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

After receiving the survey form, Chen Shi went to Yizhou the next day to report to Zhao Ji.

Upon arriving in Yizhou, Chen Shi called Ding Yi.

"Section Chief Ding, hello, this is Chen Shi. Is Director Zhao free this afternoon?"

"Director Chen, have you arrived in Yizhou yet?"

"I'm in Yizhou right now."

"Director Zhao is flying to Kyoto for a seminar at 4 PM. I'll go report to him and see if he's available now."

"Thank you, Section Chief Ding."

After hanging up the phone, less than two minutes later, Ding called back.

"Director Chen, Director Zhao has set aside half an hour to report to you. Come to the Education Department immediately."

Chen Shi readily agreed, hung up the phone, and said to Yang Bin, "Go to the Education Department."

Upon arriving at the Education Department, Chen Shi went to Ding Yi's office. Ding Yi stood up and said, "Director Chen, you've come so quickly."

"I was near the Education Bureau when I made the call earlier."

"I'll take you to Director Zhao's office."

Upon arriving at Zhao Ji's office, Chen Shi smiled and said, "Director Zhao."

Zhao Ji was looking at a document. He put the document down and said, "Director Chen is here. Please have a seat."

Chen Shi sat down in the reception room, and Ding Yi poured him a glass of warm water before leaving the office.

Zhao Ji walked into the reception room and sat down. Chen Shi handed Zhao Ji the survey form and the educational adjustment plan.

"Director Zhao, these are the materials you asked me to prepare last time: a survey on the current state of education in Chunyang County and a plan for adjusting education in Chunyang County."

Zhao Ji took the documents and placed them on the table: "Director Chen, you can just send these documents to my email. I'm sorry to have troubled you to come all this way."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Director Zhao, I came up here mainly to report to you on the implementation of the education adjustment plan in Chunyang County."

The education adjustment plan for Chunyang County was approved at the Standing Committee meeting, and the county government has approved the project. Construction of three key high schools has begun, land acquisition has been completed, and the bidding process is now underway.

Zhao Ji nodded: "The Chunyang County Party Committee and County Government attach great importance to education, which is a good thing. I believe that education in Chunyang County will be transformed."

Director Chen, I have noticed your concern for education in Chunyang County. Yesterday, the Party Committee of the Department convened a meeting and decided to allocate 1 billion yuan of special education funds to support education in one county.

"Once I return from the seminar in Kyoto, I will issue the official document. Be prepared."

Chen Shi was delighted to receive an accurate answer, which meant the success rate was 95%.

"Director Zhao, I assure you that education in Chunyang County will be transformed in a short period of time."

We don't just shout slogans; the county party committee, the county government, and the education bureau are taking concrete actions to change the current state of education in Chunyang County.

What Zhao Ji hates most is people who shout slogans, ask for money to fund education, and then divert all the money to other places once they get it.

Half of the funds allocated to education are actually used; they are merely used for superficial work to appease inspections from higher authorities.

He had already decided in his heart that all 1 billion yuan of the education special fund support project from the Department of Education would be invested in Chunyang County.

Whether or not this funding is available, Chunyang County is taking action. Only by investing this funding in Chunyang County can it play its greatest role, which is something other impoverished counties cannot match.

"Chunyang County has done a great job. No matter how poor we are, we must not neglect education. This cannot just be a slogan; we must take concrete actions."

Zhao Ji highly praised the education work in Chunyang County. After chatting for a while, Zhao Ji checked the time and said, "I have to catch my flight. I'll have Ding Yi coordinate with you for the rest of the work. He'll tell you what materials you need."

Chen Shi thanked them repeatedly and walked out of the Education Department office building in a good mood; the matter was basically settled.

On the other side, Yang Xiaobo was sitting in his office in a good mood. Chen Shi had gone to Yizhou on a business trip, so he, as the director of the Party and Government Office, could relax a bit.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Yang Xiaobo called out, "Come in."

Xiao Guang pushed open the door and came in with a smile: "Director Yang, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you for a couple of drinks; it's been a long time since we've had a drink together."

Yang Xiaobo had no plans for the evening and said softly, "Okay, you book a place, let's have a couple of drinks tonight."

Xiao Guang quickly said, "It's right in the Hejia courtyard. I'll call them later and ask them to reserve a private room."

Yang Xiaobo did not object. Everyone in the Education Bureau knew that Hejia Courtyard was a restaurant owned by Yang Xiaobo's cousin, and the Education Bureau always held its gatherings there.

Xiao Guang left the office and quickly booked a private room and ordered the dishes in advance.

After get off work, Yang Xiaobo called a car from the Education Bureau to take him and Xiao Guang to the Hejia Courtyard.

The Education Bureau has four vehicles. The best one is Chen Shi's official car. The remaining three are given priority to the three deputy directors. Only members of the second-level leadership team have the opportunity to use them, and the deputy directors do not have to.

These three vehicles are not anyone's personal vehicles; they are for whoever needs them.

Upon arriving at the Hejia Courtyard, the two went directly to a private room. Xiao Guang asked the waiter to serve the dishes and ordered two bottles of fine wine.

Xiao Guang took a decanter, filled Yang Xiaobo's glass, and said with a big smile, "Director Yang, let's have a good drink tonight. I've been wanting to drink with you for a while, but I didn't want to bother you because you're so busy."

Yang Xiaobo said, "Director Chen has been overseeing reforms at the Education Bureau, and he has much more to do than before. He only managed to find some time tonight."

"Director Yang, you need to take more rest and not overwork yourself. All the big and small matters of the Party and government office are on your shoulders. This can't go on."

Diao Kuan has been away for some time now, and the higher-ups haven't appointed a deputy director to share some of your workload.

Yang Xiaobo knew what Xiao Guang was thinking and asked directly, "Xiao Guang, do you want to be this deputy director?"

Xiao Guang was surprised that Yang Xiaobo would ask so directly, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.

Yang Xiaobo also said: "Within the system, everyone wants to advance; I have never met anyone who doesn't want to advance."

Xiao Guang quickly replied, "Director Yang, I want to get promoted, so please give me some responsibilities."

He raised his glass, his face beaming with excitement, and said, "Director Yang, I'd like to toast you."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Guang quickly poured Yang Xiaobo a full glass of wine.

Yang Xiaobo picked up his chopsticks and started eating. As he ate, he said, "The leaders in the bureau are all focused on the project to rebuild the three key high schools, especially Director Chen, who is constantly running to the city and province. The funds for rebuilding the three key high schools are seriously insufficient, and Director Chen is under a lot of pressure. He has to find ways to raise money, so he doesn't have the mind to pay attention to such a small matter as the Party and Government Office being short of a deputy director."

Xiao Guang knew what Yang Xiaobo meant; the position of deputy director was just a matter of a word from him.

Yang Xiaobo gained Chen Shi's trust and secured his position as director of the Party and Government Office; it was impossible for a deputy director to be parachuted in.

Xiao Guang picked up his wine glass, his face moved, and said, "Director Yang, I have been in the Party and Government Office for six years. If I miss this opportunity, I will be a clerk for the rest of my life."

You're right, everyone in the system wants to advance. I want to follow in your footsteps and be completely devoted to you.

"Director Yang, please accept this toast. Make yourself at home."

Xiao Guang drank it all in one gulp, then turned the cup upside down; not a drop of wine remained.

Yang Xiaobo nodded in satisfaction, picked up his wine glass, and drank the wine in it.