Let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing Yan Chen's words, Qiu Tu knew that the real test was finally about to come.

Therefore, he looked at Yan Chen, listened to the "rustling" rain outside the window, and slowly said,

"Bureau Chief, the 'Yin Caimei case' actually consists of two separate cases."

"The first case is the 'Yin Caimei Spy Case'."

"The second case is the 'Yin Caimei Death Case'."

"The murderer of the second case is simple. After our investigation and interrogation, we have locked down and confirmed the killer."

"It is none other than one of the Four Major Transportation Merchants, Deputy Director Bai of the Civil Affairs Bureau's son-in-law, Section Chief Bai's husband: Qian Dafu."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"According to his testimony, he has been working closely with the Anti-government Armed Forces, the United Front, over the years, not only supplying them with materials multiple times but also always running errands for them."

"And Yin Caimei was an important spy for the United Front. Using her, the United Front obtained a vast amount of confidential intelligence from various departments and bureaus of City Hall."

"Thus, when she was captured, the United Front feared she would expose their entire intelligence network, so they ordered Qian Dafu to silence her."

"As a result, Qian Dafu used a Cataclysmic treasure, the 'Cursed Blueprint,' to curse and remotely murder Yin Caimei, resulting in the bizarre incident of her death."

After listening to Qiu Tu's narrative, Yan Chen nodded slightly, his aged eyes reflecting thoughtfulness.

Looking at Yan Chen, still with drooping eyelids and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth, Qiu Tu wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he felt that today, Yan Chen seemed somewhat younger.

It was not so much a change in appearance as a manifestation of vitality...

Yan Chen leaned back in his chair, pondering for a moment before asking deeply, "That Cataclysmic treasure is called the 'Cursed Blueprint'?"

Qiu Tu, upon hearing this, snapped back to reality, nodded, and then brought out a document that detailed the murder weapon, presenting it with both hands to Yan Chen, "Yes."

"That Cataclysmic treasure is a set of two pieces, consisting of the 'Cursed Book' and the 'Curse Notes'."

"The person holding the notes can curse the person reading the book."

"According to the location provided by Qian Dafu, we have found that notebook in the safe of his villa's basement."

"It indeed has the cause and time of Yin Caimei's death written on it, matching his confession. And the handwriting has been identified as Qian Dafu's."

At this point, Qiu Tu paused, then added, "Although we haven't yet done a Catastrophe Power source comparison... it shouldn't be wrong."

Hearing Qiu Tu's account, Yan Chen lightly nodded, "Not bad, it's quite an accomplishment to have managed the case to this extent in such a short time."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu also replied with a smile, "Mainly, it's because we made a lot of preparation and effort in advance."

When receiving praise from a leader, one must never be modest. Instead, one should doubly emphasize one's own hard work and efforts.

Superiors rarely empathize with subordinates; if you don't talk about your hardships, why would leaders think the task is difficult? Why would they believe you've done a great job?

So... one part success, seven parts talking.

Qiu Tu naturally began to talk about his hard work during this time, "Bureau Chief, you don't know, ever since I took on this case, I've been staying up almost every night working on it!"

"The night before last, in order to gather some clues for the case, I met with friends I knew from the past and drank until almost dawn, almost coughing up blood."

"Yesterday, in order not to spook them and as a ploy to lull the enemy, I deliberately left work early and took my subordinates to her house for a meeting. We discussed the case until late into the night."

"Yesterday, in order to execute the plan more perfectly, I stayed up all night discussing with the Security Department. We fought several times over the details of the investigation and the distribution of interests."

After saying this, Qiu Tu rubbed his arms and back, saying with a wry smile, "I still feel a sore back and achy waist."

"Even today, before wrapping up the case, I had to suppress my anxiety and butter up the suspects in the Emerald Fort to lower their guard."

"For someone as tough as Section Chief Bai Ru, just trying to extract information from her left me with a dry mouth and barely able to raise my hands."

After finishing his speech, Qiu Tu transitioned, "Nevertheless, it's precisely because of the efforts these past days, all the preparation and arrangements made in advance, that we were able to make the suspects admit their crimes and resolve the case in just a few hours after their arrest."

He bowed slightly and concluded, "Of course, we've been working so hard to repay the Bureau Chief for the grace of knowing and recognizing us."

"Being able to fulfill the tasks given to us by the Bureau Chief and to alleviate your worries, is a blessing we've cultivated over several lifetimes!"

[Yan Chen's satisfaction +6]

Hearing Qiu Tu's mix of complaints and flattery, an exceedingly rare expression of appreciation appeared on Yan Chen's face.

He did not merely offer a simple appraisal like "not bad" as before but instead praised directly, "Good job. If every department of the Investigation Bureau could share my concerns like you, I wouldn't feel the lack of people to rely on!"

However, Yan Chen wasn't knocked over by Qiu Tu's brown-nosing. After lavishing praise, he still sharply picked up on the sensitive information mixed into Qiu Tu's speech.

His tone shifted, then he suddenly asked, "However... you just mentioned that you and the Security Department studied the case late into the night? What is that about?"

"Why would the Security Department get involved in this case?"

His gaze was deep, showing no emotion, inscrutable.

But... Qiu Tu had prepared various contingency plans before coming to see him, so he wasn't flustered and displayed a surprised expression on his face.

"Wait a minute. Bureau Chief, I didn't catch your meaning."

"What do you mean by why the Security Department got involved? Isn't this... your arrangement?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen's brow furrowed visibly but quickly smoothed out. He asked in an unfazed tone, "My arrangement?"

Qiu Tu nodded, his face still showing surprise, "Yes." Discover stories with empire

He explained, "When I took on this case, Minister Jia called me up to the rooftop and then told me you had taken an interest in me, asking me to act as a double agent in the Security Department, maintaining contact with them."

Yan Chen's gaze was deep, as Jia Shu had indeed discussed this matter with him.

Seeing Yan Chen's reaction, Qiu Tu continued, "After that, I kept in touch with the Security Department on and off, trying to gain their trust."

"And then... after you summoned me to your office last time, where I publicly expressed suspicion of Minister Jia, he found me and told me that I had completely misunderstood your and his intention."

"You were actually giving me a hint. Not allowing me to investigate Vice President Tian didn't mean I couldn't continue with the case. Then he asked me to think hard and see if I could understand your hint."

"So... after going back, I kept trying to recall your words to me, and then... I finally understood what you were hinting at."

"This case mostly involves officials from City Hall, and our Investigation Bureau must enforce justice impartially; there's no way we can let it pass."

"However... if only our Investigation Bureau investigates this matter, it's very likely to provoke strong backlash and retaliation from City Hall."

"At that time, although we would eradicate some scoundrels, we might also cause ill will with City Hall. We'd be restricted everywhere."

"So, if we could cooperate with the military and the Security Department... pass this 'hot potato' to the military, letting them take the lead, and then sit on the hills and watch the tigers fight, reaping the benefits, wouldn't that be perfect?"

Qiu Tu got a bit excited as he reached this point, "After I understood your hint, I thought your plan was absolutely brilliant!"

"This way, we get the benefits; the military takes the blame! Indeed, it's much smarter than just doggedly investigating the case as I had thought before!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen let out a nearly imperceptible sneer through his nose.

Qiu Tu pretended not to hear it and continued, "So soon after, I adjusted the plan according to your instructions and reported it back to Minister Jia."

"After hearing my plan, he said he was right to trust me, that I finally understood your painstaking efforts. It was due to his affirmation that I started to cooperate with the Security Department and implement this plan..."

"If you don't believe me, you can call Minister Jia right now and ask if he knows about this plan."

After listening to Qiu Tu's recount, Yan Chen took a deep breath, then quietly observed Qiu Tu with his turbid eyes.

There was no imposing aura about him, yet Qiu Tu felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.

However, Qiu Tu also knew that he had to hold on, so he looked frankly at Yan Chen without averting his gaze, intentionally showing a hint of confusion about the situation in his eyes...

After quietly observing Qiu Tu for a while, Yan Chen slowly retracted his gaze; he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and commented, "You people in the Political Department do have some craftiness..."

"Being able to understand such 'hints'."

His remark on "craftiness" seemed to carry an implication, though it was unclear whether he was referring to Qiu Tu or Jia Shu...

[Yan Chen's suspicion +0, satisfaction -2]

After his evaluation, he also said indifferently, "I will verify this matter with your minister."

"Continue with what you were saying..."

"You mentioned the 'Yin Caimei case' is actually two separate cases. One is the 'death incident,' and the other is the 'espionage case.'"

"Talk about the espionage case."

Seeing the prompt that appeared before him, Qiu Tu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Chen was a suspicious person. His lack of doubt toward Qiu Tu meant that... his guidance had been successful.

For now, at least, he had successfully shifted the blame for "contact with the Security Department" onto Jia Shu, further intensifying the conflict between Yan Chen and Jia Shu...

Given the personalities of both men and their current relationship, it was unlikely that Yan Chen would question Jia Shu directly.

Therefore, Yan Chen would probably arrange for someone to test Jia Shu or observe his subsequent reactions to determine if things were as Qiu Tu had described.

And since Jia Shu had indeed been forewarned of the plan by Qiu Tu, he wouldn't overreact but would calmly wait for things to unfold.

This would only solidify the suspicion in Yan Chen's mind that the plan was arranged by Jia Shu...

What remained was to see how unlucky Jia Shu would be and what stance Yan Chen would take on the "espionage case"...

Qiu Tu hadn't forgotten that Yan Chen had always wanted to bring the Qin Family under his control, so the next steps of the case and which contingency plan to implement would depend on Yan Chen's reactions...

With these thoughts in mind, Qiu Tu braced himself, looked at Yan Chen, and started dropping bombshells...

----

Three chapters, ten thousand words, ha! Requesting Monthly Tickets! I'm working on the draft now and will continue to update tonight!