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

Chen Shi arrived at work early in the morning, still using the temporary office as usual. He discovered that his things were missing, and then he remembered that he could go to the new office this morning.

Yang Xiaobo jogged into the office: "Director Chen, I arranged for someone to move your things to the new office after get off work last night."

Chen Shi nodded and went to the new office, which was much more spacious. Sitting in the new office chair, the director's authority was immediately revealed.

Yang Xiaobo made tea for Chen Shi, filled a thermos with tea, and placed it within Chen Shi's reach.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to explain why Wang Zhikai had recommended him to take over as head of the Basic Education Section yesterday, fearing that Chen Shi might harbor resentment and transfer him away from the Party and Government Office.

"Director Chen, I'd like to report to you about what happened yesterday."

Chen Shi was completely confused and asked, "What happened yesterday?"

Chen Shi didn't take Wang Zhikai's recommendation of Yang Xiaobo as the head of the Basic Education Section seriously.

Yang Xiaobo explained: "Director Chen, I was unaware of Director Wang's recommendation for me to serve as the head of the Basic Education Section at the Party Group meeting, nor did I understand why Director Wang would recommend me for the Basic Education Section."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo and said, "If you choose to explain, please provide strong evidence to prove that you are not one of his people."

Seeing that Chen Shi remained silent, Yang Xiaobo's mind raced, trying to come up with something substantial.

"Director Chen and Diao Kuan, the deputy director of the Party and Government Office, are very close to Director Wang. Diao Kuan's niece is the girlfriend of Director Wang's son."

Within the system, one doesn't need to be too explicit in their speech. Chen Shi suddenly realized that Wang Zhi had put on this play in order to promote Diao Kuan to the position of official.

Chen Shi asked calmly, "When did Diao Kuan come to the Party and Government Office as deputy director?"

"Last June"

Diao Kuan is Wang Zhikai's man, so he can't stay in the Party and Government Office. Find an opportunity to transfer him away.

"Old Yang, I'm very satisfied with your meticulous work. Just focus on your job and don't overthink things."

Yang Xiaobo was secretly delighted. From Director Yang to Old Yang, it was a sign of recognition, and he could say that he had secured his position as the Director of the Party and Government Office.

"Yes, Director Chen, I will continue to work hard and do a good job in the Party and Government Office."

Chen Shi looked through the plan to close down the three high schools in the township: "Old Yang, go down and print out several copies of the plan, one for each of the attendees."

Yang Xiaobo quickly went down to make arrangements.

A director's office meeting was held at 10:00 AM, attended by members of the second-level leadership team and the principals of four high schools.

In front of each person was a plan.

Yang Xiong frowned and looked serious as he looked at the contents of the plan.

With the three township high schools being relocated to the county level, my position as the principal of the No. 1 High School is likely in jeopardy.

The principal of No. 1 Middle School holds a position that the principals of the other three schools cannot match.

All of them were reassigned to the county level, and the status of the principals of the other three high schools rose sharply.

As the meeting began, Chen Shi entered the conference room with three deputy directors, and the room immediately fell silent.

The four men sat on the platform. Chen Shi glanced at everyone and asked, "Director Yang, please count the number of people. Is everyone here?"

Yang Xiaobo had already checked and quickly said, "Director Chen, all the attendees are here."

Chen Shi placed his notebook on the table: "The meeting is beginning. The main topic of today's meeting is to discuss the plan to close three high schools in townships and rebuild three key high schools in the county seat."

Have you all carefully reviewed the plan? If not, please take a look as soon as possible. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to share them.

The news about closing three township high schools and rebuilding three key high schools in the county seat has been circulating for several years, and now it is finally about to be implemented.

Principal Li Fuguo of No. 2 Middle School, Principal Yin Ping of No. 3 Middle School, and Principal Hou Weigui of No. 4 Middle School were all delighted when they saw the plan. They had had enough of staying in the rural towns and had been waiting for this day for a long time.

At the same time, he was also worried that with the closure of three rural high schools and the reconstruction of three key high schools in the county seat, he might not be able to keep his position as principal.

The sound of turning pages could be heard intermittently in the conference room.

After waiting for five minutes, Chen Shi solemnly said, "Everyone has seen the plan. If you have any different opinions, please raise them so we can discuss them."

Ren Changlin, the head of the finance department, raised his hand, and Chen Shi called out, "Head of Ren, what are your opinions?"

Ren Changlin lowered his hand and said loudly, "The plan includes rebuilding three key high schools, with a budget of 2.7 billion yuan. Can the finance department allocate that much to our Education Bureau?"

As the finance manager, his primary concern is where the money comes from.

Chen Shi said solemnly, "This plan will be discussed and approved within the bureau first. Once approved, a report will be prepared and submitted to the county party committee and county government for review. After approval, we will find a way to resolve the financial issues."

That was a waste of time; the source of the money remained unclear. Ren Changlin was well aware of Chunyang County's finances—a severe deficit—making it impossible for them to allocate over two billion yuan to the Education Bureau to rebuild three key high schools.

Chen Shi said with a serious expression, "If you have any opinions, speak them out boldly. If you don't speak now, you won't have the chance later."

The principals of the three middle schools in the township exchanged glances. Li Fuguo, the principal of the No. 2 Middle School, decided to speak on behalf of everyone, raised his hand, and asked them what they cared about most.

Chen Shi called out, "Principal Li, what are your thoughts? Please speak."

Li Fuguo carefully prepared his words: "Director Chen, after the three township high schools are closed, how should we arrange for the school leaders and teachers of the three high schools?"

Chen Shilang said loudly, "Even if you don't ask this question, I will tell everyone later. After the three high schools in the townships are closed, the teaching staff will be re-evaluated. Those who pass the evaluation will continue to teach in the three key high schools that are being rebuilt. Those who fail will be assigned to teach in various junior high schools or primary schools in the townships."

As for the school leaders of the three high schools, they will also need to be re-evaluated. Those who pass the evaluation will be assigned to continue their leadership positions in the three key high schools that are being rebuilt; those who fail will be dismissed from their leadership posts.

Li Fuguo thought to himself that there was still a chance. Next, he should try to make a good impression on Chen Shi and strive to continue serving as the principal of the three rebuilt high schools.

Yang Xiong raised his hand, and Chen Shi called out, "Principal Yang, please speak."

Yang Xiong asked, "Director Chen, should the school leaders and teachers of No. 1 Middle School also be re-evaluated and reassigned?"

"Like the school leaders and teachers of the other three high schools, the leaders and teachers of No. 1 High School will also need to be re-evaluated before they can take up their posts. The difference is that the leaders and teachers of No. 1 High School who pass the evaluation will stay at the school to work or teach and will not be transferred to the three newly established key high schools."

Cold sweat broke out on Yang Xiong's forehead. He glanced at Wang Zhikai on the podium. With the re-evaluation, he feared that Chen Shi would take the opportunity to remove him from his position as principal.

Everyone knows that matters that can be discussed at the director's office meeting have basically already been approved at the party committee meeting of the bureau. Calling everyone to discuss them is just a formality.

After a two-hour meeting of the bureau chief, a conclusion was reached: the three high schools in the townships would be closed, and three key high schools would be rebuilt in the county seat. A report was prepared and submitted to the county party committee and county government for review.