Let them offer their loyalty!

As for the method of annexation, it is quite simple.

Heavenly State and Earth State need not be mentioned. Qiu Tu was originally the garrison commander of the Two States, holding the high ground and could arbitrarily make personnel arrangements and adjustments.

Apart from positions above the Speaker level, legally speaking, he cannot decide by himself.

Almost all other positions including the senior officials of each city, State Council members, and Deputy Speakers can be decided by him alone.

While in Dongye State and New State, he doesn't have as much legal power.

But the eight Deputy Speakers of New State and Dongye State are: Tang Feifei, Rain Butterfly, Liu Xiongyuan, Dai Yukang, Yan Chen, Guo Huai, Ye Mingfeng, and Li Tingdong.

Among the 8 people, Qiu Tu has 4 staunch supporters. Yan Chen and Guo Huai now also lean towards Qiu Tu.

So among the 8 people, Qiu Tu has 6 votes.

With the Speaker position vacant, Qiu Tu essentially controls the Speaker's Council, the highest power body. Thus, he can start making arrangements through his several confidants.

Moreover, compared to his initial state as the Speaker of Dongye State, his prestige and terrifying political achievements and war exploits accumulated over time have now elevated Qiu Tu's prestige in the Four States to almost the highest level.

His actions have also become more domineering due to the mysterious death showcase of Pang Haichen this time.

With the confidants cultivated and selected through the "Loyalty" game over these months, he still has a substantial talent reserve.

Therefore, apart from some neutral (loyalty 30-40) but capable middle and senior officials, all other middle and senior officials with loyalty below 30 or insufficient ability have been replaced with his own people.

Although this is worthwhile from the long-term development perspective of the Four States, it indeed affected the development of some aspects of the Two States in the short term. Thus, there are some minor complaints both in the States and the Sanctuary...

The Eighth Sanctuary. The home of Hu Jie, the head of the "Free Democracy Faction".

Third Elder Lei, the head of the "Local Armed Alliance", sat there grandly, tapping his knuckles on the table!

With a sullen face, he said to Hu Jie, "This is simply too much!"

"Qiu Tu treats the Four States as his own home! He doesn't even pretend anymore!"

"Without any reason, he privately conducts such large-scale personnel adjustments without even reporting. Does he really consider the Sanctuary at all?"

Third Elder Lei is a typical military thug, dark-skinned and rough, even assuming high positions and wielding great power, but his nature remains unchanged, still looking like a bandit.

Compared to him, Hu Jie appears much more refined. His face is lean, somewhat like a goat, with eyes flashing with brilliance, giving an impression of shrewdness at first glance.

Hearing Third Elder Lei's words, Hu Jie's eyes flickered slightly, then he spoke, "Old Lei, do you feel something odd about this matter?"

Third Elder Lei stared wide-eyed at Hu Jie, then asked, "What's odd?"

Hearing his words, Hu Jie, the head of the "Free Democracy Faction", stroked his chin, pondered quietly for a while, then deliberated and said, "I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Just feel that Rao Shou and Tang Wanfeng were too calm about this matter."

He looked at Third Elder Lei and said, "Don't forget, it was them who supported Qiu Tu all the way up."

"Would they suppress Qiu Tu just because we say so?"

"Isn't this too simple?"

Hearing Hu Jie's words, Third Elder Lei rubbed his bald head, thinking carefully.

Though he's a rough person, he's a rough person with brains.

No kidding... Rao Shou agreeing was indeed beyond his expectation.

But at that time, Tang Wanfeng did not agree.

And given the relationships between Qiu Tu, Tang Wanfeng, and Rao Shou.

After a moment of pondering, he then spoke, "Could it be that there are some inherent contradictions and differences between Old Rao and Old Tang?"

"After all, although Qiu Tu was supported by them, he's actually just Old Tang's son-in-law, having no relation to Old Rao."

"Qiu Tu's development does help them. But if he develops too quickly, Old Rao will also be apprehensive."

"So, he then turned to support us a bit, wanting to suppress Qiu Tu and then loosen his grip later."

"This way to win Qiu Tu's heart."

Hearing Third Elder Lei's words, Hu Jie pondered silently for a moment, then nodded hesitantly, "That's possible."

He said, "However, now Qiu Tu obviously hasn't realized that he has already been schemed by Rao Shou."

"He's still waiting for support from Rao Shou and Tang Wanfeng."

At this point, his eyes lit up, then smiled at Third Elder Lei, "By the way, I remember that your "Local Armed Alliance's" Shao Jie has always had good ability and political achievements."

"Last time, he only lost by 1 vote against Qiu Tu for the Governor position of New State."

"Now with Dongye State, New State, Heavenly State, and Earth State, four states' Speaker positions vacant, I wonder if it would be possible to dispatch him to Dongye State as the Speaker?"

Shao Jie's father was once the number two figure in the "Local Armed Alliance". But due to his excessive arrogance and unscrupulousness, he was named for early retirement by Rao Shou back then. (Chapter 489)

However, his political resources were left to his two sons: Shao Jie and Shao Gang.

Shao Jie is now a member of the Sanctuary Military Committee and the Supreme Council Member.

While Shao Gang is the head of the military in Qiming City, Dongye State. Previously dissatisfied with Qiu Tu, during the recent position adjustments, he was dismissed by Qiu Tu, sent back to the Sanctuary.

This has further intensified the conflict between the Shao Family and Qiu Tu.

Now, if Shao Jie is arranged to become the Speaker of Dongye State, not only can this further advance Shao Jie, expand the power of the "Local Armed Alliance", but it can also add trouble for Qiu Tu.