Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Director Wu's gaze sharpened as he sized Liu Jianguo up and down, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashing across his face before quickly turning into a serious expression. He extended his hand and gave Liu Jianguo a firm handshake:

"Comrade Liu Jianguo, welcome! I am Wu Tiansheng. Secretary Nie and the branch leaders have informed me about your situation, which is remarkable. Our security department needs young backbones like you who have both courage and experience. Don't worry, feel free to ask me anything you don't understand."

"Thank you, Director Wu. I will definitely learn humbly and work hard." Liu Jianguo felt the strength of Director Wu's handshake and the sincerity in his words. At least on the surface, he cooperated earnestly and responded in kind.

Seeing that the two got along well at first sight, Secretary Nie nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, as for the specific work matters, Lao Wu, you can take Comrade Jianguo to your office to discuss them in detail. Comrade Jianguo has just arrived, so if he encounters any difficulties in his life, the department and the factory will do their best to help him."

"Understood, Secretary, don't worry." Director Wu agreed and then left the Party Secretary's office with Liu Jianguo.

Upon arriving at Director Wu's office on the second floor, the room, though small, was impeccably organized. A secretary, wearing glasses and appearing to be in her thirties, had already prepared two cups of hot tea and brought them over before quietly leaving and closing the door behind her.

Director Wu gestured for Liu Jianguo to sit on the sofa, while he himself sat opposite him and began to introduce the situation of the Security Department, his tone direct and pragmatic:

"Comrade Jianguo, our security department is a bit special. It's mostly staffed by retired military personnel, whose discipline and execution are impeccable. Only a very few positions are filled through special recruitment due to exceptional skills or physical abilities. The department mainly consists of these sections..." He counted on his fingers:

"The Security Section is responsible for daily patrols and security management around the factory area and the residential area near Nanluoguxiang. It is currently the largest section with a total of 103 people, including one section chief and one deputy section chief."

"The Security Section is mainly responsible for the security of the factory area, guarding key areas, and preliminary interrogation work. It has a staff of 54, including one section chief and one deputy section chief."

"The fire department is responsible for the fire safety of the entire factory."

"The escort team is responsible for escorting important materials and funds."

"There's also a militia company, which is under our jurisdiction. They train in peacetime and are mobilized in wartime."

After introducing the organizational structure, Director Wu changed the subject and got to the point: "As you know, one of the two deputy directors retired, and the other was seriously injured and hospitalized. The department is under a heavy burden right now. My idea is that you temporarily take charge of the Public Security Section and the Security Department. These two sections are the core strength of the department, and they are also the departments that face the front line and have the heaviest tasks. What do you think?"

Liu Jianguo immediately replied, "I will obey the department's arrangements. I will definitely familiarize myself with the situation of these two sections as soon as possible and get the work under control."

Director Wu nodded in satisfaction, then, as if remembering something, asked, "By the way, Comrade Jianguo, has the factory arranged housing for you?"

"Not yet, Director Wu."

"Let's go!" Director Wu stood up. "I'll take you to see Li Huaide, the deputy factory director in charge of logistics. He's in charge of housing. We need to find a place to stay first."

Director Wu seemed very enthusiastic, leading Liu Jianguo to a deputy factory director's office on the same floor. The door was open, and inside, a middle-aged man wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit, with neatly parted hair, a smiling face, and a rather shrewd appearance, was looking at documents. It was Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide.

Director Wu didn't stand on ceremony. He knocked on the door frame and led Liu Jianguo inside: "Old Li, busy, huh? Help us solve the housing problem for our new Deputy Director Liu. He doesn't have a place to stay yet."

Li Huaide looked up, his face immediately breaking into a warm smile. He stood up and extended his hand: "Oh, welcome, welcome! You must be Comrade Liu Jianguo. I'm Li Huaide, in charge of logistics. I've heard that our factory is getting a combat hero, but I didn't expect him to be so young and promising." As he spoke, he shook hands with Liu Jianguo, his eyes revealing a businessman's shrewdness and scrutiny.

"Hello, Director Li, I am Liu Jianguo. Please guide me in the future." Liu Jianguo remained polite.

"Sure, sure!" Li Huaide turned around and picked up the phone on the table. "Hello, is this the Housing Management Department? Tell Lao Lu to come to my office."

Not long after, a slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing arm sleeves and carrying a notebook jogged over. It was Section Chief Lu from the Housing Management Department. "Director Li, you wanted to see me?"

Li Huaide pointed at Liu Jianguo and said, "Old Lu, this is the newly arrived Deputy Director Liu of the Security Department, a department-level cadre. See if there are any suitable cadre housing options available, preferably dormitory-style apartments."

Section Chief Lu sized up Liu Jianguo, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes at his youth. He then opened his notebook, looked at it, and said, "Director Li, we currently have one apartment in the tenement building, about 100 square meters, a three-bedroom unit, but the location might be a little out of the way."

When Liu Jianguo heard that it was a tenement building, he thought about it for a moment.

He came from the future and knew the many inconveniences of shared kitchens and toilets in these tenement buildings, as well as the lack of privacy. In comparison, he preferred a detached bungalow with its own courtyard, which would not only guarantee privacy but also make it convenient for whatever he might do with the system space in the future.

So he asked, "Section Chief Lu, Factory Director Li, does the factory have any suitable single-story houses with courtyards? I personally prefer a quieter place. If there are suitable single-story houses, I'm willing to pay for the usage rights myself, but I don't know if that's in accordance with the policy."

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Lu was taken aback for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Li Huaide. Buying out the right to use housing was relatively rare at this time, but not unprecedented, especially for high-ranking officials or those who had made special contributions.

A glint flashed in Li Huaide's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged. He nodded slightly, indicating that Section Chief Lu could speak freely.

After receiving a hint, Section Chief Lu then said to Liu Jianguo:

"Director Liu, there is indeed a courtyard house... It's at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, with an east wing that's separate."

The courtyard is approximately 500 square meters in total, with the yard itself occupying 300 square meters. The house consists of three proper north-facing rooms, totaling about 200 square meters in floor area. The layout is very square. The house is a bit old and may need some basic maintenance. (Originally listed as 300 square meters, but due to feedback, it has been changed to 500 square meters. Please comment if there are any discrepancies and I will correct them.)

If you are indeed interested in buying it out... you will need to submit a report, and after the factory approves it, it will probably require a one-time payment of around 800 yuan.

No. 95, Nanluoguxiang!

Upon hearing the address, Liu Jianguo was deeply shaken, but he tried his best to remain calm. It was indeed here, that courtyard house filled with trivialities, the warmth and coldness of human relationships, and the turning point in his life.

The three rooms, totaling 200 square meters, weren't particularly spacious, but they were enough for living. Adding a 300-square-meter independent courtyard, this was an extremely rare and highly private arrangement in this era, especially in a densely populated courtyard house, perfectly meeting his needs.