Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

People in the courtyard got up early to sweep the yard, paste paper-cut window decorations, and hang lanterns. The children were the most excited, carrying the few cents they usually saved for their New Year's money, to buy strings of firecrackers. They took them apart and set them off one by one. The sounds of "crack" and "crack" echoed, mixed with the children's laughter. The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and the aroma of the New Year, far superior to the cold and desolate New Year celebrations in the concrete jungles of later generations, which are often seen through screens.

Just as Liu Jianguo stretched his limbs in the courtyard, he saw Li Bing leading a man who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, wearing a worn cotton-padded jacket, with shrewd and steady eyes, into the courtyard through the moon gate.

The moment the man saw Liu Jianguo, their eyes met, and an invisible connection was established. Liu Jianguo understood immediately: this was Liu San, the last assassin arranged by the system.

He remained calm and gave Li Bing a wink: "Let's talk inside."

The three of them then entered the side room, which served as a study, one in front and two behind.

The study door was closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

Without wasting words, Liu Jianguo looked sharply at Liu San and gave the order directly, his voice deep and clear:

"Liu San, your identity has been arranged by the system. Now, here's your first, and long-term, core mission."

He held up three fingers: "First, find a way to infiltrate the black market in Beijing, figure out the ways, gain a foothold, and gradually establish our own secret channels and influence."

"Secondly, use the black market to accomplish two things: First, secretly sell off the surplus resources produced in 'home' (referring to the small world) and exchange them for hard currency, with gold bars being the first choice. Second, buy up a large number of antiques, calligraphy and paintings, ancient books, and rare books scattered among the people. As long as they are old items with some age, try to buy them back, don't be afraid to spend money."

"Third, you must have sharp eyes and keen ears. Pay attention to all the happenings in the black market and even the marketplace, and gather valuable intelligence. When necessary, secretly protect the safety of those in 'the family' who are operating openly."

"Do you understand your responsibilities?"

"Yes, sir! Li San understands! I guarantee to complete the mission!" Liu San replied in a deep voice, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Liu Jianguo nodded and added:

"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to go it alone. Wang Weiguo from the Public Security Bureau, Liu Jiefang from Jiaodaokou Police Station, and Wang Jiaxing from the Subdistrict Office are all on our side."

They will provide you with cover and assistance if necessary. But remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not contact them; your safety and concealment should be your top priority.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, most of the workshops in the factory had already closed for the holiday, and the factory area appeared much emptier.

However, the security department and the public order section were busier and more stressed than usual.

The more holidays there are, the more vigilant the security work must be. Liu Jianguo arrived at the office early in the morning to relay the orders:

"Notify all personnel in the Security Section and Public Order Section to assemble in the playground in front of the security building in ten minutes!"

On the biting cold playground, nearly two hundred people stood in neat rows. Wang Meng, the head of the security department, ran forward, saluted, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Reporting to Director Liu! The Security Section should have 55 people present, and 55 people are present! Please advise!"

Wang Liang, the head of the public security section, followed closely behind:

"Reporting to the director! The Security Section should have 104 members, and 104 members are present! Assembly complete!"

Liu Jianguo stood at the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over the faces that were red from the cold wind but still stood straight.

He first briefly summarized the work done before the Lunar New Year, then reiterated the importance of security discipline during the holiday, and demanded that all personnel be on high alert, implement shift work, and ensure that nothing goes wrong.

Then, he changed the subject, a smile appearing on his face:

"My brothers have worked hard all year, especially during the Lunar New Year when they had to stay at their posts. As the section chief, I've seen it all!"

He raised his voice, "I swallowed my pride and went to Director Li in the logistics department, pleading and begging until I finally managed to get some real benefits for the brothers!"

He held up three fingers. "Each person gets a new pair of cotton shoes, a new cotton coat, and—a pound of pork!"

"Whoosh—!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the previously quiet group erupted into chaos.

Although the soldiers maintained their ranks, their faces were filled with unbelievable elation, and their whispers were like dumplings boiling in a pot.

"A pound of meat! And new cotton-padded shoes and a cotton-padded coat! The section chief is too awesome!"

"The amount of meat on my family's Chinese New Year table this year didn't even amount to this much!"

"This new cotton-padded coat can last for several years!"

These tangible benefits are far more motivating than any empty words.

Liu Jianguo raised his hands and pressed them down. The ranks immediately fell silent again, but all the soldiers' eyes were fixed on him with intense gratitude, excitement, and a stronger sense of belonging.

"Comrades!"

Liu Jianguo said in a steady and powerful voice:

"I, Liu Jianguo, am making this clear: as long as I am in charge of this family, I will never let the brothers who work with me suffer any loss or hardship."

If others have it, we must have it too. If others don't have it, I'll risk everything to get it for my brothers.

"Following me, I dare not promise great wealth or high status, but I will give everyone enthusiasm for work, something to look forward to when they go home, and something to hope for in life."

These words are both a promise and a pie in the sky, meant to win people's hearts.

But this is a real, tangible bread that can be worn on the feet, wrapped around the body, and eaten; people have no choice but to believe in it and support it.

After the soldiers were dismissed, watching them excitedly go to the logistics department to collect their supplies, Liu Jianguo could clearly sense that the way the people in the security and public order departments looked at him had subtly changed.

Previously, it might have been more of awe towards his position, background, and abilities. But now, his eyes held a deeper gratitude and respect. In this era of scarcity, leaders who are so considerate of their subordinates and strive to secure tangible benefits for them are rare indeed.

Time flies, and it's already Lunar New Year's Eve.

As night fell, lights came on in every household in the courtyard, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of food and the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers.

Inside the east courtyard, however, the scene was quite different. The main living room was brightly lit, and Li Bing, Li Wu, Li Liang, and Li Cheng were all there. Even Qin Huairu had arrived early and was busy in the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Qin Huairu, wearing an apron, deftly prepared a fat fish. On the stove, chicken was stewing, and white rice and snow-white steamed buns were steaming in the pot. On the cutting board, there was a bowl of chopped braised meat.

In an era when ordinary families were lucky to have even a little meat on their New Year's Eve dinner, this lavishness was nothing short of a dreamlike luxury. An uninformed person might think they had traveled to several decades in the future.