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

The car stopped at the Hejia Courtyard. The owner, Feng Yuan, was waiting at the door. When he saw the new director's car arrive, he quickly stepped forward and opened the car door.

Chen Shi and Huang Ming got out of the car, and Feng Yuan introduced himself with a smile: "Hello, leaders. I am Feng Yuan, the owner of Hejia Courtyard. Welcome to Hejia Courtyard for a meal."

Chen Shi smiled and nodded to Feng Yuan.

Wang Zhikai and Li Zhe's car arrived, and Feng Yuan hurriedly went up to open the car door, her face full of smiles: "Director Wang, Director Li, welcome to Hejia Courtyard for a meal."

The two got out of the car and stood next to Chen Shi.

Two more cars drove in, and Yang Xiaobo and other members of the second-level leadership team also arrived.

Yang Xiaobo glanced at his cousin Feng Yuan, then quickly walked to Chen Shi's side: "Director Chen, the dinner is reserved in a private room on the second floor. Please come in."

Chen Shi nodded, surrounded by admirers, and a group of people followed him to the private room.

The private room was large and contained three round tables.

The four bureau leaders sat at the main table, with a round table to their left for the heads of the second-level leadership teams, and a round table to their right for the deputy heads of the second-level leadership teams.

Yang Xiaobo strode to the main table, pulled out the chair for Chen Shi to sit in.

Chen Shi did not sit down. Everyone found their places, stood, and waited for Chen Shi's instructions.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Tonight is a dinner party, so don't be shy. There are no leaders here, just friends. Relax, don't stand, sit down."

Chen Shi sat down, and with a clatter of chairs being pulled out, everyone else sat down as well.

The waiter started serving the food and drinks, all of which were good wines, four bottles per table.

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo, who stood up and ran to Chen Shi's side: "Director Chen."

"There are only four people at our table, so we put four bottles of wine in the table, one bottle for each person. The other two tables have so many people, and they only put four bottles in the table. We took two bottles away, so each table gets one bottle. We should drink less alcohol, because drinking too much is bad for your health."

Yang Xiaobo quickly took two bottles and distributed them to the other two tables. Diao Kuan, the deputy director of the Party and Government Office, came over to get a wine dispenser and served wine to the four leaders at the main table. This was originally the job of the waiter, but Diao Kuan wanted to show off in front of the new director and not let Yang Xiaobo steal all the limelight.

As the banquet began, Wang Zhikai stood up, and everyone else followed suit.

Wang Zhi raised his glass: "Tonight, all the members of the secondary leadership team are here. Let's toast Director Chen and Director Huang. Under their leadership, the Education Bureau will shine brightly in the future."

Chen Shi and Huang Ming stood up. Chen Shi said, "Today is our first day at the Education Bureau. From now on, we are all comrades in the same trench. Let's work together to improve education in Chunyang County. This is the important trust that Secretary Liu has placed in our Education Bureau."

Chen Shi raised his glass: "Drink this glass, and then you're free to do as you please. Don't be shy."

Everyone drank it all in one gulp.

As soon as Chen Shi sat down, Li Zhe raised his glass: "Director Chen, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Huang Ming filled Chen Shi's glass with wine, and Chen Shi picked up the glass: "Director Li, have some food first. It's not good to drink on an empty stomach."

He still clinked glasses with Li Zhe, ate some food, and when Wang Zhikai offered a toast, Chen Shi drank another glass.

He glanced at everyone; the other two tables of members of the second-level leadership team were eager to offer a toast.

Chen Shi put down his wine glass: "There are many of you, so each of you should toast me. How many glasses do you have to drink? Do it by department. I'll toast Director Huang and you all together. Director Huang has a good alcohol tolerance, so he'll represent me and drink with you."

Huang Ming is a heavy drinker; he never refuses a drink offered to him. Members of the second-level leadership team lined up to toast him.

After drinking a round of drinks, Huang Ming remained unfazed and unaffected, prompting everyone to compliment him on his incredible drinking capacity.

The banquet lasted for more than two hours before it ended. Chen Shi didn't drink much and wasn't drunk at all. He had to maintain his authority as a leader. If he got drunk in front of his subordinates, his authority would be completely destroyed.

The furniture hasn't been moved into the Education Bureau's house yet, so Chen Shi is temporarily staying in the Public Security Bureau's staff quarters.

Yang Bin took Chen Shi home, and Chen Shi arranged for him to take Huang Ming back. Huang Ming had drunk at least a kilogram of baijiu (Chinese liquor) but felt perfectly fine. He drank the liquor as if it were water.

The next morning, Yang Bin drove downstairs to wait.

Chen Shi came downstairs, Yang Bin opened the car door, and Chen Shi got in.

Chen Shi arrived at the temporary office, which was spotless. He was very satisfied with Yang Xiaobo's meticulous work; he liked clean office environments.

Tea is brewed on the table, and the cup is placed within easy reach.

Yang Xiaobo walked in to see what Chen Shi wanted to do. Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo and said, "Director Yang, go down and bring me the information on the division of responsibilities between the two directors of the Education Bureau last year."

Yang Xiaobo hurriedly went to the archives and brought out the work assignments of Wang Zhikai and Li Zhe from last year, placing them on the table.

"Director Chen, what are your requirements for the house? There are three suites that are currently empty. We'll clean them up and move the furniture in today, so you can move in anytime."

The largest one has four bedrooms, two living rooms, two kitchens, and two bathrooms, covering over 150 square meters.

Chen Shi felt it was too big, and that it felt empty and desolate for him to live alone.

"How many square meters is the smaller one?"

"There is a 110-square-meter apartment with three bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, and two bathrooms. It has excellent natural light and is well-ventilated from north to south."

"I'll go check it out around noon."

"it is good"

"Call Director Huang to my office for a moment."

Yang Xiaobo turned and went out, calling Huang Ming.

Chen Shi glanced at the departments under the jurisdiction of Wang Zhikai and Li Zhe.

Wang Zhikai has served in the Education Bureau for a long time, and has been in charge of the Personnel and Teacher Training Section, the Basic Education Section, the Vocational and Adult Education Section, the Physical Education, Health and Arts Section, and the Supervision Office.

Li Zhe was promoted to deputy director last year, and is in charge of the Safety Management Office, the Admissions and Examination Office, and the Educational Technology Equipment Station.

These departments are all filled with tedious work, where it's not easy to achieve results, and the probability of problems is very high. Once a problem occurs, it's a big problem, and the leadership will be held responsible.

Huang Ming walked in: "Director Chen, you wanted to see me?"

"sit"

Yang Xiaobo poured Huang Ming a cup of tea and then left.

Chen Shi handed the documents in his hand to Huang Ming: "Director Huang, take a look. This is the list of departments that Director Wang and Director Li were in charge of last year."

Huang Ming took it and looked at it carefully.

Chen Shi asked, "Secretary Liu places great emphasis on education and wants to see results in a short period of time. Time waits for no one. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Huang Ming was very clear about his position. He followed Chen Shi's lead and strictly implemented whatever Chen Shi said. Whether there were results or problems, it was all up to him.

"Director Chen, you are the head of the Education Bureau. I have never been involved in education before and am a complete novice. I will follow your instructions strictly. Just tell me what to do."

Chen Shi took a sip of tea. Huang Ming's personality lacked the courage for reform; he was afraid of taking responsibility and was used to being a leader's secretary, always following the leader's instructions.

"I'd like to convene a Party Committee meeting later to assign tasks to you. You'll need to take on more responsibility. I'd like to put you in charge of the Personnel and Teacher Resources Section, the Finance Section, the Basic Education Section, and the Supervision Office, these are the important sections."

Huang Ming said sincerely, "Director Chen, I will definitely complete the work you assigned with high quality and quantity."

Chen Shi nodded and told Yang Xiaobo to notify Wang Zhikai and Li Zhe at 10:30 that it was time for the start of the Party Group meeting.