Chapter 150: Special Agent Appears

Dawn was just breaking, and the Security Section's playground already echoed with orderly footfalls. Li Ping'an stood in the center of the field, watching the troops' morning run, the rising sun stretching his silhouette long.

"Quick! The last five will do extra training tonight!" Wang Dahu shouted nearby, drenched in sweat himself.

Since Li Ping'an took office, the Security Section's training volume has doubled. At first there were complaints, but seeing the Section Chief arrive first every day and leave last, those voices gradually faded.

"Section Chief, you're overworking yourself." After the run, Wang Dahu wiped his sweat and came over, saying that in just a few days the brothers have all lost a layer of flesh.

Li Ping'an looked at the stretching troops: "Sweat more in peace, bleed less in war. It's the same in the factory."

While speaking, logistics staff Xiao Liu pushed the food cart over: "Section Chief Li, the night snack trial run you requested has arrived!"

The steaming buns and porridge on the cart made the troops' eyes light up. Xiao Zhang, who had been on night duty last night, took a bite of a bun and was moved: finally no longer have to gnaw cold rice cake!

Li Ping'an nodded: "From today onward, anyone on special overtime gets a hot meal. However…" He turned his tone, "Anyone who dozes off on night duty, forget about it."

The troops instantly straightened their backs: "We guarantee to complete the mission!"

At nine a. m., Li Ping'an was reviewing patrol logs when Yang Changzhang's secretary came: "Section Chief Li, the Factory Director requests you attend a meeting."

In the Factory Director's office, several Workshop Directors were present. Yang Changzhang pointed at the production report: "This month's output missed the target again; what's going on?"

The Workshop 1 Director wore a grimace: "Factory Director, it's not that we aren't trying. The equipment keeps breaking down, and the maintenance crew can't keep up."

The Workshop 3 Director added: "Moreover, we've been losing parts lately; though they're cheap, they still affect production."

Li Ping'an looked up: "Lost items? The Security Section hasn't received any report."

"They're just small parts; we thought reporting wasn't necessary."

"It's not about money." Li Ping'an's expression turned stern, "If you steal a screw today, tomorrow you'll dare to steal steel. All material losses must be reported."

After the meeting, Li Ping'an summoned Wang Dahu: "Take a team to each workshop, especially the scrap area and the wall edge."

"Section Chief, you suspect…"

"Prevent trouble before it happens."

Sure enough, that afternoon Wang Dahu reported: "Section Chief, there's a hole under the Northwest Corner Wall, with parts scattered nearby."

Li Ping'an's gaze hardened: "Focus surveillance there tonight."

After night fell, the factory compound grew quiet. Li Ping'an personally led a patrol.

"Section Chief, you should go rest." Wang Dahu urged, "We've got it."

"No need, I'll see who's causing trouble."

At two a. m., sounds came from outside the Northwest Corner Wall. Two dark figures slipped through the hole and slipped into the scrap area.

"Do we engage?" a hidden troop whispered.

"Hold for now." Li Ping'an restrained him, watching what they were up to.

The two shadows rummaged through the scrap pile, stuffing parts into a burlap sack. Just as they were about to leave, Li Ping'an gave a hand signal.

"Don't move!"

Several flashlight beams lit up simultaneously. One of them reacted instantly, dropping the sack and sprinting toward the wall hole.

"Trying to run?" Li Ping'an darted forward and caught up.

Yet the man was agile, turned and dodged, then threw a punch. The punch was swift and fierce, unlike a common thief's.

Li Ping'an sidestepped, seized the opponent with his right hand, and restrained him. The other was also pinned down by the troops.

Bring them back to the office.

In the Security Section, the two thieves crouched in the corner. Li Ping'an examined them and suddenly noticed an old callus on one man's hand.

"That callus… was it formed from grinding a gun?" Li Ping'an asked coldly.

The man's complexion changed, and he lowered his head.

Search the bodies.

Wang Dahu found some change and a slip of paper with a code written on it.

"Speak up, who ordered this?" Li Ping'an stared at the man; ordinary thieves don't know military hand-to-hand combat.

Suddenly, a huge crash rang through the factory compound, and alarms blared.

"What's happening?"

Troops rushed in: "Section Chief, Workshop 2 is in trouble!"

Li Ping'an left two men to guard, and led the others charging toward Workshop 2. Inside, thick smoke billowed, a machine tool sparked, and workers were evacuating.

"Everyone out! Danger!" Li Ping'an commanded while asking the workshop director, "What happened?"

"I don't know, the machine just exploded…"

Li Ping'an squinted at the machine tool; this was no accident.

When the fire was under control, dawn was already breaking. Li Ping'an, exhausted, returned to the Security Section, only to find the troops knocked out and the thieves gone.

"Section Chief, it's my negligence…" the troop bowed his head.

"I don't blame you." Li Ping'an helped him sit, "You're professional."

Yang Changzhang arrived upon hearing the news, his face ashen: "Ping'an, what on earth is happening?"

After reporting, Li Ping'an said: "Factory Director, I think this isn't simple theft; it's premeditated sabotage."

"Who would do this?"

"Then we have to ask those two." Li Ping'an pointed at the empty detention room, noting they bore military traits and knew the factory compound well.

Yang Changzhang pondered: "You investigate covertly first; ask for any support you need."

After the Factory Director left, Wang Dahu leaned in: "Section Chief, who do you think did this?"

Li Ping'an gave no answer, picking up the slip: "Start with this."

Days passed, and the factory's surface remained calm. Li Ping'an intensified patrols while continuing covert investigations.

That night, Li Ping'an was studying the factory map when sounds came from outside the window. He slipped to the windowsill, and a dark silhouette vanished swiftly.

An envelope had appeared on the windowsill.

Li Ping'an opened the envelope; inside was a photograph. In the photo was a man in work clothes, with Workshop 2 in the background. On the back was written: Tomorrow night at eight, Xishan Abandoned Kiln.

Wang Dahu pushed the door open: Section chief, I've found...

Hold that thought. Li Ping'an tucked away the photo: tomorrow night, come with me to a place.

Where to?

To the appointment.

At seven thirty the next evening, Li Ping'an took Wang Dahu to the Xishan Abandoned Kiln. It had been deserted for years, and the surroundings were silent.

Section chief, could this be a trap? Wang Dahu looked around warily.

Since we're here, we make the best of it.

At exactly eight, a man in a trench coat appeared on time. He tipped off his hat, revealing a face weathered by wind and frost.

Section Chief Li, a pleasure to meet you.

Who are you? Li Ping'an remained expressionless.

Just someone to warn you. The trench coat man lit a cigarette: your factory hasn't been peaceful lately, has it?

A straightforward person says no hidden words.

The trench coat man smiled: "Straightforward." You've let people who shouldn't be in your factory in.

For example?

For example... the newly arrived technician Zhang Gong.

Li Ping'an's gaze hardened: evidence?

The trench coat man produced a document: this is his true file. He's not a technician at all; he's a spy!

Why are you helping me?

Because... the trench coat man's complexion suddenly changed; he shoved Li Ping'an aside forcefully, "Watch out!"

Gunfire ripped the night sky. The trench coat man clutched his shoulder and fell, and Li Ping'an fired back swiftly. A muffled groan echoed in the darkness, and footsteps receded.

Are you okay? Li Ping'an helped the trench coat man to his feet.

Hurry... hurry to the factory... they're going to blow up Furnace No. 3... the trench coat man collapsed as soon as he finished speaking.

Li Ping'an shouted to Wang Dahu: Take him to Yi Yuan! I'm heading to the factory!

Rushing back to the Steel Rolling Mill, the area around Furnace No. 3 was eerily quiet. The workers were all at their stations, unaware of the approaching danger.

Section chief, what's happening? the duty officer asked.

Immediately evacuate personnel around Furnace No. 3! Quickly!

The workers had just moved to the safety zone when a huge blast erupted from Furnace No. 3. Fortunately the evacuation was timely; there were no casualties.

Li Ping'an stood before the smoking furnace, his expression grim. This covert battle had only just begun.

And the photo he clutched was already soaked with sweat. The man in the picture was indeed the newly arrived technician Zhang Gong.