tentatively asked, "Director Li, is the 'Silly Zhu' you mentioned named He Yuzhu?"

Li Huaide looked slightly surprised: "Section Chief Jia knows him too?"

With this answer, Jia Dongming fully understood his situation.

He suppressed his helplessness and calmly explained, "I don't know him, but I think I've heard people mention this name before."

Li Huaide had always been dissatisfied with Sha Zhu's behavior of relying on his cooking skills and getting backed by Director Yang, and of not taking him seriously. If it weren't for his excellent cooking skills, he would have wanted to transfer him out of the canteen long ago.

Hearing Jia Dongming say this, they didn't delve into it further and instead talked about compensation:

"Section Chief Jia, the factory held a special meeting to discuss your arrangements after receiving the transfer order."

Director Yang suggested that the employee be demoted by half a grade to level 16, with a monthly salary of 115 yuan.

Considering your status as a veteran and combat hero, I raised a motion for reconsideration at the meeting, and the final decision was to set the level at fifteen, with a monthly salary of one hundred and thirty-five yuan.

Jia Dongming remembers that although Li Huaide in the drama was greedy and lustful, he was honest and straightforward in doing things for money, which made him more genuine than some people who were upright on the surface but despicable behind the scenes.

At this moment, the other party was clearly trying to win him over and set obstacles for Director Yang. Jia Dongming was naturally willing to accept this olive branch—the security department was under dual management and had the right to supervise the factory leaders. More support was not a bad thing.

So he replied sincerely, "Director Li, I won't say much in thanks. Time will tell, and you'll see my true character in the future."

Although he did not explicitly say he would fully support her, these words made Li Huaide feel that his efforts to win her over were beginning to bear fruit.

To improve his relationship with Jia Dongming, Li Huaide readily told Jia Dongming, "Section Chief Jia! In addition to your salary and benefits, the factory has also considered your housing situation."

"Based on your job rank, the factory should have allocated you an apartment in the dormitory building, but all the dormitory buildings are currently full, and it will be difficult to coordinate and arrange one in the short term."

"The factory has a detached house of about 300 square meters next to the courtyard house at No. 95 Tongluoguxiang. It originally belonged to a level 7 engineer, but he was transferred to work in the north half a year ago, and the house has been vacant ever since."

"If you agree, this yard will be allocated to you for living?"

While the tenement buildings were convenient, Jia Dongming, from a later generation, knew that in the future, such a 300-square-meter courtyard house would be of immeasurable value in Beijing.

Faced with Li Huaide's suggestion, Jia Dongming remained calm but was quite pleased in his heart. He replied calmly, "Director Li, I don't have high requirements for accommodation. I will follow the factory's arrangements."

Seeing that Jia Dongming was willing to accept a courtyard house rather than a tenement building, Li Huaide secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He then picked up the phone and said while cranking the handle, "Section Chief Jia, I will notify the Housing and Construction Section right away and ask them to send someone to Tongluoguxiang to prepare the house so that you can move in tonight."

After the call ended, Li Huaide put the receiver back, opened a drawer, took out an envelope, and handed it to Jia Dongming with a smile: "Section Chief Jia, considering that you have just returned from military service, various certificates and permits may be in short supply. This is a small subsidy from me personally for you."

Jia Dongming received military subsidies when he was demobilized and is not short of money at present, but he lacks various vouchers and certificates.

He accepted the envelope without hesitation and expressed his gratitude to Li Huaide: "Director Li, these vouchers are very timely for me, thank you so much!"

Around 11 a.m., the broadcast started, and Qin Huairu put down her work, grabbed her lunchbox and cloth bag, and hurried to the second canteen.

Meanwhile, Jia Dongming, who had already completed his onboarding procedures, was walking and talking with Li Huaide toward the small canteen.

Qin Huairu followed her coworkers to the entrance of the canteen. Just as she was about to enter, she saw Li Huaide and a young man walking towards the canteen.

"Who is this person? How come he looks so much like Dongxu?"

Staring at that familiar face, Qin Huairu stood frozen in place, gazing incredulously at the approaching figure.

"Huai Ru! Weren't you going to get food and go home? Why are you just standing here in a daze?"

Just as she was lost in thought, a voice from behind her snapped her out of it.

Yi Zhonghai's question brought Qin Huairu back to her senses. She quickly pointed over there and said, "Uncle! Look at that young man, he looks exactly like our Dongxu."

Yi Zhonghai looked in the direction she was pointing and saw several factory staff members walking over with lunchboxes. He couldn't help but ask, "Huai Ru, which one are you talking about?"

As Qin Huairu raised her hand, Jia Dongming had already followed Li Huaide into the small canteen.

Faced with Yi Zhonghai's question, she looked at the empty doorway and quickly explained, "The old man is the young man who was with Deputy Factory Director Li just now. He looks a lot like Dongxu."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai thought that Qin Huairu might have misread it, so he reminded her, "Huairu, Banggeng and the others are still waiting for you to bring them food at home. Hurry up and go in and line up."

When the topic of children came up, Qin Huairu stopped thinking about it and hurriedly walked into the cafeteria.

Around 1 p.m., Li Huaide, his face flushed, walked out of the small canteen and said to Jia Dongming, "Section Chief Jia, this is Comrade Guo from the Logistics and Housing Construction Section. He will take you to the Tongluoguxiang Subdistrict Office to complete the check-in procedures."

Jia Dongming shook hands with Li Huaide and thanked him, saying, "Director Li, thank you for your help!"

Subsequently, Jia Dongming, accompanied by Xiao Guo, arrived at the Tongluoguxiang Subdistrict Office.

"Xiao Guo, what brings you here today?"

As soon as the two arrived at the door, a middle-aged woman came out and greeted them warmly.

Xiao Guo introduced with a smile: "Director Wang, this is Comrade Jia Dongming, the newly transferred head of the security department of our steel rolling mill."

"The factory allocated the detached house where Engineer Xue Ping used to live at No. 95 Tongluoguxiang to Section Chief Jia. I brought him here specifically to handle the relevant procedures."

Then, Xiao Guo introduced to Jia Dongming: "Section Chief Jia, this is Director Wang from Tongluoguxiang Subdistrict Office."

Jia Dongming greeted him politely: "Director Wang, hello! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

After shaking hands with Jia Dongming, Director Wang said with a big smile, "Section Chief Jia! On behalf of the Tongluoguxiang Subdistrict Office, I warmly welcome you to settle down here."

He paused briefly and continued, "Number 95 is a well-regarded courtyard house in this area."

I'll accompany you to get your ration book and other paperwork first, and then I'll take you to see it.

About half an hour later, the relevant procedures were completed.