In the afternoon meeting, Zhang Zhuoyuan began to present the information on each recommended organization in the order listed, allowing everyone to vote and discuss whether to grant each organization official status.

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew tense, with everyone bracing themselves and preparing to tackle the upcoming battle without gunfire.

“Information on the first organization has been presented. You may now share your opinions,” Zhang Zhuoyuan announced according to procedure.

Shi Jin spoke first, pulling out a document from under his arm. “I don’t think this organization called Empty Nest is suitable for listing. I had my second brother look into it during lunch. Look here—this organization is based in a city where high-interest loan disputes have frequently occurred over the past year. Members of this organization have repeatedly been involved in police cases for violent debt collection and personal injury. Recently, they’ve even been implicated in a homicide. An organization with such an illegal business structure and unethical conduct is, in my opinion, not appropriate for listing.”

Everyone turned their gaze towards Shi Jin, their eyes fixed on the document in his hand, their expressions stiff.

Shi Jin was the first to speak up and criticize the organization on the list, and he had even prepared information in such a short time. His approach was in stark contrast to Lian Jun’s indifferent style.

“A homicide?” Zhang Zhuoyuan immediately took it seriously. He took the document from Shi Jin, flipped through it, and then his expression darkened. He decisively removed the organization from consideration on the spot and said with a stern face, “Have the leader of the organization that recommended this group contact me separately later. I need to understand the reasons for recommending this organization.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room immediately grew tense. Everyone was surprised and uneasy, not expecting Shi Jin to so easily remove an organization from the list.

Yuan Peng’s face darkened as he glared at Shi Jin, his hand clenched tightly. Indeed, Empty Nest was the organization he had recommended. Snake Fang was in need of money recently, and to cover the shortfall, he had set up several illegal small organizations to engage in high-interest loan business. Empty Nest was one of the best-developed and cleanest among them. His intention was to expand the organization further by having it listed, but he hadn’t expected Shi Jin to dig up all the suppressed news and cases he had already buried.

How did Shi Jin manage to uncover all this information in just one afternoon! Or could it be that Shi Jin had already known that he would recommend “Empty Nest” and had prepared in advance? Was there a traitor within Snake Fang?

The more he thought about it, the more his resentment towards Shi Jin brewed, and a sense of murderous intent began to take shape in his heart.

Shi Jin glanced at his progress bar, which had suddenly surged to 700, and raised an eyebrow slightly—Guess away, keep guessing. Even if you guess forever, you’ll never figure out that this information was actually provided by Zhang Zhuoyuan himself. Who else could uncover all the suppressed news and cases so quickly, if not the authorities? How utterly foolish.

After the dramatic opening, Shi Jin returned to his quiet demeanor, and did not criticize any other candidates. His erratic approach left the other organization leaders with a sense of unease, as if their defenses had been in vain. However, their tension was soon reignited as Meng Qing and other leaders of major organizations, especially Yuan Peng, suddenly took an aggressive stance, consecutively removing several organizations from consideration.

The atmosphere in the meeting room plunged to an all-time low. The leaders of the organizations that had been removed were filled with confusion and frustration, unable to understand what had gotten into the leaders of the major organizations this year. They couldn’t grasp why the standards had suddenly become so strict, with organizations that would have easily passed in previous years being rejected outright. It felt as though there was no room for other organizations to survive or grow.

The list quickly passed the halfway point, and so far, not a single candidate organization had been approved. Everyone was on the verge of laughing out of frustration. Oh, wait—there was one organization that passed, but it was clearly a subsidiary of a major organization that had recommended it, so its approval was hardly surprising!

A mood of dissatisfaction began to brew. Timing his move, Shi Jin spoke up as Yuan Peng aggressively criticized another organization: “Senior Yuan, don’t you think you’re going a bit too far? I understand that you want to eliminate the organization I recommended, but this broadside approach, leaving no room for others, seems quite unfair to the organizations that have been developed with great effort. As for me, although I also want to remove the organizations you recommended, I wouldn’t cast such a wide net and attack indiscriminately. Instead, I’d conduct thorough research and make precise strikes.”

The leaders of the major organizations, who had been silently fuming, couldn’t help but look at Shi Jin with surprise as he spoke up on behalf of everyone.

As soon as Shi Jin mentioned “precise strikes,” Yuan Peng’s expression immediately darkened. Meng Qing and Qi Yun’s expressions also shifted slightly. Lu Shan responded sharply, saying, “We’re just doing what had always been done in previous years. Why is Deputy Leader Shi accusing us of having ulterior motives?”

Qi Yun saw Lu Shan speaking up and thought to himself that this was a bad move—she shouldn’t have spoken out. In this tense atmosphere, Shi Jin had already gained the upper hand in terms of “public sentiment,” and engaging in a verbal confrontation with him would only be detrimental. Furthermore…

He flipped through the list again, feeling a nagging sense that something was off.

When deciding to eliminate Shi Jin’s recommended organization, they had immediately screened the list and only planned to target the most suspicious ones, without any intention to carry out a broad attack. However, it was strange that all the organizations they suspected ended up being concentrated in the first half of the meeting’s discussion. This led everyone to feel as though they were engaging in indiscriminate attacks.

It seemed like they had fallen into a trap; Shi Jin appeared to deliberately make them the target of hostility.

“I simply hope that the seniors can be a bit more lenient with us juniors,” Shi Jin said pointedly. “Everyone needs to get along; being overly strict can lead to resentment.” He then suddenly pulled out another document and continued, “Director Zhang, I believe the organization Three States, recommended by Tarantula, is not suitable for listing. According to my investigation, although Three States appears to be primarily a transportation organization on the surface, it actually engages in smuggling, trafficking in contraband, and even human trafficking.”

Everyone was taken aback, realizing only then that Zhang Zhuoyuan had just announced the information for the next recommended organization, whose name was indeed Three States.

Is this the organization recommended by Tarantula? Everyone glanced at Lu Shan with a hint of suspicion.

Having her recommended organization pointed out directly, Lu Shan’s expression grew stormy, and she turned her head to glare fiercely at Shi Jin.

Shi Jin showed no hesitation. He pushed the document towards Zhang Zhuoyuan and called out, “Director Zhang.”

Zhang Zhuoyuan snapped back to attention, glanced at Lu Shan, and took the document. After a brief look, his expression fell, and he couldn’t help but say, “I’ve repeatedly emphasized that the recommended organizations must not be involved in any crimes or serious offenses. Have you all been ignoring what I said!

Lu Shan retorted, “Three States only had a couple of incidents involving prohibited activities in the past. Since I took over, the business structure has already changed. Shi Jin is just picking bones in an egg!”

“Just because an organization changes ownership, does that erase its past crimes and records? That’s not how it works.” Shi Jin countered firmly.

“Enough. Three States is disqualified. Everyone, settle down and focus on discussing the next organization!” Zhang Zhuoyuan concluded decisively, removing it from consideration.

Lu Shan, enraged, slammed her hand on the table.

Seeing this, the other organization leaders felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Their own recommended organizations had been indiscriminately dismissed by the major organizations, and now, seeing one of those major organizations’ recommendations also getting removed—it felt oddly gratifying!

Qi Yun keenly noticed the shift in atmosphere in the meeting room. He looked at Shi Jin across the room with a deep gaze—indeed, Shi Jin was trying to sow discord between them and the other small and mid-sized organizations, attempting to isolate them. They couldn’t allow Shi Jin to continue stirring up trouble. Unlike Lian Jun and Annihilation, they needed the support and prestige of these lower-tier organizations.

Soon, the information for the next organization was presented. This organization was supposed to be removed by Meng Qing’s remarks, but Meng Qing didn’t speak as planned. Qi Yun turned to look at him and saw that Meng Qing was frowning in deep thought. Realizing they were on the same page, Qi Yun also fell silent. He then took out his phone and sent a text message to both Lu Shan and Yuan Peng.

The pace of the meeting suddenly returned to normal, with the major organizations no longer targeting organizations indiscriminately. Everyone quietly sighed with relief, grateful to Shi Jin for having shifted some of the pressure off them.

Noticing this, Qi Yun’s frowned even deeper. Although he was reluctant, he refrained from taking any more rash moves.

In the following time, the organizations recommended by Qi Yun and Meng Qing were also brought up for discussion. Shi Jin, well-prepared, presented one document after another, systematically and convincingly dismantling all the organizations they had recommended. Moreover, Shi Jin also targeted the organizations recommended by Epoch and Meridian Gate’s affiliates, nitpicking and finding faults with each one.

At this point, if Qi Yun and his allies couldn’t see that Shi Jin’s precise strikes today were backed by Zhang Zhuoyuan’s assistance, they might as well cut off their heads and use them as stools!

—Shi Jin truly does have a close relationship with the authorities; Zhang Zhuoyuan is helping him target us!

The situation looked dire. Qi Yun and Meng Qing felt a heavy weight in their hearts and became even more determined to eliminate Shi Jin.

As the meeting drew to a close and the list was gradually discussed, only five organizations had been approved this year, a record low. Even at this point, Qi Yun and the others still didn’t know which organization Shi Jin had recommended.

At the end of the conference, Zhang Zhuoyuan announced the results of the previous year’s list review, officially listing the new batch of legitimate organizations, and then declared the meeting adjourned.

Shi Jin was the first to get up and leave the table. He went out onto the deck and stood alongside Xiang Aoting to take on their positions for the final shift of the meeting

The leaders of the major organizations gradually exited the meeting room. Liu Zhenjun and Zhang Zhuoyuan, following routine, gathered everyone and made some formal statements. They also mentioned that, to prevent a repeat of last year’s situation where major organizations took advantage of the official ships’ departure to attack others, this year the authorities had specifically arranged for helicopters to “escort” the major organizations’ ships as they departed. They then officially declared the conference a success and concluded it.

While Zhang Zhuoyuan was speaking, Xiang Aoting exchanged a few words with Shi Jin and before leading his team towards the aft deck. Shortly after, several armed helicopters took off and began to circle overhead.

Yuan Peng’s expression was grim. He exchanged glances with Qi Yun and Meng Qing, then cast a subtle look at Shi Jin before being the first to step away.

Shi Jin glanced at his progress bar, which had risen to 800, but remained unfazed. He turned his head and began chatting with Fei Yujing.

Amidst the roar of the helicopters, the ships of the various organizations began to separate and set sail towards the distant sea in groups. About half an hour later, only the official ships and a few of the major organizations’ vessels remained at the location.

Shi Jin made another attempt to invite Zhang Zhuoyuan to join him for drinks back on the island, but Zhang Zhuoyuan declined outright. Shi Jin didn’t press the matter, and after politely bidding farewell, he, along with Gua Two, Fei Yujing, and Li Jiuzheng, stepped onto the gangway and headed towards Annihilation’s ship.

“Shi Jin,” Zhang Zhuoyuan suddenly called out to him.

Shi Jin turned to look at him.

“Remember the oath you took when you entered the police academy. You are an outstanding officer trained by our country, and you are our future comrade and partner,” Zhang Zhuoyuan said, with pointed emphasis.

Gua Two turned to face Zhang Zhuoyuan, his lips curling into a cold smile.

Shi Jin interrupted him and also turned to face Zhang Zhuoyuan. “Director Zhang, I don’t dare forget my oath, and I hope you won’t forget the promises you’ve made either. As long as Lian Jun is alive, I will always be an outstanding officer in your eyes.” After saying this, he raised his hand in a military salute and turned on his heel, heading towards Annihilation’s ship without looking back.

“Director Zhang, I’ll make sure to pass on what you said today to Jun-shao,” Gua Two added, giving Zhang Zhuoyuan a cold smirk before turning and catching up with Shi Jin.

Fei Yujing and Li Jiuzheng also cast a brief, indifferent glance at Zhang Zhuoyuan before stepping forward to join Shi Jin.

In the sky, the helicopter piloted by Xiang Aoting slowly moved into position, hovering above Annihilation’s ship in preparation to escort Shi Jin’s departure.

Zhang Zhuoyuan’s gaze shifted from the sky to the gangway, his expression suddenly weary. He said, “Major General Liu, when will these issues ever end… Why does it have to be such a troublesome person as Shi Jin to stand beside Lian Jun?”

Liu Zhenjun glanced at the major organizations’ ships that were quietly anchored nearby and said, “Director Zhang, I understand that you have your considerations, but here, we cannot turn against officers who have already pledged their allegiance and proven their worth.” With that, he turned and left, leaving Zhang Zhuoyuan standing alone on the deck.

Zhang Zhuoyuan remained silent, watching as the ships of the major organizations dispersed in different directions after Annihilation set sail. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the entire situation.