Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"However..." Jin Aimin drawled, "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. In special circumstances, there are ways to work around them."

He stopped and stared intently at Wei Chen. "Comrade Wei Chen, our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, as a large factory with thousands of employees, also has its own militia company! This is an important force in response to the national call to strengthen combat readiness and consolidate national defense! Every year, we regularly organize the militia to conduct military training, learning how to use weapons and tactical maneuvers. The training period is not long, only about half a month."

He walked up to Wei Chen, his tone becoming more persuasive: "If you're willing, apply to join our factory's core militia organization and participate in this training. Then, during the training, and when performing specific tasks afterward—like this emergency supplies procurement for the factory in the mountains—you can legitimately apply for training firearms and obtain a temporary firearms permit! That's perfectly compliant with regulations! After training and mission completion, simply return the firearms on time. What do you think of this method?"

Jin Aimin's eyes held a smile and a hint of expectation. This was not only a legal way to solve Wei Chen's immediate problem, but also an opportunity he had long planned to bring this promising young man, Wei Chen, into the militia. With his strength and hunting skills, Wei Chen, with a little training, would definitely be an elite soldier.

Wei Chen hardly hesitated. He knew that in this era, militia membership not only meant the right to legally possess firearms, but also a reliable political symbol that could bring many benefits.

He immediately straightened his back and answered clearly and forcefully, "Reporting to Section Chief Jin! I am willing to participate in militia training! I will contribute my strength to protecting the factory area and completing the urgent tasks assigned by the factory!" His posture was standard, his tone was resolute, and he had a crisp and efficient air about him.

"Good! That's great!" Jin Aimin's eyes gleamed, and a genuine smile appeared on his face. He slammed his hand on the table. "I like young people like you who are so conscious and responsible!" He no longer hid his appreciation for Wei Chen. He immediately opened a drawer, took out a mimeographed form with the words "Red Star Steel Rolling Mill Militia Registration Form" printed on it, and a pen, and pushed it in front of Wei Chen.

"Come on, Comrade Wei Chen, fill out this form first! Name, age, home address, political affiliation, work department... write it all down clearly!" He personally pointed out the columns on the form, his tone enthusiastic.

Wei Chen sat down as instructed, picked up a pen, dipped it in red ink, and began to fill out the form neatly. The pen scratched softly across the rough paper. Liu Yuan, watching from the side, breathed a sigh of relief, a smile returning to his face, knowing that things had gone smoothly.

After filling out the form, Jin Aimin took it and carefully examined it. Confirming everything was correct, he took out the official seal of the security department and the special seal of the militia company from the drawer, and with two sharp "slaps," firmly stamped them on the designated areas of the registration form. The bright red ink left clear marks on the form, symbolizing the completion of the formal procedures.

"All done!" Jin Aimin flicked the form with satisfaction and handed it to a clerk next to him for filing. He stood up, walked around the table, and went to Wei Chen's side, his face showing the warmth of someone who was "one of us."

He patted Wei Chen's shoulder forcefully, the force even more solid than before, carrying the forthrightness and trust of a soldier: "Comrade Wei Chen! From now on, you are a glorious member of our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill's militia company! We are now true revolutionary comrades and comrades-in-arms!"

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of masculine understanding and expectation, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "In the future, if you, this little hunting expert, manage to get your hands on any rare and good stuff, like a fat, juicy wild boar leg or a pheasant... don't forget about us brothers in the security department who stand guard and protect state property! We're all a bit hungry too!" This remark made several young security officers who were listening intently chuckle, their eyes filled with eagerness as they looked at Wei Chen.

"Don't worry, Section Chief Jin! The comrades in the Security Section have worked hard, and they'll definitely think of everyone when they achieve something!" Wei Chen replied with a smile, his attitude sincere. He knew this was an opportunity to integrate into this circle.

"Good! That's very kind of you!" Jin Aimin laughed heartily, clearly very satisfied with Wei Chen's attitude. He waved his hand, regaining his deputy section chief's authority: "Let's go! Comrade Wei Chen, Team Leader Liu, I'll take you to the armory! I'll issue you weapons and get your gun licenses! We'll follow the proper procedures!"

Jin Aimin led the way, followed closely by Wei Chen and Liu Yuan, as they walked out of the office and through the security department's internal corridor. At the end of the corridor was a heavy iron door painted military green, with a conspicuous white wooden sign with red lettering: "Hunting Area, No Unauthorized Entry."

Two militiamen with wooden guns were also on guard at the entrance. When they saw Jin Aimin, they immediately snapped to attention and saluted with perfect and powerful movements.

"Open the door," Jin Aimin commanded in a deep voice, taking a heavy bunch of keys from his waist and finding the largest brass key. A militiaman also pulled a key from his pocket.

"Reporting to Deputy Section Chief Jin! Entry into the armory requires two people and two locks!" the militiaman on guard shouted.

"Follow the regulations!" Jin Aimin nodded.

The two men stepped forward and inserted their keys into the two locks on either side of the door, which were about half a meter apart. Jin Aimin turned his large brass key, producing a heavy metallic click; the militiaman turned his key at the same time. "Click! Click!" Two crisp spring clicks rang out almost simultaneously. With their combined strength, Jin Aimin and the militiaman slowly pulled open the heavy iron door.

A cold, unique metallic scent, a mixture of strong gun oil, rust inhibitor, and desiccant, wafted over, carrying a sense of solemnity and heaviness. Wei Chen's spirits lifted, and his sharp gaze turned towards the doorway.

The armory wasn't particularly large, but it was exceptionally clean and imposing. The walls were thick cement, whitewashed, and the floor was smooth terrazzo.

Several powerful incandescent bulbs illuminated the room as bright as day, leaving no blind spots. Against the wall were rows of heavy, dark green iron gun cabinets, their doors tightly shut, each secured with a large brass lock.

In front of the gun cabinet was a large wooden registration desk, also painted military green, with several thick registers, an ink bottle, a dip pen, and a brass bell on it.

Behind the registration desk sat an elderly clerk with gray hair and reading glasses, dressed in an old military uniform, his back ramrod straight and meticulous. Upon seeing Jin Aimin enter, the old clerk immediately stood up and saluted.

The entire warehouse was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the faint hum of the ventilation vents. The atmosphere here was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside and the lively atmosphere of the office; it was filled with a cold sense of order and absolute awe for weapons.

"Old squad leader, thank you for your hard work." Jin Aimin nodded to the old clerk with great respect. He walked to the registration desk, picked up the top register, opened it, took out a dip pen, and said to Wei Chen, "Wei Chen, register here first. Name, department, reason, type of weapon requested."

Wei Chen stepped forward and neatly wrote in the register: Name: Wei Chen Department: Procurement Section 3 / Militia Company (Newcomer) Reason: To carry out a special material procurement mission (into the mountains), requiring training weapons for self-defense and use. Weapon type requested: One rifle (please specify model), and a certain amount of ammunition.

Jin Aimin glanced at it, nodded, and said to the old clerk, "Old squad leader, issue this newly joined militia member, Comrade Wei Chen, a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle. The serial number should be good, and also issue... um, thirty rounds of training ammunition first. Also, process a temporary gun license."

"Yes, Deputy Section Chief Jin! You're really willing to part with this treasure!" The old clerk's voice boomed. The Type 56 semi-automatic rifle was the mainstay of the army at the time, and many units had not yet been equipped with it. Their factory had managed to get a few through connections.

The old squad leader deftly took out a blank booklet for gun licenses from the drawer and began filling it out, while simultaneously taking out another thick weapons register.

Jin Aimin took the back copy of the register and walked to a row of gun cabinets against the wall. He took out two smaller keys from his keychain and inserted them into the top and bottom locks of an iron cabinet labeled "Rifle Cabinet No. 3".

Opening the heavy cabinet door, one finds a dozen well-maintained Type 56 semi-automatic rifles neatly arranged inside! Their dark brown wooden stocks and blued barrels gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light, combined with their compact yet powerful construction, lie quietly on the rack like lurking beasts.

Jin Aimin's gaze swept over the gun barrel, his fingers gliding over the stock, feeling the smoothness and coolness of the wood.

He finally selected a rifle with a clear serial number, well-preserved blued finish, and no obvious dents or scratches on the stock. He carefully removed it from the rack, his movements practiced yet filled with the tenderness one would show to an old friend.

"Wei Chen, here you go!" Jin Aimin handed over the rifle, his expression serious. "Remember, a gun is a soldier's life! It's also the property of the nation! There are rules for receiving a gun!"

Wei Chen felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately straightened up, stretched out his hands, palms up, and steadily supported the handguard below the barrel of the gun that Jin Aimin had handed him.

The gun felt cool and solid in his hand; the metallic chill instantly seeped into his palm through the cotton gloves. This Type 56 semi-automatic rifle was heavier than many of the weapons he had used in his previous life. The wooden stock had a thick, warm feel, and the barrel was straight and long, exuding a cold, steely aura and a faint smell of gun oil.

The trigger guard, the safety, the magazine… every component exuded precision and reliability. A long-lost thrill, a connection to deadly weapons, quietly rose from the depths of his heart. He wasn't unfamiliar with guns, but his memories were primarily from the original owner of this body. Under his master's guidance, the original owner not only learned to hunt but also handled various firearms. Of course, this particular gun didn't exist back then.

"Good!" Jin Aimin's approval deepened as he saw that Wei Chen's actions were quite professional and his attitude was solemn. He released his grip, indicating that Wei Chen could hold it himself. "Check it, inspect the gun! That's the rule!"