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

The two chatted as they ate, and when Ma Guoliang saw that they had almost finished eating, it was time to get down to business.

"Director Chen, I'm over forty this year. If I can't advance any further in my career, this is how my life will be."

I became an auxiliary police officer at the age of 19, and served as an auxiliary police officer for ten years before being promoted to a regular police officer. In my more than 20 years of police service, I have never made a mistake, and I have been diligent and conscientious, wholeheartedly serving the people.

I thought my life would just stay like this until last year when you came to the institute. The first time I saw you, I felt that you were my benefactor, and that following you in this life gave me hope.

Ma Guoliang raised his glass: "Director Chen, from now on I'm your soldier. I'll do whatever you tell me to do and see how I perform."

I respect you.

You changed the subject so quickly. You didn't take me seriously back then. Times have changed. Human nature is to admire the strong.

Chen Shi raised his wine glass, and Ma Guoliang respectfully clinked his hands together before drinking it all in one gulp.

Chen Shi took a small sip, put it down, and then watched Ma Guoliang's performance.

Ma Guoliang said with a big smile, "Director Chen, you are truly a chosen one. You caught a fugitive that neither the Provincial Public Security Bureau nor the Yizhou Public Security Bureau could catch. This achievement deserves at least a first-class merit. You are a person valued by County Chief Liu and Director Zhang. It's only a matter of time before you are transferred back to the bureau as a leader."

"When you become a leader in the bureau, do you think I'm suitable for this deputy director position?"

"Old Ma, do you think you're suitable?"

Ma Guoliang was speechless. This was a difficult question to answer. He didn't understand Chen Shi's meaning. Saying it was appropriate and volunteering himself felt inappropriate.

Saying it was inappropriate or even worse, his eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up, opened the cabinet next to him, and took out a bag of rice.

"Director Chen, this is rice grown in my hometown. The rice is very fragrant and makes delicious porridge. Please take it home and cook some porridge."

Ma Guoliang placed the rice next to Chen Shi. As long as Chen Shi accepted the rice, his position as deputy director would be secure.

Chen Shi glanced at Ma Guoliang: "Old Ma, isn't there anything else in the rice?"

Ma Guoliang didn't understand what Chen Shi meant. Did he want it or not? He forced a reply: "No, it's all rice."

Chen Shi said with a half-smile, "A deputy director's position is only worth this bag of rice."

Ma Guoliang immediately understood Chen Shi's meaning and quickly said, "Director Chen, there are other things inside."

"Take it out."

Ma Guoliang stepped forward, took out five stacks of money from the rice bag, and placed them on the table. This time he had learned his lesson; when giving gifts, he had to give enough at once to satisfy the leader.

Only when the leader is satisfied can one's career advance further.

Chen Shi pointed at the money, his face darkening: "You're using this to test the leader, Lao Ma. I was originally going to recommend you, but now I have to reconsider. There's something wrong with your thinking."

Ma Guoliang was completely bewildered. This change of attitude was too fast. Had he done something wrong again?

Sweating profusely, he quickly said, "Director Chen, I was wrong. I will never do it again. Please forgive me."

I will write a self-criticism when I get back, and offer you a profound apology.

Chen Shi waved his hand, and Ma Guoliang quickly put the money into the rice bag and took the rice away.

Chen Shi stood up: "Old Ma, that's enough for tonight. I want to see your improved performance."

Before Ma Guoliang could speak, Chen Shi opened the door and left.

Ma Guoliang quickly followed and saw Chen Shi off.

Chen Shi glanced at Ma Guoliang: "Go do what you need to do, no need to see me off."

Ma Guoliang stood there, stunned, watching Chen Shi's disappearing figure. Why was it so difficult for him to give a gift? He had tried several times, but he couldn't get it to go.

This time, he had to conduct a thorough self-examination, and his face darkened.

The next day, Ma Guoliang spent the morning writing a self-criticism in his office, and in the afternoon, he took the self-criticism to Chen Shi's office.

He respectfully placed the self-criticism on Chen Shi's desk: "Director Chen, this is my self-criticism. Please forgive my rash behavior, which almost caused you to make a mistake."

Chen Shi picked up the letter of self-criticism, glanced at it, and put it down: "It's enough that you realize your mistake. I won't submit this letter to the bureau or put it in your file. I'll keep it here for you."

Ma Guoliang broke out in a cold sweat. He had become a tainted person for no reason, and Chen Shi had something on him. From now on, he wouldn't be able to disobey Chen Shi.

Chen Shi continued, "As a people's police officer, one should focus on serving the people and doing one's job well; the leaders will see that."

I'm still quite satisfied with your performance. As for recommending you for the deputy director position, I'm still here, so what's the rush? Your duty is to do your job well, understand?

Seeing that Chen Shi had relented, Ma Guoliang quickly nodded: "Director Chen's criticism is correct. I will keep Director Chen's instructions in mind and do my job well with all my heart."

"Alright, go do what you're supposed to do and let me see how you perform."

Ma Guoliang finally felt relieved.

A week later, Chen Shi had just arrived at his office when his phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Zhang Xiangdong calling, so he quickly answered.

With a broad smile, he said, "Good morning, Director Zhang."

"It's getting late, the sun's already high in the sky. I have some good news for you: your first-class merit award has been approved, and you'll also receive a 200,000 yuan reward from the Public Security Bureau. We'll have a meeting to discuss it later, and we're preparing for an awards ceremony on Thursday afternoon."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

"You're welcome. You earned this through your own hard work."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi was excited. He had won a first-class merit, and the deputy section chief position was basically secured. His political enemies would have no reason to attack him.

Zhang Xiangdong was very efficient. In the afternoon, he received a notice from the Public Security Bureau to hold a commendation meeting for the six police officers and members of the public who captured the fugitive Zhang Dong.

Chen Shi called Zhang Hu to his office and told him the good news.

Zhang Hu asked excitedly, "Chief Chen, do I have a chance to join the Criminal Investigation Brigade?"

"As long as I get transferred to the bureau as a leader, you'll definitely be able to get into the criminal investigation team."

To get subordinates to follow you wholeheartedly, you need to reassure them. Without benefits, who would risk their life to follow you around?

Zhang Hu grinned, beaming with delight; his dream was about to come true.

Chen Shi continued, "Go and inform the old man from Longtougou, and have his family accompany him to the bureau on Thursday morning to collect the 200,000 yuan reward from the Public Security Bureau."

"Yes," Zhang Hu saluted Chen Shi, walked out of the office, and encountered Wang Jianming.

Wang Jianming said with a smile, "Zhang Hu, well done! I asked the relevant leaders in the bureau, and you performed bravely. The Public Security Department has promoted you to Second-Class Police Superintendent."

You used to call me Xiao Zhang, now you call me Zhang Hu, but in a few years, you'll be calling me Team Leader Zhang.

With a broad smile, he said, "Thank you, Chief Wang. Chief Chen has assigned me the task. I'll get back to work now."

Zhang Hu was Chen Shi's confidant, and Wang Jianming wanted to improve his relationship with him. Normally, he wouldn't even give Zhang Hu a second glance.

Upon arriving at Chen Shi's office, he greeted him with a beaming smile: "Chief Chen, congratulations! I inquired with the leaders in the bureau, and the Public Security Department has awarded you a first-class merit and promoted you to the rank of third-level police inspector."

Zhang Xiangdong had already told Chen Shi that the Public Security Bureau had promoted him to a third-level police inspector, Zhang Hu to a second-level police superintendent, and the four police officers who followed in the arrest were third-level police superintendents.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Congratulations to you too."

Wang Jianming instantly understood. Even though Chen Shi had been transferred, he was still the head of the police station and still had the final say. Wasn't that a cause for celebration?

The two smiled at each other.