Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Shen Da Kui paused for a moment and then continued:

"Preliminary estimate: at least six months."

After listening to Shen Daikui's explanation about the need for experts to stay long-term, Liu Jianguo frowned slightly, clearly weighing the options quickly in his mind.

He raised his head, his gaze steady as he looked at Shen Daikui, his tone frank and pragmatic:

"Director Shen, I fully understand the importance of expert Hong Hao and the necessity of ensuring his absolute safety. If it's just a few days, or even ten days or half a month, my brothers and I will stay and protect him without hesitation. It is our duty."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious, "However, as you just mentioned, the preliminary assessment will take at least six months. That's far too long. We need to consult with the factory leadership about this timeframe. Besides, as you know, our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill's security department is large and has a heavy workload. It's really inappropriate for us to be away from our posts for an extended period, and all the brothers under our command have families to take care of. I hope you can understand that."

He paused briefly, then proposed a plan that considered the overall situation while allowing for flexibility:

"Do you think this arrangement is feasible? I'll keep two of my most capable security personnel, Chen Ming and Wang Liang, from the team."

Both of them were veterans, experienced, with excellent marksmanship and a strong sense of responsibility.

They were tasked with ensuring the personal safety of expert Hong during his time at Baogang.

I led the team back to the steel rolling mill first. On the one hand, I reported in detail to the factory's Party Committee and leaders on the completion of the escort mission. On the other hand, I also formally reported the important situation that Expert Hong needed long-term technical support and listened to further instructions from higher authorities.

If, six months from now, the factory and the ministry deem it still necessary to strengthen the security force, or if there are new arrangements, I, Liu Jianguo, guarantee that I will personally make another trip to Baotou without any complaints.

If the situation changes and reinforcements are no longer needed, then let the two team members I leave behind escort Expert Hong back safely after the mission is completed. It's a fast train journey. What do you think?

Shen Daikui politely tried to persuade Liu Jianguo to stay a few more times, but seeing that Liu Jianguo's attitude was firm and genuinely from a work perspective, he didn't insist. He smiled understandingly and nodded in agreement.

"Alright! Comrade Jianguo has considered everything very thoroughly, taking into account both the factory's operations and Expert Hong's safety. We'll do as you say. As for Expert Hong's safety here, we'll have to trouble your two brothers who stayed behind to take good care of him."

The matter was of great importance, and Liu Jianguo sought to act prudently.

He immediately borrowed the phone at the Baogang Steel Plant and got through to the office of Nie Huaiyuan, the Party Secretary of Beijing Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, to give a brief report on the situation and ask for instructions on whether to stay or leave.

After receiving clear instructions from Secretary Nie to return first, with someone to protect him, and to decide what to do next depending on the situation, he felt completely at ease.

After shaking hands with Shen Daikui again to say goodbye and thank him for his hospitality, Liu Jianguo immediately gathered all the team members, counted the number of people, and personally urged everyone to carefully check the vehicle condition again to ensure that the long-distance journey was safe and that the fuel tank was full.

With everything ready, the convoy set off again. Compared to the journey there, when they had to handle the precision machine tools with utmost care, the return trip was much easier in terms of both mood and speed. The convoy sped along the route they had come from, heading towards the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Perhaps it was because the initial encounter on the way there was so fierce and decisive that the roar of the heavy machine guns completely deterred any potential bandits along the way.

Or perhaps it was the longing to return home that made time seem to fly by.

Cheng's journey was unexpectedly smooth, with almost no setbacks except for routine camping and necessary vehicle maintenance.

After more than half a month of bumpy travel, the convoy was now only two days away from the steel rolling mill, traveling on a relatively flat dirt road.

Suddenly, several clear gunshots rang out faintly from the direction of the woods ahead.

"Slap! Slap!"

The sound was particularly jarring in the open field.

"Squeak—!"

The lead vehicle braked sharply, and Liu Jianguo gave the order to stop almost the instant he heard the gunshot. The entire convoy quickly came to a stop.

"All alert!"

He growled and his sharp eyes swept towards the direction from which the gunfire was coming.

Gunshots rang out in broad daylight, far from any village or town, which was no ordinary occurrence.

Liu Jianguo's mind raced. He ruled out a shotgun because the sound was off, then considered militia training, but the location didn't fit. The conclusion instantly became clear: either enemy agents were active, or their comrades were hunting them down.

He couldn't think of a third possibility.

He jumped out of the jeep and once again gave the stern order:

"All personnel, deploy your defensive formations on the spot, Li Cheng."

"Here!" Li Cheng responded and stepped forward.

"Take ten men, spread out to the left and right, and use the vehicles to form a defensive line to ensure the safety of the convoy and drivers."

"yes!"

Li Cheng quickly directed his team to take up advantageous positions, with their guns pointed outwards, and to vigilantly observe their surroundings.

Liu Jianguo continued to give orders: "Drivers, stay in the driver's seat, lock the doors, and do not get out of the vehicle without permission."

Then, Liu Jianguo thought for a moment and selected Li Cheng and five other skilled team members:

"Li Cheng, leave five men to reinforce the guard. You, take five more men and come with me to scout ahead. The rest of you stay put."

After speaking, he drew his sidearm from his waist, took the lead, and led Li Cheng and five others in a tight reconnaissance formation. Crouching low, they used the terrain for cover and stealthily made their way quickly and cautiously towards the direction from which the gunfire came. After running for about five minutes, they crossed a sparse woodland.

The view ahead suddenly opened up, and there was a woman in her early twenties wearing a blood-stained blue police uniform, tightly covering her left arm with her hand, blood seeping out between her fingers, her face pale from blood loss and running.

She staggered towards Liu Jianguo and his group, her expression extremely anxious. Surprisingly, when she saw Liu Jianguo and his companions, her eyes suddenly lit up with a wild joy, as if she had recognized them.

But instead of rushing over rashly, she suddenly stopped about a hundred meters away from Liu Jianguo and his men, raised her uninjured right hand, and shouted, "Don't shoot, we're on the same side!"

The distance was perfectly measured, ensuring communication was possible while avoiding accidental firing due to sudden closeness causing the other side to panic. She didn't want to die unjustly in this desolate wilderness after escaping from the jaws of death because of her own people's overreaction.