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

Zheng Weimin grasped Jia Dongming's hand and said with a beaming smile, "Director Jia! I'll keep your words in mind. I'll be waiting for your good news at the General Administration."

After seeing Zheng Weimin off, Jia Dongming said cheerfully to Li Huaide beside him, "Director Li! I'll host a banquet tonight, and the two of us brothers will have a good drink."

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide smiled and nodded, replying, "Alright! Let's have a good drink tonight."

Upon seeing that Li Huaide had accepted the invitation, Jia Dongming recalled the case from the previous night and explained to Li Huaide, "Director Li! There is another matter I need to report to you."

Last night, during a routine patrol of the factory area, our Third Security Brigade discovered someone had broken into the scrap warehouse, attempting to steal scrap steel from the factory.

"Based on clues left by the suspect, we successfully apprehended the perpetrator—Qian the Cripple, a boiler room worker—and recovered a large quantity of stolen scrap steel from his home."

"Based on Qian the Cripple's confession, we investigated another underground gambling den located in Baochao Hutong and arrested dozens of gamblers, several of whom were employees of my steel rolling mill."

"These workers are currently being held in detention."

My security department recommends that each employee who gambles be fined fifty yuan.

As for how to handle it within the factory, that's entirely up to you.

After understanding the situation, Li Huaide finally grasped the details of the case that Jia Dongming had mentioned earlier, and then replied with a smile, "Director Jia! I completely agree with the Security Section's handling plan."

Regarding the factory, in the spirit of treating the sick and saving lives, I have decided to deduct half a month's salary from everyone's wages.

After listening to Li Huaide's opinion, Jia Dongming replied with a smile: "Director Li! My security department has no objection to the steel rolling mill's punishment decision. You can handle it as appropriate."

"Hey...feed...!"

"Fellow workers, we now have some good news to report: Comrade Jia Dongming, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, has been diligently performing his duties since taking office. Recently, he led the security department to successfully crack a case involving enemy agents targeting our mill, effectively safeguarding the property security of the steel rolling mill."

"After deliberation by the leaders of the Public Security Bureau, it was decided to award Comrade Jia Dongming a second-class merit, promote him from the rank of section chief to deputy division chief, and award him a cash reward of 300 yuan. At the same time, the factory will also award him a cash reward of 200 yuan."

"Furthermore, the General Administration of Public Security has decided to award the Security Section a collective third-class merit, a large tea mug, and 20 yuan in cash to each person. The steel rolling mill will also award each person an additional 10 yuan."

"In addition, during a patrol last night, the security department discovered a large amount of scrap steel in the waste warehouse of Qian San, a worker in our factory's boiler room."

After deliberation by the factory leadership, it was decided to dismiss Qian San and reclaim his allocated housing.

"Based on the clues provided by Qian San, the security department investigated an underground site in Baochao Hutong that night and found that more than ten of our factory's employees were involved."

Adhering to the principle of treating the sick and saving lives, the security department fined each person fifty yuan, and the factory deducted half a month's salary from each person's pay.

Inside the steel rolling mill's logistics warehouse office, a female worker, hearing the broadcast, smiled and said to Qin Huairu, "Huairu! Did you hear the broadcast? Your uncle has been promoted to deputy director! From now on, his monthly salary will be paid according to the 14th-level standard, 15 yuan per month!" "Section Chief Jia has only been in office for a few days, and he's already been promoted again!"

Inside the forging workshop, Liu Haizhong learned of Jia Dongming's promotion and a look of envy appeared on his face as he muttered to himself.

"Master Liu! Judging from your question, do you know Director Jia?"

Hearing Liu Haizhong's mutterings, a colleague nearby asked him curiously.

Upon hearing his colleague's question, Liu Haizhong recalled his relationship with Jia Dongming and immediately showed a smug look, boasting, "Section Chief Jia and I—no, I should call him Director Jia now—live in the same compound. I'm the second oldest in the compound."

When Director Jia sees me, he always calls me "Second Uncle".

We even had drinks together twice last week.

The colleague, believing Liu Haizhong's boast, said with an envious expression, "Master Liu! If we're talking about who has the most power in our steel rolling mill, it's definitely Director Jia."

After all, even the factory director can be arrested if he says so.

With such a close relationship with Director Jia, you'll be able to become a leader sooner or later with just a word from him.

Please take good care of us old colleagues then!

Liu Haizhong was not only obsessed with officialdom, but also simple-minded.

His colleague's flattery made him feel elated, as if he were about to take on a leadership position. He immediately assured his colleague, "Xiao Wang! If I really become a leader, I will never forget you."

For the members of the security department of the steel rolling mill, the first week after Jia Dongming took office was undoubtedly the happiest time of their lives.

During this week, they not only got to eat the pork they had been looking forward to, but each of them also received a bonus of seventy yuan.

All of this made the entire security department admire Jia Dongming, their new leader, to the highest degree.

At around 10:00 a.m., the staff from the Personnel Department of the General Administration arrived at the steel rolling mill and then accompanied Jia Dongming to the Dongcheng Branch.

"Director Zhou! Welcome to the Dongcheng Branch for inspection and guidance!"

Upon seeing Director Zhou, who was in charge, Li Xidong immediately stepped forward to greet him warmly.

Upon hearing this, Director Zhou smiled slightly and said to Li Xidong, "Director Li, I'm not here to provide guidance this time, but specifically to send you key personnel."

Jia Dongming then stepped forward, saluted Li Xidong, and said solemnly, "Hello, Director Li! From now on, I will work under your leadership, and I look forward to your guidance and criticism!"

After returning the greeting, Li Xidong said with a big smile, "Director Jia, I've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."

Come, let me introduce you to the comrades in the branch office...

Jia Dongming met with the branch bureau leaders in turn to greet them, and then entered the branch bureau building accompanied by Li Xidong.

After lunch, it was past 1 p.m. Jia Dongming remembered the blacksmith shop that Qian the Cripple had mentioned and instinctively felt that there must be something fishy about it, so he rode his bicycle back to the steel rolling mill.

After changing into casual clothes in the office, he got back on his bicycle and headed toward the blacksmith's shop.

Following the clues provided by Qian the Cripple, Jia Dongming rode for more than twenty minutes and finally found the blacksmith shop.

A "clang" sound came from inside the shop.

Despite the clanging of metal, he didn't stop, but rode past like any other passerby.

After passing the shop, Jia Dongming continued forward until he stopped at a bend in the road, braced himself on one foot, and turned to look at the blacksmith shop not far away.

After staring for a moment, Jia Dongming activated his Eagle Eye skill to investigate the situation inside the shop.

Just as he expected, there was a basement in the backyard of the shop, which contained a radio and several boxes of weapons.

"It seems that those stories about courtyard houses are not unfounded; this blacksmith shop is indeed an enemy spy stronghold."

According to those descriptions, this group also hides a secret vault in the mountains on the outskirts of the city; it seems we'll have to keep a close eye on that place.

This discovery stirred up Jia Dongming's emotions, but he did not linger and immediately rode his bicycle toward the trust store.

"Comrade, what would you like to see?"

As soon as Jia Dongming entered the trust store, a clerk came up to greet him warmly.

Jia Dongming took out a pack of Peony cigarettes from his pocket, handed one to the shop assistant, and then said, "Comrade, do you sell wooden doors here?"

"Thank you for the cigarette!"

The shop assistant took the Peony cigarette, his eyes lighting up. He quickly thanked her, tucked the cigarette behind his ear, and then introduced, "Sir, we have several kinds of wooden doors here. Would you like them for outdoor or indoor use?"

Jia Dongming replied, "I plan to open a small door in the courtyard wall so that it will be more convenient for people to come and go."

Do you have any suitable recommendations?

The salesperson nodded and said with a smile, "Comrade, if you're going to install it outdoors and it's frequently exposed to sun and rain, I suggest you choose oak or mahogany."

Both types of wood are moisture- and rot-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor use.

We happen to have a few doors like these in the shop. Let me show you to the warehouse.

After saying this, the clerk told his colleague, took the keychain from the counter, and led Jia Dongming toward the warehouse.

Before long, the two arrived at a warehouse.

Looking at the various pieces of furniture displayed inside, Jia Dongming couldn't identify the specific wood, but he knew that in later generations, Phoebe zhennan, rosewood, and huanghuali wood would all be very valuable.

If you can save some now, it will undoubtedly be a considerable fortune in the future.

"Comrade, these doors are all suitable for outdoor installation."

These two doors are made of mahogany, and the other three are made of oak.

The shop assistant led Jia Dongming to the wooden door display area and enthusiastically introduced the doors.

Jia Dongming examined the wooden door in front of him and said to the salesperson with a hint of apology, "Comrade, I'm not very good at choosing doors. Could you give me some advice?"

Perhaps because of the cigarette from before, the shop assistant explained very enthusiastically, "Sir, oak is hard, strong, and has excellent waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties, making it especially suitable for places like outdoor doors that are frequently exposed to rain."

"Redwood is also an excellent material for making durable doors. It is water-resistant, corrosion-resistant, not easily deformed or damaged, and has a high hardness, making it not easily scratched or worn."

Personally, I think if you're on a tight budget, choose oak doors; if you have a larger budget, mahogany doors are a better choice.

After listening, Jia Dongming had an idea. Pointing to one of the doors, he asked, "Comrade, how much is this mahogany door?"

The shop assistant looked at the door and replied, "Sir, this door has undergone special waterproofing treatment, so the price is a bit higher."

The door and frame cost thirty-seven yuan in total.

After hearing the price quoted by the shop assistant, Jia Dongming did not hesitate and replied with a smile, "Comrade, I'll take this door."

Also, if you have any fine furniture here, please recommend a few pieces to me as well.

The shop assistant understood Jia Dongming's meaning and asked with a smile, "Comrade, do you have a general price range in mind?"

Jia Dongming took out a freshly opened pack of Peony cigarettes from his pocket, handed it to the shop assistant, and calmly replied, "I only pick the ones that catch my eye; you don't need to worry about the price."

The sales clerk took the cigarette and immediately understood Jia Dongming's implication. He smiled and said, "Comrade, let me take you to the counter to settle the payment for this door first, and then arrange for someone to help you move the door out. After that, I'll take you to see some other furniture."

Jia Dongming nodded in agreement, and after paying the clerk for the door, he followed him to another warehouse.

The moment the shop assistant unlocked the warehouse door with the key, a fresh scent of wood wafted out.

Only when the lights in the warehouse came on could Jia Dongming see the various pieces of furniture neatly arranged inside.

After the lights came on, the shop assistant immediately introduced the furniture to Jia Dongming: "Comrade, these pieces of furniture are all antiques from the Ming and Qing dynasties."

The set in front of you is made of rosewood and includes a canopy bed, matching chairs, stools, and a table.

"And this set over here is..."

As Jia Dongming strolled around, he listened to the shop assistant's explanations, and in his heart, he almost wanted to buy all the furniture in the shop.

However, considering the possibility of what might happen in the future, he had to suppress the idea and ultimately chose a set of stable-style rosewood furniture, for which he paid more than two hundred yuan.

After paying, Jia Dongming asked the trust shop to help him hire a few carts. After telling the cart drivers his address, he rode his bicycle back to Luogu Lane.

"Dongming, I heard from people in the compound that you received a second-class merit award and a 300 yuan bonus. Is that true?"

As soon as Jia Dongming pushed his bicycle into the front yard, the three aunties came up to him and asked with envy.

Seeing the other person's envious expression, Jia Dongming smiled and nodded, replying, "Third Auntie, it was just a coincidence that she helped capture a few enemy agents, for which the organization awarded her a second-class merit medal."

"Dongming, where's the medal? Bring it here so Mom can see it."

No sooner had Jia Dongming finished speaking than Jia Zhangshi, who was in the middle courtyard, heard the conversation in the front courtyard and hurriedly rushed there, excitedly asking Jia Dongming the question.