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

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "Chen Shi, tell me how you offended a big shot in the Provincial Public Security Bureau."

Chen Shi briefly recounted his experience at the Public Security Bureau. Liu Youguang nodded and asked, "Would you like to come to the County Public Security Bureau?"

Chen Shi realized that Li Nan was just trying to make empty promises. The "favors" Li Nan mentioned only meant transferring him to the county public security bureau. This deal wasn't worth it; he should at least get a section-level cadre position.

Everyone wants to be a leader, but it's a rare opportunity. Coming to the county public security bureau, I'm still just an ordinary police officer. It's meaningless.

"Liu Xian, the deputy director of the Fushan Town Police Station, is retiring after the New Year. I'd like to gain some experience at the grassroots level. Do you think my idea is right?"

Liu Youguang cursed inwardly. "He wants to be a leader right away. The deputy director of the police station is a section chief. Once you are promoted to director, you usually concurrently serve as the deputy town mayor, which is a deputy section chief level position. This is something that other directors cannot compare to."

Li Nan only said "take care of me," but didn't specify how. Originally, a simple transfer to the county public security bureau would have sufficed, but instead, he demanded the position of deputy director right away. Unless Li Nan said it himself...

"Chen Shi, you're still young. What can you learn at a township police station? You'll learn much more if you come to the county public security bureau."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "This is my aunt's idea. She thinks I should spend a year or two in Fushan Town to gain grassroots experience, which will help me get promoted to section chief faster."

Liu Youguang remained calm. What he said was true. Those with grassroots experience could be given priority for promotion to section chief, especially young people. Promotion too quickly was not allowed. But it was different if they had grassroots experience. Could this be Wang Mingzhang's idea to promote his nephew quickly?

Chen Shi added, "This was also my uncle's idea. He told me not to be impatient, to gain more experience at the grassroots level, and that I would have more opportunities in the future."

Liu Youguang's main backer was Wang Mingzhang. Regardless of whether Chen Shi's words were true or false, he had to test him. He was just a section-level cadre, not worth mentioning to a county head.

"Secretary Wang has thought things through. I was worried that you would suffer at the grassroots level in the township. The deputy director of Fushan Town Police Station will retire after the New Year, and you can take over. The Provincial Organization Department is responding to the call to promote young cadres, and our Chunyang County is also vigorously promoting young cadres."

Chen Shi was filled with trepidation: "County Chief Liu, I won't say thank you. Just watch my performance. From now on, I'll be your soldier. Wherever you point, I'll fight."

My uncle often said, "You are a capable county magistrate, wholeheartedly serving the people. I should learn a lot under your guidance."

On the surface, Chen Shi appeared trembling with fear and pledged his loyalty, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He believed that as long as Liu Youguang put in a good word, the position of deputy director would be his for the taking.

Liu Youguang was very satisfied with Chen Shi's performance, but being a leader is not easy. He was young when he took office, and it was hard to say whether he could hold the position.

Whether the people below you submit to you is very important. If one person doesn't submit, that's their problem. If everyone doesn't submit, then it's your problem.

If you are not respected by the higher-ups, they will consider replacing you. You can't blame others for not winning their support.

I promoted you, gave you opportunities, and took care of you, but you're useless. Li Nan had something to say when she asked.

If Chen Shi can hold his position, it means he has some skills. Bringing him to my side, after all, he is Wang Mingzhang's nephew, which will be helpful to my career.

Your power is not determined by your position, but by how many people listen to you.

Prestige is cultivated gradually, not something that can be achieved overnight.

Liu Youguang had been asking around Mingzhou City for the past few days and hadn't eaten properly. Now that things were looking up, he was in a good mood and ate two bowls of rice and drank a bowl of soup.

Chen Shi served him diligently from the side.

When they had almost finished eating, Liu Youguang's liaison arrived and entered the private room. He was a young man, and Chen Shi estimated that he was two or three years older than him.

County magistrates are not allowed to have secretaries; they are called liaison officers, which are actually the same as secretaries, just with different names.

"County Chief Liu, I heard from the driver that you've returned and rushed over to see if there's any work to be arranged."

Liu Youguang smiled and said, "There's no work scheduled. Let's sit down and have a meal together."

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "This is my liaison officer, Xiao Huang. You two get to know each other."

Chen Shi quickly stood up: "Hello, I am Chen Shi, a police officer from Fushan Town Police Station."

Xiao Huang was stunned for a moment. A lowly grassroots police officer like him could have dinner with the county magistrate. His background must be extraordinary.

He smiled and said, "My name is Huang Ming, and I'm the liaison officer for Liu County. Just call me Xiao Huang."

Anyone who dares to call you Little Huang is asking for trouble. Liu Youguang can call you that, but no one else dares.

"I see you're older than me, so I'll call you Brother Huang. You can just call me Little Chen."

Huang Ming was able to act as Liu Youguang's liaison, and in private, everyone called him Secretary Huang. He was also a shrewd person, and anyone who could have a private meal with the county magistrate was not to be underestimated.

"I'll call you Officer Chen."

Chen Shi nodded: "Brother Huang, please have a seat."

Huang Ming waved his hand: "No, I've already eaten. I came here specifically to see if there are any work arrangements for me after I learned that County Chief Liu was back."

That's how it is to be a secretary. You have to be observant and go wherever your boss goes, unless your boss tells you not to follow.

When Liu Youguang went to the city, the fewer people who knew about it, the better, so naturally he wouldn't bring his secretary.

Liu Youguang stood up: "I've finished eating. There's nothing much to do today. Xiao Huang, you can go back and rest. You don't need to come with me. I'm going back to rest too."

He looked at Chen Shi: "Xiao Chen, if anything happens, call Xiao Huang, he'll pass it on to me."

After seeing Liu Youguang off, Chen Shi smiled and said, "Brother Huang, can you give me your phone number?"

The two exchanged phone numbers. Chen Shi went to pay the bill, which came to 1,200 yuan. Each dish cost around 100 yuan, which was damn expensive.

Chen Shi saw Huang Ming out and was about to go to hail a taxi when a Jetta pulled up in front of Huang Ming.

A young man got out of the car and opened the door: "Secretary Huang, nothing's wrong in Liu County. I'll take you back."

Huang Ming introduced, "This is Xu Mo from the General Affairs Section of our county government office."

He introduced Xu Mo, saying, "This is Officer Chen from the Fushan Town Police Station."

Xu Mo quickly greeted him, "Hello, Officer Chen."

"Hello Xu Mo"

The two shook hands, and Chen Shi watched Huang Ming leave.

Just as they were about to leave, they saw Xu Ping'an come out. Their eyes met, and they were both stunned.

Xu Pingan asked, "Chen Shi, what are you doing here?"

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I came here to have dinner with County Magistrate Liu."

Xu Pingan looked at him with disbelief: "Really?"

Chen Shi took out his phone and opened Huang Ming's number.

"Section Chief Xu, take a look at this number, isn't it Secretary Huang's?"

Xu Pingan took out his phone to check his contacts; he also had Huang Ming's phone number.

Looking incredulous, he asked, "You have Secretary Huang's phone number?"

Chen Shi smiled mysteriously: "Is Section Chief Xu here for dinner too?"

Xu Pingan hummed in agreement.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Let's meet up sometime. I have other things to do, so I'll be going now."

Xu Ping'an came with his uncle. The deputy director of the Public Security Bureau invited his uncle to dinner and brought him along to get closer to the deputy director.

The two men had something important to discuss, so they sent him out to buy a pack of cigarettes. He wandered around and saw Chen Shi.

This kid is resourceful and quick-witted; he even has Secretary Huang's phone number.

He didn't believe that Chen Shi could have dinner with County Chief Liu. Even when bragging, one should consider the level of the person. No one would believe that a low-level police officer could have dinner with County Chief Liu.