Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Liu Jianguo continued his report: "Chief, the journey there wasn't peaceful either. We encountered several groups of bandits who were too arrogant to stand up to us, and we exchanged fire several times, wasting a lot of ammunition and grenades." He deliberately kept this part of the report brief, focusing instead on the great achievement on the return trip.

Sure enough, Wang Pengyuan waved his hand dismissively and said, "What's a little ammunition wasted on those ignorant bandits? The key is this group of enemy agents; this is a major victory!"

He paced excitedly around the office. "Jianguo, immediately write me a detailed report on this mission, especially the details of the annihilation and capture of enemy agents, as well as the ammunition consumption! Be quick! I'll go report this good news to Secretary Nie and Director Yang right away!"

"This achievement makes Wang Pengyuan, as the head of the security department, very proud."

"Yes, Director, I'll go back and write the report right away."

Liu Jianguo acknowledged and took his leave. He had just gently closed the door when he heard Wang Pengyuan impatiently grabbing the phone in the office.

Liu Jianguo's lips curled up almost imperceptibly. He could imagine Wang Pengyuan's feelings at this moment. Although Liu Jianguo was the one who fought the battle, as the direct leader, he naturally deserved a share of the achievements, and a significant one at that.

As Wang Pengyuan walked, he straightened his collar, pondering how to report to the factory leaders in a way that would make him appear to be a capable leader.

Back in his small deputy director's office, Liu Jianguo closed the door behind him, shutting out the sounds from outside.

He let out a long sigh of relief, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and slumped into the old rattan chair. His nerves had been on edge the entire journey from Baotou to Beijing; now, he could finally relax for a while.

The familiar faint smell of ink and old paper in the office gave him a sense of peace.

He sat quietly for a few minutes, rubbing his slightly throbbing temples, then opened a drawer and took out manuscript paper and a fountain pen. Unscrewing the pen cap, filling it with ink, he hesitated briefly before beginning to write furiously at his desk.

The pen scratched across the paper as he clearly, objectively, and with a focus on the cause, process, and result of the mission, especially the encounter and annihilation of enemy agents on the return journey, how they were discovered, how they were deployed, how the battle took place, the final outcome, and the consumption of ammunition.

This report will be the most direct reflection of his achievements.

The report had just been written, the ink still wet, when there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Secretary Nie's secretary, Xiao Zhang, poked his head in, a perfectly timed smile on his face:

"Director Liu, the factory leaders are in the small conference room. Secretary Nie requests that you go there now."

Liu Jianguo knew that this was a time to reward those who had made contributions and to finalize the follow-up matters.

He carefully folded the report, stuffed it into his shirt pocket, and dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes before calmly following Xiao Zhang out of the smoke-filled office.

The door to the small conference room was ajar, and low voices could be heard coming from inside.

Xiao Zhang pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Liu Jianguo in.

Inside the room, Secretary Nie Huaiyuan, Factory Director Yang, and the newly arrived Company Commander Wang Pengyuan sat around a table. The ashtray on the table was already piled with cigarette butts, and the air was somewhat stuffy.

Upon seeing Liu Jianguo enter, all three of them turned their gazes to him.

Secretary Zhang quietly slipped out, closing the door behind her.

With a soft "click," only the four key figures from the steel rolling mill remained in the room, and the atmosphere became noticeably more serious and cautious.

Secretary Nie stubbed out his cigarette, a smile of approval on his face, and broke the silence first:

"Comrade Jianguo, you've had a tough trip! I just heard a brief summary from Comrade Pengyuan, and it's truly remarkable! Seven enemy agents were killed and seven were captured alive—that's a solid achievement, and it's brought great honor to our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill!"

He changed the subject, leaning forward slightly, "Tell me the details, especially how this battle was fought."

Factory Director Yang and Wang Pengyuan also turned their attention to it.

"Secretary Nie, Factory Director Yang, Section Chief Wang."

Liu Jianguo first stood at attention and saluted, his movements clean and efficient.

Then, without any haste, he took the report out of his pocket and handed it to Secretary Nie with both hands.

"This is the detailed report that has just been compiled. Please review it, leader."

He spoke clearly and calmly, recounting in a logical manner how they discovered the enemy's situation on the return journey, how they made decisive deployments, how they engaged the enemy, and how they ultimately achieved a complete victory, emphasizing the decision-making process and the bravery of the soldiers.

As Secretary Nie listened, he quickly scanned the report in his hand, occasionally tapping a data point or detail with his fingertip and nodding slightly.

After Liu Jianguo finished his report, Secretary Nie put down the report, glanced at Factory Director Yang and Wang Pengyuan, and finally looked at Liu Jianguo. As if he had suddenly remembered something, he added in a casual tone:

"Oh, by the way, I also heard that you rescued a colleague this time? The captain of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Investigation Division, named... Tang Jingxian?"

The question was asked casually, as if it were just to confirm an insignificant detail, but both Director Yang and Wang Pengyuan present glanced at it slightly.

Everyone here is shrewd; who doesn't know that Director Tang of the Municipal Bureau has such a young and important daughter?

Secretary Nie's words made it crystal clear that the credit should go to Liu Jianguo.

Your daughter, Director Tang, almost met with danger. It was my steel mill's people who risked their lives to save her and even helped you clean up your mess. You, Director Tang, must acknowledge this favor.

If he dares to have any crooked ideas about the distribution of credit at this time, where will Tang Yongsheng put his face if word gets out?

In the circles of Beijing, wouldn't people laugh themselves to death? The unspoken rules are understood without needing to be explicitly stated.

Secretary Nie, seemingly oblivious to the subtle expressions on everyone's faces, directly instructed Wang Pengyuan:

"Comrade Pengyuan, Jianguo's report is based on a solid foundation and the facts are clear. Please polish it a bit more, focusing on highlighting Comrade Jianguo's key role and decisive command in this incident, and his due credit should not be overlooked. Prepare a formal report, multiple copies."

He paused, tapped his fingers on the table, and said, "One copy each for the factory's Party Committee and the factory administration, plus a copy to the Dongcheng Branch of the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

This was practically an explicit instruction: write the report in a pleasing manner, focusing on making sure those who should see it recognize Liu Jianguo's contributions, especially the municipal bureau.

"Yes, Secretary, I understand. I will definitely write the report well."

Wang Pengyuan understood and agreed. Secretary Nie then gave Liu Jianguo a final instruction:

"The enemy agents will be held in your custody for now. They must be kept under strict guard and no mistakes can be tolerated. The Municipal Bureau will likely send someone to take over around this time, and you will be in charge personally then."

He waved his hand. "Alright, that's settled then. Meeting adjourned."

Everyone got up and left.