Let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing Zheng Tao's words, Wu Zhi and Commissioner Wang exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up momentarily.

Unable to help himself, Wu Zhi said, "Director Zheng, please elaborate on these incidents."

"It's very likely that they will greatly assist my investigation."

Upon hearing Wu Zhi's request, Zheng Tao heaved a sigh of relief, and quickly relayed the incriminating evidence he had concocted on his way here.

Although Zheng Tao had some issues with his character, his capabilities were unquestionable—the cases handled by the Interrogation Section over the past year were almost all memorized by him.

He was acutely aware of which cases had doubts, which had issues, and which weren't completely by the book.

Therefore, he selected only two cases that occurred during Qiu Tu's tenure, subtly altering some details to frame Qiu Tu.

His reasoning was clear as well: Wu Zhi's arrival was precisely to take down Qiu Tu.

Thus, whether what he said was true or false, it would eventually be regarded as "true."

Because, once Qiu Tu was taken down, there was no coming back.

Moreover, the most important thing was... if he didn't manage to take down Qiu Tu and rescue Secretary Bai, he might be the one to be taken down instead.

Hence, although such framing wouldn't stand up to scrutiny, it... didn't matter. He no longer cared.

While Zheng Tao was thinking this, Wu Zhi swiftly wrote up an interrogation record.

After checking it over, Wu Zhi handed it to Zheng Tao, "Director Zheng, please verify this. If there's no issue, please sign your name."

Upon hearing Wu Zhi's words, Zheng Tao briefly checked to ensure that his framing wasn't diluted, then nonchalantly signed his name.

Seeing Zheng Tao sign, Wu Zhi visibly relaxed.

Although he was a confidant of Huang Shangzong and deeply trusted by him, Huang Shangzong had more than one confidant.

Therefore, while he could have easily concocted an excuse to take down Qiu Tu, it would have fulfilled his mission but planted seeds of future trouble.

So, he hoped that everything done was as legitimate as possible.

Now that Zheng Tao had signed the testimony, it signified his willingness to take responsibility for it.

Thus, he had adequate reason to eliminate Qiu Tu once and for all.

And even if the testimony was proven problematic later, by then everything would have been settled, beyond rectification.

At worst, he could take Zheng Tao down later and interrogate him as to why he gave false testimony.

With this in mind, Wu Zhi finally allowed a confident smile to spread across his face.

Then, he turned to Commissioner Wang and asked, "Commissioner Wang, now that we have a plethora of leads and evidence, should we not meet with Qiu Tu?"

"See what he has to say?"

Hearing Wu Zhi's words, Commissioner Wang responded with a chuckle, "No problem. I believe it's indeed time."

With that, Commissioner Wang addressed the secretary of Yu Zhengyi, who had been waiting on the side, "Secretary Zhang, do you think we can arrange a meeting with Qiu Tu now?"

Secretary Zhang could be counted as one who had been involved in the investigation from the start.

He was aware of what exactly Wu Zhi wanted to do.

So, when he heard Zheng Tao's attempt to frame Qiu Tu, he knew that "it was all over" for Qiu Tu.

No matter whether Zheng Tao was telling the truth or lies, Zheng Tao was ready to be the knife that struck at Qiu Tu.

Thus, he didn't say anything in Qiu Tu's defense, only smiling and saying, "I'll contact Minister Qiu right away."

After speaking, he took out his communicator and began calling Qiu Tu.

Whether Qiu Tu was too busy with a case to check his phone, or deliberately ignoring the calls, it was uncertain. But several calls went unanswered, sinking like stones without any response.

This gradually tested the patience of both Wu Zhi and Commissioner Wang.

It was precisely at this moment that the conference room door was pushed open from the outside.

Ji Chen entered from outside.

He looked at those present, and then said, "Commissioner Wang, Wu Counselor. I've just received intelligence that this morning, without any authorization, Qiu Tu forcibly disarmed Secretary Bai's security team and stormed into Secretary Bai's villa, arresting Secretary Bai."

"Now, he's not answering calls or replying to messages under the pretext of handling a case."

"Therefore, I suggest, perhaps we should visit Secretary Bai's villa to see what exactly is going on?"

Upon hearing Ji Chen's suggestion, Wu Zhi hesitated for a moment but finally agreed.

After all, he was aware of the idiom 'The longer the night lasts, the more dreams will occur.' Now that he had acquired Qiu Tu's 'evidence' of guilt, he could dismiss Qiu Tu from his position at any time and bring him back for investigation.

If by giving Qiu Tu time to prepare, Qiu Tu found a way to counterattack, it would lead to a host of problems later on.

So, thinking along these lines, he didn't hesitate any longer. He stood up and said to Ji Chen, "Okay, let's go then."

A convoy of vehicles grandly set out toward Secretary Bai's villa.

On the way, Wu Zhi seemed to remember something, and spoke to Ji Chen, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "I originally intended to visit Director Yan today."

"But I heard he caught a cold last night and took the day off to rest. That's why I didn't go to see him."

Hearing Wu Zhi's words, Ji Chen chuckled and replied, "Counselor Wu is too polite. The Bureau Chief really isn't feeling well today. But he also instructed me to fully cooperate with your work."

"So please be at ease, the Bureau Chief understands everything."

After hearing what Ji Chen said, Wu Zhi couldn't help but smile.

The motorcade moved imposingly through half of the city to the villas of the Investigation Bureau's high-ranking officials, to Secretary Bai's villa.

Indeed, this place had already been taken over by Qiu Tu's confidants.

Chen Feng, Ding Xiaoliu, Zhu Huoyan, and a dozen other agents in Political Department's black uniforms guarded every exit of the villa, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving it.

Yet when they saw the motorcade, they exchanged glances and bravely stepped forward to intercept them, demanding the vehicles to stop.

When they were stopped, Ji Chen rolled down the window, and then shouted to Chen Feng, "Chen Feng! Take a good look at who I am!"

"Make way!"

Hearing his words, Chen Feng coldly replied, "Director Ji, the Inspection Department of the Political Department is handling a case. What is an Interrogation Section director like you doing here?"

"Furthermore, when has your Interrogation Section had the authority to order us around in the Inspection Department?"

After hearing Chen Feng's unabashed rebuttal, Ji Chen's face turned from red to white.

But he knew that arguing for the sake of arguing was pointless right now. The priority was to deceive Qiu Tu into coming out.

Thus, he skipped over the topic and went on to say, "I won't argue about these things with you."

"I'm here with an important guest to meet with Minister Qiu. Please ask him to come out."

Upon hearing Ji Chen's words, Chen Feng didn't continue to confront him but instead said, "All right, I'll go in and let him know."

As he spoke, he gestured to the other agents to keep a watchful eye, and then he turned around to notify those in the villa. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire

Seeing this, Wu Zhi, who was in the back seat of the car, snorted coldly and remarked, "This Qiu Tu might not hold a high position, but he sure puts on a grand display."

Commissioner Wang played along with a smile, "After all, he is the deputy of the Political Department. His power is immense. It's normal to have such a grand setup."

This comment, on the surface, seemed explanatory, but on closer inspection, it carried a sarcastic undertone.

And so, while playfully mocking Qiu Tu, they waited for about five or six minutes.

Finally, just when they were becoming impatient, Qiu Tu, guarded by several confidants, slowly walked out from the villa.

Qiu Tu, being naturally tall and handsomely imposing, now appeared even more domineering with the aura of immense power as he appeared with his confidants.

Seeing Qiu Tu emerge, they all got out of the car.

As a member of the Investigation Bureau, Ji Chen took the initiative and said, "Qiu Tu, I have come because an esteemed guest wishes to meet with you."

Hearing Ji Chen's words, Qiu Tu, as if he hadn't noticed anything unusual, smiled and glanced at Commissioner Wang and Wu Zhi, cupping his hands, "I apologize for being busy with matters here and making the distinguished guests wait."

After that, Qiu Tu turned to Ji Chen and said, "Director Ji, would you mind making the introductions?"

Seeing Qiu Tu acting so normally, all three of them relaxed a bit inside.

After all, no one wanted a direct confrontation to occur while the opposition was still armed with dozens of guns.

Being able to peacefully deceive Qiu Tu into getting on the car or lure him back to the bureau for a bloodless arrest was certainly preferable to forcibly taking him away while he held great power.

Thus, they continued to play along with the act.

Director Ji pointed to Commissioner Wang and introduced him, "This is Commissioner Wang from the City Hall, mainly in charge of registry and civil affairs."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu extended his hand to Commissioner Wang, "I have seen Commissioner Wang."

Seeing this, Director Ji then pointed to Wu Zhi and was about to introduce him, when…

"Bang!"

Before he could finish speaking, a gunshot rang out.

Blood splattered, Wu Zhi's eyes bulged, and a bullet hole suddenly appeared on the side of his head, then he slowly collapsed to the ground...

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