Everyone in the office breathed a sigh of relief when Li Weimin stood up and volunteered.
The windows and doors of the arms depot were tightly shut, and there wasn't much trash, just a bit of dust from time. It could be cleaned with a wet mop, but because the risk factor for entering was too high, everyone wanted to avoid it.
Actually, before Li Weimin spoke, Zhang Shunde was also somewhat troubled. The team members who had drawn the short straw and entered the depot had already voiced their complaints.
Li Weimin had good luck; in his four months on the job, he hadn't entered the depot once. Additionally, Li Weimin was Zhang Shunde's direct apprentice, so over time, some people might have suspected Zhang Shunde was secretly letting Li Weimin off the hook.
But Zhang Shunde couldn't directly tell Li Weimin to step up and show his worth.
Li Weimin's action made Zhang Shunde's expression considerably better.
Zhang Shunde slammed the table and scanned the team members in the office.
"Look, even though Li Weimin is the most junior member of our team, his awareness is something you all can't match."
"Which one of you, like Li Weimin, dared to stand up and say you'd clean the depot?"
Qiangzi gave Li Weimin a thumbs-up.
"Weimin, you truly are the descendant of a hero; your broad-mindedness is beyond ordinary people!"
"We all have to learn from comrade Li Weimin."
After everyone had showered him with compliments, they all lowered their heads again. As per the usual practice, no one could enter the arms depot alone; two people had to go in to supervise each other.
Although everyone in the Security Department had undergone political screening before being hired, the leader of the Great Xia Nation had said that there could be no relaxation when it came to class struggle.
Who knew if there might be hidden enemy agents among the Security Department personnel, lurking to seize an opportunity to disrupt the stability and unity of the Great Xia Nation?
Although entering the arms depot was dangerous, it was also a significant political task.
Zhang Shunde dragged over the ashtray and stubbed out his cigarette.
"I'll go in with Li Weimin today.
He's never been inside the arms depot, so he's not familiar with the layout."
The team members in the office breathed a collective sigh of relief. With the personnel decided, everyone's psychological burden was lifted. Some people stood up to diligently pour water for Zhang Shunde, while others took out cigarettes to offer Li Weimin.
Zhang Shunde led Li Weimin to the entrance of the arms depot's duty room. The personnel on duty in the room had not only passed political screening but also needed to have strong physical fitness. Those on duty here were required to be armed.
There was a table by the duty room entrance, with a paper box on it. A security guard carrying a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle stood beside the table.
Zhang Shunde took the lead, emptying his pockets of everything, and even turned around to show the duty security guard his empty pockets.
Li Weimin, following Zhang Shunde's example, placed his pen, cigarettes, and matches from his pockets into the paper box.
The officer inside the duty room produced two pairs of cloth shoe covers. Zhang Shunde expertly put them on, then picked up two mops from beside the duty room and rinsed them under the faucet. Carrying one each, he and Li Weimin entered the arms depot.
It was quiet inside the warehouse. Racks of weapons were neatly arranged. Li Weimin efficiently mopped the floor and, feigning curiosity, looked at the racks.
Zhang Shunde casually picked up a Type 56 rifle.
"In the months you've been following me, I've focused on physical training for you, and haven't had time to teach you firearms knowledge."
As Zhang Shunde spoke, he completely disassembled the Type 56 rifle into parts, then reassembled it piece by piece.
Li Weimin casually touched it, replicating it into his system's Space.
"In the next few days, I'll find time to teach you marksmanship and practice shooting."
"You need to master skills like shooting, grenade throwing, and bayonet fighting."
Zhang Shunde put the Type 56 rifle back and then took Li Weimin on a tour of the warehouse. Rifles, machine guns, mortars, grenades, and various types of ammunition – Li Weimin followed Zhang Shunde, touching them one by one and replicating each into his system's Space.
In the furthest corner, Li Weimin also spotted a few crossbows. Of course, Li Weimin didn't hesitate and reached out to touch one.
At the very back of the warehouse, there was another compartment. Zhang Shunde pushed the door open. Inside were over a dozen unopened cardboard boxes.
"These are all supplies our factory has stockpiled: tinned food, compressed biscuits, various military uniforms, and cold-weather gear."
Li Weimin nodded and casually picked up his mop, entering the compartment. He mopped the floor around the space left by the cardboard boxes. In the intervals between working, Li Weimin, as if by accident, bumped the surrounding cardboard boxes with his elbow or leg. Without exception, these boxes were replicated into his system's Space.
Zhang Shunde stood at the doorway, watching the diligent Li Weimin, and nodded. He could tell Li Weimin was a promising candidate, unlike other team members who came and slacked off.
There was no visible dust on the floor anymore. Zhang Shunde, satisfied, closed the door and led Li Weimin out of the arms depot.
"Is the money for your house enough?"
Leaving the arms depot, Zhang Shunde took out a cigarette and tossed one to Li Weimin, then put one in his own mouth.
"I'll give you 200 yuan tomorrow. If it's not enough, tell me."
Zhang Shunde increasingly liked Li Weimin. It was just a pity that Li Weimin was an orphan with a tragic past.
Li Weimin struck a match, lit Zhang Shunde's cigarette first, then lit his own and blew out a smoke ring.
"Thank you, Master. The money my grandfather left is enough. If it's really not enough, I'll definitely ask for your help then."
Zhang Shunde coughed a few times and nodded.
"Once a master, always a father.
If you encounter anything you can't solve, you must tell me."
Li Weimin's heart warmed, and he nodded.
"Master, the weather this year is quite abnormal. If you have some spare cash, it's best to stock up on some supplies at home. One can't see the future; if any natural disaster or misfortune occurs, it's best to be prepared."
Zhang Shunde gave Li Weimin a meaningful look and nodded.
The team members who had gone out on patrol had not yet returned. Li Weimin drank some water, bid farewell to Zhang Shunde, and headed straight for the Steel Rolling Mill's infirmary.
Li Weimin took out half a pack of Da Qian Men from his system's Space.
In his previous life, he only went to the infirmary for a physical examination when he joined the Steel Rolling Mill.
Through searching the memories of his former self, he knew the doctor at the infirmary was a man in his fifties named Ding Junshan.
There were a few scattered workers queuing outside the infirmary. By the time it was Li Weimin's turn, there was no one behind him. Li Weimin closed the door and took out a pack of Da Qian Men from his pocket.
Ding Junshan's eyes immediately lit up. He took the cigarette Li Weimin offered, lit it, and took a deep drag, exhaling a smoke ring.
"I remember you. You're the only new recruit in the Security Department this year, Li Weimin."
"Tell me, do you want me to write you a sick leave slip?"