Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Pengyuan's eyes, then his smile deepened, but the smile didn't reach his eyes:

"That's good, that's good! Having a foundation makes things easier!" He knew that the young man in front of him was far more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

Having put the probing aside, Wang Pengyuan quickly got down to business, both to end the slightly awkward atmosphere and as the first order issued by the new official, intending to observe Liu Jianguo's execution efficiency.

He picked up a document and handed it over:

"Jianguo, there's something I need to discuss. Tomorrow, our subordinate machine repair factory, led by Deputy Factory Director Chen Mingyuan, will be sending a group of over twenty people to the main factory for technical training. Their security chief will also be coming along. Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide, who is in charge of logistics, will be in charge of the reception. You'll represent our department to assist. The key is that security cannot go wrong. Please arrange for the security personnel to guide customers around the factory area and prepare security plans. Is that alright?"

"Yes, Director Wang, I'll arrange it right away."

Liu Jianguo took the document and readily agreed. He calmly stood up to take his leave, then turned and walked out of the director's office.

The moment he closed the door, the calm on his face vanished, and his eyes sharpened. A cold laugh tugged at his heart.

This Wang Pengyuan, on his very first day in office, had a crystal-clear understanding of the situation, quickly divided power, and arranged work even faster! He's ruthless when it comes to using people; he's a seasoned master of political maneuvering. It seems the days ahead won't be too peaceful.

As Liu Jianguo stepped out of Wang Pengyuan's office, the humility on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes became deep and serious.

He walked alone down the corridor back to his office, the seemingly peaceful but actually witty conversation still stirring up a storm in his heart.

Wang Pengyuan casually assigned the Security Section and Public Security Section to him, but wasn't that also a form of restriction and a test?

"Indeed, power and resources, whether entrusted to others, are ultimately just illusions. Only what you hold firmly in your own hands is real." Liu Jianguo sighed inwardly, his desire for absolute control growing stronger than ever before.

Back in his deputy director's office, Liu Jianguo instinctively wanted to call for someone, but realized that Li Bing was no longer the secretary who was always at his beck and call, but the head of the security department, with his own affairs to attend to.

He had no choice but to walk to the door himself and instruct the office staff on duty in the corridor: "Go to the security department and ask Section Chief Li Bing and Deputy Section Chief Li Wu to come to my office."

Sitting back in his chair, he rubbed his temples, feeling a bit helpless: "It seems I really need to find a reliable new secretary as soon as possible."

Although I was reluctant to part with Li Bing at the time, I thought about it again and realized that letting Li Bing go out and take charge on his own was a crucial move.

Only by allowing Li Bing to make tangible contributions in these key positions can he be legitimately promoted in the future and become a more capable assistant. The inconveniences involved must be endured for now.

Li Bing and Li Wu arrived quickly. Liu Jianguo explained in detail to the two of them Wang Pengyuan's security requirements for receiving the machine repair factory's training group the next day, and especially emphasized patrolling key areas of the factory and registering and managing the vehicles of outsiders.

Just as everything was arranged and the two had left, the internal phone on the desk rang. Liu Jianguo answered the phone, and Li Huaide's enthusiastic voice came from the other end: "Jianguo, are you busy? If not, come to my office now to discuss some arrangements for tomorrow's reception."

Liu Jianguo arrived at Li Huaide's office, knocked on the door, and a voice inside said "Come in."

He pushed open the door and went in, only to see Li Huaide leisurely leaning on the sofa drinking tea. Upon seeing him come in, he immediately waved to him to sit down.

"Jianguo, come and sit down!"

Li Huaide smiled, his tone familiar yet tinged with the gossip of men, "Tomorrow, Deputy Director Chen from the machine repair factory will be leading a team for exchange and learning. I'm in charge of the reception, so you'd better make sure the security is top-notch and there's no room for error!"

He changed the subject abruptly, winked, and lowered his voice, saying, "Hey, I heard that there's a female technician in their team this time, surnamed Ding. She's the most beautiful woman in the machine repair shop, educated, and her looks are simply stunning. So, Jianguo, you're still single, aren't you? Want me to play matchmaker for you?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianguo's face showed a wry smile, and he waved his hands repeatedly:

"Director Li, please don't tease me. I'm so busy right now, I don't have time to think about this."

He immediately steered the conversation back to the main topic, saying:

"Don't worry, I've personally made the security arrangements. Li Bing and his team are keeping an eye on things, so there's absolutely no chance of anything going wrong."

Li Huaide laughed and changed the subject, saying instead:

"Okay, I trust you to handle things! By the way, I've arranged a simple lunch at the canteen tomorrow at noon. It's partly to welcome Deputy Director Chen and his team from the machine repair factory, and partly so we can also take the opportunity to discuss the specific details of tomorrow's reception and get to know each other."

I specially hired a chef from outside, supposedly a descendant of the imperial chefs, whose specialty is the Tan family cuisine of the palace—something you can't usually get to eat. We can take this opportunity to test his skills.

"Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow at noon."

Liu Jianguo agreed. The two then exchanged a few more words about some details of tomorrow's reception, after which Liu Jianguo got up to take his leave.

Back in his office, he instinctively opened his mouth to call out "Li Bing," but then realized what he was saying and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, feeling a slight discomfort at having his habits changed.

He picked up the phone and dialed the security department: "Hello, this is Liu Jianguo. Have Section Chief Li Bing find someone to go to the purchasing department and ask Comrade Zhang Guoqing to come to my office."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Jianguo leaned back in his chair.

Zhang Guoqing was an important pawn he planted in the purchasing department. Taking advantage of the purchasing staff's ability to travel all over the country, he collected various scarce resources for himself, especially plants and animals to enrich his small world.

I've been busy with the department's power transition lately, so I haven't personally checked on his "harvest" for a while. This is a good opportunity to find out if there are any new and interesting species that could enrich the ecosystem of this little world.

A moment later, Zhang Guoqing knocked on the door and came in.

His skin was a bit tanned, but his eyes looked even more shrewd and capable. "Director, you wanted to see me?"

"Guoqing, please sit down."

Liu Jianguo pointed to the chair opposite him, "How's work in the purchasing department? Has anyone made things difficult for you?"

He first expressed his concern, then got to the point, "Have you had any special purchases lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Director. Everyone in the department is doing well, and work is going smoothly."

Zhang Guoqing answered respectfully, then lowered his voice:

"The harvest was quite substantial. Following your instructions, I paid special attention every time I went to the countryside or to other places. I managed to obtain some fruit tree seedlings from the south, several pairs of Angora rabbits, and some rare mountain product seeds."

The black market has also acquired some old items. The items are varied and numerous, so it's not safe for me to keep them. I've reconnected with Li San, and now all the valuable items I receive are sent directly to him for safekeeping; it's more secure that way.”

Liu Jianguo glanced at his watch; there was still some time before he got off work. He immediately decided:

"Okay, lead the way now, I'm going to Li San's place to check out some things."