CHAPTER 58: 58. THE COMPETITION FOR THE DIRECTOR POSITION

An Nishang had just returned to her office when someone knocked on the door and said, "Director, Director Yan has notified you to attend a meeting."

"Understood." Upon hearing the news, An Nishang lowered her gaze, tidied up a bit, and got up to head to the meeting room.

She was the last to arrive at the meeting room, where the key figures of the Judicial Bureau were seated.

Sitting at the head table was a burly man of nearly 50 years old, with the appearance of an Asian. His name was Yan Chong.

Currently serving as the Director of the Judicial Bureau.

The Judicial Bureau is a powerful department within the entire Ninth Special Zone, and as its director, Yan Chong’s status is easily among the top ten in the entire Ninth Special Zone.

On the left, a burly black man was seated, sporting a shaved head. One of his arms had been modified into a black metallic prosthetic, including his left eye, which was an outward bulging metal eye.

His physique was explosive and robust.

He exuded a strong yet restrained aura of rage.

Another key figure within the Judicial Bureau, one of the deputy directors, Bode.

He was on equal footing with An Nishang.

On the right sat an elderly man in his sixties. He was slim but spirited and had a noticeable goatee.

Judicial Bureau’s Prison Director, Luo Haishan.

He had a benign smile, appearing harmless to both humans and animals.

Additionally, there were people from other departments present.

All in all, a total of more than ten people.

But the greatest power remained in the hands of Yan Chong, Bode, An Nishang, and Luo Haishan.

Yan Chong’s eyes flashed with a hint of desire as he looked at An Nishang, and they nodded to each other. An Nishang took her seat, her long legs crossed under her skirt.

Yan Chong toyed with a jade ring on his thumb, and a scar at the corner of his mouth added a touch of menacing air.

Yan Chong lightly curved his lips and said, "I won’t beat around the bush with everyone. You’ve probably all heard the news circulating recently.

I’m leaving, Yan Chong."

At these words, everyone’s hearts tightened.

There had long been rumors that Yan Chong, who was among the top ten in the power hierarchy of the Ninth Special Zone, was going to advance further and join the Council Hall.

Directly airlifted to be the head of the Council Guard.

The Council Guard is the department with the most military power outside of the Military Department.

The entire Council Guard has a full 5,000 people, equipped with the most advanced gear, as the military organization for protecting the Council Hall.

They are also responsible for suppressing disturbances.

A real power department, only answerable to the Council Speaker.

This news had already begun to spread within the department but had not been confirmed.

Now, Yan Chong had personally mentioned it.

It seemed confirmed.

In an instant, many people’s expressions changed.

Once Yan Chong leaves the Judicial Bureau, then the director’s position would be chosen between An Nishang and Bode.

The two factions would surely battle fiercely.

At the same time, Yan Chong would take a large number of his subordinates to make it convenient for taking over the entire Council Guard.

At that point, many official positions would become vacant.

As the saying goes, it takes a radish to fill a hole.

Who exactly will fill this gap? Who fills this gap matters substantially to oneself, making it a very thought-provoking question.

Bode gently clapped his hands and said, "Congratulations to the Director on your promotion!"

A round of applause erupted in the meeting room, even An Nishang lightly clapped her hands.

With a smile on his face, Yan Chong raised both his hands and pressed them down slightly.

A gleam flashed in his eyes as he took a cigar from the cigarette case he carried with him.

These cigars were rolled on a young lady’s tender thighs.

They seemed to carry the fragrant scent of a maiden.

Yan Chong had an affection for such things.

He had little interest in a sensual older sister like An Nishang, preferring petite and cute young girls.

Yan Chong clenched a cigar between his lips, lit it, took a comfortable puff, and amid the swirling smoke, his face became indistinct.

"After I leave, naturally the director’s position will be vacant..."

The crowd’s eyes playfully darted between An Nishang and Bode.

Yan Chong chuckled, "I can give everyone a heads-up. I asked above, and they won’t send someone to parachute into our Judicial Bureau... haha, it’s just a joke. I doubt anyone would dare to try and take my position."

"The meaning from above is very clear. Our Judicial Bureau has two major contributors, one is Vice Director An, and the other is Deputy Director Bode.

The intention is that after I leave, one of you two will take over my work.

As for who, we’ll conduct a self-election."

The crowd’s expressions changed instantly.

Self-election?

Such a thing had never happened before.

An Nishang softly asked, "May I ask the director, what is the method of election?"

"Everyone within the Judicial Bureau will have one vote. The total votes will be tallied, and the one with the highest count will be the next director of the Judicial Bureau."

"By everyone, does this include some employees from other departments?"

"Of course, even the most ordinary clerk is a member of our Judicial Bureau, and they also have one vote."

This surprised many. What does this mean?

People outside the core powers, even the low-ranking ones, have the right to vote?

What is this Yan Chong trying to do from above?

Both An Nishang and Bode felt a sense of vigilance rising in their hearts.

This Yan Chong, what exactly is he up to?

Yan Chong saw the crowd fall into silence; their reactions were all within his expectations.

After all, the previous method was through nomination.

The outgoing director would nominate the next director.

The nominated next director would generally fall under the outgoing director’s greatest influence.

A fair election?

Doesn’t fit the current interests and exchanges.

Yan Chong exhaled a puff of dense smoke, then continued, "I also find myself in a bit of a dilemma with this method, given how the Judicial Bureau is now filled with talented individuals, unlike during my time.

Whether it’s Vice Director An or Deputy Director Bode, both are exemplary talents.

Recommending one of you would make me feel unjust toward the other.

The higher-ups have taken this into consideration.

Thus, they came up with this method."

Seeing that no one was speaking, Prison Director Luo Shanhai chuckled, breaking the silence: "But Director, isn’t your vote significant too?"

Yan Chong’s vote, whether for An Nishang or Bode, would influence the votes of those under Yan Chong.

Thus, Yan Chong’s vote remains crucial in the end.

Yan Chong, however, laughed as he said, "That’s why, to be fair, I will issue a task to both Vice Director An and Deputy Director Bode."

"Apocalypse Society!"

This term instantly grabbed everyone’s attention.

"Everyone should know this damn organization, some filthy parasites trying to destabilize the Ninth Special Zone and seize its power.

I have learned that a key figure from the Apocalypse Society has arrived in the Ninth Special Zone and is preparing to stir things up here.

As for their precise plans and methods, I’m also unaware.

For the sake of the Ninth Special Zone’s stability and for a fair election this time, I have decided that Vice Director An and Deputy Director Bode will simultaneously investigate the Apocalypse Society’s plot.

Whoever can expose and wipe out the scheme behind the Apocalypse Society will earn my vote, Yan Chong’s vote!"

"Everyone, what do you think? Is this fair enough?"

"May the capable take the seat!"

Bode’s eyes flashed with a fascinating color, and he cupped his hands saying, "I will surely fulfill the director’s mandate."

An Nishang’s eyes also flashed with a hint of coldness.

"Does Vice Director An find anything inappropriate?"

An Nishang’s alluring red lips curled: "How could I? The director’s arrangement is very reasonable."

"Then let it proceed like this! I await your good news!"

The meeting ended.