Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 44: Secretary Bai’s Astonishment

Chapter 44: Secretary Bai’s Astonishment

As Qiu Tu finished speaking, the room fell silent. Everyone turned their gaze to Yan Chen, the highest authority in the Investigation Department, to make a decision.

Hidden in the shadows, Yan Chen’s eyes were closed, and his fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing in the room.

The tapping sound made Qin Zhengguang's heart race. He understood Yan Chen’s implication and quickly lowered his head, offering new terms, “Director, I truly had no idea about my young brother’s actions.”

“You can rest assured, I will not only have him confess but also have my elder brother personally apologize to you.”

Though Qin Zhengguang’s words were polite, everyone in the room understood his implication: Qin Heng, the Commissioner of the Civil Affairs Bureau, was a high-ranking government official.

Any mistakes he made should be addressed by the Municipal Council, not Yan Chen.

Therefore, by saying he would have Qin Heng apologize, Qin Zhengguang was promising the Qin family’s full support to Yan Chen.

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen finally stopped tapping and spoke lightly, “I have time at 8 PM tonight.”

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Qin Zhengguang nodded, “Yes, Director.”

With the agreement reached, the rest was straightforward. Qiu Tu reported the remaining evidence and leads, including Fourth Master Qin’s attempt to bribe him.

In Qiu Tu’s account, Fourth Master Qin’s bribe wasn’t solicited by Qiu Tu but offered by Fourth Master Qin to halt the investigation.

In less than half an hour, a complex political transaction was concluded. Qiu Tu successfully completed his task, the Qin family mitigated their crisis, and Yan Chen gained their allegiance.

Secretary Bai, on the other hand, was just an observer to this transaction.

Leaving Yan Chen’s office, Qin Zhengguang gave Qiu Tu a complex look and softly said, “Thank you.”

Qiu Tu smiled, “If it's just a verbal thanks, it seems rather insincere.”

Caught off guard by Qiu Tu’s directness, Qin Zhengguang chuckled and replied, “Rest assured, it won’t just be verbal.”

Qiu Tu saluted him, “Then I’ll thank you in advance.”

Qin Zhengguang nodded and took the elevator to the 12th floor.

Though he had reached a verbal agreement with Yan Chen, the Qin family’s crisis wasn’t fully resolved. Verbal agreements meant little without concrete actions. He needed to return to the Qin family to discuss with his elder brother and convince Fourth Master Qin to sacrifice himself.

Watching Qin Zhengguang’s elevator doors close, Secretary Bai signaled Qiu Tu, who understood and followed him into the office.

Once inside, Secretary Bai closed the door and whispered, “You really scared me earlier. I thought you had become the scapegoat.”

Secretary Bai’s face was filled with concern. “The Qin family isn’t easy to deal with. They’re one of the biggest local powers in New Realm City. Even the director has to tread carefully.”

“Moreover, New Realm City is newly established and needs support from various factions. The shelter needs to set an example for other undeveloped disaster zones.”

“Therefore, the Qin family can’t fall. It’s a political necessity.”

“When I heard you found evidence of the Qin family’s collusion with the RUF, I was really worried.”

“Luckily, you were smart. You raised the issue but left the resolution to the Qin family. Most importantly, you saved Qin Zhengguang.”

“If you hadn’t handled it this way, the Qin family would have definitely sacrificed Qin Zhengguang, and they would have harbored a grudge against you. Once they recovered, they wouldn’t let you off easily.”

“But now, you saved Qin Zhengguang. Even if the Qin family dislikes you, Qin Zhengguang will help mitigate some of the pressure.”

“He is the second most important figure in the Qin family.”

“Moreover, the Qin family can use this opportunity to cut off all their black and gray-market businesses and fully legitimize themselves.”

“They might even be grateful to you for helping them through this crisis.”

Secretary Bai smiled at Qiu Tu and praised, “You did well. You’ve made progress.”

Qiu Tu humbly replied, “Thank you, sir. I was just reporting the facts. I didn’t think that far ahead.”

Secretary Bai chuckled, “You really can’t take a compliment, can you?”

Then, his expression turned serious. “But Qiu Tu, you mustn’t let your guard down. The director may be satisfied with your work this time, but there’s still an unbridgeable gap between you two.”

Qiu Tu’s expression turned solemn.

Secretary Bai didn’t need to elaborate; both understood the underlying issue.

However, Qiu Tu quickly regained his composure. His plans weren’t over yet. Using the Qin family’s internal conflict to complete his task was just the first step. He had bigger plans ahead.

Meanwhile, in Yan Chen’s dimly lit office, he leaned back in his chair, his figure obscured in the darkness, with only his face slightly illuminated by the desk lamp.

With his hands crossed over his abdomen, he looked at Jia Shu and asked softly, “What do you think?”

Jia Shu smiled, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, and analyzed, “A brilliant plan with multiple gains.”

“If I’m not mistaken, the one who provided Qiu Tu with the intelligence and leads should be Fourth Master Qin.”

“The information pointed towards Qin Zhengguang.”

“Qiu Tu collaborated with Fourth Master Qin to quickly gather evidence against Qin Zhengguang.”

“But upon realizing it was a dead end, he cleverly changed his strategy. He threw out the bait, letting the Qin family fight among themselves and choose a scapegoat. No matter who won, he would win.”

“This way, he significantly reduced the Qin family’s animosity towards him, causing internal discord that prevents them from forming a RUF. He might even gain favor from some within the Qin family.”

“Most importantly, he asked for your opinion in front of Qin Zhengguang, which seemed respectful but was actually a way to pass the responsibility onto you.”

“If you agreed to let the Qin family handle it internally, they would owe both you and him a favor. If you disagreed, the Qin family’s grudge would shift towards you.”

“After all, he spared the Qin family, but you didn’t. Naturally, their resentment would be directed at you.”

Yan Chen chuckled, “Indeed, Qiu Tu is perceptive.”

“He sold out Fourth Master Qin to save Qin Zhengguang because he knew I would protect Qin Zhengguang.”

“Outsiders know that the newly established New Realm City cannot afford the Qin family to fall. But can the Investigation Department fall?”

“Qin Zhengguang is a chief in my department. If he’s found colluding with the RUF, what will outsiders think of the Investigation Department and me?”

“Will the Municipal Council seize the opportunity to attack?”

“There are too many uncertainties.”

“So, the Qin family can have issues, but Qin Zhengguang cannot.”

“If Qin Zhengguang remains unscathed, the Investigation Department will be credited for uncovering the Qin family’s misconduct.”

“If Qin Zhengguang falls, even if the Investigation Department uncovers the Qin family’s misconduct, it will only balance out the merits and demerits.”

Jia Shu responded, “Director, you are wise.”

Yan Chen didn’t acknowledge the praise. After speaking at length, he felt his throat getting dry and took a sip of tea.

After moistening his throat, he asked, “What do you think of Qiu Tu?”

Jia Shu smiled faintly and replied, “Talented and ambitious.”

He glanced at Yan Chen, “If it weren’t for his entanglement with Qin Shuman, he might be worth recruiting.”

Yan Chen remained silent, his eyes inscrutable.

Jia Shu continued, “But he can still be used as a tool.”

Yan Chen responded, “Be cautious. A sharp tool can also cause harm.”

Jia Shu laughed, “Indeed. His ambition is too great.”

“After taking on his independent task, he’s used the case funds to win people over, even dragging a first-level agent into his schemes.”

“If we don’t control him, who knows what trouble he might cause.”

Yan Chen nodded, “Hmm. What are your plans?”

Adjusting his glasses, Jia Shu’s eyes gleamed behind the lenses, “Simple. Go along with his plans.”

“He’s found evidence against the Qin family, implicating Qin Shuman as well.”

“For someone suspected of being a RUF spy, the Political Division must detain and interrogate her thoroughly.”

“As for Qiu Tu...”

“The Investigation Department has many vacant positions. With his great achievements, he deserves a promotion.”

“I suggest moving him from the grassroots level to an office position as a deputy chief, where he can best utilize his talents.”

“For example, in the Political Division’s Interrogation Office.”

The room was dark, as if swallowing all traces of light. Only a few rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, outlining the furniture like phantoms.

Leaving Yan Chen’s office, Jia Shu had a smile on his face, as if something had delighted him.

But this good mood vanished upon encountering Secretary Bai.

“You were waiting for me?” Jia Shu asked, smiling but with a hint of mockery.

Secretary Bai coolly handed him two slips of paper, “These are Qiu Tu’s funding applications. Please sign and file them.”

Taking the slips, Jia Shu glanced at them and laughed.

The slips requested to convert Fourth Master Qin’s bribe into personal bonuses. This was part of Qiu Tu’s earlier report to Yan Chen about the bribe, and

Yan Chen had verbally approved it during the crucial moment of the report.

To ensure there was no misunderstanding, Qiu Tu had prepared a written request for the bonuses, demonstrating his thoroughness and ensuring the transaction was officially recorded.

Jia Shu, not bothered, signed the slips, handed one to Secretary Bai for filing, and kept the other for himself. Then, with a scrutinizing look at Secretary Bai, he commented, “You seem to have a special interest in Qiu Tu.”

Secretary Bai remained impassive, took back the slip, and returned to his office.

As the door closed behind him, Jia Shu chuckled to himself, his eyes reflecting a mysterious light. “Still the same stubborn temper.”

His eyes seemed to turn slightly red before he suppressed it, shaking off the feeling. He glanced once more at Secretary Bai’s office door, shrugged nonchalantly, and hummed a tune as he returned to his own office.

In his office, he filed the request slips, then signed an appointment order, promoting Qiu Tu to deputy chief of the Interrogation Office, effective immediately.

He also signed another document ordering the arrest of Qin Shuman.

After signing both documents, Jia Shu didn’t issue them immediately.

Instead, he stood by the window, hands in his pockets, gazing out with a sense of unease, as if anticipating something significant about to happen.

Author's Note