Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 476

"You know, with interrogations, nobody knows how long it will take to get results. It could be an hour, or it could be a month."

"Besides... I just went out to arrest criminals for four days, so I need to rest first."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, a vein throbbed on Huang Shangzong's forehead.

Although his political abilities are relatively average, he still possesses basic political literacy.

Qiu Tu's words were clearly not a serious answer, but rather a ploy to sell, making it obvious that he wanted benefits from the carriages and horses.

If you give him enough benefits, he will speed up the process and may even directly hand over the prisoner to you.

If I don't offer enough benefits, he will deliberately delay until I can't wait any longer, or until Old Rao's celebration time has passed.

'That kid! He's definitely no good! He's incredibly cunning and treacherous!'

Although Huang Shangzong cursed Qiu Tu in his heart, he had no other choice at the moment.

Power is accountable only to the source of power.

Only the shelter has the authority to decide who will be the vice-speaker. As the speaker, even though he is also a high-ranking member of the shelter, he has no decision-making power.

If Qiu Tu were not the deputy speaker now, but were to be promoted to deputy speaker, he could still make some adjustments. After all, at this time, as the speaker of the Dongye State Assembly, his opinion is still very important.

However, now that Qiu Tu is the vice speaker, his influence has greatly diminished.

Therefore, when Qiu Tu followed all the rules and regulations, he really couldn't do anything about it.

Thinking this, Huang Shangzong gave Qiu Tu a deep look and then said, "Then what kind of support does Speaker Qiu think the state should give you to speed up your operation?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qiu Tu looked completely innocent. He looked at Huang Shangzong and said, "Speaker, you actually want me to make a request?"

"I've always been a very honest person. I do whatever my superiors tell me to do, and I never dare to make demands."

"Pfft." This time, Huang Shangzong didn't speak, but Liu Xiongyuan laughed first.

After laughing, he stood up and said to Huang Shangzong, "Speaker, if there's nothing else, I'll continue interrogating the prisoners. I'll try to close the case as soon as possible."

"You may continue."

Liu Xiongyuan had been there the whole time, so it wasn't easy for Huang Shangzong and Qiu Tu to negotiate terms. Therefore, upon hearing this, Huang Shangzong didn't care. He simply waved his hand and said indifferently, "Go ahead, go ahead, Speaker Liu, you've worked hard."

After Liu Xiongyuan left, the solemn doors of the conference room slowly closed, leaving only Huang Shangzong and Qiu Tu behind.

Huang Shangzong looked at Qiu Tu, then said with a slightly somber gaze, "Qiu Tu, there's no one else here now."

"Tell me, how do you need the state's support to close the case as soon as possible?"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Qiu Tu coughed and then said, "Speaker, sometimes it's not a matter of whether you support it or not."

"As you know, after I became the vice speaker, my authority was limited to 'Langyue City'."

"Besides my regular duties, the 'Purge Plan' is my only extra task."

"Of course I hope to complete this task perfectly, without leaving a single flaw."

"After all... I don't have any other achievements to show for myself besides this mission."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's gaze darkened slightly, and he roughly understood Qiu Tu's thoughts: Qiu Tu's condition was to adjust the scope of his authority and increase his own power.

Although this is a bit of an exorbitant demand—after all, for a state's deputy speaker, each area of ​​authority represents enormous power.

However... given Qiu Tu's current authority, which only extends to one city, his request is reasonable.

Thinking this, Huang Shangzong's expression softened considerably.

He leaned back in his chair and said with a deep expression, "Speaker Qiu, I understand how you feel."

"However... there's one thing you're wrong about."

"How could the council possibly only entrust the responsibility for 'Langyue City' to a young and promising vice speaker like yourself?"

"This is such a waste of his talent."

"Perfect timing... I heard you say earlier that the final stages of this 'purge operation' will require a lot of effort and time."

At this point, Huang Shangzong paused for a moment and said, "So I plan to have several departments cooperate with your work."

"Which department do you think would cooperate with you so that you can finish the job faster?"

Qiu Tu smiled upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words.

He said, following the prepared statement he had made before meeting Huang Shangzong, "This actually depends on the speaker's level of support."

"If the Speaker's support isn't strong enough, even if I were to hand over the Oversight Department, I doubt I could finish things quickly."

"If the Speaker's support is strong enough, and with the help of a court, I can finish this mission quickly."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's expression changed slightly. Then, he looked intently at Qiu Tu with his fierce eyes, and his heavy aura pressed down on him wave after wave.

However, Qiu Tu is now also a peak fourth-tier Cataclysm. Invincible among his peers, he didn't really feel much of Huang Shangzong's aura.

So he naturally met Huang Shangzong's gaze.

Seeing Qiu Tu's condition, Huang Shangzong suddenly remembered that Qiu Tu was a peak expert who had killed a fourth-tier evil god with a single sword strike. His strength was the same as his own, both at the peak of the fourth tier. His own aura was completely ineffective.

So he reluctantly withdrew his imposing aura and sat down in the main seat to quietly ponder.

Qiu Tu's meaning was clear: he wanted the Ministry of Supervision and the court.

Neither of these two departments is particularly powerful.

Unless there is strong support from above, the role of these two departments is extremely limited.

Especially in the hands of a deputy speaker like Qiu Tu, the role they can play is even smaller.

However, don't forget that Qiu Tu is skilled at creating miracles and at building something big from small.

These two departments, though somewhat weak, are also very sensitive.

Leaving aside the "courts" that hold judicial and adjudicative power, let's talk about the "Ministry of Supervision."

The Ministry of Supervision has the authority to supervise officials at all levels, and to investigate and appoint or dismiss them.

This power can be immense or negligible. If it's small, one's words carry little weight; if it's large... the lessons learned from the Eastern Han Dynasty's "provincial governors" gradually becoming warlords are still fresh in our minds...

If Qiu Tu were to gain control of local oversight and gradually seize military power... it would be fine if Huang Shangzong kept him in check, but without Huang Shangzong's supervision... Huang Shangzong was genuinely worried that Qiu Tu would develop into an uncontrollable monster...

At that time, I would become a sinner in the Eighth Sanctuary.

Thinking this, Huang Shangzong wanted to refuse.

Just then, Qiu Tu spoke up again, "Speaker, if you feel that these two departments are putting you in a bit too much of a bind..."

"Actually... giving me a department to assist you, and then letting me temporarily take charge of 'Wuhai City' would also be fine."

Qiu Tu blatantly lied, "I captured 'Red Hair' in 'Wuhai City.' With the cooperation of 'Wuhai City,' I believe we can conclude this operation even faster."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's eyes lit up slightly.

One department plus Wuhai City?

Well... it's not that we can't consider it.

As long as the "Ministry of Supervision" isn't given to Chiu Tu, and Chiu Tu can't interfere in personnel matters, Huang Shangzong feels that it's acceptable in the current situation.

Thinking this, a smile appeared on his broad face.

He looked at Qiu Tu, and finally a look of satisfaction appeared on his face. "In that case, when I get back, I will issue a document to put Speaker Qiu in charge of the court and related work in Wuhai City."

"Speaker Qiu, please wrap up this 'purge operation' as quickly as possible. Don't let me down."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile.

If a psychologist from a past life were here, they would know that Qiu Tu just used the famous psychological effect of "concession effect" in the negotiation.

In negotiations, if you first make a big demand to the other party, and then back down to make a smaller demand, then the smaller demand will be more easily accepted.

In fact, Qiu Tu's initial goal was to gain control of "Wuhai City".

What are the advantages of an oversight department?

Indeed, if one is powerful enough, one can influence appointments and removals, and if one controls the military, one can even control a province.

However, this is too conspicuous and will easily attract a lot of attention in the early stages.

In contrast, controlling a city is much more satisfying.

Because of his high position and great power, Qiu Tu was practically a local tyrant in that city.

With the addition of control over the "Wuhai Area," "Wuhai City," like "New Territories City" and "Langyue City," will be directly and completely under Qiu Tu's control.

Dongye Prefecture only has 16 cities, and Qiu Tu now directly controls three, nearly one-fifth, which is enough for him to do a lot...

Thinking this, Qiu Tu quickly assured him, "Please rest assured, Speaker, I will definitely not let you down."

.........

Huang Shangzong seemed to be in a real hurry.

Not long after returning, he communicated with several vice speakers by phone and then directly adjusted Qiu Tu's scope of responsibility.

Qiu Tu's authority was officially expanded from "Langyue City" to "Wuhai City" and the court, making him a truly powerful vice speaker.

However, after updating his scope of authority, Qiu Tu was not in a hurry to celebrate.

He remained troubled by the strange "line of order" on "Scarface".

So he plans to continue his surprise interrogation of "Scarface" tonight to find out what secrets "Scarface" is hiding.

Moreover, he was also interested in the "important things" that the disaster zone was looking for in Dongye State.

What could possibly cause such a large force to be gathered in the disaster zone, and even send three generals to cause trouble in Dongye Prefecture?

That evening, at the Dongcheng District Investigation Bureau, Interrogation Room No. 1.

Qiu Tu sat alone in the spot where Liu Xiongyuan had sat that morning, quietly watching Guan Xiao interrogate "Scarface".

With Qiu Tu's hint, Guan Xiao also had a new direction for interrogation, and kept trying to uncover the secrets hidden by "Scarface".

She stared coldly at the scarred man, dangling in mid-air, and questioned him.

"Tell me, what exactly is your purpose in stirring up trouble in Dongye Prefecture this time?"

"Also, what exactly is the disaster zone looking for in Dongyezhou?"

What is the purpose of that thing?

Upon hearing Guan Xiao's words, the scarred man, covered in wounds, lowered his head, his eyes as black as ink, and then made a "hoarse" sound from his bleeding mouth, "What are you saying? Why don't I understand?"

"I've said all I can say. What else do you want me to say?"

Guan Xiao was clearly not so easily fooled. She dipped the whip in salt water and lashed the scarred man with a "smack!" before saying, "Stop pretending to be crazy!"

Do you really think we don't know what you're up to?

As she spoke, she used her riding crop to lift Scarface's face and said viciously, "You betrayed the anti-government coalition that trusted you!"

"You schemed against them! You even tried to kill them!"

Upon hearing Guan Xiao's words, Scarface's eyes flickered for a moment, but then returned to normal. He spat viciously at Guan Xiao, "Bullshit!"

"You're trying to smear me even though you haven't done anything right! A bunch of lapdogs who lick the ass of the shelter!"

Qiu Tu watched quietly from the monitoring room. The reason he now delegates tasks to his subordinates is not only to cultivate their abilities and continue to share his burdens.

Also because it saves time and effort.

With Guan Xiao interrogating him downstairs, he can clearly find the direction where the scarred man is hiding.

You can use "Order Space" to ask questions more conveniently and directly later.

In fact, if Guan Xiao extracts all the information like last time, he could simply ask, "Was everything you just said true?" and end the interrogation.

However, tonight's "Scarface" was clearly much more determined than last time.

Guan Xiao tried everything, but he just gritted his teeth and wouldn't budge an inch.

When pushed too far, he even started cursing Guan Xiao's ancestors for eighteen generations, which infuriated Guan Xiao.

Unfortunately, the more assertive he became, the more Qiu Tu believed that the secret he was hiding was incredibly huge.

With that in mind, Qiu Tu patiently watched Guan Xiao's interrogation for an hour before walking to the interrogation room door and knocking.

Tonight, only Qiu Tu and Guan Xiao were in interrogation room number 1, so when Guan Xiao heard the knocking, she immediately stopped the interrogation and went to the door.

When the door opened, the beautiful woman's forehead was covered in sweat, and her face looked dejected.

She whispered to Qiu Tu, "Speaker... I've let you down."