445: Chapter 281: Swords Have No Eyes!_2 445: Chapter 281: Swords Have No Eyes!_2 One man’s power can overcome myriad tricks.

Seeing the response from Zhong Jiayuan, Tang Fei knew he had managed to persuade him with reason and move him with emotion.

With a modest expression, he said, “Brother Zhong, you know I’m a stranger in the Monitoring Bureau, and the only person I know is you…

I must ask for your help this time, no matter what.”

When asking someone to do a job, it doesn’t hurt to show a little humility.

“Hmm,” Zhong Jiayuan was quite satisfied with Tang Fei’s attitude, although the style of first making a mistake and then expecting oneself to clean up was infuriating, “I’ve said before, since you’re here, let’s discuss whatever matters arise…

Have you got the second team under control?”

“There are no objections on the surface, but who knows what’s going on behind the scenes…”

“Didn’t you promote a deputy team leader?”

“Yes, his name is Shen Yan,” Tang Fei said.

“Shen Yan?

I know of him, always quiet and not very active…

But since he’s your appointee, I will naturally support you fully.

How about this: you send up the report from team two, I’ll sign off on it right away, then ask the personnel department to approve it.

We should manage to get a deputy team leader appointed…”

“Thank you, Brother Zhong,” Tang Fei said happily.

He made the spot appointment of Shen Yan as deputy team leader of the second team, which looked very “impressive” but was actually an irregular operation.

He, a mere team leader, only half a rank above a deputy team leader, by what authority did he appoint a deputy team leader?

Without the director’s signature, the personnel department’s agreement, or the seal from the head of the institute, you appointed a deputy team leader?

Personnel issues are always extremely sensitive in any organization at any time.

Fortunately, Tang Fei came bearing the Imperial Sword; had it been someone else…

they might already have been invited by the Disciplinary Department for a chat.

By what authority did you appoint a deputy team leader?

How would you answer that?

But the word was already out and it was his first appointment since taking office.

If it were to be rejected by higher-ups, his dignity would be swept away.

Most likely, those below him would be even less inclined to work for him properly.

You wish to buy the loyalty of a steed with a fortune, but what if the gold turned out to be gilded…

Who would want that?

“Don’t mention it, it’s the least I could do.”

“Also, I’d like to ask another favor of you, Brother Zhong.

Since most of team two consists of Pan Zhiheng and the old team leader’s people, who are deeply entrenched, I can’t possibly turn them all to my side…

So, I wonder if I could get permission to hire a few inspectors?”

“Hiring inspectors?” Zhong Jiayuan frowned slightly and said, “Training a mature inspector is quite difficult.

Moreover, that’s something handled by the personnel department.

They are responsible for political screening and recruitment, then allocating them to the various departments…

Even if I wanted to help you, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to do much.”

“I would like to ask for your help in transferring a few of the hardliners, then we’ll have open spots in team two, right?

Then I’ll approach Sister Gao from the personnel department; we’re quite good friends…

ask her to recruit a few with clear backgrounds, which would make them easier for me to work with.

What do you think?”

“I have no issues on my end, just list their names, and I’ll transfer them to other departments.

Don’t forget, the Black Flag Army is our most important force in division five…

As for the personnel department, you’ll have to handle that yourself.”

The Black Flag Army?

A thought flickered in Tang Fei’s mind; if he could take control of this force for himself, that would be ideal.

The crucial power protecting the inspection of officials in the Imperial City must be coveted by many, right?

But, since he had now joined the Monitoring Bureau, he had become one of them…

and everything was possible.

To make a horse gallop, you must allow it to graze well, right?

“Thank you, Brother Zhong.” Having resolved another concern, Tang Fei was in very high spirits, “Brother Zhong, there’s one more thing I need to trouble you with…”

“Ahh, I think I have a meeting.” Zhong Jiayuan looked at his watch and said, “It’s time.

We can talk about whatever matter it is next time.”

“Brother Zhong, it’s just a small matter…

I still need you to help put in a word with the Disciplinary Department…”

“Ah,” Zhong Jiayuan sighed deeply.

He had been in the Monitoring Bureau for so many years and never felt as exhausted as he did today.

He spoke out, “The Disciplinary Department is an independent disciplinary inspection agency within the Monitoring Bureau, accountable only to the Head…”

“When I go to report to the Head, I’ll mention this matter to him.

If the Head doesn’t pursue it, they won’t dare to cling to you, and you won’t have any problems.”

“Thank you, Brother Zhong.

I knew with you handling it, it would surely be accomplished.”

“I’ll just try my best; it’s not guaranteed to succeed.”

“It will succeed, I believe in you.”

“…”

——

Xuanwu Road, located to the west of the Phoenix Palace.

Next to it are Suzaku Road and Phoenix Avenue, with Imperial Square at the end of the road.

This is one of the Empire’s most important main roads, with vital institutions and core industries such as the State Council, Ministry of Finance, Military Committee, Monitoring Bureau, Logistics Support Department, and Intelligent Research Institute nearly all situated in this area.

Therefore, security and surveillance on this street are also the strictest.

The Mechanical Design Institute, an important outlet for research and development of the Empire’s military weapons and advanced technologies, is of course of paramount importance, situated at the central position on Xuanwu Road.

When Tang Fei and his men arrived at the gates of the Mechanical Design Institute, the security personnel were taken aback.

Throughout the years since its establishment, the institute had seen many high-ranking visitors, even the King came several times a year…