Let them offer their loyalty!

To know, Qiu Tu had just not only revealed the possibility of Jia Shu being assassinated, but had also divulged a key piece of information: the assassin was none other than Director Liu.

Who is Director Liu?

He's Yan Chen's arch-nemesis who has been contending with him for years!

Even with Yan Chen's background and abilities, he couldn't do anything to him, which also shows how formidable Liu Xiongyuan is.

And in the likely event that Huang Shangzong would assume the role of Speaker of the Dongye State Council, Liu Xiongyuan's attack on Huang Shangzong's trusted lieutenant...

Wouldn't that directly provoke Huang Shangzong?

At that time, Yan Chen wouldn't need to do anything and could simply enjoy watching Huang Shangzong suppress and corner Liu Xiongyuan.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Helping Jia Shu would not bring much benefit.

But not helping Jia Shu would allow him to suppress his enemies.

Such a choice was not difficult for Yan Chen to make...

Moreover, from Yan Chen's perspective, Qiu Tu and Liu Xiongyuan had no connection.

Yet these past few days, Qiu Tu had become quite close with Tang Feifei and Jiang Pengfei.

So... the assassination attempt on Jia Shu also implicated another one of his enemies.

The death of Jia Shu buried a huge mine for his many political adversaries. Yan Chen was very clear about the benefits of this transaction.

And sure enough, "without surprising him," Qiu Tu continued to share more intelligence. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

He said, "As for the second piece of intelligence, it is that Director Tang has a profound background within the Disciplinary Department."

Having said that, Qiu Tu glanced at Yan Chen.

Yan Chen's expression didn't change at all. Clearly, he should have already known about Tang Feifei's background.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu continued, "Moreover, she has been in contact with Director Liu privately."

"The channel of communication is her lover, who is also my subordinate: Liu Fuping."

Yan Chen showed a hint of realization, but it wasn't a surprise.

Qiu Tu knew his guess was right: After Jia Shu tested out all the spies, he must have given Yan Chen a list, which certainly included Liu Fuping.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu shifted his tone, "However... I have turned Liu Fuping into our Bureau's spy."

"It was through her intelligence that I learned Director Tang has been in contact with Director Liu all along."

"And this time, after Director Tang captured several of Jia Wei's clones, she got to know from these clones the truth about the murder case of Director Liu's son many years ago. She then conveyed it to Director Liu through Liu Fuping."

"That led to Director Liu's assassination attempt."

Qiu Tu's concocted story was logically sound and had many details that exactly matched what Yan Chen knew and could be corroborated one by one.

Thus, for a moment, Yan Chen really began to believe what Qiu Tu was saying...

He sat quietly in the chair, pondering the "benefits" this matter could bring...

And seeing this, Qiu Tu also lowered his gaze, silently waiting for Yan Chen to speak.

He didn't feel any guilt about "betraying" his own people. Because... he hadn't actually betrayed anyone!

Tang Feifei's background and Liu Fuping's identity were clearly already known to Yan Chen.

Moreover, Tang Feifei had not actually colluded with Liu Xiongyuan.

Even if Yan Chen told Huang Shangzong, Huang Shangzong wouldn't just believe Yan Chen on his word alone and would certainly investigate.

But... he could send 100 people, and they would still find no trace of Tang Feifei colluding with Liu Xiongyuan.

After all, how could they find out something that had never happened?

And if nothing could be found, how could Qiu Tu be considered a betrayer?

As Qiu Tu contemplated this, Yan Chen finally spoke.

He looked at Qiu Tu, then asked, "What is the third piece of intelligence?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu then finally revealed one of his two purposes for the evening, "Chief, the third message is that Director Tang and Commissioner Jiang want to promote me to Deputy Minister of the Political Department!"

When he heard Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen was visibly startled.

He looked at Qiu Tu hesitantly, "You've risen so quickly recently, how could you possibly keep rising up?"

Qiu Tu said earnestly, "That's what I told them too."

"But they seem very confident."

Qiu Tu's eyes revealed a trace of thoughtfulness, then he said, "They seem to have mentioned something about the Disciplinary Department and the decentralization of the Political Department's powers."

"I don't quite understand it."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen's face showed a moment of realization, and he immediately understood the thinking of "Tang Fei" and "Commissioner Jiang"...

He pondered and said, "Indeed, part of the Political Department's power was decentralization from the Disciplinary Department."

"If the Supervisors nominate you to take charge of that department, and with the deputy minister position vacant, there indeed is a reason for you to get another promotion,"

"However... the premise is that I, the Investigation Bureau Chief, do not oppose it."

As he said this, Yan Chen lifted his drooping eyelids as if finally seeing through Qiu Tu's intentions, and looked up at him.

By this point, everything was almost out in the open.

Whether it was Yan Chen or Qiu Tu, they both knew that regardless of whether Qiu Tu had betrayed anyone before or not, his biggest purpose tonight in seeking out Yan Chen was actually to ensure Yan Chen would not oppose the nomination.

Simply put, Qiu Tu was telling Yan Chen: he had enough value to exchange for that position.

Furthermore, as long as he was given this position, he could obtain more information from Jiang Pengfei, Liu Xiongyuan, and Tang Feifei, providing Yan Chen with even more value.

In the officialdom, what are there so many betrayals for if not for weighing interests!

When sufficient interests lie before you, does betrayal really matter?

Yan Chen clearly saw through the message Qiu Tu wanted to convey, so he stretched out his aged hand, took out a cigarette, lit it, and quietly smoked, as if pondering...

And Qiu Tu didn't hurry either. He gazed distantly out of the window, estimating the time...

If everything went smoothly, Jia Shu should have already left Xinjie City by now, right?

And he had no idea how Liu Xiongyuan's assassination plot was proceeding...

....

Meanwhile,

Just as Qiu Tu was thinking this,

A military green jeep drove out of the Investigation Bureau and slowly headed towards the outskirts of Xinjie City.

In the car, besides the driver, there were only two people: Jia Shu and Tang Feifei.

Sitting in the back seat, with handcuffs on his wrists and gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, Jia Shu wore a smile that made him seem gentle and harmless.

Looking at Xinjie City's scene of desolation through the window, he chuckled at Tang Feifei and said, "Director Tang, was it really worth it to use your family's resources to struggle against me for the sake of a Qiu Tu?"

"What kind of magic does he possess to make you treat him so well?"

Hearing Jia Shu's words, Tang Feifei's face was frosty as she coldly said, "I'm helping him not because he is worth it, but because you crossed the line."

"Hehe..." Jia Shu laughed softly.

"Such a high-sounding argument might fool ordinary people."

"As if there's so much crossing the line—it's just our own internal struggles after all..."

"You might not admit that it's for Qiu Tu, but you could at least come up with a more believable reason,"

"Like wanting to cut off one of Yan Chen's arms... That way, I'd feel a bit more sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Tang Feifei's face remained expressionless, without any desire to reply.

However, Jia Shu was especially talkative today.

He adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose and then said lightly, "To be honest, I've already calculated today's outcome."

"From the moment I planned the attack on Qiu Tu, I felt that the chances of success were quite slim."

"He's too shrewd; seeing him is like seeing my younger self. Both full of drive, smart, daring to gamble and fight."

"It's just, I always believed that I am stronger now than in my youth, which is why I thought of taking one more gamble."

"But I really didn't expect that Qiu Tu could get so much help. So I lost the bet..."

"But it doesn't matter."

As he said this, the car slowly left the city.

Smiling, Jia Shu said, "I have countless opportunities to fail."

"And he only has one..."

Listening to his words, Tang Feifei coldly said, "Are you done talking?"

After saying that, Tang Feifei didn't wait for his response and turned to the driver; then she said, "Alright, stop the car."

"My task was to escort him out of Xinjie City."

"Now that we have left Xinjie City, my mission is complete."

The driver, upon hearing Tang Feifei's words, slowly stopped the car.

Tang Feifei took out a key, unlocked Jia Shu's handcuffs, then put the handcuffs away and waved her hand at Jia Shu, "Goodbye for good."

After that, she opened the door, jumped out of the car, and headed back towards Xinjie City.

Meanwhile, in the car she left behind,

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, then respectfully took out a communicator and handed it to Jia Shu, "Minister Jia, now that you are safe, you should inform Commissioner Huang that all is well."

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I wrote this in advance, haha, still 3 chapters, 10,000 words. The third chapter will be updated around 21:00.

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