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

The next morning, Wang Jianming knocked on Chen Shi's door.

Chen Shigang had just taken a hot shower and came out of the bathroom in his pajamas. He had slept very well last night and was full of energy.

Upon opening the door, Chen Shi saw Wang Jianming standing at the entrance and greeted him warmly, "Director Wang, please come in. You're up so early."

Wang Jianming stood still, glanced at his watch, and said, "Is it still early? It's nine o'clock. I called you twice, but you didn't answer either time."

His tone revealed his dissatisfaction.

Chen Shizhen didn't ignore the call on purpose; he usually puts his phone on silent when he sleeps.

He really dislikes being woken up by phone calls while he's sleeping.

I had just gotten up, hadn't even had time to check my phone, had a bowel movement, and taken a hot shower. Just as I came out, there was a knock on the door.

He quickly explained, "Director Wang, my phone was on silent, I didn't notice. Is there something urgent?"

Wang Jianming said with dissatisfaction, "Deputy Director Chen, it's time to go back."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Director Wang, I have an appointment with County Magistrate Liu to report on my work at eleven o'clock, so I'll have to wait."

Reporting to County Liu? What a joke! Are you even qualified? Wang Jianming didn't believe Chen Shi's nonsense; he was just trying to scare him by bringing up County Liu.

"Liu County is so busy every day, how can you give me time to report on my work?"

Seeing that Wang Jianming didn't believe him, Chen Shi stopped smiling and said seriously, "If you don't believe me, you can call Secretary Huang to verify. If you don't have his number, I'll give it to you."

Chen Shi turned around, went to the bedside table, picked up his phone, walked to the door, dialed Huang Ming's number, and handed it to Wang Jianming.

Wang Jianming indeed did not have Huang Ming's mobile phone number; he was too far removed from the county magistrate's rank to have any contact with him.

Seeing that Chen Shi was serious, he forced a smile and said, "Deputy Director Chen, I was just asking casually, don't take it seriously."

Go report to your superiors; I'll wait for you here.

Chen Shi put his phone away: "Director Wang, if you have something urgent, you can drive back first, and I'll take the bus back."

The police car isn't here; it's at the Qingcheng Hotel. They drank too much with Secretary Huang and Section Chief Xu last night and didn't bring it back.

Wang Jianming's expression was somewhat grim: "It's nothing urgent, I'll wait for you."

After turning around and leaving, he went to report to Lei Heng, the executive deputy director, after the meeting yesterday. Lei Heng had other dinner engagements and did not attend. He and several township police station chiefs invited Wang Sanduo, the captain of the public security management brigade, to dinner.

They were all Lei Heng's men.

It seems that Chen Shi has really gotten in touch with Liu Youguang. Liu Youguang thinks highly of him. For a section-level cadre to be able to report to the county head is quite a big deal.

On second thought, he broke out in a cold sweat. With the county magistrate protecting him, his position as director would inevitably belong to Chen Shi sooner or later. He had to find a way to get rid of him.

My chances of being promoted to section chief are slim, but being able to be a local tyrant in this small area of ​​the Fushan Town Police Station is not bad.

Chen Shi was unaware of Wang Jianming's thoughts. He tidied himself up, ate breakfast, and left at ten o'clock to go to the county government office.

In the corridor, I ran into Huang Ming and greeted him with a smile: "Secretary Huang."

Huang Ming said softly, "Director Chen, you're here so early. Come to the General Affairs Section and sit in my office. Director Zhang from the Education Bureau is reporting to County Chief Liu. Please wait a moment."

Huang Ming also served as the deputy head of the General Affairs Section. The head of the section was someone he recommended, and the General Affairs Section was Huang Ming's territory.

Upon arriving at Huang Ming's office, he poured Chen Shi a cup of tea.

"Director Chen, please wait a moment. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll go ahead and take care of them."

Chen Shi quickly said, "Secretary Huang, I'm sorry to bother you, please go ahead with your work."

He sat alone in his office, bored. He stood up, looked at the busy staff outside, and sighed, "So many people dream of working in the county government, but once they come in, they realize that anyone can order them around, and they're still nobody."

Chen Shi returned to the sofa and sat down, thinking about how to report his work to County Chief Liu in a way that would get his attention.

Around 10:40, Huang Ming returned to his office.

"Chief Chen, County Chief Liu wants to see you."

This was an advance reception, and Chen Shi quickly stood up. Liu Youguang at least treated him with respect.

Upon arriving at the county magistrate's office, Chen Shi greeted him with a smile: "County Magistrate Liu."

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "Xiao Chen, sit down."

Liu Youguang called him Xiao Chen, and Chen Shi didn't have a problem with it; Liu had the power to call him that.

Calling him Xiao Chen indicates he's one of us, while calling him Director Chen indicates a working relationship.

Chen Shi sat down with a smile. Huang Ming poured Chen Shi a cup of tea, then filled Liu Youguang's thermos with tea before turning and leaving.

Outside, everyone has to give Huang Ming face; here, he's just a servant.

Liu Youguang asked, "Xiao Chen, how's it going at the police station?"

Chen Shi quickly said, "I came to report to you on my work at the police station."

Chen Shi emphasized the key points, saying that after taking office, the police station made personnel adjustments and set up three group leaders.

In each administrative village of Fushan Town, a police officer is assigned to be responsible for promoting fraud prevention and legal education.

Special emphasis was placed on the remote Longtougou Village, where villagers' cattle and horses are stolen every month. Police officers have been stationed there long-term to protect the villagers' property.

Chen Shi knew very well that Liu Youguang wanted to see if he was cut out for it.

Within the system, there are many people with connections; if you want to go far, it still depends on your abilities.

If you lack ability, your background can only help you temporarily, not permanently.

Ordinary people might think that having connections is enough. But think about it: how many counties and cities are there in the country? County heads and mayors are everywhere. How many of their children can surpass their fathers in their careers? They just rely on their fathers' protection to get a deputy section chief or section chief position and then live a life of ease.

Liu Youguang highly praised Chen Shi's actions, noting that he was young but possessed political wisdom.

If he were the police station chief, he would never sign off on personnel adjustments. If he did, he would have lost this game.

Chen Shi's shortcomings were: he was young, lacked experience, and had difficulty gaining the respect of the masses.

If you make him inactive, he won't be able to establish his prestige. A leader without prestige cannot hold his position securely.

As soon as Chen Shi took office, he made personnel adjustments, established his prestige, and secured his position as deputy director.

"Keep up the good work, you're still young, you'll achieve great things in the future."

Chen Shi repeatedly said yes.

Liu Youguang changed the subject: "Have you been to your uncle's house recently?"

"I've been too busy with work lately, so I haven't gone yet. My aunt said she misses my mom, so I'll take her with me."

"No matter how busy you are with work, you have to go see your uncle. Secretary Wang works so hard managing such a big city. You should visit him often."

The two chatted for a while longer. Liu Youguang was very satisfied with Chen Shi. The young man was capable, had political awareness, and was worth cultivating.

With lunchtime approaching, Chen Shi prepared to leave.

"County Chief Liu, I won't bother you any longer. I'll be leaving now and come back to report to you next month."

Liu Youguang smiled and said, "What's the rush? It's lunchtime. I'll take you to the county government canteen for a meal and let you try the food there. See if it's good."

Chen Shi was a little flattered, but still said, "County Chief Liu, you're so busy, I'd better go out to eat."

This is a test. Did you take a leader's casual remark seriously? What is your rank? Can you really have dinner with the county magistrate?

Liu Youguang laughed and said, "What does having a meal have to do with being busy? No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat."

Seeing Liu Youguang invite her again, it would be impolite to refuse again, as this opportunity is too rare.

After this meal, everyone in the county and within the system will know my name.