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

Seeing Liu Youguang about to leave, Chen Shi stood up and asked, "County Magistrate Liu, are you going back to Chunyang County?"

Liu Youguang stopped in his tracks: "I'm going back now."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I'm going back too. Can I hitch a ride with you?"

The nephew of the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee wants to ride in my car, of course.

"Okay, let's go together."

Chen Shi said to Li Nan, "Aunt, I've arranged to meet some friends in the county town tonight, so we won't be eating here."

Li Nan stood up: "Go to your parties if you have time, and come visit my home often when you have free time."

"Okay, Aunt." Chen Shi walked to Wang Mingzhang's side and said with a smile, "Uncle, I'll head back now."

Wang Mingzhang didn't speak, but nodded.

Chen Shi and Liu Youguang came out, the driver brought the car over, they quickly got out, opened the door, and Liu Youguang got into the car.

Knowing his place, Chen Shi sat obediently in the passenger seat.

Liu Youguang's face was gloomy, and he remained silent.

Chen Shi smiled at Liu Youguang: "County Magistrate Liu, when we get back to the county, your aunt has a few words for you to hear."

Liu Youguang became interested. Since Secretary Wang had refused the gifts earlier, he had a premonition that he might lose his position as county head due to the Huangchang Town coal mine incident.

Secretary Wang told him not to worry, as the municipal party committee had not yet made a decision. The deputy county head in charge of coal, the director of the coal bureau, and other officials would not be able to keep their positions, but he, as the county head, should be fine.

The specifics will have to wait for the Standing Committee meeting to make a decision.

Li Nan relayed a message to me. Could it be that Secretary Wang was unable to speak directly and was passing on the message on his behalf?

Li Nan asked her to take care of her nephew and asked him to pass on the message, as a way of showing her loyalty.

"Smart people think a lot," Liu Youguang said slowly. "Chen Shi, when we get to the county town, I'll treat you to a meal."

Chen Shi dared not let the county magistrate invite him to dinner, and quickly said, "County Magistrate Liu, it's my treat."

Since becoming deputy director, Liu Youguang has never paid for his meals; he has gotten used to it and others always pay for them.

The car drove out of the municipal party committee compound and soon got on the highway.

Chen Shi thought to himself that he had succeeded in the first step. If he were to ask Liu Youguang to dinner, he would never listen to him, given his own status.

People who want to invite him to dinner can line up for miles.

He had already planned it out; he said Li Nan had asked him to pass on a message to Liu Youguang, and he couldn't possibly ask Li Nan to verify the matter.

At this critical juncture, he will not let go of any opportunity, no matter how small.

Do your best and leave the rest to fate.

If Liu Youguang is dismissed from his post, he can find another way to advance his career; he will not suffer any loss.

Chunyang County is more than 60 kilometers away from Mingzhou, and we arrived in Chunyang County very quickly.

Liu Youguang instructed the driver, "Go to the courtyard house."

The driver drove the car smoothly and easily to the courtyard house, where he parked the car.

It seems Liu Youguang comes here often. As soon as the car stopped, Chen Shi quickly opened the car door.

As Liu Youguang got out of the car, the owner of the small courtyard house rushed out, beaming, and said, "County Magistrate Liu, you've arrived! The same private room as before?"

Liu Youguang, feeling heavy-hearted, simply hummed in agreement.

The courtyard is very quiet, but the cars parked inside are clearly not ordinary; they are used to entertain important people.

The driver waited in the car, and Liu Youguang, accompanied by the boss, entered the private room.

Chen Shi followed behind.

The boss, beaming, asked, "County Magistrate Liu, are you treating us today?"

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "Just the two of us."

The boss then noticed the young man following behind and glanced at Chen Shi.

"I've never seen this young man before. To be able to dine with County Magistrate Liu, he must be someone important."

Chen Shi needed a way to elevate his status, so he introduced himself to the boss: "My name is Chen Shi, and this is my first time dining with County Chief Liu."

The boss was shrewd; he understood immediately and remembered Chen Shi's name.

This is exactly the effect Chen Shi wants. Next time he invites Xu Ping'an to eat here, the boss will act mysterious in front of him, making him feel like he's Liu Youguang's man. Then the situation will be reversed, and it won't be him trying to curry favor with him, but rather Xu Ping'an trying to curry favor with him.

The owner handed over the menu: "Mr. Liu, would you like the dishes served to your liking?"

Liu Youguang had no appetite: "Just bring me a few dishes."

The boss nodded and handed the menu to Chen Shi. Not knowing his position, he simply called him by name: "Brother Chen Shi, here is the menu."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "No need, serve the dishes according to Liu County's taste."

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically and left, and Chen Shi quickly poured tea for Liu Youguang.

"Liu County Magistrate, have a cup of tea."

Liu Youguang took a sip and asked, "Chen Shi, are you from Chunyang County?"

"Yes, I am from Qinghe Village, Fushan Town. My uncle's hometown is also Fushan Town. My maternal grandfather went to serve in the army and after his discharge, he was assigned to the Mingzhou Post Office, which is why we moved to Mingzhou."

Liu Youguang nodded. He knew Wang Mingzhang's background, of course. He relied entirely on his father-in-law. Without his father-in-law, he would probably still be a junior staff member.

Li Nan has a say in the family; some people who can't get through Wang Mingzhang's path turn to Li Nan instead.

Li Nan is not greedy for money; she relies entirely on personal preferences. There are some people she likes at first sight and will speak well of them.

Seeing that Liu Youguang seemed to be deep in thought, Chen Shi remained silent. He knew that too much talk could lead to mistakes, especially when dealing with important figures; one had to be shrewd and discerning.

The dishes were served quickly, with the owner personally bringing them over – eleven dishes in total.

The shopkeeper was holding a bottle of Moutai. Chen Shi broke out in a cold sweat. He knew the price of the bottle was over five thousand yuan. He didn't have that much money on him. He was worried that he would be embarrassed when he paid the bill and would have to write an IOU.

Liu Youguang wasn't in the mood for drinking, so he waved his hand and said, "Tonight we're just eating, not drinking. Take the wine away."

The boss, beaming, said, "Okay."

Chen Shi felt relieved and thanked his elder brother for taking care of him. Drinking this bottle of wine was equivalent to more than a month's salary for him.

The boss left, closing the door behind him, ensuring a good level of privacy.

Liu Youguang didn't touch his chopsticks. With his official position in jeopardy, he had no appetite and asked bluntly, "What message did your aunt bring for me?"

Chen Shi said mysteriously, "County Chief Liu, let's eat first, and I'll tell you slowly."

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi, waiting for him to continue.

Chen Shi continued, "My aunt asked me to ask you a question: Have you ever received any benefits from the large coal mine in Huangchang Town?"

Liu Youguang's voice was low: "No, have Principal Li tell Secretary Wang that I, Liu Youguang, swear to God that I have never taken a single penny from the Huangchang Town coal mine, and I am not familiar with their person in charge."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "County Chief Liu, don't get agitated. As long as you haven't taken any benefits, you can get through this difficult time."

Liu Youguang tentatively asked, "Did Principal Li say this?"

Chen Shi did not answer directly, but smiled and said, "County Chief Liu, as long as there are no economic dealings involved, no one can touch you, the head of a county."

The mine accident at the Huangchang Town coal mine was handled by the deputy county head in charge of coal, and below him was the director of the coal bureau. It certainly didn't concern you.

Liu Youguang realized that he had been too hasty and was blinded by his own involvement. He had no connection with the large coal mine in Huangchang Town, so it couldn't possibly involve him.

Leaders are afraid of being held accountable, but this responsibility doesn't fall on them. There's a deputy county head in charge of coal taking the fall. Removing a deputy county head should give the public an explanation.