Let them offer their loyalty!

So, when Qiu Tu first placed a critical choice before Liu Fuping, it was the first time she felt a conceptual shock.

She wasn't a fool, Qiu Tu's words, though diplomatic, were essentially asking her if she could betray her original organization and lean towards Qiu Tu, or... put Qiu Tu before the organization.

On one side was the person who had completely conquered her with personality charisma and... physical strength.

On the other side was the organization she had been loyal to.

At that moment, Liu Fuping's mind went blank.

But Qiu Tu didn't pressure her—trusting the judgment of the Loyalty Game, he confidently gave Liu Fuping some time to think.

He said, "It's okay, Sister Liu. I can understand if you're hesitant right now."

"I'll give you one day to think it over."

"Tomorrow, you can give me your answer."

Having said that, Qiu Tu gently patted Liu Fuping's delicate shoulder and then turned to leave the alley...

He came alone to the building of the Investigation Bureau. This time, no one interrupted and called Qiu Tu away midway. Qiu Tu smoothly made his way to the investigation team of the "8.16 Pharmacy Robbery Case."

Upon arriving at the investigation team, almost all the team members had arrived.

Perhaps because both culprits were in custody, everyone seemed a bit excited, sitting there discussing the details of yesterday's capture and... sighing over Wang Xi.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu didn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm, but rather, he smiled and encouraged, "We caught the culprits in just a few days, which proves our capabilities."

"However, let's not become complacent or impetuous. After all.... we still need to sort out the details and evidence of the case clearly."

As he spoke, Qiu Tu glanced at Liu Fuping, who had just come in, and then at Cao Dabiao, before giving his orders, "Sister Liu, Big Biao, each of you take a team and proceed with the interrogation."

"Big Biao, you take care of the Suit Man. Sister Liu, you're familiar with Wang Xi, so you handle him."

Hearing Qiu Tu's arrangements, Liu Fuping, still somewhat preoccupied, instantly switched to work mode, and she quickly saluted with Cao Dabiao, "Yes, sir!"

Seeing them accept their tasks, Qiu Tu added another reminder, "During the interrogation, remember one key thing."

"We are... the investigation team for the 8.16 Pharmacy Robbery Case."

"Don't ask about or record topics irrelevant to the robbery case."

"We only interrogate on what we should."

Hearing Qiu Tu's reminder, both straightened their expressions, grasping the deeper implication in his words.

So, under Qiu Tu's arrangement, the team members quickly split into two groups and began interrogating the Suit Man and Wang Xi respectively.

As for Qiu Tu himself, he took advantage of this time to sit in the office of the investigation team and fill out the "Promotion Application Form."

Now, all of Qiu Tu's subordinates were his own people, with each of their loyalty ratings exceeding 60, 70—a true direct force.

Their contribution to the "Yin Caimei case" was significant. At the time, Qiu Tu had promised them a promotion and a raise.

These past few days had been too busy, so there hadn't been time to write the application form, but now with the "8.16 Pharmacy Robbery Case" cracked, Qiu Tu naturally wanted to take the opportunity to write the application form and promote them.

Qiu Tu's confidants, with Cao Dabiao as a First Level Detective, Chen Feng and Liu Fuping as Second-Class Investigators, and others including Eagle and Ah-Kun as ordinary Third-Level Detectives.

Qiu Tu's applications were quite egalitarian: everyone was to be promoted one level on the spot.

Cao Dabiao would be promoted to Deputy Staff Leader, Chen Feng and Liu Fuping to First Level Detectives, and other detectives to Second-Class Investigators.

Qiu Tu guessed that such an application would probably not all be approved by the superiors, and it was very likely that they would hold back Cao Dabiao.

But that didn't matter; to apply was to gain experience. Next time there was a contribution, another application would be easier.

And... Qiu Tu's reason for filling out this application form wasn't just to help his confidants get promoted—he also wanted... to use this opportunity to see Jia Shu again and gauge his superior's intentions.

With this in mind, after filling out the application form, Qiu Tu stood up and went straight to Jia Shu's office with the application form in hand.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Accompanied by Qiu Tu's knocking, a gentle voice from inside replied, "Come in."

Qiu Tu pushed the door and entered, only to see Jia Shu leisurely enjoying some music.

He was reclining in his chair, legs crossed, eyes slightly closed. His left hand rested on his knee, and with his right hand, he was rhythmically tapping to the beat of the tune in the air.

Even Qiu Tu's entry didn't interrupt Jia Shu's leisure, who continued to entertain himself.

Observing this, Qiu Tu didn't disturb Jia Shu but stood at the door, quietly waiting for him to finish indulging.

Two minutes passed, the music ended, and Jia Shu, seemingly moved, stretched out his hand to wipe the corner of his eye, then remarked, "Music really does have a magical power."

After speaking, he turned off the radio and reverted back to his demeanor as a high-ranking official of the Investigation Bureau.

He looked up at Qiu Tu, his face behind the gold-framed glasses wearing a semblance of a smile, "Chief Qiu, what brings you here?"

At Jia Shu's question, Qiu Tu stepped forward, placed the application form on Jia Shu's desk, then stated, "Minister, this is the promotion application for the Yin Caimei case investigation team."

"The people below also contributed a lot to this case, and most are experienced senior detectives, so I thought of promoting them all one level."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jia Shu picked up the application form and carefully reviewed it.

With no word from him, naturally, Qiu Tu wouldn't speak up either. So for a while, the office became quiet.

After looking it over for a bit, Jia Shu suddenly asked, "By the way, Qiu Tu, how is the 8.16 case coming along?"

Before his visit, Qiu Tu had anticipated all the potential questions Jia Shu might ask.

Regarding Jia Shu's query, it certainly fell within his expectations, so he wasn't at all surprised and smoothly replied, "Reporting to the minister, the case has been cracked, and the murderer has been caught."

Jia Shu gave an "Oh?" and looked at him, asking further, "That quick?"

Qiu Tu hummed in affirmation and said, "It's mainly because we happened to come across some clues."

Jia Shu nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu also kept silent, continuing to quietly observe Jia Shu.

He wasn't sure if it was an illusion or not.

In his memory, Jia Shu always had a smile that wasn't quite a smile on his face but always seemed to have a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.

Anyone who observed carefully would know that the person before them was extremely troublesome to deal with.

But today... Jia Shu was completely different from before.

Today, he appeared to be inherently more carefree, with the ruthlessness in his eyes replaced by a touch of cynical detachment.

'Is it an illusion?'

Qiu Tu quietly searched for more differences in Jia Shu.

But... after looking for a long time, aside from the discovery he had already made, he couldn't find anything else unusual.

And at this moment, while Qiu Tu was observing Jia Shu, Jia Shu finally finished reading the application form.

He nonchalantly picked up a pen and swiftly signed his name on it! Then casually handed it to Qiu Tu, "Take it."

Qiu Tu took the application form and looked at the last place for the signature, indeed finding Jia Shu's signature there.

Qiu Tu recalled, and the signature seemed the same as the ones he had seen before.
Continue reading on empire

'Maybe I really am overthinking it...?'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu saluted, "Thank you, Chief!"

Jia Shu casually waved his hand, then once again turned on the radio.

The next second, the melodious music started up again.

Jia Shu immersed himself in the music once more...

Qiu Tu walked out of the office, slowly closed the office door, and thus left the slightly peculiar Jia Shu inside.

Then he stood quietly outside the office door, listening for any sounds from inside. After detecting nothing out of the ordinary, he took the application form and headed to the Organizational Department.

Such an unconventional promotion required not only the direct superior's application and the department head's approval but, most importantly, also needed the Organizational Department's ratification.

Many promotions get blocked because they don't get through the Organizational Department.

However... whether it was because Qiu Tu currently had a lot of face in the Investigation Bureau or the Political Department's promotions were rarely obstructed by the Organizational Department, in any case... the entire approval process went through smoothly.

Even... the assistant staff position for Cao Dabiao, which Qiu Tu didn't expect to pass, got through, although without an immediate assignment to a division...

This smoothness surprised even Qiu Tu. He even wondered for a while if he had accidentally smeared himself with "Mandragora Love Drug"...

Nevertheless, all his confidants had successfully been promoted, especially with the addition of an assistant staff position and two First Level Detectives capable of leading teams on their own, Qiu Tu's influence suddenly expanded several-fold...

As long as these people were dispersed throughout the various departments, Qiu Tu would instantly be able to control more departments and manpower...

.....

[Jia Shu's assassination attempt (6 hours)]

[The gaze of the Evil God (∞)]

.....

6 o'clock in the evening.

In late autumn, it gets dark early. So even though it was only 6 o'clock, the sky was already dim, almost completely dark.

Qiu Tu stood by the window of his independent office in the Action Division, holding a cup of coffee and, with one hand in his pocket, watched the view outside.

Looking down from the ninth floor, people on the street looked like ants, each hurrying to their destinations.

After taking a sip of coffee, the sound of footsteps, "tap tap," reached Qiu Tu's ears.

Without turning around, Qiu Tu recognized from the familiar footsteps that the person approaching was Liu Fuping.

So, as he watched the dense clouds outside the window, he inquired, "Is everything ready at Sister Tang's place...?"

Hearing this, Liu Fuping walked next to Qiu Tu, stood shoulder to shoulder with him, and then replied softly, "Yes, Director Tang just called me, saying everything is all set."

Qiu Tu took another sip of coffee, his face expressionless, and then asked, "What about Commissioner Jiang?"

Liu Fuping nodded, "Secretary Tao mentioned that she is looking forward to it."

Qiu Tu smiled but made no further comment and instead asked, "Someone from the Security Department has arrived as well, right?"

--------

Still 3 chapters, 10,000 words haha. As usual, the third chapter will update around 20:00. My Monthly Ticket is about to drop out of the top 10, I need Monthly Tickets! Please support!