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

Jiang Yiqiu chatted with Wang Guihua for a few words, then got up to say goodbye and go back.

Chen Shi reminded them, "There will be a lot of traffic during the Spring Festival, so drive slowly."

Jiang Yiqiu nodded: "I'll come pick you up tomorrow."

"I want to spend some time with my parents tomorrow. You should also rest at home. Come pick me up on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and we'll go to Yizhou for fun."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

After seeing Jiang Yiqiu off, Chen Shi had just sat down when the Chen brothers, Chen Jianhua and Chen Jianyong, arrived.

Chen Jianyong smiled broadly: "Xiao Shi is back."

Chen Shi called out, "Eldest brother, second brother, sit down." He took out two packs of good cigarettes and tossed them to the two men, saying, "Here, have some."

Chen Jianyong took the cigarette and put it in his pocket with a grin.

Chen Jianhua awkwardly put the cigarette into his pocket, looking very unnatural.

Chen Yanshi was about to make tea for the two of them when Chen Jianyong stood up and said, "Second Uncle, I'll make the tea."

Chen Yanshi is an elder, and Chen Shi is a leader. You have to be perceptive and not let the two of them make you tea.

He brewed the tea, first pouring a cup for Chen Yanshi, then for Chen Shi, and finally for himself.

Chen Jianhua was unhappy that Chen Jianyong didn't pour him tea, so he stood up and poured himself a cup.

Chen Jianyong gave him a look, telling him not to sit like a wooden statue and to pour himself tea if he wanted some.

The four of them started chatting, and Chen Jianhua said angrily, "Xiao Shi, I heard some people cursing you in the village."

Chen Shi frowned. He had done so many good things for the village, yet people were still criticizing him.

"What did they say to me?"

"Some time ago, Tian Guangming brought the land bureau and demolished all the houses that were illegally built on the road."

Many houses were demolished. They went to Tian Guangming to demand an explanation. Tian Guangming said that it was Tian Guangming who gave the order and he was just carrying it out. If they had any complaints, they should go to the police station to talk to him.

The villagers whose houses were demolished secretly cursed you for bullying them and abusing your power. They said, "Two or three families had illegally encroached on your road to build houses, and you demolished theirs. Why should all illegal structures encroaching on the road be demolished as well?"

Chen Jianhua's side room had a corner that was also an illegal structure encroaching on the road, which was demolished. In private, he often cursed Chen Shi for being heartless, even demolishing his own house.

Chen Shi didn't take it seriously; he wasn't a hundred-yuan bill, and he couldn't please everyone.

Whether they like it or not doesn't matter.

Chen Yanshi added, "Xiao Shi, you're rarely at home, so try to avoid doing things that offend people."

You helped the village get money to repair roads and connect running water, but nobody praised you. To make it easier for everyone to walk, you had Tian Guangming call the land bureau to demolish illegally constructed houses that were encroaching on the road. The families whose houses were demolished are cursing you behind your back. These people are truly despicable; they have no gratitude whatsoever.

That old fox Tian Guangming always uses himself as a shield when he offends people; no wonder he can only be the village party secretary and can't be transferred to the town.

A subordinate who won't take the blame for their boss is not a qualified subordinate.

Chen Shi said calmly, "Illegal construction on the road is illegal in the first place. If a family builds a little bit on a perfectly good road, large trucks can't pass through, and it's very troublesome to transport anything."

This mentality of taking advantage by illegally constructing buildings on roads must be curbed. The village committee's serious dereliction of duty led to this situation.

The village committee cadres are all locals, and they don't want to do anything that might offend people. Over time, if you don't illegally occupy the road and build structures, you become an oddball.

When Li Hong goes to the county town, he will try to sow discord between Tian Guangming and Li Hong, letting him know that he cannot use the leader as a shield.

Chen Jianyong said, "Xiao Shi has only done good things, making it easier for villagers to travel. Brother, if you hear others cursing Xiao Shi, you should argue with them and curse back. With Xiao Shi backing you up, what are you afraid of?"

Chen Shi noticed that Chen Jianyong was making rapid progress, always upholding the authority of his superiors no matter what or where he was.

No leader likes a subordinate like Chen Jianhua who only relays messages. Leaders prefer subordinates who can solve problems.

Chen Jianhua's face darkened, and he remained silent.

After chatting for a while, Chen Jianyong and Chen Jianhua got up and left.

Not long after the two left, Tian Guangming and Tian Defu walked in.

Chen Shi, acting as if nothing had happened, stood up and greeted him with a smile: "Uncle Tian, ​​please have a seat."

Tian Guangming and Tian Defu sat down.

Chen Yanshi poured them tea.

Tian Guangming said, "Director Chen, knowing that you're back for the New Year, Defu and I rushed over to report to you on our work."

Last time, you instructed us to demolish the illegally constructed houses that were encroaching on the road in the village. The village committee, together with the land management office, strictly carried out your order. All the illegally constructed houses that were encroaching on the road in the village were demolished. When Chief Ma of the police station learned of your order, he sent seven or eight police officers to assist in the demolition.

Everyone was treated equally. Even the side room of Jianhua's house, with its illegally constructed section encroaching on the road, was demolished along with it.

Tian Guangming and Tian Defu were beaming with joy, feeling that they had successfully completed the task assigned by their leader, and eagerly awaited Chen Shi's praise.

The efficiency was very high. I originally wanted to say a few good words for Tian Guangming in front of Li Hong, but Chen Shi was very disappointed. You shouldn't have used yourself as a shield; you committed a major taboo within the system.

Chen Shi said calmly, "Uncle Tian, ​​your village committee is very efficient. When I have time, I will suggest to Mayor Li Hong that Qinghe Village Committee be used as a model for other village committees to learn from."

This was the greatest affirmation for Tian Guangming. With a broad smile, he said, "Thank you, Director Chen, for recognizing the work of our village committee. I will lead the village committee cadres to continue our efforts and serve all the villagers well."

Chen Shi chatted with the two men for a few minutes, and when they left, Chen Shi personally saw them off at the door.

When Chen Shi returned home, Chen Yanshi said with a dissatisfied look, "That Tian Guangming, he talks a good game, but he uses you as a shield behind your back. And you still give him a nice look. You should criticize him severely and teach him a lesson."

Tian Guangming was right; it was indeed he who asked him to work with the land bureau to demolish the illegally constructed houses that were encroaching on the road.

As a leader, there's no reason to criticize someone who has successfully completed the task. This kind of thing shouldn't be discussed openly.

Ordinary people express their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness on their faces. Those who achieve great things must first control their own joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Knowing when to be happy and when to be angry is not about the specific expression of emotions, but rather knowing when things have reached a certain point and you should be happy or sad.

Chen Shi did not explain, and even if he did, Chen Yanshi would not understand. He felt that Tian Guangming should criticize Chen Shi for pushing him forward.

Chen Shi picked up the door gods and, as in previous years, pasted them up, instantly creating a festive atmosphere for the New Year.

We don't need to cook New Year's Eve dinner at home this year; we'll celebrate the New Year in our new house.

Around 5 o'clock, Chen Xing brought two money trees, which are actually Chinese pine trees. During the Spring Festival, every household in the village would put two of them in front of their door to symbolize abundant wealth in the coming year.

Chen Xing placed the money tree on either side of the doorway and walked into the house: "Xiao Shi, what time did you get back?"

"I didn't get home until after 2 a.m.," Chen Shi said, tossing a pack of good cigarettes to Chen Xing. "Take these and smoke them. When you get back, bring a carton with you."

"I also bought two cartons," Chen Xing said guiltily. Actually, he didn't buy any. He originally wanted to buy one carton, but Wang Xiufen stopped him. Wang Xiufen knew that Chen Shi would give Chen Xing several cartons of good cigarettes. As long as he was shameless, he could take more than one carton. There was no need for him to buy any.

"Why not take it if it's free? It's free anyway," Wang Xiufen thought, adding that she planned to wait until Chen Shi left before coming over to get two more and deliver them to her father.