Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

How to "help" her is a delicate art of power—the favor must be given just right, so that she is grateful and completely dependent, but also so that she always clearly understands that this "favor" is built on a fragile foundation that can be withdrawn at any time.

"Ding Zhiyuan..."

He silently repeated the name, his mind racing as he weighed the options.

Directly "whitewashing" them into revolutionary comrades with impeccable revolutionary credentials would be a foolish act of suicide. However, cleverly redefining them from the category of "historical counter-revolutionaries who must be eliminated" as "technical experts who, despite their historical stains, possess superb medical skills and have important value in current construction, and can be united and reformed" falls entirely within the "flexible" space allowed by policy.

This subtle shift in nature is the difference between life and death.

"Historical counter-revolutionaries" represent a contradiction between the enemy and ourselves, a life-or-death struggle; while "technical experts with historical stains" represent an internal contradiction, and are objects that can be "criticized, educated, and utilized in a united manner."

For the Ding family father and daughter, this seemingly minor difference represented a leap from hell to the human world. The key was that this redefinition required the tacit approval of a crucial figure.

This characterization reflects Liu Jianguo's manipulation of power.

Within his operational framework, Ding Zhiyuan's identity instantly transformed from a political adversary who needed to be "overthrown and purged" to a valuable technological asset worthy of "criticism, education, and unified utilization."

Although the label of "historical stain" still hangs there and cannot be removed, the new label of "valuable technical expert" is a real talisman.

This means that as long as Ding Zhiyuan behaves himself and "uses his expertise," he can basically ensure his personal safety in the upcoming storms and will not be easily criticized or purged.

The difference between "enemy" and "object that can be used and needs to be transformed" is like heaven and earth.

Liu Jianguo's ability to manipulate events at will precisely demonstrates his understanding and application of the rules.

Having made up his mind, Liu Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette, straightened the collar of his Zhongshan suit, and regained his usual composure. He strolled toward the office of Li Huaide, the deputy factory director in charge of logistics and personnel. He knocked on the door, and after hearing a "come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.

Li Huaide was sitting behind his desk reading documents when he looked up and saw him. A smile appeared on his face: "Jianguo, what's up?"

"Director Li, I have a report to give you."

Liu Jianguo got straight to the point, speaking in a standard official tone, without a trace of personal emotion.

"Our department has reviewed all the political background check materials of the personnel who came to the machine repair shop for further training this time."

He walked to the desk but did not sit down to show the formality of the report. "I have discovered that Comrade Ding Qiunan's family background has some... aspects that need to be considered." He paused deliberately to observe Li Huaide's reaction.

Li Huaide put down the documents, leaned forward slightly, and showed an interested expression:

"Oh? What are the specifics?"

Liu Jianguo continued, his words precise and his logic clear:

"Out of a sense of responsibility for my comrade's political life, I sent Comrade Li Bing yesterday to conduct an external investigation at the machine repair shop to verify the information."

He emphasized the words "external investigation and verification" slightly to show the seriousness of the procedure.

"The preliminary conclusion is that his father, Ding Zhiyuan, was a medical doctor in the old society, and his historical circumstances are complicated."

However, according to various sources, their professional medical skills, within a specific historical period and scope, indirectly played a certain role in alleviating the suffering of the masses and maintaining stability.

He didn't use the personal term "savior," but instead elevated it to the level of "solving the people's suffering and maintaining stability."

"We believe that it is more objective and in line with policy to characterize them as 'technicians with historical baggage but whose medical skills still have important value and who should be united and reformed'."

He never strayed from policy principles, but cleverly replaced the "enemy" attribute with the "can be modified and utilized" attribute.

"This approach upholds principles and reflects the Party's policy of 'uniting, educating, and reforming' intellectuals. The political future of their children should not be affected as a result."

Li Huaide was an extremely shrewd man. After listening to this watertight and meaningful "report," he immediately understood the crux of the matter.

A meaningful smile appeared on his face. He leaned back, his gaze sweeping over Liu Jianguo's face. He tapped the table with his fingertip and murmured something seemingly unrelated to the main topic, as if in jest:

"What's wrong, Jianguo? Are you tempted?"

This question is extremely tricky and contains a double entendre.

On the surface, he was asking if Liu Jianguo was interested in Ding Qiunan, but in reality, he was testing Liu Jianguo's determination in this matter, the level of return he wanted, and how much "price" he was willing to pay for it.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianguo merely raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He neither admitted nor denied it, but Li Huaide clearly saw the tacit agreement and certainty in that smile.

Sometimes, silence carries more weight than a thousand words.

Li Huaide understood immediately; he knew Liu Jianguo had come to both "pick up goods" and "register."

He picked up the fictitious file on the table, pretended to flip through it, and then readily offered a large favor:

"Yes, this is a safe procedural approach that reflects the policy. However..."

He then changed the subject and pointed out:

"Did a medical doctor really not do any work that was beneficial to us during that special era?"

Is it possible that they provided some form of assistance to our organization?

For example, did he treat wounded comrades or provide support for progressive publications?

"Jianguo, your security department needs to verify this more thoroughly. It would be best to talk to the person in question to make the 'can be utilized' evidence more solid and convincing."

The phrase "more solid" is tantamount to a clear message to Liu Jianguo: I agree. Go and "create" or "unearth" some shining achievements for Ding Zhiyuan to solidify the characterization, and I will endorse it.

"Yes, Director Li, your instructions are correct. I understand. I will immediately organize a special team to carefully verify the situation after the meeting, and make sure that the facts are thoroughly understood and the materials are well prepared."

Liu Jianguo tacitly agreed, and this exchange completed a business-related exchange of benefits.

With business concluded, it was time to get down to business. He shifted the subject, his tone becoming more relaxed, and pulled up a chair to sit down:

"That concludes the work report. Shall we talk about something personal?"

Li Huaide raised an eyebrow, leaned back in his chair with a relaxed posture, and revealed a smile of even greater interest:

"Oh? A personal matter? Tell me about it."