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

When Jia Dongming returned from hunting yesterday, Zhao Jianguo, the captain of the first brigade, went to the canteen to help process the game. He noticed that most of the wounds on the game were located around the eyes, and immediately realized that the new section chief was exceptionally skilled.

Having served in the military, Zhao Jianguo believed in the supremacy of strength. He was deeply impressed by Jia Dongming's ability to hunt so many wild animals on his own, and he came to respect his superior.

In response to Jia Dongming's request, Zhao Jianguo was the first to reply, "Section Chief! Please rest assured, apart from those already on duty, the rest of the First Brigade will participate in the drills on time!"

"Section Chief! Our Third Brigade is the same; apart from those on regular duty and those on leave, all other members are guaranteed to be on time for morning exercises!"

Seeing that Zhao Jianguo had spoken first, Li Aijun, the captain of the Third Brigade, followed suit and expressed his opinion.

Seeing that both captains had expressed their commitment, Chen Jianfei, the captain of the Second Battalion, could only reluctantly reply, "The Second Battalion guarantees to complete the morning exercises!"

Seeing that the three team leaders had all expressed their opinions, Jia Dongming nodded slightly and said, "Although we have left the military and are working and living in the civilian sector, the security department is responsible for the safety and security of the steel rolling mill. Therefore, all team members must have the belief that 'I will be the first to fight, and I will surely win!'"

Thanks to all the readers for their support, after the meeting, Chen Jianfei's face darkened as he thought about how both the First and Third Battalions had sided with Jia Dongming.

He never expected that within just two days, the logistics department, the First Brigade, and the Third Brigade would all be on Jia Dongming's side, which meant that his plan to sideline Jia Dongming would become increasingly difficult to achieve.

Chen Jianfei returned to the Second Brigade office and saw a security guard sitting inside. He immediately called out, "Zhang Yi! Come to my office."

Upon hearing the sound, the security guard immediately stood up and quickly followed Chen Jianfei into his office.

After entering the room, Zhang Yi immediately asked Chen Jianfei, "Brother Chen! What brings you here?"

Chen Jianfei didn't answer directly, but instead ordered with a somber expression, "Close the door first!"

Zhang Yi closed the door as instructed. Seeing Chen Jianfei's serious expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chen! What's wrong with you today?"

Chen Jianfei sat down behind his desk, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself, tossed one to Zhang Yi, then struck a match, took a deep drag, and asked Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi! Have you taken care of everything I asked you to arrange yesterday?"

Upon hearing Chen Jianfei mention yesterday's events, Zhang Yi's expression changed instantly. He nervously advised, "Brother Chen! The special workshop is a key protected area in the factory. If this gets leaked, we'll lose our heads! Maybe... we should just forget about it?"

Upon hearing Zhang Yi's advice, Chen Jianfei's face twisted in anger, and he said in a somber voice, "There's no turning back now! I've already thoroughly offended Jia Dongming the other day. If he manages to gain a firm foothold in the security department, I'll be the first one he targets!"

"You must still remember the accident in Workshop 2 last year, right? As far as I know, Jia Dongming is Jia Dongxu's older brother."

If he knew that Jia Dongxu's death was not a work-related injury, but rather caused by your dereliction of duty, which led to equipment sabotage and ultimately Jia Dongxu's death, do you think Jia Dongming would let you off the hook?

Zhang Yi's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

The accident last year is still vivid in Zhang Yi's mind. However, he only remembers that Chen Jianfei handed him a cigarette when he checked on him before he took over his shift. As for why he fell into a coma afterward, he still can't figure it out.

When Zhang Yi heard Chen Jianfei bring up the old story again, he suddenly realized that the other party's request was very similar to the situation in Workshop 2 last year. This made him think to himself that his accidental fall asleep while on duty last year was probably not a coincidence.

After developing doubts, Zhang Yi became increasingly suspicious and even believed that the matter entrusted to him by Chen Jianfei was not as simple as it seemed.

Despite having a suspicion in his mind, Zhang Yi did not show it on his face. He simply hesitated and declined to Chen Jianfei, saying, "Brother Chen, the special workshop has regulations that each post must have at least three people on duty at the same time. I really can't avoid my teammates on duty and bring the items into the workshop."

Seeing Zhang Yi's troubled expression, Chen Jianfei made arrangements: "Don't worry, I will send someone to make some noise to distract the other two, and you can take advantage of that gap to send the things I have prepared into the workshop."

Last year, an accident occurred in Workshop 2. Someone broke into the factory area and damaged equipment while Zhang Yi was on night duty, which led to Jia Dongxu's death due to a malfunction in the machinery.

The factory later determined that the equipment was damaged by human error. Chen Jianfei soon came to the factory and pointed out that Zhang Yi's dereliction of duty caused the accident, which resulted in Jia Dongming's death.

At the time, Chen Jianfei claimed he would cover up Zhang Yi's negligence on duty, and Zhang Yi was grateful.

Looking back now, it's likely that Chen Jianfei was involved in what happened that night.

To test the waters, Zhang Yi cautiously asked, "Brother Chen, are you sure you just want to create a minor incident in the special workshop to bring down Section Chief Jia?"

Seeing that Zhang Yi was still hesitant, Chen Jianfei immediately persuaded him, "Zhang Yi, the special workshop is a key department of the factory. If there is any disturbance, Jia Dongming, the head of the security department, will definitely be held responsible."

But if something really serious goes wrong, I won't be able to escape being implicated. Why would I risk my future?

In the past, Zhang Yi might have believed these words, but now he was wary.

To test his theory, he probed again: "Brother Chen, could you give me a few more days to think about it?"

When Chen Jianfei saw that Zhang Yi was about to back down, he became furious and his tone turned cold: "Zhang Yi, although I suppressed the matter of your dereliction of duty last year, which led to the destruction of equipment and the death of Jia Dongxu, there are quite a few people in the department who know about it."

Now that Jia Dongming has secured his position as section chief, aren't you afraid that someone might leak this information to curry favor with him?

These words, ostensibly a reminder but actually a form of coercion, made Zhang Yi even more convinced that Chen Jianfei had ulterior motives.

Suppressing his doubts, Zhang Yi feigned hesitation and replied, "Brother Chen, I'll act according to the situation when I'm on duty tomorrow night. If there's an opportunity, I'll do as you say."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jianfei's anger turned to joy, and he patted Zhang Yi on the shoulder with a smile: "Good! Once I become the section chief, the captain of the Second Brigade will be yours!"

Zhang Yi felt increasingly uneasy about this promise, but still managed to force an expectant look: "Brother Chen, then I wish you all the best in advance."

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Jianfei's eyes, and he smiled, "I always treat my own people well. As long as you do your job diligently, I will never treat you unfairly."

Zhang Yi followed up, "Brother Chen, I'll come see you again before I take over my shift tomorrow night."

Seeing that Zhang Yi had finally agreed, Chen Jianfei's lips curled into a subtle smile: "No need, I'll wait for you at the intersection near your house tomorrow afternoon and give you the things then."

Zhang Yi nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll wait at the intersection tomorrow afternoon."

Chen Jianfei chose Zhang Yi because he was a loner, taciturn, and easy to control.

At this moment, he was unaware that his plan had reminded Zhang Yi of last year's accident and aroused his suspicion.

Chen Jianfei smiled and said, "Then it's settled. See you at the intersection tomorrow afternoon."

Zhang Yi suppressed his anger and maintained his composure, saying, "If Brother Chen has nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Watching Zhang Yi's departing figure, and recalling his reluctant agreement, a dark look crossed Chen Jianfei's face.

Thinking about tomorrow night's arrangements, Chen Jianfei muttered to himself, "Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi! Everyone says you're simple-minded, but I think you're just missing a screw. But that's perfect, someone as brainless as you is exactly the scapegoat I'm looking for."

Zhang Yi is usually not very talkative, but he's not stupid.

He hadn't suspected Chen Jianfei before mainly because Chen Jianfei, as the captain, had covered up his sleeping on duty, which made him always remember this favor and thus trust Chen Jianfei without reservation.

After leaving Chen Jianfei's office, Zhang Yi recalled how the other party had threatened him with Jia Dongxu's death from a work-related injury. He also remembered the unusual situation during his shift last year. At this moment, he was almost certain that he had fallen asleep on duty that day because he had smoked the cigarette that Chen Jianfei had offered him.

As Zhang Yi pondered what Chen Jianfei wanted him to do this time, he suddenly became suspicious of Chen Jianfei's true identity.

A guess that shocked and terrified him suddenly popped into his mind.

Once suspicion arose, Zhang Yi's first thought was to go and explain the situation to the other two captains.

But then he thought again, Chen Jianfei had been operating in the security department for many years, who knew if there were other accomplices lurking among them? In the end, he could only suppress the impulse.

Around 5 p.m., Jia Dongming, who had spent the day in the office reviewing documents, greeted his colleagues and then rode his bicycle toward the steel rolling mill.

"Uncle! An uncle said he's your colleague and has something very important to discuss with you."

Just as Jia Dongming reached the entrance of Nanluoguxiang, a child of about 18 years old suddenly ran over and blocked the road, looking up and saying something.

Jia Dongming didn't recognize the child. After listening to his story, he asked curiously, "Little friend, what did that uncle say to you?"

The child immediately replied, "He said your surname is Jia, and you are the head of security at the steel rolling mill. What he wants to tell you is very important to you."

When Jia Dongming saw that the child could accurately state his identity, he immediately realized that the other party was probably having something important to discuss by sending a message through the child.

He stopped smiling and asked seriously, "Did that uncle say where he was waiting for me?"

The child nodded: "He said he'd be waiting for you at the small tavern on Qianmen Street at seven o'clock in the evening."

You'll find out who he is when you meet him.

Upon hearing "the little tavern on Qianmen Street," Jia Dongming felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had heard it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

Without thinking about it any further, he smiled and said to the child, "Little friend, please tell that uncle that I will definitely be there on time tonight."

Jia Dongming couldn't guess who in the security department had contacted him, but the way the message was relayed in secret made him feel that things were probably not simple.

He got on his bike and rode towards No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

"Dongming! Time to get off work?"

As Jia Dongming pushed his cart into the front yard, Yan Bugui, who was watering the vegetables, greeted him warmly.

Jia Dongming looked at the watering can and the newly planted seedlings in his hand and said with a smile, "Uncle, you're really quick; you've already planted the vegetables."

"If this continues, your family can save a lot of money on groceries every year."

Yan Bugui said with a smile, "Dongming, I'm just a primary school teacher. My meager monthly salary has to support a family of six. It's not easy to find a way to save money, so of course I have to seize it."

Jia Dongming nodded: "Uncle, you're busy. I'll go home now."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Yan Bugui quickly called out to him, "Dongming, wait a moment, the Third Uncle has something he wants to ask you."

Jia Dongming stopped and turned around to ask, "Third Uncle, what is it?"

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, a little embarrassed, and asked, "Dongming, I heard you transferred Qin Huairu from the workshop to logistics, and her monthly salary increased by eight yuan. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, and considering Yan Bugui's usual temperament, Jia Dongming roughly guessed his intention and calmly replied, "That is indeed the case."

"Being a fitter wasn't a good fit for Huairu, so I asked the factory management to transfer her to another position."

Yan Bugui quickly replied, "Dongming, it's like this. My eldest son has been doing odd jobs outside since he graduated from junior high school."

"Could you... help me find him a job at the steel rolling mill?"

Although he had expected it, Jia Dongming was still speechless when he heard Yan Bugui ask for a job so bluntly. He thought to himself, "This old man Yan really dares to ask. He wants me to get his son a job in the steel rolling mill without even asking. Doesn't he consider whether it's even possible?"

Despite pondering this in his heart, Jia Dongming glanced contemptuously at Yan Bugui, then smiled and said, "Third Uncle! Right now, a temporary worker position at the steel rolling mill costs at least three hundred yuan. How much are you planning to pay Jie Cheng to buy this job?"