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

The staff handed the microphone to Chen Shi, who took it and said loudly, "I would like to make a few points in response to what Director Lei said."

First, the villagers of Longtougou discovered clues about the fugitive Zhang Dong, but it was just speculation. No one dared to be certain that Zhang Dong was hiding in the back mountains of Longtougou. If they didn't know anything about the situation, it would be pointless to report it to the bureau on their own.

Secondly, I brought five police officers not to arrest the fugitive Zhang Dong, but to verify the situation. If I brought a large number of police officers, it would alert him. If the fugitive Zhang Dong is really in the back mountain of Longtougou, we are not familiar with the terrain, but he is a local tyrant who knows the terrain like the back of his hand. Once he notices us, he can easily escape. I dare to ask Director Lei, who will take responsibility for this?

It turned out that the fugitive Zhang Dong was hiding in the back mountain. Because I brought a small group of officers, he didn't notice us beforehand, which is why we were able to capture him. I only suffered minor injuries; the other five officers were unharmed. We successfully apprehended the vicious fugitive Zhang Dong.

Chen Shi spoke firmly and confidently, his words reasoned and supported by evidence. Lei Heng's face turned ashen, and he said sternly, "You could have reported to the bureau first, then gone to Longtougou Village to investigate. If you found anything, report it promptly. That would have been much better than you acting on your own."

You were lucky this time. If something had gone wrong, you wouldn't be able to take the responsibility.

"Director Lei, should we report this to the bureau and hold a meeting to discuss it? Do you think the fugitive Zhang Dong will still be waiting in the same spot after I receive orders to investigate?"

Lei Heng stared intently at Chen Shi with a gloomy face.

"Chen Shi, your thinking is very problematic; you lack discipline and organization..."

Zhang Xiangdong tapped the table, interrupting Lei Heng, and looked at Lei Heng with sharp eyes.

"Director Lei, do you have any objections to the commendation ceremony held by the Public Security Department? If you have objections, you shouldn't raise them here. You should go to the Public Security Department and report them to the relevant leaders."

Chen Shi called me first, and I told him to take some men to investigate. As the head of the Public Security Bureau, I don't need to report to you, do I?

Lei Heng's face was gloomy, and he remained silent. He hadn't expected Zhang Xiangdong to come out and support Chen Shi, openly breaking ties with him. He wanted to find fault with Chen Shi so that he couldn't smoothly take over as the head of the public security management team.

He sneered inwardly, "Don't let me find any fault with you. Once I do, I'll crush you and make sure you never have a chance to recover."

The two clashed at the conference, escalating their conflict to the point where they were on the verge of a complete falling out.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy.

Zhang Xiangdong continued, "Chen Shi took the lead and disregarded his own safety to capture the fugitive Zhang Dong. He was awarded a first-class merit by the Public Security Bureau."

This is an award and commendation from the Public Security Bureau. If you have any objections, please speak to the relevant leaders at the Public Security Bureau. Don't waste everyone's time at the commendation ceremony.

Chen Shi was still standing when Zhang Xiangdong called out, "Chen Shi, please sit down."

The meeting had reached a point where there was no need to continue, so Song Yun skipped the unnecessary steps and presented awards to Chen Shi and the others.

The Public Security Bureau awarded Chen Shi a first-class merit and promoted him to third-level police inspector; Zhang Hu was promoted to second-level police superintendent; and four other police officers were promoted to third-level police superintendent.

The old man received a cash reward of 200,000 yuan, which was tax-free. He took 80,000 yuan and gave 120,000 yuan to his son.

After the meeting, Chen Shi went to Zhang Xiangdong's office.

Zhang Xiangdong smiled and said, "Sit down. Don't feel pressured. As long as you don't give your political enemies any leverage, no one can control you."

Chen Shi said with a relaxed expression: "Where there are people, there will be competition. Humanity has been able to develop to this point because of competition. Survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit are natural laws."

If you want to do something, you're bound to offend people. Some people will like you, and some won't. I can't be a hundred-yuan bill; I can't please everyone.

Zhang Xiangdong smiled with satisfaction: "You've already explained the reasoning, so I have nothing more to say. Your mindset is that of someone destined for great things."

To achieve something, you need a good mindset, stable emotions, and to not be influenced by external factors.

The two chatted for a while, but Zhang Xiangdong had a dinner engagement and didn't invite Chen Shi to stay for dinner.

Chen Shi walked out of the office and found Zhang Hu and the others in the lounge. When Zhang Hu saw Chen Shi, he said angrily, "What a mess! This commendation meeting was for us, but it turned into a denunciation meeting. After the meeting, no one paid any attention to us."

Chen Shi patted Zhang Hu on the shoulder: "Those who can't stand to see you do well are all people around you. Getting something tangible is the most important thing. Don't care about what others think."

Chen Shi knew that Zhang Xiangdong and Lei Heng were at loggerheads, and the people in the bureau didn't want to get involved. More importantly, the people behind them wanted to step into the ring and start a contest.

For Chen Shi, this was both an opportunity and a challenge, a high-stakes gamble. If he lost, he might lose his life; if he won, he would rise through the ranks.

If you want a peaceful life, don't aspire to be a leader. Just work nine to five, follow the routine, and get by.

Just then, his phone rang. Chen Shi took it out and saw that it was Xu Ping'an calling.

Answering the phone, I smiled and said, "I'm safe."

"Old classmate, are you going out for dinner tonight? No, let's just have a couple of drinks."

"Okay, where are you? I'll come find you."

Come downstairs to my building.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi looked at Zhang Hu and the others: "Zhang Hu, take them out to eat, let them eat whatever they want, and then go to Heaven on Earth for a sauna. All expenses will be reimbursed by the institute."

Zhang Hu asked, "Chief Chen, where are you going?"

"I have a dinner party to attend, you don't need to worry about me."

They were all dejected, their initial joy gone. It was completely different from what they had imagined; they had expected to be the center of attention, but instead, no one paid them any attention. This disappointment was unbearable.

"Look at you all, you have no fighting spirit at all. Think about it from another angle: why didn't the Public Security Bureau send anyone down to attend the commendation ceremony?"

The fugitive that the Provincial Public Security Department and Yizhou Public Security Bureau failed to catch after spending more than half a year was caught by six people from our remote police station. Isn't this a slap in their face?

Police officers from remote police stations like ours are not well-regarded in the Public Security Bureau. There are many people who are jealous of us. Even if someone wants to congratulate us, they won't stand up at this time. It's better to avoid trouble, understand?

Remember this: keep a low profile, don't cause me any trouble, or you'll be going back to the police station tomorrow.

Zhang Hu was furious: "Then we shouldn't have risked our lives to capture the fugitive Zhang Dong. We should have just let him hide in the back mountains of Longtougou and let the people from the Provincial Public Security Bureau and Yizhou Public Security Bureau catch him."

Chen Shi glared at Zhang Hu: "Watch your mouth, don't talk nonsense. Trouble comes from the mouth, don't you understand? This is the Public Security Bureau, not our remote police station. You can say whatever you want, but be mindful of your position."

Zhang Hu quickly shut his mouth.

Chen Shi waved his hand: "Go on, do what you need to do. If no one is congratulating you, congratulate yourself. Keep a positive attitude and don't let your surroundings affect you."

Chen Shi watched Zhang Hu and the others leave before going to find Xu Ping'an.