Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

The next morning, at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill's broadcasting station, announcer Yu Haitang's clear and high-pitched voice was like a depth charge thrown into a calm lake, instantly igniting the entire factory area.

"Hello, hello! This is a factory-wide commendation announcement!"

"Comrade Jiang Chen of the Security Department has demonstrated outstanding performance in recent technological innovation work, making significant contributions to the factory! After deliberation by the factory's Party Committee, it has been decided to award Comrade Jiang Chen a major merit! Furthermore, Comrade Jiang Chen has been promoted to the position of Head of the Security Section of the Security Department, enjoying the administrative benefits of a deputy section chief! We hope that all employees will learn from Comrade Jiang Chen..."

The sound from the loudspeaker played on a loop three times.

In the workshop, canteen, and bathhouse, countless workers stopped what they were doing and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"The head of the security section? Isn't that Old Zhang's old position? How long has Jiang Chen been here?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn't you hear the announcement say it was a 'major contribution'? And it's even a deputy section chief's salary! Our factory's previous section chiefs never had this kind of treatment. This means he has connections!"

"The courtyard is going to be lively now. I heard Xu Damao used to talk about people behind their backs quite a bit..."

At this moment, in the office of the head of the security department.

Section Chief Nie's face crinkled with a wide smile. He solemnly placed a brand-new official seal, still bearing the red ink of the seal, on his desk and pushed it in front of Jiang Chen.

"Xiao Jiang, no, I should call you Section Chief Jiang now." Section Chief Nie looked at the young man he had personally promoted, his heart filled with satisfaction. He was getting old and would be retiring in a couple of years, so making a good connection at this time was more important than anything else.

"Section Chief, you flatter me. In your presence, I will always be Xiao Jiang." Jiang Chen accepted the seal with both hands, his attitude remaining humble.

"Alright, we don't do that kind of thing in the security department." Section Chief Nie waved his hand and pointed to a brand-new uniform on the chair next to him. "Try it on. The logistics department made it overnight. It has four pockets."

In those days, the number of pockets on a Zhongshan suit had a strict rank implication. Ordinary cadres and workers wore suits with two pockets, while only cadres at the county or regimental level or above, or heads of key departments, were entitled to wear cadre uniforms with four pockets.

Jiang Chen picked up the uniform, unfolded it, and put it on.

Facing the mirror on the wall, he carefully buttoned each button. The young man in the mirror had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a tall and straight posture. The dark blue four-pocket uniform he wore instantly made him less naive and more imposing, giving him an aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye.

"And this too."

Section Chief Nie opened the drawer and took out a kraft paper envelope and a heavy black iron object.

A red gun license.

A Type 54 pistol with a deep, dark blue patina, exuding a chilling, murderous aura.

"Our security section is a quasi-military unit, and the public order section is the key department in charge of public order. This 'Big Black Star' will be your sidearm from now on," Section Chief Nie said earnestly. "The gun is yours, and so is the power. It's up to you how you manage these more than 10,000 people in the factory."

Jiang Chen took the pistol, skillfully pulled back the slide, and inspected the chamber. His movements were so swift that Section Chief Nie's eyes lit up.

"Snap!"

The gun was returned to its place, tucked into the leather holster at his waist. The heavy weight of it calmed Jiang Chen's heart.

Stepping out of the office, I saw ten strong young men already lined up on the playground outside.

This was a security patrol squad personally selected by Jiang Chen, composed entirely of retired soldiers, each with fierce eyes and a sturdy build. Upon seeing Jiang Chen emerge in a four-pocket uniform with a gun at his waist, all ten men stood at attention and saluted in unison.

"Good morning, Section Chief!"

The roar was deafening, and the momentum was overwhelming.

"Let's go, inspect the factory area!" Jiang Chen didn't waste any words and waved his hand.

The group marched into the production area in a grand procession.

The scenery changed dramatically along the way.

In the past, when Jiang Chen walked down the street, people were polite, but mostly because of his security guard uniform. But today, every worker who passed by, whether a veteran or a junior apprentice, looked at Jiang Chen with a newfound respect when they saw the rank insignia on his shoulder and the bulging gun holster at his waist.

"Hello, Section Chief Jiang!"

Good morning, Section Chief Jiang!

Greetings rose and fell in waves.

When Jiang Chen led his team to inspect the fitter's workshop, they saw Director Guo pointing his finger at Xu Damao and scolding him.

"Xu Damao! What are you doing wandering around the workshop, you movie projectionist? If you break any machines, you couldn't afford to pay for them even if you sold yourself!"

Xu Damao was hunching over with a forced smile when he turned his head and saw Jiang Chen leading a group of men, walking in imposingly through the main gate.

The brand-new four-pocket uniform stood out starkly in the dimly lit workshop. The black holster at his waist was like a thorn piercing Xu Damao's eye.

Xu Damao's smile froze instantly, his eyes filled with jealousy, shock, and a deep, ingrained fear.

Once upon a time, Jiang Chen was just a nobody who had just joined the factory, and everyone had to call him "Brother Xu." But now? He's a powerful section chief with the待遇 of a deputy section chief, carrying a real weapon on his belt, and commanding a group of ruthless thugs. And Xu Damao is still here, being scolded like a grandson.

Jiang Chen didn't stop walking, nor did he even glance at Xu Damao. He simply swept his gaze across the entire area indifferently, like a lion surveying its territory, ignoring the ants in the corners.

But that one glance made Xu Damao's legs go weak, and he almost couldn't stand up.

Stepping out of the bustling workshop, Jiang Chen stood on Tongtian Avenue in the factory area, feeling the biting cold wind of early winter.

He subconsciously touched the cold gun handle at his waist, the hard sensation spreading throughout his body from his fingertips.

"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun"—this saying is indeed true.

Jiang Chen gazed at the courtyard house shrouded in coal smoke in the distance, a cold smile curving his lips as he thought to himself:

"Now that we have this suit and this gun, it's time to thoroughly clean up those monsters and demons who are jumping around in the courtyard."