Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Suppressing his excitement, Liu Jianguo began to plan the use of the 100 assassins.

His first thought was that it wasn't easy for Liu San to work alone in the black market, and an idea immediately struck him:

"System, summon 10 assassins."

Identity setting: Liu San's distant cousin/childhood friend from the same village, who came to Beijing to seek a living. A reasonable identity and letter of introduction will be automatically generated.

Instructions: Depart immediately, find and join Liu San in a legitimate manner, obey all orders from Liu San, and assist him in establishing a foothold in the black market and developing his influence.

[Command confirmed. Summoning 10 assassins... Identities generated... Deployed to the outskirts of Beijing...]

Having dealt with this important matter, Liu Jianguo was in high spirits. Remembering that Qin Huairu was still in the side room, he got up and went over, using the excuse of "staying up late on New Year's Eve" to pull the shy Qin Huairu into the bedroom.

That night, filled with the excitement of "imminent invincibility" and the ambition for the future, Liu Jianguo conducted an exceptionally long and conquering "training" of Qin Huairu until dawn.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Liu Jianguo was awakened by the loud firecrackers from the children in the courtyard, which were even louder than on New Year's Eve.

I woke up feeling refreshed.

Thinking of yesterday's reward, he sank into his small world and looked at the 100 summoning slots. He decided to summon 10 more people as his personal bodyguards and emergency response force.

He selected ten people and issued the command: "System, summon 10 assassins and directly deploy them into the small world."

In an instant, ten figures appeared on the black soil of the small world.

Liu Jianguo took out a Browning M1906 pocket pistol and two spare magazines that he had previously obtained through system rewards or special channels, and solemnly handed them to one of the most composed and capable assassins, giving them codenames:

"From now on, the ten of you will be codenamed 'Sword Group,' and you will be Sword One, serving as the captain. Your core mission is to serve as my last line of defense, remaining hidden in the small world and ready to deal with any sudden crises."

Liu Jianguo has a longer-term plan for the remaining 80 spots.

He planned to use 30 of these positions first, and after the New Year, when he officially became the head of the security department, he would arrange these 30 absolutely loyal bodyguards into the security department and the public security section in batches under the pretext of "expansion", "relocation of veterans" and "strengthening security in the factory area", so as to further consolidate his base.

In this day and age, it was perfectly normal for a section chief to assign dozens of people to the departments under his supervision.

After washing up, he began his day of "New Year's greetings." This was both a matter of social interaction and an important part of consolidating his power network.

He had Li Bing prepare several "New Year's gifts" in advance—each package contained in a sack: a small bag of crystal-clear, top-quality Xiaozhan rice (about 5 jin), two fresh sea bass (wrapped in something), and a plump pork hind leg (about 10 jin). These items were of extremely high quality in the small world and were definitely presentable commodities in those days.

Nine o'clock in the morning, at Director Yang's home.

Director Yang's family lived in a relatively spacious tenement building.

Liu Jianguo carried the New Year's gifts (a small bag of fine rice, two sea fish, and a pig's leg) carefully wrapped in old newspapers and climbed up to the third floor.

When the door was opened, Director Yang, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit, was beaming, clearly having already received several groups of New Year's visitors.

There were melon seeds and fruit candies on the coffee table inside, and a few cigarette butts in the ashtray.

"Director Yang, Happy New Year! I wish you a Happy New Year!" Liu Jianguo said with a big smile and a loud voice.

"Oh my, Jianguo's here! Come in, come in! Happy New Year!"

Factory Director Yang warmly ushered him into the house, his gaze sweeping over the substantial New Year's gifts in the man's hands, his smile becoming even more genuine.

"You, just coming is enough, why bring so much stuff? You're too kind!"

"It's nothing, it's just a small token of my appreciation. The factory has been doing well this year, thanks in large part to your excellent leadership."

Liu Jianguo placed the gift in an inconspicuous spot by the door, his movements natural.

The two sat on a wooden sofa. Director Yang handed Liu Jianguo a "Daqianmen" cigarette. Liu Jianguo bowed and took it, but did not smoke it. He tucked it behind his ear.

The conversation mainly revolved around the factory's production and the outlook for the year, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Liu Jianguo didn't say much, but every word he uttered was to the point, expressing respect without being obsequious.

After sitting for about fifteen minutes and drinking a couple of sips of tea, he got up to take his leave.

"Factory manager, you have a lot of customers today, so I won't bother you any longer. Please continue with your work." The tact was impeccable.

At 10:30 a.m., at Secretary Nie's home.

Secretary Nie lived in a secluded courtyard within the factory leaders' residential compound, a quieter environment. When Liu Jianguo arrived, his expression became even more solemn.

The person who opened the door was Secretary Nie himself, dressed in a casual cotton-padded jacket. He looked less dignified and more approachable than he did at the factory.

"Secretary Nie, Happy New Year! I've come to wish you and your wife a Happy New Year!" Liu Jianguo said respectfully.

"Jianguo, come in and have a seat."

Secretary Nie nodded and led him into the study. The study was simply furnished, with bookshelves filled mostly with Marxist-Leninist works and compilations of documents.

Liu Jianguo gently placed the New Year's gifts in the corner of the wall.

"sit."

Secretary Nie gestured to a chair, sat down first, and asked, "How was things at the factory on New Year's Eve?"

"All is well, Secretary Nie, don't worry, everything has been arranged properly, there won't be any problems."

Liu Jianguo sat halfway in the chair, his back straight.

"Yes, I trust you to handle things."

Secretary Nie said slowly, "After the New Year, the burden will be even heavier. We must get the department's work under control as soon as possible, especially team building, and we cannot allow any political problems to arise."

"Yes! Please rest assured, Secretary Nie! I will definitely keep your instructions in mind, strengthen my studies, unite with my comrades, lead the Security Department well, and never let down the organization's trust and your training."

Liu Jianguo stated firmly. He knew that with Secretary Nie, work attitude and political awareness were more important than gifts. The significance of this visit—in solidifying the impression—far outweighed the gifts themselves.

At noon, at the "Red Star" state-run restaurant near the factory leaders' family compound.

Liu Jianguo walked into the restaurant alone.

There weren't many people inside; most of them were cadres who, like him, had come out to pay New Year's visits and grab lunch on the way.

He ordered a bowl of shredded pork noodles and two ounces of dumplings.

Sitting at the slightly greasy table, he ate while mentally reviewing his morning visit and planning his afternoon itinerary.

The meal was simple, but it gave him a rare moment of solitude and time to reflect.

At 2 PM, at the home of Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide.

Li Huaide's home is also in the leadership compound, but the decoration is obviously more "fashionable," complete with a sofa and radio.

When Li Huaide saw Liu Jianguo, he was exceptionally enthusiastic, pulling him directly into the living room and even having his wife pour him a glass of sugar water.

"Jianguo! We've been waiting for you! Happy New Year!" Li Huaide patted Liu Jianguo's shoulder hard.

"Happy New Year, Director Li! Here's a little something for the New Year, just to add some dishes to your family's meal." Liu Jianguo said with a smile as he handed over the gift.

"Oh! Why be so polite! We're all family!"

Li Huaide's eyes lit up. He took the item and placed it in the kitchen with practiced ease.

After the two sat down, they talked about all sorts of things, from the supply of New Year's goods to movies and dramas.