Courtyard House: Starting by inheriting the tradition and suppressing the barbarians.

The air in the backyard seemed to freeze.

The puddle of urine on the ground was still emitting a pungent, foul odor.

Factory Director Yang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, not daring to straighten his back.

"Expert Li...the person has already been taken away. What do you think about this matter..."

Li Xuan put down the purple clay teapot, not even glancing at Director Yang.

He simply said, "Director Yang, Liu Haizhong just said he wants to seal off my laboratory."

"They also want to destroy all the special materials I prepared for national projects."

"I have serious doubts about the steel mill's security measures if someone like this manages to infiltrate the disciplinary team."

When this huge accusation was slapped on Director Yang's back, his legs went weak.

"It's my fault! I misjudged people!"

"Don't worry, Expert Li, I will definitely handle this matter severely!"

"Deal with it severely!"

Factory Director Yang was so anxious he was almost in tears.

If Li Xuanzhen were to pass a message up to the higher-ups...

It's said that Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill doesn't support key national scientific research projects...

Then his tenure as factory manager is over.

Li Xuan didn't reply, but instead slowly took out a business card from his pocket.

There was only one internal number on it.

He pointed to the phone in the room: "Can I borrow a line? I need to report today's safety hazards to the department."

When Director Yang and Director Wang next to him heard the words "Ministry", their hearts clenched.

This is a path to the heavens!

Li Xuan walked into the room and dialed the number in front of everyone.

"Hello, this is Li Xuan."

"Is Mr. Chen here? Oh, I'd like to report something."

"Someone just stormed my residence, claiming they wanted to confiscate my research materials..."

"Yes, he's some kind of team leader at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, named Liu Haizhong..."

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath, and Sha Zhu shrank his neck, wishing he could bury himself in the ground.

He was just thinking about seeing Li Xuan suffer, but now it seems they're the ones who'll be unlucky!

Li Xuan said a few words and then hung up the phone. He came out and smiled at Director Yang.

"As stated above, such black sheep must be dealt with seriously to serve as a warning to others!"

"I want to see the results of the investigation tomorrow."

"Yes! Yes! Definitely!"

Factory Director Yang nodded repeatedly, his back already soaked with sweat.

......

Early the next morning.

The loudspeakers at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill usually broadcast production progress reports or quotes.

But today, an extremely stern announcement was suddenly broadcast.

"We are now announcing an urgent disciplinary decision!"

"Liu Haizhong, a former level-seven blacksmith, seriously violated discipline and abused his power while serving as the captain of the workers' disciplinary team!"

"Openly storming the residence of a person under state protection is extremely egregious and demonstrates an extremely low level of political awareness!"

"After deliberation and approval by the factory's Party Committee and higher authorities, the following decision was made:"

"First, Liu Haizhong is hereby removed from all his posts and expelled from the disciplinary team!"

"Second, Liu Haizhong's seventh-grade forging worker status is revoked, and his wage is reduced to that of a first-grade apprentice!"

"Third, given his corrupt thinking, he needs to undergo profound labor reform."

Effective immediately, you will be assigned to the factory toilet cleaning team, responsible for cleaning all the dry toilets in the factory!

No slacking off, no taking leave, until your ideological reform is deemed satisfactory!

The broadcast was repeated three times in a row, and the entire steel rolling mill was in an uproar.

"My goodness, what kind of deity did Liu Haizhong offend?"

"Serves him right! That old bastard's been in office for a few days, and he's got a nose in the air. He even fined me two yuan yesterday!"

"A level one apprentice? Only eighteen yuan a month? And they have to clean toilets? That's too miserable!"

"Shh, keep your voice down. I heard he offended that mysterious expert Li from our factory..."

......

At this time, the most remote and smelliest dry toilet in the western section of the steel rolling mill.

Liu Haizhong was wearing a tattered work uniform.

He was holding a broom that was almost completely worn out.

Standing in front of the toilet overflowing with excrement and urine, I felt as if my soul had been ripped out.

Just yesterday morning, he was still the imposing Captain Liu, holding the power of life and death over others.

Just one night later, he became the lowest-paid latrine cleaner in the entire factory.

"vomit!"

A stench hit me.

Liu Haizhong, who usually lives a life of luxury and never even washes a bowl.

Unable to bear it, he vomited on the spot.

"Stop spitting! Get back to work!"

A security officer who used to be bullied by Liu Haizhong is now a supervisor!

He covered his nose and kicked Liu Haizhong hard in the butt. "The higher-ups gave the order!"

"If you don't clean it properly, you won't get to eat today!"

Liu Haizhong was kicked so hard he stumbled and almost fell into the cesspool.

His eyes were filled with tears of humiliation, but he didn't dare utter a single word.

He knew he was finished.

It's completely over.

......

Siheyuan.

The usually bustling courtyard was unusually quiet today, after get off work hours.

Everyone walked very quietly.

Especially when passing the gate leading to the backyard, I wish I could stand on tiptoe.

They were afraid of making any noise that might alert the "living Yama" inside.

Sha Zhu was carrying an empty lunchbox.

Because Liu Haizhong fell from power, the disciplinary team was replaced, and the canteen was also rectified, so he dared not steal anymore.

When he returned to the Intermediate People's Court, he saw Qin Huairu washing vegetables.

The two looked at each other and saw the fear in each other's eyes.

"Sister Qin, tell me... what exactly is Li Xuan's situation right now?"

"To think that a single phone call could connect you with such a high-ranking leader."

Sha Zhu lowered his voice, as if he were doing something wrong.

Qin Huairu's face turned pale, and she shook her head: "Don't ask, don't inquire."

"Silly Zhu, from now on we should stay away from the backyard and never mess with him."

"Liu Haizhong is a perfect example..."

Just then, a melodious Peking Opera tune came from the backyard; Li Xuan was listening to the opera on a phonograph.

The sound echoed in the quiet courtyard.

It sounded particularly jarring, yet also particularly ironic.

Everyone in the hospital was on tenterhooks, fearing they would be purged.

Meanwhile, the person who started this whole thing was enjoying life to the fullest.

Yan Bugui sat at his own doorstep.

Hearing the wailing coming from the Liu family, he let out a long sigh:

"The world in this courtyard has changed a long time ago."

"From now on, who's the dragon and who's the worm will depend on that guy's mood."

That night, all the beasts in the courtyard suffered from insomnia.

......