Let them offer their loyalty!

Chapter 219 Pull One Faction Against Another (10,000 Words to Request Monthly Tickets)

It was precisely because he understood Minister Cai's personality that, before coming to the meeting, Qiu Tu had spent two minutes meticulously arranging his dress.

He strove to ensure there was not a single wrinkle on his person, with every epaulette and pocket impeccably orderly.

Therefore, when Minister Cai saw Qiu Tu entering, his gaze first critically swept up and down Qiu Tu's figure twice.

After not finding any detail he could take issue with, his head gave an almost imperceptible nod....

Qiu Tu keenly captured Minister Cai's subtle expression and chuckled silently to himself, knowing his first step was successful.

As early as yesterday, when he knew he had become the deputy head of the Political Department, Qiu Tu had already gotten a clear picture of his two rivals and colleagues from Liu Fuping.

Even while getting Liu Fuping drunk to the point of collapse, Qiu Tu did not forget to ask for some intelligence.

It could be said he was inputting "devotion" while also being devoted.

After all, Qiu Tu knew that using pressure from the three major departments to become the deputy head must have shocked many onlookers yesterday.

But precisely because of this defiant move against the internal tacit understanding of the Investigation Bureau, the conflict between him and Yan Chen had become more intense on the surface.

Everyone knew that although he had become the deputy head, his situation at the Investigation Bureau and within the Political Department would become even more difficult.

There were many people throughout the Bureau keeping an eye on him, watching this small meeting to see if he would be completely marginalized.

So, on the way to send Liu Fuping off this morning, Qiu Tu also discussed with Liu Fuping for a long time about how to gain a foothold in the Political Department, and how to take over the Intelligence division from the two senior deputy heads.

Fortunately, after a day and a night of contemplation, Qiu Tu had indeed thought of a way.

Overall, given that Qiu Tu was disliked by Yan Chen and had managed to bring down Jia Shu, it was extremely difficult for him to obtain the important responsibility of Intelligence.

After all, both Minister Cai and Minister Zhang had their preconceptions against Qiu Tu and would not support his work.

So, if he wanted to achieve this goal, the best method was still the most commonly used by our ancestors: ally with one and fight against the other.

Only by dividing the two deputy heads, making them enemies of each other, unable to suppress him together, could Qiu Tu possibly establish himself within the upper echelons of the Political Department and gain the Intelligence division he coveted.

And the target he chose to court was clearly the former boss sitting before him, Deputy Minister Cai Peiyuan, who now managed the Political Department temporarily....

Preparing his dress according to Cai Peiyuan's preferences was the first step: gain favor....

And next would be the second step....

With this in mind, Qiu Tu sat down to the right of Cai Peiyuan and casually remarked, "I didn't expect to be the first to arrive with Minister Cai."

Qiu Tu's simple sentence carried implicit depth.

If he and Cai Peiyuan had arrived first, then... didn't that mean Minister Zhang was late?

Thus, he inconspicuously formed a small alliance with Cai Peiyuan while subtly insinuating that Minister Zhang held a lack of respect for this meeting or for Cai Peiyuan.

Sure enough, although Cai Peiyuan's expression seemed unchanged, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

He did not engage with the conversation but instead proactively brought up the topic of the meeting, saying to Qiu Tu, "To be honest, it was quite unexpected for Minister Qiu to stand out from so many candidates and become the deputy head."

"So, the purpose of this small meeting is firstly to congratulate Minister Qiu, and secondly to decide on Minister Qiu's future division of work within the department."

The words of Cai Peiyuan sounded right on the surface, yet they contained a hint of mockery.

Qiu Tu understood the sentiment very well. After all, according to the intelligence he received last night, Cai Peiyuan was a confidant cultivated by Jia Shu himself, deeply loyal to him.

Qiu Tu, the main culprit in bringing down Jia Shu, was naturally not to his liking.

But.... again, in politics, there are neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies.

As long as Qiu Tu could bring to Cai Peiyuan what he desired, he could become his friend.

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With that thought, Qiu Tu gave a small smile and responded, "Then first, I would like to thank Minister Cai."

"Speaking of division of work, I wonder what you think about my previous suggestion that I temporarily take charge of Supervision, Interrogation, and Intelligence?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cai Peiyuan let out a "hehe" and laughed.

He picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip, then beat around the bush, "This is something to discuss during the small meeting. Minister Qiu is a bit too eager."

After finishing his tea, he placed the lid back on the teacup and set it down.

Perhaps because it was slightly misaligned as he set it down, he subtly adjusted the teacup so the handle was perfectly facing him.

Qiu Tu watched this scene with a faint smile and then subtly remarked, "Minister Cai is right. This should indeed wait until Minister Zhang arrives."

"After all... it was reported to the Sanctuary that both you and Minister Zhang were being considered, who knows whether it will be you or him who becomes the head."

"If we discuss at length and Minister Zhang disagrees, it would all be for naught."

Qiu Tu's words caused Cai Peiyuan to pause briefly in his movements. Then he fell silent for two seconds before he looked up and gazed deeply at Qiu Tu.

He wasn't taking the bait of this childish reverse psychology, but... understood that Qiu Tu was hinting at something: He and Minister Zhang still had a core conflict—the struggle for the ministerial position wasn't resolved yet!

This was the second step of Qiu Tu's plan: to sow division between Deputy Ministers Cai and Zhang.

With this in mind, Cai Peiyuan couldn't help but ask with a smirk, "Does Minister Qiu have some opinions?"

Qiu Tu's gaze shifted to the office door, then he held his teacup, speaking slowly and deliberately, "Of course."

Once he noticed that Cai Peiyuan began to take his words seriously, he didn't hold back any longer and said directly, "After Minister Jia's incident, the Bureau Chief almost immediately named you to temporarily manage the operations of the Political Department."

"Although it can't be considered a direct appointment by the Bureau Chief, it is a very obvious political statement."

"At that time, almost everyone in the Investigation Bureau took it for granted that you would be the future Head of the Political Department, the new high-level executive."

"And even if you don't end up becoming the Director of the Political Department, then it must be someone new parachuted in from the Sanctuary."

Hearing Qiu Tu's analysis, Cai Peiyuan nodded with a bit of pride—because that was indeed the case.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu continued, "But who expected that at yesterday's high-level meeting, Minister Zhang would suddenly emerge, with the support of three high-level executives to succeed as the Head of the Political Department."

At this point, Qiu Tu shook his head slightly, "I must say, this is not a good sign."

Clearly, Cai Peiyuan was aware of this, but his expression remained unchanged, merely sipping water to conceal his feelings.

Qiu Tu glanced at him and went on, "You probably know the final outcome of the meeting. Both you and Minister Zhang's names were reported to the Sanctuary."

"It's up to the Sanctuary to decide whether you or he will take over as minister."

At this, Qiu Tu paused for a moment, "Although I'm not sure if you have any backup plans within the Sanctuary."

"But at least on the surface, you and Minister Zhang are evenly matched."

Cai Peiyuan, also an old hand in officialdom, remained inscrutable despite Qiu Tu's spot-on analysis. He merely drank his tea with a deep, contemplative gaze.

However, from the angle at which he drank his tea, his cup not at a 90-degree angle to his mouth, it seemed his heart was not as calm as he appeared.

Qiu Tu felt a surge of confidence within. He was finally ready to proceed with the third step of his plan: to emphasize his own importance.

He first paused for two seconds, giving Cai Peiyuan some time to rest and think, then slowly began to speak, "The Art of War says: A general should not worry about victory, but rather worry about the possibility of defeat. Therefore, they can be undefeated in a hundred battles."

"If the Sanctuary decides in the end that you are to take over as the minister, then everything would obviously be perfect."

"But if... the Sanctuary ultimately chooses Minister Zhang..."

"Hehe..." Qiu Tu chuckled lightly, then said, "Minister Zhang should be a magnanimous man. He probably won't mind you, the former acting head and his biggest competitor..."

Cai Peiyuan: ....

Qiu Tu knew it was time for the final push, so he spoke bluntly, "However, even if Minister Zhang is generous, after he becomes minister, he surely won't leave all three major sectors—Action, Interrogation, and Intelligence—to you, will he?"

Qiu Tu's eyes darkened as he looked at Cai Peiyuan, speaking softly, his voice like the whisper of a devil, "Minister Cai, guess... which sector might Minister Zhang take away?"

"Is it Interrogation, which has some power? Or Intelligence, that's both dirty and tiring?"

"Or... the Action Division, which not only has great power and influence but is also vast in its military and leadership?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cai Peiyuan let out a deep sigh.

Seeing his reaction, Qiu Tu lowered his head to drink his tea, then said softly, "Power that isn't in hand is always ethereal."

"Better to benefit a friend than an opponent."

"This way, whether or not you become the minister in the end, you will have the most steadfast ally."

"I have been promoted several times in rapid succession, so it's impossible for me to compete with you."

"But it's different with Old Zhang..."

"Even if you get promoted, he can still pull you down, then step up himself..."

Toward the end, Qiu Tu's voice grew fainter—because he heard footsteps from outside.

Sure enough, as he uttered the last word, Minister Zhang stepped into the meeting room.

He glanced around the office, then nodded at Cai Peiyuan first, stating coldly, "Old Cai, you guys are pretty early."

"Yes."

Upon hearing Minister Zhang's greeting, Cai Peiyuan revealed an exceedingly "sincere" smile,

"We both... were just waiting for you."

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Chapter of 10,000 words, ha. We'll continue with another 10,000 words tomorrow! Ask for Monthly Ticket!