Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

He turned his head and asked, "Director Li, in your opinion, should I go to this meal or not?"

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide was taken aback at first, then a smile appeared in his eyes: "Section Chief Jia, although your security section doesn't have to worry about the factory leaders' opinions, the section's funds still ultimately come from the factory's accounts."

Besides, Yang Weimin is not without support in the ministry. Based on this incident in Workshop 2, at most he can be labeled as "misjudging people," but it won't cause him any real harm.

Rather than falling out with him over this, it's better to go with the flow and have a peaceful meal.

Jia Dongming then changed the subject, probing, "What if I expose the enemy agent's activities to the investigation team? Even if he has connections, he probably won't be able to hold onto his position as the steel mill director."

Director Li, you really never considered that position?

How could Li Huaide not have such thoughts? However, he was clear in his mind that he had only been in the position of deputy factory director for two years. Even if he could bring Yang Weimin down, the top seat would not be his.

Rather than hoping for an outsider with no background to take over the steel rolling mill, it would be better to let Yang Weimin stay.

At least, he had figured out seven or eight parts of this person's temperament and ways.

Faced with Jia Dongming's indirect questioning, Li Huaide recalled his relatively short tenure, and a faint sense of melancholy crossed his face: "Section Chief Jia, I've only been the deputy factory director for less than two years."

Even if Yang Weimin steps down, that position won't fall to me.

It's better to let Old Yang continue doing the work than to put a stranger in charge.

After hearing this explanation, Jia Dongming suddenly understood why, in those turbulent years, Li Huaide was able to both seize the opportunity to replace Yang Weimin and ultimately escape unscathed.

This person certainly has insight and a plan.

After a moment's hesitation, Jia Dongming nodded: "Okay, Director Li, I'll do as you say."

I'll attend Yang Weimin's welcome dinner.

Li Huaide's smile deepened, and he lowered his voice to remind him, "Section Chief Jia, whether Yang Weimin can get through this hurdle depends entirely on whether you are willing to downplay the seriousness of the matter."

In my opinion, you should take this opportunity to try and get more compensation for your brother—it doesn't necessarily have to be money, but there has to be some kind of explanation.”

With his extraordinary abilities, Jia Dongming is naturally not short of money.

He asked doubtfully, "Director Li, according to factory rules, if my brother were killed by enemy agents, would there be any difference in compensation compared to someone who died from a work-related injury?"

Seeing that he asked detailed questions, Li Huaide's eyes showed a hint of appreciation: "Unless it is a major contribution to the factory or a martyr, it will be treated as a work injury, and the compensation standard will be the same."

Jia Dongming smiled knowingly: "Since the factory has already compensated, I don't need to ask Yang Weimin for anything more."

"This isn't a question of whether or not to ask for it."

Li Huaide leaned forward slightly. "If you don't want anything, Yang Weimin will feel uneasy."

"Some things, you have to let him give them to feel at ease."

These words reveal the intricacies of interpersonal relationships in officialdom.

Recalling the twists and turns of later life, Jia Dongming knowingly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Thank you for your guidance, Director Li. I know what to do now."

Li Huaide knew very well that he had to keep the security section firmly in his grasp.

Jia Dongming had only been transferred here a short time ago, yet he had already accomplished such a great feat. Such a capable person was exactly the kind of assistant he needed to recruit.

He suddenly remembered the Jia family's situation and smiled as he reminded them, "Comrade Dongming, if I remember correctly, the small courtyard that the factory allocated to you, along with the house your brother used to live in, still belong to the category of public housing."

In my opinion, this presents an opportunity—why not spend some money to convert public rental housing into private property?

These days, courtyard houses may not seem expensive, but decades from now, the two rooms of the Jia family's house would be worth at least tens of millions, not to mention the detached courtyard he lives in now.

Upon hearing Li Huaide's words, Jia Dongming's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Director Li, isn't the current policy prohibiting private property sales? If I really want to buy the house I'm currently living in, what are the procedures?"

Li Huaide waved his hand with a smile: "What's so difficult about that? You just cracked a major enemy spy case, and the factory can use the excuse of 'rewarding meritorious personnel' to specially approve a housing purchase qualification for you."

Once you hand over the money, everything will be perfectly legitimate, and no one can find fault with it.

Jia Dongming suddenly realized, and a smile spread across his face: "Thank you for your guidance, Director Li! Once this matter is settled, I'll have Sha Zhu prepare a good meal at home, and I'll definitely invite you over for a few drinks."

As the sun began to set, around 5:30 p.m., Jia Dongming walked to the entrance of the logistics warehouse and bumped into Qin Huairu, who was about to leave work.

He smiled and said gently, "Huairu, Director Yang has a dinner party tonight, so I can't go back."

Remember to let Mom know when you get home.

When Qin Huairu heard that he wasn't coming home for dinner, she smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Uncle, I'll tell Mom when I get back."

After giving his instructions, Jia Dongming turned and headed towards the small canteen.

On this day, the steel rolling mill's security department, in conjunction with the Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau, successfully cracked a case of sabotage by enemy agents targeting the special workshop.

Shortly after Zhou Xudong was taken away, the news spread like wildfire through every corridor of the administration building.

When the factory's key leaders heard about this, they couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

They knew perfectly well that if enemy agents succeeded in blowing up the special workshop, even if they were not directly responsible, their future political careers would likely be ruined by this accident.

In the propaganda department office, Xu Damao was taken aback after hearing everyone's discussion. Then, an undisguised smug look appeared on his face. He called out to Lao Zhang, Lao Guo, and Sister Wu in the room, "Brother Zhang, Brother Guo, Sister Wu, the Section Chief Jia you just mentioned lives in our compound! He even had dinner at my house the other night."

All three looked surprised upon hearing this.

Sister Wu looked at him with suspicion: "Da Mao, you can't just say things like that."

Are you really that close to Section Chief Jia?

Seeing that they didn't believe him, Xu Damao straightened his back even more, recalling the scene of drinking and chatting that night: "Sister Wu, how can you talk nonsense? The night before last, when we were drinking, Brother Jia said himself that if I encounter any difficulties at the factory in the future, I can come to him anytime."

"Da Mao, what did you just say? The new Section Chief Jia from the Security Department is your friend, and you even drank together?"

Before he could finish speaking, a middle-aged man walked in from outside, asking a question with a look of surprise on his face.

Xu Damao, who was boasting enthusiastically, heard the familiar voice and quickly turned around, replying respectfully, "Section Chief, how could I dare to joke about such a thing? Brother Jia lives in our courtyard, and he did have dinner at my house the day before yesterday."

If you don't believe me, you can go ask Liu Haizhong in the forging workshop.

Seeing how certain he sounded, the head of the propaganda department believed him to some extent.

Suddenly remembering that Secretary Zhang was going to treat Jia Dongming to dinner that evening, he instructed Xu Damao, "Damao, stay a little later after get off work, I need to talk to you about something."

Although Xu Damao didn't understand why the section chief wanted to keep him, he felt it was an opportunity to get closer to his superior, so he naturally didn't want to miss it and quickly replied, "Okay, section chief, I'll wait for you in the office after get off work."

After leaving the warehouse, Jia Dongming soon arrived at the steel rolling mill's small canteen.

Secretary Zhang's secretary, Xiao Wang, spotted him immediately and hurried over, greeting him warmly, "Section Chief Jia, you've finally arrived! The Secretary and Factory Director Yang are waiting in the private room. Please come with me."

Jia Dongming politely thanked him and followed Xiao Wangchao inside.

When Jia Dongming pushed open the wooden door of the small canteen's private room, Xu Damao's somewhat obsequious laughter could be heard from inside.

Xu Damao turned his head and saw him, then quickly stood up from his seat and waved warmly: "Brother Jia! You've finally arrived, the leaders are all waiting for you."

Upon seeing Xu Damao there, Jia Dongming's brow twitched slightly. He then remembered that this man was used to joining in the fun in front of the leaders, and he understood what was going on.

He glanced around the private room and saw that several prominent figures from the factory were already seated. He then put on a perfectly appropriate apologetic expression and nodded to everyone: "Secretary Zhang, Director Yang, and all the leaders, I am truly sorry."

I received an urgent phone call just before leaving, which delayed me a little. I apologize for keeping you all waiting.

Secretary Zhang waved his hand, his expression gentle: "Comrade Dongming, don't listen to Xiao Xu's boasting. We just sat down ourselves."

Yang Weimin, who was standing to the side, immediately chimed in, his tone full of enthusiasm: "Dongming, you're the star of today's meal."

"Even if it's several hours, let alone just a short wait, it's perfectly acceptable!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the empty seat next to him, "Come on, sit here."

Jia Dongming looked in the direction he pointed—that was the host and guest position.

He quickly shook his head: "Director Yang, I dare not sit in this position."

"Among everyone here, in terms of seniority and position, it should be Secretary Zhang and you sitting here."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of approval flashed across Secretary Zhang's eyes.

He smiled, his voice still calm: "Comrade Dongming, we are all comrades working for the factory, there is no distinction between high and low."

If it weren't for your vigilance, your early identification of the lurking enemy agents, and your cooperation with the police to take them all down before they could act... our factory would probably have suffered a terrible disaster long ago.

If we're really going to reward those who have made contributions, then you are the only one qualified to sit in this position today.

Jia Dongming showed no sign of smugness, but instead appeared extremely apprehensive: "Secretary Zhang, you're exaggerating."

As the head of security at the factory, ensuring the safety of the factory area is my duty, and I really don't deserve such praise.

Yang Weimin still felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled the criticism he had received from above a few days ago. At this moment, his tone was even more earnest: "Comrade Dongming, you haven't been here long, so you may not know—these enemy agents have been secretly preparing to bomb the special workshop for over a year."

"If you hadn't arrived in time, the consequences... I don't even want to think about them."

When Jia Dongming first arrived, apart from Li Huaide giving him a brief welcome dinner, no other leaders even showed up.

He knew in his heart that he wasn't very popular here.

Since they didn't like him, he didn't intend to try to get close to them.

If it weren't for the fact that this operation required Yang Weimin's signature and cooperation, he wouldn't even have stepped into the factory director's office.

Faced with Yang Weimin's praise, Jia Dongming simply smiled faintly.

He noticed an empty seat next to Li Huaide, so he walked straight over, pulled out a chair, and sat down before speaking: "Secretary Zhang, Director Yang, I'm afraid of feeling stuffy, so this place is close to the door and well-ventilated."

I'll sit here.

Seeing that he had already sat down next to Li Huaide, Secretary Zhang did not insist. He sat down in the main seat and turned to his secretary, instructing, "Xiao Wang, tell the canteen to prepare the dishes."

Before long, the kitchen helpers filed in carrying trays.

After the secretary poured wine for everyone, Secretary Zhang raised his glass first, his voice booming: "Let's toast together to welcome Comrade Jia Dongming to officially become a member of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill!"

Jia Dongming stood up, raised his glass, and nodded slightly to everyone: "Thank you for the organization's trust in letting me work at the steel rolling mill."

The work of the Security Department will rely on the continued support of all leaders in the future.

Yang Weimin watched him tilt his head back and drink it all, and immediately replied, "Comrade Dongming, rest assured, the security department is related to the safety of the entire factory's production, and the factory will definitely fully cooperate with your work."

If Jia Dongming hadn't already figured out Yang Weimin's intentions, he would almost have believed the sincerity in those words.

He gently placed the empty cup on the table and smiled at Yang Weimin: "With Director Yang's words, our security department feels at ease."

Come, let me toast all the leaders.

Seeing that the leaders at the table had already taken turns raising their glasses, Xu Damao carefully picked up his own wine cup and stood up.

He bowed, his face full of ingratiating smiles, and looked around the round table: "Distinguished leaders, I am Xu Damao from the Propaganda Department, in charge of showing movies."

"It's truly a blessing from my ancestors and an immense honor to be able to sit here and have a drink with these leaders today."

"To express my gratitude, I will follow the old custom of toasting leaders and offer a round of drinks to all the leaders."

The head of the publicity department was picking up some food when he heard this. He looked up and raised an eyebrow with interest: "Oh? Da Mao has a set of rules for toasting? Tell me about them."

Xu Damao immediately cleared his throat and said loudly, "Section Chief, esteemed leaders, my rules are simple, just eight words—one big, three small, two fives, ten!"