Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The tone shifted abruptly, turning cold: "You've barely made your mark before being targeted and tripped up? Fine, this wake-up call needs to be deafening."

A case involving a private enterprise has alarmed high-ranking military officials.

In the Han family's kitchen, the spatula still clattered softly on the stove. A worker, familiar with the place, rushed in: "Auntie, Brother Han has been taken away by the police! Dozens of people from the factory are all squatting at the entrance of the East Gate branch of the police station, not making a sound, just sitting on the steps watching people coming in and out of the gate, and they even sent three representatives to see the leaders!"

Han's mother's hand trembled, and the spatula fell into the sink: "What?! Quickly call the second son!"

The call connected, her voice tight: "Chunyan, Xiao Wu's in trouble! He's been detained!"

Han Chunyan's hand slipped, and the receiver almost fell from her grasp: "Mom? Don't scare me! How could Xiao Wu be in jail all of a sudden? I didn't even hear a word!"

"A worker just ran up to deliver the news, and then he turned and headed straight for the branch office..."

"Don't panic! What if it's a false alarm?" Han Chunyan took a deep breath. "Which institute is he in? I'll go check it out right away!"

"Dongmen Branch".

She slammed the phone down, grabbed her coat, and rushed outside—if she was really pinned down, it meant there was a tough nut to crack, and she couldn't afford to drag her away.

Deep inside the detention center, Han Chunming was crammed into a small, windowless cell. The light bulb was dim, and the air was heavy. The interrogator opened the door and went straight to the point: "It's true that policies encourage factories, but you've overstaffed your workforce by more than two hundred people, and you're pocketing 90% of the profits. Is that reasonable?"

"It's my own factory, the money goes into my own pocket, what law have I broken?"

"Shut up!" The other person's gaze was like a knife. "The whistleblower's report is half a foot thick. Do you really think you can cover everything up?"

Han Chunming's stomach churned, and he cursed inwardly: Who stabbed me? I'll find them and skin them alive!

"Confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely. Only by clearly explaining the issues can we proceed with the normal procedures."

He smirked: "Comrade, I run the factory according to regulations, pay taxes according to regulations, and sign labor contracts according to regulations—you can name me, which of my 'crimes' did I commit? You can take this opportunity to give me a lesson."

The other person sneered and stood up: "Not cooperating? Then stay here and reflect on your mistakes. Call for help when you've thought it through."

The door clicked shut. Han Chunming slumped onto the plastic stool, his chest aching—after ten years in the business world, this was the first time he'd suffered such a humiliating defeat.

He was dozing off when there was a sudden knock on the iron gate. Thinking it was a family member, he looked up to see a strange young man strolling in, his leather shoes gleaming, a smile on his face but not reaching his eyes.

"Comrade Han Chunming, I've long admired you. My name is Zhang Yun, and my father is the deputy director of the Kyoto Steel Plant."

"Oh?" Han Chunming sat up straighter. "President Zhang's status is probably completely unrelated to a small factory owner like me."

"Not necessarily." Zhang Yun waved his phone. "The factory was just shut down, and the whistleblower letter was submitted to the disciplinary committee yesterday. I'm a soft-hearted person, and I'm willing to lend you a hand—as long as you transfer the factory to me, you can walk out of this door within three days."

Han Chunming's heart skipped a beat: it really was a trap he set. But right now, he was outnumbered and a direct confrontation would only make things worse.

"Give it away for free? That can't be that cheap."

"Of course there's a price." Zhang Yun's smile remained unchanged. "The equipment will be purchased at the original price, but all molds, blueprints, and exclusive formulas must be transferred free of charge. If you're willing to stay, the position of deputy factory manager will be reserved for you."

Han Chunming smiled wryly: "Let me think about it."

He knew perfectly well that he could only wait for Xiao Yao's reply. He couldn't wait any longer, and he couldn't hide it any longer—he could only hope that the other party wouldn't think he was too soft or too difficult.

"Fine, I'll give you three days." Zhang Yun turned to leave, but just as his leather shoes stepped out the door, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

……

The door was pushed open, and Xiao Zhiyuan strode in. His gaze swept over Zhang Yun's smug expression, then turned to Director Huang, who was sweating profusely beside him: "Who is this? How can he be allowed to come and go as he pleases in this law enforcement facility?"

Director Huang's Adam's apple bobbed, his fingertips were icy cold—he should have refused that box of tea and that shopping card long ago! At this moment, even the confidence to explain had shattered completely.

Seeing no one respond, Xiao Zhiyuan pursed his lips and said in a voice as cold as iron, "First, talk about the Han Chunming case. Then, take this man into custody."

Two police officers immediately stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Yun's wrists, one on each side.

He looked utterly bewildered: "What...what did I do wrong?"

His gaze frantically drifted toward Director Huang, but the other man lowered his eyes and avoided eye contact, not even daring to meet his gaze out of the corner of his eye.

"What rule did Han Chunming break? What gives you the right to detain him without authorization?" Xiao Zhiyuan stared intently at Director Huang.

"This... was because the Industry and Commerce Bureau reported that he was inciting trouble, so we took coercive measures in accordance with the law."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden uproar erupted outside, like boiling water being overturned—followed by a loud bang, the wooden door was slammed open, and dust fell from the door frame.

Fully armed guards filed in, their rifle butts gleaming, their footsteps brisk. Xiao Zhiyuan was startled, and looked up to see several tall figures already blocking the doorway.

"Who gave you permission to force your way in? No prior notice, no communication, just banging on the door like that?!"

Han Chunming froze on the spot, his face turned pale, his lips trembled slightly, and he even forgot to breathe.

Xiao Zhiyuan was also completely bewildered, feeling that there was something strange about the situation before him.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a crisp military uniform strode in, his epaulets gleaming coldly in the dim light. His gaze swept over everyone in the room, and though his voice was not loud, each word commanded respect: "Excuse me, which one of you is Comrade Han Chunming?"

"I am." Han Chunming immediately straightened his back, his tone solemn, without a trace of his usual casualness.

The man immediately smiled and stepped forward: "Comrade Han, I'm so sorry! Some comrades at the grassroots level have misunderstood the policy, which has inadvertently damaged your and the factory's reputation. The organization will hold them accountable. Now, please leave immediately."

Han Chunming's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood—he had truly been rescued. Who had done it? Xiao Yao? It was most likely him! Of all the people he knew, this kid was the most elusive, quick, and precise. He had thought it would at most be Xiao Yao's father making the trip himself, but who would have thought even the military had been alerted!

"Uncle Xiao, I... I can really walk now?" He subconsciously turned to Xiao Zhiyuan.

Xiao Zhiyuan stared at the general, his brow furrowed slightly—he was also bewildered; how did this matter get to the military level?

"Of course. I came here specifically to pick you up. We will definitely give you a clear explanation of the follow-up." The general's tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable weight.

Han Chunming didn't leave immediately. He turned around and asked, "So...can our factory still operate?"

Xiao Zhiyuan turned to look at the general, who nodded: "Of course. Chunming, go back to the factory first, stabilize the situation, invite the workers back, and get back to work as soon as possible."

"That's great! That's great!" Han Chunming let out a long sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing.

He suddenly turned his head and gestured with his chin towards Zhang Yun, whose face was ashen: "This comrade just scared me, saying that if I didn't hand over the factory, I'd go to jail and even have my assets confiscated—I was so scared my back was covered in sweat! Luckily, Uncle Xiao and the others arrived in time!"

These words may sound light, but they are actually sharp and incisive, hitting people where it hurts.

Zhang Yun's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and he couldn't even speak a coherent sentence.

He had already sent people to investigate—Han Chunming was just an orphan with no family connections, his wife's family consisted of only three schoolteacher families, all honest and without any background. He had originally thought he could manipulate Han Chunming like a piece of tofu, easily controlled. Who could have predicted that his world would collapse in the blink of an eye!

"We will investigate this matter thoroughly. You can just return to your post without worry." Xiao Zhiyuan's tone turned serious. "As for the other details, someone will contact you when the results are out."

"I trust you! Thank you, Uncle Xiao, and thank you, leaders! It's truly a blessing for us to have your backs!" Han Chunming's eyes welled up with tears, and he spoke sincerely and comfortingly.

He had barely stepped out of the detention center when Zhang Yun was dragged into the adjacent interrogation room by two police officers.

The general nodded slightly to Xiao Zhiyuan: "The old leader gave the order personally. I've taken the person away; you can investigate the case. I won't overstep my bounds." With that, he turned and left with his guards—the military's mission was solely to rescue the person; any further interference would be overstepping their bounds.

As Xiao Zhiyuan watched the departing military vehicle, his heart sank: even his old leader had been alerted; this matter was likely to cause a major upheaval.

He immediately turned around, his gaze sharp as a nail: "Comrade Huang Bo, you heard what I just said. Why exactly was Han Chunming arrested? Explain everything clearly, point by point. Otherwise, the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission might have to invite you in for a cup of tea."

He secretly hoped that this person wouldn't get too involved, otherwise, even he wouldn't be able to cover for him.

Han Chunming and several factory cadres were escorted out of the police station and taken directly to the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. A group of workers had already gathered there, standing on tiptoe to look and talking amongst themselves.

The police officers who had been ordered to arrest the man earlier were now standing guard at the entrance to maintain order, fearing that the workers might become agitated again. As soon as they saw Han Chunming get out of the military vehicle, they all lowered their heads, their ears burning, too ashamed to look him in the eye—he had been released in just a few hours, and they had already lost all face.

Several factory cadres followed along, still bewildered and disoriented. They felt as if they had been taken to a police station and gone through a series of procedures, barely having had a chance to sit down. Fortunately, they were all young and didn't suffer any serious injuries.

"Factory manager! Is the factory still operating? We just asked the leaders, but they were clueless too, and just told us to wait!"

"The leader himself said it's a complete misunderstanding!" Han Chunming answered loudly. "The factory will continue operating, work will continue as usual. The blueprints aren't finished yet, everyone hurry back and get back to work!"

"Great! I knew it! In this age of reason, our factory manager hasn't broken the law!" the production director shouted in agreement, though he was still wondering how he'd ended up in jail too. He still didn't understand.

Han Chunyan ran all the way to the East Gate and saw Han Chunming leading the workers into the factory from afar. Only then did she feel relieved.

"Chunming! You scared me to death! Tell me, what happened?" She was panting heavily, and her forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

"Xiao Li, take everyone back to the workshop first. I need to say a few words to my second sister." Han Chunming waved to the production director.