Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

If someone else had proposed this appointment, those present would have certainly jumped out to object, accusing it of nepotism and favoritism.

However, the person who proposed this candidate was Lin Yang, who had just demonstrated his iron-fisted approach by sending the deputy factory director to jail!

Zhou Zhenhua was the first to step forward, loudly declaring, "I firmly agree with Secretary Lin's proposal! Comrade Lin Fan has been working meticulously as a quality inspector in the warehouse lately, keeping clear and accurate accounts. He is absolutely an honest, conscientious, and highly responsible comrade! We can rest assured entrusting the security department to him!"

Zhou Zhenhua is Lin Yang's staunch ally, so naturally he would cheer him on at crucial moments.

Factory Director Yang was a shrewd man. He knew that for Lin Yang to completely control the steel rolling mill, he needed to keep the reins of power in the hands of his own people. Although Lin Fan was relatively inexperienced, with Lin Yang backing him up, who would dare to disobey?

"I agree too!" Yang Jianguo chimed in decisively. "Comrade Lin Fan is not only of impeccable character, but also a family member of a combat hero, with an absolutely clean political record. Appointing him as the head of the security section is the most suitable choice at present."

With the factory director and two deputy directors having given their approval, how could the other middle-level managers dare to utter a single word of dissent? They all raised their hands in agreement.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, the Personnel Department will issue the appointment document immediately. Comrade Lin Fan should report to the Security Department this afternoon to assume his post!" Lin Yang made the final decision.

……

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

The logistics warehouse of the steel rolling mill.

Lin Fan was holding a small notebook, carefully checking a newly arrived batch of steel. He was wearing clean work clothes, and despite the cold weather, he was working with great enthusiasm.

His life has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past month. His job is easy and he is respected, his fiancée Ding Qiunan is gentle and considerate, and the two have already started discussing getting married next spring. Lin Fan feels that the greatest blessing in his life is having such a good younger brother as Lin Yang.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the warehouse.

Immediately afterward, the head of the personnel department of the steel rolling mill, accompanied by two security officers, strode in with a broad smile.

"Oh, Section Chief Lin! Congratulations!" The personnel section chief stretched out his hands from a distance, his face beaming like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Lin Fan paused for a moment, looked around, and pointed to his own nose in confusion: "Section Chief Wang, who are you calling section chief? I'm Lin Fan, a quality inspector."

"Oh, my dear Section Chief Lin, please don't be modest. The factory's Party Committee just issued an official document, it's all written clearly in black and white!"

Section Chief Wang grabbed Lin Fan's hand and shook it vigorously, his tone filled with undisguised fawning and ingratiation.

"By unanimous decision of the factory's Party Committee, you are officially appointed as the head of the Security Section of our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill! You will also serve as the company commander of the factory's militia company! Your rank has been directly promoted to administrative level 18! You've really risen to the top in one step!"

boom!

Lin Fan's mind went blank, and he was completely dumbfounded.

Head of the Security Department?!

A position he never dared to dream of!

In a large factory like a steel rolling mill, employing tens of thousands of people, the head of security is a truly powerful figure. He not only oversees hundreds of security officers, responsible for patrolling the entire factory, ensuring security, and inspecting supplies, but he also has the authority to directly arrest and interrogate workers for fights, petty theft, and other minor offenses. This power is practically equivalent to that of a small police station chief!

Moreover, it's administrative level 18! That means the salary and benefits have increased several times over!

"Section Chief Wang, is this...is this true? Can I...can I do this well?" Lin Fan was so excited that he could barely speak.

"How could you not do a good job! With Secretary Lin at the helm, you could do it even with your eyes closed!" Section Chief Wang joked with a smile.

Then, with a wave of his hand, Section Chief Wang received a brand-new uniform from a security officer behind him.

It was the 1950s-style uniform for security officers, dark blue, well-tailored, and exuding an air of authority.

What made Lin Fan's breath catch in his throat the most was that on his uniform there was a leather holster containing a shiny black Soviet-made Tokarev TT-33 semi-automatic pistol (the predecessor of the Type 54 pistol)!

Arms!

This is a real weapon that only the head of the security department and a few senior security officers are qualified to wear!

"Section Chief Lin, hurry up and change. There are hundreds of men in the security department waiting for you to give them a talking-to!" Section Chief Wang urged.

Lin Fan's hands trembled as he took the uniform and the heavy pistol.

He took a deep breath, his eyes slightly warming. He knew that his younger brother was paving the way for him, forging him into an armor that no one would dare to bully!

Ten minutes later.

When Lin Fan changed into that crisp security officer uniform, tightened the leather belt, and tucked the heavy pistol into his waistband...

His entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation.

The submissive and timid manner of the lower-class workers has completely disappeared, replaced by an aura of authority and coldness that wields the power of life and death.

He straightened his back and strode out of the warehouse with firm steps.

Along the way, all the workers and workshop directors they encountered were utterly shocked when they saw Lin Fan's outfit.

"My God! Isn't that Lin Fan? Why is he wearing the security chief's uniform?"

"You don't know yet, do you? A document just came out: Lin Fan has been promoted to head of the security department! Li Huaide and his gang have all been arrested by Secretary Lin!"

"Good heavens! These Lin brothers are ruthless! From now on, who in the factory will dare to mess with Section Chief Lin!"

The workers were chattering amongst themselves, but when Lin Fan's gaze swept over them, everyone immediately shut their mouths, put on ingratiating smiles, and shouted, "Hello, Section Chief Lin!"

Lin Fan smiled and nodded in response, a surge of unprecedented pride welling up in his heart.

This is the taste of power!

……

It was evening.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the bluestone slabs of Nanluoguxiang.

In each household of the courtyard, people were busy lighting stoves and cooking dinner. The air was filled with the smell of coal smoke and cornmeal porridge.

"Ring ring—"

A crisp bicycle bell rang out at the entrance of the alley.

Lin Fan rode his shiny black Flying Pigeon bicycle and came to a steady stop in front of the gate of No. 95 Courtyard.

He wasn't wearing his serge Zhongshan suit today; instead, he was wearing his dark blue security chief's uniform.

The moment he dismounted his bicycle and pushed it into the front yard.

Uncle Yan Bugui, who was calculating the price of cabbage for the day in the yard, was stunned by what he saw, as if struck by lightning.

"Oh my... Lin... Lin Fan, what's with your clothes...?"

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses, his gaze fixed on the bulging leather holster at Lin Fan's waist, his voice trembling like a leaf.

Although he was a primary school teacher, he recognized what this uniform represented. It was the uniform of a security officer! And judging from the belt and the style of the sidearm, it was definitely not an ordinary officer!