Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Before He Daqing could answer, Liu Jianguo gestured with his chin toward Wang Weiguo beside him:

"Wang Weiguo, send two men to He Daqing's residence in Baoding right now to find that widow Bai. Tell her directly that He Daqing has been detained by our bureau for suspected involvement in enemy espionage activities. Ask her if she knows He Daqing and what he has been doing."

These words were both an attempt to exert pressure and a test of the White Widow's true intentions.

Wang Weiguo accepted the order and immediately went out to quietly instruct the two investigators to carry it out.

When He Daqing heard that Liu Jianguo was going to find Widow Bai, his expression changed completely.

He knew that woman's nature all too well. If she heard that he was involved in such a deadly case as being a spy, she would probably run away faster than anyone else and would never get involved.

Thinking of the miserable state of his children in Beijing, his last bit of hesitation was shattered.

He lowered his head dejectedly, his voice hoarse: "Don't...don't go looking for her...I...I'll go back with you..."

"Alright, you're smart to back out. The matter of returning to Beijing is settled."

Liu Jianguo nodded, then changed the subject, his tone becoming stern again, "Now, let's settle another score. Just now in the cafeteria, the investigation team questioned you according to the law, and you not only refused to cooperate, but also openly insulted and violently resisted. What kind of behavior is that?"

"Yes, this is blatant defiance of the state's dictatorship. For that alone, I can make sure you regret it."

He Daqing was completely intimidated by Liu Jianguo's methods and aura, and knew that he had no room for bargaining.

He slumped into his chair, saying weakly, "Director Liu... I was wrong. I was blinded by greed. I accept the punishment. You... you tell me what to do, I'll accept it all..."

He finally understood that the young section chief in front of him was ruthless and meticulous, and he couldn't possibly defeat him.

Seeing that He Daqing had completely given in, Liu Jianguo softened his tone slightly, but what he said surprised He Daqing:

"Considering your attitude is acceptable and you are the father of Yushui, I can temporarily note down your resistance to the investigation and observe the consequences."

In addition, I'll give you another suggestion.

I'll pay the market price to help someone buy the courtyard house that's still registered under your name.

"Take the money, go back, and with Sha Zhu, find another place to move out of courtyard number 95."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "I think that old man Yi Zhonghai in the courtyard has been living too leisurely lately. It's time to give him a hard time."

The meaning behind these words is quite clear: to use He Daqing's return to disrupt Yi Zhonghai's plans within the courtyard.

At this moment, He Daqing only wanted to leave Baoding safely, so he didn't dare to say anything more.

He nodded hastily, "Okay, okay, whatever you say. Just give me whatever you think is best for the house, and I'll take Sha Zhu and move out as soon as I get back."

He knew he had no choice at all.

"Regarding the specific procedures and payment, once you return to Beijing, go directly to the security department of the steel rolling mill and find Deputy Section Chief Sun Shan; he's the one who wants to buy your house," Liu Jianguo instructed.

This way, the property was dealt with, and the specific tasks were handed over to his loyal henchmen, saving him time and effort.

Just as they finalized He Daqing's matter, the door to the small conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Liu Jiefang, the deputy captain of the First Investigation Brigade, rushed in, his face showing both excitement and seriousness. He lowered his voice and reported:

"Chief! We've got something! Just now, near warehouse number three in the factory area, our men caught a guy bribing someone. He's a kitchen helper named Qi Wen. He was secretly slipping money to a captain in the factory's security department, trying to get the captain to turn a blind eye to a batch of goods he was bringing into the factory. Our brothers, who were secretly monitoring him, caught him red-handed."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianguo raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

The investigation team entered the factory area in a big way. With the investigation team so closely monitoring the situation, how could anyone still dare to defy the rules and bribe the security personnel in private?

This is either incredibly stupid, or it's a case of having grand ambitions that necessitates taking risks.

If they really are enemy agents, then their mental fortitude and organizational discipline are extremely poor. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Oh? Interesting. It seems the water in this factory is even more murky than we thought. Bring them over."

Liu Jianguo turned to He Daqing, who was slumped to the side, and said:

"Chef He, it seems your cafeteria is full of hidden talents. Perfect timing, you should also listen to what your kitchen helper is up to."

At this moment, He Daqing dared not say no and could only nod obsequiously.

A short while later, Zhao Guang personally escorted in a short, thin man who was wearing greasy cafeteria work clothes, had a pale face, and was trembling all over.

Liu Jianguo gestured to He Daqing with his eyes. He Daqing looked carefully and confirmed:

"Director Liu, I know him. He's a kitchen helper in the cafeteria, named Qi Wen. He's been here for two years, and his main responsibilities are washing vegetables and moving things."

Liu Jianguo's gaze was like a knife, fixed on Qi Wen: "Qi Wen? Tell me, what are you trying to do by bribing the factory security officer in broad daylight?"

Qi Wen knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice trembling with sobs:

"Boss! I'm innocent! I... I just saw that the checks were very strict today, and the vehicle inspections were taking too long... I thought I'd give the team leader a little tip so he could be lenient with my vegetable delivery truck and finish the inspection sooner, so I... so I could go home earlier... I really didn't mean anything by it."

His words were full of holes, and his eyes darted around, clearly indicating that he had something to hide.

Liu Jianguo slammed his hand on the table and shouted sternly:

"Bullshit! If I wanted to leave work early, I wouldn't need to bribe anyone. Do you think I'm a three-year-old? Qi Wen, let me tell you, you're in big trouble. We're investigating a case involving enemy agents. At this time, you're trying to get away with this kind of thing? Who's behind you? Who are you covering for? Tell me."

"Enemy...enemy agent"

These two words exploded in Qi Wen's head like a thunderclap, scaring him so much that he collapsed to the ground, his crotch instantly becoming wet and filled with a foul stench.

He originally thought it was just a common violation of discipline, but he never expected it to involve such a serious matter.

Overwhelmed by fear, Qi Wen's psychological defenses crumbled completely. He wept uncontrollably and confessed incoherently:

"I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything. It was... a masked man. He... he would give me some money each time and ask me to sneak in some small things wrapped in oilcloth while I was delivering vegetables, and put them in... put them at the bottom of that abandoned pond behind Warehouse No. 3... He's done this five times already... I really don't know what's in there. If I had known it would cost me my head, I would never have done it, even if you killed me."

"Masked Man"

He immediately gave the order:

"Liu Jiefang, you personally lead a team to escort him to the back of warehouse number three and seize all the things he has hidden. Be careful to protect the scene."

Zhao Guang, you take another team and immediately take control of all personnel in the cafeteria who have had close contact with Qi Wen, especially those on duty today. Isolate them all and interrogate them separately! Quickly!

"Yes!" Liu Jiefang and Zhao Guang accepted the order and immediately took action.