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

Also, I have a heating system that I'd like to run through these rooms and connect to the old house—where do you think would be a good place to install the stove?

Master Lei walked around the rooms and pondered, "If the Dong family installs that boiler pipe system, the kitchen will probably have to be moved to Dongtou's room so that the pipes can run towards the old house."

After a moment's thought, Jia Dongming replied, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

There's another matter—could we open a door in the wall of the old house and build a small toilet next to it? That way, my mother and sister-in-law won't have to keep coming over to my side to relieve themselves.

Master Lei scribbled in his notebook for a while, then looked up and asked, "Is this project for the Dong family contracted entirely to us, or will you provide the materials and we only provide the labor?"

Remembering the system's previous prompt, Jia Dongming said, "I'll prepare the cement and steel bars; I'll leave the rest to you."

Regarding the wood used for the ceiling, could you help me find some good quality? Reclaimed wood is fine too, as long as it's sturdy.

Master Lei understood and replied, "As per your request, the old house will have a mezzanine built, costing a total of three hundred including labor and materials."

The renovation of this courtyard, excluding the cost of the timber, cost a total of five hundred.

They also need to provide lunch.

Jia Dongming thought the price was fair, so he immediately took out a stack of banknotes from his pocket, counted out three hundred and handed it over: "Master Lei, please keep these three hundred for now."

Mingri started work on the old house, and once the old house was finished, he would then work on the yard.

By the way, please reinforce the walls with cement and steel bars when you build them. Also, check the roof tiles and replace any that need replacing. The cost will be calculated separately later.

Master Lei took the money, counted it carefully, wrote a receipt, and handed it back: "Okay, Dongjia, don't worry."

"Mingtian, I'll bring people over. Please remember to tidy up the winter things in the old house first."

After seeing Master Lei off, Jia Dongming returned to the central courtyard and saw Jia Zhangshi sitting alone at the door. He casually asked, "Mom, where's Huairu?"

At the mention of Qin Huairu, a look of displeasure appeared on Jia Zhangshi's face. She pouted and said, "Her parents were discharged from the hospital today and went back to their hometown. She rushed to the station to see them off."

Seeing his mother's reluctant expression, Jia Dongming had no choice but to soften his tone: "Mom, Master Lei, I'll bring people to start the construction."

"Tonight, please tidy up the important winter items and stay at my place for a few days until things are settled here before coming back."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes suddenly lit up: "Dongming, how do you plan to renovate this old house?"

Jia Dongming then explained the plan he and Master Lei had discussed: "I was thinking of using the height of this roof to build an attic."

On the ground floor, a hall was partitioned off, and two small side rooms were added.

"As for the attic, we can either build two spacious rooms or divide it into three narrower rooms; either way is fine."

"I plan to open a moon gate in the wall next to my courtyard, so that you won't have to take that long road to visit me in the future."

"Let's build a small washroom next to the door, so it'll be convenient for you to get up at night."

Madam Jia Zhang considered the layout of the old house in her mind and quickly asked, "Can these old beams and pillars support two stories?"

Jia Dongming laughed: "Mom, don't worry, our roof ridge is at least six meters high, more than enough to divide it into two floors."

Upon hearing that several extra rooms could be added for no reason, Jia Zhangshi's wrinkles smoothed out: "If that's really the case, our house will be much more spacious!"

Jia Dongming then remembered something else and added, "I also asked someone to get me a water heater, so I can install it during this renovation."

From now on, as long as the stove fire keeps burning, the whole house will be warm and cozy in winter.

As Jia Zhangshi listened, she seemed to see the biting cold winters of the capital in the past, and couldn't help but show a longing expression: "Dongming, that heater must be expensive, right? You just came back from the army, and you need to save the money you saved from hunting to get married. You can't afford to spend it recklessly."

"Mom, I know what I'm doing."

Jia Dongming responded gently.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

When Madam Jia looked up and saw Qin Huairu carrying Xiao Huaihua in, she quickly greeted her, "Huairu, you've come at the right time! Quickly help me get ready, we'll stay at Dongming Courtyard tonight."

Qin Huairu was taken aback: "We were living here perfectly fine, why do you suddenly want to move?"

Jia Zhangshi said with a hint of pride, "Dongming hired Master Lei from No. 36 Courtyard to renovate the old house. We'll stay here for a few days and move back after it's finished—this is our own house now, so we need to take good care of it."

Upon hearing that the house was to be repaired, Qin Huairu asked with some surprise, "Uncle, isn't this house quite sturdy?"

Jia Dongming explained, "In the past, the houses belonged to the government, so it was naturally not advisable to make major changes."

Now that we've bought it, it's our own property, so we should make it as livable as possible.

Meanwhile, the offices of the Public Security Bureau were brightly lit.

A young clerk was reporting to Deputy Director Ma in a low voice:

"Director, the direction you pointed out earlier was crucial."

As per your instructions, we conducted a secret investigation of the drainage system beneath the headquarters and surrounding branches. Sure enough, we discovered something unusual in the main canal less than 30 meters from the headquarters—several furtive figures were hauling soil out of a dark hole.

"In order to investigate the source of Ming Tufang, the investigators sneaked into the secret passage, which unexpectedly led all the way to the backyard of Huimin Pharmacy opposite the headquarters."

These brazen enemy agents are actually using the pharmacy as cover to secretly infiltrate our headquarters.

"After confirming the location of the secret passage's exit, the scouts prepared to evacuate, but they ran into enemy agents who were digging in the innermost secret room."

To avoid alerting the enemy, the comrades acted swiftly and took control of all the enemy agents in the dark room. They have now been secretly escorted back to headquarters.

The interrogation team is conducting intensive interrogations overnight.

Upon learning that enemy agents intended to use the same trick they had used against the special workshop of the steel rolling mill—to dig a tunnel right under the feet of the Public Security Bureau—Deputy Director Ma broke out in a cold sweat.

As one of the heads of the General Administration, he knew all too well what this meant—if enemy agents succeeded, the General Administration of Public Security would become a laughing stock among its international counterparts.

Thinking of that unsolved "Cherry Blossom Project"

Regarding the special supplies whose whereabouts remain unknown, Deputy Director Ma remained silent for a long time, his expression growing increasingly grave.

"Xiao Zhang, although we discovered the enemy's plot against the public security system in time, no one can guarantee that they don't have other targets."

The original strategy of waiting and seeing must be adjusted—we must take the initiative, strike first, and completely tear apart this lurking net.

After a moment's thought, Deputy General Manager Ma continued to instruct: "Xiao Zhang, immediately contact all branch offices and ask the branch office chiefs and the anti-espionage team leader to arrive at the small conference room on the second floor of the headquarters at 6:00 PM tonight."

In addition, Jia Dongming, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, also needs to be present.

Just after four o'clock in the afternoon, Yan Bugui entered the courtyard with a security guard. Seeing Jia Dongming tidying up some items, he called out, "Dongming! The comrades from your factory's security department are here. They say they have something urgent to discuss with you."

Upon seeing Jia Dongming, the security guard following behind Yan Bugui immediately stepped forward, saluted respectfully, and reported, "Section Chief, the General Administration just called, requesting that you attend a meeting in the small conference room on the second floor of the Public Security Bureau at 6:00 PM sharp tonight."

Jia Dongming stopped what he was doing, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Xiao Li, has the General Administration revealed what the meeting was about?"

The security guard, called Xiao Li, shook his head: "He didn't say anything specific on the phone, but in my opinion, it's very likely related to the case we're investigating."

Jia Dongming's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely felt that perhaps it was time to launch an operation against the Japanese spies who were lying in wait. So he instructed, "When you go back, remember to inform Comrades Jianguo and Aijun to stay in Keli tonight and be on standby."

Xiao Li nodded in response and turned to leave the courtyard decisively.

Yan Bugui watched the departing figure, pondering the few words he had just overheard. He couldn't help but lean closer to Jia Dongming and whisper curiously, "Dongming, are you planning something big tonight?"

Seeing his inquisitive look, Jia Dongming couldn't help but laugh: "Third Uncle, I don't even know the content of the General Administration's meeting, how would I know if there's been any action?"

After dinner, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle through the streets and alleys, and soon arrived at the gate of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The police officer on duty at the gate saw him approaching on his bicycle, stopped him, and asked sternly, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

Jia Dongming took out his work ID from his pocket and handed it over: "Hello comrade, I am Jia Dongming, the head of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. I received a notice from the General Administration to attend a meeting at six o'clock tonight."

The police officer on duty carefully checked his identification and returned it to him: "Please register at the duty room first, and then you can go in."

Jia Dongming completed the formalities as instructed before pushing the cart into the General Administration compound.

As soon as I got to the second floor, I saw several people talking at the end of the corridor.

One of them turned around, and it was Li Xidong.

He saw Jia Dongming and looked surprised: "Section Chief Jia? I didn't expect you to be here too."

Jia Dongming stepped forward and politely replied, "Director Li, I was also notified to come to the meeting."

A middle-aged man standing next to Li Xidong, noticing his familiarity with Jia Dongming, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Old Li, who is this young comrade?"

Li Xidong smiled and stepped aside to introduce: "Old Chen, Old Zheng, this is Comrade Jia Dongming, the newly appointed head of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

The key clue in the spy case our branch cracked a while ago was provided by Section Chief Jia.

He then turned to Jia Dongming, "Section Chief Jia, these two are Director Chen Xiang of the Haidian Branch and Director Zheng Hua of the Fengtai Branch."

Jia Dongming immediately extended his hand and shook hands with the two men in turn: "Director Chen, Director Zheng, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please give me your guidance."

Upon hearing that the young man before him was Jia Dongming, who had uncovered the enemy spy network within the steel rolling mill, Chen Xiang showed a hint of admiration.

He shook hands and smiled, "Section Chief Jia, you uncovered the enemy agent gang hiding in the factory not long after you took office. Later, you cooperated with the Dongcheng Branch Bureau to wipe them out in one fell swoop, and even their plot to blow up the steel rolling mill was completely crushed."

Although I only met you today, I had already heard about your deeds.

Jia Dongming looked modest and shook his head slightly: "Director Chen, you flatter me."

I only noticed something amiss by chance; the real mastermind and commander was Director Li, and the credit should go to the comrades in the branch office.

Hearing him say that, Li Xidong glanced at him helplessly, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "Section Chief Jia, don't be so modest with me."

"If you hadn't just taken over the security department of the steel rolling mill and didn't lack capable personnel, you wouldn't have needed to bypass the internal system and specifically contact our Dongcheng branch for assistance in handling the case."

"The current investigation is almost entirely following the clues you provided."

I've even heard that tonight's emergency meeting was made possible by the crucial intelligence you provided, which led to a breakthrough for the General Bureau's counter-espionage task force.

Chen Xiang had long heard of Jia Dongming's competence in handling cases, and now he was even more eager to recruit him. He immediately leaned over and invited him: "Director Jia, with your talent, it would be beneath you to stay in the factory's security department."

The position of head of the Public Security Section of our Fengtai Branch is currently vacant. Would you be willing to be transferred here?

Jia Dongming bowed slightly and declined, saying, "I appreciate Director Chen's kindness."

"I've only been working at the steel rolling mill for a short time, and I have no plans to transfer at the moment."

The conversation in the corridor didn't last long before the conference room door slowly opened.

During the meeting, Deputy Director Ma publicly revealed for the first time the complete conspiracy network of the lurking enemy agents and issued an ironclad order to close the net ahead of schedule.

After the meeting, Li Xidong and Jia Dongming walked down the steps side by side.

Li Xidong paused and whispered, "Director Jia, regarding the specific actions of arresting Zhang Huizi and controlling Yang Weimin, I have arranged for the Jiaodaokou Police Station to fully cooperate with your Security Department."

Do you think the plan needs any adjustments?

"The officers at the police station are very experienced, so I have no further comments."

Jia Dongming nodded readily.

After saying goodbye to Li Xidong, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle through the night back to the steel rolling mill.

Guo Jianguo and Li Aijun had been waiting in the office for a long time. When he pushed the door open and entered, they immediately got up to greet him.

"Director, the General Administration urgently summoned me. Is it about the Zhang Huizi case?"

Guo Jianguo couldn't help but ask.

Jia Dongming gestured for the two to come closer and, in a low voice, conveyed the order: "The General Administration has issued an order—once the comrades from Jiaodaokou Police Station arrive, they must immediately arrest Zhang Huizi."