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

The heavy rain that night washed away the dust of the capital, but it could not cleanse the undercurrents surging within the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

The next morning at ten o'clock, the sunlight was a bit dazzling, and the air was filled with the earthy smell of rain.

In front of the security department building, a group of people gathered menacingly. Leading them was Zhao Gang, the deputy head of the security department. He was wearing a crisp Zhongshan suit, clutching a permit stamped with a bright red seal, and his face wore an excited expression as if he were about to tear his prey apart.

Behind him followed several members of the factory's audit team, each with a solemn expression, carrying thick ledgers and abacuses.

The most eye-catching person in the group was Liu Haizhong.

Today, the former second uncle had specially changed into a faded work uniform. Although he had lost his official air, his swollen eyes gleamed with an almost morbid fanaticism. He followed behind Zhao Gang like an old dog that had finally dared to bite people because of its master's power, standing taller than anyone else.

"Section Chief Zhao, it's right ahead! That so-called 'Special Material Warehouse for Technical Breakthroughs' is usually locked tight; not even a fly can get in!" Liu Haizhong pointed to a row of red-brick warehouses in the distance, spitting as he spoke. "I personally saw Jiang Chen having things moved in—all top-quality stuff! If there's nothing fishy going on, I'll rip my head off and use it as a football!"

Zhao Gang sneered, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Whether there's something fishy going on or not, we'll find out once we open it. Let's go!"

The group marched through the factory area and headed straight for the core office area of ​​the security department.

At this moment, Jiang Chen was sitting in his office, holding an enamel mug with the words "Serve the People" printed on it, and gently blowing on the tea leaves floating on the surface of the water.

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and with such force that it slammed against the wall with a loud "bang".

Jiang Chen didn't even lift his eyelids. He slowly sipped his tea before gently setting down the teacup and calmly glancing towards the doorway.

"Deputy Section Chief Zhao, knock before entering; that's the security section's rule. What, haven't you had a meeting in days? Have you even forgotten this basic discipline?"

Zhao Gang strode to his desk, slammed the approval slip in his hand onto the table, causing the water in his teacup to slosh slightly.

"Jiang Chen, don't put on airs like a section chief!" Zhao Gang looked down at Jiang Chen, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Someone has filed a formal complaint against you for abusing your position to embezzle public funds, engage in speculation, and misappropriate state strategic materials! This is a temporary search warrant jointly issued by the Revolutionary Committee and the Factory Office!"

He leaned forward, his hands on the table, staring intently into Jiang Chen's eyes, trying to see even the slightest hint of panic in those deep pupils.

"Now, please immediately hand over the keys to Warehouse No. 3 and all ledgers for the audit team's review!"

Liu Haizhong poked his head out from behind Zhao Gang, his fat face smug and arrogant: "Jiang Chen, confess and you'll be treated leniently, resist and you'll be punished severely! Your good days are over! Don't think you can cover up everything just because you're a section chief; the people have discerning eyes!"

Jiang Chen leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap, tap" sound.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet office, each one seeming to strike the hearts of everyone present.

"Warehouse No. 3?" Jiang Chen's tone was flat, as if he had heard a joke. "Zhao Gang, you should know that's a classified warehouse for technological breakthroughs, specially approved by Factory Director Yang. It stores precision instruments and special materials. No one except the factory director and me has the authority to open it without permission. You think you can break into this classified warehouse with just a temporary permit? Do you know what kind of situation that is?"

"Don't try to intimidate me with Director Yang!" Since Zhao Gang dared to come, he was clearly prepared to burn his bridges. "Special case! What, you're afraid to open it? Are you hiding something? Is it full of stolen goods you've obtained through speculation?"

"Exactly! If you're afraid to open, you're hiding something!" Liu Haizhong fanned the flames from the side, his voice sharp and grating. "The audit team is all here. If you're innocent, what are you afraid of investigating?"

The audit team leader, a middle-aged man wearing glasses, wiped the sweat from his brow and said somewhat awkwardly, "Section Chief Jiang, this is just routine. If... if it's convenient, please cooperate."

Jiang Chen looked at Zhao Gang's face, which was slightly distorted with excitement, and then at Liu Haizhong's eagerness to rush in and ransack the house. The curve of his lips slowly deepened, turning into a cold, sarcastic smile.

"What a wonderful special case handling!"

Jiang Chen opened the drawer, making a soft sound.

Zhao Gang and Liu Haizhong's breath hitched for a moment as they stared intently at Jiang Chen's hand, fearing he might pull out a gun.

However, Jiang Chen only took out a bunch of brass keys.

"Since Deputy Section Chief Zhao is so eager to gain merit, and since Master Liu is so willing to turn his own family away for the greater good..."

Jiang Chen fiddled with the bunch of keys, the metal making a crisp sound as it clashed.

"Investigate, investigate as much as you want."

He suddenly waved his hand, and the bunch of keys traced an arc in the air before slamming heavily onto the table in front of Zhao Gang with a "thud".

"However, let me make this clear from the start."

Jiang Chen slowly stood up, his previously restrained aura exploding instantly, pressing down on everyone like a mountain. He straightened his collar, his gaze sweeping across Zhao Gang and Liu Haizhong's faces like a blade.

"If no problems are found, this is a false accusation, an attack on a classified unit, and a sabotage of technological breakthroughs."

He took a step closer, his voice low and menacing.

"Can you bear the consequences?"

Zhao Gang was so intimidated by this aura that he subconsciously took a half step back, and his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. But the die was cast, and he had no choice but to act. He gritted his teeth and grabbed the keys from the table.

"Consequences? Once we find evidence of your crimes, we'll see who bears the consequences!"

Zhao Gang turned around, waved his hand, and roared, "Go! Open the warehouse!"

Liu Haizhong was so excited that his face turned red. He was the first to rush out of the office. His brisk steps were not like those of a fat man who was almost fifty years old. It was as if the warehouse door was piled up not with supplies, but with Jiang Chen's corpse.

Jiang Chen watched their impatient backs, picked up his teacup again, and gently blew on it.

"You can't stop someone who's courting death."