Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Liu Jianguo spoke with neither arrogance nor servility, his young face displaying a composure beyond his years, making him someone not to be underestimated.

The meeting's pace picked up. Next, two more senior deputy directors—Zhao Deming, in charge of household registration, and Zhou Hai, in charge of pre-trial investigation and custody—briefly introduced themselves and their respective areas of responsibility. Following this, the heads of each department announced their names in order of seating:

"Public Security Section, Section Chief Sun Dayong."

"Criminal Investigation Department, Chief Zheng Weimin."

"Political Department, Director Zhou Li."

"Secretariat, Section Chief Qian Qianjin."

"Preliminary Investigation Section, Section Chief Wu Guodong."

"Household Registration Section, Section Chief: Feng Guiying."

"Fire Protection Section, Section Chief Lei Xiangdong."

"Administrative Section, Section Chief Zhou Fugui."

"Detention center, Director Zhang Jianjun."

……

Behind each name and position lies an important aspect of public security work and a force, large or small. Liu Jianguo listened intently, his gaze meeting that of each speaker, quickly memorizing their names, positions, and physical characteristics, thus forming a basic understanding of the power structure and personnel composition of the Dongcheng Branch.

After the last director was introduced, Wang Pengyuan spoke again, directly announcing the important personnel division of labor:

"Alright, everyone knows each other now. Today's meeting is also the official inauguration ceremony for Comrade Jianguo. After deliberation by the Municipal Bureau Party Committee, it has been decided that Comrade Liu Jianguo will serve as the Executive Deputy Director of the Branch Bureau."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sun Dayong, the head of the Public Security Section, and Zheng Weimin, the head of the Criminal Investigation Section, his tone becoming more forceful:

"The branch party committee has decided that Comrade Jianguo, as the executive deputy director, will be in charge of the two core areas of public security management and criminal investigation. In other words, the public security section and the criminal investigation section will report to Comrade Jianguo on their daily work. Dayong and Weimin, you two must fully cooperate with Comrade Jianguo's work."

This order directly handed over the two most important weapons of the branch office—the shield for maintaining daily order and the spear for combating crime—to Liu Jianguo, demonstrating the immense power he wielded.

Sun Dayong and Zheng Weimin immediately straightened their backs and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Director!"

After the branch party committee meeting, Liu Jianguo, guided by Director Wang Pengyuan, arrived at an office located on the east side of the second floor of the office building.

The room was spacious and bright, complete with a desk, filing cabinet, and sofa for guests. Although it was a bit empty, it was cleaned spotlessly, clearly having been hastily prepared for him, the newly appointed executive deputy director.

The smell of new paint and disinfectant still lingered in the air.

Liu Jianguo surveyed the surroundings and nodded in satisfaction. This treatment highlighted the status of the branch's executive deputy director.

Liu Jianguo sat down behind his large desk, picked up the internal phone, and directly called the secretariat:

"I am Liu Jianguo. Please inform the head of the Criminal Investigation Section and the head of the Public Security Section to come to my office now."

His tone was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

He knew that as a new official, he had to quickly familiarize himself with the core business, grasp the key departments, and establish his authority.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door.

After receiving permission, two middle-aged men walked in one after the other.

The man walking in front, with a lean build and sharp, eagle-like eyes, was Zheng Weimin, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Following behind was a burly man with a dark complexion; he was Sun Dayong, the head of the Public Security Section.

The two men stood at attention and saluted: "Director Liu."

Liu Jianguo looked up from the documents, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two men, and pointed to the sofa:

"Zheng Ke, Sun Ke, you're here. Please have a seat."

After the two sat down somewhat awkwardly, he put down his pen, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone:

"I'm new to the branch office and not familiar with the situation yet. Public security and criminal investigation are the top priorities of the branch office, and I'll need your support in the future. Let me start with you two. Please give me a brief overview of your respective departments, staffing, main responsibilities, and current important cases."

Zheng Weimin spoke first, his voice steady:

"Reporting to Director Liu! Criminal Investigation Division, Chief: Zheng Weimin, Deputy Chief: Zhao Qiang. The division has 60 staff members and is divided into three investigation teams, each with a captain and a deputy captain. Our main responsibility is to investigate and solve major criminal cases within our jurisdiction."

Sun Dayong then reported to his superior:

"Reporting to Director Liu! The Public Security Section is headed by myself, Sun Dayong, and the deputy head is Qian Weidong. The section has 80 staff members and is divided into four security teams, each with a captain and a deputy captain. The main responsibilities are public security management, patrol and prevention, handling of emergencies, and investigation of general public security cases."

The two gave concise and clear reports, demonstrating their capable style.

Liu Jianguo listened attentively and made a few simple notes in his notebook.

Then he looked up at the two of them, his tone becoming more serious:

"I have a preliminary understanding of the situation. Section Chief Zheng, Section Chief Sun, let me be clear from the start. I don't care what the rules were before, from the moment I take charge, public security and criminal investigation must become the fastest and sharpest blades in the branch. The case-solving rate must be increased, and the crime rate must be reduced. The team must be well managed. Anyone who dares to bend the law for personal gain or slack off will not be blamed for my ruthlessness, Liu Jianguo."

Of course, those who do well will be rewarded. We'll work out the specifics later. That's all for today. Go back and give me a brief report on your key tasks for the near future.

"Yes, Director Liu!"

Zheng Weimin and Sun Dayong responded in unison, stood up, saluted, and left the office.

The two exchanged a glance and saw a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes. This young executive deputy director was clearly not there to gain experience; he was someone who really wanted to get things done and was not someone to be fooled.

Just after seeing off the two section chiefs, the office door was gently pushed open a crack again, and Tang Jingxian's head peeked in, winking playfully:

"Director Liu, are you done? May I come in?"

Upon seeing her, Liu Jianguo's serious expression instantly melted away, replaced by a playful smile. He lowered his voice and said:

"Hey, Captain Tang's here to inspect the work. What's wrong? Why aren't you at the team's? Why are you here? Um... still hurting?" The question was utterly ambiguous.

Tang Jingxian's face flushed red instantly, like a ripe apple.

She darted inside, slammed the door shut behind her, and stamped her foot in a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, her voice barely audible.

"You...you still have the nerve to ask? It's all your fault. I'm still walking a little awkwardly..."

Her coquettish demeanor was completely different from the usually decisive and efficient policewoman.

Seeing her blushing expression, Liu Jianguo was in a good mood. He got up, walked around the desk, stood in front of her, and deliberately leaned close to her ear, whispering:

"That's perfect. Come on, I'll take you to Director Tang right now to propose in person. That way, we can settle things between us and you won't have to sneak around like this anymore."

His words were half true and half false, with a clear hint of mockery.

"Oh dear! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Tang Jingxian was both anxious and embarrassed. She reached out to hit him, but Liu Jianguo grabbed her wrist.