Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Just as the workers were immersed in the joy of receiving New Year's goods, some eagerly waiting to receive their share, others enviously watching the model workers wearing big red flowers, Wu Tiansheng's secretary, the head of the security department, approached Liu Jianguo, who was inspecting the work of the public security section, and whispered:

"Director Liu, Director Wu requests your presence in his office now, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Liu Jianguo's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately rushed to Wu Tiansheng's office. Pushing open the door, he saw Director Wu sitting behind his desk, with a young man of similar age, wearing a blue Zhongshan suit and glasses, who looked somewhat frail, sitting next to him.

When Wu Tiansheng saw Liu Jianguo enter, a complex smile appeared on his face. He pointed to the young man and introduced him, "Jianguo's here, please sit down. Let me introduce you. This is my son, Wu Liang. He just graduated from university and was assigned back to our factory as a technician in the technical department. Wu Liang, this is the Deputy Director Liu of our security department that I often mention to you, a young and promising combat hero."

Liu Jianguo immediately extended his hand warmly: "So you're Section Chief Wu's son! You're indeed a handsome young man! Hello, hello, I'm Liu Jianguo!"

Wu Liang quickly stood up and shook hands with Liu Jianguo somewhat awkwardly: "Director Liu, I've long admired your name! My father often mentions you, saying you are the pillar of the factory!" The two exchanged a few polite words.

Wu Tiansheng told his son to go out and work first.

After the office door closed, Wu Tiansheng's smile gradually faded. He sighed and got straight to the point:

"Jianguo, there are no outsiders here, so I'll be frank with you. In principle, as the section chief, I can still work for two more years before reaching retirement age. But, you know, one must know one's place. I'm getting old, and my health isn't what it used to be. The burden of security work in the factory is getting heavier and heavier, and we need more energetic and capable young people to take on the responsibility."

Therefore, I have just formally submitted my application to Secretary Nie to retire early due to illness. This old man will not occupy a position and block your path to advancement.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianguo appropriately displayed a look of surprise and regret on his face:

"Director, this is so sudden! The factory's security work can't function without your leadership!"

But he instantly understood: Wu Tiansheng was proactively trying to curry favor with him, offering to relinquish his position as section chief two years early in exchange for his favor regarding his son Wu Liang's future. Introducing Wu Liang just now was a clear indication of this "exchange condition." This was an unspoken political deal.

Liu Jianguo felt a surge of emotion. Wu Tiansheng's early retirement meant that he might become the head of the security department two years earlier than expected.

The difference between deputy director and director may seem small, but the power, benefits, and influence within the factory leadership are worlds apart! This is crucial for him to consolidate his power and realize his greater ambitions.

Having understood the stakes, Liu Jianguo immediately expressed his opinion, his tone sincere and reassuring:

"Director, you're too kind! You've dedicated your entire life to the factory, and now that you want to rest, we younger generations should support you!"

He changed the subject, glancing towards the doorway, and said in a meaningful low voice, "As for Brother Wu Liang, rest assured! As long as he works diligently and doesn't make any fundamental mistakes, as long as I, Liu Jianguo, am in the security department, I will never let anyone make things difficult for him."

Not only will I not make things difficult for him, but if there are opportunities in the future, such as exchange or promotion opportunities within the factory, I will try my best to recommend him for better units and higher platforms.” This statement is both a promise and an implication: If your son is obedient, I will give him benefits; if you want him to have a better future, I can even help him transfer.

Having received Liu Jianguo's explicit assurance, Wu Tiansheng finally felt relieved, and a relieved and satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Great! Jianguo, with your words of relief, I'm completely at ease! Well... congratulations in advance! From now on, the security department is in your hands!"

He reached out and shook hands firmly with Liu Jianguo, completing this silent transfer of power.

The two had just finished their conversation when the internal phone on the table rang. Wu Tiansheng answered the phone, listened for a few moments, and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, Secretary Nie, we'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, he said to Liu Jianguo, "Secretary Nie wants us to go to his office right now. It seems the organization has already made a decision."

The two arrived at Secretary Nie's office. Secretary Nie, with a serious expression, directly announced the factory's Party Committee decision:

"The organization is aware of Comrade Tiansheng's situation. Due to a recurrence of his old injury, he applied for early retirement, which the factory's Party Committee approved after careful consideration."

He turned his gaze to Liu Jianguo, his tone becoming solemn: "Comrade Jianguo, in view of your outstanding performance in recent work, especially your great contributions in the anti-espionage struggle, upon the recommendation of Comrade Tiansheng, the factory's Party Committee discussed and approved the decision, and with the consent of the higher-level public security authorities, it has been decided that you will temporarily act as the head of the Security Department and take full charge of its work!"

He paused, then emphasized, "It's the end of the year, and safety and stability are of paramount importance! You must ensure that the work is carried out meticulously and thoroughly to guarantee that nothing goes wrong!"

Finally, he added a pointed remark: "Work hard! After the New Year, once things are sorted out and some procedures are completed, the 'acting' title will naturally be removed." Behind this was the care and influence of his former superior; otherwise, why would he be directly assigned to such an important position immediately after his transfer?

Liu Jianguo snapped to attention, straightened his back, and gave Secretary Nie and Wu Tiansheng a crisp military salute. His voice was loud and clear, filled with unwavering determination and confidence: "Secretary Nie, Director Wu, rest assured! Liu Jianguo guarantees to complete the mission! I will never let down the organization's trust and training!"

After arranging the last tasks before the New Year at the security department, Liu Jianguo asked Li Bing to take a few people to deliver the extra New Year's goods (pork, flour, etc.) that the factory had distributed to the department-level cadres back to the east courtyard.

He personally checked the security duty roster for the Spring Festival again, repeatedly instructing the heads of each department to be vigilant, ensure the safety of the factory area, strictly prevent fires and theft, and confirm that everything was arranged properly and without any oversights. Seeing that it was getting late, he did not linger any longer, got on his bicycle, and left the factory area first.

Back at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, Liu Jianguo had just pushed open the small door of the east courtyard when he saw a thin, small figure squatting next to the public water tap in the middle courtyard—it was He Yushui, who had been living with her brother Shazhu after He Daqing ran away to Baoding.

It was already the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. The north wind was howling, the weather was dry and cold, and breath turned to frost. A little girl who looked to be only about ten years old, wearing an old cotton-padded jacket that clearly didn't fit her, was standing on tiptoe, struggling to turn on the tap, and then bringing it directly to her lips to drink the icy tap water.

The icy water flowed down her chin and into her collar, making her shiver. The sight of her drinking raw water in the dead of winter was so visually striking that it tugged at Liu Jianguo's heart, a feeling stronger than anything else, after he had just experienced the chilling events of being labeled an "enemy agent" and "transaction."