Chapter 312

In the side hall of the Hall of Martial Virtue, candlelight stretched Chen Wen's shadow, casting it onto the screen behind him, where it swayed slightly.

He had just finished listening to Qian Gui's detailed report on the dismantling of the False Song spy network.

From the mouths of the captured Scouts, the interrogation experts of the Jing'an Bureau pried out much valuable information.

This spy network was directly dispatched by the Ministry of Works of the False Song's Privy Council, but its operational orders and that small piece of Nether Energy Crystal Ore came from the remnants of the Iron Crow Army in the Taihang Mountains.

Their mission, besides gathering information on Bianliangcheng's defenses, the emperor's movements, and new armaments, was more importantly to attempt to make contact with any sympathizers possibly lurking in the court or the army.

"They confessed to several possible contact signals and rendezvous points," Qian Gui's voice echoed low in the hall, "but they are all single lines, and the other side is extremely cautious, with no substantive contact yet."

Chen Wen lightly tapped his fingertips on the imperial desk, producing a regular soft sound.

"As expected."

"Zhao Kuangyin and the Iron Crow Army won't send only this batch."

"This time we managed to dismantle it so smoothly, partly due to luck, and also because they had just arrived and were not yet settled."

He lifted his eyes, gazing sharply at Qian Gui.

"Then, this case also exposes a lapse in our dynasty's handling of such infiltrations."

"Had it not been for your subordinate's meticulousness, noticing the abnormal wheel tracks and herbs, they might have already exploited the gap."

Qian Gui bowed:

"Your subject is fearful; this is indeed a failure of duty on the part of the Jing'an Bureau."

"It is not solely your responsibility." Chen Wen waved his hand, "Previously our dynasty focused on quelling internal unrest and resisting foreign humiliation; guarding against such subtle tricks was inevitably lacking."

"But now is different from before."

"With the barrier of light established and the False Song formed, they need not fear open swords and spears for now; they fear only these hidden arrows that wound and erode the foundation."

He paused, his tone resolute.

"The Jing'an Bureau must be strengthened!"

Qian Gui's spirit lifted, he focused and listened attentively.

"Effective immediately," Chen Wen said in a deep voice, "the Jing'an Bureau will triple its establishment; personnel selection will no longer be limited to military scouts, but can draw outstanding talent from all walks of life and the capable folk of the markets, selecting solely on merit;"

"funding will be jointly allocated from my privy purse and the Ministry of Revenue, with no upper limit, ensuring its operation is unimpeded;"

"authority, I grant you the power to strike first and report later; for anyone with solid evidence of colluding with the enemy or treason, regardless of who they are, you may apprehend them first!"

Qian Gui felt a chill, knowing the emperor was bestowing great power and responsibility upon the Jing'an Bureau.

"Your subject receives the edict! I will not fail the emperor's heavy trust!"

"Don't rush, there's more." Chen Wen pondered a moment, then continued, "Internally, the Jing'an Bureau needs to be reorganized and its duties subdivided, so that it can respond as an arm to a finger."

"Establish the Internal Affairs Office, tasked with monitoring court officials and noble generals, to nip problems in the bud;"

"Establish the External Intelligence Office, responsible for gathering, analyzing foreign intelligence, and conducting counter-espionage operations; the merit of dismantling this False Song spy network shall be credited to this office;"

"Establish the Rumors Bureau, as previously ordered, to collect and compare rumor information between the two states;"

"Establish the Technical Investigation Office, to gather artisans and eccentrics to study secret writing, secret speech, tracking, disguise, lock-picking, mechanisms, and all skills usable in espionage;"

"Also establish the Archives, to consolidate and organize all personnel, case, and intelligence materials, ensuring they are readily retrievable and clearly organized."

This clear organizational structure is the result of Chen Wen's deep contemplation, based on the current complex situation and his profound grasp of the laws of intelligence warfare.

Its aim is to elevate the Jing'an Bureau from an institution focused on internal surveillance and counter-espionage into a fully functional, highly efficient comprehensive intelligence and security organization.

Qian Gui listened, his heart surging.

With such a structure, clear authority and professional division of labor, the future role of the Jing'an Bureau will far exceed its present capabilities.

"Furthermore," Chen Wen emphasized finally, his eyes like torches, "all newly added personnel must undergo strict screening and loyalty tests;"

"Their families' origins must also be registered, to be covertly watched over by local authorities, both for protection and as a lever."

"I grant you authority, and also bind you with shackles."

"I hope you wield this power wisely, maintain integrity, and do not let it become a weapon that brings chaos to the court."

Qian Gui kowtowed heavily, his voice carrying immense solemnity:

"Your Majesty, rest assured! I stake my head on this: the Jing'an Bureau will forever be your sharpest hidden blade and sturdiest shield, and will never turn against itself!"

"Very well." Chen Wen gave a slight nod, "Go ahead and implement it."

"I want to see a keener, more powerful, omnipresent eye, firmly fixed on the threats emerging from darkness."

"Your subject, taking leave!"

Qian Gui withdrew from the Hall of Martial Virtue; as the night wind blew, he realized his back was soaked in cold sweat.

Not from fear, but from excitement and that weighty pressure.

He lifted his gaze to the pitch-black night sky, as if he could see countless invisible battle lines stretching out.

He knew that from tonight onward, the Jing'an Bureau would embark on a completely new path, more concealed and also more perilous.

But it will surely become a sword hanging over the heads of all who harbor ill intent, and a cornerstone safeguarding the peace of Great Chen.

In the days that followed, this vast machine of the Jing'an Bureau began, according to the new blueprint, to silently accelerate its reorganization and expansion.

More able personnel were added, and odd talents from the markets, after passing strict scrutiny, were also absorbed into various departments.

In the workshop of the Technical Investigation Office, lights blazed as artisans delved into researching various unheard-of devices and techniques;

In the Archives, clerks day and night sorted through mountains of documents, establishing a more complete indexing system;

Personnel of the External Intelligence Office, like droplets merging into the sea, assumed various guises and silently infiltrated False Song territory, the depths of the Taihang Mountains, and every corner of Great Chen's interior.

A tighter, wider-reaching invisible net is slowly unfurling.

All of this took place beneath the prosperity and clamor of Bianliangcheng, within the shadows unnoticed by the vast majority of people.

Only a scant few who hold high office or harbor ill intent faintly sensed that the air seemed to carry a barely perceptible, heart‑pounding gaze.

As if, at any moment, a pair of cold eyes in the darkness might open, seeing through their innermost secrets.

The strengthening of the Jing'an Bureau is like fitting Great Chen's vessel, sailing toward unknown storms, with a layer of sturdy invisible armor.

It may not be able to directly decide the outcome of the war, but it can guarantee to the greatest extent that this giant ship will not be hollowed out from within, nor will it be sunk by hidden arrows in the darkness.

And this, in this prolonged stalemate of national fortune with the mirror archenemy and its behind-the-scenes black hand, is crucial.