In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

The next morning, before dawn, the winter chill condensed on the windowpane, forming a thin layer of frost.

Chu Yuanjun got up early and specially prepared breakfast for his son and the Jiao brothers who were about to go with him—steaming hot cornbread, a dish of pickled vegetables, and the leftover cabbage stew with vermicelli from last night, which he heated up and added a few extra slices of cured meat.

"Guangming, invite the Jiao brothers over to eat too. They'll have more energy to work after they've eaten their fill," Chu Yuanjun said as he set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Yang Guangming nodded: "I'll go call them."

He arrived at the Jiao family's house in the front yard, where Jiao Da and Jiao Er had already finished preparing.

The two brothers changed into their most presentable clothes—dark blue coarse cotton-padded jackets, which were faded from washing but clean and tidy.

"Mr. Yang!" Upon seeing Yang Guangming, the two brothers immediately straightened their backs.

"Let's go to my house for breakfast first," Yang Guangming said.

Jiao Da quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need, Mr. Yang, we've already eaten at home."

"Let's go, my mother made extra." Without waiting for a reply, Yang Guangming led the two back to the east courtyard.

Inside the main room, Yang Huai-ren and Yang Han-zhang had already gotten up. Seeing the Jiao brothers, Yang Huai-ren greeted them with a smile: "Big Jiao and Second Jiao are here, come and sit down. Today you're going to your new workplace with Guangming, it's a big event, so make sure you eat your fill."

Jiao Da and Jiao Er sat down at the table somewhat awkwardly. Chu Yuanjun had already served the porridge and pushed the cornbread and vegetables in front of them.

"Eat more, don't be shy," Chu Yuanjun said gently.

Jiao Er looked at the steaming porridge in the bowl and the rare meat dishes on the table, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a low voice, "Thank you, Auntie."

Yang Hanzhang looked at the three young men, stroked his beard, and said, "The radio station is a respectable place. You must work hard there and listen to Guangming's words. The situation is chaotic now, and the responsibility of security work is heavy. Be careful in everything you do."

"Yes, sir, we will definitely do our best!" Jiao Da said solemnly.

After the family had a simple breakfast, Yang Guangming checked his watch and it was already 8:15.

"Father, Mother, Grandpa, we should go." He stood up.

Chu Yuanjun quickly took out a cloth bag from the kitchen, which contained three mixed flour cakes: "Take this with you, in case you're busy at noon, you can have something to eat."

Yang Guangming took the cloth bag and nodded: "We're leaving."

Yang Huai-ren saw them off at the Moon Gate, watching their retreating figures. His eyes held both relief and a barely perceptible worry. He knew his son carried a heavy burden.

Stepping out of the courtyard, the alley was deserted in the early morning, with only a few early risers hurrying by to fetch water. The cold wind stung my face.

"Mr. Yang, shall we go straight to the radio station?" Jiao Da asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"Yes, I have an appointment with Director Gao at nine o'clock." Yang Guangming walked steadily. "Once we get there, just follow his instructions. Tell everyone that you are my childhood friend, skilled and trustworthy. Don't ask any questions or say anything else."

"Understood!" the two brothers replied in unison.

The three walked out of the alley, crossed several streets, and gradually approached West Chang'an Avenue. The closer they got to the main road, the more tense the atmosphere became. Occasionally, a military vehicle would roar past, kicking up a cloud of dust. Pedestrians all hurried along, their faces solemn.

The gray, three-story building of the Beiping Radio Station came into view at exactly 8:50.

Yang Guangming had already been here yesterday, so he knew the way well today. He greeted the security guard and entered the building.

It was warmer inside than outside, but the lighting was still dim. The corridor was quiet, and several staff members dressed in Zhongshan suits or long gowns hurried by. When they saw the three unfamiliar faces, they all cast curious or scrutinizing glances at them.

Sunlight, without looking away, led the two directly up to the third floor.

Arriving at the door of the "Deputy Director's Office" on the far east side, Yang Guangming raised his hand and knocked three times, neither too hard nor too soft.

"Please come in." Gao Tianlin's familiar voice came from inside.

Yang Guangming pushed open the door and entered. Gao Tianlin was sitting behind his desk reading documents. Hearing the noise, he looked up, saw Yang Guangming and the other two, and smiled: "You're here, right on time."

He stood up, walked around the desk, and looked Jiao Da and Jiao Er up and down with a satisfied look in his eyes: "These two must be the Jiao brothers, right? They are indeed handsome men."

Jiao Da quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Director Gao!"

Jiao Er also imitated his elder brother: "Greetings, Director Gao!"

"No need for formalities." Gao Tianlin waved his hand and said to Yang Guangming, "Zhao Zhenwu is already waiting in the security section. I'll take you there now to hand over your work."

He picked up his coat from the back of the chair, put it on, and said to the three of them, "Let's go."

The four of them walked out of the office together and headed west along the corridor.

The radio station's layout is not complicated. The first floor mainly houses the technical department and broadcasting studios, the second floor is the administrative office area, and the third floor contains the station's leadership offices and archives.

The security section occupies a small suite on the first floor near the back door. The outer room is the duty room, and the inner room is the section chief's office.

When Gao Tianlin led the three to the security section, there were four people whispering in the duty room. Upon seeing Gao Tianlin enter, the four immediately stood up: "Director Gao!"

"Where is Section Chief Zhao?" Gao Tianlin asked.

“It’s inside.” A strong, muscular man in his early thirties pointed to the inner room.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the inner room opened, and a man in his thirties, of medium build but looking very sturdy, walked out.

He was wearing a dark blue uniform, which was slightly faded from washing, but was clean and tidy. He had a smile on his face and sharp eyes.

"Director Gao!" The man greeted him, his gaze immediately falling on Yang Guangming.

Gao Tianlin nodded and introduced, "Zhenwu, this is Comrade Yang Guangming. He will be in charge of the work of the Security Section from now on. Guangming, this is Comrade Zhao Zhenwu, the former head of the Security Section, who is now your deputy."

Yang Guangming stepped forward and extended his hand: "Section Chief Zhao, please guide me in the future."

Zhao Zhenwu quickly grasped his hand and shook it vigorously: "You flatter me, you flatter me. Section Chief Yang is young and promising, and Director Gao has already introduced him to me. I will definitely cooperate fully with the work of the Security Section from now on!"

His attitude was very sincere, without the slightest hint of reluctance or unwillingness. Yang Guangming could sense that Zhao Zhenwu genuinely accepted the organization's arrangements and was willing to cooperate with the work.

Gao Tianlin then introduced Jiao Da and Jiao Er: "These two are Jiao Da and Jiao Er, assistants introduced by Guangming. They are skilled and reliable. From today onwards, they are also members of the guard section."

Zhao Zhenwu looked at the Jiao brothers and nodded with a smile: "Welcome, welcome! Our department is short-handed, your arrival is just in time."

"Hello, Section Chief Zhao!" Jiao Da and Jiao Er quickly bowed.

Gao Tianlin glanced at his watch and said to Zhao Zhenwu, "Zhenwu, gather everyone in the department, introduce Section Chief Yang to them, and make sure the work is handed over clearly. I have other things to do, so I won't stay any longer."

He then turned to Yang Guangming and lowered his voice: "Guangming, the security section is now in your hands. Report to me immediately if anything happens."

"Yes, Director Gao, don't worry," Yang Guangming said solemnly.

Gao Tianlin patted him on the shoulder, then turned and left the guard section.

After watching Director Gao leave, Zhao Zhenwu said to the four people on duty, "Go and call everyone over, let's have a short meeting."

The four men responded and left. Zhao Zhenwu led Yang Guangming and the other two into the section chief's office in the inner room.

The office was small and simply furnished. There was an old desk, two chairs, a filing cabinet, and a radio station layout plan hanging on the wall. The window faced the backyard, offering views of the fence and the street outside.

"Section Chief Yang, this will be your office from now on. Please feel free to ask if you need any assistance," Zhao Zhenwu said.

Yang Guangming pulled up a chair and sat down at the table: "Section Chief Zhao, please sit down too, let's chat casually."

Zhao Zhenwu sat down in another chair. Jiao Da and Jiao Er stood next to Yang Guangming, their backs ramrod straight.

"Section Chief Zhao, Director Gao should have introduced me to you." Yang Guangming got straight to the point. "I'm new here and not familiar with the work of the radio station and the security section. I'll need your experience and help in the future."

Zhao Zhenwu waved his hand: "Section Chief Yang, you're too kind. Director Gao talked to me in detail, and I know you're a key member sent by the organization to strengthen security. To be honest, I've been under a lot of pressure lately, and I'm on tenterhooks all day. With you here, the burden on my shoulders will be half lightened."

He sighed, a worried look on his face: "To be honest, the situation right now is really tense."

Yang Guangming nodded: "I heard some things from Director Gao. Section Chief Zhao, could you give a more detailed introduction to the situation of the Security Section, and the main problems it is currently facing?"

Just as Zhao Zhenwu was about to speak, footsteps and voices came from outside. He stood up and said, "Everyone's here. Let's have a meeting first, get to know everyone, and then I'll give you a detailed report."

The two walked out of the office, and the outer duty room was already full of people. Including Zhao Zhenwu and the Jiao brothers, the security department currently has a total of fifteen people.

The other eleven people ranged in age from their early twenties to their thirties, and were dressed in various clothes, some in uniforms and some in casual clothes. They were all thin and pale, but their eyes were still quite bright.

When they saw Zhao Zhenwu and Yang Guangming come out, everyone quieted down and turned their eyes to them.

Zhao Zhenwu cleared his throat and said loudly, "Everyone is here. Let me introduce you. This is Section Chief Yang Mingyang, who will be the head of our Security Section from today onwards. I am the deputy section chief, assisting Section Chief Yang in his work."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Director Gao attaches great importance to our department's work and specially invited Section Chief Yang to strengthen leadership. Although Section Chief Yang is young, he is very capable. From now on, everyone must obey orders and cooperate actively."

He then pointed to Jiao Da and Jiao Er: "These two are Jiao Da and Jiao Er, new colleagues introduced by Section Chief Yang. From now on, they will be part of our security section. Everyone, please welcome them!"

Sparse applause broke out, and the expressions on the faces of the crowd varied. Some were curious, some scrutinizing, and some indifferent. After all, Yang Guangming looked too young, and although the Jiao brothers were robust, they were also unfamiliar faces.

Yang Guangming stepped forward, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone, and slowly began to speak: "Brothers, my name is Yang Guangming. It is my honor to work with you all."

His voice was not loud, but clear, carrying a steady strength: "In today's turbulent times, the radio station is an important platform for public opinion. Protecting the radio station's security is our guard section's inescapable responsibility."

I know everyone has been working very hard and under a lot of pressure lately. I'm not here to enjoy myself, but to share this responsibility with everyone.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm new here and not familiar with the radio station or the other guys. But I believe that as long as we are united and do our jobs well, we will definitely be able to do a good job of security."

His gaze lingered on each person's face for a moment: "From today onwards, we are comrades-in-arms fighting side by side. I hope everyone can trust and support each other. If you encounter any difficulties at work, feel free to tell me. You are also welcome to offer any suggestions for our work."

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, expressing both attitude and respect. Even those who had been somewhat indifferent sat up a little straighter.

Zhao Zhenwu spoke up at the opportune moment: "Now, let me introduce the brothers in the department to Section Chief Yang."

He introduced the eleven people present in turn.

The seven were the radio station's original official guards: Wang Tiezhu, Li Shitou, Zhang Jianjun, Zhou Guoqiang, Liu Dali, Chen Xiaohu, Sun Youfu, and Qian Guangjin.

Among them, Wang Tiezhu and Li Shitou had practiced martial arts for several years and were quite skilled; Zhang Jianjun had served in the army and knew some basic military knowledge; the others were ordinary young men.

The other four were temporary staff members, all family members of radio station employees: Zhao Xiaoshan, the son of Master Zhao; Wu Ming, the nephew of Lao Wu from the technical department; Zhang Yong, the younger brother of Xiao Zhang from the broadcasting room; and Liu Zhiqiang, the nephew of Lao Liu from logistics.

These four are all relatively young, with the oldest, Zhao Xiaoshan, being only twenty-three years old.

After the introduction, Zhao Zhenwu said to Yang Guangming, "Section Chief Yang, that's roughly the situation in the section. Before, including myself, there were eight officially employed people and four temporary staff. Adding you and the Jiao brothers, there are a total of fifteen people."

Previously, the shifts were two shifts, with four patrols during the day and three at night.

Yang Guangming nodded and said to everyone, "Today's work arrangements will remain unchanged for now. Everyone should continue with their duties. Section Chief Zhao, Jiao Da and Jiao Er, let's go to the office to discuss this in detail."

The three returned to the inner office. Zhao Zhenwu closed the door, his smile fading and replaced by a serious expression.

Yang Guangming sat down behind his desk, and Zhao Zhenwu pulled up a chair and sat opposite him. Jiao Da and Jiao Er stood guard at the door, like two door gods.

"Section Chief Yang, now that there are no outsiders here, I'll give you a detailed report on the actual situation." Zhao Zhenwu lowered his voice, his brows furrowed. "We are currently facing two main problems."

Yang Guangming listened attentively: "Go on."

“First, the threat of spies.” Zhao Zhenwu’s voice was even lower. “In the past month, there has been a significant increase in suspicious individuals around the radio station. Sometimes they are disguised as cigarette vendors, sometimes as passersby, but they always loiter around and keep an eye on the radio station. We sent people to follow them twice, but they were very vigilant and quickly shook us off.”

He paused, then continued, "More importantly, I suspect they have people inside the radio station, or at least informants. Last month, we adjusted our patrol routes, and the very next day we discovered someone was secretly observing our new routes. This is no coincidence."

Yang Guangming's expression turned serious: "Are there any suspects?"

Zhao Zhenwu shook his head: "There's no conclusive evidence. There are dozens of people in the radio station; anyone could be a suspect. The technical department, the broadcasting studio, the administrative department, the logistics department—anyone could have been infiltrated. Even our security department could have been compromised."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear—even within the security department, suspicion couldn't be completely ruled out.

Yang Guangming pondered for a moment: "I understand about this matter. Section Chief Zhao, please continue to keep an eye on things and let me know immediately if you discover anything. Internally, we should also strengthen our investigation and observation, but only in private, to avoid mutual suspicion and affecting our combat effectiveness."

“I understand.” Zhao Zhenwu nodded, his face showing even greater worry. “The second thing is more troublesome—we are severely lacking in weapons.”

He smiled wryly and said, "To be honest, in the entire guard section, I'm the only one who has a gun, and it's an old Mauser C96 pistol with only twenty bullets."

The other comrades didn't even have a decent stick. Wang Tiezhu and Li Shitou brought their own daggers, but those things were only good against unarmed opponents; they were completely useless against armed thugs or spies.

He stood up, took a cloth bag from his waist, opened it, and inside was a well-maintained Mauser pistol and two magazines.

"Comrade Yang Guangming, this gun is for your safekeeping." Zhao Zhenwu pushed the gun in front of Yang Guangming. "You are a section chief, so you should be armed."

Yang Guangming looked at the gun but didn't take it. Instead, he asked, "Section Chief Zhao, if the enemy comes to sabotage the radio station now, can we hold it off with this gun?"

Zhao Zhenwu was silent for a moment, then shook his head with difficulty: "We can't hold them off. If a dozen or so armed men come, we simply can't stop them."

The only option is to buy time and wait for the police or military to arrive. But given the current situation, the police and military are overwhelmed; by the time they arrive, it will be too late.

His voice was filled with helplessness: "Director Gao has been very worried and has reported this to his superiors many times, but weapons control is too strict and approval has never been granted. Guns can be bought on the black market now, but the prices are frighteningly high, and we can't afford them."

Yang Guangming nodded, but a smile appeared on his face: "I'll take care of the weapons problem."

Zhao Zhenwu was stunned: "You...you have a solution?"

“I have a way,” Yang Guangming said confidently. “Give me two days, and I guarantee that every comrade in the department will be equipped with a pistol, with plenty of bullets.”

Zhao Zhenwu's eyes widened in disbelief: "One for each person? A pistol? Section Chief Yang, this is no joke."

“I’m not joking.” Yang Guangming’s tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable certainty. “Section Chief Zhao, trust me. Leave the weapons issue to me.”

Seeing Zhao Zhenwu's shocked expression, he added, "However, this matter must be kept absolutely secret. The source of the weapons cannot be revealed to anyone, including the brothers in the department. Just you, me, and Jiao Da and Jiao Er know."

Zhao Zhenwu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He looked at Yang Guangming's young but composed face and suddenly remembered what Director Gao had told him—"Comrade Yang Guangming is a military talent sent by the organization. He is very capable. You must cooperate with him fully."

Perhaps this young man really does have some special connections.

“Okay!” Zhao Zhenwu nodded emphatically. “I trust you. I’ll leave the weapons to your arrangements.”

Yang Guangming took the Mauser pistol, weighed it in his hand, and then pushed it back to Zhao Zhenwu: "Comrade Zhao Zhenwu, you should keep this gun for yourself. You are a veteran comrade with rich experience, and I feel more at ease knowing you have a gun on you. You can exchange it when the new weapon arrives."

Looking into Yang Guangming's sincere eyes, Zhao Zhenwu felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He no longer refused and put the gun away, saying, "Thank you for your trust, Comrade Yang Guangming."

Yang Guangming stood up, walked to the radio station floor plan on the wall, and began to examine it carefully.

The radio station occupies a small area, but its functional areas are clearly defined. The main building has three floors. The first floor has a lobby, duty room, security department, technical maintenance room, power distribution room, and two backup broadcasting studios. The second floor has administrative offices, archives, and conference rooms. The third floor has offices for the station's leaders, the main broadcasting studio, recording studio, and archives.

In the backyard, there was a row of bungalows, which served as warehouses and staff dormitories. The wall wasn't high, but it had barbed wire on top. There was a gate at both the front and back, each with a guard post.

"Section Chief Zhao, what is our current defense deployment?" Yang Guangming asked.

Zhao Zhenwu walked to the map and pointed to several points: "There is a fixed post at the front gate and the back gate, with one person on each post, rotating every four hours. There is a mobile sentry inside the building, patrolling every two hours. There is a fixed post in the warehouse in the backyard. Two more mobile sentries will be added at night to focus on patrolling the perimeter wall and key posts."

He paused, then smiled wryly, "It sounds like there are a lot of people, but in reality, we're short-handed. Apart from two fixed posts and one warehouse post, each shift only has two or three people left to patrol and provide mobile support. In case of emergencies, we simply can't allocate enough manpower."

Yang Guangming nodded, pondered for a moment, and asked, "What are the most important parts of the radio?"

"The most important parts are the main broadcasting studio, recording studio, transmitter room, power distribution room, archives room, and database." Zhao Zhenwu pointed to the corresponding locations on the map. "The broadcasting studio and recording studio are on the third floor, the transmitter room is at the very back on the first floor, and the power distribution room is on the west side of the first floor. These are all critical parts. Once they are damaged, the radio station will be paralyzed."

Yang Guangming's fingers traced across the map as he quickly analyzed the situation in his mind. A moment later, he had an idea.

“Section Chief Zhao, I’d like to adjust the deployment.” He turned to Zhao Zhenwu. “First, we need to clarify the priorities. Starting tomorrow, the core of the security work will be protecting these key locations. The frequency of patrols in other areas can be appropriately reduced.”

Zhao Zhenwu listened attentively.

"Secondly, we need to organize a special armed patrol team," Yang Guangming continued. "Under the pretext of 'preventing looting by stray soldiers,' we will form a six-person squad that will work in shifts day and night, specifically responsible for patrolling and guarding key areas. This squad will be equipped with the best weapons and undergo specialized training."

"A six-person team?" Zhao Zhenwu thought for a moment. "Then the manpower for other positions will be even tighter."

Yang Guangming said, "Therefore, there is a third point: we need to contact the security teams of other factories and units nearby as soon as possible to establish a joint defense mechanism."

In case of emergency, we can support each other. There are quite a few organizations like ours in Beiping (Beijing) that protect factories and schools; we all share the same goal and should unite.”

Zhao Zhenwu's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! I know that the nearby flour mill, printing plant, and middle school all have security teams. In the past, they each managed their own affairs, which was indeed a case of scattered strength. If we can unite them, our strength will be much greater."

Yang Guangming nodded: "This matter needs to be handled as soon as possible. Section Chief Zhao, you know the people well, so you should take the lead and contact these units as soon as possible to agree on contact methods and support plans."

"No problem, leave it to me!" Zhao Zhenwu said with great enthusiasm.

"Fourth," Yang Guangming continued, "we need to organize study sessions in the department to unify thinking and boost morale. We need to make everyone understand that we are not protecting the property of any one person, but the property of the people, the hope for the future. We need to publicize the policy that 'protecting public property is meritorious, and destruction will be severely punished.'"

"Fifth," Yang Guangming lowered his voice, "we need to secretly monitor the movements of suspicious personnel within the radio station. This matter must be handled with extreme caution, and I will personally take charge. Section Chief Zhao, tell me privately what you suspect and what you observe. We will remain discreet, closely monitor, and issue timely warnings."

Zhao Zhenwu nodded solemnly: "I understand. We really need to be careful with this matter; alerting them would be disastrous." After Yang Guangming finished explaining these five points, he looked at Zhao Zhenwu: "Section Chief Zhao, what do you think?"

Zhao Zhenwu's face was full of admiration: "Comrade Yang Guangming, you've thought of everything so thoroughly! Every single one of these arrangements is spot on. Let's do it this way!"

He said with emotion, "To be honest, I've been so worried these past few days that I haven't been able to sleep. I feel like there are loopholes everywhere, but I don't know how to fix them. With your arrangement, I feel much more at ease."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Section Chief Zhao, you flatter me. I'm just talking theory; the actual implementation will depend on you and everyone else."

He glanced at his watch: "Alright, Section Chief Zhao, you can proceed with the original plan now, showing Jiao Da and Jiao Er around the environment and assigning them to today's shifts. I'll go report our new idea to Director Gao and get his opinion."

“Okay, I’ll make the arrangements right away.” Zhao Zhenwu stood up and said to the Jiao brothers, “Brother Jiao, Brother Jiao, come with me, I’ll show you around.”

After the three left the office, Yang Guangming sat alone for a while to organize his thoughts, and then got up and went to Gao Tianlin's office on the third floor.

He knocked and went in. Gao Tianlin was on the phone. When he saw him come in, he nodded and gestured for him to wait a moment.

After a while, Gao Tianlin hung up the phone and asked, "How was the handover? Did it go smoothly?"

"It went very smoothly." Yang Guangming sat down opposite him and gave a detailed report of his conversation with Zhao Zhenwu and his own thoughts.

Gao Tianlin listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

When Yang Guangming promised to resolve the weapons issue, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he didn't ask any further questions. When he heard about the joint defense mechanism and the training courses, an approving smile appeared on his face.

"Good, very good!" After listening to the report, Gao Tianlin praised repeatedly, "Guangming, your ideas are very insightful and well thought out. In particular, the joint defense mechanism and the organization of training courses are very important."

He stood up and paced around the office: "The movement to protect factories and schools in Beiping is in full swing, but most of them are fighting their own battles and lack overall coordination. Your idea of ​​uniting them shows great foresight."

He stopped and looked at Yang Guangming: "Are you really confident about the weapons?"

“I’m confident,” Yang Guangming said confidently. “Director Gao, please rest assured. I will definitely bring the weapons by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

Gao Tianlin gave him a deep look and nodded: "Okay, I believe you. Just tell me if you need any help."

"Furthermore," Gao Tianlin returned to his seat, his expression turning serious, "you need to be extra careful about the suspicious personnel within the station. The radio station is a complex place with diverse backgrounds. I've been investigating in secret, but I don't have any concrete evidence yet. Your arrival might alert some people, and they might even take action."

He lowered his voice: "From what I've observed, Chen Wenbin, the deputy head of the technical department, Sun Dehai, a clerk in the administrative department, and Bai Yulan, the female announcer in the broadcasting room, are three people who deserve close attention. Their behavior has been somewhat abnormal lately, and they've been having more frequent contact with the outside world."

Yang Guangming memorized those three names: "I understand, Director Gao. I will keep an eye on it."

"And one more thing," Gao Tianlin reminded him, "Your identity is 'my cousin,' and you must maintain this cover well. When you're at the radio station, you need to be careful with your words and actions, establishing authority without drawing too much attention. You need to find the right balance."

"Yes, I will be careful."

It was almost noon when Yang Guangming left Gao Tianlin's office. Back at the security section, Zhao Zhenwu had already shown Jiao Da and Jiao Er around and was arranging lunch.

The radio station has its own small canteen, but supplies are scarce, and the meals are very simple. Today's lunch was cornbread made from mixed grains with cabbage soup, and a few slices of fatty meat floating in it.

"Section Chief Yang, want to grab something to eat?" Zhao Zhenwu invited.

Yang Guangming shook his head: "No, I'll go home to eat. I'll come back this afternoon. Section Chief Zhao, I'm leaving the section to you. Brother Jiao, Second Brother Jiao, do your job well and follow Section Chief Zhao's instructions."

"Yes, Guangming, don't worry!" Jiao Da said.

Yang Guangming gave a few more instructions, then left the radio station and headed home.

As he walked down the street, he began to consider the matter of weapons.

When he returned home, Chu Yuanjun had already prepared lunch. Yang Huai Ren and Yang Han Zhang were both waiting for him.

"Guangming is back. How's work?" Yang Huai-ren asked with concern.

Yang Guangming sat down at the table and took the rice bowl from his mother: "It's all good. Director Gao is very considerate, and Deputy Section Chief Zhao is also a very honest person. The handover of work went very smoothly."

He briefly described the situation at the radio station and reassured everyone that everything was alright, but omitted the fact that there had been a threat from spies.

"How are the Jiao brothers? Are they adapting well?" Chu Yuanjun asked.

“They’re getting used to it. Section Chief Zhao is showing them around,” Yang Guangming said. “Dad, Mom, there’s something I need to tell you. The radio station’s security work is very important. I might have to be on duty often from now on, and sometimes I might not be able to come home at night. Don’t worry.”

Upon hearing this, Lord Chu Yuan's face showed worry: "Not coming back tonight either? That's too dangerous."

“Mom, it’s alright,” Yang Guangming comforted her. “There are dormitories at the radio station where you can rest. The situation is chaotic right now, so security needs to be strengthened. As the section chief, I must set an example.”

Although Yang Huai-ren was also worried, he knew his son was right and sighed, "Be careful. If there's any danger, don't be reckless."

"I know, Dad."

After lunch, Yang Guangming returned to his room and closed the door. Instead of resting, he began to carefully plan the weapons.

The refrigerator also has pistols among the refreshable supplies, but they are too advanced to be convenient to take out and use.

Fortunately, among the supplies that were successively seized, there were quite a few handguns, which were stored in the underground space. Twenty of them should be enough.

We've also captured quite a few bullets, which should be enough for now.

In addition, some of the supplies that can be refreshed in the refrigerator are usable bullets, and I've accumulated quite a lot over the past few months. I can take them out and use them if I need them urgently.

These reserves are sufficient for now. If the situation worsens and requires more powerful weapons, he will find another way.

In the afternoon, Yang Guangming went to the radio station again. Zhao Zhenwu was organizing the afternoon patrol, and when he saw him arrive, he quickly reported the situation.

"Everything was normal this afternoon. The Jiao brothers have been assigned to the patrol team. They are both very diligent and learning quickly," Zhao Zhenwu said. "By the way, I have contacted the captains of several nearby factory security teams and arranged to meet tomorrow morning to discuss joint defense."

"Very good." Yang Guangming nodded. "Section Chief Zhao, you are very efficient."

He followed Zhao Zhenwu on a tour, met with the guards on duty, and inspected several key locations. Jiao Da and Jiao Er were both excited to see him and whispered to him that they had learned a lot of new things.

"Keep up the good work," Yang Guangming patted them on the shoulder.

Yang Guangming stayed at the radio station until after 4 a.m. before leaving. He didn't go straight home, but instead went to Teacher Zhu's house to give a brief report on the situation at the radio station.

Zhu Mingxuan praised his work arrangements, saying, "Your thinking is right. Protecting the factory requires unity and a shared understanding. Handle the weapons matter carefully, and I'll figure out what kind of cover you need."

It was already getting dark when I left Teacher Zhu's house. Yang Guangming quickened his pace and returned home.

During dinner, he said to his family, "Dad, Mom, I have to go out tonight to discuss something with Brother Jiao and Second Brother Jiao. I might be back late."

"Going out in this cold weather?" Chu Yuanjun frowned.

"I have something to do," Yang Guangming said vaguely. "You guys go to sleep first, don't wait for me."

Yang Huai-ren glanced at his son, but didn't ask any further questions. He simply said, "Be careful on the road."

After dinner, Yang Guangming returned to his room. After his family had rested, he quietly pulled out a canvas bag from under the bed, put the pistol and bullets from the underground space into it, slung it over his shoulder, and went out.

The night was deep, and a cold wind howled. There was hardly anyone on the street, except for the occasional barking of dogs in the distance.

With a canvas bag slung over his shoulder, Yang Guangming walked steadily toward Sesame Alley. Arriving at the secret courtyard, he looked around to make sure no one was there, then took out his key, opened the gate, slipped inside, and closed the door behind him.

The courtyard was pitch black and silent. He groped his way into the main room, placed the canvas bag on the table, and then lit the oil lamp.

Under the dim light, he looked at the bulging bag on the table and felt a little more at ease. These weapons would be the first line of defense for the radio station.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a soft knock came from outside the courtyard gate—three long knocks and two short knocks, the agreed-upon code.

Yang Guangming opened the door, and Jiao Da and Jiao Er slipped in.

"Mr. Yang," the two greeted each other in hushed voices.

"Come in." Yang Guangming ushered them into the main room and closed the door.

Jiao Da immediately noticed the canvas bag on the table, his eyes lighting up: "Mr. Yang, what's this?"

Yang Guangming opened the cloth bag, revealing a dark pistol and gleaming bullets inside.

Jiao Er gasped, "So much!"

Yang Guangming said, "There are a total of twenty pistols and about a thousand rounds of ammunition. These weapons will be brought to the radio station tomorrow and distributed to everyone."

Jiao Da was so excited that his hands trembled slightly. He picked up a pistol and examined it carefully: "Great gun! Much newer than Section Chief Zhao's Mauser pistol!"

Looking at his skillful gun-holding posture, Yang Guangming asked, "Brother Jiao, have you ever used a gun?"

"I've used it." Jiao Da nodded. "I learned from my dad for a few days before. But bullets are precious, so I haven't fired many shots. My marksmanship is so-so."

Jiao Er also said, "I've touched it too, but it's not as good as my brother's."

“It’s alright,” Yang Guangming said. “With weapons, we can practice. Starting tomorrow, I’ll find an opportunity to take everyone to practice shooting in a safe place.”

He looked at Jiao Da: "Brother Jiao, I have a gun and a hundred bullets here, for your father."

He took out a pistol wrapped in oil paper and some bullets from the bag and handed it to Jiao Da: "Take this back and give it to your father. Tell him that the safety of the courtyard is in his hands. The three of us may not be around often in the future, so he'll feel more at ease having a gun for self-defense."

Jiao Da accepted the gift with both hands and said solemnly, "Mr. Yang, rest assured, I will definitely tell my father. My father is a good marksman, and he will definitely protect the courtyard."

Yang Guangming nodded and then instructed, "Keep these weapons here for now. Tomorrow morning, come over early and take them to the radio station. Tell everyone that I bought them on the black market through connections. Remember that story."

“Got it!” the two brothers replied in unison.

The three discussed the details of tomorrow for a while, then continued studying until late at night before quietly leaving the courtyard and going home.

Jiao Da and Jiao Er returned to the courtyard house without disturbing anyone and quietly entered their own house.

Jiao Zhenshan hadn't gone to sleep yet. When he saw his two sons return, he quickly asked, "Why are you back so late today?"

Jiao Da closed the door, took out the oil paper package from his pocket, and carefully opened it.

Inside the oiled paper, a brand-new pistol and two boxes of ammunition were visible.

Jiao Zhenshan's eyes lit up. He picked up the pistol and expertly examined it: "Good gun! Where did you get it?"

"It was given to me by Mr. Yang." Jiao Da lowered his voice and relayed Yang Guangming's explanation.

After listening, Jiao Zhenshan remained silent for a moment, gently stroking the gun barrel, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. There was excitement, gratitude, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Mr. Yang is very thoughtful," he murmured, looking up at his two sons. "Tell Mr. Yang that with this gun in my hands, he's the safety net for our compound. As long as I, Jiao Zhenshan, have a breath left, I won't let any bad guys set foot in this compound!"

He carefully put the gun away, hiding it in the most secret compartment of the kang cabinet, and then said to his two sons, "You've followed Mr. Yang and are on the right path. From now on at the radio station, listen to him and do your job well. Don't bring shame to Mr. Yang or to our Jiao family."

"Father, don't worry!" Jiao Da said, "We'll definitely do our best!"

Jiao Er nodded vigorously: "Yes! I will never let Father down!"

Many people didn't sleep well that night.

Zhao Zhenwu eagerly awaited the arrival of the new weapon; Gao Tianlin pondered the security risks within the radio station; Jiao Zhenshan caressed the hard-won pistol, feeling the heavy weight of responsibility.

Meanwhile, those with ulterior motives in the radio station were secretly plotting how to gain personal benefits amidst the chaos, or how to complete the tasks assigned by their superiors.

The night was deep, with only a few cold stars. This winter in Beiping was destined to be anything but peaceful.

The next morning, Yang Ming woke up earlier than usual.

At 7:30, the three of them had breakfast and headed to Sesame Alley together.

Yang Guangming checked the contents of the canvas bag again, and Jiao Er insisted on carrying it on his back. The three of them headed to the radio station together.

When they arrived at the back door of the radio station, Zhao Zhenwu was already waiting there. Upon seeing the three of them approach, he quickly went to greet them.

"This is..." Zhao Zhenwu looked at the bulging canvas bag on Jiao Er's back, his voice trembling slightly.

Yang Guangming nodded, indicating that he should help carry it into the guard room.

The four men carried the bag into the section chief's office and closed the door. Yang Guangming opened the bag, revealing it was full of pistols and bullets.

Zhao Zhenwu's eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid.

He picked up a pistol, examined it repeatedly, and then grabbed a handful of bullets. The heavy feel of the bullets finally convinced him that this was not a dream.

"Twenty! That's so many!" he murmured, looking up at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with disbelief and ecstasy. "Section Chief Yang, you...you're amazing!"

He didn't know what words to use to describe his feelings at that moment. These weapons were a godsend for the current security department.

"Section Chief Zhao, take inventory and register them," Yang Guangming said calmly. "Then distribute them. One gun per person, and twenty rounds of ammunition to start with. The rest will be kept as spares and will be managed by you."

"Okay, okay!" Zhao Zhenwu nodded repeatedly and hurriedly began to count the items.

Yang Guangming then took out five pistols and some bullets: "These five are for Director Gao. He may have other comrades who also need to be armed. You can deliver them to him later."

"Understood!" Zhao Zhenwu replied while counting.

After the inventory was completed, the twenty pistols were found to be intact, and there were approximately one thousand rounds of ammunition. Zhao Zhenwu carefully recorded them and then convened a meeting with all the staff in the department.

When the fifteen men gathered in the duty room and saw twenty brand-new pistols and a pile of gleaming yellow bullets neatly arranged on the table, they were all stunned.

The room was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing.

Zhao Zhenwu stood in front of the table, his voice trembling slightly: "Brothers! I have some good news to tell you all! Thanks to Section Chief Yang Guangming's efforts, our guard section has officially been equipped with weapons today!"

He pointed to the pistols on the table: "One for each of us, twenty rounds of ammunition! From today onwards, we will no longer have to defend the radio station with our bare hands!"

After a brief silence, the room erupted in an uncontrollable cheer.

Wang Tiezhu was the first to rush forward, picked up a pistol, and stroked it with great affection: "A good gun! A really good gun!"

Zhao Jianjun also picked one up and skillfully began to inspect it: "It's even better than the ones I used in the army!"

The others stepped forward one after another, each receiving a gun and twenty rounds of ammunition. The heavy weight in their hands made everyone unconsciously straighten their backs a little.

Having weapons gives us confidence.

Seeing everyone's excitement, Yang Guangming slowly spoke: "Brothers, we've been issued weapons, but our responsibilities are also greater. From today onwards, we will undergo rigorous training, learn to use these weapons, and truly develop combat effectiveness."

His gaze swept over everyone: "I promise I will personally teach you shooting and tactics. But I also require that everyone cherish and protect these weapons. They are vital tools for protecting the radio station, not toys to show off. More importantly, we must understand why we are fighting!"

He paused, his voice growing even more solemn: "What we are protecting is not the property of any one person. What we are protecting is the people's radio station, the future voice of the people. We must ensure that the voice of Beiping can ultimately be heard by the people!"

These words gradually quieted the excited crowd. Looking at their brand-new weapons, their eyes slowly shifted from simple excitement to a deep and resolute expression.

Zhao Zhenwu added at the opportune moment: "Section Chief Yang Guangming is right! Now that we have guns, we must be even more disciplined and understand our responsibilities. Starting today, the guard section will organize study sessions to unify our thinking. At the same time, we will conduct rigorous military training."

After distributing the weapons, he gave special instructions on their use and safekeeping before letting everyone return to their posts.

After everyone had left, Zhao Zhenwu packed up the five pistols and bullets and said to Yang Guangming, "Comrade Yang Guangming, I'll take them to Director Gao right away."

“Go ahead.” Yang Guangming nodded.

After Zhao Zhenwu left, Yang Guangming called Jiao Da and Jiao Er to his side: "Brother Jiao, Brother Jiao, you've also received your guns. From today onwards, you are the backbone of the armed patrol team. When Section Chief Zhao returns, we'll discuss the training."

"Yes!" the two brothers replied in unison, their hands resting on the newly issued pistols at their waists, their faces filled with excitement and pride.

A short while later, Zhao Zhenwu returned with a smile on his face: "Director Gao is very happy and asked me to thank you on his behalf. He said that with these weapons, he feels much more at ease."

Yang Guangming nodded: "Section Chief Zhao, we need to get on with the training. I'd like to start this afternoon, first teaching everyone basic shooting and safety procedures. Training location..."

He thought for a moment: "Nobody goes there usually, so we can set up a temporary shooting range there."

Zhao Zhenwu thought for a moment and said, "That works. There's a wall in the backyard, which will prevent people from peeping. I'll go prepare the materials."

"Okay," Yang Guangming said. "Also, we need to get on with the joint defense work. What time did you arrange to meet the people from the flour mill?"

"Ten o'clock in the morning, in our conference room," Zhao Zhenwu replied.

“Well then, since you’re more familiar with these people, you’ll be in charge of reception and negotiations this morning, and I’ll be there as an observer. Training will begin this afternoon,” Yang Guangming arranged.

The two reached an agreement and began their preparations. (End of Chapter)