Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Sitting to Wu Tiansheng's left, a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man with sharp, hawk-like eyes was the first to stand up, his voice booming:

"Security Section, Wang Meng! Report to Director Liu!" The voice was booming, carrying a fierce air.

A woman in her thirties next to him, equally capable but with a slightly more composed demeanor, stood up: "Security Section, Deputy Section Chief Liu Hong. Hello, Director Liu."

Next, from the Public Security Section, a middle-aged man who looked rather shrewd stood up: "Public Security Section, Wang Liang. Welcome, Director Liu."

The deputy section chief next to him, Zhao Jiaping, was a tall, thin man with a calm gaze: "Zhao Jiaping, deputy section chief of the Public Security Section."

"Okay, I've met everyone. The other section chiefs and deputy section chiefs are currently on duty and can't come."

Wu Tiansheng waved his hand. "You will report the specific tasks to Director Liu in detail after the meeting. Meeting adjourned!"

After the meeting, Liu Jianguo led Wang Meng, Liu Hong, Wang Liang, and Zhao Jiaping back to his deputy director's office. The office suddenly felt a bit crowded.

"Please sit down, everyone. Let me briefly explain the situation." Liu Jianguo sat behind his desk, gesturing for them to sit down.

Wang Meng spoke first, his words concise and to the point:

"Director Liu, the security department currently has 54 people, and all 54 are present. They are mainly responsible for the internal security of the factory area, guarding key areas (warehouse, finance, and technical departments), checking personnel and vehicles entering and leaving the premises, and conducting preliminary interrogations."

Currently, we work in two shifts, with 27 people per shift. I am the section chief, in charge of everything, while Deputy Section Chief Liu is mainly responsible for internal affairs and archives.

Wang Liang then reported:

"The Security Section has 102 personnel, and all 102 personnel are present. They are mainly responsible for patrolling the perimeter of the factory area, joint security defense in the residential area, and cooperating with the police station to handle security incidents in the surrounding area."

Currently, we are divided into five teams, each with about 20 people, working in three shifts. I am the section chief, and Deputy Section Chief Zhao is mainly responsible for fieldwork and handling emergencies.

Liu Jianguo listened carefully, and formed a preliminary impression of the force that would soon be directly under his command.

The security department is the factory's "royal guard," requiring absolute reliability; the public order department has a wide scope and complex situations. He pondered for a moment and then gave the order:

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, gather all the staff of the Security Section and Public Order Section. I want to meet with you all and get to know you. Please arrange the venue and your tasks accordingly."

"yes!"

The four responded in unison.

"Also," Liu Jianguo paused, then added casually, "I need to go to the district armed forces department later to take care of some things. There might be four people looking for me; they're all relatives from my hometown who want to do something. If they come, please have them wait in my office for a while."

Wang Liang, quick-witted, immediately replied:

"Don't worry, Director, I'll personally bring them here to wait when they arrive."

After making the arrangements, Liu Jianguo got up and went to the district armed forces department. In Director Li's office, the stern-looking director seemed somewhat surprised to see him:

"Hey, Director Liu? You're making your mark as a new official, but instead of making a splash at the factory, you've come here to see me. What trouble have you run into?" The tone was laced with familiar teasing.

Liu Jianguo saluted, his face displaying just the right amount of embarrassment and earnestness:

"Director Li, please don't tease me. I do have a personal matter I'd like to ask for your help with. I... I have the descendants of four comrades-in-arms, whose fathers all... died in Korea."

They are all children of martyrs, and they practiced martial arts in the village since they were young. Their skills and character are impeccable. Now they want to find a way out in the city.

Do you think of a way to get them into our factory's security department?

Even being a temporary worker or a member of the community defense team would be fine, as long as it provides food for the children. That would be doing justice to our fallen comrades.

After listening, Director Li's joking expression vanished. He tapped his fingers on the table and frowned slightly.

"Jianguo, I understand how you feel. But even temporary workers in the security department have official positions and undergo background checks. Suddenly cramming four people in like this isn't in accordance with the rules..."

Liu Jianguo's face showed a timely expression of seriousness and determination.

Director Li looked at him, then thought of the teachers behind him, and finally sighed. He opened a drawer, took out several blank recruitment registration forms, and pushed them in front of Liu Jianguo:

"Sigh, rules are rules, but people are flexible. If I don't approve, you'll definitely go and pester your teacher again, with his temper... never mind, never mind, don't bother him. Here's the form, fill it out yourself!"

"Bring them here immediately to complete the formalities; I'll handle the background check. But let me make this clear beforehand: you have to keep a close eye on them. If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible!"

"Thank you so much, Director Li! Don't worry, the person is absolutely fine. I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

Liu Jianguo felt a weight lifted from his heart, quickly took the form, and solemnly promised.

Holding these four light yet substantial forms, Liu Jianguo knew that he had firmly laid the first foundation for his position in the steel mill and the courtyard house.

Director Li said directly, "The old leader gave you some specially supplied liquor and cigarettes, take them with you."

Liu Jianguo made some polite refrains, but ultimately took it.

1954

In winter, the cold seeps into your bones.

Liu Jianguo pushed open the door to his deputy director's office at the far end of the second floor of the security department. A whiff of air mixed with the smell of old newspapers, ink, and a faint coal smoke hit him. The afternoon sun slanted through the not-so-clean glass window, casting a few dim yellow spots of light on the cement floor, where dust motes stirred.

In the office, four figures, as straight as javelins, stood up instantly at the sound, their movements perfectly synchronized, even creating a slight rustling sound. Although they were all dressed in slightly worn blue cotton-padded jackets and trousers, their attire no different from that of ordinary young men, the sharp and capable demeanor honed through rigorous training, along with the absolute calmness and obedience in their eyes, allowed Liu Jianguo to immediately recognize their identities—the four absolutely loyal assassins rewarded by the system.

"Director!" the four men called out respectfully in low voices, their eyes fixed straight ahead, their bodies motionless.

Liu Jianguo felt relieved; with these four capable assistants, many things would be much easier. He walked steadily to the heavy desk and sat down, pointing to two long wooden benches placed side by side against the wall, and said calmly, "Please sit down."

"Yes!" The four sat down in response, their backs still ramrod straight, their hands neatly placed on their knees.

Liu Jianguo's gaze slowly swept over their young yet weathered faces; these would be his core team in this era.

"Let me introduce myself in order. Name, former employer, and areas of expertise," he said concisely.

Sitting on the far left, the young man with a sharp face and calm, steady eyes spoke first. His voice was not loud, but clear and powerful:

"Li Bing. Formerly a clerk and reconnaissance soldier in the reconnaissance company of the 38th Army of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. He is skilled in document processing, communications, hand-to-hand combat, and terrain memorization."

The report was well-organized and concise, without any unnecessary details.

Next to him was a burly man with large knuckles and slightly protruding temples:

"Li Wu. Former assault soldier of the military region's directly subordinate reconnaissance brigade. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling, explosives identification and dismantling, and vehicle driving."

His voice was booming, carrying a fierce and valiant air unique to the battlefield.

The third was a young man with a cold face and sharp, eagle-like eyes:

"Li Liang. Former deputy squad leader of the reconnaissance platoon. Skilled in covert reconnaissance, trace tracking, interrogation and counter-interrogation, and battlefield first aid."

The last one looked a bit younger and had a relatively gentle demeanor, but his eyes were equally firm and composed.

"Li Cheng. Consistent with Comrade Li Liang from the original unit. Skilled in intelligence analysis, infiltration, coded communication, and operation of small radios."

Liu Jianguo nodded slightly, quite satisfied. The identities assigned by the system were seamless, all top-notch military talents covering command, combat, and intelligence, and highly complementary.