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

When Chen Shi went to work in the afternoon, he called Liu Feng.

"Secretary Liu, is Secretary Liu free this afternoon? I'd like to come over and report to him on my work."

"Director Chen, Secretary Liu is available from 3:00 to 3:20. Please come over now."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi called Yang Bin to take him to the county party committee office.

Upon arriving at the county party committee office, Chen Shi checked the time; it was 2:45. He then went to Liu Feng's office and waited.

As Huang Kun passed by the office, Chen Shi came out and said, "Director Huang."

Huang Kun smiled and said, "Director Chen, are you here to report to Secretary Liu?"

Chen Shi smiled broadly: "The project has made some progress, so I came to report to Secretary Liu."

"Come to my office for tea. Secretary Liu is talking with Minister Qin; it should take a while."

Chen Shi followed Huang Kun to his office, where Huang Kun made him a cup of tea.

"Director Chen, the project tender documents have been sent out, but some leaders in the county are not satisfied. They say the bidding conditions are too harsh and exclude companies from Chunyang County."

Chen Shi's mind raced. Who exactly were the leaders Huang Kun mentioned? Zhang Kaizhi had already offended him, so he was definitely dissatisfied with him. There was also Gao Rong, who was in charge of education. Besides them, was there anyone else who was dissatisfied with him?

With a troubled expression, he said, "Director Huang, I'm like a skilled cook without rice. The government's allocation is only 1 billion yuan, leaving a 1.7 billion yuan shortfall. If we don't raise the standards for bidding companies, I'm afraid companies without the necessary strength will win the bids. They simply don't have the financial capacity to fully fund the project and complete it, only to have it become a failed project and we won't be able to explain it to Secretary Liu."

Huang Kun nodded: "I know your difficulties. There's nothing we can do about it. No company in Chunyang County has the capability to advance the funds to complete the project."

When you do something, there will always be someone who is dissatisfied.

Huang Kun thought to himself, "This project of the Education Bureau is the biggest project in Chunyang County this year. Many people are watching it. If I don't raise the requirements, I will offend even more people."

Deciding who gets the job and who doesn't will only deepen the conflict and generate more complaints, going beyond mere dissatisfaction.

Huang Kun cast an admiring glance at Chen Shi. He was young, yet capable and efficient. His future career prospects might surpass Huang Kun's.

Chen Shi said sincerely, "Thank you for your understanding, Director Huang. It's inevitable to offend people when doing things. As long as I can get things done, I don't care how many people I offend."

Chen Shi explained the education department's special funding support project, and Huang Kun's eyes lit up: "Director Chen, if you can secure the education department's special funding support project, the funds to build three key high schools will be basically enough."

Only you could do this. Secretary Liu's vision is beyond our comprehension as subordinates.

"Director Chen, you don't know, when Secretary Liu proposed that you take over as the director of the Education Bureau, many members of the Standing Committee disagreed. It was only because Secretary Liu insisted that you take the position, and County Chief Zhang also supported it, that it was approved at the Standing Committee meeting."

Chen Shi was somewhat moved: "Director Huang, Secretary Liu thinks so highly of me, I can't let him down. I must try my best to secure the education special fund support project from the Department of Education."

After a brief chat, Liu Feng entered the office with a smile: "Director Huang."

Huang Kun asked, "Has Minister Qin come out yet?"

"Hmm," Liu Feng nodded.

Huang Kun said, "Director Chen, go and report to Secretary Liu. Secretary Liu has been very busy lately. The cadres who come to report to him are very punctual. When it's time, Secretary Liu kicks them out."

Chen Shi stood up: "Director Huang, I'll go first."

Chen Shi arrived at Liu Youguang's office. Liu Youguang glanced at his watch and said, "You only have fifteen minutes. Speak quickly if you have something to say."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Secretary Liu, every time I come, you never give me enough time. There are so many things I want to say, but I haven't had a chance to say them."

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "You should know how to be content. I've given you a lot of time. When County Chief Gao came to report to me this morning, I only gave him ten minutes."

Without wasting any words, Chen Shi quickly reported on the education special fund support project from the Education Department.

After listening to the report, Liu Youguang was very satisfied with Chen Shi's work performance. He said that it was true ability to accomplish the impossible.

"You're a lucky guy, well done. We must secure the education fund support project from the Education Department."

If you need me to do anything for you, just say so. I have connections with several leaders in the province.

As for Director Zhao, I'm not familiar with him, so I can only rely on you to talk to him.

Chen Shi said confidently, "Secretary Liu, rest assured, I guarantee to complete the task and spare no effort to secure the education special fund support project from the Department of Education."

Liu Youguang liked subordinates with strong leadership qualities, but disliked those who came to him to complain.

He faces difficulties in everything he does, and every subordinate comes to him to complain and ask for his help. What use are they then?

"Very good. Leading cadres should have this kind of spirit and courage to face difficulties. I look forward to your good news."

Liu Youguang checked the time: "I have a meeting to attend. I'll invite County Chief Zhang to dinner tonight."

Chen Shi stood up: "Okay, Secretary Liu."

Stepping out of his office, Chen Shi felt confident about securing the education funding project from the Provincial Department of Education.

Zhao Ji held considerable influence in the Education Department; as long as he supported something, no leader dared to oppose it.

Zhao Ji has a very powerful background; he has high-ranking officials backing him.

Chen Shi called Xu Mo: "Secretary Xu, is County Chief Zhang free? I'd like to come over and give a briefing."

"Director Chen, County Chief Zhang is available now, please come over."

Chen Shi arrived at Zhang Xiangdong's office, beaming, and said, "County Magistrate Zhang..."

Zhang Xiangdong put down the documents in his hand: "I heard you went to the provincial capital to ask for money. Did you get anything?"

Chen Shi sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip.

"I came here to report this matter to you."

Chen Shi reported on the education special fund support projects of the Education Department. After listening to the report, Zhang Xiangdong nodded in satisfaction.

"You're lucky, kid. You always seem to stumble upon good fortune and manage to accomplish the impossible. That's your real competitor, someone you can't compete with."

Zhang Xiangdong had previously worried about Chen Shi, fearing that if he messed up the education bureau's affairs, his career would definitely be affected, and Liu Youguang might give up on Chen Shi.

In a career in government, one wrong step can lead to a series of mistakes, and it becomes difficult to recover.

High-ranking leaders all rise through the ranks smoothly and effortlessly.

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi and reminded him, "Don't be arrogant, kid. What are the chances of this succeeding? If it can't be done, it's better not to mention it at all and let Secretary Liu get his hopes up for nothing. That's not a mature approach."

Chen Shi was somewhat moved. Others only cared about how high you could fly, but only Zhang Xiangdong cared about how badly you would fall.

"Zhang County, this matter has at least an 80% success rate, otherwise I wouldn't dare to report it to you and Secretary Liu."

Director Zhao personally supports allocating special education funds to Chunyang County. He values ​​two things: first, the support of local leaders; and second, concrete action, not just empty words. We have met both of these requirements.

Zhang Xiangdong nodded. Chen Shi was becoming more and more mature in his work. How far he could go in the future depended not only on his abilities but also on opportunities.

Opportunities are something you can only encounter, not seek.