The factory has implemented a separate system for its main gates. All cars must use the main gate, while employees use the west gate. Security guards have been increased at the west gate, with more than a dozen people watching employees leave work. Any bags carried are opened and inspected.

Vehicles at the main gate are also subject to parking checks. Regardless of who they are, they are required to register and report their information. A wooden stick with a mirror attached is used to inspect the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Some followed the rules, while others were dissatisfied.

These days, drivers are all arrogant, truck drivers are all honest, but those who drive cars, just because a leader is riding in their car, start complaining and making a fuss.

Usually, arguing would work, but this time it's Director Li overseeing things! He's personally in charge, so he won't tolerate it. He'll show his battlefield prowess, wave his hand, and detain the man. Aren't you someone's driver?

Let him come and get you. If you dare to be so arrogant, then we'll investigate you first.

When a chicken was killed, the monkeys behind it all behaved themselves.

But some people were curious and asked around, "What's wrong with the rice?" Suddenly, it felt like martial law was in effect.

This kind of behavior also offended people, and some people reported the rice factory's sudden erratic behavior to the city government.

The news was then relayed to Secretary Zhang, who was also curious and asked his secretary to inquire about it.

I didn't get any clear answers, but it's said that this strict gatekeeping was ordered by Xing Baohua.

When Secretary Zhang learned of this, he instructed his secretary to keep an eye on it, and even said, "The rice business cannot be disrupted; pay close attention to the emotional state of the rice workers."

He was indeed afraid of the rice getting messy, because he knew that once the rice got mixed up, he wouldn't be able to clean up the mess.

He waved to his secretary, telling her to step aside; he needed to think carefully about how to handle the rice situation.

When Director Li was in the security department, he met a young man who was just over thirty. After checking his identification, he shook hands with him with a smile and said, "Welcome, Company Commander Yang. I can finally rest easy now that you're here."

"Good morning, Company Commander Yang!" Company Commander Yang saluted Factory Director Li and said.

"Haha, it's been a long time since I've heard anyone call me that. I'm not a big shot, I just joined the army a few years earlier than you. Have a seat." Old Li was very happy and warmly invited the other party to sit down.

The security office? This isn't the place to talk. After a few polite words, he asked Company Commander Yang to follow him back to the office. On the way, Company Commander Yang also saw those anti-aircraft guns. Wow, these things are good as door gods! They're good for scaring away petty thieves.

This thing really has no deterrent effect whatsoever. In terms of practicality, it would be better to just put two machine guns in.

Anti-aircraft guns are so difficult to use, even birds have trouble shooting them down. Now that we're in the jet age, how are we supposed to fight them?

Lay it flat?

There's a Chinese proverb, isn't there? "Lay down the anti-aircraft guns, and you'll see them in court."

Upon arriving at Director Li's office, Company Commander Yang saw the planning map of the rice factory, as well as circles drawn by the director in red pen, indicating that these were key defense zones.

"Director Li, could you please move those few things away?" Company Commander Yang asked.

"Isn't this to deter petty thieves? It's alright, I've applied for a rain enhancement zone from the meteorological bureau, which can be used for a period of time. It's all officially documented, so don't worry about that. What I'm worried about now is the other party sabotaging us. Let me tell you! It wasn't easy to establish this rice farm. It was created without the necessary conditions, so we can't let anyone sabotage it! Oh, how many people are coming this time?" Old Factory Manager Li said, then asked.

"15 people, five of whom are technicians, and I am the team leader."

"So few?" Old Factory Director Li said, looking at the planning map, unsure of where to place the people.

"Director Li, we're not here to defend the position; we're here to look after the personnel." Company Commander Yang said, taking out a list.

He continued, "At the factory, they are kept under constant surveillance by the security personnel. When they go home, our people will accompany and protect them. Please call the people according to the list. I need to communicate with them."

"Okay! I'll make the call right away." With that, Factory Manager Li started making phone calls to call people.

Xing Baohua and Xie Yingying arrived at the house that Xiao Tian had bought. The area was already cordoned off and under martial law.

They stood outside looking at the damage to the buildings; it was indeed a terrible sight. Several families were crying. Xing Baohua said to Xie Yingying, "Please speak to the neighborhood committee on my behalf. Tell them about the rice support for the reconstruction. Give each household extra compensation."

"Understood!" Xie Yingying nodded and turned to take care of her business. Instead of contacting the local neighborhood committee immediately, she asked a colleague from the investment promotion bureau to help her get involved with the committee so that she could take over the work.

The reason given was that the China Merchants Group introduced a rice company to provide assistance in the reconstruction of the community and a sum of money as a gesture of goodwill.

There will be more households with casualties.

Actually, this wasn't done to gain a good reputation, but also for the greater good.

Explosions all have different natures. It's enough for those on the inside to know what happened. If it were made public, it would cause some panic.

Rice can only be compensated through aid. Logically, these things should be handled by the Shanghai Stock Exchange, but who can blame them when rice has money and is involved?

This amount of money is negligible compared to the price of rice; it's not worth mentioning.

Xing Baohua returned to the villa and began to protect the key personnel of the HK laboratory.

Su Ya called Xing Baohua and told him why he had suddenly assigned her five more guards, saying that having more people following her when she went out was too high-profile.

So Xing Baohua explained to her that someone was targeting the people around him, and that she needed to be careful.

"How about I take leave and come to your place? With so many people following me here, people will start talking," Su Ya said.

"Okay, come to Shanghai!" Xing Baohua said and hung up the phone.

The next day, Su Ya arrived, and he sent someone to pick her up, while this guy went to the hospital. Geng Rui woke up last night, and he needed to go see her.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!