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

Being a grassroots police officer can be easy or not. When there's a call for help, they respond to the call. When there's no call, they can wait in the break room or go to the general office to submit the cases they've handled.

While on a police call, Chen Shi went back home and asked his father, Chen Yanshi, to pick mushrooms in the morning. When he had time, he asked his mother, Wang Guihua, to go to Mingzhou to find his younger brother whom he had never met.

Under the persuasion of Chen Shi and Chen Yanshi, Wang Guihua agreed to go with them for the sake of her son's future.

This could be considered misuse of a public vehicle. When the villagers saw the police car arrive, they assumed something had happened and gathered around.

When they saw it was Chen Shi, they all came over to greet him, but they weren't very enthusiastic. He was just a grassroots police officer, and the villagers looked down on him.

Despite its remote location, Qinghe Village has five or six teachers, and the highest-ranking official is the primary school principal.

Naturally, no one took Chen Shi, a lowly grassroots police officer, seriously.

Chen Shi got into the police car and drove away immediately. It would be bad for his image. If someone took a picture and posted it online, he would be punished.

That's how things are sometimes. Before you weigh them, they're nothing; but once you do, they weigh a ton.

Friday was fast approaching, and Chen Shi had to attend training this weekend, so he couldn't go to Mingzhou. He called Li Nan to explain the situation.

Li Nan told him to keep busy with work and come over when he had free time.

On Friday after get off work, Chen Shi took a private car that ran through the county town to Chunyang County.

The training did not provide food or accommodation, so Chen Shi found a hotel near the Public Security Bureau to stay in and began the two-day training.

At eight o'clock on Saturday morning, Chen Shi arrived at the training room on time. There were already more than a dozen people there. After signing in, Chen Shi found a seat in the middle.

This is a multimedia training room.

The training started at 8:30. Everyone else had come together, whispering among themselves. Their main purpose for attending the training was to build connections.

Chen Shi also wanted to get to know some people in the county public security bureau. He knew very well that the system was based on equivalent exchange. If you had resources, and someone else had resources, you could exchange them. That's what connections are all about. Everyone might need someone else's help at some point.

Someone like Chen Shi, who has no resources whatsoever, is completely ignored by others because he's the one who has to ask for their help; they have no use for him at all.

This is it: if it's not your circle, don't try to squeeze in. Even if you do, you'll just be a clown, and nobody will take you seriously.

Chen Shi sat in his seat, ignoring everyone else, and no one would bother with him.

People arrived one after another, and the training room was filled with more than fifty police officers.

Chen Shi overheard people around him talking about how today's training was for the deputy head of the political work section, a well-known figure in the Public Security Bureau.

He was promoted to deputy section chief six months ahead of schedule and worked for less than a year.

His background is quite strong; his uncle is the secretary of the county's political and legal affairs committee and is from Xinwei City.

Many of the people who came had received training, and the main reason so many people came today was to make friends with this news figure.

At nine o'clock, the news figure arrived late and walked into the training room. Chen Shi recognized him at a glance. Wasn't this his college classmate Xu Ping'an?

Chen Shi thought he had misread it, blinked, and confirmed that he hadn't.

During their university years, the two had a decent relationship, but that was all.

His uncle is the secretary of the county political and legal committee and a member of the county party committee standing committee. If he can maintain a good relationship with him, it will be of great help to him.

After graduation, especially after a year in the system, no one is naive; everyone has a keen political sense.

Xu Pingan seemed to have noticed Chen Shi as well. He paused briefly, then moved away and began his political education and training.

During training breaks, many people surrounded Xu Ping'an, asking him questions, actually trying to get acquainted with him and invite him to dinner that evening.

Chen Shi really wanted to go up and say hello, but he couldn't squeeze in until the training ended.

Xu Ping'an was still surrounded by a lot of people. He waved to Chen Shi, signaling him to wait outside.

Chen Shi went outside and waited for a long time before Xu Ping'an finally came out.

Chen Shi jogged up to greet him: "Old classmate, long time no see. No, I should call you Section Chief Xu now."

Xu Pingan smiled and said, "Don't tease me. Didn't you pass the exam to get into the Public Security Bureau?"

Chen Shi smiled wryly and explained the whole story. Even if he hadn't, Xu Ping'an could have easily found out by checking the archives. The police files of all the township police stations were in the county public security bureau.

Xu Pingan felt inexplicably happy after hearing this. This is what an old classmate is like. He's secretly happy to see you not doing well.

At that time, the Public Security Bureau only recruited three people in their major. Xu Ping'an also took the exam. His uncle even went up and used his connections to invite a section chief from the Public Security Bureau to dinner.

Everyone in the major took the exam; there were over a hundred people. Chen Shi came in second, and Xu Ping'an came in the twenties, but neither of them even got an interview.

Back then, I envied Chen Shi. Entering the Provincial Public Security Bureau was far superior to entering the County Public Security Bureau. He started as a deputy section chief. For most of us grassroots police officers, reaching the deputy section chief level was already a significant achievement. Most people spent their entire lives busy, going from young police officers to old ones.

Xu Ping'an didn't show it; he still had that much self-restraint. If you're not talented, no matter how many connections you have, you won't get promoted.

He patted Chen Shi on the shoulder: "Don't be discouraged. You're serving the people no matter where you are. Keep up the good work."

Chen Shi felt that Xu Ping'an had changed and was no longer on the same level as him. Xu Ping'an was a leader, and he spoke without complaint, only encouragement and positive energy.

Why the hell don't you go to the grassroots level and serve the people? You have connections, and you became a leader at such a young age. At this rate, you could at least get a deputy director position.

Chen Shi did not show his dissatisfaction with Xu Ping'an, and smiled and said, "Yes, it's all about serving the people, no matter where you are."

Chen Shi was very adaptable. Despite his dissatisfaction with Xu Ping'an, he still smiled and said, "Section Chief Xu, are you free tonight? Let's get together with our old classmates. We haven't had a drink together since graduation."

Xu Pingan gave a meaningful smile and asked in return, "Did we drink at school?"

Chen Shi looked embarrassed, as if he really hadn't drunk together before, but they had eaten together in the cafeteria, which was just a chance encounter.

He forced a smile and scratched the back of his head.

Xu Pingan looked at Chen Shi and said, "If you were still in the Public Security Bureau, you would be treated to good wine and meat as soon as you come back, without me even having to say anything."

However, you haven't even managed to get into the county public security bureau yet. You're still stuck in the police station. If you can ever get into the county public security bureau, you'll be incredibly lucky.

What kind of class do you have that you dare to invite me to dinner? If I were to eat casually, I'd be booked for dinners until next year.

Xu Pingan smiled and said, "Just kidding. I have plans tonight. A lot of people are inviting me to dinner, and I can't refuse. We can get together another day. Now that I'm back, there will be plenty of opportunities."

Even if your boss says it's a joke and it's not funny, you still have to laugh. Even if they're making fun of you, you still have to laugh along.

At this moment, Chen Shi grinned foolishly and nodded, repeatedly saying, "Yes."

If Chen Shi wanted to be transferred to the county public security bureau, he could make it happen as long as he pleased Xu Ping'an.

It's just a transfer to the county public security bureau. He can put in a word, and no one will refuse to give him face. Of course, this face isn't for him, but for his uncle.

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Chen Shi couldn't miss any opportunity to change his fate.

Xu Ping'an was about to get into the car when Chen Shi quickly ran up and opened the door.

With a broad smile, he said, "Section Chief Xu, please take care."

Xu Ping'an was extremely pleased. This kid was flexible and knew how to bend. He pointed at Chen Shi with his finger, but didn't say what he was about to say. You're a sensible kid.

Anyone would get carried away at this moment. Those who were once high and mighty are now trampled underfoot and grovel before you.

Chen Shi watched Xu Ping'an's police car leave, his smile fading. "You want to have fun? I'll give you what you want."

Face is worth nothing.