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

The early winter wind, sharp as a knife, swept across the empty playground of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, swirling up a few withered yellow leaves. By the time Jiang Chen returned to the security office, it was already getting dark.

I had barely stepped into the office with the sign that read "Chief of the Public Security Section" when I heard a very faint knocking sound, like someone stealing a thief, coming from outside the door.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The voice was very soft, with a hint of cautious probing.

"Come in." Jiang Chen didn't even look up, casually slamming the heavy Type 54 pistol onto the table with a muffled "bang".

The door was pushed open a crack, and a head peeked in furtively. That distinctive horse-like face, paired with two neatly trimmed mustaches—who else could it be but Xu Damao?

Xu Damao was carrying two bottles of fine wine wrapped tightly in newspaper. The moment he saw Jiang Chen sitting behind his desk, his face instantly lit up with an extremely fawning smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum. He hunched over and slipped in like a lapdog, gently closing the door behind him.

"Section Chief Jiang! Oh my, congratulations!" Xu Damao bowed and scraped as he carefully placed the bottles of liquor on the corner of the table, his movements so gentle it was as if they were two landmines. "When I heard the broadcast today, I was so excited! I knew it! If anyone in our department could achieve great things, it would be you! See, it's come true! A dragon among men can't be hidden!"

Jiang Chen didn't reply, not even lifting his eyelids. He leaned back in his chair, his long, slender fingers pulling a bright yellow bullet from beside his holster.

"clatter."

He gently stood the bullet upright on the table.

"clatter."

It was knocked down again.

The crisp metallic clanging sound was particularly jarring in the quiet office. Each impact felt like a heavy hammer blow, striking Xu Damao's heart hard.

Xu Damao's smile gradually froze, and fine beads of cold sweat began to appear on his forehead. He looked at the black iron weapon right next to Jiang Chen, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his legs began to twitch uncontrollably.

He suddenly remembered the fear of being dominated by Jiang Chen, and Jiang Chen's cold eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts at the college-wide meeting that night.

"The wine is good." Jiang Chen finally spoke, his voice so calm that it revealed neither joy nor anger. "Unfortunately, after drinking this wine, some things will remain unresolved."

Xu Damao shuddered and almost knelt down on the spot. He knew all too well what Jiang Chen was referring to—he had previously spread rumors throughout the factory that Jiang Chen had questionable morals and had even considered writing a letter of complaint.

"Section Chief Jiang..." Xu Damao's voice trembled with sobs, his knees buckled, and half his body slumped over the edge of the table. "It was a misunderstanding! It was a huge misunderstanding! That old bastard Yi Zhonghai deceived me! He instigated me to oppose you! I'm so regretful now! Please, don't hold a grudge, just let me go!"

Jiang Chen picked up the bullet, twirling it deftly between his fingers, the cold metallic sheen casting afterimages under the light. He raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping across Xu Damao's face like a blade.

"Xu Damao, you're a smart man, but also a real scoundrel."

This comment startled Xu Damao for a moment, then he nodded frantically, "Yes, yes, yes! I'm a scoundrel! I'm a real scoundrel! As long as you feel better, I'll do anything!"

"Even a villain has his uses." Jiang Chen's lips curled into a playful smile as he slammed the bullet in his hand on the table. "Since you want to follow me, just giving me two bottles of wine isn't enough. I happen to need a watchdog, but this dog has to know how to bite, and it has to bite accurately."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's fear instantly turned into ecstatic joy. He wasn't afraid of being scolded, he was afraid of being useless! As long as Jiang Chen was willing to accept this pledge of loyalty, he would have a powerful backer in the factory and the compound!

"Give me your orders! Give me whatever you want!" Xu Damao pounded his chest loudly, a fierce look on his face. "Whoever you tell me to bite, I'll bite! Even if it's that old bastard Yi Zhonghai, I won't let go!"

Jiang Chen leaned forward, his imposing presence overwhelming: "Yi Zhonghai is a drowning dog now. Just keep an eye on him and don't let him recover. What I need you to do is something else."

He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "That good-for-nothing with bangs has been jumping around quite a bit lately. He's having a good time sitting in that acting old man's seat, hasn't he?"

Xu Damao's eyes darted around, and he instantly understood Jiang Chen's meaning. This was about maintaining balance, about letting these beasts fight amongst themselves! He was good at this!

"I understand! Section Chief Jiang, don't worry!" Xu Damao's face revealed that signature, wicked grin. "That bureaucrat Liu Haizhong is a complete scoundrel. I know all about his embezzlement of waste materials and his beatings of apprentices in the workshop! I'll give him a good talking-to these next few days, I guarantee he'll stink in the yard!"

"Go ahead." Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively, like shooing away a fly. "Do a good job. If you do well, you'll have a job in the security department from now on."

"Alright! Just you wait and see!"

Xu Damao felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He grabbed the hat on the table, put it on his head, and straightened his back instantly as he turned to leave.

Stepping out of the office building, a gust of cold wind hit Xu Damao, causing him to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. But immediately, an arrogant, smug look appeared on his face. He glanced back at the lit window, a resentful glint in his eyes.

"Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Sha Zhu... you used to gang up on me, but now I've latched onto a true god! Just you wait and see, this courtyard will belong to Master Jiang, which means it will belong to me, Xu Damao! We'll have our fun!"