CHAPTER 452: 253. PALACE INTRIGUE

Luo Qingtian’s words undoubtedly struck a chord with many people.

Chen Che, he’s truly someone that makes others envious, with all those lucrative big deals.

Moreover, Luo Qingtian provided them with some information that no one could have anticipated.

An Nishang can’t come back!

In this way... does it not mean that Chen Che is a lamb awaiting slaughter?

If An Nishang truly cannot return, without An Nishang’s protection, Chen Che would find it extremely difficult to progress in the entire Ninth Special Zone.

The Council seems like it can easily... reclaim the authority of the Judicial Bureau.

In an instant, everyone in the entire Council was moved by this.

Luo Qingtian’s gaze swept over the expressions of everyone present, his expression changed for a moment, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He saw desire in these people’s eyes.

It’s good to have desire.

...

"Master Chen, something isn’t right."

Bobby came to find Chen Che and reported the latest information: "Lately, I’ve been going to the Judicial Bureau to get things done with Captain Angduo, but every time I go, I can’t find anyone. I’ve heard the Council suddenly issued many orders,

making Captain Angduo, Captain Kainan, and Captain Li Jifu run around non-stop.

The entire Judicial Bureau is severely understaffed... the Council has started interfering with the Judicial Bureau’s authority.

According to past practices, the Council wouldn’t forcefully infiltrate a real authority department.

You know, the authority of the Judicial Bureau was in Director An’s hands, it was considered Director An’s private domain, and this move by the Council seems like they have a certain impulse to meddle with the Judicial Bureau.

Hasn’t Commander An been gone for almost a month?

Before, when Commander An was around, the Council never dared to do this.

And recently, many of our shipments have been inspected, which is strange, Master Chen... even some of our legitimate shipments have been strictly checked by the Finance Bureau.

And now, the Finance Bureau checks the accounts every few days, these bastards seem like they want to mess with us.

The Military Department, for some reason, has also begun to join the scope of daily patrols.

Damn it, recently, many troops from the Military Department have appeared on the streets, and our activities in some areas are being constrained by people from the Military Department.

The security office we set up has clashed with the Military Department many times.

Master Chen, something’s not right.

I have a feeling that the entire Ninth Special Zone... damn it, they’re all targeting us."

Bobby spat to the side and frowned as he spoke.

Chen Che narrowed his eyes, gently rubbed his forehead, and his expression became slightly solemn.

"Master Chen, you’d better contact Director An, after all, the reason our power can develop so wantonly in the Ninth Special Zone is primarily because Director An was there as our umbrella.

Director An has been gone for a month, and this bunch of council bastards... I have this illusion that things might head towards a bad direction."

"Let’s consolidate for now, and tell the brothers to keep a low profile for the time being." To be honest, even Chen Che was uncertain, as he couldn’t reach An Nishang recently and had no idea what was happening on her side.

When he returned to the villa, Xia Na and Xia Yuansi, two vibrant girls, were playing badminton.

Seeing Chen Che return, Xia Na, whose forehead was slightly sweaty, stopped playing with Xia Yuansi.

Coming to Chen Che’s side, Xia Na instinctively snuggled into Chen Che’s arms, touched his face, and said: "Why does your expression look strange?"

Chen Che shook his head and said, "If Nishang doesn’t come back, things will get a bit off."

"I can’t reach my sister either. I don’t know what’s happened..."

Seeing the intimate scene between the two from a distance, Xia Yuansi was honestly a bit moved but remembered she was still a little princess and couldn’t act like Xia Na.

She plopped down on a nearby sofa and stretched her legs onto Chen Che’s lap, saying: "Courtier, quickly massage my feet."

Chen Che, with a face full of disdain, moved the little princess’s legs away and said: "Not until you’ve washed!"

"This princess’s feet don’t stink!"

"Nonsense, you just played badminton with Nana, you’re covered in sweat, I don’t believe your feet don’t have a foul smell."

Alright! Xia Yuansi thought about it and couldn’t argue.

She eagerly ran to the bathroom, took a shower, and returned with only a thin towel draped around her, placing her pinkish feet into Chen Che’s arms.

As for the identities of the two, one is a little princess, and the other is, well, the consort serving the little princess.

Chen Che kneaded her feet, thinking as he rubbed.

Xia Yuansi glanced at him and said blandly: "If you genuinely have some trouble and can’t solve it, when I’m leaving, I can put in a word for you. The Council here definitely wouldn’t dare to make things difficult for you.

After all, you saved my life."

With that merit in hand, plus the little princess advocating personally, it might yield unexpected results.

To this, Chen Che merely smiled, feeling restless and perturbed inside, grabbed the little princess’s ankle, and pulled her into his lap to make her sit with him.

Xia Yuansi screamed: "Ahhh! What are you doing?"

"Your Highness, what do you think? You’re leaving in a few days, let me serve you well before you go."

Xia Yuansi bit her lower lip, her eyes misty, and didn’t resist much.

She was already familiar with the taste of pleasure.

After experiencing joy, she was somewhat addicted to it.

...

The situation developed far more severely than Chen Che had imagined.

All the government departments of the Ninth Special Zone were collectively, albeit tacitly, taking action against Chen Che.

Many of Chen Che’s businesses were facing disruptions, and most importantly, there was an audit from the Finance Bureau.

The Finance Bureau has absolute authority over tax matters, and to ensure full taxes are collected, they even have their own private squad.

With so much smuggling previously, Chen Che had accumulated substantial funds, and if an explanation for these funds could not be provided,

the Finance Bureau might even freeze his assets.

Originally, Chen Che had developed some informants within the Finance Bureau.

But this time, the Finance Bureau directly deployed an independent team.

The parliament also started infiltrating the Judicial Bureau, forcefully planting many strangers within it.

All signs indicated.

The parliament was eating away at Chen Che’s rights, power, and wealth.

Having witnessed it all, Chen Che’s tongue grazed his lips.

The three captains came to find him.

"Chief Chen, given everything that’s been happening lately, I’m sure you’re aware. What do you think we should do? When the director left, he handed all his powers to you. You’re now, in name, the director of the entire Judicial Bureau.

Previously, the parliament had planted two deputy directors in the Judicial Bureau. Back when the director’s authority overshadowed them, these two didn’t dare make a peep, but now they’ve started to become active.

They have some ambition to take control.

If things continue like this, by the time the director returns, there will be nothing left of the Judicial Bureau but tattered ruins.

Since the director entrusted all his powers to you, he must have faith in your abilities. You tell us what to do next, and we’ll support you."

Angduo looked at Chen Che and spoke softly.

Chen Che’s tongue slid across his lower lip, his eyes flickering with thought, "My plan is to wait... just wait a bit longer...

The situation is exceptionally complicated right now.

We’re rather passive at the moment.

Especially with the Finance Bureau targeting me, it’s occupying much of my attention.

Just wait a little longer, wait until their fangs are fully exposed, and then we’ll know where they intend to strike us, so we can break their teeth.

Anyway... it’s best not to reach that point, but if they keep pushing and we do reach that point, captains, are you willing to follow me and take on something big?"

Chen Che looked up, and the three captains exchanged glances, emotions flickering in their eyes, silent but Chen Che already saw their answer, a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

He exhaled a long breath, gazing into the distance.

...

The parliament showed its fangs quickly.

The next day, the parliament held a grand meeting.

Initially, they discussed this and that, eventually steering the topic towards Chen Che and the Judicial Bureau.

"Chief Chen, I believe that business dealings should also abide by the parliament’s laws. The Finance Bureau is only doing its duty by investigating Chief Chen’s taxes, so I ask Chief Chen... please do not continue to clash with the Finance Bureau, and cooperate well with them."

President of the Council Vazmir spoke slowly, the Finance Bureau’s relentless pressure had already caused some conflict between Chen Che’s people and the Finance Bureau.

Many present looked at Chen Che with amusement.

Finally, Chief Chen, who had been in the limelight for so long, was starting to face setbacks.

In the face of President Vazmir’s words, Chen Che squinted his eyes without speaking, and Vazmir coughed twice, beginning to discuss the most important matter: "Besides, there’s something else to discuss today.

It’s been nearly a month since Director An Nishang left for Night Empire Headquarters, during which time the Judicial Bureau has been leaderless, showing signs of chaos. Therefore, after deliberation, the parliament has decided.

To elect an interim acting director for the Judicial Bureau, to temporarily take over all of Director An’s duties. What do you all think?"

Immediately, several parliamentarians spoke up one after another.

"Director An has been gone so long, it’s completely irresponsible. I think electing an acting director is reasonable."

"It’s like a radish: one hole, one radish. Once the radish is gone, the hole needs to be filled by someone else."

"The Special Zone cannot remain in such chaos any longer, selecting a new director is imperative."

Chen Che immediately frowned, damn it, the previously invisible deputy directors have started acting up, and now they’re electing a new acting director.

By the time An Nishang returns, the acting director will likely have infiltrated various aspects. At that point, how many in the Judicial Bureau will still be ours, who the hell knows?

"President of the Council, isn’t this somewhat lacking? Playing like this seems a bit against the rules, doesn’t it? Director An’s position was appointed by Night Empire Headquarters; has the headquarters agreed to this acting director? I haven’t received any news about it."

Chen Che is now the uncrowned king of the entire Judicial Bureau, and everyone present knew it. Hearing Chen Che speak made many people’s expressions change.

Luo Qingtian, however, sneered and said, "Chief Chen, isn’t it time for you to speak? Your position is merely that of a chief investigator, such matters are probably beyond your decision, aren’t they?"