American tax officials

David fell into deep thought.

According to the information shown in the old song, Tomlinson Sylvester has a sufficient resume and is indeed a suitable candidate.

He is rather old, having reached the age of 68.

However, according to American law, there is no age limit for the term of office of officials. For example, the current president, Patten, served as president at the age of 80.

So if the decision is really made to use Tomlinson Sylvester, age isn't such a big problem.

But as I said before, the NSA is a powerful agency, and its intelligence capabilities are quite strong.

David didn't want to go through all the trouble of helping someone rise to power, only to end up tripping them up instead of helping them. He needed to be more careful.

With that in mind, he replied, "Alright, Mr. Sean, I'll consider this man."

"Chief Inspector David, is there anything else you're worried about?"

When Sean heard that David hadn't immediately chosen the person he recommended, he became quite impatient.

He said he was considering it, but as far as he knew, many families in their camp were eyeing this position, and who knew if someone else would snatch it away?

"It just needs a little more consideration, Mr. Sean, please understand, that's all!"

"Well... alright, Chief Inspector David, please let me know as soon as you have a decision!"

Seeing how resolute David's tone was, Sean couldn't press him any further and could only suppress his own eagerness.

The two had just ended their call.

The next call came in, and David wasn't surprised at all when he saw the caller ID.

It was Thompson calling, and he answered it immediately.

"Inspector General David..."

"..."

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, David not only listened to Donald's recommendations, but also received recommendations from other friends in his own camp.

Overall, the candidates recommended by these people were all excellent and had their own unique characteristics, leaving David in a state of indecision for a while.

Finally, they could only ask Nixon, Bucky, and Simmons, "Who do you think would be the safest fit for us in this position?"

"I don't know who should sit in this seat, but it certainly can't be that Tomlinson Sylvester guy!"

Simmons curled his lip, clearly disliking Tomlinson Silvers.

This drew a question from Bucky, who asked, "Why, why can't we choose Tomlinson Sylvester?"

"Don't forget how 9/11 happened!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned, including David.

When he was looking at Gu Ge's information just now, he only glanced at it quickly and didn't look at it in too much detail.

I almost forgot about 911/911, which happened during my childhood.

Tomlinson Sylvester, who was the CIA's intelligence chief during the early days of the agency, was certainly to blame for this.

In other words, this could be the biggest stain on his career!

Only after receiving strong support from the Kennedy family and many high-ranking officials was he ultimately spared from being held accountable.

"Wait a minute... While the former head of 911's intelligence service certainly bears a great deal of responsibility, he also made significant contributions during the Iraq War, enabling the United States to successfully defeat Saddam Hussein. In a way, he redeemed himself. So, he wasn't entirely incompetent!"

Nissen wasn't defending Tomlinson Sylvester; he was simply offering an objective assessment.

"The other candidates each have their own strengths. Angelo is capable and can hold her own in the National Security Bureau, but she has a history of treachery, so I don't find her very trustworthy. As for..."

"..."

The group discussed it for a long time, with each side having their own reasons, and no one could decide on a suitable candidate, which gave David a bit of a headache.

"By the way, Inspector General, since we can't decide on a candidate right away, why don't we consult the Director and Deputy Director? They've been in the American bureaucracy for so many years, they should have some opinions."

Simmons felt that seasoned officials like Obadiah Donald might be able to offer some suitable advice.

"Oh, right!"

David slapped his forehead. This was something he should discuss with Donald and the others.

He immediately stood up, left his department, went to Donald's office, knocked on the door, and went in.

"What's wrong, David?"

"Deputy Director Donald, here's what happened..."

As David spoke, Donald began to listen attentively.

"You mean, the NSA matter is almost settled?"

"Yes, Deputy Director Donald. As a powerful agency, the NSA must be controlled by someone we trust. The Kennedy family, Thompson, and many others have recommended candidates for the NSA directorship, but I haven't made a decision yet and would like to hear your opinion."

"Yes, you're right. This department may not be as powerful as the CIA or FBI, but it still wields considerable authority. Since we've taken action, we should put someone trustworthy in charge..."

Donald pondered for a moment, then continued, "This is no small matter. I'll have the bureau chief and the others come over to discuss it and see how to maximize our interests!"

"Alright..."

Donald immediately summoned his secretary and instructed him to inform Obadiah and other senior officials.

Twenty minutes later, in the conference room.

Obadiah pushed open the door and entered, looking at Donald and David sitting inside, and couldn't help but ask, "Donald, David, what's going on?"

"Chief, let's talk after everyone's here, otherwise we'll have to explain it all over again!"

Upon hearing this, Obadiah could only suppress his doubts and wait patiently.

About ten minutes later, the last senior executive finally arrived at the scene.

"The reason I asked everyone to come here is like this..."

Donald recounted the details of the National Security Agency's activities.

"David, although you've exposed some scandals involving high-ranking NSA officials, it's not enough to bring them down. Isn't it a bit premature to talk about successors?"

"Yes, it's not too late for us to study this matter after they've completely fallen from power."

"..."

Although everyone present understood that planting their own people was the right thing to do, they felt it was too early to discuss it, given that things were still unresolved with the National Security Bureau.

"It's getting late. We need to prepare our candidates in advance. Otherwise, if these people fall from power, the White House and the three major corporations might immediately place their own people in their positions, which would be troublesome."

Upon hearing David's explanation, the executives who had previously suggested it was too early finally came to their senses.

That's true. The National Security Bureau is a powerful department, and the three major groups certainly won't give it up so easily. They need to make preparations in advance.

"Alright, now that the National Security Bureau has fallen, we need to find trustworthy replacements. But as for who would be the safest choice for us, let's discuss it."

Donald's words put everyone present into thought.

The position of Director of the National Security Bureau is no ordinary one!

If it were someone from their IRS who were promoted, it would be extremely advantageous for them, who are currently at war with the three major corporations!

"Oh, by the way, the Kennedy family, Thompson, and... these people just recommended some candidates to David, so we need to finalize things as soon as possible."

"The Kennedy family, Thompson..."

Obadiah frowned slightly.

Although these people are currently on their side, apart from the Kennedy family, who have a blood feud with the Freemasons, people like Thompson cannot be said to be absolutely reliable.

If these people develop disloyal intentions in the future, and the NSA, a powerful agency, falls into their hands, things will go wrong.

"I don't think this position should be given to Thompson or the candidates recommended by those local powerful families."

"I think so too. So far, the Thompson family hasn't done anything for us. If we're going to give anything, I suggest we give it to the Kennedy family!"

"No, Elvis of the CIA is originally from the Kennedy family. If we hand over the NSA to them as well, it will be too monopolistic and difficult for us to control!"

"..."

The high-ranking officials present began to debate the issue of who should be chosen.

David originally wanted these high-ranking officials to give him some advice, but just like Nixon and Bucky before him, everyone had something to say, and no one could convince anyone else, which gave him quite a headache.

"In my opinion, this position shouldn't be given to anyone!"

"Not giving it to anyone?"

Everyone looked at Obadiah, including David.

"The safest approach is to send one of our own people to take over!"

"What, this..."

Upon hearing Obadiah's words, everyone was stunned. They had considered many candidates, but none of them had ever thought of this idea.

"Chief, isn't this a bit inappropriate..."

"Yes, sending our people to take over seems a bit too conspicuous, and might arouse suspicion from all sides..."

"..."

It's somewhat understandable that families like the Kennedys and Thompsons would place their people there, since although they've sided with the IRS, they aren't actually part of the IRS system.

But if the IRS really sends one of their own people there, then the situation is completely different.

It's important to understand that over the years, the IRS and the NSA have kept to themselves, each with its own responsibilities.

Now that the IRS wants to install its own people to take over the NSA, it's clearly trying to tie the two agencies together. As that senior official just said, this could cause a backlash from all sides.

"I agree with the bureau chief!"

Just when everyone thought the matter was inappropriate, Donald unexpectedly stood up to support it.

"Deputy Director Donald, what do you mean by that?"

"Yes, our IRS has kept to itself and the NSA for many years, but don't forget what the situation is now!"

Donald glanced around at everyone and continued, "Now the three major corporations are sharpening their knives, preparing to manipulate the midterm elections. And the CIA and FBI are indirectly under our control, so the NSA must have been assigned many missions."

"We must thoroughly investigate this department from top to bottom to see exactly what tasks have been assigned to it before we can completely dismantle it. While other candidates may be reliable, they certainly aren't as reliable or trustworthy as our own people!"

"As for the issues that have caused backlash from all sides, with Inspector General David here, I doubt these people would dare to actually reveal them!"

Donald's words were like a bucket of cold water, waking up many high-ranking officials.

Yes, among the various agencies, the National Security Bureau is considered a trump card in the hands of the three major groups, and it has certainly been assigned many tasks related to the midterm elections.

If someone else were to take over the organization, their incompetence and unreliability would indeed hinder their work.

Having one's own people take over is a good option, as they can stay informed about the department's latest developments at any time and can work without being too timid.

As for the dissatisfaction that taking over this department might cause, with David here, it should be manageable.

These people probably won't dare to say anything more!

"Alright, since you've put it that way, Advisor Donald, I agree to send one of our own. But then again, sending someone to take over as NSA director requires someone capable of handling such a big responsibility. I think I'm quite suitable, so why don't you let me go?"

Surprisingly, it was Lahan who was the first to speak out!

Logically speaking, although Rahan is not the head of a department, as the deputy director of the IRS, his status and power are by no means much weaker than that of the MSA director.

The main reason he volunteered to go to MSA was that he had made some bad bets before David entered the decision-making level.

David's reputation is currently at its peak, and it is foreseeable that he will be at the helm of the IRS in the future.

His situation would be somewhat awkward then, so he might as well volunteer to be transferred to the NSA, where his situation might be better.

"Rahan, you started in inspection work, which isn't suitable for the National Security Bureau's intelligence system. I was a submarine intelligence officer when I served in the military, and I think I can handle this job!"

"Inspector General David, I'm in charge of intelligence within the IRS, and I don't think there's anyone more suitable than me!"

"..."

As the saying goes, it's better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Although the NSA is not as powerful as the IRS.

However, many of the high-ranking officials present had little room for promotion; any further advancement would only be to the position of bureau chief.

In the past, they would have naturally held onto a sliver of hope for this position.

But now that David has suddenly appeared, almost everyone has reached a consensus: barring any unforeseen circumstances, this position will undoubtedly belong to David!

Even if they still have the opportunity to take over, everyone knows that this will only be a temporary measure, and who would want to be such a temporary director?

But transferring to the NSA would be different; that would mean being the true head of a department, and the temptation would be considerable. (End of Chapter)