The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Chen Shi returned to the police station on the third day of the Lunar New Year and was on duty on the fourth day. Wang Yanhong returned to the town on the fourth day to accompany Chen Shi on duty at the police station.

The year is over quickly, and it's time to start a new year of work.

After the Lantern Festival, the Spring Festival is officially over.

The first major event after the Lunar New Year was the release of the investigation report on the Huangchang Town coal mine disaster by the Mingzhou Municipal Government.

People don't care how the gas exploded in the coal mine; they only care that the official in charge is in trouble.

The deputy county head in charge of coal, the director of the coal bureau, the deputy director in charge of coal mines in Huangchang Town, the mayor of Huangchang Town, and the deputy mayor in charge of coal mines in Chunyang County were all dismissed from their posts and given demerits within the Party.

Chen Shi reviewed the investigation report repeatedly. His heart, which had been pounding, finally settled down. His career was about to take off.

He thought of going to the county town to find Liu Youguang, but then he thought that since Liu Youguang had landed safely, he would definitely go to the municipal party committee compound to find Wang Mingzhang and show his loyalty.

Chen Shi took two days off and traveled to Mingzhou to visit his uncle and aunt.

I arrived in Mingzhou at 5 p.m., bought two boxes of gifts, and went to the municipal party committee compound. My aunt Li Nan was home and was very welcoming to me.

"Chen Shi, when you come here, you're not allowed to bring anything next time. Do you think we need your little things?"

"Just come in person. If you have time, bring your mother along too, let her come visit."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Aunt, I feel uneasy coming empty-handed."

"If you're not comfortable with that, just bring your mom along."

My mother came once, but hasn't come since. It's time to bring her over, along with some ham from our own home. Maybe Li Nan will give her a big red envelope again.

"I'll bring my mother along in a while."

"That's right," Li Nan said, gesturing for Chen Shi to sit down.

Not long after they sat down, Liu Youguang came in, carrying a bulging black leather bag. He was alone, without anyone with him.

Chen Shi knew he had come to deliver a gift, so he quickly stood up and greeted him with a smile: "County Magistrate Liu, you've arrived."

Liu Youguang smiled and nodded at Chen Shi, then said to Li Nan, "Principal Li, Secretary Wang asked me to come to his house and wait for him. He'll be back soon."

Li Nan laughed and said, "It's not like it's your first time here, why are you being so polite? Please have a seat."

Liu Youguang sat down, and Chen Shi quickly made him tea.

Li Nan smiled and said, "County Chief Liu, my husband, Lao Wang, played a big part in helping you get through this difficult time. There are some things he didn't tell you, and he owes a lot of people a favor."

Liu Youguang stood up: "Principal Li, rest assured, Secretary Wang is like a second parent to me. From now on, I will go through fire and water for Secretary Wang without hesitation."

Li Nan waved his hand: "County Chief Liu, why are you standing up? Please sit down. I was just saying. If you really want to repay this favor, please take care of Chen Shi, my nephew."

Li Nan was deliberately targeting Liu Youguang. Chen Shi was very touched. With his aunt's words, he knew Liu Youguang would definitely take care of him.

Liu Youguang no longer doubted what Chen Shi had told him before the New Year. He had even forgotten that he had promised Chen Shi to promote him to deputy director of the police station.

As a county magistrate, how could he remember so many things? Of course, Chen Shi wouldn't take it to heart.

He came here to show his loyalty, and seeing that Li Nan had once again asked him to take care of Chen Shi, he remembered it this time.

By binding Chen Shi to his cause, his relationship with Wang Mingzhang would advance even further.

"Principal Li, don't worry, I will take good care of Chen Shi."

Chen Shi quickly replied, "County Magistrate Liu, I am your soldier. Wherever you point, I will fight!"

Chen Shi was expressing his loyalty to Liu Youguang.

At this moment, Wang Mingzhang walked in, and Liu Youguang quickly stood up and called out, "Secretary Wang."

Chen Shi appeared quite at ease and greeted him warmly, "Uncle."

If you didn't know better, you'd really think the two were very close.

This was Chen Shi deliberately saying it so that Liu Youguang could hear it.

Wang Mingzhang glanced at Chen Shi, then smiled at Liu Youguang and said, "Youguang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Liu Youguang quickly replied, "No, it's my honor to wait for Secretary Wang."

"To report on your work, come to my study."

The two went up to the second floor, and more than an hour later, Liu Youguang came out, but the leather bag he was carrying was empty.

Wang Mingzhang checked the time: "It's getting late, let's have dinner before we leave."

Liu Youguang said with a forced smile, "Secretary Wang, I still have matters to attend to in the county. I'll go back and take care of them, so I won't have dinner. I'll head back first."

"If I have something to do, I won't keep you any longer. Take care on your journey."

"Thank you, Secretary Wang."

Li Nan looked at Liu Youguang: "County Chief Liu, my nephew is also going back to Chunyang County. Could you give him a ride?"

Liu Youguang quickly replied, "Okay, Principal Li."

Chen Shi immediately understood Li Nan's meaning—this was an attempt to build a closer relationship with him—and stood up: "Thank you, County Magistrate Liu."

He said to Li Nan, "Aunt, I'm going back now."

"Go back now, bring your mom next time."

"it is good"

Chen Shi walked up to Wang Mingzhang and said, "Uncle, I'm going back."

Wang Mingzhang nodded, watched the two leave, and then sat down in the living room.

"Nannan, what's wrong with you? I told you not to acknowledge Chen Shi as your nephew, but you insisted. Now you're even introducing him to Liu Youguang. Do you really want to support him?"

Li Nan looked at Wang Mingzhang: "Mingzhang, Chen Shi is your own nephew. You recognize a bunch of fake nephews outside, but you don't acknowledge this real nephew. What kind of logic is that?"

"What's so special about a country bumpkin?"

"Don't be so snobbish. I sympathize with my sister's plight. She was abandoned by her father when she was young and left to live with her grandparents. She never went to school and got married early."

"You have the ability now, and Chen Shi, your nephew, is quite good. He's eloquent and visits us often. If you can help him, why not?"

"Did he really come here just to see us? Or is he just hoping I'll give him a hand?"

"You're his uncle, shouldn't you lend him a hand?"

Wang Mingzhang waved his hand: "I won't say anything more. If Chen Shi is capable, I'll acknowledge him as a section-level cadre someday."

If he weren't cut out for this, talking to him would be a waste of time.

Li Nan shook his head: "I really can't understand you people in high positions of power. My father was the same way. When I asked him to promote you, he said the same thing: 'Let's talk about it when you become a section-level cadre.'"

Wang Mingzhang said earnestly, "He's not cut out for this. Promoting him would harm him and me as well."

I don't want to take the risk of losing a nephew I haven't been in touch with for years.

The higher the official rank, the more they cherish their reputation and will not make promises to anyone lightly. Their own reputation is above all else.

Li Nan didn't want to continue the conversation and changed the subject: "We're going to my father's for dinner tomorrow night. He has something to tell you."

Wang Mingzhang knew what the old man wanted to do, but he couldn't refuse. This was another time he was being asked to promote someone.

They should be retired and stay put, but they still want to interfere and cause trouble. They just can't stay still.

Wang Mingzhang has been accused by the old man for half his life, and now he will no longer listen to the old man. He wants to get rid of his influence and promote his own confidants.

If you promote someone else, wouldn't I, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, become your puppet?

If I'm willing to go out to eat with you and listen to your rambling, I'll give you face and know when to stop. If you keep going on and on, I'll take back that face and just ignore you.

Li Nan shouted, "Mingzhang, what are you thinking? Did you hear me?"

Wang Mingzhang looked up and glanced at Li Nan: "I heard you. I'll make time to go with you tomorrow night."