"With all the high praise from the Council Members this time, adding another burden on him... becoming the deputy chief of a department, well, that's actually feasible..."
As she said this, Qingping paused before continuing, "Of course, the premise is that he has done well in his own department in addition to solving cases."
This time, the Director nodded, "A sensible suggestion."
"Then let's notify them."
At this point, she paused, looked at the girl holding the books, and asked, "Yi, I remember, a department deputy chief has the authority to obtain an Awakening Ability from the Security Bureau's treasury, right?"
The girl nodded and said in a crisp tone, "Yes, Director."
The Director hummed in acknowledgment, "Then it's settled."
After speaking, she stood up and was the first to leave the conference room.
After she left, the gray-haired old man chuckled twice and then slowly rose from his chair. Shaking his head, he shakily made his way out of the conference room.
After the old man left, the girl with the books nodded at Qingping and the man with the explosive hair and then stood up to leave as well.
The conference room was suddenly left with only Qingping and the man with the explosive hair.
The man with the explosive hair watched the three leaving, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled before saying to Qingping, "You're too impatient..."
By then, Qingping already knew she had been outmaneuvered completely. Clenching her fist, she said with some unwillingness, "I didn't dare to gamble."
"We've been working so hard for so long, always using the lack of sufficient merit on Bai Zhi's part as a reason to obstruct her promotion."
"If the Director took this opportunity to forcefully promote her, it would be very difficult for us to stop it!"
"So, it might as well benefit Fang Ze."
"Being the deputy chief of a department is far inferior to the Director's position."
With her face as cold as frost, she continued, "However, the Director really does value that Fang Ze. To think she called a meeting of the provincial directors for the selection of a deputy chief of a department. It's quite shameful."
Hearing Qingping's words, the man with the explosive hair slightly shook his head.
He said, "You're wrong, and completely so."
"Firstly, what I'm worried about isn't Bai Zhi's promotion. Her ability is evident. Another promotion wouldn't change much."
"That's also why, these past two years, the Director has been willing to let us obstruct her..."
"Do you really think if she was set on promoting Bai Zhi, we could stop her?"
"Secondly, what I'm actually worried about is that the Director has seen through your mind. In the future, as long as Fang Ze and Bai Zhi collaborate on something, she can use Bai Zhi's promotion to force you to concede."
"She's found your weakness and will continue to exploit it."
"Thirdly, don't underestimate your concession. She is building momentum and crafting a Golden Body for Fang Ze."
"The Neutral Faction just praised Fang Ze; now we're also offering him a promotion."
"With Fang Ze's own noble faction as well, all three major factions are backing him. If his strength and capabilities keep up, he'll be the next Gu Qing, or even receive more support than Gu Qing obtained!"
"The noble faction has been weak these past years; it's been so long since it produced such a talent, hasn't it?"
"Additionally, don't forget, Jiang Cheng is still making preparations to deal with Fang Ze. With this Golden Body established, will Jiang Cheng back down?"
With that, the man with the explosive hair slightly shook his head, "You're... still not seeing the big picture."
After speaking, he lightly patted Qingping's shoulder, sighed, and then left the conference room.
Qingping stood there in the conference room, speechless for a long time...
Meanwhile, less than half an hour after the Director's conference ended, an official circular carrying the Council Members' endorsements and the content discussed at the Director's meeting reached the Security Bureau of Emerald City...
The more I wrote, the longer it got, so it's a bit late at 6000+ words.
My health is almost back to normal, so I should be able to return to updating 10,000 words by tomorrow. I'll tentatively set it for around 10 pm tomorrow night, haha.