Let them offer their loyalty!

Chapter 174 Slapping Yan Chen's Face! (10,000 Words, Please Subscribe)

Hearing Cao Dabiao's words, Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned.

He almost didn't catch what Cao Dabiao was worried about.

It wasn't until his mind had taken a few turns that Qiu Tu suddenly remembered that he had actually been flaunting his association with Jia Shu and Yan Chen at the bureau for some time.

So... in other people's eyes, the label on him was actually: Die-hard supporter of Jia Shu and Yan Chen.

Now that Jia Shu had run into trouble suddenly, it was normal for Cao Dabiao to worry about him.

To tell the truth, in that instant, Qiu Tu felt like laughing: He had been at loggerheads with Jia Shu to the point where their brains were almost spilling out, yet to those ignorant of the truth, he was considered an ally. The world is indeed full of magic.

With this thought, he casually reassured, "Don't worry. This won't affect me."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao hesitated for a moment before whispering, "But... Commander, I think there's something you might need to know."

As Qiu Tu made a "Hmm?" sound, he got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, walked over to the window, and drew the curtains open.

The oppressive black clouds from last night had still not dispersed by this morning, thickly coiling together and looming over the entire Xinjie City, as if brewing a massive storm.

Looking at the somewhat oppressive weather outside the window, Qiu Tu asked, "What is it?"

Cao Dabiao spoke softly, "I heard that the Bureau Chief called Minister Shi from the Organizational Department over this morning, followed by having him screen all department heads who had considerable achievements or seniority."

"The aim was to select suitable candidates for the position of Deputy Chief of the Public Security Bureau."

"Now some department heads who have a chance at competing for this deputy position are making rounds on the Organizational Department's floor for no other reason than to make it onto this shortlist."

"This..."

Hearing Cao Dabiao's words, Qiu Tu's brows furrowed slightly.

Although Cao Dabiao spoke very tactfully, he had expressed the intended message:

A few days ago, after Third Master Qin, Qin Zhengguang, was caught, a position of Deputy Chief of the Public Security Bureau at the Investigation Bureau had become vacant.

During the meeting discussion, Yan Chen hinted that this position should be temporarily left empty, but then transferred all its authority and business scope to Qiu Tu.

This was essentially a public statement to everyone that the position was being reserved for Qiu Tu.

Next, it was just a matter of waiting for Qiu Tu to transition for a period as a department head before being promoted again.

Through this near overt political statement, everyone at the Investigation Bureau received two pieces of information:

One, Qiu Tu had completely opened his path to advancement. Despite being at the same Principal Staff level as other heads, he would soon be promoted.

Two, Qiu Tu was a confidant whom Yan Chen especially valued and planned to cultivate vigorously for a promising future.

Also as a result of these two points, Qiu Tu's influence within the Investigation Bureau had begun to skyrocket. Wherever he went, people tried to ingratiate themselves with him.

But now, in less than a week, Yan Chen's attitude had taken a 180-degree turn, which was bound to draw everyone's attention.

Put bluntly, Yan Chen was signaling to everyone at the Investigation Bureau through this small action that his attitude toward Qiu Tu had changed: He was now very dissatisfied with Qiu Tu!

However, Qiu Tu had already anticipated Yan Chen's current attitude: from the moment he planned to take down Jia Shu, he had been prepared to face Yan Chen's wrath.

The increasingly self-reliant Qiu Tu had not only left himself with multiple backup plans but also had the support of dozens of loyal followers like Cao Dabiao, as well as the protection of higher-ups like Tang Feifei and Secretary Bai.

Furthermore, this morning, he had been entered into the Sanctuary's registry and could no longer be killed at will.

So he really wasn't afraid of having a falling out with Yan Chen.

In fact... he was even thinking about slapping Yan Chen's face, pressuring him, and testing Yan Chen's true attitude toward him!

With these thoughts, Qiu Tu's mind reeled back, and he came to a firm decision in his heart.

Your journey continues with empire

He walked over to the living room of the rest lounge, poured himself a cup of water, and while drinking, he said, "Big Biao, gather everyone from the investigation team later. I have some good news to announce to you all."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao curiously inquired, "What good news?"

Qiu Tu lightly smiled, "The promotions I applied for you have been approved. All of your positions can be promoted by one level!"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao was clearly stunned on the other end of the phone.

It took him a full two seconds to respond with disbelief, "Commander, what did you say? We've all been promoted in our positions?"

Qiu Tu, "Yes."

Cao Dabiao swallowed, then asked tentatively, "Commander... does that, include me, too?"

Qiu Tu, looking at the ominous clouds outside the window, responded with a light-hearted laugh, "Why? Don't you count as a member of the investigation team, as my subordinate?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Dabiao hurriedly expressed his loyalty with utmost seriousness, "How could that be possible! I, Cao Dabiao, am the most loyal subordinate of the Commander!"

After speaking, his voice lowered again, as he chuckled awkwardly, "I just find it a bit hard to believe."

No wonder Cao Dabiao found it hard to believe, when even Qiu Tu had been a bit incredulous receiving the approval yesterday.

After all, although there's only one rank between a First Level Detective and a Deputy Staff, a First Level Detective, no matter how senior, is still a detective, not part of the management, nor a real commander.

While being a Deputy Staff might be the lowest in the management hierarchy, in terms of power, status, influence, potential for advancement, as well as benefits, it was worlds apart from a First Level Detective.

This was a gap that was very hard to cross. It could be said that most detectives, if they didn't make mistakes and endured their tenure, could eventually become First Level Detectives. But... most First Level Detectives might never become Deputy Staff in their lifetime.

Having gone through this process himself, Qiu Tu understood Cao Dabiao's excitement at this moment.

So he reaffirmed calmly, "There's no need not to believe. All the procedures are completed. I've even collected your new IDs and epaulets."

"Once I start work, I'll be able to distribute them to you."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao's voice was already excited, starting to tremble as he said hastily, "Then, then I'll call everyone to the office now, waiting for the chief to return!"

[Cao Dabiao's Loyalty +16, current Loyalty 96]

Seeing the prompt that suddenly appeared before him, Qiu Tu smiled and hung up the phone.

A Deputy Staff promoted to go with the flow in exchange for a Confidant with a Loyalty as high as 96—worth it!

After hanging up the phone, Qiu Tu stood up and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

As he freshened up, he pondered about promoting these Confidants.

Yesterday, Qiu Tu had been preparing for the upcoming major battle with Jia Shu, and since all his Confidants had been in the interrogation rooms, he hadn't announced the good news to them.

As it turned out, saving it for today actually came in handy—an unexpected surprise indeed.

Given the concerns raised by Cao Dabiao's proactive call, it was clear his original two big backers—Jia Shu and Yan Chen—one had been arrested and the other was dissatisfied with him, obviously making all his Confidants restless.

At such a time, what he needed to do was not to test human nature: human nature is the last thing you want to test!

What he needed to do was to quell everyone's anxiety with a massive promotion celebration for dozens of people, boosting a huge wave of morale, and making all his Confidants and Subordinates believe that by following him, they would surely head towards victory!

Only by joining all the forces that could be united in a crisis, could one better get through the crisis!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu felt even more determined in his heart.

After freshening up and getting dressed, Qiu Tu turned around and left Tang Feifei's resting room, then left her office through the secure passage he knew well.

Tang Feifei seemed a bit busy today and wasn't in her office, so Qiu Tu didn't run into her.

Qiu Tu guessed that she might be joining the Disciplinary Department in investigating Jia Shu's case.

He believed that when he talked to the Disciplinary Department in the afternoon, he should run into her.

Exiting the secure corridor, Qiu Tu took a detour and re-entered the Investigation Bureau through the main entrance of the Investigation Bureau Office Building.

Possibly because the news of Yan Chen's cold attitude toward Qiu Tu had spread throughout the Bureau, the rest of the way, Qiu Tu was met with unusual glances from Detectives and Chiefs of various departments.

The Detectives, who were once so enthusiastic to see him, now all deliberately circumvented Qiu Tu.

The warmth and coldness of human relations were readily apparent.

But Qiu Tu, confident in his position, didn't panic at all. He ignored everyone's strange looks, entered the elevator with his head held high, and made his way to the office of the [8.19 Pharmacy Robbery Case] investigation team.

By then, his Subordinates were already waiting there.

Possibly having received the news from Cao Dabiao, they all looked at Qiu Tu with a bit of fervor when they saw him coming.

Qiu Tu smiled and glanced at them, without any delay. He walked directly to his desk, sat down, took out the key, and unlocked the drawer.

The drawer contained all the new IDs, epaulets, and promotion documents for members of the investigation team, which he had collected from the Organizational Department the day before.

Taking out all the IDs, epaulets, and documents, Qiu Tu began to call out names one by one.

"Cao Dabiao!"

"Present!"

"Liu Fuping!"

"Here~"

"Chen Feng!"

"Present!"

With each name called out, each named individual stepped forward in turn, receiving their promotion document, new ID, and new epaulets from Qiu Tu's hand!

Upon seeing that everyone's positions had indeed been promoted by one level, the delight was almost uncontrollable in the eyes of all his Confidants.

The worries of the morning about Jia Shu's arrest and Yan Chen's cold shoulder towards Qiu Tu had all vanished!

Interests are always the easiest way to unite people's hearts!

And this was followed by a flood of Loyalty notifications!

[Chen Feng, Ding Xiaoliu, Zhu Huoyan... Loyalty +9]

After completing the promotions for everyone, Qiu Tu didn't let the matter end there.

He had his Confidants bring over the records from yesterday's interrogation of the Suit Man and Wang Xi, and then he sent them all out.

Since he was already prepared to challenge Yan Chen and test her reactions, Qiu Tu did not mind scaling up the play.

Having been promoted, it's time to show off the success, let everyone in the Bureau bask in a bit of joy, right?

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Three chapters, 10,000 words haha. Continuing with ten-thousand words tonight!