Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Luo Bingyi looked somewhat awkward, but he still maintained his composure and smile: "The commander is in charge of five departments, so he should be working in the main hall. How could I ask the commander to vacate the space? However, I have been working in the main hall for many years and have a favorite item there. I hope you can take it with you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng smiled and gestured, "Take it, take whatever you like."

Luo Bingyi smiled and nodded, then walked into the tea room. A moment later, he came out with a back scratcher.

Zhou Qingfeng said, "Manager Luo, is this the only thing you're taking?"

Luo Bingyi smiled and said, "Commander, you flatter me. This back scratcher is a gift from a student. I always keep it with me. Although it's not very valuable, I'm used to using it."

Zhou Qingfeng said "Oh," and asked, "Since Supervisor Luo took sick leave, why did he come back?"

Luo Bingyi smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Commander. My health has improved and I can handle official duties normally. Of course, I can't just collect my salary without working. I hope you will give me more guidance in the future."

A shadow crossed Zhou Qingfeng's eyes, but he then smiled and said, "I dare not presume to offer guidance. Supervisor Luo is highly respected in the Fifth Division and has many disciples. I will need your help in the future."

Luo Bingyi smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This humble official takes his leave."

Zhou Qingfeng watched Luo Bingyi leave, his expression gradually turning cold: "Old man, you don't know what's good for you."

He had already given Luo Bingyi a chance to retire with dignity, personally visiting and giving gifts; the implication was clear enough. If Luo Bingyi was smart, he should have kept taking leave to recuperate and not come back to the Fifth Division.

Now they've come back openly and brazenly, which is undoubtedly a challenge to themselves.

Since that's the case, then don't blame yourself for being ruthless and cruel from now on.

Jin Wei and Zhi Qi waited outside the hall for a long time. After seeing Luo Bingyi leave the main hall, they returned to the main hall, bowed and clasped their hands, and said: "Commander, with Manager Luo's sudden return, the Luo family gang is even more difficult to shake."

Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about this for now."

After speaking, Zhou Qingfeng walked to the main seat, picked up a brush and wrote his name on the case file. After a moment's thought, he wrote the names of Jin Wei and Zhiqi, then closed the case file and tossed it to Jin Wei.

Jin Wei hurriedly took the case file, glanced down at the signature area, and exclaimed in astonishment: "Commander..."

He glanced at the weapon as well, and then showed the same surprised expression.

In such a major case as the murder of an official and treason, the fact that it was finally solved did not mean that whoever investigated the case deserved credit, but rather that whoever signed the document deserved credit. Moreover, a maximum of three names of the person in charge of the case could be signed on a single case file.

Now that their names are on the credit, it's like giving them two-thirds of the credit. With such merit, they'll naturally be rewarded. More importantly, their resumes will be significantly enhanced. In the future, as long as a position becomes available, with Zhou Qingfeng's support and guidance, their advancement will be much easier.

Zhou Qingfeng smiled slightly: "You are my people, so I have to think about your future. You did contribute a lot to solving this case, and you should be rewarded accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei's face turned serious, and he clasped his hands in a deep bow: "Thank you for your guidance, Commander. Jin Wei is willing to serve you with his life, even unto death."

Zhiqi looked excited, clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, Commander. I am willing to die for you."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright, you may leave."

Jin Wei placed the case file back on the desk, and he and the two men carrying the implements clasped their hands in farewell and took their leave.

As Zhou Qingfeng watched the two figures walk away, he suddenly remembered something and casually asked, "How's it going with the task I asked you to do to win over the lower-level officials?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei and Zhi Qi immediately turned around and clasped their fists. Jin Wei replied, "Reporting to the Commander, we have made initial progress. We have secretly recruited three people and are in close contact with twelve others. I will give a detailed report once we have achieved some results."

Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand and didn't ask any more questions.

He asked casually, but the matter of winning them over was time-consuming, laborious, and energy-intensive. To do it flawlessly and not attract the attention of the Luo family gang, he had to be extremely secretive. Having two people handle it for him would save him a lot of trouble.

The most pressing matter at hand is another matter of great importance concerning the safety of the Sword Tower.

Everything else can wait.

He took his seat in the main seat, picked up a blank sheet of paper, and began to write "Application for Investigation into the Intentional Spread of Corpse Poison", "New Discoveries and Speculations on the Case of Murdering Officials and Conspiracy" and "Explanation of the Dangers of Unknown Corpse Poison".

These three reports, along with the case files, will be personally presented to the First Lady by Zhou Qingfeng when he attends the Council meeting.

The following morning, in the inner courtyard of the city lord's mansion, in the Water Garden, at the council pavilion.

Ma Dalang, Mao Erlang, Tang Fushuai, Song Fushuai, Zhu Fushuai, and the three elders from the collateral branches, She Ri, Xing Yao, and Liang Yue, were all present. Zhou Qingfeng had some business to attend to, so fewer people came to the council hall.

However, this does not mean that Zhou Qingfeng is not qualified to come. As long as he wants, he can enter the council chamber because he has the identity of a council chamber attendant. Without this identity, even as the vice governor, he would not be able to enter the council chamber.

The First Lady sat on the terrace of the Senate House, fishing with great interest, while the generals were arguing about money, the main point of their argument being whether or not to reduce the size of the military.

Because there has been no war in the Sword Tower in recent decades, the military fortresses on the border have been supporting tens of thousands of standing troops, which is too expensive, costing nearly 40 to 50 billion French dollars every year in military spending.

The assistant commanders were arguing endlessly about whether or not to cut troops and save money. There was nothing they could do; they couldn't raise more money for the Sword Tower, so they could only cut back. Life had to be made do.

Zhou Qingfeng listened quietly, not interrupting when he didn't understand, waiting for an opportunity to speak about his own affairs.

The First Lady, with her back to everyone, was fishing when she suddenly spoke up: "Fourth Prince."

The city lord's words instantly silenced the argument among the many assistant commanders, and the scene became quiet. The assistant commanders turned their attention to Zhou Qingfeng, having completely forgotten about him.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng faced the First Lady, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Mother, your son is here."

The First Lady, holding a fishing rod, gazed calmly at the tranquil lake below the terrace and slowly asked, "How is the investigation into the murder of an official and treason progressing?"

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a salute: "Thanks to Mother's guidance and blessings, I have solved this case."

The First Lady didn't even turn her head: "You've done a good job, what do you want?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng remained humble and polite, and then took the opportunity to bring up his report: "I have only done my job, how dare I ask for a reward? Moreover, I feel that this case is not yet completely closed, so I dare not accept any reward."

The First Lady jerked her fishing rod sharply, but caught nothing. She then casually put the rod down, stood up, put her hands behind her back, and with her delicate, fair feet lightly touching the ground, walked from the viewing terrace into the pavilion.

"Madam (Mother)!" The many assistant commanders, standing ten steps apart, bowed in unison.

The First Lady was still wearing the same white and gold nightgown robe as she had for ten years. She slowly walked onto the throne, leaned back lazily, propped her face up with her hand, and rested her elbow on the armrest.

Her eyes swept over the group of officials, finally settling on Zhou Qingfeng's face: "Continue."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately took out three prepared reports and a case file, and presented them with both hands: "Mother, this is the complete case file and related materials of the case of killing an official and plotting rebellion. Please take a look."