Then let them offer their loyalty!

Upon hearing Yan Chen's words, Qiu Tu did not, like many of his subordinates, immediately decline or refuse.

You should definitely take what your boss gives you!

From a psychological perspective, asking for something is more effective in strengthening relationships than giving something in doing so.

So he said with a smile, "Director, it's my honor to be able to do things for you."

"If I had to make a request, I would only want to be closer to you and share your burdens more."

Having never been subjected to Qiu Tu's various flattering remarks in his previous life, Yan Chen burst out laughing at Qiu Tu's relentless flattery.

He pointed at Qiu Tu and said, "You, hahaha."

After speaking, he quietly pondered the hidden request beneath Qiu Tu's flattery...

"Wanting to be closer to him" and "sharing his burdens"... these are actually just disguised ways of wanting a "promotion".

If the normal promotion process or the assessment of the shelter were followed, an official like Qiu Tu, who came from an ordinary background and had already been promoted once in a short period of time, would not be able to be promoted a second time immediately.

However... this is still the early stage of the New Territories' development, and many promotions are simply done expediently. Besides, there are still several vacant section chief positions in various departments, so... it's not entirely impossible...

Moreover... such a major incident has occurred in the Qin family. Although Qin Heng cannot be touched, Qin Zhengguang and some mid-level officials connected to the Qin family still need to be dealt with. This will create many vacant positions.

Thinking of this, Yan Chen looked at Qiu Tu with encouragement in her eyes, and then slowly said, "I understand your idea."

"I'll keep an eye out for it then."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu quickly feigned excitement and said, "Thank you, Director!"

After saying that, Qiu Tu even took the initiative to pour tea and water for Yan Chen.

Yan Chen was even more satisfied.

[Yan Chen's satisfaction +4]

After pouring out the water, Qiu Tu put the thermos aside, then said with a troubled look, "Director, actually... besides what happened just now, I have another request."

Yan Chen was in a good mood and didn't mind Qiu Tu's overreaching behavior. He hummed in response and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Qiu Tu said awkwardly, "During this period, because of the investigation into Yin Caimei's case, I have frequently received warnings, both overt and covert, from various forces."

"Today they arrested four more section chiefs and four major transportation companies. I'm afraid someone might take the risk of assassinating me."

"So...can I stay by your side for the next couple of days, serving you tea and water, and helping you with chores?"

"That way, even if someone really wants to do something to me, seeing me by your side, they probably won't dare to do it."

At this point, perhaps worried that Yan Chen wouldn't agree, Qiu Tu quickly glanced at the clock and said, "Tonight at 6 o'clock, it will be the time I agreed with the security department."

"At that time, they will take over the case and begin arresting the officials involved."

"Once tonight is over and they have successfully attracted the attention of all parties, I should be safe."

"I will leave on my own when the time comes and will not trouble you any further."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu mention the security department's involvement again, Yan Chen's smile slowly faded.

Instead of answering Qiu Tu's question directly, he asked first, "Are you sure they're only investigating those officials at the city hall?"

Qiu Tu paused for a moment, then tentatively replied, "That's the promise they made when exchanging information with me."

"Moreover... those officials only had affairs with Yin Caimei and were infiltrated by her, leaking some classified information. Strictly speaking, they were not spies."

"So, at most, investigating them will only lead to Yin Caimei or the four major transportation companies, right?"

"We've got the four major transport companies, Director Qin, and Third Master Qin all in our hands. Even if they wanted to continue investigating, they probably wouldn't be able to, right...?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's series of hypothetical questions, Yan Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Then a smile returned to his face. "Alright, you can stay with me for today."

"Thank you, Director!" Qiu Tu quickly expressed his gratitude after hearing Yan Chen's affirmative reply! And... he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The final step of the plan: the alibi, has finally been completed.

The rest is up to fate...

In the following period, Qiu Tu became Yan Chen's assistant, serving him tea and water, handling documents, and welcoming and seeing off guests.

Qiu Tu stayed by Yan Chen's side, not only to complete the mission, but also to cherish the opportunity to learn from and observe the work of the highest-ranking official of the Exploration Bureau.

While with Yan Chen, he saw many confidential documents; witnessed Yan Chen discussing work with some section chiefs and department heads; and also saw Yan Chen's skillful methods of managing subordinates: nagging, maintaining balance, making empty promises, and giving a slap followed by a sweet treat—all done with ease...

Although he had been doing the work of an assistant for the past few hours, he often put himself in Yan Chen's shoes during his spare time to think about how he would handle the same situation and problems.

This learning process also gave him a deeper understanding of the work of the entire investigation department and how to manage his subordinates.

Besides what he learned, Qiu Tu, as Yan Chen's "temporary assistant," also made quite a bit of face in front of the various directors and section chiefs of the Investigation Bureau.

Being retained by Yan Chen as his assistant clearly indicates that he is a close confidant and protégé of Yan Chen. This is a very obvious political signal.

So, before long, various rumors about Qiu Tu quietly spread within the Investigation Bureau, and more and more detectives learned about Qiu Tu, this deputy section chief who had recently risen to prominence within the Bureau...

And so, time passed by, second by second.

Soon it was 6 o'clock.

Qiu Tu glanced out the window; it was pitch black outside, with not a single ray of light in sight.

The heavy rain that had been falling all day did not stop with the arrival of night; in fact, it poured down even harder.

Thinking about what might happen on this rainy night, Qiu Tu couldn't help but clench his fists slightly.

Yan Chen didn't notice Qiu Tu's unusual behavior. After finishing reviewing a document, Yan Chen put down his pen and paper and asked expressionlessly, "It's time to eat. Would you like to eat with me?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu quickly seized the opportunity to climb up the pole, saying, "Thank you, Director!"

Yan Chen: ....

Yan Chen actually felt that Qiu Tu was getting a bit annoyed by staying by her side all the time, and wanted to get rid of him so she could have some peace and quiet.

But since Qiu Tu had already agreed, he, as one of the three bigwigs in the New Territories, couldn't go back on his word. So he could only give a muffled "hmm," pick up the landline, and call to have two sets of four-dish-and-one-soup dinners delivered.

Thanks to Yan Chen, Qiu Tu also managed to have dinner at the director's level. Plus, he'd slept with the director's mistress. So, rounding up, he was practically...

When dinner was served, Qiu Tu was full of anticipation, thinking it would definitely be some kind of delicacy! But when he opened each plate, he discovered... the four dishes and one soup were all vegetarian!

Even the soup was cucumber and egg drop soup!

At that moment, his face turned as green as the soup.

He realized that he and Yan Chen were fundamentally at odds.

How could a meat lover like him possibly coexist with a vegetarian!

After quickly finishing their meal, the two threw themselves back into their busy work: Yan Chen was reviewing documents, while Qiu Tu stood by, lost in thought.

But this time, the two didn't work for long before there was a rapid knocking on their office door.

"Dong dong dong."

Hearing the urgent knocking, Yan Chen glanced at Qiu Tu. Qiu Tu, understanding, went to open the door.

The door opened, and standing there was Secretary Bai.

This afternoon, Secretary Bai already knew that Qiu Tu was working as Yan Chen's temporary assistant, so he wasn't surprised. He simply nodded slightly and quickly walked into the office.

Qiu Tu closed the door behind him before following him inside.

As Qiu Tu entered the office, before he even stood beside Yan Chen, he heard Secretary Bai quickly reporting intelligence to Yan Chen, "Director, we just received news. Half an hour ago, all departments of the Security Bureau mobilized and arrested a group of mid- to low-ranking officials from the Municipal Hall."

"Departments like the Education Department, Environment and Health Department, and Commerce and Economic Development Department have all been affected. Even... the directors of these departments have been arrested."

Upon hearing Secretary Bai's report, Yan Chen glanced at him and asked in a deep voice, "Is there a specific list?"

Secretary Bai's ability to become Yan Chen's right-hand man and the chief steward of the entire investigation department is clearly exceptional. Therefore, upon hearing Yan Chen's inquiry, he immediately produced a prepared list.

Yan Chen took the list, glanced through it quickly, and then smiled.

He didn't offer any comment, but instead handed the list to Qiu Tu, who was standing nearby.

Qiu Tu took it with both hands and then looked at it.

The names on the list were all familiar; they were all confessed by Qin Laosan, Qian Dafu, and Qi Yun, and then provided to Qin Shuman by him.

The list contains 21 people, covering almost every department and bureau of the city hall. It includes one director, three deputy directors, and 17 section chiefs and deputy section chiefs.

It's safe to say that... once this list was released, the entire New Territories was thrown into chaos!

Of course... the military and the city hall will definitely be at odds!

This result brought a smile to Yan Chen's face.

[Yan Chen's satisfaction level +6]

He smiled and said to Secretary Bai, "Alright, I understand. From now on, have your people keep a close eye on the security department's operations tonight. Report to me immediately if there are any problems."

Secretary Bai responded with a nod and then left the office.

After Secretary Bai left, Yan Chen stood up and patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder to encourage him.

Clearly, although the case wasn't going as he had planned, it... still left him unexpectedly satisfied.

Qiu Tu, sensing Yan Chen's happiness, smiled ingratiatingly, but inwardly he thought: Laugh... laugh all you want, you won't be laughing anymore in a moment...

------

Three chapters, each 10,000 words long, updated consecutively! Please vote with monthly tickets!

Chapter 123 Twist! Backstabbing Yan Chen! (10,000 words, please subscribe!)

7 points.

Cao Dabiao and the others returned with the evidence and delivered it to Yan Chen's office.

Perhaps because it was his first time entering the director's office, Cao Dabiao was extremely nervous.

When putting down the sealed evidence, they almost knocked over Yan Chen's water glass.

However, Yan Chen, who was in a good mood, did not care. In fact, after examining the evidence, he even encouraged Cao Dabiao a couple of times.

Having obtained evidence that Director Qin had colluded with the alliance, supplied them with supplies, and planted spies, Yan Chen was finally able to put his mind at ease.

He went to the inner room of the office and solemnly locked the evidence in a safe, sealing it away.

7:.

Secretary Bai came to Yan Chen's office again.

This time, he brought with him the second batch of names to be arrested by the security department.

This time, although the number of people on the list has decreased compared to the previous batch, the quality is by no means inferior.

Of the 12 people, there is 1 committee member, 2 deputy directors, and 9 section chiefs and deputy section chiefs.

Including the first batch of names, the security department arrested 33 mid- to high-ranking city hall officials in just one hour.

Especially that committee member.

The city council has only seven members who are responsible for various tasks in the New Territories. In theory, even the Exploration Department and the military are subject to the supervision and guidance of these members.

The result... is that one of them has been arrested by the military! This is a direct slap in the face to the municipal committee!

It is said that because of this incident, Committee Member Jiang of the Municipal Committee was furious and personally called General Ye of the military to confront him!

However, General Ye, who was known for his iron-fisted approach, was not intimidated by Committee Member Jiang's threats and simply retorted, "The Security Department is a national security department directly under the shelter and has the right to supervise and investigate officials at all levels."

Rumor has it that Committee Member Jiang was so angry afterward that he smashed his most beloved blue and white porcelain vase, which he kept in his office!

Those are antiques from before the cataclysm; the craftsmanship has been lost. Every broken one is one less, and they are priceless.

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen laughed and smoked two cigarettes, even giving one to Qiu Tu and granting him permission to smoke in the office.

8 points.

This time, it was Ji Chen, whom Qiu Tu had met once before, who came to the office.

He also reported a major piece of news to Yan Chen: Director Dai of the Security Department submitted evidence to the shelter of Vice President Tian's collusion and illegal activities, and applied for a "special investigation order".

Just now, the shelter issued an order approving Director Dai's application and temporarily revoking the "Third-Class Peace Medal" previously awarded to Vice Chairman Tian, ​​stripping him of his immunity and right to participate in politics.

The security department immediately took coercive measures against Vice Chairman Tian. He has now been arrested and detained.

For Yan Chen, this news was neither good nor bad.

Regardless of the circumstances, the bigger the case, the more attention the military receives, and the more likely it is to become the target of attacks from all sides.