The entire courtyard is full of villains

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Guowei was still in shock, muttering, "I never imagined that Yi Zhonghai was actually a spy..."

Chapter 18 Arrest of Yi Zhonghai

Inside the director's office at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Yang Liming's hand holding the phone trembled slightly, and cold sweat trickled down his temples. "Yes, yes, leader, I understand, I will cooperate fully. Don't worry, I guarantee it will be done." He replied repeatedly, and after hanging up the phone, he didn't even have time to wipe his sweat. Just as he was about to call his secretary, there was a loud knock on the office door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a man in a security uniform walked in. Yang Liming looked up and saw it was Kang Yunfeng, the head of the security department. "Chief Kang, you received orders too?"

"Yes, I just received the notification." Kang Yunfeng looked at Yang Liming, whose face was full of worry, and said with a hint of comfort, "Director Yang, this matter may not be your fault. After all, Yi Zhonghai was already in the factory when we started the joint venture with Lou Bancheng back then."

"That's true, but I just signed Yi Zhonghai's recommendation form for the Level 8 worker assessment a couple of days ago!" Yang Liming slammed his fist on the desk, his voice trembling with regret. It was all his fault; he shouldn't have thought of repaying Old Lady Long's favor and insisted on recommending him for the Level 8 exam! Who would have thought that Yi Zhonghai was actually a spy!

There was no time for regrets now. Yang Liming glanced at his watch and said, "Section Chief Kang, let's go to the entrance to greet him."

“Okay.” Kang Yunfeng immediately stood up. The two had just reached the factory gate when Wang Xianyong drove up. Jumping out of the car, Wang Xianyong shook hands with Yang Liming and Kang Yunfeng, getting straight to the point: “Where is Yi Zhonghai now?”

"Director Wang, I have someone keeping an eye on him from a distance. He's still in Workshop 3, teaching Jia Dongxu how to do his job right now," Kang Yunfeng quickly replied.

“Okay.” Wang Xianyong nodded, his tone serious. “Section Chief Kang, have the security personnel take us there and arrest him on the spot. Remember, handcuff him and check immediately to see if he has any fangs. Once it’s safe, take him back to the security department for a full check. If there are no problems, I’ll take him away with my men.”

"Understood!" Kang Yunfeng immediately summoned two security officers and led several policemen to Workshop 3.

In the workshop, Yi Zhonghai's right eyelid had been twitching all afternoon, and he felt restless. Jia Dongxu noticed his expression and went over to ask, "Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Why don't you go and rest for a while? I'll get you a cup of tea."

Before Yi Zhonghai could respond, Jia Dongxu had already picked up his water glass and turned to get more water. A warm feeling welled up in Yi Zhonghai's heart. "Dongxu, thank you."

"Master, what are you saying! You are my master, isn't it only natural for me to be good to you?" Jia Dongxu replied with a smile, but secretly he was glad. He was actually afraid that Yi Zhonghai would pursue the matter of yesterday: when Yi Zhonghai was scolded by Zhang Erhe yesterday, he was held back by his mother and didn't dare to say a word the whole time.

"Master, in my opinion, you don't need to pay any attention to that little bastard Zhang Erhe right now!" Jia Dongxu mustered his courage and approached Yi Zhonghai, his tone full of urging. "Director Yang has already signed your recommendation form for the Level 8 worker assessment. Once you pass the Level 8 worker exam, you'll be one of the top people in our factory! Even the head of the maintenance department will have to give you face. You can transfer Zhang Erhe to your command, teach him a lesson a few times, and I guarantee he'll behave himself and never dare to go against you in the yard again!"

Yi Zhonghai listened and nodded involuntarily.

Seeing that he was interested, Jia Dongxu immediately pressed his advantage: "Besides yesterday, Zhang Erhe made such a big fuss, but in the end, Director Wang still sided with you, didn't he? Although your position as the head of the department was temporarily suspended, it's just the right time for you to focus on the assessment!"

"Don't you know the situation in our compound? That pig-brained Fatty Liu, how could he possibly manage it? In the end, you're the one who has to step in. Once you pass the eighth-grade worker exam, Director Wang will definitely have to give you face. Ultimately, you're still the one who calls the shots in the compound; you're not going to lose your position as the big boss!"

"That makes sense." Yi Zhonghai was convinced, and his frustration dissipated considerably. "That damned Zhang Erhe, let him be smug for a few days!"

Since all the factory's Grade 8 workers were transferred away by order last year, the quota for Grade 8 workers has been vacant. Yi Zhonghai had taken the exam twice before but failed. Fortunately, this year the ministry, understanding the shortage of personnel in various factories, made an exception and allowed each factory to recommend one Grade 8 worker for assessment.

Although the factory's exam results aren't as prestigious as those from the ministry, they're still level eight workers. Passing the exam means becoming one of the factory's most respected senior workers. Then, how could Zhang Erhe possibly escape my grasp?

Yi Zhonghai thought about it more and more. If it weren't for the fact that Old Lady Long had a relationship with Director Yang, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to take the assessment. Just as he was immersed in his dream of passing the Level 8 worker exam, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a security officer leading two people in police uniforms toward him out of the corner of his eye.

His heart skipped a beat: Had Zhang Erhe called the police again? But that didn't make sense. Last night, Director Wang clearly said that the matter should end there. Would Zhang Erhe dare to disobey Director Wang's decision?

It seems good things never come without bad. Yi Zhonghai was nervously clutching the hem of his clothes when, as expected, the security officer walked straight up to him and stopped. He first stepped aside towards the two policemen, then pointed at him, his tone somewhat restrained: "Police officers, this is Yi Zhonghai."

As soon as he finished speaking, the policeman on the left stepped forward, opened his palm to show his identification, and said in a firm voice, "Yi Zhonghai, we are from the Dongcheng Branch. We need your cooperation in a case. Come with us to the station for investigation."

Yi Zhonghai felt a surge of panic rising to his throat, but he forced himself to wave his hand and said, "Comrades, are you sure you're not mistaken? I haven't done anything wrong! Director Wang mediated the conflict in the hospital yesterday, and Zhang Erhe didn't say he had any objections."

“We’re not investigating yesterday’s neighborhood dispute,” another police officer chimed in, his sharp gaze sweeping across his face. “Don’t waste time, come with us.”

"I'm not leaving!" Yi Zhonghai was truly panicked now, his voice trembling. "Why can't we talk about this in the security department? Why do we have to go to the bureau?"

The two policemen exchanged a glance and stopped wasting words with him. The next second, they stepped forward at the same time, grabbed his arms on the left and right, and slammed him down—before Yi Zhonghai could even finish his "ouch" he was forced to kneel on the ground, and his hands were handcuffed behind his back with a "click".

"What are you doing! What are you doing!" Yi Zhonghai struggled to lift his head, about to shout even louder, when one of the policemen immediately reached out and pinched his cheek, while the other took out a flashlight and shone it into his mouth. After looking for a few seconds, he shouted behind him, "Captain, no fangs found."

Just as Yi Zhonghai's cheek relaxed and he was about to speak, he was punched hard in the ribs, making him gasp in pain. Immediately afterwards, a piece of oily rag that smelled of machine oil was shoved into his mouth, silencing him completely.

"Let's go!" The two men grabbed his arms and dragged him out like a heavy weight. Jia Dongxu, watching from behind, was dumbfounded, collapsing to the ground and muttering to himself, "Master... what exactly did Master do wrong?"

Workshop foreman Guo Da Piezi had just run out of his office when he stumbled upon this scene. He quickly approached the security officer and asked, "Officer Zhu, what... what's going on?"

The security officer didn't even turn his head: "Director Guo, don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."

Guo Dapizi shut his mouth sheepishly, but cursed inwardly: Yi Zhonghai, that bastard, must have gotten himself into big trouble, otherwise the police would never have made such a big fuss.

After Yi Zhonghai was dragged into the security department, he was stripped down to his underwear and thoroughly searched inside and out. After one of the police officers finished the search, he shook his head at Wang Xianyong, who was in charge. Wang Xianyong didn't say anything, but simply had someone find an old work uniform to wrap around him, then threw him into the back seat of a police car and drove towards the Dongcheng branch.

Before leaving, Director Yang chased after the car for a couple of steps, grabbed Wang Xianyong's hand and instructed him: "Director Wang, if you find out anything, you must let us know as soon as possible so that the factory can make preparations."

"Yes, Director Yang, I understand."

Chapter 19 Searching the Yard

At the entrance of courtyard house number 95, Zhang Guowei led a group of men and hurried over, accompanied by Zhou Yong, who was dressed in plain clothes. He pointed in the direction of the courtyard and whispered to Zhou Yong, "Yi Zhonghai lives in the east wing of the middle courtyard. Your men go in and take control of his wife first. I'll guard the entrance here. Don't let anyone escape."

"Understood, Lao Zhang." Zhou Yong nodded in agreement. "Later, the steel mill's security department will send the people working in the factory back to the compound. They can enter the compound normally then, but anyone who tries to leave must be stopped—if even one person leaves now, it will easily alert the others."

"Don't worry, it can't be wrong." Zhang Guowei patted his arm and turned to call out "Da Han".

Da Han scratched the back of his head and ran over. Zhang Guowei pointed to the Central Courtyard and said, "You take Captain Zhou in. You know where Yi Zhonghai's house is. Just take him there directly. Don't dawdle."

"Understood, Chief Zhang!" Da Han replied readily, then turned and led Zhou Yong into the courtyard.

At the entrance of the east wing of the Intermediate People's Court, Zhang Erhe was lazily lying on a deck chair, basking in the sun. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw a group of police officers entering. He knew perfectly well that his letter of complaint must have worked. But he remained calm, still squinting in the sun, as if he hadn't seen them at all.

After arranging things at the entrance, Zhang Guowei walked into the central courtyard and immediately spotted Zhang Erhe lounging leisurely. He kicked the leg of Zhang Erhe's recliner with annoyance and said, "Zhang Erhe, you're quite comfortable here, acting like you're the master of the house?"

Zhang Erhe slowly sat up and rubbed his lower back: "Uncle Zhang, the doctor said that I need to get more sun exposure to heal my injury faster."

"Stop in the sun, go back inside." Zhang Guowei waved his hand. "Someone will be asking you questions later, so behave yourself."

"Alright." Zhang Erhe didn't stand on ceremony, picked up the recliner and headed to his room.

Zhang Guowei then stood in the middle of the courtyard and raised his voice: "Everyone in the courtyard, go back to your own homes! No gathering outside, and absolutely no whispering!"

The women in the courtyard were already pale with fright from the men Zhou Yong had brought. Hearing this, they all shrank back into the house in silence. Zhang Guowei walked to the door of the east wing and saw that the door was wide open. Yi Zhonghai's wife, Tan Saihua, was being held down in a chair by two policemen, her mouth stuffed with a rag, unable to speak. Several other policemen were ransacking the place, and soon they had gathered the items they found into several cardboard boxes.

Zhou Yong came out and nodded to Zhang Guowei: "The house has been searched. I'll have someone seal it off." As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion at the gate of the courtyard—people working at the steel rolling mill were being led inside by security personnel, with Liu Haizhong leading the way.

Liu Haizhong spotted Zhang Guowei at a glance and was about to approach him to strike up a conversation when Zhang Guowei's eyes narrowed and he said in a deep voice, "Liu Haizhong, hurry back to your own home! Someone will be questioning you later, so don't loiter around here!"

"Okay, okay!" Liu Haizhong shrank back in fright and hurriedly went to his room. Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and the others followed behind, their faces also pale. They didn't dare to say anything and ran back to their respective rooms in a flash. Only Jia Dongxu was left behind, standing there trembling.

Zhou Yong walked up to Jia Dongxu, looked him up and down, and asked, "Are you Yi Zhonghai's apprentice?"

Jia Dongxu clutched the hem of his clothes, his voice trembling: "Yes..."

When did you become a disciple?

"1950..."

How does Yi Zhonghai usually treat you?

Jia Dongxu swallowed hard, his eyes darting around nervously, and stammered, "Yes...yes, I'm quite..."

The door to the west wing creaked open, and Jia Zhangshi rushed out in a panic, shouting as she ran, "Leader! Yi Zhonghai treats my son badly! He took my son as his apprentice just so he can make my son support him in his old age!"

Zhou Yong frowned, turned around and glared angrily at the police officers guarding the Jia family's door: "Who let her out?!"

The policeman's face flushed red, and he hurriedly stepped forward to take Jia Zhangshi back. "Don't take me away! Officer!" Jia Zhangshi struggled fiercely, her voice rising even louder, "I've lived in this courtyard the longest, I know everything about Yi Zhonghai's scumbag affairs! I'll tell you everything you ask! My son is stupid, don't let him get involved in Yi Zhonghai's case!"

She knew perfectly well that, judging from today's situation, Yi Zhonghai was probably finished. Her own son was honest, and if he got involved, who knew what might happen to him? So she decided to take the plunge and clear herself of any trouble.

Zhou Yong understood the situation, raised his hand to stop the policeman who was about to pull him away, and asked with great interest, "What year did you say Yi Zhonghai was admitted to the hospital?"

“It was probably 46!” Jia Zhangshi quickly replied, speaking rapidly. “He and Tan Saihua said they fled from the Northeast to escape the war. After arriving, they bought a house from the old lady and then went to Lou’s Steel Plant—which is now Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill!”

Who is he closest to in the courtyard?

“It used to be He Daqing, but after He Daqing left, he became closest to Old Lady Long in the backyard!” Jia Zhangshi swallowed and added, “He was still bragging in the yard that Old Lady Long was a recipient of the Five Guarantees and had given shoes to the People’s Liberation Army, but Zhang Erhe exposed him yesterday! Zhang Erhe even said that they were godparents! Everyone in the yard heard it!”

Zhou Yong nodded and then asked, "How is Yi Zhonghai usually in the hospital?"

"Hypocrite! Utter hypocrite!" Madam Jia spat. "He pretends to be kind-hearted on the surface, but he's secretly very selfish and always thinks of himself first!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a commotion came from the doorway of the east wing—Tan Saihua forcefully pushed the gag out of her mouth, glaring at Jia Zhangshi with red eyes: "You're no better! Ever since Old Jia died in 47, you've been fooling around with Yi Zhonghai in the cellar! Don't think I don't know!"

"I didn't!" Jia Zhangshi panicked and hurriedly waved her hands to explain, "Leaders, I really have nothing to do with Yi Zhonghai! I don't know anything about the bad things he did! Please don't wrong me!"

"Alright!" Zhang Guowei suddenly glared at them, pointing at Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi, and Tan Saihua. "Take these three back first, then go to the backyard and invite Old Lady Long to the police station as well!"

"Yes, sir!" Two policemen immediately ran to the backyard, while the rest of the officers grabbed Jia Zhangshi and her two companions, escorting them towards the gate. Jia Zhangshi tried to struggle and shout something, but the policeman pressed her shoulder, and she fell silent instantly.

Zhang Guowei turned to Zhou Yong and said, "Old Zhou, your men will start asking questions from the backyard, and my men will investigate from the frontyard. Finally, we'll meet in the middle yard to check the situation."

"No problem." Zhou Yong nodded in agreement and immediately arranged for people to go to the backyard.

Zhang Guowei personally led his men to the front yard, and the first to enter was Yan Bugui's house. Yan Bugui was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), rubbing his hands, his face full of regret—if he had known he would be stuck in the yard today, he would never have come back from school early.

“Yan Bugui.” Zhang Guowei walked straight up to him, his tone serious. “I’m asking you, what has Yi Zhonghai done in private? What unusual things has he done? You’d better tell me the truth, this is no small matter.”

Yan Bugui trembled with fright and quickly stood up: "Director Zhang, I wouldn't dare lie! You know me, I'm just a teacher, very timid." He swallowed and slowly began, "Yi Zhonghai is a very scheming person. Right after liberation, when the institute was selecting liaison officers, many people voted for He Daqing, and Yi Zhonghai held a grudge. The following year, I don't know what method he used, but he forced He Daqing to flee to Baoding."

"Anything else?" Zhang Guowei pressed.

“Those families who supported He Daqing back then haven’t had a good time these past few years either.” Yan Bugui lowered his voice even further. “Yi Zhonghai, using the name of the steward, picks on this person today and finds fault with that person tomorrow, eventually driving them all away.”

He sighed, "I was only able to become this liaison officer because the neighborhood office needed someone who could read. Otherwise, Yi Zhonghai would never have let me get involved. Even after becoming a liaison officer, I've always been suppressed by him. I really have no idea what shady things he's been doing!"

Chapter 20 truly revealed

Zhang Guowei asked Yan Bugui a few more questions, but seeing that he couldn't provide any more useful information, he got up and left, heading straight for Zhang Erhe's house in the east wing.

As soon as I entered, I saw that Zhang Erhe had already brewed tea and was handing me a cup, saying, "Uncle Zhang, have some tea to soothe your throat."

Zhang Guowei didn't stand on ceremony, took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. When he put the cup down, he glanced at him and said, "What? You think I'm wasting your good tea?"

"No, not at all." Zhang Erhe smiled and poured him more hot water. "Drinking tea is all about enjoying it; it's not like it's more expensive than tea leaves."

"You're quite clever, buddy." Zhang Guowei nodded, then changed the subject, "Tell me, what's Yi Zhonghai really like in the courtyard on a daily basis?"

"Not so great." Zhang Erhe stopped laughing, his tone tinged with disdain. "This old guy pretends to be honest and kind on the surface, but he's got a lot of bad intentions behind the scenes."

“I heard from Yan Bugui that he has driven many people away from the hospital in recent years.”

“That’s the absolute truth.” Zhang Erhe nodded, then added, “But to be fair, those families he forced out weren’t exactly good people either; they used to follow He Daqing. Isn’t it perfectly normal for Yi Zhonghai to want to silence the dissenting voices in the courtyard and drive away those who support He Daqing?”

Zhang Guowei frowned: "Why does he insist on keeping the courtyard under his own control?"

"What else could it be? To provide for his retirement." Zhang Erhe sneered. "Yi Zhonghai is childless. If he were anywhere else, everyone would talk behind his back. But here in this courtyard, it's the other way around. He wants to ride on everyone's heads."

He paused, then complained, "I'm also puzzled. Those good-for-nothings in the courtyard don't try to bring him down; instead, they're all subservient to him. Especially Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, each with three sons, but they're all just decorations."

Seeing that Zhang Erhe was about to continue, Zhang Guowei quickly raised his hand to interrupt: "Alright, let's not talk about that now. I'm asking you, have you noticed any other unusual behavior from Yi Zhonghai?"

“Other things…” Zhang Erhe suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer, “Does that count as him and Jia Zhangshi frequently going into the cellar? Once, when I came back from the black market, I saw some noise in the cellar, and Yi Zhonghai’s wife, Tan Saihua, was standing at the door, her face as black as the bottom of a pot. And even earlier, I caught He Daqing touching Tan Saihua’s buttocks, and she not only wasn’t angry, but she even smiled and agreed—there’s a lot of filth going on in this yard!”