Twisted Dreams-Chapter 286 - 353: The New Security Administration
Imperial Capital, Security Bureau.
Outside the meeting room, armed Military Officers stood solemnly, loyally on guard.
It was evident how important the meeting happening inside was.
Inside the meeting room, Elder He sat in the main seat.
Seated in order were Zhang Shi’ai, the Patriarch of the Zhang Family—Zhang Youfu, the Patriarch of the Liu Family—Liu Changgen, and the Patriarch of the Xie Family—Xie Jianguo.
Elder He unscrewed his old and chipped thermos, smiling indulgently:
"Brothers, it’s been a long time since we’ve gathered."
A meeting of the Four Great Family Patriarchs of the Imperial Capital was indeed a rare scene.
Zhang Youfu straightened his back, looking around, feeling proud.
His son was the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain and a Senior Administrator at the Security Administration, a great achievement indeed.
Meanwhile, Xie Jianguo hung his head and drooped his brows, like an ostrich buried in the earth.
Although Xie Qilin had become a Senior Administrator at the Security Administration, Xie Jianguo knew well the situation with his own son.
To protect his son, he had been constantly extorted by Zheng Qian recently.
Liu Changgen gleefully watched the scene, his eyes full of teasing.
Elder He said:
"I won’t beat around the bush, the reason I invited everyone here is to discuss a matter."
Zhang Youfu patted his chest:
"Elder He, just say the word, I’ll definitely comply.
After all, my son works under your command, doesn’t he?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Elder He waved his hand repeatedly, modestly:
"Daoist Zhang, esteemed as the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain, cannot say he works under me."
Zhang Youfu felt even prouder.
Old He was generous in giving face today.
Xie Jianguo’s expression grew darker after hearing Elder He’s words.
Elder He was the Director of the Security Administration, holding a pivotal position both in the Extraordinary Circle and in the mundane world.
He was flattering Zhang Youfu, so what kind of big affair did he want the Patriarchs to handle?!
Sure enough, after sweet-talking Zhang Youfu, Elder He changed his tone and said:
"But, since Brother Zhang said we’re close, as your elder brother, I can’t go against Brother Zhang’s wishes.
The Security Administration has an engineering project, and I’d like you all to offer advice.
Brother Zhang must be even more dedicated!"
Engineering?
Zhang Youfu and Xie Jianguo exchanged glances.
In the Four Great Families of the Imperial Capital, the two of them were merchant families, always competing for projects that ordinary people wouldn’t dare touch.
They are large enough to dare to advance funds.
But... an engineering project is a good thing, why is Elder He looking like he’s asking for a favor?
Elder He continued:
"This is a project of the Security Administration.
You all know too, it’s not long since the Security Administration was established, and funds are tight.
The manpower can be handled by the agency itself.
Just that for the engineering materials, could Brother Zhang and Brother Xie think of any solutions?"
Zhang Youfu and Xie Jianguo pursed their lips simultaneously.
The Security Administration’s project is definitely a confidential one, they wouldn’t let them near it.
Elder He also mentioned, asking if they could think of a solution for money and materials.
What Elder He said was to ’think of a solution’ for the engineering materials, he didn’t mention a word about paying.
Isn’t this plainly asking for money?
And also, the Security Administration is short on funds?
They didn’t believe a word of it.
Under the grand trend of Spiritual Energy Revival, every approval for the Security Administration would definitely go through smoothly.
Short on funds?
What a joke!
This old fellow just wants to extort the wealthy!
Xie Jianguo sighed:
"I’ll state first, the Xie Family will do its utmost to support the Security Administration."
With his son in the hands of the Security Administration, Xie Jianguo dared not disobey.
Elder He smiled and looked at Zhang Youfu.
Zhang Youfu regretted immensely, why babble so much earlier?
Xie Jianguo assumed the posture of a sycophant so quickly because his son was inept, wasn’t it?
But since Xie Jianguo gave face to Elder He, could he, the Patriarch of the Zhang Family, not do the same?
At this moment, he was simply forced onto the stage unprepared.
Zhang Youfu thought it over.
Anyway, his son has many connections with the Security Administration, he might as well support his son!
Zhang Youfu gritted his teeth and stamped his foot:
"I support the Security Administration too."
Elder He displayed a gratified smile, and handed two documents to Xie Jianguo and Zhang Youfu respectively:
"Thank you, thank you, thank both of you, but don’t overexert yourselves."
Zhang Youfu sighed:
"You’ve personally come to seek support, what more can I say?"
Zhang Youfu said while opening the document, which was a list.
After he finished reading the document, his face turned black:
"Old He, are you trying to build a subway?"
The sums on the list would be enough to build a kilometer of subway!!
Zhang Youfu believed that Xie Jianguo’s list was similar to his.
Elder He nodded:
"Build a subway? More or less."
Elder He wasn’t building a subway, but a new Security Administration.
At present, the Security Administration was located in the Imperial Capital, which Elder He considered not very safe.
The Security Administration deals with extraordinary events and researches extraordinary items.
If ever the Security Administration causes a mess, it would mean trouble for the Imperial Capital.
Moreover, as the Security Administration grows larger, the current office building is no longer suitable.
Administrator’s training, Administrator’s assessments, and so on, are difficult to carry out in a small office building.
After all, the Administrators use Extraordinary Power, sometimes researching a skill can be as powerful as a bomb explosion.
Elder He conceived of an idea, to dig an underground facility near Beidang Mountain outside the Imperial Capital, as a new base for the Security Administration.
It’s spacious and private.
In terms of location, it can protect the Imperial Capital while allowing the Security Administration to indulge in activities.
Since it has to be done, it should be done well and done big.
Building a new Security Administration incurs astronomical expenses.
Elder He thought of extorting the Zhang and Xie Families.
Zhang Youfu and Xie Jianguo knew they were being extorted and had to swallow the bitter pill.
Elder He saw the resigned expressions of the two Patriarchs and knew the matter was settled.
Elder He looked at Liu Changgen.
Liu Changgen smiled and said:
"Don’t look at me, I have no money.
My wages are still paid by the Sheriff’s system."
On the surface, Liu Changgen’s salary was only eight thousand yuan a month.
Though everybody knew the Seven Star Building, the vault was owned by the Liu Family, no one dared mention it publicly.
Elder He said:
"Director Liu has no money, but you can lend a hand. So there’s something I need to discuss with you."
Xie Jianguo quietly stood up:
"Old Zhang, now they’re discussing private matters, it’s time for us to leave."
Zhang Youfu was sensible, standing up to leave with Xie Jianguo.
Seeing the two Patriarchs leave, Liu Changgen said:
"Just speak plainly."
Elder He’s face became serious:
"I want to borrow someone from you."
Liu Changgen asked:
"Who?"
Elder He enunciated clearly:
"Zhang Shi’ai."
Liu Changgen’s pupils shrank.
Zhang Shi’ai was the spokesperson for Seven Star Building, whose true identity was an Apostle of the Demon Club, how had Elder He taken note of her?
Elder He stood up, personally pouring a cup of water for Liu Changgen, saying:
"Don’t be nervous, we’ve been aware of Zhang Shi’ai for a long time, her profile is in the Security Administration’s archives.
Although we don’t know Zhang Shi’ai’s details, we are aware Zhang Shi’ai is a powerful Extraordinary."
