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

Chen Shi arrived at Gao Rong's office with a smile on his face: "County Magistrate Gao, I've come to report to you on my work."

"Sit down," Gao Rong said with a smile, standing up to greet them. The two sat down in the reception room.

Zhang Song poured Chen Shi a cup of tea and left the office.

Chen Shi said solemnly, "In Gao County, the Education Bureau's project to rebuild three key high schools was conducted through bidding in strict accordance with the requirements of the County Party Committee and the County Government. The bidding process has been completed, and the winning bidder for the three sections is Donghai Zhencheng Group, with a total bid amount of 26.46 billion yuan. After the public announcement period, the Education Bureau officially signed the contract with Donghai Zhencheng Group. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on May 1st. We would like to invite Gao County to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. You must attend."

Gao Rong asked, "Director Chen, did Donghai Zhencheng Group win all three bids?"

Chen Shi nodded: "Donghai Zhencheng Group won all three bids. Among all the companies that participated in the bidding, Donghai Zhencheng Group had the highest overall score in all three bids."

Gao Rong thought to himself, "Who would believe there wasn't some kind of bribery involved? Such a huge project, and Donghai Zhencheng Group won the bid. We need to investigate Donghai Zhencheng Group thoroughly. If there isn't a high-ranking leader backing them, we need to gather evidence and report Chen Shi to the Discipline Inspection Commission."

He smiled and said, "The bidding process must be followed strictly according to the bidding documents. No company can be exempt from this. The Finance Bureau will audit such a large project."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "The bidding process, every step of it, is carried out in accordance with the bidding documents. It involves advance payment, and the companies participating in the bidding all meet the requirement that their fixed assets are over 5 billion."

The winning bidder, Donghai Zhencheng Group, boasts fixed assets exceeding 100 billion yuan, demonstrating its strong financial strength. With an initial investment of over 2 billion yuan, building three schools is entirely feasible.

Gao Rong nodded: "Director Chen, you've worked hard. Building three schools still leaves a hole of more than 1 billion yuan. Once the schools are completed, we'll have to solve the problem. I wonder if Director Chen has any good ideas on how to solve the funding issue?"

The county leaders all knew that Chen Shi went to Yizhou to lobby the Education Department for special education funding projects; there was no need to hide it.

"County Chief Gao, I was just about to report this to you. The Department of Education has a special fund project to support education, targeting impoverished counties with backward education. The special fund is 1 billion yuan. If we can get this 1 billion yuan to Chunyang County, the funding for building three schools will be basically solved."

The current difficulty is that even after several trips to Yizhou, I still can't get in touch with the relevant leaders of the Education Department and can't get a word in edgewise.

"Gao County, you're in charge of education. Do you know any relevant leaders in the Education Department? Knowing leaders at the provincial level would be even better, at least you could speak to them."

Gao Rong thought to himself that if he knew a high-ranking official in the province, he wouldn't be stuck in a poor county. He would find a way to be transferred to a better place.

Even if I knew someone, I wouldn't help you. Relying on Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong's support, when have you ever taken me, the supervisor in charge, seriously?

"I do know some city leaders, but I don't know any provincial leaders."

Chen Shi sighed, "This is a difficult matter."

Kao Jung encouraged him, saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way. Keep going to the city; there will always be opportunities."

After chatting for a few minutes, Chen Shi got up and left.

After Chen Shi left, Gao Rong's gaze turned cold, and he called Zhang Song to his office.

"Xiao Zhang, go down and investigate the situation of Donghai Zhencheng Group, and prepare a report for me."

Zhang Song said, "Okay, Gao County."

Gao Rong's phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Zhang Kaizhi calling. Gao Rong waved to Zhang Song, signaling him to leave.

Zhang Song walked out of the office and closed the door behind him.

Gao Rong answered the phone with a smile and said, "Secretary Zhang."

"Gao County, do you have plans for tonight? Let's grab a couple of drinks."

"If Secretary Zhang invites you for a couple of drinks, you have to decline even if you have other commitments."

Zhang Kaizhi said, "The usual place, I'll be there in a bit."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Chen Shi left the government office, got into his car, and returned to the Education Bureau, where he received a call from Jiang Yiqiu.

"Honey, do you have a business dinner tonight? I made you some old hen soup from my hometown. It's very fragrant. Come and have a couple of bowls of chicken soup to nourish your body."

Chen Shi thought for a moment: "I do have social engagements, but I'll decline them and come over now."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi said to Yang Bin, "Go to the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment."

Upon arriving at the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment, Yang Xiong walked out of the apartment and saw Chen Shi, so he quickly stepped forward.

"Director Chen, are you here to see Director Jiang?"

Chen Shi hummed in agreement and asked, "Where is Principal Yang going?"

Former Dean of Students Tian Guangliang invited Yang Xiong to dinner, and Yang Xiong, of course, wouldn't tell Chen Shi the truth.

"We're out of soy sauce at home, I'll go out and buy a bottle. Director Chen, come over to my place, I'm cooking, let's have a couple of drinks."

Chen Shi waved his hand: "No need, Yi Qiu has prepared the meal and is waiting for me. Principal Yang, why don't we go up and eat together? It'll save you the trouble of cooking."

"I won't disturb your time together, I'm cooking at home right now."

The two parted ways. Chen Shi went upstairs, while Yang Xiong headed towards the school store. Afraid that Chen Shi would turn around and look at him, he bought a bottle of soy sauce at the store and carried it home. Seeing that Chen Shi was not in the hallway, he pushed open the door and went inside. His wife saw him carrying soy sauce and asked, "We just bought soy sauce yesterday. Why did you buy more? Weren't you going out to eat? Why are you back already?"

Yang Xiong said, "I forgot to take something."

Go inside the room, walk around, then come out, go to the parking lot, and drive away from the school.

When Chen Shi arrived at Jiang Yiqiu's house, the food was already prepared, and it looked and smelled delicious. Chen Shi swallowed, feeling a little hungry.

Jiang Yiqiu handed Chen Shi a bowl to serve him rice: "You've come at the perfect time; I just finished cooking the dishes."

She took another empty bowl and filled it with chicken soup for Chen Shi. Chen Shi picked it up, took a sip, found it very flavorful, and finished it in one go.

Jiang Yiqiu asked, "This old hen has been raised for three years. This morning, my dad came to the county town and brought it to us. He specifically told us that it was for you and that you must come and eat it."

He cares about you, his son-in-law, more than he cares about me, his daughter.

Chen Shi ate a piece of chicken; the free-range chicken tasted so good, the meat was so fragrant.

"Your dad brought chickens, but didn't invite your brother to eat them."

"He's so fat, eating less will help him lose weight."

Speak of the devil, and he appears; a knock came at the door.

Jiang Yiqiu went to open the door, and Jiang Yishan walked in. He saw the delicious food on the table and swallowed.

Chen Shi called out, "Yishan, come and eat."

Jiang Yishan glanced at Jiang Yiqiu. He was terrified of this older sister. He had been beaten a lot when he was a child, and it left him with a deep-seated fear of her.

Jiang Yiqiu shouted, "What are you standing there for? Get your own bowl and get your own rice. Do you expect me to serve you rice?"

Jiang Yishan quickly grabbed a bowl, filled it to the brim with rice, and sat down to eat.

Seeing Jiang Yishan eating so heartily, Chen Shi's appetite was whetted, and the two of them began to eat voraciously.

Jiang Yiqiu laughed and said, "What are you two doing? A eating contest?"

Chen Shi chimed in, "I drink every night, and rarely do we eat so heartily."

Jiang Yiqiu said softly, "Don't go to unnecessary social events. Come here and I'll cook you delicious food every day."

Jiang Yishan called out, "I'll join too!"

Jiang Yiqiu said, "Don't come here unless it's important. It's not like your parents haven't given you living expenses."

An old hen was devoured completely by Jiang Yishan.

Jiang Yishan put down his chopsticks and let out a burp.

Jiang Yiqiu said with a look of disgust, "You're full. Go back to your evening self-study session. There's only a little over a month until the college entrance exam. You need to focus on your studies."

Jiang Yishan wiped his mouth and left, satisfied.