Chapter 267: Gambling with Life

"Lou Laoban, do I have the authority to fire these thirty people?"

"Of course," Lou Laoban readily agreed. "However, most of these security guards have some connections. You saw it yourself; the kid who caused trouble with you today has an uncle who is a Deputy Bureau Chief in the city. I can't just fire someone over a small matter. When you run into this kind of situation, just tell me, and I'll replace them for you."

"Alright," He Yuzhu said.

After the two reached an agreement, Director Wang took He Yuzhu to the Security Section to handle the handover.

Seeing He Yuzhu return, Zheng Yusong was much more polite. Hearing that He Yuzhu wanted thirty people, he readily said, "Brother Zhuzi, there are a total of one hundred and eighty security guards in the factory, divided into six teams. The Second Team has exactly thirty people; I'll hand them over to you."

"Many thanks, Section Chief Zheng."

"No need for courtesy; we are all doing this for the safety of the factory."

He Yuzhu added, "Section Chief Zheng, let me remind you: the quality of these security guards is uneven. You should properly reorganize them!"

"Brother He's reminder is well-taken; I will reorganize the team as soon as possible," Zheng Yusong said, sounding a bit dismissive.

He Yuzhu only gave a reminder; as for whether it could be done, he didn't care.

He immediately summoned all the members of Security Team Two to the factory's conference room for a meeting.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, he got straight to the point: "The next two months are the most critical period for the factory. Everyone knows there is a war going on outside. Nanjing also knows that Beiping cannot be held; what they cannot obtain, they will destroy. Some people have started setting their sights on our factory. We must stop them from doing so. This place is our rice bowl; if it is destroyed, our jobs will be gone too. There will certainly be risks guarding this place during this recent period. Those who want to leave, stand up; I will let you go immediately!"

Everyone looked at each other, and not a single person left.

He Yuzhu continued, "Since no one is leaving, I assume you are all sincere about staying. Then, starting this month, regardless of how much you earn, each person will receive an additional monthly subsidy of twenty-five Big Ocean."

When the people in the conference room heard this, no one believed it at first. After a while, they realized He Yuzhu wasn't joking and applauded excitedly. This was equivalent to more than doubling their wages.

"However," He Yuzhu's voice turned abruptly stern, "starting tomorrow, we will undergo strict training. Anyone who cannot endure hardship, slacks off, or violates regulations will be fired immediately, with no leniency!"

"Don't worry, Deputy Section Chief! We will train well just for this money!"

"Deputy Section Chief, we will definitely work hard!"

"As long as your money arrives, we will never be ambiguous!"

The team members were filled with high spirits.

He Yuzhu led the team to the New Factory Area behind the Rolling Mill. This place was surrounded by high walls, and the security conditions were better than the main factory.

But as soon as they reached the main gate, they saw only one security guard on duty, and he was still dozing off inside the room.

"From today on, there must be two people on duty at the gate, and they must never let go of their pistols! If anyone is caught dozing off, they will be fired immediately!" He Yuzhu ordered.

"Yes!" the thirty people replied in unison.

When He Yuzhu walked into the garrison's barracks, he was stunned by the scene before him: the room was reeking of alcohol, the bedding was messy, and the stench was overpowering.

A platoon of soldiers was gathered around three tables, playing cards and drinking; in broad daylight, they were already bleary-eyed with drunkenness.

Seeing He Yuzhu and the others enter, a chubby young officer swayed as he stood up and asked, "What... are you here for?"

He Yuzhu said sternly, "I am He Yuzhu, the newly appointed Deputy Section Chief of the Security Section of the Rolling Mill. I am ordered to be responsible for the security work of the New Factory Area. I hope you will cooperate."

"Cooperate, definitely cooperate..." The officer hiccuped, his speech a bit slurred. He swayed over to He Yuzhu and said, "Come, little brother, join me for a few drinks?"

"The security guards in our factory have different treatment than you; drinking is strictly prohibited during duty hours," He Yuzhu said.

"You kid looking down on me?" The officer slammed his wine glass hard onto the table.

The ceramic cup shattered into two pieces instantly.

"How would I dare look down on you? Your team has been winning battle after battle!" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

The officer's eyes sharpened, then shifted into a mocking, insincere expression. "You kid, you've got guts! Daring to mock the Guangtou Party Army?"

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "I'm not a person who likes to beat around the bush; I like to speak the truth. Please forgive me!"

The officer still wasn't angry. He smiled and said, "My name is Zhou Lian. The brothers give me face and call me Company Commander Zhou, but actually, I'm just a Platoon Leader, hahaha..." He laughed until he was doubled over.

He Yuzhu had wanted to teach him a lesson, but with this scoundrel-like attitude, he really had no reason to do so.

He Yuzhu smiled slightly. "Brother Zhou has a good name; sooner or later, you will be promoted to Company Commander."

Zhou Lian suddenly wrapped his arm around He Yuzhu's neck and said, "Thanks for the kind words, brother! What's your name?"

"He Yuzhu!"

"Your name sounds familiar. I don't know who mentioned it to me! How about we make a bet today? If you win, I'll let you move in; if you lose, all of you get the hell out."

After Zhou Lian said this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes.

He Yuzhu knew this kid was actually an old fox, and his grinning face was just a disguise. "Company Commander Zhou, you like to gamble; actually, I like it even more, and I bet even bigger. Do you dare to bet with me?"

"You kid are truly arrogant. When it comes to gambling, in this half of my life, I've never been afraid of anyone!"

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he took a revolver out of his backpack, opened the cylinder, and put in one bullet.

"If we're going to bet, let's bet on this! Russian Roulette. Aim at your own head; if you die, you deserve it!"

He Yuzhu took another thousand US dollars out of his backpack, slapped it on the table, and said, "If you win, take this thousand dollars, and I'll take my men and get out. If you die, this money counts as your funeral expenses."

"You... you kid are too arrogant. What if you die?" Zhou Lian's eyes immediately cleared up. He had already realized this kid was not easy to deal with.

"Didn't I tell you? You take this thousand dollars, and my people get out of this courtyard."

"You go first, then I'll talk about the bet!" Zhou Lian said.

He Yuzhu spun the cylinder and then, without the slightest hesitation, pulled the trigger at his own temple.

"Click—"

The hammer fell, emitting a crisp, empty sound.

The entire barracks fell into a deathly silence, and even the sound of breathing was clearly audible.

Everyone's gaze was focused on that revolver; the air seemed to have frozen.

After firing, He Yuzhu handed the pistol to Zhou Lian without changing his expression.

Zhou Lian took the gun, breaking into a cold sweat; his palms were sweaty, and his drunkenness had faded by more than half.

His hand holding the gun trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeped out on his forehead.

He Yuzhu mocked, "It seems Company Commander Zhou only relies on his mouth!"

Hearing these words from He Yuzhu, Zhou Lian was furious and cursed, "Who's afraid of whom? We'll keep playing until we see who chickens out first!"

Zhou Lian forcefully spun the cylinder; he closed his eyes, tremblingly placed the Pistol against his temple, and hesitated to pull the trigger.

The surrounding soldiers all held their breath, and some even turned their heads away, not daring to look.

"Click—"

Zhou Lian finally pulled the trigger.

The gun did not fire, and Zhou Lian excitedly waved his fist. He then handed the Pistol to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu sneered; after taking the revolver again, he added another bullet into the cylinder, making the danger factor even higher.

He picked up the Pistol, skillfully spun it in his hand, and pointed it at his own temple without the slightest hesitation.

At this moment, there were sixty people in the room, and it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone had their eyes wide open; some unconsciously clenched their fists, and some nervously swallowed their saliva.

The security guards of the Second Team were even more worried for this newly appointed Deputy Section Chief.

"Click—"

Another empty sound.

He Yuzhu remained calm and composed, as if he had just done something perfectly ordinary. He slapped the gun onto the table and scanned his surroundings: "Company Commander Zhou, it's your turn!"