Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 264

He stood up with a solemn expression, then nodded to the refined-looking councilor outside the door and greeted him, "Director Ouyang... what brings you here?"

Councilor Ouyang, whose real name is Ouyang Heng, is a current member of the Supreme Council of the Eighth Shelter and the Deputy Director of the Exploration Department. His main responsibilities include the Personnel Department, Training Department, and Logistics Department.

Like Yue Zaitian, he was one of the high-ranking officials in the Investigation Bureau, but because of his higher position and greater influence, he always had the upper hand over Yue Zaitian.

Yue Zaitian's arrangements, which were driven by personal motives, were always rejected by him, so the two did not have a very good relationship.

The only thing that gave Yue Zaitian a little peace of mind was that Representative Ouyang was the core of the "liberal democrats".

Yue Zaitian remembered that when Yan Chen called him yesterday, he analyzed the possible connections Qiu Tu might have made, including the "Iron-Blooded Faction," the "Fengtian Clique," and the "Reform Faction."

The name "liberal democrats" was not among them.

So...it's just a coincidence?

Thinking this, Yue Zaitian's gaze also fell on Ouyang Heng.

Perhaps sensing Yue Zaitian's wariness, Ouyang Heng smiled and gestured to the several HR executives present, then said with his hands behind his back, "No need for such formalities. I just happened to be inspecting our HR department. I heard you were having a meeting, so I came to take a look around."

After saying that, he walked inside, saying, "You guys continue, you guys continue."

Seeing Ouyang Heng barge in so brazenly, Yue Zaitian's expression softened slightly. He then took a deep breath, waved to his secretary who was still standing by the door, and said, "What are you still standing there for? Get Director Ouyang a chair."

Upon hearing Yue Zaitian's words, his secretary quickly responded and then ran over to help Ouyang Heng's secretary move a chair for Ouyang Heng.

In official organizations, seating arrangements are carefully considered. Ouyang Heng held the highest position among those present, so he should rightfully be seated in the host's seat.

But this was a personnel department meeting, and he was only there temporarily. So the two secretaries placed his chair next to Yue Zaitian, and Yue Zaitian moved his own chair down half a body length.

And so, after Ouyang Heng arrived, the conference room door closed, and the meeting continued.

Yue Zaitian nodded again to Yang Zaiwen, the head of the cadre department, and Yang Zaiwen read out the first item on the agenda again: the candidate for the head of the political department of the New Territories City Investigation Department.

While Yang Zaiwen was reading out the agenda, Yue Zaitian kept glancing at Ouyang Heng's expression out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Ouyang Heng was simply listening patiently without making any move to speak, he felt somewhat relieved.

So, after Yang Zaiwen finished reading, Yue Zaitian glanced around at his subordinates present and then slowly said, "Director Yang has already explained the situation to everyone."

"The position of Special Branch Secretary of the New Territories City is currently vacant. The New Territories City has submitted two candidates: Choi Pui-yuen and Cheung Kin."

"Both of them are talents trained by the Investigation Department, and their abilities and qualifications are quite good."

"Everyone can share their opinions and see who is more suitable."

Yue Zaitian's words silenced the atmosphere in the conference room.

After a moment, Vice Minister Zhen Lie spoke first, "Minister, actually I feel that neither of these two candidates is very good."

Upon hearing Zhen Lie's words, Yue Zaitian's heart skipped a beat. He knew the worst had happened: someone really was standing up for Qiu Tu.

Fortunately, it was only a deputy minister, so I was able to keep it under control.

As Yue Zaitian was thinking that, Zhen Lie slowly spoke up, "What's been the biggest thing happening at the shelter these past few days?"

"It's the 'Boundless Ocean of the Heart' project in the New Territories."

"This plan is related to the development of our shelter for the next few years, ten years, or even decades."

"There are four initiators of this plan. The first three are from the military, which we won't talk about for now. The last one is from our investigation department, named Qiu Tu."

“I have checked this person’s information and file. Although he comes from a civilian background in the disaster zone, he is exceptionally capable and dares to fight.”

"After becoming the deputy section chief, I solved several major cases in just two months. I have also maintained cooperation with the military and the security department."

"I guess that's why he was able to get involved in this big plan."

At this point, Zhen Lie paused, and seeing that everyone in the conference room was listening attentively, he continued, "So, I think it would be better to promote him to be the Minister of the Political Department."

"This will ensure the smooth implementation of the 'Boundless Ocean of Thought Development Project' without further setbacks, and will also strengthen the connection between the New Territories City Exploration Department and the military, making the New Territories City more stable."

Zhen Lie picked up his water glass and added one last thing, "After all, nobody knows if Qiu Tu would have caused our Investigation Bureau to miss an opportunity in this 'Great Expansion Project'."

After speaking, Zhen Lie took a sip of water, then put it down and said calmly, "I'm done."

After Zhen Lie finished speaking, the scene fell silent.

Upon seeing this, Yue Zaitian shook his head slightly, then said with a smile, "What Vice Minister Zhen said makes some sense, but... it's a bit of an exaggeration."

"It's true that the 'Boundless Ocean of the Heart Development Project' is the shelter's focus for the next few years, and it's also true that Qiu Tu is one of its initiators."

"But...who says that cooperation can only continue if he becomes the Minister of the Political Department?"

Yue Zaitian astutely pointed out the logical flaw in Zhen Lie's words, "After all... when Qiu Tu cooperated with them, wasn't he only the deputy minister of the political department?"

"The New Territories City Military Headquarters did not raise any objections, and the Exploration Department did not include Qiu Tu in the list of candidates. This shows that Qiu Tu's identity has no impact on this plan."

Yue Zaitian paused for a moment, then said, "On the contrary, I think it's better for the 'Boundless Ocean of the Mind Project' if Qiu Tu isn't appointed as the Minister of Political Affairs."

He said, "As the most critical department of the Investigation Bureau, the Political Department requires a great deal of effort to be its top leader."

"Qiu Tu should now be fully assisting the military in implementing the 'Boundless Ocean of the Mind Expansion Project,' not managing the Political Department."

“So…” he concluded, “I think we should not add any more candidates, but instead discuss the candidates reported by the New Territories City Exploration Department.”

Yue Zaitian's words were very skillful. He not only pointed out the flaws in Zhen Lie's statement, but also blocked Qiu Tu's path to becoming a candidate with a high-sounding reason.

After he finished speaking, he felt that he should at least have the approval of most people present, so he naturally picked up his water glass and prepared to take a sip.

Just then, another deputy minister, Meng Sanzhai, suddenly spoke up.

He said, "I don't quite agree with Minister Yue's words..."

Yue Zaitian paused in his drinking, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Meng Sanzhai glanced at Zhen Lie, who had just nominated Qiu Tu, and said with a smile, "I actually agree with Vice Minister Zhen's words, and I also nominate Qiu Tu..."

Upon hearing this, Yue Zaitian slowly put down his water glass and gave Meng Sanzhai a deep look. Then he opened his mouth to say a few words.

Just then, Ouyang Heng, who had been sitting in the first seat, suddenly spoke up.

He glanced at the two deputy ministers with interest, then said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've attended a meeting of our personnel department. This time I've definitely gained a lot."

"When our human resources department selects talent, we should not be bound by formalities, but rather encourage everyone to express their opinions and promote the talent they believe is suitable. Only in this way can more capable people take on more important positions."

Upon hearing Ouyang Heng's words, Yue Zaitian's expression changed drastically, and a sense of tension arose in the conference room.

Ouyang Heng's words sounded like a casual remark, but everyone present was shrewd and understood his meaning perfectly.

He said, "Selecting talents should not be bound by formalities" and "We should put forward what we think is right." Isn't that supporting Zhen Lie and Zhou Jingfu, and supporting Qiu Tu?

So, at that moment, Yue Zaitian's heart sank.

His gaze swept over Ouyang Heng, Zhen Lie, and Meng Sanzhai in turn, and the ominous premonition in his heart began to grow stronger.

'Things seem to be getting a little out of control...?'

'Didn't that bastard Yan Chen say that Qiu Tu only has the "Fengtian Clique" behind him? Why are so many people speaking up for him?'

'What exactly is his identity?'

......

at the same time.

While the investigation department was in a state of stalemate and tension regarding the selection of the Minister of the Political Department.

At this time, a dramatic change was also taking place in the New Territories City Detective Agency.

Qiu Tu's office...

Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, Lao Ying, A Kun, Song Qing, and Li Xian all gathered in the office and surrounded Qiu Tu's desk, talking all at once.

Cao Dabiao's chubby face was filled with anxiety. "Brother Tu, this time it's clearly aimed at us."

“I was doing well in the administration department. Suddenly they said they were going to reassign me and give me a couple of days off.”

"If it were just me, that would be one thing. But Chen Feng, Lao Ying, and Song Qing were all suspended for similar reasons."

"This is clearly someone making a move against us!"

Cao Dabiao is the excitable type, while Chen Feng is the calm type.

Chen Feng calmly replied, "Sir, I just checked. None of the hundreds of people who were promoted in the same batch as us received any orders or were affected in any way."

"And all of our people have been transferred or suspended for various reasons."

"This really does feel like the higher-ups are targeting us."

Hearing their words and glancing at his somewhat agitated subordinates, Qiu Tu lit a cigarette. As he smoked, he suppressed his alarm and pondered quietly.

He only learned of this news after several of his subordinates came to his office.

Just over ten minutes ago, all his subordinates were collectively suspended. The reasons were roughly the same: they were to be reassigned.

However... if one or two have other arrangements, it could be considered a coincidence.

The fact that dozens of people, including Wang Dawei and Li Ke who later sided with Qiu Tu, were suspended from their posts can only be described as extremely targeted.

If the Investigation Bureau wants to set things right and readjust the people who were promoted a few days ago when Yan Chen was not around, what about?

That's not right either.

Because it wasn't just Qiu Tu's cronies who were promoted a few days ago. There were also cronies of Tang Feifei, Yu Zhengyi, Shi Youxin, and the Five Elders.

As a result, apart from Qiu Tu's people, none of their people have been affected.

'Damn it...it must be that bastard Yan Chen!'

"Divide and conquer, recruit some, retain others, and crack down on the rest! A brilliant tactic!"

Qiu Tu only needed a moment's thought to guess Yan Chen's purpose.

To put it bluntly, what Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei did recently was really too much. They promoted hundreds of people at once, essentially filling all the mid-level positions in the Investigation Bureau.

But... precisely because it was excessive, too many people were involved. Even Yan Chen, the director of the investigation department, didn't dare to send them all back.

That would be due to the backlash from various forces and the hostility from many middle and lower-level people.

In these turbulent times, even Yan Chen wouldn't want to get involved in such trouble.

However, he clearly couldn't swallow his anger.

So... he sorted out the hundreds of people who were promoted in this group.

Yu Zhengyi and Shi Youxin had always been close to him, and although they had recently betrayed him, he could still win them back. So, he accepted the promotion without hesitation.

The Five Elders and Tang Feifei... one still wields enormous influence in the New Territories, and the other has an incredibly deep background in the shelter.

His rash actions could easily cause trouble, so he decided to leave it for now and deal with it after the establishment of Dongye Prefecture.

All things considered, Qiu Tu is the easiest target.

Therefore, he estimated that just a verbal order was enough for Shi Youxin to suspend Qiu Tu's people.

This is probably just his first step: testing the waters.

He clearly wanted to see if Qiu Tu had enough countermeasures after messing with those who had offended him; and how intense Tang Feifei and the Five Elders' reactions would be.

As long as everything is within his means, he will continue to target Qiu Tu.

For example, adjusting Qiu Tu's responsibilities within the Political Department and separating him from the intelligence and interrogation departments were ways to test Qiu Tu's limits.

If Qiu Tu's trump cards still fail to threaten him, then he will further shrink Qiu Tu's "living space".

For example, without changing Qiu Tu's rank, transfer Qiu Tu to a low-level government office as a deputy head.

To put it bluntly, Yan Chen has now completely confirmed Qiu Tu's identity as an enemy and has begun to take action against him....

After figuring this out, Qiu Tu also felt a bit of a headache.

A higher rank can have a crushing effect; he's still three ranks below Yan Chen.

Even the most powerful techniques would be ineffective against Yan Chen.

To expect him to pose a threat to Yan Chen is truly asking the impossible.

'No...this can't go on.'

'I must find a way to strike at Yan Chen's weak spot! Let him know that I can hurt him too, or even die with him!'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's mind raced, trying to think of a way to break the deadlock...

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each! Requesting monthly votes! Next chapter around 4-5 PM!

Chapter 292 Promotion! Minister of the Political Department! (10,000 words, please vote!)