Why Are There So Many People Behind Qiu Tu? (Ten Thousand Characters, Asking for Monthly Votes!)

'Could it really be that someone wanted to help that... what was his name... Qiu Tu?'

At that thought, Yue Zaitian's gaze darkened slightly.

He was the head of Investigation Headquarters' Organization Department. With him overseeing it, who could interfere in the Organization Department's work and arrange the position of political department minister for some insignificant city?

With that in mind, Yue Zaitian suppressed the ominous feeling in his heart and signaled to his secretary, who was seated at the end of the conference room.

Seeing this, the secretary hurriedly rose and headed for the conference room door.

Interrupted by the knock at the door, the atmosphere in the conference room fell quiet.

Everyone lowered their eyes, picked up their cups, and bowed their heads to drink.

Then, just at that moment, the conference room doors opened, followed by the slightly surprised voice of Yue Zaitian's secretary. "Councilor Ouyang?!"

After his initial surprise, the secretary realized his lapse in composure. He quickly snapped his feet together with a clap, saluted, and greeted him. "Councilor Ouyang!"

"Cough, cough." "Cough, cough." Upon hearing the secretary, everyone in the conference room who had been casually drinking water choked.

Covering their mouths as they coughed, they glanced toward the conference room entrance from the corners of their eyes. Once they saw that it really was Councilor Ouyang, they hurriedly stood up amid their coughing.

For a moment, the room was filled with the scraping of chairs, coughing, and greetings.

At the sight of Councilor Ouyang, even Yue Zaitian, who had remained seated at the head of the table all along, frowned deeply.

He rose with a grave expression, nodded to the refined-looking councilor outside the door, and greeted him. "Director Ouyang. What brings you here?"

Councilor Ouyang's real name was Ouyang Heng. He was a current councilor of the Eighth Shelter's Highest Council and the deputy director of Investigation Headquarters. His primary jurisdiction covered the Organization Department, Training Department, and Logistics Department.

Like Yue Zaitian, he was one of the upper echelons of Investigation Headquarters. But because his position was higher and his influence greater, he consistently outranked Yue Zaitian.

Some of Yue Zaitian's self-serving arrangements were always vetoed by him, so the two did not have a particularly good relationship.

The one thing that gave Yue Zaitian some measure of relief was that Councilor Ouyang was a core member of the "Liberal Democratic Faction."

Yue Zaitian remembered that when Yan Chen had called him yesterday, he had analyzed the possible connections Qiu Tu had made: the "Iron-Blood Faction," the "Fengtian Faction," and the "Reformist Faction."

The "Liberal Democratic Faction" had not been among them.

'So... was this merely a coincidence?'

Thinking that, Yue Zaitian's gaze fell upon Ouyang Heng.

Perhaps sensing Yue Zaitian's wariness, Ouyang Heng smiled and pressed a hand downward toward the Organization Department's senior officials present. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he said, "No need for such formality. I happened to be inspecting our Organization Department. I heard you were holding a meeting, so I came by to take a look."

As he spoke, he walked inside. "Continue, continue."

Seeing Ouyang Heng barge in so openly, Yue Zaitian's expression eased slightly. He took a deep breath, then beckoned to his secretary, who was still standing by the door. "What are you still standing there for? Bring Director Ouyang a chair."

Hearing Yue Zaitian's words, his secretary quickly acknowledged him, then ran over and, together with Ouyang Heng's secretary, brought over a chair for Ouyang Heng.

In official organizations, seating arrangements carried significance. Ouyang Heng held the highest rank among those present, so he should have occupied the seat of honor.

But this was, after all, an Organization Department meeting, and he had only come by temporarily to observe. Thus, the two secretaries placed his chair beside Yue Zaitian's, while Yue Zaitian shifted his own chair half a position lower.

And so, after Ouyang Heng arrived and the conference room doors closed, the meeting resumed.

Yue Zaitian nodded once more to Yang Zaiwen, the head of the Cadre Department. Yang Zaiwen once again read out the first agenda item: the candidate for Minister of the Political Department of the New Realm City Investigation Department.

As Yang Zaiwen read out the agenda item, Yue Zaitian kept observing Ouyang Heng's expression from the corner of his eye. When he saw that Ouyang Heng merely listened patiently throughout, with not the slightest indication that he wished to speak, his mind relaxed somewhat.

Thus, once Yang Zaiwen had finished, Yue Zaitian swept his gaze across his subordinates present and slowly said, "Director Yang has already introduced the situation to everyone."

"The position of Minister of the Political Department in New Realm City is currently vacant. New Realm City has submitted two candidates: Cai Peiyuan and Zhang Jian."

"Both are talents trained by the Investigation Department, and both possess solid ability and qualifications."

"Everyone may share your thoughts and see who is more suitable."

Following Yue Zaitian's words, the atmosphere in the conference room fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Deputy Minister Zhen Lie was the first to speak. "Minister, I actually don't think either of these candidates is particularly suitable."

Hearing Zhen Lie's words, Yue Zaitian's heart skipped a beat. He knew the worst possibility had occurred: someone really was stepping forward to support Qiu Tu.

Fortunately, he was only a deputy minister. Yue Zaitian could still suppress him.

While Yue Zaitian was thinking this, Zhen Lie slowly continued, "What has been the biggest matter in the shelter these past few days?"

"It is New Realm City's 'Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan.'"

"This plan concerns our shelter's development over the next few years, the next decade or more, and even the coming decades."

"There are four initiators of this plan. The first three are from the Military Department, so we won't discuss them for now. But the last one is from our Investigation Department, and his name is Qiu Tu."

"I have looked into his records and file. Although he came from the civilian population of the Cataclysm Zone, he is exceptionally capable and daring in both battle and action."

"After becoming Deputy Section Chief, he solved several major cases in just two short months. He has also maintained cooperation with the Military Department and the Security Department."

"My guess is that it was precisely for this reason that he was able to participate in such a major plan."

At that point, Zhen Lie paused. Seeing everyone in the conference room listening intently, he continued, "So I think we might as well promote him and appoint him Minister of the Political Department."

"This would not only allow the 'Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan' to proceed smoothly without further complications, but also strengthen the ties between the New Realm City Investigation Department and the Military Department, making New Realm City more stable."

Zhen Lie picked up his cup and added one final remark. "After all, no one knows whether replacing Qiu Tu would cause our Investigation Department to miss an opportunity in this 'Great Expansion Plan.'"

After saying that, Zhen Lie took a sip of water, set down his cup, and said calmly, "That is all."

After Zhen Lie finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Seeing this, Yue Zaitian shook his head slightly and said with a genial smile, "Deputy Minister Zhen has a point, but he's overstating things."

"It's true that the Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan is the shelter's priority for the next few years, and it's also true that Qiu Tu is one of its initiators."

"But who says the two sides can only continue cooperating if he becomes Minister of the Political Department?"

Yue Zaitian keenly pointed out the flaw in Zhen Lie's logic. "After all, when Qiu Tu worked with them before, wasn't he merely the Political Department Deputy Minister?"

"The New Realm City Military Department hasn't raised any objections, and the Investigation Department hasn't even listed Qiu Tu as a candidate. That shows Qiu Tu's position has no bearing on this plan at all."

Yue Zaitian paused, then said, "On the contrary, I believe that not letting Qiu Tu become Minister of the Political Department would be better for the Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan."

He said, "As the Investigation Department's most crucial division, the Political Department requires an enormous amount of energy from its top leader."

"Qiu Tu should be devoting himself fully to assisting the Military Department in carrying out the Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan, rather than managing the Political Department."

"So," he concluded, "I think we shouldn't add any more candidates. We should discuss the candidates submitted by the New Realm City Investigation Department."

Yue Zaitian's remarks were highly polished. Not only did they expose the flaw in Zhen Lie's words, but they also used a lofty-sounding reason to block Qiu Tu's path to becoming a candidate.

After he finished speaking, he felt that he should at least have won the approval of most of those present. Naturally, he picked up his cup, intending to take a sip.

But at that moment, another deputy minister, Meng Sanzhai, suddenly spoke up.

He said, "I don't quite agree with Minister Yue."

Yue Zaitian paused midway through drinking, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Meng Sanzhai glanced at Zhen Lie, who had just nominated Qiu Tu, and said with a smile, "I actually agree more with Deputy Minister Zhen. I also nominate Qiu Tu."

Hearing that, Yue Zaitian slowly set down his cup and gave Meng Sanzhai a deep look. Then he opened his mouth, preparing to say something.

But just then, Ouyang Heng, who had been seated at the head of the table all along, spoke up as well.

He swept an interested glance over the two deputy ministers, then said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I attended one of our Organization Department meetings. This visit has certainly been worthwhile."

"When our Organization Department selects talent, we should avoid being constrained by formalities. Everyone should speak freely and put forward the people they believe are suitable. Only then can more capable individuals rise to more important positions."

The moment they heard Ouyang Heng's words, Yue Zaitian's expression changed sharply, and undercurrents immediately began stirring in the conference room.

Ouyang Heng's words sounded like a casual remark, but everyone present was shrewd enough to understand what he meant.

He said that "selecting talent shouldn't be constrained by formalities" and that they should "put forward the people they believe are suitable." Wasn't that supporting Zhen Lie and Zhou Jingfu—and supporting Qiu Tu?

At that moment, Yue Zaitian's heart abruptly sank.

His gaze passed over Ouyang Heng, Zhen Lie, and Meng Sanzhai in turn, while the ominous feeling in his heart gradually intensified.

Why does this seem like it's getting a little out of control?

Didn't that bastard Yan Chen say that Qiu Tu only had the Fengtian Faction behind him? Why are so many people speaking up for him?

What exactly is his background?

Meanwhile.

While the Investigation Department was locked in a tense deadlock over the candidate for Minister of the Political Department—

A dramatic upheaval was also taking place within the New Realm City Investigation Department.

Qiu Tu's office.

Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, Eagle, A Kun, Song Qing, and Li Xian had all gathered in the office. They crowded around Qiu Tu's desk, talking over one another.

Cao Dabiao's chubby face was full of anxiety. "Tu Ge, this is obviously aimed at us."

"I was doing perfectly fine in the Administrative Office, but then they suddenly said they were adjusting my position and told me to take two days off for now."

"If it were just me, that'd be one thing. But Chen Feng, Eagle, Song Qing, and the others have all been suspended using similar excuses."

"Someone is clearly making a move against us!"

Cao Dabiao was the excitable sort, while Chen Feng was the calm type.

Chen Feng calmly continued, "Superior, I looked into it just now. Of the several hundred people promoted alongside us, none of them received any orders or were affected in any way."

"But our people have all either been transferred away or suspended under various pretexts."

"It really does look like the higher-ups are making a move against us."

Hearing the two of them and looking at his somewhat agitated subordinates, Qiu Tu lit a cigarette. As he smoked, he suppressed the alarm in his heart and quietly pondered.

He had only learned of this after his subordinates came to his office.

Just over ten minutes ago, all of his subordinates had been collectively suspended. The reasons were broadly the same: other arrangements would be made for them.

But if one or two people were being reassigned, it could be called a coincidence.

Yet dozens of people, including Wang Dawei and Li Ke, who had only later joined Qiu Tu, had all been suspended. That could only mean they were being deliberately targeted.

Could it be that the Investigation Department wanted to set things right and reverse the promotions given to those people while Yan Chen had been absent a few days ago?

That didn't make sense either.

Because a few days ago, it wasn't only Qiu Tu's confidants who had been promoted. Tang Feifei's, Yu Zhengyi's, and Shi Youxin's confidants, as well as the Five Elders' people, had also received promotions.

Yet now, aside from Qiu Tu's people, none of theirs had been touched.

"Damn it. It had to be that bastard Yan Chen!"

"Divide and conquer—win some over, leave some alone, crush the rest! What a move!"

After only a brief thought, Qiu Tu had guessed Yan Chen's objective.

To put it bluntly, what Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei had done recently had been far too outrageous. They had promoted several hundred people all at once, directly filling every mid-level position in the Investigation Department.

But precisely because it had been so excessive, too many people were implicated. Even as director of the Investigation Department, Yan Chen did not dare overturn all of it.

That would provoke backlash from the Various Factions, as well as hatred from countless lower- and mid-level personnel.

At such a turbulent time, even Yan Chen did not want to invite that kind of trouble.

Yet he clearly could not swallow this insult.

So, he sorted through the several hundred people involved in the mass promotions.

Yu Zhengyi and Shi Youxin had always been close to him. Although they had defected not long ago, they could still be won back. So if they had been promoted, then so be it. He simply accepted it.

The Five Elders and Tang Feifei—one still wielded immense influence in New Realm City, while the other had exceptionally deep backing within the Shelter.

Acting rashly against them could easily cause complications, so he would leave them alone for now and deal with them after East Industry State was established.

After running through the possibilities, Qiu Tu was the only soft target left.

So, with what was probably just a verbal order, he had Shi Youxin suspend all of Qiu Tu's people.

This was likely only his first move: testing the waters.

He clearly wanted to see whether Qiu Tu had sufficient means to retaliate after his people were touched, and just how fierce the reactions from Tang Feifei and the Five Elders would be.

As long as everything remained within his tolerance... he would continue moving against Qiu Tu.

For example, he could adjust Qiu Tu's areas of responsibility in the Political Department, stripping away the Intelligence Department and Interrogation Department to probe Qiu Tu's hidden cards.

If the cards Qiu Tu revealed still could not threaten him... then he would further squeeze Qiu Tu's "living space."

For instance, without touching Qiu Tu's rank, he could transfer him to some dead-end office as a deputy director.

In short, Yan Chen had now completely confirmed that Qiu Tu was an enemy and had begun making moves against him.

Once he understood that, Qiu Tu felt a headache coming on.

An official one rank higher could crush those below him; he was still three ranks beneath Yan Chen.

No matter how powerful his methods were, once they fell upon Yan Chen, they would become little more than an itch.

Making Yan Chen feel threatened by him was truly asking the impossible.

No. This can't continue.

I have to find a way to grab Yan Chen's weak spot! I need him to understand that I can hurt him too—or take him down with me!

With that thought, Qiu Tu's mind raced as he searched for a way to break the deadlock.