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

The car stopped in Jiang Yiqiu's yard, where Jiang Huazhou and Zhang Qingrong were waiting at the gate. As soon as the car stopped, the two of them quickly came over.

Chen Shi got out of the car with a smile: "Hello, Uncle and Auntie."

Jiang Yiqiu opened the trunk and took out two bottles of fine wine and two packs of good cigarettes: "Dad, Chen Shi brought these to you as a token of his respect."

Jiang Huazhou smiled broadly: "Don't bring anything next time. We're all family. Just come over for a meal."

Chen Shi was surprised that Jiang Yiqiu had prepared gifts for her parents. He felt a little embarrassed, wondering why he had forgotten to bring two gift boxes for Jiang Huazhou and Zhang Qingrong.

The food was ready, and the table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat—a feast for the eyes and the palate. Zhang Qingrong had run a snack shop before, so his culinary skills were impeccable; the aroma filled the air as soon as you entered the room.

Jiang Yishan had just gotten up when he saw Chen Shi and reluctantly called him "brother".

Chen Shi sensed that Jiang Yishan had a lot of opinions about him.

Jiang Huazhou pulled Chen Shi to sit in the main seat, but Chen Shi declined and insisted that Jiang Huazhou sit in the main seat. The two politely declined each other's seats.

Zhang Qingrong said, "Don't be so polite. Sit down and eat. It's your own home, so it doesn't matter where you sit. There's no need to be so formal."

Jiang Huazhou then sat in the main seat, with Chen Shi sitting next to him.

Jiang Huazhou took out a bottle of good wine and poured a glass for Chen Shi. Chen Shi quickly said, "Uncle, I have to drive later, so I won't drink."

"Let Xiao Qiu drive the car and have a couple of drinks with her uncle."

Chen Shi glanced at Jiang Yiqiu, who smiled and said, "It's alright, have a couple of drinks, I'll drive later."

Chen Shi accompanied his future father-in-law and drank a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor). It wasn't very strong, and he didn't feel much after drinking it.

Jiang Huazhou brought over another bottle, and Chen Shi said, "Uncle, that's enough. We have things to take care of when we get back to the county town."

Zhang Qingrong chimed in, "Drink less alcohol, too much will harm your health. You still have to go to the quarry this afternoon."

Jiang Huazhou was still not satisfied, so he gave up on drinking another bottle.

Jiang Yishan ate with his head down the whole time. Jiang Yiqiu asked, "Your make-up classes start on the seventh day of the new year. Come up with us later."

Jiang Yishan then raised his head: "I'll go up tomorrow."

Jiang Yiqiu stared at Jiang Yishan: "Don't make excuses again. Waiting until after the Lantern Festival to come up here will make me deal with you then."

Jiang Yiqiu looked at Zhang Qingrong: "Mom, don't spoil him. The college entrance exam is in June. Make sure he comes to tutoring tomorrow."

Zhang Qingrong said, "If he doesn't go to the tutoring class tomorrow, I'll break his legs."

Jiang Yishan is terrified of going to school and doesn't want to study at all, but he is forced to by his older sister, Jiang Yiqiu.

He gritted his teeth, knowing he'd be free in a few months. He knew his own limitations; he had no chance of getting into university.

After finishing their meal, Chen Shi and Jiang Yiqiu took a car to the county town.

Chen Shi had a few drinks, told Jiang Yiqiu to drive carefully, reclined the passenger seat, and fell fast asleep.

When I woke up, I was already at the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment. Today was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and people within the system had already started exchanging New Year's greetings.

Chen Shi had prepared a New Year's gift for his superiors. As he got out of the car, Jiang Yiqiu asked, "I wonder if Secretary Liu has returned yet?"

"I heard that Secretary Liu went back to his hometown for the Spring Festival and returned on the third day of the Lunar New Year. He went to the city and the province two days before that to pay New Year's greetings to the relevant leaders."

I went to wish him a Happy New Year today while I was at home.

Jiang Yiqiu also wanted to pay New Year's greetings to the school leaders, so the two went their separate ways.

Chen Shi returned home, washed up, tidied himself up, changed his clothes, and, carrying gifts, went to pay New Year's greetings to Liu Youguang.

Upon arriving at the county government compound, they found a long line of cadres coming to wish Liu Youguang a Happy New Year.

When Huang Ming saw Chen Shi arrive, he took him inside directly. The surrounding cadres were filled with envy, but his confidants were different, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Chen Shi arrived at the door, just as Guan Hui, the director of the Finance Bureau, came out. The two greeted each other, and Chen Shi went inside and put down the gift.

Liu Youguang complained, "Aren't you going to let me rest? It's more tiring than going to work. I'll give you one minute, nothing much, hurry up and leave. Don't be like them in the future, doing all this nonsense. Doing your job well is what you should be thinking about."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "You definitely remember which cadres at the section level or above don't come to wish you a Happy New Year, but you might not remember who does."

"Secretary Liu, this is an annual New Year's visit by the cadres as a sign of respect for you. Please grant us this request."

Two days ago, Liu Youguang took Huang Ming to pay New Year's visits to leaders in the city and province, and drank quite a bit of alcohol. He hadn't recovered his energy yet.

He yawned and said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, hurry up and go. I need to rest. Call Huang Ming in."

Chen Shi went out, and Huang Ming stood at the door: "Secretary Huang, Secretary Liu has been drinking quite a bit these past few days."

Huang Ming whispered, "It's all because I'm having dinner with big leaders. I drink a lot of alcohol every time, then I throw up and drink again, then throw up again. I don't get any rest."

Being a leader isn't easy. Chen Shi nodded and whispered, "Secretary Huang, Secretary Liu wants to see you."

Huang Ming pushed open the door and entered. Liu Youguang looked exhausted and asked, "How many people are still outside offering New Year's greetings?"

"There are still more than ten."

"I'll meet with cadres at or above the section level. For cadres below the section level, you go and collect the gifts, tell them you're very tired, have them mark it, and then go back."

Huang Ming turned around and went out to make arrangements.

After Chen Shi came out, he went to Zhang Xiangdong's house to pay a New Year's visit.

There was also a long line of cadres coming to pay New Year's visits in front of Zhang Xiangdong's house. There were slightly fewer cadres here than in front of Liu Youguang's house.

Upon seeing Chen Shi arrive, Xu Mo quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Director Chen."

"Secretary Xu, why are there so many people coming to pay New Year's visits today?"

"Zhang Xian just came back from the city this morning. I don't know who spread the word, but everyone has come."

Mayor Li Hong of Fushan Town is inside. Please wait a moment.

When others arrived, Xu Mo unceremoniously told them to line up outside and wait.

Li Hong came out quickly, and upon seeing Chen Shi, greeted him with a broad smile: "Director Chen."

"Li Zhen, wait for me, let's have a couple of drinks together."

I'll be waiting for you in the car.

Xu Mo led Chen Shi inside, envying the others, for only trusted confidants received this treatment.

When Zhang Xiangdong saw Chen Shi enter, he said with a serious expression, "I don't object to New Year's greetings, but take back any gifts that cost more than a thousand."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "County Chief Zhang, my gift comes to exactly nine hundred and ninety-nine."

Why didn't you send nine hundred and ninety-nine roses?

"I would like to, but I'm afraid you won't accept it."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can leave. There are a lot of people outside, coming to pay New Year's visits, and I have to see them."

Chen Shi didn't even sit down: "County Chief Zhang, I'll come back another day to report to you."

Chen Shi left, and Li Hong waited in the car. Chen Shi walked over and said, "Li Zhen, it's still early. Come sit down at my place."

Li Hong called the driver, and they followed Chen Shi to the police station's residential building.

Li Hong took two boxes of valuable gifts from the trunk and followed Chen Shi to his home, where Chen Shi made him a cup of tea.

Li Hong said with emotion, "Director Chen, when I first met you two years ago, you were still the deputy director. In just two years, you have become the director of the Education Bureau who can handle things on your own. You are truly remarkable."

His tone was full of envy.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the leaders who gave me the opportunity. They said I'm young and have strong resilience, so they entrusted me with heavy responsibilities."

Li Hong has been in Fushan Town for four years, and he is trying to get a position in the county.

Previously, Zhang Xiangdong wanted Li Hong to serve as the director of the Education Bureau, but Liu Youguang rejected the idea and appointed Chen Shi instead.

He was somewhat dissatisfied with Chen Shi.