Siheyuan, my new life

After Wang Shengli left the director's office, only Director Qin Ming, Deputy Director Zhang Shangwu, Guan Dajiang, and He Daqing, who had come to report the situation, remained in the room.

Qin Ming stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and said seriously, “Gentlemen, as the food supply outside becomes increasingly tight, our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill Security Department is receiving more attention. The reason is simple: other factories and units can't even guarantee the most basic logistical supplies, but our Security Department's training base canteen can still provide two meat dishes, steamed buns made from mixed flour, and unlimited rice every day. As for other benefits, there are many more. We know that this is mainly to ensure that the action team members who have undergone medicated baths can replenish their nutritional needs, while the department staff and ordinary personnel…” The security guards benefited from this arrangement; after all, it's not about scarcity but about inequality. Everyone works in the security department, and it's unacceptable to artificially divide people into different classes, otherwise, there would be widespread resentment within the department. Although our security department had already given its allocated grain quota to the steel mill's logistics department as a small aid to the factory, recent reports indicate that some workers at the Hongxing Steel Mill have significant complaints about the quality of our food. Many have even appealed to the mill's union, arguing that everyone belongs to the Hongxing Steel Mill and should be treated equally.

Guan Dajiang said with a sneer, "They say that greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Someone is definitely jealous. And ordinary workers might not even think of complaining to the union. Obviously, someone is deliberately manipulating and instigating this. If ordinary workers don't know how our security department's logistics are handled, the leaders and cadres of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill should know. This is someone deliberately making things difficult for us, and even using the workers of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill to morally blackmail us."

Zhang Shangwu flicked the ash from his cigarette and said dismissively, "Old Guan is right. It seems some people aren't satisfied with the grain we've given them and want more supplies. Director, we absolutely cannot open this door, otherwise someone will definitely take advantage of us. They want grain now, and they'll definitely try to get meat later. You have to understand that the steel mill now has nearly ten thousand employees. If we want to meet their needs, the amount of grain they need every day is not small. We absolutely cannot cause trouble for the Party Secretary."

He Daqing knew he had no say in such matters, but since it concerned logistics, he, as the director of the training base's canteen, was qualified to know. Therefore, he simply sat quietly on the sofa, smoking and listening to the conversation of the leaders.

Qin Ming lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly said, "I have already reported to the Party Secretary. He has instructed that a secret investigation be conducted, and once the instigator is found, they will be dealt with accordingly. In addition, considering the special nature of our Security Department, the Party Secretary plans to submit an application to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to separate the Security Department from the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. From now on, the Security Department will be recognized by the Public Security Bureau and will supervise the security work of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, Guan Dajiang and Zhang Shangwu both showed joy. If a public security sub-bureau could really be established, they, as section chiefs and deputy section chiefs, would naturally become bureau chiefs and deputy bureau chiefs, and their administrative ranks would be correspondingly elevated. Moreover, they believed that as long as the secretary submitted an application to the higher authorities, it should be approved. After all, they, as deputy section chiefs, were well aware of the importance of the security department's training base.

Seeing their expressions, Qin Ming could guess what his two deputies were thinking, but he understood. He coughed and said, "This matter must be kept strictly confidential until we receive approval from our superiors. Also, what Director He mentioned today has given us a suitable excuse. Those steel mill workers we caught during the crackdown on the black market in the old imperial city of Xicheng a few days ago should have been dealt with seriously if it weren't for Deputy Director Li Huaide pleading for them. Unfortunately, some of them didn't appreciate it, especially Hao Aiguo, who dared to openly force Director He to get cheap grain for the residents of their courtyard. His intentions are as clear as day. We absolutely cannot be lenient with such petty people. I'd like to see who dares to plead for him this time."

Hearing the murderous intent in Qin Ming's words, Zhang Shangwu and Guan Dajiang also snorted heavily. They really didn't know what this guy named Hao Aiguo was thinking. He was just an ordinary workshop worker, yet he dared to coerce a deputy section chief canteen director, especially since he was the canteen director of the security department's training base. He was simply courting death.

Moreover, Hao Aiguo set his sights on Guo Yongping. Although Guo Yongping was just a newly hired purchasing agent in the purchasing department, the connections left by his uncle Dou Dagang were beyond the comprehension of ordinary workers. How many old comrades and leaders of a veteran who had participated in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation were still alive after a lifetime of military service?

When Deputy Director Wang Shengli found out, he took the initiative to step forward. How could ordinary workshop workers possibly understand the special bond between old comrades-in-arms and leaders? They were people who could shield each other from bullets in critical moments, and many of them had saved each other's lives. It was easy to imagine that Hao Aiguo would have a hard time getting through this ordeal in Wang Shengli's hands. That was simply a pipe dream.

While Qin Ming and the others were talking in the director's office, Xiong Qingshan, the deputy director with a gloomy face, personally led a group of security guards from the security section and strode towards the fitter's workshop.

This morning, Hao Aiguo left his home around 7:10 as usual. He lit a cigarette at the gate of the courtyard house, feeling a little uneasy. Usually at this time, several other residents who also worked at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill would be here, heading to work together.

Since becoming the third uncle in charge of the No. 95 courtyard house, Hao Aiguo would always deliberately leave a minute or two later, so he was usually the last one to arrive. To be honest, Hao Aiguo especially liked the feeling of being waited for by everyone.

However, something was amiss this morning. When Hao Aiguo arrived at the gate of the courtyard house, there wasn't a soul in sight. He even finished a cigarette there, but still didn't see anyone appear.

It was only then that Hao Aiguo realized that the people in the courtyard who also worked at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill had already left together, deliberately avoiding him.