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

Donghai Zhencheng Group won three bids. After the public announcement period, Wan Xirong led a team to Chunyang County. Chen Shi approached Wan Xirong and his party, held a meeting, exchanged opinions, formally reached a cooperation agreement, and signed a contract.

Donghai Zhencheng Group won the bid to build three key high schools in Chunyang County, with a total contract value of 26.46 billion yuan.

Huang Ming discussed the specific construction details of the project with Wan Xirong and his group separately.

Wan Xirong and his entourage stayed in Chunyang County for three days, where they were received by Huang Ming and visited the project construction site for on-site inspection.

After seeing Wan Xirong and his entourage off, Huang Ming went to Chen Shi's office to report.

"Director Chen, Wan Xirong, chairman of Donghai Zhencheng Group, and his entourage left yesterday. We confirmed with them that the official groundbreaking ceremony will be held on May 1st. Wan Xirong will come in person, and they would like to invite the county's main leaders to attend the ceremony."

"This is a project that Secretary Liu is in charge of. We need to invite Secretary Liu and County Chief Zhang to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, even if they don't say it." Chen Shi looked at Huang Ming: "Director Huang, you've been working hard lately. Now that the project is settled, I'm giving you a week off to rest. You'll be very busy once construction starts."

Huang Ming smiled and said, "Director Chen, you're the one who's really working hard. You're constantly traveling and working day and night to raise funds for the project."

Chen Shi said softly, "You should take a week off next week. If you don't, I'll be the first to object. Health is the foundation of everything. Look at you, your eyes are bloodshot, you obviously haven't had enough rest."

Huang Ming nodded: "Okay, Director Chen, then I'll take next week off."

After Huang Ming left, Chen Shi looked relaxed and was in a good mood. With Zhao Ji's help, the 1 billion yuan in support funds from the Education Department should be no problem.

I've been thinking about making money and projects lately, and I'm afraid something might go wrong. I've been having sleepless nights, but now I can finally get a good night's sleep.

Having raised 1.4 billion yuan, the remaining 200-300 million yuan is not a difficult task. The county finances can squeeze it out. Moreover, there are three high schools in the townships that can be sold.

Chen Shi was in a good mood, drinking tea and relaxing completely.

Yang Xiaobo brought in the documents and, seeing that Chen Shi was in a good mood, sat down and chatted with him for a few minutes.

Chen Shi casually inquired about the work in the Party and Government Office, and Yang Xiaobo smiled and said, "Director Chen, after Diao Kuan was transferred, all the work pressure in the Party and Government Office fell on me. I basically work overtime for one or two hours every day, which is quite fulfilling."

Chen Shi then remembered that the Party and Government Office was short of a deputy director: "Old Yang, the Party and Government Office is short of a deputy director. Why didn't you say so earlier? If we had arranged a deputy director, he could have helped you share some of the work and you wouldn't be so tired."

Yang Xiaobo was overjoyed; he had finally gotten his chance and promoted Xiao Guang to the position of deputy director.

Chen Shi indeed asked, "Old Yang, recommend someone for the deputy director position. Recommend someone from within the Party and Government Office."

Yang Xiaobo pretended to think for a while and then said, "Director Chen, there are seven people in the Party and Government Office besides myself. Two of them have been in the Party and Government Office for more than ten years and are very experienced. However, they are past the age for promotion and have entered retirement. They are no longer suitable to serve as leaders."

Three of them are young people. The oldest is 27 years old and has been working in the Party and Government Office for more than three years. The youngest is 23 years old and graduated last year, having worked in the Party and Government Office for less than a year.

The three of them are inexperienced and lack seniority.

There are two people who are most suitable for the position of deputy director of the Party and Government Office. One is Dong Xuexi. He has been in the Party and Government Office for more than ten years. He is experienced and qualified. However, he has some problems with his thinking. He is rather negative about his work, just goes through the motions, and is dissatisfied with the leaders in the bureau.

Another one is Xiao Guang. He's been in the Party and Government Office for six years. He's senior, experienced, and has a high level of ideological awareness. He's very proactive in his work. The last survey was completed by him and three other young people in the Party and Government Office, working overtime to finish it. Not a single piece of data was wrong.

Chen Shi knew that Xiao Guang was Yang Xiaobo's man. As a leader, he had to give his subordinates some benefits; he couldn't just make them work without giving them any rewards.

"We will recommend Xiao Guang to take over the position of deputy director at the next bureau party committee meeting."

Chen Shi's statement meant the matter was settled, and Yang Xiaobo was secretly delighted, though he didn't show it on his face.

"Director Chen, should we call Xiao Guang over? Would you like to speak with him?"

Chen Shi is free now, so he'll meet with Xiao Guang.

"Call him to my office."

Yang Xiaobo arrived at the Party and Government Office, and Xiao Guang immediately stood up, a smile on his face: "Director Yang."

The others also greeted Yang Xiaobo. Dong Xuexi wanted to greet him too to improve their relationship, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Yang Xiaobo coughed lightly: "Xiao Guang, Director Chen wants to see you in his office."

Xiao Guang was overjoyed. What this meant was self-evident: his position as deputy director of the Party and Government Office was basically secured.

The eyes of everyone in the office turned to Xiao Guang, who said excitedly, "Okay, Director Yang, I'll be right there."

He walked quickly toward Chen Shi's office.

Dong Xuexi looked up at Yang Xiaobo, who avoided his disapproving gaze and said loudly, "Everyone, let's continue working."

Watching Yang Xiaobo's departing figure, Dong Xuexi wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

He wanted to slap himself a few times, but he failed again. He was actually prepared for this; Yang Xiaobo would never recommend him to Director Chen to take over as deputy director. But the fact was right in front of him, and he still felt bad.

There was a sliver of hope that Yang Xiaobo might have a change of heart?

Now all illusions have been completely shattered.

Xiao Guang arrived at the door of Chen Shi's office, straightened his clothes, calmed his wildly beating heart, and took a few deep breaths. This was the first time he had been in close contact with Chen Shi, who, in his mind, was the top leader.

What county party secretary can possibly have any influence over me? A single sentence from Chen Shi can determine my promotion. This is what they mean by "a local official is more powerful than a county magistrate."

Xiao Guang calmed down and walked to the office door, which was open. He carefully and gently knocked on the door.

Chen Shi looked up at the doorway and called out, "Come in."

Xiao Guang walked in with a smile on his face: "Director Chen, I am Xiao Guang from the Party and Government Office."

Chen Shi had some recollection of Xiao Guang; every time he saw him, Xiao Guang would greet him with a smile.

"sit"

Xiao Guang cautiously entered the reception room and sat down.

Chen Shi walked over, sat opposite Xiao Guang, and poured him a cup of tea.

"Xiao Guang, how long have you been at the Education Bureau?"

Xiao Guang always had a smile on his face: "Director Chen, I've been with the Education Bureau for six years. When I first graduated, I was assigned to Chengnan Subdistrict Middle School as a Chinese language teacher. Later, I applied to the Education Bureau and was assigned to the Party and Government Office."

Chen Shi had a fairly good impression of Xiao Guang: "What's your educational background?"

"Undergraduate degree, Chinese Language and Literature major, Mingzhou Teachers College."

Chen Shi then asked, "Is the workload in the Party and Government Office heavy?"

Xiao Guang's mind raced as he carefully chose his words, saying, "There is still pressure, but it can be overcome."

"The survey you did last time was very well done. Thank you for your hard work."

Receiving Chen Shi's praise, Xiao Guang felt that the extra hours were well worth it and said sincerely, "Director Chen, you are busy from morning till night and often go on business trips. Compared with you, I am not tired at all."

Chen Shi looked at Xiao Guang: "Director Yang recommended you to take over as deputy director. The organization is considering giving you more responsibility. What are your thoughts?"

Xiao Guang suppressed his inner elation, maintaining a calm expression, and told himself, "What are you so excited about? You're over thirty, almost forty, and you've only managed to become a deputy section chief. What's there to be happy about?"

"Director Chen, I will strictly follow the organization's decisions. I will do whatever the organization tells me to do."

He thought to himself, "Who is this organization? Isn't it you?"

Chen Shi chatted briefly with Xiao Guang and then sent him away. Overall, he was satisfied with Xiao Guang; he was more than capable of being a deputy director.