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

After get off work, Xu Pingan went to Chen Shi's office.

"Team Leader Chen, it's time to go home."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "You're quite eager to leave work."

"Nothing much today, I'm going on the early shift."

Chen Shi turned off the computer, left the office with Xu Ping'an, took out the key, and locked the door from the inside.

Wang Tao jogged over: "Team Leader Chen, Section Chief Xu, hello."

He looked at Chen Shi: "Captain Chen, could I have your office key? I'll come and tidy up your office tomorrow morning."

If Wang Tao wants to impress Chen Shi, he needs to start with these details and also test the extent of Chen Shi's trust in him.

Without hesitation, Chen Shi handed the office keys to Wang Tao, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's an honor to be able to tidy up the boss's office."

Chen Shi smiled and nodded, then left with Xu Ping'an.

We got into Xu Ping'an's car and headed to a farmhouse in the suburbs.

When we arrived at the farmhouse, there were more people than last time, but it was still very quiet.

The two asked for a private room and sat down. Xu Ping'an still stuck to his principles and didn't drink and drive, so the two drank tea.

Once the barbecue was served, Xu Pingan cautiously got up and locked the door to the private room.

Chen Shi realized that they were about to talk about something important that he didn't know.

Xu Pingan sat down: "You've just arrived in the county, so you might not know much about the factions here. Let me tell you."

Chen Shi nodded, waiting for Xu Ping'an to explain the factions in the county.

Xu Pingan took a sip of tea: "The largest company in the county is Yikun Group, and the chairman is Li Kunyi."

Yikun Group is the county's benefactor, a major taxpayer, and monopolizes real estate and mineral resources. Almost all privately developed mineral resources bear the mark of Yikun Group; its power behind the scenes is astonishing.

Chen Shi asked, "Could it be that County Party Secretary Hu Hai is protecting him?"

"You're right. It was Hu Hai who protected them, and through collusion between officials and businessmen, they made a fortune."

Another one is Chengshi Entertainment Group, whose chairman is Fu Cheng, the cousin of Tian Guolong, the executive deputy county head. In the Public Security Bureau, Deputy Director Song Youming is protecting them.

Their company practically monopolizes the entertainment industry in the county town.

Chen Shi could understand. People in the entertainment industry, especially in small places like this, couldn't survive without the protection of the police.

In county towns, there aren't many ways to make money. Entertainment is one, real estate is another, and in counties with mineral deposits, mineral resources are another.

These industries are almost entirely monopolized by local bullies in the county. Companies from other places that try to enter these industries will either fail or suffer heavy losses.

These industries are almost all rife with collusion between officials and businessmen.

Xu Pingan looked at Chen Shi: "I think Liu Youguang transferred you to the bureau to take over as the head of the public security management team because he wanted to take action against Chengshi Entertainment Group."

The Public Security Management Brigade is responsible for maintaining order in the county. Song Youming oversees both the Public Security Management Brigade and the Criminal Investigation Brigade, wielding considerable power. The head of the Public Security Management Brigade is always one of Song Youming's men and never inspects entertainment venues.

Chen Shi took a sip of tea: "Once I've established myself, I'll investigate entertainment venues and offer Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong a token of my loyalty."

If your boss promotes you, you must understand their purpose for doing so. There are some things you shouldn't say, and you certainly shouldn't ask your boss about them. Asking your boss directly shows that you're being inconsiderate.

Rules are a system, while unspoken rules are a game. Those who understand the rules can only be led, while those who understand the unspoken rules can lead others.

If you do something your superiors can't say outright, and you succeed, it's the superior's credit, and you get a small share. But if you fail, you have to take the blame. Not just anyone can take that blame; you have to prove to your superiors that you have the ability to do so.

Xu Pingan stared into Chen Shi's eyes and said in a serious tone, "I want to take a gamble with you and prove my abilities, to see if I can get promoted and given important responsibilities without relying on my family."

Chen Shi shook his head: "Isn't it better to be safe and secure? Why take risks?"

That's how people are; they never cherish what they have. If I were you, I'd just sit back and wait, taking each step steadily until I reached the level of section chief.

"What if I want to advance further? To deputy director, or even director? Do you think I have a chance if I rely on my family?"

"While you're young, you can afford to lose. How will you know if fate is on your side if you don't take a gamble?"

Chen Shi hadn't expected that Xu Ping'an had such great ambitions. His uncle was only a deputy director, and the limit for him to be promoted to director before retirement was to achieve that.

Xu Pingan could get promoted to section chief by relying on his family, but if he wanted to advance further, he had to rely on himself.

Chen Shi knew that Xu Ping'an was always steady in his work. This was a preparation. If he lost the bet with him, his uncle would cover for him. He could move to another place, start over, and still make it to the deputy section chief level.

If he follows me and wins the gamble, his career advancement will accelerate. Before his uncle retires, he could potentially rise to the deputy director level, or even the director level.

Chen Shi chuckled: "I like ambitious people. Let's stir up this stagnant water in the county together."

Xu Pingan picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Captain Chen, from now on I'm your soldier, ready to serve you at any time."

What Chen Shi didn't know was that Xu Ping'an's allegiance to Chen Shi had an even more important reason: his cheap uncle.

Wang Mingzhang's disapproval of Chen Shi doesn't mean he won't acknowledge him in the future. If Chen Shi were to rise to the rank of section chief or even deputy director through his own abilities, Wang Mingzhang would see Chen Shi's potential and would definitely recognize him.

By attaching yourself to Wang Mingzhang, your chances of becoming a deputy director, or even a director, will be much greater.

If I lose, my uncle will cover for me; if I win, my career will be bright. Why not take a gamble? I'm so young, I have the capital to start over.

"Ping An, you're too kind. From now on, we're brothers in arms, sharing life and death, advancing and retreating together."

Thinking of Zhao Fanglin, Chen Shi casually asked, "How much do you know about Zhao Fanglin?"

"Background information?"

"Nonsense, if it's not about his background, do you expect me to know his hobbies?"

"Zhao Fanglin is Zhu Jianming's man. Zhu Jianming, the deputy director, is practically invisible in the bureau. He has no real power, and the departments he oversees are all insignificant. There's no need to take him seriously."

Chen Shi was now confident that he could win over Zhao Fanglin and drive Li Zhi away, ensuring that the Public Security Management Brigade would not be allowed to be interfered with by others.

Chen Shi was delighted that the two had formed an alliance; the more allies they had, the closer they were to success.

After chatting for a while, they parted ways and returned to the apartment. Xu Pingan asked, "Do you need any household supplies? I have a set here; take it."

"Liu Feng bought it for me. I'll check it when I get back, and I'll come down to get it if I need it."

Chen Shi's apartment is in the same building as Xu Ping'an's, and they live on different floors.

Arriving at his room, Chen Shi unlocked the door with his key. The room was neatly arranged, a one-bedroom apartment with fruit on the table.

After the quilt was made on the bed, which was made of silk, Chen Shi nodded in satisfaction.

What leader wouldn't like a subordinate like that? They arrange everything you could think of, and even things you hadn't thought of.

Chen Shi lay on the bed, feeling soft and comfortable. Liu Feng was a talented young man; if he truly had the ability, he could be given important responsibilities.

Even if they lack the ability, keeping them around to serve tea and water is quite nice.