Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Having made up his mind, Liu Jianguo picked up the internal phone and called the investigation department office:

"I am Liu Jianguo. Tell Liu Jiefang, deputy captain of the Second Brigade, and Wang Weiguo, deputy captain of the Third Brigade, to come to my office immediately."

A short while later, a report came from outside the door. Liu Jiefang and Wang Weiguo entered the office one after the other, their posture upright, their sharp eyes filled with suppressed excitement:

"Director Liu! You wanted to see us."

Liu Jianguo gestured for them to sit down and briefly inquired about their recent situation.

It turned out that, thanks to their outstanding skills and previous achievements, the two quickly stood out in the branch bureau's investigation section. Liu Jiefang had been promoted to deputy captain of the second brigade, and Wang Weiguo had been transferred to the third brigade as deputy captain. Both of them had become the backbone of the section.

"Hmm, well done."

Liu Jianguo nodded and immediately gave the order: "There's a mission. You two get ready, bring all your personal equipment. This business trip with me might be quite long. I'll let you know the details before we leave. Go back and prepare yourself, be ready at any time."

"Yes, Director Liu!"

Without hesitation, the two stood up, saluted, their eyes gleaming with excitement at being given an important position, and then quickly turned and left.

Just after seeing the two off, the phone on his desk rang. Liu

Jian Guo picked up the microphone, and the voice of Director Wang Pengyuan came through:

"Jianguo? This is Wang Pengyuan. I just received an order from Director Tang's office at the Municipal Bureau. There's an urgent mission that requires you to personally lead a team to Baoding to assist the local bureau in investigating a case involving enemy agents. The official documents have already been delivered to me. Consider which people would be most suitable to take with you."

"Understood, Director Wang. I'll arrange it immediately."

Liu Jianguo hung up the phone immediately. Then, he tried to contact the investigation department again:

"This is Liu Jianguo. Inform Section Chief Zheng Weimin, Deputy Section Chief Zhao Qiang, and the captains and deputy captains of the three brigades to come to my office for a short meeting, immediately!"

A few minutes later, Zheng Weimin, the head of the investigation section, along with Zhao Qiang, the deputy head of the investigation section, and eight other personnel, including the captains and deputy captains of the three subordinate brigades, filed into Liu Jianguo's office.

The small office suddenly felt a bit crowded.

Zheng Weimin and Zhao Qiang exchanged a glance, both thinking to themselves that Director Liu had just taken office and had already summoned all the key members of the investigation department alone, which meant that there must be an important operation going on.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Liu Jianguo said succinctly, "I just received orders from the Municipal Bureau for an urgent mission that requires me to lead a team to Baoding. Time is tight, and the nature of the mission is currently confidential. Now, let's have a meeting with only one agenda item: discuss who from the Investigation Section would be most suitable to carry out this mission."

The attendees began to discuss quietly, each offering their own recommendations. However, Section Chief Zheng Weimin and Deputy Section Chief Zhao Qiang remained silent, seemingly with some reservations.

Seeing this, Liu Jianguo directly called on them: "Section Chief Zheng, Section Chief Zhao, you two are the leaders of the section. This mission is of a high level, and one of you must lead the team. Tell me your opinions."

After some discussion and deliberation, Liu Jianguo finally made the decision: "Okay, everyone has analyzed the situation. I've decided that Deputy Section Chief Zhao Qiang will lead a team, selecting ten capable members from each of the three brigades, personally led by the deputy brigade commanders of each brigade, to form this action team to Baoding. Section Chief Zheng will stay home to oversee all aspects of the work. The personnel selected must be politically reliable, professionally competent, and physically fit. Any questions?"

"No!"

The crowd responded in unison.

Zheng Weimin and Zhao Qiang both felt a chill run down their spines.

Sending out a deputy section chief, three deputy captains, and thirty investigators almost emptied the investigation section of nearly half of its elite mobile forces.

It seems this trip to Baoding is far more than just a simple investigation; there must be a bigger scheme behind it. The two dared not delay and immediately pledged to carry out the order.

"Alright, since no one has any objections, let's split up and prepare immediately. Everyone will gather in the courtyard at 2 PM to depart. Meeting adjourned."

Liu Jianguo swiftly and decisively ended the meeting.

The group accepted the order and left. Liu Jianguo sat for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then went to Director Wang Pengyuan's office for a final report and to coordinate resources.

"Jianguo, how are the arrangements going?"

When Wang Pengyuan saw Liu Jianguo enter, he pointed to a document on the table and said, "This is an official notice that was just forwarded by the Municipal Bureau. I've also had the secretariat prepare the branch bureau's official letter. Just let me know if you need any support from the branch bureau."

Liu Jianguo took the document, glanced at it quickly, and reported:

"Director Wang, the personnel arrangements are complete. Zhao Qiang, the deputy head of the investigation section, will lead the team, along with one deputy captain from each of the three brigades and thirty elite investigators. We now need two kinds of support."

First, weapons and ammunition. Sufficient rifles and pistols, especially pistols and submachine guns, are needed, along with ample ammunition. Additionally, we should request the issuance of hand grenades for unforeseen circumstances.

Second, transportation. I need a jeep for advance reconnaissance and command.

In addition, a special permit is needed for a Jiefang brand truck with a tarpaulin to transport personnel and equipment.

He specifically emphasized that the truck should be equipped with a tarpaulin for convenience during missions.

Wang Pengyuan hesitated for a moment: "The jeep is fine, I can approve it. But the covered truck... that's important material, it needs special approval from the Municipal Bureau's Administrative Office, I need to call Director Tang to ask."

"Understood, I'll wait for your message."

Liu Jianguo answered calmly. He knew that this task was originally assigned by Tang Yongsheng, and the application for trucks was to better complete the task. There was no reason for Director Tang not to approve it.

Sure enough, Wang Pengyuan answered Tang Yongsheng's call in front of Liu Jianguo, and after briefly explaining the situation, Tang Yongsheng readily agreed.

Wang Pengyuan hung up the phone and said to Liu Jianguo:

"Director Tang agreed, and the truck was immediately arranged. He specifically emphasized that this mission was of great importance and instructed you to proceed with extreme caution to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Liu Jianguo understood immediately; this "absolutely foolproof" referred not only to the enemy spy case but also to Wang Mengzhu's safety.

He straightened his back and said, "Please rest assured, Director Wang and Director Tang, I guarantee the mission will be completed."

Back in the office, after a quick lunch, at 1:30 p.m., the 34 members of the action team who had been selected had assembled in the branch office courtyard, fully equipped and with solemn expressions.

Liu Jianguo stood at the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice not loud but extremely penetrating:

"Comrades, this trip to Baoding is a challenging mission."

I will now emphasize three points:

First, follow orders in all actions.

Second, go to the equipment department to collect weapons and ammunition, and take the best ones. If anyone complains, just say it was approved by me, Liu Jianguo. If they still don't give them to you, say you're going to ask them for them.

Third, the action plan is as follows: Zhao Ke, you will lead twenty comrades from the First and Third Battalions to the station by train. Liu Jiefang, you will lead ten comrades from the Second Battalion to remain at the branch office and wait for the trucks to arrive before escorting the important equipment to the rendezvous point. Wang Weiguo, you will take two of your best-trained members and travel with me in a jeep as the advance team to conduct reconnaissance. Everyone, remember the contact information and the rendezvous point.

"Understood!" the crowd roared.

"Alright, now, check your equipment, collect your ammunition, especially grenades, bring plenty. In one hour, we'll split up and head out as planned."

With a wave of his hand, Liu Jianguo dispersed the team quickly and orderly.