Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The news that the head of the investigation team had entered the office of Li Jiuzhou, the canteen director, quickly reached the ears of the factory leaders.

The leaders were puzzled. Wasn't the first day's inspection of the cafeteria? Why go there again?

Could it be that Li Jiuzhou has something wrong with him? That shouldn't be the case...

Despite their doubts, they didn't take any action, wanting to observe first.

The head of the investigation team was Li Zhan, the eldest son of Li Jiuzhou's mentor and a comrade-in-arms of his second uncle, Li Huaide.

They all worked together in the mess hall, chopping things out with kitchen knives. The bond between them is priceless!

During the most difficult times, the troops couldn't all carry a rifle, and in hand-to-hand combat, Li Huaide, the cooks, and others used kitchen knives to fight.

Because Li Huaide was a year older, he was most often seen charging ahead and slashing, while Li Zhan and his younger brother Li Dou followed up with more blows.

Back then, the three of them were a group, what kind of bullshit one-on-one was this? I was holding a kitchen knife, how could I possibly fight against the bayonets of those little Japanese devils?

It's usually three against one, and sometimes a kitchen knife can be used as a dart.

Of course, who says a cook can only carry one cleaver?

Li Huaide and other members of the cooking squad all carried five kitchen knives on their waists.

At the time, Li Huaide's father-in-law, who was the regimental commander, didn't say anything after learning about the situation. The conditions were difficult, and they couldn't even provide enough guns, but they still had kitchen knives. Carrying a few extra kitchen knives could really save their lives.

Sometimes, stray bullets would fly over and hit your waist, making a clanging sound.

Li Huaide's signature move is to strike first upon meeting someone, regardless of whether it hits or not; he'll deal with the consequences later.

Even if we don't win, there are still Li Zhan and Li Dou, the brothers. What's there to be afraid of?

Every time a Japanese soldier breathed his last, his last words were:

"You, you don't uphold the Bushido code, your conscience is absolutely wicked..."

The dozen or so cooks, relying on their extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness, fought their way out.

After gaining experience points, they became even more frenzied, especially after getting a gun. Whenever there was a battle, they rushed in incredibly fast.

Then came military merits, promotions, and the opportunity to fight even tougher battles!

In the factory manager's office, Yang Ligong leaned back in his chair with his legs crossed, comfortably smoking a cigarette.

He had just received news that the head of the investigation team had gone to see Li Jiuzhou, which surprised and delighted him.

They even suspected that Li Jiuzhou really had a problem, otherwise why would they investigate again after they had already investigated him?

This is illogical.

Of course, he was hoping that Li Jiuzhou would get into trouble, so that Li Huaide would also fall from grace, and then Li Jiuzhou would be implicated. In this way, his father-in-law might be able to advance further.

The idea was wonderful, but reality was destined to disappoint Yang Ligong.

Someone from the leadership team went to Li Huaide and jokingly asked him what was going on, whether he had been corrupt.

"Old Zhang, I won't lie to you. My nephew is fine. The head of the investigation team is my comrade-in-arms and also Master Jiuzhou's eldest son."

"Given this relationship, is there anything wrong with him going to Jiuzhou for tea?"

"Ah, this..." Old Zhang's mind went blank for a moment after hearing this, but then he was overjoyed:

"Old Li, oh no... Secretary Li, if that means you're one of us, then..."

Li Huaide quickly raised his hand to stop him from continuing:

"Old Zhang, hold on. According to the rules, relatives should avoid suspicion. However, Jiuzhou is innocent and has been investigated, so there is no procedural problem."

"He didn't even come to see his old comrade-in-arms. What does that mean? It means he respects the rules."

"It's best not to say things like that. Besides, why are you in such a hurry? Do you have a problem?"

Old Zhang felt a chill run down his spine after hearing this. He was definitely up to something, otherwise why would he come looking for Li Huaide?

"I..." Old Zhang hesitated several times before opening his mouth.

Li Huaide's eyes narrowed, and he immediately understood that this kid definitely had a problem, and now he was afraid.

Stay away from this kind of person, or you'll get into trouble and end up with blood all over your body!

Li Huaide is not a saint; he wouldn't suggest that Lao Zhang voluntarily confess to the organization.

If you're capable enough not to get arrested, that's your skill, it has nothing to do with me, Li Huaide. He didn't want to make enemies, nor did he want to meddle in other people's business.

Moreover, now that officials from the provincial-level investigation team have arrived, who would dare to lay a finger on it? Aren't they afraid of dying?

Zhang He is the factory's organization minister, a deputy director-level official, in charge of cadre promotion and assessment. His power is not particularly great, but he is ultimately in charge of personnel, which carries a lot of weight!

Would those who want to improve their careers go to him and whisper something to him?

What kind of gift will they give?

Any normal cadre would do that.

Zhang He knew he wasn't clean, and ever since the investigation team came down, he had been living in fear, afraid that something would come out.

Now that all the provincial-level officials have been removed from their posts, he's afraid he won't be able to handle it.

But if you turn yourself in, you'll get an extra year in prison—that's an unspoken rule.

In officialdom, there's only the willingness to accept defeat; there's no such thing as surrendering and losing half—that's just deception.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Huaide felt somewhat helpless. It wasn't that he was being kind, but rather that he was curious about what the man had done.

But he couldn't ask, because asking would implicate him.

If Zhang He's problem is really serious, should Li Huaide report it to the organization?

Failure to report is disloyalty to the organization, and one cannot escape the charge of covering up a crime.

But if it is reported, it will trigger infighting within the leadership of the steel rolling mill.

Li Huaide doesn't have this idea yet.

Before Li Huaide could react, Zhang He gritted his teeth and blurted out everything he had done.

Li Huaide dropped the cigarette he was holding between his fingers, his face filled with astonishment.

No, I didn't ask you to say that, you son of a bitch!

Li Huaide really didn't want Zhang to have done anything with that bastard.

Hmm? Something's not right... The more Li Huaide listened, the more something seemed off, and his eyes even lit up at the end. You just did all that?

"Old Zhang, so you're saying that besides having illicit relationships and accepting gifts from subordinates, that's all you've done?"

Zhang He spread his hands: "That's all."

"You didn't take the money?"

"I swear, no!" Zhang He said firmly.

Li Huaide felt relieved, but then said in a rather irritable tone:

"Why are you panicking over something so trivial? The higher-ups are here to fight corruption; they won't investigate these petty things."

Zhang He was surprised to hear this:

"You think messing around with women is a small matter?"

Li Huaide sneered:

"Did you coerce or bribe them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang He gave a shy smile:

"Secretary Li, absolutely not. She said I'm very manly and she'd be willing to be with me."

Li Huaide felt disgusted when he heard this. "You think you're manly?"

He's over fifty years old, probably about to start leaking urine. That woman probably isn't a good person either, how could she say such a morally reprehensible thing?

"Secretary Li, let me work for you!" Zhang He said.

"Oh?" Li Huaide squinted at Zhang He, and in no time he understood Zhang He's true purpose for coming today:

"So you're here today to pledge your allegiance?"

Zhang He felt a little uncomfortable under Li Huaide's gaze, but he still nodded solemnly:

"Secretary Li, I freaking... I freaking desperately want to get promoted."