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

Xu Linlin sneered, "You're a good-for-nothing too. I gave you a chance but you were useless. There are plenty of men who want to marry me; I don't need someone like you."

Wang Jianming's face was gloomy: "Don't act like a shrew. Be mindful of your status. Don't come to my office unless it's absolutely necessary. You'll start working at the Heyuan Town Police Station next week."

He was reminding Xu Linlin that if things escalated, everyone would be ruined. That's why Wang Jianming wanted to find a mistress within the system.

Finding a woman outside the marriage is like having nothing to lose; she has nothing to lose, so even if she brings you down, she suffers no loss.

It's different within the system; everyone there is a respectable person. If things get out of hand, no one will benefit.

Xu Linlin left angrily, slamming the door open and shut again to vent her frustration.

After seeing Xu Linlin off, Wang Jianming breathed a sigh of relief.

Make yourself a cup of coffee to calm your nerves.

Xu Linlin returned to her office and pondered carefully. She had spent three years with Wang Jianming, and she hadn't lost out. Heyuan Town was much better than Fushan Town. It was closer to the county seat, so there were more opportunities. Maybe one day she would run into a county leader who would take a liking to her, and becoming a deputy section chief was not out of the question.

Wang Jianming, that greasy middle-aged man, actually thinks I want to marry him? Pah! Just looking at you makes me sick. He's only a deputy section chief. I should at least find someone at the section chief level.

Thinking this way, Xu Linlin felt much better.

Wang Jianming arrived at the door of Chen Shi's office and gently knocked.

"Come in"

Wang Jianming pushed open the door and entered, saying with a smile, "Director Chen, are you busy?"

"Have a seat. I'm not too busy. Is there something you need?"

Wang Jianming sat down: "There's something I need to report to you. Xu Linlin from the administrative team, the Heyuan Town Police Station wants to transfer her there. What do you think, should we release her or not?"

Chen Shi knew that Wang Jianming wanted to get rid of Xu Linlin, fearing that she would cause more trouble.

"I have no objection to people striving for better opportunities; you can decide what to do."

"I'll reply to them shortly, agreeing to release him. Also, Xu Linlin has been transferred, leaving the administrative team leader position vacant. Do you think Zhang Hu is suitable?"

Zhang Hu was Chen Shi's most loyal subordinate, and Wang Jianming was showing his loyalty to Chen Shi.

"The work in the administrative team is quite detailed, and Zhang Hu is not suitable for it. I think Zhang Youcai is better suited for it. Let him serve as the head of the administrative team."

Wang Jianming quickly said, "It was my oversight. We will do as you say and let Zhang Youcai concurrently serve as the head of the administrative group."

After Wang Jianming left, Chen Shi picked up the phone and called Zhang Youcai, asking him to come to the office.

Zhang Youcai jogged into the office, a broad smile on his face, and asked, "Director Chen, you wanted to see me?"

"Sit down," Chen Shi poured Zhang Youcai a cup of tea. "Xu Linlin is being transferred to the Heyuan Town Police Station. The position of head of the administrative team is vacant. Do you have a suitable person to recommend?"

Zhang Youcai quickly said, "I think Zhang Hu is capable of doing the job."

"Zhang Hu is not suitable. The work in the administrative team is quite detailed and requires a meticulous person. I think you are suitable. Would you be willing to share more of the work?"

"I'd love to! I'm willing to work overtime every day for this great opportunity." Zhang Youcai stood up excitedly: "It's my honor to be able to share more of the workload. I will take good care of the administrative team's work and live up to the trust placed in me by the leaders."

"Sit down. You're so old, why are you still so easily agitated?"

Zhang Youcai had a forced smile on his face.

"It's settled then. You'll also serve as the head of the administrative team." Chen Shi was still grateful to Zhang Youcai. If it weren't for his advanced age and his own transfer to the Public Security Bureau, he would have recommended him to take over as deputy director.

At that time, I had just taken office and had no one I could trust. It was he who came to me for help and gave me leverage over Ma Guoliang, which allowed me to secure my position as deputy director.

Zhang Youcai suppressed his elation: "Thank you for your guidance, leader."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Go ahead and get busy. It's nothing. The appointment will be announced in a couple of days."

Zhang Youcai walked out of the office with a smug look on his face and ran into Ma Guoliang.

Ma Guoliang asked, "Old Zhang, what good thing happened that makes you so happy?"

"It's nothing. I just remembered I have some braised pig's trotters at home. I'm almost off work, and they look so delicious."

Ma Guoliang watched Zhang Youcai's departing figure. "What are you kidding? Xu Linlin is being transferred; is he going to take over the position of head of the administrative team?"

But then he thought it was impossible. Zhang Hu was Chen Shi's number one confidant, and the position of group leader was rightfully his.

He had no time to care about any of that. Chen Shi had made a great contribution by capturing the fugitive, and it was only a matter of time before he was transferred to the Public Security Bureau as a leader.

I need to hurry. No one in the police station has more prestige than me. If I don't become the deputy director this time, my career will be over, and I'll just have to wait to retire.

Ma Guoliang arrived at Chen Shi's office door and hesitated for a moment. As long as Chen Shi recommended him, his position as deputy director would be secure.

I knocked gently on the door.

"Come in"

Ma Guoliang gently pushed open the door, his face beaming with a smile, and said, "Director Chen, I've come to report to you on my work."

"Old Ma, please have a seat." Chen Shi smiled and poured Ma Guoliang a cup of tea.

Ma Guoliang sat down on the sofa with one side of his backside: "Chief Chen, as you instructed, it's almost the end of the year, and many migrant workers are returning home. We need to arrange for police officers to patrol every day to protect the lives and property of the people."

During a recent investigation, four or five young men were caught carrying controlled knives and loitering on the streets; they were dealt with according to the law.

No fighting or brawling has been reported so far.

Chen Shi nodded, expressing his approval of Ma Guoliang's work.

"Well done, keep it up. Anyone carrying a controlled knife should be arrested and detained."

"Yes," Ma Guoliang said with a smile. "Director Chen, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you for a couple of drinks."

Chen Shi saw through Ma Guoliang's little scheme at a glance. If he wasn't given the position of deputy director, there really wasn't a suitable person to take over.

Zhang Hu really wants to join the criminal investigation team; otherwise, this position could be given to him.

Ma Guoliang invited Zhang Hu to dinner and tricked him into revealing that Zhang Hu wanted to be transferred to the Public Security Bureau with Chen Shi.

Without Zhang Hu as a competitor, he really couldn't think of anyone more suitable than himself.

Chen Shi had no one to recommend, so he did Ma Guoliang a favor and let him have a stroke of luck.

"Okay, you go and make the arrangements."

Ma Guoliang stood up: "Thank you, Director Chen, for giving me this opportunity."

His mouth was even wider than when Zhang Youcai walked out of the office.

After get off work, Ma Guoliang picked up Chen Shi and took him to Chunlai Restaurant. It was cold, but there was a stove in the private room, so it was warm as soon as he went in.

This was placed there by Ma Guoliang's cousin at his instruction; other private rooms don't offer this privilege.

Ma Guoliang quickly ran forward, pulled out a chair for Chen Shi, and let him sit in the main seat.

As soon as they entered the private room, the dishes were served, and Sun Ruyi brought over a bottle of fine wine. Ma Guoliang took the wine and gestured for Sun Ruyi to leave.

He poured Chen Shi a full glass of wine, raised his glass, and said, "Chief Chen, this is a toast to you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I'm afraid I won't have the chance to toast you again after you're promoted to the Public Security Bureau."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Old Ma, no rush, drink slowly, eat something first, it's good for your stomach."

"Yes," Ma Guoliang said with an awkward smile.

The two men ate a table full of delicious food. After eating until they were half full, Chen Shi put down his chopsticks, and Ma Guoliang quickly raised his glass: "Director Chen, I'd like to toast you."

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

Ma Guoliang held the wine glass with both hands and drank it all in one gulp.