Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 595

"It has been revealed that Councilor Cao has been selling official positions for more than a decade."

"Although the positions are relatively low-level, and they are even specially recruited back to the academy for training before being promoted, it is indeed against the rules."

"Therefore, the inspector asked him to go back and investigate."

Upon hearing his secretary's words, Pang Haichen's face flushed red and then turned pale.

He truly never expected that someone close to him would get into trouble again! And, it was someone from a high-ranking position.

The "academic faction" only has seven high-ranking members. Excluding Huang Shangzong, the traitor, and himself, there are five left.

Two have been caught so far, leaving only three!

What are Rao Shou and Tang Wanfeng up to?!

'In such a short time, they've managed to arrest two high-ranking "academics"! The political impact is incredibly negative!'

Anyone who didn't know better would think I was going to be arrested!

Although there was a reason for it, Pang Haichen still felt something was amiss because there were too many coincidences recently.

So, the moment that joking idea popped into his head, his heart skipped a beat.

He frowned slightly, just about to continue the conversation.

But then, unexpectedly, at that very moment...

The phone on his desk rang.

Anyone who dares to call at this hour, and can actually get through, must be someone of extraordinary status.

They are at least leaders of the shelters.

'Could it be... that Lao Rao or Lao Tang will come to explain or apologize to me again?'

With this in mind, he picked up the landline on the table and listened.

As soon as he picked up the receiver, a series of questions came from the other end of the phone: "Pang Haichen! Didn't you say you were in charge of Dongye Prefecture?"

"I gave you advance notice that I was going to make arrests. I told you to keep a close eye on your three major departments and not to interfere!"

"So, Qiu Tu still managed to send people over!"

With that raspy voice and that arrogant tone, Pang Haichen knew without even trying that it was Kou Yu on the other end.

However, he clearly did not get much useful information from Kou Yu's agitated questioning.

So he couldn't help but ask, "Kou Yu, don't be in such a hurry."

"Tell me slowly what exactly happened..."

Soon, with Kou Yu's detailed explanation, Pang Haichen had a clear understanding of the entire three-way standoff that night.

When Pang Haichen heard that Yu Die had taken the person away right under the noses of two fifth-tier and seven or eight fourth-tier peak experts, carrying Qiu Tu's message, his face turned extremely ugly.

They've rebelled against Heaven! They've rebelled against Heaven!

His own men not only disobeyed his orders, but even came to rescue people on the orders of other garrison commanders?

This is absolutely outrageous!

Others say Kou Yu is arrogant and domineering. But Qiu Tu is truly arrogant and domineering!

They've even extended their reach to the neighboring state!

However, after calming down, Pang Haichen still had many doubts in his mind.

For example... his biggest question was how Qiu Tu and Kou Xuan had figured out everything that would happen tonight.

.....

at the same time.

After disbanding the "Hidden Mist Society," Qiu Tu lay on his bed, reviewing the intelligence reports sent from the two states.

Shen Lingshuang, who had already taken a nap, leaned against him, her sleepy eyes still barely open.

After reading a page of intelligence, Qiu Tu naturally slipped his hand under the covers and gently rubbed and dabbed at Shen Lingshuang's entrance.

Shen Lingshuang, who was still sleepy, woke up with a start.

She glared at Qiu Tu beside her with a playful reproach, "What are you doing!"

Qiu Tu naturally took his hand back, his damp fingers lightly rubbing a corner of the document.

The documents suddenly became misaligned. Qiu Tu flipped through a page and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing, my hands are too dry, it's hard to turn the page."

After saying that, he put his hand back under the covers and started to wet it.

After reviewing all the materials, Qiu Tu closed his eyes, pondered quietly for a while, and then formed a rough judgment in his mind.

'Pang Haichen's influence has been almost completely eliminated.'

"It won't take longer than a week. It could be as early as the next couple of days. Old Rao and Old Tang should make their move against Pang Haichen."

'With these days of preparation, defusing this bomb shouldn't be a problem.'

Now, it all depends on whether Pang Haichen can react in time.

'but.....'

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu recalled his takeover of the "Mist Hidden Society" today, and silently lit a cigarette in advance to save Pang Haichen.

Even if Pang Haichen discovered these problems, it would be too late.

'He has neither military power nor influence now. Even if he still has some influence, if the shelter exposes his allegiance to the evil god, probably no one will dare to defend him.'

'And more importantly... now the Mist Society is under my control.'

'His escape route and support have been cut off.'

'As for... the Kou family of Shelter No. 6?'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but recall the scene of his sparring with Kou Xuan from afar tonight, and his expression became slightly more serious...

In fact, the fact that he was able to protect Princess Xi tonight was indeed the result of Qiu Tu's various schemes.

Firstly, during his first two encounters with Princess Xi, Qiu Tu could tell that she was in a state of hesitation.

She was clearly tempted by some of Qiu Tu's suggestions, but she remained reserved.

If it were any other woman, Qiu Tu would most likely think that she had a strong sense of morality.

But...that's Princess Xi, a political animal just like me.

Trying to reason with politicians about morality is pointless; you might as well talk to the stock market about its upward trend.

Therefore, Qiu Tu judged that Princess Xi must have a backup plan during this trip.

That's why she was able to withstand the pressure.

Therefore, Qiu Tu also tentatively inquired about the power possessed by Princess Xi.

After learning that Princess Xi's power was only slightly inferior to that of the Kou family, Qiu Tu's suspicions were almost confirmed. (Chapter 523)

The second step is to determine the rescue time.

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each. Requesting monthly votes!

Chapter 543 Shen Lingshuang's Strange Behavior (Thanks to "不语xxl" for the Alliance Leader!)

When determining the rescue time, one thing needs to be clarified first.

So, what are the bottom lines for Princess Xi and the Kou family?

After this period of contact with Princess Xi and the Kou family.

Qiu Tu identified the two forces as competitors, but both were restrained from escalating the conflict.

This can be seen from the fact that Princess Xi, despite being under semi-house arrest, still cooperated with normal visits and travels.

From the Kou family's perspective, the situation was similar: although they intercepted and killed Princess Xi's guards, they did not harm the princess. Moreover, the timing of their attack on Princess Xi was precisely when they were about to leave the 6th Sanctuary.

Although it's unclear why both sides have fought to this extent, they still maintain their bottom lines.

However, Qiu Tu understood a core demand from both sides: this matter could only be conducted privately, and they should try their best to maintain appearances.

With these considerations in mind, it becomes quite simple to deduce the time.

The timing of the royalists' actions can be almost predicted.

It was most likely the night before Princess Xi left.

It's highly probable that it happened late at night, 2-3 days before Princess Xi left.

The reason is also very simple.

After more than half a month of contact, the Dongye Prefecture reception group had already become familiar with Princess Xi's maids and guards.

If the royalists secretly purged these maids and guards and replaced them with new ones, it would most likely not be hidden from the reception delegation from Dongye Prefecture.

This could potentially trigger a series of problems.

The head of the reception delegation, Pang Haichen, is in cahoots with the Kou family. Therefore, if given more time, the two are likely to cause even more trouble.

Only on the final night, by purging the people around Princess Xi and replacing them with royalists, can everything be foolproof.

Because everyone would be leaving early the next morning.

The Dongye Prefecture faction had no time to pay attention to the changes in the people around Princess Xi.

Upon arriving at the shelter, the people there had never seen the maids and guards who had served Princess Xi before.

This way, the matter can be successfully concealed from the public.

As for guessing the second to third day, that's also quite simple.

Qiu Tu felt that if he could guess this possibility, then the Kou family's brilliant strategist could most likely guess it as well.

Therefore, if Qiu Tu were to handle this matter, he would most likely do so 1-2 days in advance, giving himself some extra time.

This would increase the risk of exposure. However, with only 1-2 days left, even if they were exposed, it would be difficult for the Kou family and Pang Haichen to find a countermeasure.

The advantage is that by taking precautions, the Kou family will have a hard time defending against it, and the plan will likely succeed.

After uncovering the royalists' rescue plan, Qiu Tu began to consider how to utilize it.

To be honest, in such a simple plan, he didn't have a way to win all the battles; he could only choose to stand on both sides.

From a nutritional standpoint, it must be Princess Xi's side.

After all, the number one and number two figures in the 8th shelter, Old Rao and Old Tang, are now in their prime.

Unless Qiu Tu is granted the imperial robes and granted a fiefdom, once he is promoted to the position of garrison commander of four prefectures and becomes a "vassal king," there is virtually no room for further advancement.

Some time ago, he was successfully promoted to a high-ranking position in the shelter, becoming the governor of two states.

It only raised his true strength to "early stage of the fifth rank", and with the fake rank, he reached "peak stage of the fifth rank".

Based on his calculations and reasoning during this period.

His position as the governor of four prefectures (faction leader) likely only indicates that his actual strength has reached the "peak of the fifth rank".

Even with the fake grid... it's still "peak fifth rank".

Only when he becomes the number 2 or even number 1 person in the shelter can he truly advance to level 6 and open the path to level 7.

Therefore, if he wanted to continue to break through, the only way was to "find another path" and start from other shelters.

There are three major shelters in the Northwest region.

The path to advancement for the 8th shelter is now blocked, and the situation at the 7th shelter is uncertain. He is left with only the 6th shelter as an option.

In particular, King Kang of the 6th Sanctuary is seriously ill, and the two major forces are engaged in open and covert struggles.

Therefore, this is simply the best choice.

To gain access to Shelter 6, one needs a springboard, a legitimate reason to enter Shelter 6, or even... an opportunity to be invited in by Shelter 6.

This is the reason why he kept interfering in Princess Xi's affairs.

Do you really think he's a lecher?

He has absolutely no interest in Princess Xi!