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Chapter 1183: They Want to Harm Lady Yanzi

Zhu Yujian, accompanied by Qi Cheng, continued to the next workshop and happily ventured inside.

At the entrance of this workshop, two newly assigned Imperial Guards were laboriously pushing a cart laden with iron plates. They appeared utterly exhausted, beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads. In truth, both were seasoned martial artists who could easily move such a heavy cart with minimal effort. Their weariness and perspiration were entirely feigned.

In the distance, a former spy for the Jin dynasty, now the director of the armored vehicle workshop, had already observed the Imperial Guards' actions. He let out a cold snort. "Indeed," he muttered, "the boss's judgment is as sharp as ever. These two are clearly not genuine workers; they are spies, without a doubt. And they are currently scrutinizing our Deputy Director Qi Cheng!"

Deputy Director Qi Cheng was truly the core technical backbone of the Chang'an Automobile Factory! It was he who had articulated the vision of "Heavy Industry for a Great Nation," aiming to transform the Chang'an Factory into an "industrial hegemon." Moreover, Qi Cheng had recently begun delving into materials science, preparing to forge a "materials empire." His aspirations were so grand that everyone at the Chang'an Factory was captivated by them. For a figure of such caliber to be targeted by enemy spies was, therefore, entirely to be expected.

Zhu Yujian toured several workshops consecutively, finding the experience quite enriching. He felt he had gained a wealth of valuable knowledge and decided against rushing his journey. He would simply spend the night at the Chang'an Factory.

That evening, Zhu Yujian arrived at the Chang'an Factory's employee cafeteria.

The cafeteria buzzed with a lively atmosphere as a female worker steadily carried enormous serving bowls, one by one, to the food counter.

Other female workers laughed as they greeted her. "Yanzi," one remarked, "you're the deputy director's wife now! Why are you still doing such heavy work?"

Yanzi wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. "What's wrong with being the deputy director's wife?" she replied. "My husband also works alongside the laborers. I can't let him down by acting superior, like some arrogant landlord."

Hearing this, Zhu Yujian immediately grew interested. He hurried over to Yanzi and offered a respectful bow. "Madam," he addressed her, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. So you are the deputy director's wife."

Yanzi waved a hand. "Oh, no, I'm just a worker in the cafeteria here."

Zhu Yujian mused, "Not using one's status to oppress others, but laboring alongside everyone... So this is how people of standing and position conduct themselves in the Heavenly Lord's Liberated Zone. Ah! For some reason, I feel quite moved."

He was, after all, a prince—albeit one whose influence had been curtailed. Yet, since childhood, he had been schooled to uphold imperial dignity, to behave in a certain way towards his subordinates, towards officials, even to dress in a particular manner... The rigidly stratified system of feudal society was deeply ingrained in his very being.

But witnessing Yanzi's conduct, he realized that this kind of communal spirit—no, not merely 'sharing joy with the people,' but truly 'merging with the people'—seemed superior to everything he had learned since childhood. At the very least, the attitude of Yanzi's fellow workers clearly showed she was deeply beloved by everyone.

Zhu Yujian concluded, "So that's it. Those in positions of great authority should not be aloof and detached from the common folk..."

Lost in thought, he sat in a corner of the cafeteria, slowly eating his meal, his mind instantly wandering far away.

Meanwhile, the two Imperial Guards covertly watched him from a distance...

Further still, the former Jin spy, now a model worker, jotted down on a piece of paper: "These two spies seem to have set their sights on Bin Sheng's wife."

Half an hour later...

In the factory's back garden, Bin Sheng sat surrounded by ten of his veteran subordinates, who reported to him in turn.

"Boss," one began, "the two spies I'm responsible for seem to be targeting Deputy Director Qi Cheng."

"Boss," another added, "my two spies are interested in the steam engine workshop's blueprints."

"And mine," a third chimed in, "are focused on the employee dormitories..."

Bin Sheng listened, his brow furrowed, and his voice deepened. "This batch of spies is truly formidable," he declared. "They're not just targeting a single type of information; it seems they want to pack up our entire Chang'an Factory and take it with them! Clearly, our current operation must be prepared for a protracted struggle. We must engage these cunning enemies in a long, arduous, and challenging battle. At this moment, we absolutely cannot act rashly and 'stir the grass to startle the snake.'"

"Boss," another subordinate reported, "the two spies under my watch were observing Lady Yanzi in the cafeteria."

"What?!" Bin Sheng roared, erupting in fury. "Come on, let's go chop them all into pieces right now! Immediately contact the Security Department—time to close the net, close the net!"

"Boss, calm down!" two subordinates quickly pleaded, restraining him. "Please, calm yourself! You just said we couldn't 'stir the grass to startle the snake'!"

Bin Sheng's hands trembled. "They're targeting *my* Yanzi!" he fumed. "To hell with startling the snake! I'll butcher those dogs right now and feed them to the pigs!"

"Calm down!" All ten subordinates worked together, finally managing to hold Bin Sheng still. "We still don't even know who their mastermind is, Boss, we can't act yet!"

Bin Sheng's face was grim. "Intensify surveillance," he ordered. "We mustn't miss a single detail."

"Understood!"

Night had fallen...

Zhu Yujian felt tired and decided to retire for the night.

The factory's logistics department had arranged accommodations for him at the guesthouse.

The guesthouse was located within the Chang'an Factory's employee residential area, a secluded, detached building in a very quiet spot.

By then, the Chang'an Factory had closed for the day, and workers were steadily returning to the residential area, which was now bustling with activity.

Electric lamps illuminated every corner, and workers sat beneath them. Some were playing cards, others were playing ball, while the elders of the workers' families sat under the trees, sipping tea and regaling each other with stories.

Zhu Yujian smiled, exchanged greetings with them, and entered the guesthouse.

Mi Qianhu and his subordinates also made their way into the residential area.

As "newly arrived workers," they naturally hadn't been assigned housing yet, so they were relegated to the "employee dormitories." These dormitories were not far from the guesthouse, separated only by a single courtyard.

Each dormitory room could accommodate four people.

Mi Qianhu and his twenty-four men were assigned to seven rooms.

Now, they no longer needed to pretend they didn't know each other. They could move about in groups of four, openly presenting themselves as "dorm mates," even staging introductions, and then casually chatting like friends.

As Mi Qianhu walked, he murmured to a subordinate from his dormitory, "This is the residential area for the people of this strange, enormous factory. Zhu Yujian is very likely staying here, living among these peculiar individuals."

A subordinate nodded. "Boss," he whispered, "these lights are so strange. I don't see them burning, yet they're incredibly bright. How is that possible?"

Mi Qianhu retorted, "Don't concern yourself with things unrelated to our mission. We are here to apprehend Zhu Yujian, not for you to investigate 'a hundred thousand whys.'"

"Understood!"

Another subordinate interjected, "Boss, for some reason, I keep feeling like someone is watching us. I've had this sensation ever since we entered this strange, massive factory."