Chapter 1056: Chapter 685: Ambitions of a Wolf
"My God, wasn’t Sheng Jing dead in the Star Disc incident? How is he alive again?"
"Yes, I remember there was even a memorial news report... Is my memory deceiving me?"
"You’re not mistaken, there’s still news online from unethical media saying he worked tirelessly and made great contributions to the economic revival of the Empire, yet died in a plane crash..."
"To be fair, when Sheng Jing was the Finance Minister, life was pretty good for everyone. Much better than the current one..."
"Brothers, you have one minute. I want all the information on that woman in the red leather jacket..."
"I prefer the one in the black cheongsam... Old A8 has more charm..."
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No matter how serious the topic, the most active commenters are always those veteran drivers asking for numbers.
First came Zhong Tianque’s tearful accusations, then the Yu Family stood up saying Zhong Tianque was missing and demanded answers, followed by the ’dead Finance Minister’ testifying in person...
The image of Shen Wuxiang seizing power and plotting against the nation is deeply ingrained, solidly fixed in disgrace.
Moreover, many have come forward to oppose the Shen Group represented by Shen Wuxiang, sending a clear signal to the outside: the Shen Family is done.
At least, their control over the Empire is far from what it used to be.
Thus, more and more people wavered.
They had two choices before them:
First, continue to support Shen Wuxiang, sticking with them till the end.
Second, take a gamble, believing that Tang Fei can turn the tide.
Of course, there’s a third option, to keep observing and doing nothing.
Some always believe, as long as I’m not at the table, I’ll never lose.
But those who are not at the table, where will they get the chance to grab chips?
This is the most foolish move.
Doing nothing means gaining nothing.
In the new round of power reshuffling, they are the first to be kicked out.
Government Affairs Office.
Shen Jianping was holding a high-level ministerial meeting when his secretary, Chen Qinggong, quickly came over and whispered a few words in his ear.
Shen Jianping’s gaze sharpened, and he announced, "Let’s take a half-hour break."
He then stood up and walked outside.
In the office, the Secretary replayed the video of Sheng Jing accusing Shen Wuxiang and the Shen Family clan.
Shen Jianping smashed a cup again.
Luckily, this time it was a coffee cup, as he had been feeling weary lately, frequently using coffee for a boost.
"Is the video real?"
"After expert verification... it’s indeed real, with no evidence of AI synthesis."
"Wasn’t Sheng Jing dead? Why is he still alive? Why is he still alive?"
"What is the Security Bureau doing? What is Bai Xingjian doing?"
"Where is Bai Xingjian? Bring Bai Xingjian here to answer."
"I’ll contact Director Bai immediately to come and report to you in person," Chen Qinggong said softly.
"Get him here, now. If he can’t give me an explanation, he’s done as Director of the Security Bureau."
"Yes, Sir." Chen Qinggong hurried out to make the call.
Someone called the service staff to clean up, clearing the broken ceramic pieces off the floor and bringing Shen Jianping fresh tea.
The Prime Minister’s temper has been growing; he smashes cups several times a day, and everyone has grown used to it.
Shen Jianping loosened his tie, unbuttoned the first button of his shirt, and finally felt a bit more at ease.
As a core member of the Shen Family, he was once a cultivator who could perceive ’chi’ in his youth. However, he was more interested in political economics than martial arts.
So, with his exceptional talent, personal effort... and the unreserved backing of the Shen Family, he finally reached the Prime Minister position in the Empire.
However, he’s ultimately a cultivator who has stepped through the door; he usually didn’t neglect exercise, maintaining a good physique with rare occurrences of dizziness or feeling feverish.
Yet recently, he felt a sense of fatigue and loss of control.
Not just over his body, but the timing as well...
"It’s tough!"
Shen Jianping sighed heavily.
Suddenly, an absurd thought popped into his mind:
What if Bai Xingjian has defected?
Bai Xingjian earned his position as Director of the Security Bureau by offering the heads of Sheng Jing’s family.
However, Sheng Jing’s family is still alive...
Then, who did Bai Xingjian kill at that time?
If he concealed letting Sheng Jing go...
"Impossible, impossible..."
Shen Jianping shook his head frantically, unwilling to accept such a fact.
Bai Xingjian was promoted by the Military Minister; he is the trusted of the trusted... Did the Military Minister misjudge him?
However, from his current position, he had to consider the worst-case scenario:
What if Bai Xingjian really defected?
The entire Empire’s security system in the hands of a traitor?
This is a damn joke, isn’t it?
Considering this possibility, Shen Jianping felt a chill creeping up his spine.
"Heavens bless, ancestors bless..."
Shen Jianping pondered that if Bai Xingjian came to explain himself right now, it would prove there was more to the story. Perhaps they only bombed the Star Disc at that time, unsure whether Sheng Jing was dead...
If Bai Xingjian didn’t dare to explain himself, then he was undoubtedly a traitor, and Shen Jianping must immediately notify the Military Committee to remove him from the Security Bureau Director position.
That position is extremely crucial; numerous military and political officials’ lives are handed to him. He can capture whoever he wants, kill whoever he wants, and manipulate anyone as if they were ants...
In any case, that position must remain in Shen Family hands.
One must entertain the greatest malice out of caution, but basic preventive measures must be in place.
Shen Jianping pressed a red button on his watch. Quickly, an older man in a black Tang suit approached.
"Mr. Shen." The older man bowed deeply.
"Old Tao, I have a task for you," Shen Jianping said courteously.
This man was an enforcer for the Shen Family, part of the Hidden Guard system, safeguarding important figures of the Shen Family.
He was assigned to Shen Jianping secretly, always silently following him for safety.
"Mr. Shen, what do you need?"
"The Security Bureau Director, Bai Xingjian, will come here soon. If I smash a cup, apprehend him for me."
Whether Bai Xingjian had defected or not, it was essential to control him first.
"I understand, Mr. Shen."
"Thank you, Old Tao. Despite his young age, his cultivation realm is not shallow, so be cautious."
"Rest assured, Mr. Shen, I will complete the task."
"Alright, please wait in the inner room."
"Yes."
Old Tao responded and entered the office’s inner resting room.
Shen Jianping slumped onto the sofa, gently massaging his temples, ready to lie in wait.
A minute passed, two minutes, three minutes...
Shen Jianping fell asleep on the sofa.
Bam!
The office door was forcefully pushed open as Chen Qinggong burst in, saying, "Sir, something’s wrong."
Finally able to sleep soundly, Shen Jianping was rudely awakened and erupted with anger, yelling, "What’s the rush? Is the sky falling?"
Chen Qinggong knew his rude behavior angered the boss and deliberately slowed his pace, carefully reporting to Shen Jianping, "Sir, I called Bai Xingjian to explain in person, and he said he was busy..."
"Busy with what? There’s nothing more important than my Vice Minister position!"
"He said..."
"What did he say?"
"He said... Sir is ambitious... plotting to usurp the throne... has privately detained the Military Minister and... Shen Xinglan..."
"..."
"And he said... if Sir doesn’t release the Military Minister and Shen Xinglan, he will personally bring people to the Government Affairs Office to get them..."
"..."
Rage surged within Shen Jianping, a rush of heat shot straight to his head.
Then a sweetness in his throat...
Spurt!
He suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood.
