Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Liu Jianguo knew that the canteen's logistics were directly under Li Huaide's control. If things got out of hand and the charge of stealing public property was proven, Li Huaide would lose face.

He didn't want to strain things too much with Li Huaide over such a "small case" and make things awkward for everyone.

Therefore, even though he was 99% certain from his experience that the cook's bag contained stolen grain or meat, he did not expose it on the spot, but instead chose to take it back to the security department for processing.

This way, Li Wu both established his authority and solved the case, while also leaving room for maneuver, which was a way of giving Li Huaide face.

Li Wu understood immediately and ordered his two subordinates, "You two watch him, and come back to the department with me!"

Then he said to the remaining team members, "You continue to conduct spot checks here, be careful!" The arrangements were very well done.

Seeing that the matter was handled properly, Liu Jianguo did not linger. He gestured to Li Bing, and the two of them got on their bicycles and left the steel rolling mill, heading towards No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

As soon as I rode to the gate of No. 95 courtyard, I noticed something unusual. A group of neighbors were gathered at the gate, peering inside.

Liu Jianguo pushed through the crowd and saw four police officers in "Type 50" uniforms standing in the courtyard. Judging from their armbands, two of them were from the district public security bureau, and the other two were from the Jiaodaokou Police Station, which had jurisdiction over this area.

Among the four policemen, Liu Jianguo immediately spotted two familiar figures—his former henchmen, Liu Jiefang and Wang Weiguo, who had been planted in the public security system! The two men, dressed in police uniforms, looked exceptionally smart and capable.

The four policemen clearly recognized Liu Jianguo; upon seeing him enter, they immediately saluted in unison and greeted him respectfully.

"Hello, Director Liu!"

Liu Jianguo returned the greeting and asked a few simple questions.

Only then did they understand the situation: Wang Weiguo had been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Team of the District Public Security Bureau, while Liu Jiefang had been assigned to the Jiaodaokou Police Station at the grassroots level, and due to his outstanding abilities, he had already become the squad leader of the public security team. This time, they were on a joint mission.

After Liu Jiefang reported in a low voice, Liu Jianguo finally understood what had happened:

It turned out that He Daqing from the Intermediate People's Court had run off to Baoding with a widow surnamed Bai! When He Daqing's son, He Yuzhu, found out, he was both anxious and angry, and ran to the police station to report that his father had gone missing.

When the police arrived to investigate, Yi Zhonghai and others from the compound came out to explain, and it was then discovered that He Daqing had voluntarily gone with someone and had even obtained a formal letter of introduction.

After verification, the police determined that no case was constituted. They also learned that Sha Zhu was 20 years old and could take his father He Daqing's place as an apprentice in the steel mill canteen, earning 18 yuan a month, enough to support himself and his sister He Yushui.

The police concluded that He Daqing's departure was based on complete documentation and was a personal choice, therefore a case could not be filed. Sha Zhu was fit to fill in for his job and was financially secure. Therefore, the police's visit was primarily to inform and reassure Sha Zhu, the person who reported the incident.

Liu Jianguo thought: Shouldn't it be around 1950? Could it be that He Daqing had a change of heart at this time, or is it the butterfly effect that made him run so late?

Liu Jianguo, citing the need for the deputy director of the branch office to understand the situation in his jurisdiction, summoned Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang to his east courtyard. After closing the door and sitting down at the octagonal table in the living room, Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang immediately began reporting on recent events.

Besides adapting well to their work, they specifically mentioned that the organization arranged dormitory for them, located at No. 93 Nanluoguxiang (Note: This is a plot device, please do not take it too seriously), very close to No. 95, making it convenient to respond to calls at any time.

Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang stood in the living room of the east courtyard, reporting the recent situation to Liu Jianguo. Wang Weiguo spoke first:

"Chief, after we were assigned to the branch bureau and the police station, we learned about some situations. The Jiaodaokou Police Station, which has jurisdiction over this area, is indeed short-staffed recently due to the expansion of its jurisdiction and the increase in workload. We have submitted a report to our superiors to request additional manpower."

Liu Jiefang continued, his tone carrying a hint of composure as if he had seized the opportunity:

"After consideration, the branch office decided to send several officers to provide support. I thought that working at a grassroots police station would be better for personal development and would also be more convenient for carrying out some special tasks, so I took the initiative to apply to the bureau."

Seeing my positive attitude and military background, the leadership assigned me the position of security squad leader, putting me in charge of daily security patrols in the Nanluoguxiang area with two new colleagues.

After the report concluded, Liu Jiefang stepped forward, lowering his voice and becoming serious:

"Director, there's something even more important to report. We've noticed something amiss in our compound, number 93, which is right next to number 95."

He glanced at Wang Weiguo, and their eyes met, confirming the accuracy of the information.

"About a week ago, I got up in the middle of the night and passed by the window of the house in the west wing of the central courtyard. I vaguely heard a very faint but very regular 'drip-drip' sound coming from inside. It was very short and quickly stopped."

Wang Weiguo added, "Later, we paid special attention for a few days, especially late at night, and each of us heard it again once or twice. Based on the basic reconnaissance and communications training we received in the army, we were basically certain that it was not a sound that could be produced by an ordinary radio or any household appliance; it was most likely a small radio transmitting!"

Liu Jiefang continued to describe the target's characteristics:

"The person living in that room was a single man, around thirty years old. He always wore black-rimmed glasses and a Zhongshan suit. He looked refined and scholarly, like a school teacher or an office clerk."

He usually keeps to himself and rarely interacts with his neighbors. When they meet, he just nods and hardly participates in any idle chatter in the courtyard.

He goes to get off work and leaves work on time every day, and his behavior is completely unremarkable.

Wang Weiguo concluded: "In short, on the surface he was just an ordinary citizen. If it weren't for the chance to hear that telegram, given his usual disguise, it would have been impossible to connect him with enemy agents."

As Liu Jianguo listened to their reports, his previously calm eyes suddenly lit up, like two flames igniting in the darkness! He had been pondering how to quickly establish merit and solidify his foundation within the public security system, and was worried about not finding a suitable opportunity and a "pledge of allegiance." It was as if someone had delivered a pillow just when he was about to doze off!

He suppressed his excitement, leaned forward, and asked urgently:

"Is the target in the yard now?"

After receiving Liu Jiefang's affirmative reply, "Yes, I saw him come home after get off work today," Liu Jianguo slapped his thigh and said decisively:

"Alright! To avoid any unforeseen complications or leaks, let's set it for tonight and catch him like a turtle in a jar!"

"Yes, we checked before we came back, there were lights on in his room," Liu Jiefang replied confidently.

Liu Jianguo instantly forgot all about the trivial family matters that He Daqing and Widow Bai had been going to Baoding with.

He abruptly stood up, strode to the door, opened it, and called out in a deep voice:

"Li Bing!"