Munitions Empire

A car slowly parked in the courtyard. A man in a black suit got out, while another door opened on the other side, and a young assistant holding a briefcase also emerged.

The pure gold dragon emblem on their collar reflected dazzling light in the sun, boosting their aura.

The man adjusted his clothes at the entrance of the building and then walked into the building with his assistant.

The plaque at the entrance clearly read "City Government Office Hall of Great Tang Empire's Sishui City," the building was solemn and majestic, with the dragon emblem of the Great Tang Empire hanging above the main entrance, and the blood-red Dragon Banner fluttering atop the building.

The guards standing on both sides of the door stood at attention and saluted because the man showed his credentials: a small red booklet, which, when opened, displayed the man's photo and official seal.

This was the Imperial Internal Affairs Department's work credentials, and although the rank wasn't high, the Internal Affairs Department managed quite a vast array of affairs.

The capture and apprehension of spies within the Great Tang Empire, the self-inspection and investigation of officials... In short, the power was considerable and intimidating.

In the corridor, an official about to leave saw the man show the red booklet with the sword-baring dragon emblem to the guards and stopped in his tracks, moving aside and swallowing hard.

Retrieving his credentials, the man nodded slightly to the Sishui City official who made way for him and, along with his assistant, proceeded down the corridor.

A female secretary walked out of her room, saw two men in black suits with golden dragon emblems on their lapels approaching, and promptly returned to her room.

Only after the two men passed her office door did she peek out and look at them from behind... Who stirred up the Internal Affairs Department? Will things go smoothly?

"Did you see? Did you see? The Internal Affairs Department's Investigation Division! What are they here for?" A man retreated into his office, gossiping to his colleague.

His colleague froze and then asked curiously, "Investigation Division of the Internal Affairs Department? Why have those jinxes come to our City Hall?"

Usually, the Investigation Division personnel wouldn't appear in other departments. Unless someone in this department had a problem...

The gossip fire burned fiercely, and some had already picked up the phone, ready to call friends in other departments to see if anyone knew what had happened.

Ignoring those idle people, the two Internal Affairs Department agents who had already learned the location before coming went straight to the second floor and knocked on an office door.

The office door was opened by a man who listlessly moved aside: "You're here... Come in."

"Sorry to disturb you." The leading man nodded politely and then walked into the office, followed by the young assistant who closed the door behind him.

The room was filled with a suffocating smoke smell, and the man introduced himself: "I'm Liu San from the Investigation Division of the Internal Affairs Department, dispatched to verify the situation. This is my partner, Zhao Hai."

Saying so, he took out his credentials and showed them briefly to the other person. The young man nodded slightly when introduced, indicating acknowledgment, and then naturally found a spot, opened the briefcase, and started taking out various items.

There were file papers for recording, a pen, and a tape recorder. He skillfully placed everything on the table, occupying the best spot in the office.

He couldn't help it—he was responsible for records and naturally needed a good spot for writing. The man sat on the reception sofa, signaling the other not to be nervous: "Well then, let's begin."

The young man pressed the switch of the tape recorder upon hearing this, and the man began the inquiry: "I'm Liu San, an investigator from the Imperial Internal Affairs Department's Investigation Division. Please introduce yourself."

"Um... I'm Zhang Shi, the deputy director of the Urban Construction Bureau of City Hall." The man was somewhat nervous, with his hands clasped, sounding quite unnatural.

"This time, I'm here to verify the traffic accident at the intersection of Happiness Third Road and North Ring Road in Sishui City three days ago." Liu San spoke very meticulously: "You were driving the car then, correct?"

"Yes, yes." Zhang Shi did not dare to assume the posture of a deputy director, answering anxiously.

"The interrogation records from the traffic police specify... you had consumed alcohol?" Liu San asked while the assistant Zhao Hai quickly recorded on paper, writing at an impressive speed.

The tape recorder slowly turned, the tape's sound somewhat distracting, and Zhang Shi nodded honestly, somewhat guiltily admitting his mistake: "I, I indeed drank a little, but..."

"I'm here to investigate; you don't need to explain to me." Liu San interrupted the other, continuing to ask: "The victim was a female employee at the Sishui Textile Factory, surnamed Lin, named Lin Xiujuan?"

"Yes, yes." Zhang Shi nodded, daring not to explain more.

"Was she satisfied with the compensation?" Liu San continued to ask.

"Satisfied, satisfied. I compensated at the highest standard and visited her yesterday." Zhang Shi became nervous again.

"Your statement has been recorded. The investigator visiting Lin Xiujuan will combine the data with my records and report them to the Investigation Office for verification." Liu San meticulously carried out his tasks.

"Your internal discipline action will soon be communicated to Sishui City." After recording the entire matter, Liu San stood up: "I hope you can exercise self-discipline, correct your mistakes, and refrain from making similar errors in your future work and life."

"Yes, yes... I surely will..." Zhang Shi promised, wiping sweat with a handkerchief.

"What matters is not what you say but what you do! His Majesty needs loyal subjects, not degenerate parasites." Liu San interrupted him again: "Then... this investigation ends here."

He walked to the door, and when his assistant had packed all the things and stood beside him, he sang out loud with his head held high: "Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live His Majesty The Emperor!" Zhang Shi perked up, his heels clicking together, following reflexively in the chant.

"Disperse, disperse!" Watching the car labeled with the Internal Affairs Department drive out of the gate, someone among the onlookers said: "It's about Deputy Director Zhang's drunk driving. Hasn't our internal meeting already been held to criticize it?"

"Finished? Ha. Deputy Director Zhang may only remain a deputy director for life." Someone remarked cynically, and the crowd gradually dispersed.