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

As Chen Shi had expected, in less than a day, he became a favorite of the county magistrate, a fact that spread like wildfire throughout Fushan Town.

Everyone's attention was focused on Chen Shi.

Chen Shi didn't care about other people's opinions, he wasn't arrogant, and he remained the same as before.

In the lounge, Zhang Hu looked at Chen Shi: "There's a rumor going around that you're someone the county magistrate appreciates. Do you believe it?"

Chen Shi could tell that Zhang Hu didn't believe that he wouldn't know the background of a colleague he saw every day.

When others don't believe in you at their core, don't argue with them, no matter how close they are to you.

Things ingrained in one's bones are hard to change. For these kinds of people, you need to take concrete action and give them a good slap in the face to wake them up.

Chen Shi smiled but did not answer.

Zhang Hu continued, "If you are someone appreciated by the county magistrate, and you can become a grassroots police officer at the police station, you will at least be a section chief in some department of the Public Security Bureau."

Ma Guoliang walked into the lounge. If looks could kill, Chen Shi would have died countless times.

He's been looking gloomy lately, giving everyone the cold shoulder, as if they owe him money and he won't pay it back.

Zhang Hu whispered in Chen Shi's ear, "Did you offend Ma Guoliang somewhere? The way he's looking at you is full of murderous intent."

Chen Shi smiled but did not answer. Wang Jianming must have told Ma Guoliang that he had replaced him as deputy director.

Zhang Hu found it strange. Ma Guoliang was acting strangely, and so was Chen Shi. When they talked to him, he would just smile and remain silent.

Ma Guoliang had a gloomy face, as if everyone had wronged him.

In the adult world, when interests are involved, it becomes a life-or-death struggle.

Chen Shi considered several plans on how to win over Ma Guoliang, but then rejected them, reasoning that Ma Guoliang would fight him to the death if he didn't get any real benefits.

After all, it was he himself who took away the deputy director position that he had waited twenty years for; no one would feel good about that.

Within the system, if you want to advance, you shouldn't be afraid of offending anyone. There are only so many leadership positions. If you don't compete and just play the nice guy, waiting for the leader to promote you, you'll never achieve that in your entire life.

The lounge, where everyone had been chatting and laughing, fell silent as soon as Ma Guoliang entered; no one dared to provoke him.

Chen Shi stood up, went out to print out case materials, but found there was no paper, so he went to the administrative office.

Xu Linlin smiled broadly at Chen Shi: "Little Chen, once you've climbed the social ladder by getting in touch with County Magistrate Liu, don't forget your sister when you rise to prominence."

Chen Shi smiled, neither denying nor confirming. He acted mysteriously, and others believed it was true.

It is true, and we must make everyone believe it is true.

People without connections have to use powerful figures and influential figures to protect themselves.

"Sister Xu, take a pack of paper to the printing room, we're out of paper."

"Just register it, and you can take it."

After registering, Chen Shi picked up a pack of papers and left.

Three days after Chen Shi returned from the county town, the appointment document was issued to the police station.

When everyone saw that it was Chen Shi, they were all taken aback. How could it be Chen Shi who took over as deputy director?

This kind of shock is like your father suddenly becoming a multimillionaire.

No one else seemed to share this shock.

Many people want to ask, why? Chen Shi has only been at the police station for a little over half a year and has been working for less than two years, yet he has been promoted to section-level cadre. They are not convinced, not convinced at all.

On second thought, Chen Shi was someone the county magistrate appreciated, so it wouldn't be surprising if he were promoted to deputy director or even director.

It seems this isn't a rumor; it's true. Chen Shi really is the county magistrate's man.

Many people are resentful, but dare not show it on their faces.

Ma Guoliang was different; he had a dark face, and he was dissatisfied both inside and out.

After the appointment documents were issued, the police station held a plenary meeting. On the stage, there were two seats: one for the station chief, Wang Jianming, and the other for the deputy station chief, Chen Shi.

In the tiered conference room, all the police officers had arrived, and they were whispering among themselves.

Chen Shi arrived at Wang Jianming's conference room early to report on his work. When the meeting time arrived, he accompanied Wang Jianming into the conference room.

Chen Shi immediately saw that his position was on the dais.

After the two were seated, Wang Jianming spoke into the microphone: "Today we are holding a plenary meeting of the Fushan Town Police Station. This is also the first meeting after the New Year. The main content of the meeting is to convey the public security management documents issued by the Public Security Bureau."

Wang Jianming emphasized the importance of public security management, stating that each administrative village should have a responsible police officer to coordinate with the village, promote legal education, and require villagers to call the police when encountering conflicts, rather than resolving them privately.

After studying the public security management documents, Wang Jianming said loudly, "Chang Youzhi, the deputy director of the police station, retired before the new year, and the position of deputy director has been vacant. I'm sure everyone has seen the appointment document issued by the Public Security Bureau."

I hereby formally announce the appointment: After deliberation by the Party Committee of the Public Security Bureau, and in response to the call of the Provincial Organization Department to promote and appoint young cadres, Comrade Chen Shi is appointed as the Deputy Director of the Fushan Town Police Station.

Sparse applause broke out. Chen Shi stood up, greeted everyone, and sat down.

All eyes were on Chen Shi. Wow, he's amazing! He's only been working for less than two years, and has only been at the police station for a little over six months, yet he's already snatched the deputy director position that Ma Guoliang had been waiting for for twenty years.

No wonder he's a top student; he was transferred back from the provincial department, so his background must be extraordinary.

Ma Guoliang's face darkened even more. He felt that everyone was laughing at him, even though no one was looking at him.

I always feel like everyone is watching me. If I don't get rid of Chen Shi, how can he stay in the police station?

Zhang Hu's feelings were complicated. He wasn't jealous of anyone who took over as deputy director, except for Chen Shi.

He couldn't accept that one of his underlings, who always followed him around calling him Brother Zhang, had suddenly become a leader.

When you become successful, you'll often be envious of those around you. Everyone else is doing just fine, eating fast food every day, and then you suddenly win five million in the lottery.

Others might not care, but the people around you will be watching you. They'll think, "Why did you win five million and refuse to share it?" and they'll try to take action against you.

Smart people, once they become successful, will leave their original circles. If you don't leave, you generally won't have a good ending.

Wang Jianming said loudly, "Deputy Director Chen, please give a speech about your feelings upon assuming office."

Chen prepared his speech in his mind, avoiding lengthy explanations and keeping it simple and clear: to wholeheartedly serve the people.

After the meeting, no one came to congratulate him, except for Xu Linlin, who came up to him with a smile and said, "Congratulations, Director Chen. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner to celebrate."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Sister Xu, it's my treat to dinner. Thank you for your care."

Tonight, come to Yan Hong's house. I'll cook a few dishes and have a couple of drinks with you.

"Okay," Xu Linlin said with a smile as she left.

Chen Shi was in the eye of the storm and dared not celebrate in public with a large feast. Xu Linlin, Wang Yanhong's cousin, was invited to celebrate at home.

Chen Shi walked out of the meeting room. Seeing that everyone had left, Zhang Youcai sneaked back, walked up to Chen Shi, and said with a fawning smile, "Director Chen, are you free tonight? I'd like to report to you on some work."

Chen Shi looked at Zhang Youcai. This old fox didn't dare to openly express his loyalty, but instead did it secretly, because he was afraid of being isolated.

Zhang Youcai knew that the people in the institute were dissatisfied with Chen Shi becoming the deputy director, and he dared not offend them. Only after everyone had left did he dare to come and express his loyalty.

Chen Shi didn't mind; as long as he showed loyalty, that was enough. He needed people to support him right now. He patted Zhang Youcai on the shoulder, smiled, and said, "I have an appointment tonight. Tomorrow night, I'll arrange a quiet place for you to give me your work report."

Zhang Youcai quickly replied, "Okay, Director Chen."