Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Li Bing responded and strode over. Just as he was about to ask a question, Liu Jianguo gave the order directly, speaking quickly and clearly:

Who led the patrol team at the factory today?

After a moment's thought, Li Bing immediately replied:

"Reporting to the director, according to the schedule, Li Cheng's team is responsible for the factory area night patrol today. Li Wu... he should still be in the security office, keeping an eye on the cook we caught stealing from the canteen this afternoon, waiting for your further instructions."

Liu Jianguo nodded, lowered his voice, and issued a series of orders:

"Go and quietly fetch Li Liang right now. Then the two of you immediately ride your bicycles to the steel mill and find Li Wu and Li Cheng!"

Then, he issued the core instructions:

"In my name, gather all 20 brothers on patrol! Go to the armory immediately, collect weapons—long guns, short guns, and plenty of ammunition. Remember to grab a couple of grenades if you have any."

He emphasized, "Remember, this is about capturing a hidden enemy agent; it's a major achievement! Absolute silence must be maintained before the operation; you must not alert them! Get to it immediately!"

Watching Li Bing and the others hurriedly leave after receiving their orders, Liu Jianguo was filled with emotion:

The credit that comes to us, especially the hard credit of capturing enemy agents, must be given to all the core members of our team, and must be credited to Li Huaide, the branch bureau leaders, or even higher levels.

This collective achievement will greatly solidify his authority in the security department and pave the way for future promotions for loyal soldiers like Li Bing and Li Wu within the system.

This political capital must be firmly held in the hands of our own people. Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang left No. 95 first and met up with two other police station colleagues who were still waiting outside the courtyard. They pretended to continue handling the follow-up work of the "He Daqing's disappearance" case in order to avoid attracting the attention of any possible sentries in No. 93.

About half an hour later, under the cover of darkness, the two quietly slipped back through the relatively hidden back door of the east courtyard and reported to Liu Jianguo that the situation inside the target courtyard was stable and there were no abnormalities.

Time passed slowly, and around 8 p.m., most of the residents in the courtyard had finished dinner, and the noise gradually subsided. The sky was completely dark, with only a few windows letting in a dim, yellowish light.

At this moment, the people who were ordered to assemble, under the cover of night, pushed their bicycles and quietly gathered in Liu Jianguo's courtyard through the back gate of the east wing.

Li Bing, Li Liang, Li Wu, Li Cheng, and twenty patrol members from the Public Security Section, along with Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang, nearly thirty people crammed the room full, and the air was filled with the tense atmosphere of impending battle.

Liu Jianguo glanced at the group of sharp-looking faces, gestured for them to come closer, and said in a whisper that could be heard only by those inside the room:

"Everyone's here? Great, before we move out, I'd like to emphasize two more points!"

His sharp gaze swept over everyone:

"First, everyone, keep your footing and your mouths shut! The target is just a wall away in compound number 93; they are extremely dangerous enemy agents!"

He paused, then emphasized, "Secondly, and most importantly! During the firefight, you absolutely cannot shoot them in the head or chest—those vital areas! I want them alive! Any enemy agent who dies will have their merit halved! Do you all understand?"

"Wang Weiguo, Liu Jiefang!"

Liu Jianguo began assigning tasks, "You two are residents of courtyard number 94, so going back now won't arouse suspicion. Go back to the courtyard first and keep a close watch on the west wing where the target is located, paying close attention to any movement!"

He specifically instructed, "Find a way to prevent the courtyard gate from being bolted from the inside! Leave a passage for our follow-up team to enter quickly!"

Then, he pointed to the others: "Li Bing and Li Wu, you two stick close to me as the assault team. Li Liang and Li Cheng, each of you take ten men. Once we're inside, immediately surround all the exits of the target house, front, back, left, and right, don't let a single fly escape!"

After the deployment was completed, Wang Weiguo and Liu Jiefang were the first to return to courtyard number 93 through the back door. Liu Jianguo and the others waited silently in the east wing.

Time seemed to pass particularly slowly. About ten minutes passed, but the predetermined emergency signals (such as noise or fire) did not appear. Liu Jianguo concluded that the target was still inside the house, unaware of the danger, and the operation could continue.

"action!"

Liu Jianguo gave a low shout, took the lead in pushing open the back door of the east courtyard, and led the assault team and the encirclement team led by Li Liang and Li Cheng, like ghosts, quickly passing through the narrow passage between the two courtyards and rushing directly into courtyard number 94!

There were still a few residents in the courtyard who were hungry. They were so frightened by the sudden influx of a large group of armed men that they screamed and scattered in panic.

Liu Jianguo had no time to spare. Following the hand gestures of Liu Jiefang, who was waiting inside the courtyard, he quickly located the west wing of the central courtyard.

With a wave of his hand, Li Liang and Li Cheng immediately led their men to disperse, and twenty gun barrels instantly pointed at the doors and windows of the house, forming a tight encirclement.

The house was surrounded, but Liu Jianguo's mind raced. He worried that there might be important evidence inside, such as codebooks, radios, and lists. If they forced a breakthrough, the enemy agents might desperately destroy them! A swift victory was necessary!

He immediately ordered Li Liang, "Li Liang, you stay outside and command the encirclement, provide fire support, and prevent anyone from breaking out from the rooftops or other locations!"

Then, he glanced at Wang Weiguo, Liu Jiefang, Li Bing, Li Wu, and Li Cheng, and gave a vague indication: "The five of you are the most experienced. Join me as the assault team and launch a direct attack."

At this moment, the residents of No. 93 courtyard, who had been awakened by the sudden commotion, were stunned. They had never seen dozens of armed men break into their homes in the middle of the night. Some collapsed to the ground, while others covered their children's mouths tightly, peeking through cracks in the doors, not daring to breathe.

Despite their fear and confusion, no one dared to ask questions or intervene under the dark gun barrels and tense atmosphere. After all, preserving their own lives was the most important thing at this time.

Liu Jianguo had neither the time nor the need to explain to the frightened residents. He gave Li Bing, who was pressed against the door, a wink. Li Bing understood, and without hesitation, took a half-step back, turned sideways, and slammed his shoulder into the door lock!

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the old wooden door latch snapped, and the door was violently kicked open!

The sound of the door being broken down is a signal! The people inside must have been alerted! At this moment, time is everything; we must race against time to rush in and subdue the enemy agents before they can react and destroy crucial evidence!

Almost at the same moment the door was kicked open, bullets rang out from inside the room! The bullets struck the door frame and walls, sending up debris flying! Liu Jianguo and the others quickly dodged to either side of the door, using the walls for cover, and engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with those inside! The gunshots sounded particularly piercing in the quiet night.

As Liu Jianguo changed his magazine, he shouted into the house, "Listen up, you inside! You're surrounded! Lay down your weapons, give up resistance, and try to get leniency from the government! Continuing to resist will only lead to your death!"