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

After seeing Chen Shi off, Wang Jianming called Ma Guoliang and asked him to come to his office.

Ma Guoliang was overjoyed when he received the call; it must mean the appointment from the Public Security Bureau had been made.

Arriving at the office, I knocked on the door.

Wang Jianming called out, "Come in."

Ma Guoliang walked in with a joyful expression.

Wang Jianming pointed to the sofa next to him: "Sit."

Ma Guoliang sat down, and Wang Jianming poured him a cup of tea.

"Commander Wang, you wanted to see me."

Ma Guoliang looked at Wang Jianming expectantly, almost asking aloud, "Has my appointment been approved?"

Wang Jianming sighed and took a sip of tea.

Ma Guoliang sensed something was wrong. What was going on? He sighed. Could it be that there had been a change in the appointment of the deputy director?

Wang Jianming was shrewd enough not to want to bear Ma Guoliang's hatred. If he hated Ma Guoliang, he would make him hate Chen Shi.

In a police station, there can't be a harmonious atmosphere; there has to be struggle for him to manage.

"Old Ma, I have some bad news for you."

Ma Guoliang's heart tightened, and he sat up straight, waiting for Wang Jianming to continue.

Wang Jianming stood up, went to his desk, took the recommendation form, and handed it to Ma Guoliang.

"Old Ma, take a look. This is your recommendation form for deputy director. It was rejected by the Party Committee of the Public Security Bureau."

"What?" Ma Guoliang's eyes widened, almost shouting it out.

"Don't get agitated, let me explain slowly."

Ma Guoliang realized he had lost his composure. He was unable to maintain his composure; if he didn't become the deputy director, he would be a laughingstock.

Before the New Year, everyone in the institute was congratulating me on becoming the deputy director. Everyone gave me gifts. If I didn't become the deputy director, how could I stay in the institute?

Wang Jianming slowly said, "Old Ma, your deputy directorship was originally approved, but a dark horse suddenly appeared, and the bureau chief ordered a replacement. Who dared not to?"

Ma Guoliang gritted his teeth and asked, "Who is it?"

Chen Shi

Ma Guoliang couldn't believe his ears. He had considered everyone, but Chen Shi was the only one who couldn't be the case. Chen Shi came from a rural area and didn't have any connections. If he did have connections, he wouldn't have been transferred back from the Public Security Bureau.

He was only transferred back half a year ago. He's young and doesn't have much experience. How could he be made deputy director?

If Chen Shi were to appear in front of Ma Guoliang now, he would rush up and tear him to pieces.

Wang Jianming was very satisfied with Ma Guoliang's performance. Chen Shi couldn't hold onto his position as deputy director because no one respected this young man.

"Old Ma, you can't fight city hall. Chen Shi's appointment will be finalized in a couple of days. You have to accept reality."

Ma Guoliang said, somewhat losing control of his emotions, "Director Wang, why is it Chen Shi? I would feel better if it were someone else."

He's just a young man who graduated less than two years ago, barely out of his teens, and he's not even qualified to be a deputy director? That's a section-level cadre position.

I've only been at the police station for a little over six months. I'm not convinced, I'm not convinced at all.

I've worked in the police station for over twenty years, and I finally got this opportunity, only to have it snatched away by him. I can't accept it, I absolutely can't accept it.

Besides, before the Lunar New Year, everyone thought I was the candidate to succeed as deputy director. Now, how am I supposed to face people in the institute?

Ma Guoliang, a grown man, spoke with tears in his eyes; he felt wronged and hated Chen Shi to death.

Wang Jianming listened quietly until Ma Guoliang finished venting; then he was about to add fuel to the fire.

Chen Shi was the county magistrate's man, and he didn't want any powerful people under his command, as it would affect his authority.

"Chen Shi took two days off. Do you know what he did? He went to Mingzhou to attend a classmate's wedding, where he met Liu Xian. Liu Xian even treated him to a meal."

Just now, Director Zhang called, saying you weren't good enough and that he wanted to promote a young and promising cadre, specifically naming Chen Shi. What could I possibly do?

Ma Guoliang gritted his teeth and said, "That kid, he stabbed me in the back."

"This is the leader's appointment, and I really can't help you. Chen Shi is really despicable; he went to Liu County to speak ill of you in order to get promoted. He's a real scoundrel."

Ma Guoliang suddenly stood up: "I'll go find him."

Wang Jianming shouted, "Old Ma, what are you going to do? Go find him and beat him up. You don't want to be a cop anymore."

There are plenty of ways to deal with Chen Shi. In the institute, who has more prestige between you and Chen Shi?

Don't even think about it, it's definitely you.

If no one in the institute respects Chen Shi, he won't be able to continue as deputy director.

Wang Jianming was planning to transfer Chen Shi to the Public Security Bureau and promote Ma Guoliang to a higher position.

Ma Guoliang has no background and can only rely on himself. Everything has to be done his way, and the institute is still his domain.

Ma Guoliang sat down and pondered to himself, "Who does Chen Shi think he is? I can't speak for other places, but within the institute, my prestige is far superior to his. He'll make sure Chen Shi, the deputy director, can't hold his position and will slink away in disgrace."

In a township police station, what matters to a leader is prestige, not just an appointment document.

Chen Shi was also pondering whether he could hold onto his position as deputy director, even if it was secure.

He knew that his relationship with Liu Youguang was very delicate. If he couldn't hold onto his position as deputy director, Liu Youguang would think that he wasn't worth cultivating and would throw him away without hesitation, like a stinky rag.

He promised Li Nan to take care of him, and he did. He promoted you to deputy director. If you can't hold your position and can't win people's respect, who can you blame?

Chen realized that his disadvantages were his youth, lack of experience, and lack of prestige, having only been at the police station for more than half a year.

Chen Shi had an idea on how to intimidate these seasoned veterans in the household.

The appointment document will be issued soon. Before it is issued, spread the word that you are Liu Youguang's man.

Township-level officials are naturally wary of those with connections, and at least outwardly dare not underestimate them.

Chen Shi took out his phone and called Wang Yanhong, asking her to invite her cousin Xu Linlin to dinner that evening.

He also told Wang Yanhong about his leave of absence to go to Mingzhou to attend a classmate's wedding and meet County Magistrate Liu Youguang.

Before hanging up the phone, he emphasized that County Chief Liu appreciated him very much and invited him to ride in his car back, have dinner at the county chief's house, and stay overnight at his house before rushing back today.

Chen Shi knew that Wang Yanhong was outspoken and would definitely tell Xu Linlin about it when she invited her to dinner that night.

If her boyfriend gets to know the county magistrate, he'll definitely show off at school. In less than a day, all the staff in the township will know that Chen Shi has gained the county magistrate's favor.

Wang Yanhong is his girlfriend, so the information she spreads is more credible.

In a couple of days, when the appointment documents are issued, no one will be surprised; it will be perfectly normal.

People who are appreciated by the county magistrate are promoted to deputy director, which is equivalent to being promoted to director of the police station. Everyone thinks this is normal.

The people in the institute were dissatisfied, but dared not show it, except for one person: Ma Guoliang.

If I can also win over Ma Guoliang, then I'll truly secure my position as deputy director.

Townships are like shallow waters teeming with turtles, small temples with a strong, gloomy atmosphere; they may have talent, but they lack opportunities.

Those who make it in rural towns are all shrewd and capable, far more so than those in counties or cities.

They directly face the grassroots people, which is no easy task. They encounter all sorts of people, and if they are not handled properly, the consequences could be disastrous.

As Chen Shi pondered these thoughts, he entered the lounge, revealing no joy at his impending appointment as deputy director, but rather a deep sense of worry.