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

Those who are usually suppressed by Lei Heng can't help but secretly give Chen Shi a thumbs up, saying he did a good job.

All eyes were on Chen Shi. Do you know who you've been talking back to? He's the third-in-command of the Public Security Bureau. Besides the director and the political commissar, he's the most powerful. Even if you're someone appreciated by County Chief Liu and Director Zhang, it would be as easy for him to take down a mere deputy director as crushing an ant.

Wang Jianming was secretly delighted. He knew Lei Heng's temper; he was vindictive and would always scold him like a grandson, and Lei Heng wouldn't dare utter a word. But today, after being contradicted by Chen Shi in front of so many people, he would definitely not let Chen Shi get away with it.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Lei Heng, who had a gloomy expression and was staring intently at Chen Shi.

He was gloating, enjoying the show; the thought of Chen Shi falling into misfortune was what made him happiest.

Chen Shi met Lei Heng's sharp gaze with unwavering determination, showing no sign of backing down.

You little brat, you dare to talk back to me? In the police station, you're the first and the last. I'll show you what happens when you talk back to me.

If fugitive Zhang Dong appears in Fushan Town and you don't find any trace of him, you will be dismissed from your post and brought back to square one. Even if Zhang Xiangdong is protecting you, it won't make a difference.

If fugitive Zhang Dong does not escape back to Fushan Town, then apply to investigate the expenditure of your 500,000 yuan control fee.

I don't believe you can be clean after this money has passed through your hands. Even if you are clean, I will make sure you are not, and I will remove you from your post with a legitimate reason, bringing you back to square one and making you stay in Fushan Town for the rest of your life, never to see the light of day again.

Zhang Xiangdong coughed lightly: "Today we're discussing the deployment across the entire county. Let's not get off topic. The focus shouldn't just be on Fushan Town; the whole county is the focus."

Everyone present must be vigilant and pay close attention to every move in their jurisdiction. Any suspicious persons must be reported immediately.

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi: "Deputy Director Chen, sit down."

Chen Shi sat down.

The others were waiting to see what would happen. With Zhang Xiangdong protecting him, as long as Chen Shi didn't give Lei Heng any leverage, they couldn't do anything to him.

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Lei Heng beside him: "Deputy Director Lei, as the person in charge of the overall deployment, you are responsible for arranging the specific work."

Zhang Xiangdong was reminding Lei Heng that he was the one in charge, and if the fugitive Zhang Dong escaped back to Fushan Town, the Public Security Bureau would hold him accountable.

Think bigger; why bother arguing with a deputy director?

Lei Heng took a deep breath and continued to arrange the deployment.

The meeting lasted a full three hours and didn't end until midnight.

After the meeting, Chen Shi followed Zhang Xiangdong to the office.

Zhang Xiangdong called out, "Sit down."

Chen Shi poured himself a glass of water, then filled Zhang Xiangdong's glass with water before sitting down.

Zhang Xiangdong picked up the cup and took a sip of water.

"You've got some nerve, kid. Lei Heng is narrow-minded and vindictive. Why did you offend him?"

"He always targets me. If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll think I'm easy to bully."

"As long as you don't give him any leverage, it won't be so easy for him to do anything to you."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

"Young people, you should be patient when you need to be, but if you can't be patient anymore, then don't be patient. Everyone has been young before."

If you always adopt a submissive attitude towards a leader like Lei Heng, he will bully you without restraint.

Chen Shi had the right to challenge him; Zhang Xiangdong and Liu Youguang were his powerful backers.

Zhang Xiangdong continued, "Xiao Chen, you're still young. Don't think about anything else. Just do your job well and produce results. If you achieve results, I'll transfer you back to the county to help me."

I need someone by my side who can get things done.

Chen Shi quickly stood up and saluted Zhang Xiangdong.

"Director Zhang, I will do my job well and won't let you down. I'm your soldier; I'll do whatever you say without hesitation."

Zhang Xiangdong was very satisfied with Chen Shi's performance: "Sit down and talk. Young people like to get excited."

Chen Shi sat down, and Zhang Xiangdong said earnestly, "Those of us who are pursuing a career in politics should pay attention to two things: don't take money you shouldn't take, and don't sleep with people you shouldn't sleep with. No matter how your political enemies try to sabotage you, it's not a big deal."

"No one can do anything without offending someone; the higher-ups know that. As long as you don't cross these two red lines, no one can do anything to you."

"I will keep in mind Director Zhang's teachings."

"I won't keep you for dinner today either. Deputy Director Lei has given you a direct order to go back and set up surveillance immediately."

This is an order, and it must be strictly followed.

"Yes, Director Zhang, I won't be ambiguous about my work, and I'll focus on the issue, not the person."

Chen Shi got up and left.

On the other side, Lei Heng called Wang Jianming to his office.

Wang Jianming sat down on the sofa, and Lei Heng asked, "How exactly was the 500,000 yuan allocated to your police station by the Public Security Bureau spent?"

Wang Jianming said with a forced smile, "Director Lei, this funding didn't go through my hands, so I don't know exactly how it was spent. Deputy Director Chen took out 100,000 yuan to replace a batch of office equipment for the police station."

Lei Heng glared at Wang Jianming: "You're the station chief, the head of the police station. How did you spend such a large sum of money? Go back and investigate thoroughly, then report back to me."

Wang Jianming felt very uncomfortable. Chen Shi was criticizing you, but I didn't. Why is he getting angry at me?

He kept saying, "Yes."

He thought of a weakness Chen Shi had to be used against him, and quickly said, "Director Lei, this money is earmarked for a specific purpose. Chen Shi allocated 100,000 yuan to purchase office supplies for the police station. This is against regulations. We can use this as leverage to make trouble for Chen Shi."

Lei Heng shook his head: "This 100,000 is not something he embezzled. It's a small matter. At most, we'll criticize him a bit and recover the 100,000. It's insignificant and meaningless."

But if you actually do that, and the people below the police station find out that you're the one they hate.

Chen Shi purchased office equipment for the police station, but the people below him benefited. Why would he do something so foolish, hurting himself more than the enemy?

Wang Jianming quickly replied, "Yes."

Lei Heng's sharp eyes turned to Wang Jianming: "Go back and keep a close eye on Chen Shi. If he does anything illegal, corrupt, or takes bribes, report it to me immediately."

Wang Jianming quickly stood up: "Director Lei, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on Chen Shi. If he does anything improper, I will report to you immediately."

He was in the office, relying on the favor of Director Zhang and County Magistrate Liu, and didn't take me seriously at all.

I never expected him to be so arrogant, not even respecting you. To talk back to your superiors in front of so many people—I've never seen anyone so arrogant in the police station.

Lei Heng snorted coldly: "A clown jumping around won't last long. That's enough for today. Hurry back and supervise the deployment."

"Yes," Wang Jianming said with a forced smile, "Director Lei, I'll go back and supervise the deployment first."

"Work hard and achieve some results, then I'll have a reason to transfer you back to the bureau," Lei Heng said, not forgetting to offer Wang Jianming a rosy picture.

Wang Jianming beamed with joy: "Thank you for your guidance, Director Lei."

Lei Heng waved his hand: "Go."

Wang Jianming walked out of the office with a smug look on his face. Outside, Chen Shi was already waiting.

Upon seeing Chen Shi, his smile vanished.

"Chief Chen, we'll go back immediately, implement Director Lei's instructions, and arrange for surveillance and investigation."

"Commander Wang, have you eaten?"

"What we eat depends on the leader's instructions; we need to go back and follow them."

"Food is as essential as iron; it's mealtime, so I need to go to the cafeteria for a bite to eat."

Liu Wang Jianming stared wide-eyed, clearly not taking his superior's words seriously at all.