305: Chapter 294: Laying Out the Array of Doubt 305: Chapter 294: Laying Out the Array of Doubt “Here at the National Security Bureau,” Song Yun said slowly, “when we are assigned to a local office, we can choose a particular area as our jurisdiction.
Unfortunately, it just so happens that the entire Tian Nan area falls under my supervision, and I need a place with a wide range of information sources to provide me with constant intelligence.” “However, after I arrived here, I realized that the organization was chaotic, with everyone doing as they pleased to the extreme.
The prospects for gathering intelligence were very narrow.”
“So I decided to find ways to gather information myself.
You don’t need to keep an eye on me; this is a privilege that should belong to personnel of the National Security Bureau.
For national security, I had no choice but to continuously eliminate other illegal organizations.
All the illegal organizations in Tian Nan City are my targets.”
“I see,” Sun Chong said, suddenly understanding.
“I’ve offended you before, Mr.
Song, please forgive me.”
“Haha, it’s true what they say about no discord, no concord.
Now, the public safety of Tian Nan City is in a terrible state, and the higher-ups are very dissatisfied.
To put an end to this farce, I had to come here myself.
I hope everyone here can lend me their support,” Song Yun stood, looking around as he spoke.
“Absolutely, we’re all serving the nation,” Wang Deming, the Director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, said with a smile, as long as it doesn’t affect their prospects, who cares about those lowly pests.
“I won’t keep the credit to myself; when I return, I’ll definitely report your contributions to my superiors.
The more you contribute in Tian Nan City, the more praise I can offer for you,” Song Yun said as he distributed cigarettes around.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve never smoked this brand before; I rarely even see them,” Sun Chong said, savoring the cigarette.
“It’s truly a brand reserved for leaders, not something you can buy for just a few yuan.”
“If Director Sun likes them so much, I’ll have someone send a box to you another day,” Song Yun said with a smile.
“To tell you the truth, I only get a pack of these cigarettes a month, so everyone here can only have one box.”
“Thank you very much,” Sun Chong said gratefully.
To pull out this official supply cigarette in a dinner with other leaders, what a face-saver it would be!
This isn’t just smoking; it’s indulging in a sense of superiority.
“We’ve discussed everything necessary, the three of you can go back to your responsibilities now,” Song Yun made a gesture to dismiss them.
After watching the three directors leave the room, Song Yun turned with a smile, “Mayor Wang, you’ve been quite silent just now, why is that?”
“Haha, you all seemed to be getting along well in conversation, and I didn’t find a way to join in.
You see, I’m a bit slow with words,” Mayor Wang said after taking a sip of tea.
“Is Major General Song here specifically for personal matters?”
“Half and half,” Song Yun grinned.
“Mayor Wang, once Mr.
Li’s proud disciple, now in such a predicament; I wonder if Mr.
Li would be disappointed to see this.”
“You know my teacher?” Mayor Wang stood up, surprised, and after realizing his reaction, cleared his throat and sat down again, asking, “What is your relationship with my teacher?”
“I’m his son-in-law,” Song Yun said smilingly.
“Before I came here, Mr.
Li specifically instructed me to seek your help.
But looking at the situation now, it appears you might not be able to help much.”
“Ah, it’s disappointing for my teacher.
All these are forced by circumstances,” Mayor Wang leaned back in his chair, resigned.
“I was from another city and was parachuted here to Tian Nan City, a place unfamiliar to me, so…
well, nevermind.”
“A monk finds it easy to chant abroad, but under these circumstances, it might be the opposite,” Song Yun chuckled.
“Mayor Wang, it seems you’re a dragon trapped in shallow waters, a tiger fallen to the plains.”
“What can I do?
I’ve already done my best.
Xia Tian has more support and is ranked above me; it’s hard to turn things around,” Mayor Wang said, worriedly.
“That’s not necessarily impossible.
First, tell me who you have under your command,” Song Yun asked in a calm tone.
“The Director of Water Resources, the Police Chief, and the Director of Land and Resources,” Mayor Wang said, resigned.
“Aside from Sun Chong, who is somewhat useful, the other two directors don’t play any significant roles and aren’t of much help.”
“Sun Chong is your man?
Then why does he listen to Xia Tian?
I’ve heard that Panlong works for him,” Song Yun said, surprised, as he hadn’t expected this.
“Sun Chong could be considered my man as well as Xia Tian’s.
Since I’ve never taken sides, I’m in a neutral position, and Sun Chong can’t put all his bets on me.
He has to keep a slightly detached stance,” Mayor Wang said, frowning.
“These days, it’s really hard to groom my own loyal aides, so I can’t interfere much in your affairs here in Tian Nan.”
“Haha, can’t you just pick a side to join?
You should know that some of the top-level tragedies happened just because people didn’t pick the right side,” Song Yun taunted with raised eyebrows.
“I didn’t find a suitable team from the beginning,” Mayor Wang explained.
“You don’t have to worry about my issues.
You should think more about how to counter Xia Tian’s influence.
I believe he’ll know everything about today’s conversation here very clearly.”
“I want him to hear it,” Song Yun said indifferently.
“I don’t believe those three will tell Xia Tian everything that happened here.”
“Like what?”
“Like the box of special-supply cigarettes.
I’ll find some people to sneak them over as if they’re sneaking, and I can’t believe Xia Tian won’t start to get suspicious,” Song Yun said casually.
“When Xia Tian starts feeling suspicious, it’s time those three are kicked out of their faction.
Once they’re back to a neutral state, will you still worry about them not coming to you?”
“Just like that?” Mayor Wang asked, widening his eyes.
“I’ve tried that strategy too, but driving a wedge doesn’t work very well on Xia Tian.”
“Indeed, it doesn’t work, who are you?
A person who was parachuted in.
Even if you did everything, Xia Tian would think you’re undermining their relationships.
But I’m different, I’m a Military District Major General and a special envoy from the National Security Bureau, and I need to develop my network here in Tian Nan City.”
“But you know what is most taboo in a team?
That is when one event produces two different opinions.
Once that happens, infighting within the team starts, and from the data I’ve gathered.
Xia Tian is an extremely arrogant person who typically makes all the decisions in his team.
But what will he do if he thinks there is a mole among them?”