Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 178

This was evident from the smoke filling the conference room and the constant replenishment of water.

So, halfway through the meeting, Secretary Bai got up and walked to the window. As she opened the window, she said with a refined smile, "You guys are smoking way too much. You've almost turned the meeting room into a fairyland."

"Please consider us non-smoking colleagues."

His joke brought laughter to the meeting room and eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Seeing this, Secretary Bai opened the window and walked back to the conference table, continuing to ease the tension, "I think we're all colleagues, it's fine to have our own ideas, but let's not ruin the harmony."

"Anyway, the higher-ups have already decided that we will promote the Minister of the Political Department from where we are. Whoever it is, it will not affect the overall situation."

"So, if there's really too much disagreement, then let's just submit both candidates' names and let the higher-ups decide. That way, we can show our respect for them."

Since Secretary Bai took the initiative to mediate, the people who were arguing felt embarrassed to continue the dispute.

So Lin Ting, the head of the Special Operations Department who had been arguing the loudest, and Shi Youxin, the head of the Personnel Department, exchanged glances and nodded.

The selection of the Special Branch Minister was authorized by the New Territories City Exploration Department to make its own internal selection.

Because both deputy ministers of the political department were Yan Chen's men, Yan Chen remained impartial and showed no particular bias.

However, Yan Chen had no inclination, but his subordinates did.

It should be noted that even within Yan Chen's faction, there are their own smaller factions.

The two vice ministers, who were both considered for promotion, each had close high-ranking supporters, so they started arguing at the meeting.

Perhaps feeling that the noise wouldn't bother him, Yan Chen didn't bother with it. From the start of the meeting, he sat in his chair with droopy eyelids, too lazy to offer any opinions.

Now that both sides had reached an agreement thanks to Secretary Bai's mediation, Yan Chen finally raised his eyelids. He slowly surveyed the high-ranking officials present, like an old tree, and then slowly spoke, "Then let's do it according to Secretary Bai's wishes."

"Report both Lao Cai and Lao Zhang's names; whoever gets shelter will be chosen. The other one will be an assistant."

Seeing that Yan Chen had made the final decision, the high-ranking officials present fell silent.

After confirming this, Yan Chen pondered for a moment, then continued, "Alright. Now that we've discussed the ministerial candidates, let's talk about the vice-ministerial candidates."

"Since one of Lao Cai and Lao Zhang will definitely be promoted, then a vice minister position will be vacant."

"Does anyone have any opinions on this candidate?"

Upon hearing his words, the atmosphere, which had just eased somewhat, became tense again.

The high-ranking executives present exchanged glances, each sensing a spark of malice in the other's eyes...

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Chapter 208 I recommend Qiu Tu, who agrees, who disagrees? (10,000 words, please subscribe!)

There were originally nine senior officials in the Investigation Bureau.

They are Director Yan Chen.

The three deputy directors are: Yu Zhengyi, Lai Shun, and Tang Feifei.

There are also five top officials from core departments: Jia Shu, Minister of the Political Department; Shi Youxin, Minister of the Personnel Department; Lin Ting, Minister of the Special Service Department; Guan Weihua, Director of the Public Security Department; and Bai Yu, Director of the Administrative Department.

These nine individuals not only hold high positions of power within the Detective Agency, but are also among the most influential figures in the entire New Territories.

Below these nine important figures are the deputy directors of various departments within the Investigation Bureau.

Among them, the Deputy Director of the Political Department is clearly ranked highest among all non-high-ranking officials. Not only does he wield the most power and have the widest influence, but he also has the greatest potential for upward promotion.

More importantly, this position is decided by a few senior members of the investigation department—they can choose the candidates themselves and then send them to the municipal council for confirmation.

However, according to the tacit understanding among the three major authorities in the New Territories, as long as the Investigation Department selects its own people, the Municipal Council will not be able to block them.

Therefore, for such a crucial position, the senior executives present clearly all had their own ulterior motives...

Thinking this, Shi Youxin, the personnel manager who was always good at handling people, first glanced at Yan Chen. Then, instead of offering his own opinion, he tentatively asked Secretary Bai, "Secretary Bai, do you have any recommendations for this deputy minister position?"

Upon hearing Shi Youxin's words, Secretary Bai smiled and then shook his head. "I don't know much about the Political Department, and I don't have a suitable candidate at the moment. Let's see if any of you have any recommendations."

Secretary Bai is Yan Chen's right-hand man and always represents Yan Chen's attitude in high-level meetings.

So when he said there was no suitable candidate, he actually meant that Yan Chen didn't have anyone in mind yet, and everyone could discuss it.

The high-ranking officials present were all shrewd individuals, and they immediately received the hints from Secretary Bai and Yan Chen.

Therefore, Shi Youxin finally stopped being polite. He first glanced at Guan Weihua, the head of the Public Security Bureau, then coughed and said, "In that case... as the Minister of Personnel, I will propose a candidate..."

“My nominee is: Section Chief Guan of the Political Department’s Espionage Section.”

"She was originally a veteran of the Political Department and made great contributions to the preparation of the Political Department."

"Moreover, he single-handedly established the political department's spy system, which can be described as a great achievement."

"If we were to promote a deputy political minister, I would feel that she would be the most suitable."

Upon hearing Shi Youxin's words, Lin Ting, the head of the Special Operations Department, immediately had a different opinion. He leaned back in his chair and said casually, "Actually... I think Chief Wang of the Political Department's Intelligence Section is not bad either."

"Although espionage work is very important, it is precisely because it is so important that if Section Chief Guan is promoted rashly, it will be difficult for someone to take over her work."

"But Section Chief Wang is different. He is in charge of intelligence gathering and summarizing. He not only has connections with all departments of the Political Department, but also has an understanding of all the core operations of the Political Department."

"In this way, he can adapt to the new position of deputy minister more quickly, and it will not affect the original work of the intelligence section."

Before Shi Youxin could even speak after hearing Lin Ting's words, Guan Weihua, the head of the public security department, jumped in to refute him, "Old Lin, what you said is incorrect..."

"If someone is difficult to take on a job, they won't be promoted?"

"Isn't this discouraging to those below?"

"I think it's precisely because her work is irreplaceable that it proves she's doing a good job. That's why she deserves a promotion."

Just now, the Minister of Personnel, Shih Yu-hsin, and the Minister of Special Operations, Lin Ting, got into an argument over the selection of the Minister of Political Affairs.

This time, with Guan Weihua added to the list of candidates for vice minister, the situation became even more chaotic. The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became even more tense.

While the three of them were arguing fiercely, the directors at the front of the conference room sat there calmly, observing the whole situation with indifference.

Among them, the spirited Tang Feifei sat expressionlessly in the second seat to Yan Chen's left, observing the situation before her with keen insight.

Having been with the Investigation Bureau for so long, she had long since seen through its current power structure.

Of the nine high-ranking officials, apart from her, they were all actually from Yan Chen's faction.

Whether it's the other two deputy directors or the five section chiefs, they are all Yan Chen's former colleagues, students, or people with some connection to him.

These seven people were further divided into three factions.

Previously, Jia Shu and Secretary Bai were Yan Chen's staunch supporters;

Deputy Director of Operations Lai Shun, Special Operations Director Lin Ting, and Director of the Security Department Guan Weihua represent the interests of the Investigation Department's operations division.

Deputy Director-General Yu Cheng-yi and Director of Personnel Shih Yu-hsin represent the interests of various administrative departments within the Investigation Agency.

The position of Minister of the Political Department, which we just discussed, may seem like a clash between Lin Ting of the Special Operations Department and Shi Youxin of the Personnel Department, but it is actually a collision between two major forces behind the scenes.

The same applies to the current competition for vice ministership.

However... that "Section Chief Guan" is clearly related to Guan Weihua.

Guan Weihua did not receive support from his own side, which is why he turned to support the other side.

Politics is both incredibly complex and incredibly simple: everything revolves around self-interest...

One second two people may be friends, the next they may become enemies.

At this moment, Guan Weihua's sudden "betrayal" clearly surprised Lin Ting. So, he hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lai Shun, the deputy director of operations, in front of him, as if seeking advice.

Lai Shun is a middle-aged man with rich experience and a deep understanding of the world. This can be seen from his Mediterranean hairstyle, which resembles a man from the countryside who has been living in the city.

Therefore, when Guan Weihua suddenly betrayed him, his expression did not change. He simply pondered quietly for a moment and then made a plan.

He slowly opened his mouth and offered a third candidate, "Actually... I feel that Deputy Chief Qi of the Public Security Bureau is also quite good."

"He was originally a senior and experienced section chief. Transferring him to the Political Department to take over the work of the deputy minister should have a good effect."

"More importantly, the work of the Public Security Bureau is significantly easier to hand over compared to the Political Department, and problems are less likely to arise..."

This plan is clearly Lai Shun using leverage to win back Guan Weihua:

The transfer of one of Guan Weihua's deputy ministers to the political department not only expanded Guan Weihua's reach of power, but also allowed Guan Weihua to promote another deputy minister.

This brilliant move immediately made Guan Weihua waver and changed the atmosphere at the scene.

Personnel Minister Shi Youxin and Deputy Director of Management Yu Zhengyi exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

They were just about to stir things up further when Tang Feifei spoke up.

She clapped her hands lightly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet office.

Hearing the clapping, everyone turned to look at her. After drawing everyone's attention to herself, Tang Feifei slowly spoke, "Actually, I also have someone in mind."

Upon hearing Tang Feifei speak, the executives present were visibly taken aback.

As an "outlier" among them, Tang Feifei is the only high-ranking member who does not belong to Yan Chen's faction.

Therefore, although she held the position of deputy director, she actually had very little say in personnel matters.

Tang Feifei, on the other hand, has a cold and arrogant personality and is unwilling to do anything that would make her look foolish. Therefore, whenever it comes to personnel arrangements, she always keeps a low profile and never expresses her opinions.

Her sudden decision to speak up, especially to compete for such an important position, was clearly unexpected.

And considering the people she could use, the executives almost instantly guessed who Tang Feifei was planning to recommend...

As expected, Tang Feifei said with a cold expression, "My recommended candidate is Qiu Tu, the deputy director of the Political Department's Action Division."

"Since joining the Investigation Bureau, Qiu Tu has made numerous contributions, and it was he who discovered that Jia Shu had problems this time."

"Therefore, I think he is also capable of doing this job in the political department."

Upon hearing the name Tang Feifei, the executives present fell silent for a moment.

After all... compared to the other candidates, Qiu Tu is clearly lacking in both seniority and merit, and Qiu Tu is a "traitor" who betrayed Yan Chen.

Even if he is qualified and has made merits, Yan Chen would not agree.

So as soon as Tang Feifei opened her mouth, before Yan Chen could even comment, several high-ranking officials immediately spoke up, ready to refute Tang Feifei.

Just then, Tang Feifei suddenly added, "Furthermore, this is not just my opinion, but also the opinion of the Inspector."

"Inspector General?!" Upon hearing the name of this sensitive department, the high-ranking officials who were about to speak immediately fell silent.

Tang Feifei glanced disdainfully at everyone and continued to explain, "The Political Department has the power to oversee the Municipal Government, the Military Department, and the Investigation Bureau."

"This was originally a power delegated by the inspector."

"During this inspection tour, the inspector found that the New Territories City is severely lacking in this area."

"Therefore, we require the New Territories City to pay attention to this aspect of the business."

"After their investigation, Qiu Tu was the person in charge of making the proposal."

"According to convention, the official in charge of this area should be a vice minister."

At this point, Tang Feifei surveyed the room with an air of authority, "Therefore, I recommend Qiu Tu to be the new Deputy Minister of the Political Department. Who agrees, who disagrees?"

Upon hearing Tang Feifei's words, the conference room fell silent for a moment.

Tang Feifei's reasons for recommending the product were all reasonable and well-founded, and also completely compliant with regulations.

After the higher-level department has requested that this business be given importance and has recommended a person to be in charge, the lower-level department should, in order to avoid being "targeted" by the higher-ups, indeed obey.

But... that person is Qiu Tu.

Thinking this, the senior executives couldn't help but look at Yan Chen, who was sitting at the head of the table...

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Three chapters of 10,000 words each today! Chapter 3 will probably be updated around 11 PM to midnight. Please vote with your monthly tickets during this double reward period!

Chapter 209 The Shocking Development of the Situation (10,000 words, please vote!)

In the entire conference room, if anyone had the most tense relationship with Qiu Tu, it would definitely be Yan Chen.

After all, Qiu Tu was a mid-level official promoted by Yan Chen.

Moreover, Yan Chen clearly thought highly of Qiu Tu, truly treating him as a trusted confidant and cultivating him, paving a grand path for him.

Despite all this, Qiu Tu still betrayed Yan Chen and threw himself into Tang Feifei's arms.