Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 261

With that in mind, Qiu Tu no longer hesitated. He went to the kitchen, told Fang Tangtang that he had to go out, and then hurriedly left the villa.

Watching Qiu Tu's retreating figure, Fang Tangtang's timid eyes were filled with tenderness.

She felt that someone as important as Qiu Tu must have a very tough job.

It's so late, and you still have to work so hard.

As for Lariel...

She also looked surprised.

She originally thought that after flirting with her, Qiu Tu would press his advantage or wait for her to contact him.

And then... he just left?

So... he really didn't notice me?

Was everything he said tonight truly from the bottom of his heart?

......

at the same time.

When Qiu Tu rushed to Tang Feifei's house, preparing to use the promotion device to get promoted.

Inside the study of Yan Chen's garden villa in the city.

Yan Chen sat in the darkness behind his desk, making a phone call. A cigarette was tucked between his fingers, the crimson glow of the flame flickering in the dim study.

His brow was furrowed, and his face was filled with frustration and disbelief.

"What? Qiu Tu, Ye Mingfeng, and Dai Yukang have gotten together? They've launched a 'Boundless Ocean of the Mind Expansion Project' in the name of the Political Department, in conjunction with the Military Department and the Security Bureau?"

The man on the other end of the phone spoke with a strong voice, "I've faxed you all the relevant information."

"You can take a look. The plan is very detailed and reliable. It is highly feasible."

“The shelter takes this plan very seriously, and several speakers have also given their approval.”

"This has been listed as one of the most important projects for the shelter in the coming year."

The man paused, then said in a steady and powerful voice, "It is precisely because of this plan that the establishment of Dongye Prefecture will likely be brought forward once again."

"Five days from now, I will go to Dongcheng City to establish the Dongye State Legislative Assembly and assume the presidency."

At this point, the man's identity becomes obvious: Huang Shangzong, the first Speaker of the Dongye State Assembly and a high-ranking member of the shelter.

Huang Shangzong paused for a moment, then said, "As for the selection of the vice speaker, the decision has already been made by the higher-ups today."

"Liu Xiongyuan, who designed, directed, and killed the fourth-tier evil god and advanced to the pseudo-fourth-tier cataclysm."

"Ye Mingfeng, who holds the highest military rank and has made the greatest contributions, proposed the 'Boundless Ocean of the Mind' plan."

"And then there's Li Tingdong, the most capable and successful in developing the economy within the city hall system."

"By the way, there are some new changes in Dongye State this time. A new security bureau chief at the deputy speaker level has been appointed."

"Dai Yukang secured this position thanks to his contributions to the 'Boundless Heart Sea Development Project,' becoming the highest-ranking officer in charge of secret security and the handling of matters related to extraordinary powers throughout Dongye Prefecture."

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, even Yan Chen, with his composure, turned extremely pale.

His heart was bleeding...

Because all of this originally belonged to him!

He was able to advance to the fourth-tier Cataclysm and become the vice-chairman by devouring Lariro!

Unexpectedly, his downfall led to the support of three vice-speaker-level officials!

However, as the Director of the Investigation Department in the New Territories, Yan Chen is a person who does not show his emotions.

So he didn't show his emotions, but calmly analyzed, "This time, I was indeed outmaneuvered by them."

"But this also served as a wake-up call for me."

“These people are all remarkable. We cannot give them the opportunity to continue to develop.”

He paused for a moment, then added, "So... could you hold things up on Qiu Tu's end?"

He thought for a moment, "He doesn't have any connections in the shelter. Now that Liu Xiong Yuan is in seclusion, he can't help him with any plans. Shouldn't we stall him a bit?"

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Chapter 289 (10,000 words, please vote for me!)

Compared to Yan Chen, Huang Shangzong was clearly much more unfamiliar with Qiu Tu.

So when he heard Yan Chen say that he wanted to hinder Qiu Tu's progress, his first reaction was doubt.

After all, the difference between him and Qiu Tu is like the moon in the sky and a firefly on the ground.

A mere deputy minister of the political department is hardly worthy of his attention or his targeting.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have only sent a close advisor to handle the matter after suspecting Qiu Tu's involvement in Jia Shu's murder.

So he asked hesitantly, "Is a mere deputy minister of the political department worth so much attention?"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Yan Chen's cloudy eyes deepened even further.

He forced a smile and then explained, "Mr. Huang...you may be underestimating this nobody."

"I need to remind you that although Qiu Tu is only a deputy minister now, a year ago he was just an ordinary citizen living at the very bottom of the disaster zone."

"Just two months ago, he was only a second-level agent."

"In two months, he was promoted to first-class detective, deputy section chief, section chief, and deputy director of the political department."

"And now, he is even seeking to become the Minister of the Political Department. If he succeeds, he will have a completely open path to advancement. He will soar to new heights."

After introducing Qiu Tu's situation, Yan Chen said in a deep tone,

"Furthermore... he is indeed treacherous, cunning, and ruthless."

"First, one of my maids was secretly killed by him, then Jia Shu, who opposed him, was murdered, and finally even Wu Zhi, whom you sent, was mysteriously assassinated."

"One thing can be a coincidence, but the probability of everything being a coincidence is too small."

"Although there are no clues pointing to him as the mastermind, this only proves how exquisite and skillful his methods were, and how clean and efficient he was in finishing the job."

At this point, Yan Chen paused for a moment, then said, "Such treacherous, cunning, and ruthless individuals will only cause greater destruction once they advance to higher levels."

"Therefore, I did all of this not for personal gain, but for justice."

Yan Chen was clearly very familiar with Huang Shangzong and understood his personality well.

Therefore, after he said those words, Huang Shangzong on the other end of the phone immediately began to seriously consider Qiu Tu's matter.

Perhaps sensing Huang Shangzong's wavering emotions, Yan Chen slowly said, "Moreover... Elder Huang, Qiu Tu's promotion does not meet the standards."

"He's been promoted too quickly lately. According to convention, he shouldn't be promoted any further."

"Moreover, all officials at the level of section chief and above are required to undergo further training at a shelter, but he has never done so, which does not meet the requirements."

Yan Chen was ostensibly saying that Qiu Tu didn't meet the requirements, but in reality, he was supplying Huang Shangzong with ammunition. He was telling Huang Shangzong the weakness that lay in Qiu Tu's promotion.

So, after listening to Yan Chen's words, Huang Shangzong considered for a moment before carefully saying, "In that case, I'll mention it when I'm studying the personnel arrangements for the New Territories City Investigation Department."

After saying that, he seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, did he join the 'Iron-Blooded Faction'?"

"Otherwise, why would the military's plan include him?"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Yan Chen took a deep drag of his cigarette, then squinted his aged eyes and pondered for a moment before saying, "There shouldn't be."

"He just seems to have some connection with Dai Yukang. But it shouldn't be to the point of joining the Iron-Blooded Faction."

At this point, Yan Chen added, "This person is very good at cultivating relationships. Not only Dai Yukang, but also Jiang Zhenpeng and Tang Feifei from the Tang family are all closely related to him."

"In addition, Liu Xiongyuan had previously collaborated with him."

"Truly adept at social maneuvering."

After Wu Zhi was killed, Huang Shangzong clearly did not receive any information about Qiu Tu, which is why he was surprised to hear Yan Chen say this.

He suddenly understood what made Qiu Tu special.

This time, he made a serious comment: "If a person is wicked, the stronger their abilities, the greater their destructive power."

Yan Chen exhaled a puff of smoke, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and nodded, saying, "That's exactly right."

Yan Chen said, "So, before he can fully develop, we still need to suppress him."

Huang Shangzong hummed in agreement, then asked, "What is his relationship with Jiang Zhenpeng, Liu Xiongyuan, and Tang Feifei?"

"Will these factions step in to help him then?"

Yan Chen pondered for two more seconds before saying, "He has been kind to Liu Xiongyuan, so Liu Xiongyuan is the most likely person to help him."

"But Liu Xiongyuan's seclusion was very sudden; there probably wasn't time or prior notice to help him contact the high-ranking members of the 'reformist faction.'"

"Jiang Zhenpeng and he can only be said to have a good relationship. But it's not to the point where he can use or introduce personal connections."

"The only variable is Tang Feifei."

"The Tang family is currently at the height of its power, with influence spanning the military, political, and business sectors, and possessing deep connections within the Investigation Bureau. They are also the current heads of the 'Fengtian Clique.'"

"But precisely because of this, the competition within the Tang family is also very fierce. As the daughter of the eldest branch of the Tang family, Tang Feifei is very much loved by Old Master Tang, but she also faces brutal competition."

"Moreover, as a daughter of the Tang family, her marriage can only be a political alliance. Qiu Tu, as her lover, is not respectable."

"That woman is very shrewd and calm. She won't give her competitors any leverage at such a crucial moment."

Upon hearing Yan Chen's words, Huang Shangzong hummed in agreement, then said, "Alright, I'll make the arrangements tomorrow..."

Having finally received Huang Shangzong's promise, Yan Chen couldn't help but smile.

It wasn't that he wanted to target Qiu Tu. It was mainly because... Qiu Tu's development was too fast, so fast that he was somewhat alarmed when he reviewed it today.

Moreover, Huang Shangzong, the state assembly speaker and head of the political department of a city, might not care. But Yan Chen, the head of the city's investigation department, does care.

It should be noted that the Minister of the Political Department is one of the highest-ranking officials in the Investigation Bureau and has access to high-level meetings.

Moreover, among the nine high-ranking officials, the Minister of the Political Department ranks only below several directors, making him arguably the top director.

Furthermore, the Political Department controls the intelligence system of the Investigation Bureau. If Qiu Tu were to take control of it, Yan Chen would become blind and deaf.

This is the reason why Yan Chen kept urging Huang Shangzong to stop Qiu Tu all day...

Now that he had received Huang Shangzong's promise, Yan Chen was finally able to put his mind at ease.

However, he did not place all his hopes on Huang Shangzong.

He lit another cigarette, pondered quietly for a while, and then picked up the landline on the table again to call the shelter once more....

Huang Shangzong's position is too high; he probably won't care too much about this matter. Therefore, he plans to find a few more of his "academic" friends in the "Investigation Department's" personnel department to give them instructions or hints...

For example... the Minister of Personnel of the "Exploration Agency," who oversees all appointments at the director level or above in the planning areas...

.......

at the same time.

While Yan Chen was trying every means to prevent Qiu Tu from becoming the Minister of Political Affairs.

Qiu Tu also drove to Tang Feifei's villa.

Because she was already a high-ranking member of the Investigation Bureau, Tang Feifei's two layers of guards didn't even dare to check Qiu Tu's car. They simply saluted and let him pass.

After getting out of the car, Qiu Tu opened the door with practiced ease.

The maid inside bowed to Qiu Tu and said, "The director is on the phone and would like you to wait in the living room for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu nodded and then walked into the living room.

After waiting for two or three minutes, Tang Feifei came over with a communicator in hand, a cold expression on her face, after exchanging a few words.

As she walked into the living room, the call ended. She took the communicator down and casually placed it on the bar counter.

Then, with a blank expression on her wheat-colored face, she looked at Qiu Tu and asked, "You've come to see me so late, is there something you need?"

Qiu Tu keenly noticed Tang Feifei's slightly cold mood tonight.

So he didn't immediately talk about his own affairs, but instead tentatively asked, "Are you in a bad mood?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Feifei rubbed her temples, then picked up a cup, filled it with water, and said while drinking, "It's alright. It's just that there are some worries at home."