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

The following morning, the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Inside the newly opened "Public Security Section" office, sunlight streamed through the clear glass windows onto the large desk. Jiang Chen sat in the leather swivel chair that symbolized power, holding an official document in his hand, while Xu Damao stood opposite him, bowing and scraping.

"Da Mao, you did a good job this time."

Jiang Chen put down the documents, casually took out a certificate of merit from the drawer, and pushed it in front of Xu Damao.

The certificate read "Meritorious for assisting in the arrest of the suspect" in large characters, and was stamped with the bright red official seal of the security department.

Although it was just a thin piece of paper, containing neither a bonus nor food coupons, Xu Damao's hands trembled as he held it, his face flushed with excitement.

In this era where honor is paramount, this certificate is his capital to stand tall in the factory! With this, who would dare to call Xu Damao a sycophantic scoundrel? He is a hero who assisted in the capture of the spy!

"Brother! No, Section Chief!" Xu Damao's eyes were red, this time a genuine outpouring of emotion. "You are like my second parents! I was ignorant before, but from now on, I'll do whatever you tell me to do! If you even frown, I'll be the one who..."

He made a turtle gesture.

Although he was so scared that he wet his pants that night and became the laughing stock of the whole hospital, Jiang Chen's move of "forgiving past mistakes and rewarding merits" completely won over this villain's heart.

There's no need to reason with someone like Xu Damao; just give him enough benefits and intimidation, and he'll be the most useful dog.

"Alright, put it away." Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. "Keep a close eye on things in the yard from now on, especially that old bastard Yi Zhonghai. If anything happens, tell me immediately."

"Don't worry! That old man is like a grasshopper in autumn, he won't be able to jump around for many more days!" Xu Damao carefully rolled up the certificate, thanked him profusely, and left.

The office returned to silence.

Jiang Chen stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the entire steel rolling mill.

It was rush hour, and the workers, dressed in blue overalls, scurried around the factory like ants. Towering chimneys billowed black smoke, and the roar of the machines blended into a symphony of the industrial age.

This is his core base.

Jiang Chen quickly assessed the current situation in his mind.

In the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai's moral integrity has been shattered, his prestige has been completely destroyed, and he is now merely clinging to life; Liu Haizhong is a brainless official-obsessed man, and as long as he is given a little reward, he can be made to charge into battle; the three widows and orphans of the Jia family have been completely terrified by that gunshot and have become obedient slaves; although Sha Zhu is a reckless scoundrel, he has also been trampled into the mud in the face of absolute power.

Inside the factory, he held real power in the security department, with Director Yang and other high-ranking officials as his backers. He had money and guns, and was also protected by his status as a specially appointed instructor by the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

It can be said that he has built an impregnable empire on this small piece of land.

But this is not enough.

Jiang Chen's gaze passed over the factory's perimeter wall and landed on the distant northern sky.

The calendar on the wall has been turned to the beginning of 1966.

As a time traveler, he knew better than anyone that a massive storm, sweeping the entire country for ten years, was brewing. It was a catastrophe capable of destroying the old order and bringing down countless powerful figures.

In this coming crazy era, money, power, and followers alone will not be enough.

When the storm hits, the current power structure may collapse instantly. Director Yang may fall from power, and the top leaders may be impacted. At that time, he, this "favorite," may very well become a "black example" in the eyes of others.

To remain undefeated in the storm, or even rise with it, he must have an even stronger trump card.

This kind of trump card must be something that no one else can replace.

For example, core technologies that can influence the lifeline of a nation's industry; a well-equipped armed force that obeys only his orders; or a secret channel that can continuously supply scarce strategic materials.

"Don't be a drifting duckweed, be a pillar that stabilizes the sea."

Jiang Chen muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold little yellow fish in his pocket.

His consciousness sank back into the system.

The icon for "Bright Sword Dimension" was still flashing, as if silently beckoning him. Beside it, there was a gray icon in a semi-locked state—"Cyberpunk 2077 (The Edgewalker)".

That was a signal from another higher dimension that he vaguely sensed when the system was upgraded to Lv1.5. Although he couldn't start trading yet, it represented future technology and military power.

The left hand holds the flames of war and glory of 1940, while the right hand represents the technology and cybernetics of 2077.

Standing in the middle is Jiang Chen, who is about to face the storm of 1966.

"Commander Li Yunlong, the order has been accepted."

Jiang Chen's lips curled into a confident smile as he pressed the connection button for the [Bright Sword Dimension] without hesitation.

An invisible ripple spread through the air.

Since a storm is coming, let me be the god in the eye of the storm.