Extorting Huang Shangzong! (7,000 Moon Tickets Requested!)

Thinking this, Qiu Tu nodded towards Shen Ling Shuang, and then said gently, "Okay, I understand."

"Tell Secretary Han that I will be waiting for Speaker at the Investigation Department, so he can rest assured."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Shen Ling Shuang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and quickly nodded "uh-huh", before retracting her cute little head.

After Shen Ling Shuang withdrew, Liu Xiongyuan took a puff of his cigarette, a smile appearing on his old tree-like face, and then baring his yellow teeth, he said, "This girl is quite interesting."

"I heard that a few days ago, she angered Speaker half to death."

Qiu Tu smiled upon hearing this, and said, "This is all Speaker's magnanimity. He's just not bothering with a little girl like her."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Liu Xiongyuan, like an old man from the village, threw the cigarette butt on the ground, then lowered his head and stomped it out with his foot, "You've only met Speaker a few times, but I didn't expect you to understand Speaker's thoughts so thoroughly."

"You're only in your twenties, truly a force to be reckoned with."

Hearing Liu Xiongyuan's meaningful words, Qiu Tu's heart skipped a beat.

Good heavens, chatting and communicating with these Old Foxes really requires paying utmost attention. Because, there are traps everywhere!

Fortunately

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but look up at Liu Xiongyuan's 'Faction Cloud', without any deviation.

So, this should just be the Old Fox's habitual probing.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's mind raced.

After a moment, he smiled, and then, imitating Liu Xiongyuan, threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stomped it out, and said, "Uncle Liu is joking, aren't outstanding young people emerging one after another?"

"I'm just a fairly outstanding young person, and there will be even more outstanding young people than me in the future."

"I can't be in my twenties forever, but outstanding young people in their twenties will always exist."

"Isn't it through such generations of inheritance that we humans can develop better and better, and gradually rule this world?"

Qiu Tu cleverly transformed his "personal" evaluation into the "macro" change of human development.

Eliminating the "opposing" elements in the previous sentence, and cleverly turning the negative attitude in the words into a positive one.

Therefore, Liu Xiongyuan, upon hearing this, indeed looked up, smiled and patted Qiu Tu's arm, and said, "I didn't expect you to have such awareness."

After speaking, he said, "Alright, stop chatting with this Old Man, let's go together to prepare to meet Speaker."

Hearing this, Qiu Tu breathed a sigh of relief, and then gently "hmm"ed.

Huang Shangzong was obviously really anxious. It had only been a little over ten minutes since Secretary Han's phone call, and he had already arrived at the East City Investigation Department.

After inquiring about the location of Qiu Tu and Liu Xiongyuan, he went straight to the 16th floor with Secretary Han and his entourage.

Arriving at the conference room on the 16th floor, Qiu Tu and Liu Xiongyuan were sitting opposite each other, quietly exchanging Intelligence.

Hearing footsteps, the two turned their heads to look, and seeing that it was Huang Shangzong, Qiu Tu quickly stood up, and then greeted, "Speaker."

As for Liu Xiongyuan, he was much more lazy, he slowly got up, and then nodded slightly, "Speaker~"

Hearing the two's greetings, Huang Shangzong at the door raised his hand slightly and pressed down.

He strode into the conference room, the cashmere coat bringing a trace of the cold of severe winter.

Arriving at the head seat of the conference room, Secretary Han stood behind him, helping him unfasten the coat of his uniform, revealing his massive frame tightly wrapped in the Speaker's uniform within the office.

Removing the coat, he heavily sat down on the chair. Perhaps because he hadn't sat on a wooden and fabric chair in a long time, Huang Shangzong shifted his buttocks, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.

Seeing Huang Shangzong sit down, Qiu Tu and Liu Xiongyuan followed suit.

Once the two were seated, Huang Shangzong's wide, tiger-like eyes swept over them with authority, and he slowly began to speak, "Two Speakers, the purpose of my visit this time, besides inspecting the East City Investigation Department, is another matter, namely the 'Purge Plan'."

At this point, he paused, inquiring, "How is the 'Purge Plan' progressing?"

Perhaps Old Rao's matter was indeed urgent, so Huang Shangzong didn't give the two a chance to prevaricate.

Instead, he directly stated, "From what I understand, the mid-level members of the Anti-Government Armed Forces coalition that were scattered this time consist of over forty squads, totaling several hundred people, and they have all been captured?"

"And the remnants of those Anti-Government Armed Forces have also been captured one after another, totaling more than three thousand people?"

Liu Xiongyuan probably felt that he had no hope of being promoted, so his words and actions were relatively unbridled.

He said with a chuckle, "Speaker Huang's Intelligence is quite impressive. Every move Qiu Speaker and I make is clear to you."

Huang Shangzong's expression froze.

Fortunately, Liu Xiongyuan was just habitually needling him, so after the jab, he didn't continue.

Instead, he raised his head towards Qiu Tu and said, "Speaker Qiu, you are in charge of this matter, I am only assisting, so you should report to the Speaker."

Hearing Liu Xiongyuan's words, Qiu Tu nodded, then looked at Huang Shangzong and reported, "Speaker, my 'Purge Operation' is indeed almost complete."

"We have captured a total of three Anti-Government Armed Forces general-level leaders, 36 colonels, 83 captains, several hundred other lieutenants and second lieutenants, and more than 3,600 ordinary soldiers."

"It can be said that we have almost wiped out the remaining Anti-Government Armed Forces remnants and spies wandering in East Industry State."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, a satisfied expression appeared on Huang Shangzong's broad face.

He gave a deep "hmph" and then said, "In that case, have someone write up the records and reports and submit them to the Council."

Huang Shangzong was straightforward in his actions. He said very frankly, "This is one of the most important political achievements since the establishment of our East Industry State."

"In a couple of days, I'm going to report to Speaker Rao at the Shelter, and I can use this to talk about it."

Hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Qiu Tu smiled slightly and then said calmly, "Speaker, don't be anxious yet."

"Pay attention to my wording: 'almost complete,' 'almost wiped out'."

"The words I used were 'almost,' which actually means that this mission has not yet been completed."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the two thick eyebrows lying across Huang Shangzong's forehead slowly furrowed.

His tiger-like eyes fell on Qiu Tu's face, as if trying to see through whether Qiu Tu was deliberately delaying or had truly not completed the task.

Qiu Tu seemed unable to sense Huang Shangzong's scrutiny, and just looked at him calmly.

Huang Shangzong was silent for a full two seconds before saying, "What work have you not finished?"

Hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Qiu Tu said with a serious face, "Although we have wiped out the mid-level members of the Anti-Government Armed Forces coalition, there are still hundreds, or even more than a thousand, of the remaining soldiers wandering in the 16 cities of East Industry."

"We need to further capture them."

"Moreover, because I went to capture 'Red Hair' a few days ago, I didn't have time to interrogate these captured mid- and high-level members."

"Their confession records are not complete."

Speaking of this, Qiu Tu thought of the violently fluctuating "Order Lines" on "Scarface", his heart stirred, and he casually dug a pit,

"Although we all know their purpose in messing up East Industry State: it's to retaliate against your Infiltration Plan."

"But... no one knows if they have any other conspiracies."

"I think we still need to be cautious."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, a trace of annoyance appeared on Huang Shangzong's face. He opened his mouth and said, "Then how long do you think you'll need?"

Seeing that Huang Shangzong was indeed a little anxious, Qiu Tu became even more firmly seated on the fishing platform.

He said with a smile, "Speaker, that's hard to say..."

"You know, interrogation is something that no one knows how long it will take to get results. It could be an hour, or it could be a month."

"And I just went out to catch criminals for four days, so I need to rest first."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the veins on Huang Shangzong's forehead twitched.

Although his political ability is relatively average, he still has basic political literacy.

Qiu Tu's words were obviously not a serious answer, but were waiting for a price, clearly showing his cards to ask for benefits.

If he gave him enough benefits, he would speed up the progress, and even directly hand over the prisoners to him.

If he didn't give enough benefits, he would deliberately delay the time, until his side couldn't wait, or until Old Rao's celebration time had passed.

'This kid! He's definitely not a good person! Insidious and cunning!'

Although he cursed Qiu Tu a few times in his heart, Huang Shangzong had no other way now.

Power is only responsible to the source of power.

Only the Shelter can decide on the candidate for Deputy Speaker. As Speaker, even if he is also a high-level member of the Shelter, he has no decision-making power.

If Qiu Tu was not the Deputy Speaker now, and wanted to be promoted to Deputy Speaker, he could still control him, after all, at this time, his opinion as the East Industry State Speaker was still very important.

But now that Qiu Tu is already the Deputy Speaker, his influence is greatly reduced.

Therefore, when Qiu Tu does everything in accordance with the rules and regulations, he really can't do anything about Qiu Tu.

Thinking like this, Huang Shangzong took a deep look at Qiu Tu, and then opened his mouth and said, "Then what kind of support does Speaker Qiu think the State needs to give you in order to speed up your operation?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qiu Tu looked innocent. He looked at Huang Shangzong and said, "Speaker, you're actually asking me to make demands?"

"I have always been very dutiful. I do what the leader tells me to do, and I never dare to make demands."

"Puchi." This time, Huang Shangzong didn't speak, Liu Xiongyuan laughed first.

After laughing, he got up and said to Huang Shangzong, "Speaker, if there's nothing else, I'll continue to interrogate the prisoners. I'll try to end the case as soon as possible."

"You continue."

Liu Xiongyuan was always here, and it was indeed not easy for Huang Shangzong and Qiu Tu to talk about conditions, so upon hearing this, Huang Shangzong didn't care, he directly waved his hand and said indifferently, "Go ahead, go ahead, Speaker Liu, you've worked hard."

After Liu Xiongyuan left, the solemn door of the conference room slowly closed, leaving only Huang Shangzong and Qiu Tu.

Huang Shangzong looked at Qiu Tu, then said with a slightly heavy tone, "Qiu Tu, there's no one else here now."

"Tell me, how do you need the State to support you, so you can close the case as soon as possible?"

Hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Qiu Tu coughed and then said, "Speaker, sometimes it's not a matter of support or not."

"You also know that after I became Deputy Speaker, my authority is only within Lang Yue City."

"And besides the work I usually need to be responsible for, the Purge Plan is already my only extra task."

"Of course, I hope to complete this task beautifully, without leaving a single flaw."

"After all... besides this task, I have no other political achievements to make."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's gaze sank slightly, and he roughly understood Qiu Tu's thoughts: Qiu Tu's condition was to adjust the scope of his authority and increase his power.

Although this was a bit of a Lion's Open Mouth—after all, for a State's Deputy Speaker, each scope of authority represents enormous power.

But... considering Qiu Tu's current authority, which only allows him to exert influence in one city, it's reasonable for him to make such a request.

Thinking this, Huang Shangzong's expression visibly softened a lot.

He leaned back in his chair and said with a deep expression, "Speaker Qiu, I can understand your feelings."

"However... there's one thing you're mistaken about."

"How could the Council only let a promising Deputy Speaker like you be responsible for Lang Yue City?"

"That would be a waste of talent."

"It just so happens... I heard you say just now that the final work of this Purge Operation will take a lot of effort and time."

Speaking of this, Huang Shangzong paused and said, "So I plan to have several departments cooperate with your work."

"Which department do you think would help you speed up the final work if they cooperated with you?"

Hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Qiu Tu smiled.

He spoke according to the draft he had prepared before meeting Huang Shangzong, "This actually depends on the Speaker's level of support."

"If the Speaker's support isn't strong enough, even if you give me the Supervision Department, I don't think I can finish quickly;"

"If the Speaker's support is strong enough, with the help of a Court of Judgment, I can quickly end this task."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's expression changed slightly, and then a pair of tiger eyes heavily looked at Qiu Tu, and a heavy aura pressed over wave after wave.

But Qiu Tu is now also a Fourth Order peak Calamity Descendant. Being invincible at the same level, he really didn't feel much about Huang Shangzong's aura.

So he naturally met Huang Shangzong's gaze.

Seeing Qiu Tu's state, Huang Shangzong then remembered that Qiu Tu was a peak powerhouse who had killed a Fourth Order Evil God with a single sword. His strength was the same as his own, both at the Fourth Order peak. His aura had no effect at all.

So he awkwardly withdrew the aura from his body, and then sat on the main seat and quietly pondered.

Qiu Tu's meaning was very clear: he wanted the Supervision Department and the Court of Judgment.

These two departments are actually... not particularly strong.

Unless there is strong support from above, the role of these two departments is extremely limited.

Especially in the hands of a Deputy Speaker like Qiu Tu, the effect would be even smaller.

But, don't forget, Qiu Tu is good at creating miracles, and good at turning small things into big ones.

And although these two departments are a bit weak, they are also very sensitive.

Not to mention the "Court of Judgment" that holds judicial and adjudicative power, just consider the "Supervision Department."

The Supervision Department's scope of authority includes supervising officials at all levels, and then investigating and appointing or removing officials.

This power can be large or small. If it's small, it's useless to talk to anyone. If it's large, the experiences and lessons of how the "State Inspector" in the Eastern Han Dynasty gradually became a separatist warlord are still vivid in our minds.

If Qiu Tu gains control of local supervision, and then slowly gains control of military power, it would be fine if he had someone suppressing him. If he didn't, Huang Shangzong really worried that Qiu Tu would develop into an uncontrollable monster.

At that time, he would become a sinner of the Eighth Shelter.

Thinking like this, Huang Shangzong wanted to refuse.

As a result, just at this moment, Qiu Tu spoke again, "Speaker, if you feel that these two departments are a bit too difficult for you."

"Actually... giving me a department to assist, and then letting me temporarily take charge of 'Wu Hai City' is also an option."

Qiu Tu opened his eyes and spoke nonsense, "'Red Hair' was caught by me in 'Wu Hai City'. With the cooperation of 'Wu Hai City', I believe I can also complete this operation faster."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Huang Shangzong's eyes lit up slightly.

A department + Wu Hai City?

This is not something that cannot be considered.

As long as the "Supervision Department" is not given to Qiu Tu, and Qiu Tu cannot interfere with personnel matters, Huang Shangzong feels that it is acceptable at this time.

Thinking like this, a smile appeared on his broad face.

He looked at Qiu Tu, and a hint of satisfaction finally appeared on his face, "In that case, after I go back later, I will issue a document to let Speaker Qiu be responsible for the Court of Judgment and related work in Wu Hai City."

"Speaker Qiu should complete this 'Purge Operation' as soon as possible. Don't disappoint me."

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Qiu Tu's face.

If there was a psychologist from his previous life here, they would know that Qiu Tu was using the famous psychological effect "concession effect" in the negotiation just now.

In negotiations, first make a big request to the other party, and then take a step back and change it to a small request; then, this small request is easily accepted.

In fact, what Qiu Tu was initially aiming for was control of "Wu Hai City."

What's so good about the Supervision Department?

Indeed, as long as you are strong enough, you can influence appointments and removals, and if you control military power, you can even control a state.

But this is too conspicuous, and it is easy to attract the attention of many people in the early stage.

In comparison, controlling a city is wonderful.

Because of his high position and great power, Qiu Tu is completely a local emperor in that city.

Combined with the control of the "Dock Sea Area," "Wu Hai City" will be directly and completely under Qiu Tu's control, just like "New Realm City" and "Lang Yue City."

East Industry State only has 16 cities, and Qiu Tu now directly controls three, nearly 1/5, which is enough for him to do many things.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu also quickly guaranteed, "Please rest assured, Speaker, I will definitely not let you down."

Huang Shangzong seemed to be really anxious.

Not long after returning, after communicating with several Deputy Speakers by phone, he directly adjusted Qiu Tu's area of responsibility.

Qiu Tu's scope of authority officially expanded from Lang Yue City to Wu Hai City and the Court of Judgment, making him a truly powerful Deputy Speaker.

However, after updating his scope of authority, Qiu Tu was not in a hurry to celebrate his success.

He was still concerned about the strange "Order Lines" of Scarface.

So he planned to continue the surprise interrogation of Scarface tonight to find out what secrets Scarface was hiding.

Moreover, he was also interested in the "important things" that the Cataclysm Zone was looking for in East Industry State.

What could make the Cataclysm Zone gather so many troops and send three generals to cause trouble in East Industry State?

That evening, East City Investigation Department, Interrogation Room 1.

Qiu Tu sat alone in the position Liu Xiongyuan had occupied in the morning, quietly watching Guan Xiao interrogate Scarface.

With Qiu Tu's reminder, Guan Xiao also had a new direction for the interrogation, and had been trying to dig out the hidden secrets of Scarface.

She looked coldly at Scarface, who was hanging in the air, covered in scars, and questioned,

"Tell me, what is the purpose of your disturbance in East Industry State this time?"

"Also, what exactly is the Cataclysm Zone looking for in East Industry State?"

"What is the use of that thing?"

Hearing Guan Xiao's words, Scarface, whose body was covered with scars, lowered his head, his eyes as black as ink, and then his bleeding mouth made a "hoarse" sound, "What are you talking about? Why can't I understand?"

"I've already said everything I can say. What else do you want me to say?"

Guan Xiao was obviously not so easily fooled. She dipped her whip in salt water and lashed Scarface with a "slap!" and then said, "Stop pretending to be crazy!"

"Do you really think we don't know what you're planning?"

Saying that, she used the whip to lift Scarface's face, and then said fiercely, "You betrayed those Anti-Government Armed Forces coalition forces who trusted you!"

"You plotted against them! You even wanted to kill them!"

Hearing Guan Xiao's words, Scarface's eyes flickered obviously, but then he returned to normal, and then he spat fiercely at Guan Xiao, "You're talking nonsense!"

"You want to smear me because you have no merit! A bunch of lackeys licking the Shelter's ass!"

Qiu Tu watched quietly in the Supervision Room. The reason why he let his subordinates do things now, besides cultivating their abilities to continue sharing his worries.

It was also because it saved time and effort.

Like now, Guan Xiao was interrogating below, which allowed him to clearly find the direction Scarface was hiding.

Later, it would be more convenient and direct to use the Order Space to inquire.

Even, if Guan Xiao interrogated all the Intelligence like last time, then he could even directly ask, "Is everything you just said true?" and end the interrogation.

However, Scarface tonight was obviously much more determined in his heart than last time.

Guan Xiao used all sorts of methods, but he just clenched his teeth and wouldn't budge at all.

When pushed to the brink, he even started cursing Guan Xiao's ancestors for eighteen generations, which infuriated Guan Xiao.

However, unfortunately for him, the more stubborn he seemed, the more Qiu Tu believed that he was hiding an enormous secret.

Thinking this, after patiently watching Guan Xiao interrogate him for an hour, Qiu Tu walked to the door of the interrogation room and knocked.

Tonight, only Qiu Tu and Guan Xiao were in Interrogation Room One, so hearing the knock, Guan Xiao immediately stopped the interrogation and went to the door.

Opening the door, the gorgeous woman's forehead was covered in sweat, and her face was dejected.

She whispered to Qiu Tu, "Speaker, I've disappointed you."

Hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled and patted her arm, saying, "There's nothing to be disappointed about. You've done very well. You've helped me find the direction."

With that, Qiu Tu nodded, gesturing, "Alright, go out first, I'll interrogate him."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao hummed in agreement, nodded, and then walked out with her slender legs.

After she left, Qiu Tu walked into the interrogation room.

Seeing Qiu Tu enter, Scarface, with his hands tied behind his back and hanging in mid-air, glared at Qiu Tu ferociously. Then he opened his bloodied mouth and stared at Qiu Tu viciously, "You bunch of Shelter lackeys! Extorting confessions! Torturing to extract information! You'll die a horrible death!"

Hearing Scarface's words, Qiu Tu laughed.

He walked over and sat down at the interrogation table, putting down his pen and paper as he said, "You are Anti-Government Armed Forces. We don't need to abide by any rules when dealing with you."

"Now, I'll ask, and you'll answer."

"Bah! You're dreaming!" Scarface glared at Qiu Tu viciously.

Qiu Tu didn't mind. He twirled his pen and asked, "What is your purpose in coming to East Industry State this time?"

"Don't tell me it's to stir up trouble in East Industry State."

"I'm asking you, not the Anti-Government Armed Forces."

Qiu Tu paused, then refined the question again, "If I'm not mistaken, you should have your own mission, right?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Scarface was about to spit at Qiu Tu again. Anyway, he knew he couldn't survive, so he wasn't afraid of anything.

But just then, suddenly, he felt his consciousness become a little blurred, his thoughts a little chaotic, and his tongue seemed to be out of his control. He started talking!

"You've all fallen for the trap. Heh heh heh..."

"I came to East Industry State this time to complete my God 'Night Curtain's' blood sacrifice mission!"

Chapter 1, 7000 words, haha, our book has a Moon Tickets lottery this month, drawing 10 copies of Black Myth and 50 copies of mooncakes. You can participate by casting Moon Tickets. See the next single chapter for details.