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

A democratic life meeting will be held at 3 pm on Monday, and all staff members of the Education Bureau must attend.

People sat down according to their departments, greeted each other, and chatted and laughed.

Chen Shi led three deputy directors into the conference room, which immediately fell silent.

Chen Shi sat in the center of the stage, with Huang Ming and Li Zhe on his left and Wang Zhikai on his right.

When Li Changming was the director, the democratic life meeting was held once a month. After Chen Shi took office, it was held once a week, scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Chen Shi said into the microphone: "The democratic life meeting will be held once a week. If I am not in the bureau, Director Huang will preside over it. If Director Huang is not available, Director Li will preside over it. If Director Li is not available, Director Wang will preside over it. In short, the democratic life meeting must be held every Monday without interruption."

Those with political acumen and a keen eye for detail know that Wang Zhikai has lost Chen Shi's trust and has been marginalized.

Chen Shi continued, "During the democratic life meeting, many comrades felt that what was said was all empty talk and official jargon, without any substantial meaning."

I want to tell those comrades who have this idea that you are completely wrong. The democratic life meeting is a weekly report on ideological and political thought, to bring back those comrades whose thinking has gone astray. At the democratic life meeting, you can say whatever you want and speak freely.

Our Education Bureau is democratic, and everyone has the right to speak. Some leaders are afraid that their subordinates will say things that are not in their favor, so they prevent them from speaking and silence them. They are trying to prevent others from speaking, which is worse than preventing a river from overflowing. How can there be criticism and self-criticism under such circumstances?

Everyone makes mistakes. If someone points them out in time and we correct them, then we are a good comrade and a good leader.

Next, everyone is free to share their thoughts and truly engage in criticism and self-criticism.

At this point, everyone eagerly raised their hands, hoping to become a familiar face to the leaders.

Dong Xuexi sat below, feeling extremely uncomfortable. He tried to raise his hand several times but couldn't, as if his hand weighed a ton. He didn't speak once during the democratic life meeting, feeling it was meaningless.

"If you don't speak up, you'll be making a big splash when you do. Today, I want everyone to remember me as the first person to challenge the top leader at a democratic life meeting."

He stole a few glances at Wang Zhikai, only to find that Wang Zhikai wasn't looking in his direction at all.

Dong Xuexi made up his mind to give it his all and slowly raised his hand.

Chen Shi looked at the crowd who had raised their hands: "Let's give more opportunities to comrades who haven't spoken at the democratic life meeting to speak freely."

Chen Shi's gaze fell on Dong Xuexi, and Yang Xiaobo said loudly, "Dong Xuexi, talk about your criticism and self-criticism."

Dong Xuexi stood up and said in a deep voice, "Distinguished leaders and comrades, good afternoon. I am Dong Xuexi from the Party and Government Office. I have been in the bureau for more than ten years, so I am considered an old-timer."

Today at the democratic life meeting, I was deeply moved by what Director Chen said. The democratic life meeting is about daring to speak the truth and saying what you wouldn't dare to say in private.

I dare ask you, leaders, teachers' bonuses haven't been paid for two months. How did you manage to renovate KTV rooms, spending over 500,000 yuan? Do you even know how many teachers that 500,000 yuan could pay their bonuses? They work so hard teaching, relying on these bonuses to support their families.

Xiao Guang stood up: "Leaders, comrades, I really can't stand it anymore and have to say a few words. Our bureau has never had a cadre activity center. Spending more than 500,000 yuan to renovate a cadre activity center is not too much at all."

The Industry and Commerce Bureau next door spent over two million yuan on its cadre activity center. Compared to that, our Education Bureau is really pathetic.

Dong Xuexi looked at Xiao Guang and raised his voice, saying, "Xiao Guang, I was just about to say something to you when you jumped out. We've been in the same office for years, and I know better than anyone what kind of person you are. You're just a sycophant who deceives your superiors and subordinates and does nothing right. It's a miracle that someone like you was promoted to a leadership position. Heaven is truly blind."

The meeting room was silent. Everyone looked at Chen Shi, who remained calm and showed no sign of anger.

Xiao Guang said angrily, "Dong Xuexi, this is a democratic life meeting. All the leaders are here. This is not a place for you to attack me. Let's talk about our personal grievances later."

"It's just that the leader promoted me to deputy director of the Party and Government Office. You hold a grudge and use this opportunity to launch a personal attack, making me lose face in front of everyone."

Dong Xuexi said coldly, "I don't care about a mere deputy director. What I really can't stand is your despicable face."

"Director Yang Xiaobo, you, and Yang Bin, in just three or four months, have reimbursed over 300,000 yuan. The Education Bureau's public funds have become your private coffers. Yang Bin, just a driver, has reimbursed 60,000 to 70,000 yuan. Is this reasonable?"

Dong Xuexi said loudly, "Everyone, tell me honestly, is this reasonable?"

Wang Zhikai sneered inwardly. "Chen Shi, you've shot yourself in the foot and are reaping the consequences. You keep talking about democracy, haven't you? This is democracy. Let's see how you get out of office."

Li Zhe said in a deep voice, "Dong Xuexi, don't get agitated. Please sit down. Xiao Guang, you sit down too."

This is a democratic life meeting; everyone is welcome to express their thoughts, but they must not be emotional, let alone personal grudges or engage in personal attacks.

Ren Changlin, the head of the finance department, stood up: "Distinguished leaders and comrades, I must say a few words in response to Dong Xuexi's speech. Regarding the fact that the teachers' bonuses have been delayed for two months, it is because the financial bureau's allocation has not been approved. The financial allocation was approved this morning and will be paid out along with the teachers' salaries by June at the latest."

Regarding the reimbursement of Director Yang Xiaobo, Deputy Director Xiao Guang, and Yang Bin, it was all within reasonable limits. Everyone can check the accounts of the finance department; every reimbursement is clearly documented.

Our Education Bureau has never had a cadre activity center. For such a large unit as ours, spending over 500,000 yuan to build one is perfectly in accordance with regulations. The leaders of the Education Bureau have already been very frugal. Our colleagues shouldn't complain without reason.

Chen Shichao nodded to Ren Changlin: "Section Chief Ren, please sit down."

Chen Shi glanced at everyone and said solemnly, "As I have said before, everyone is welcome to express their thoughts, but they cannot bring their personal stances, much less engage in personal attacks or make irresponsible remarks at democratic life meetings. This is a sign of immaturity."

Dong Xuexi mustered his courage and voiced his dissatisfaction. Like a deflated balloon, he slumped into a chair, his eyes vacant and lifeless.

Chen Shi continued, "I have other matters to attend to. The democratic life meeting will continue. Director Yang, please take notes. Everyone should express their opinions on the issues raised by Comrade Dong Xuexi. Everyone should share their views."

After Chen Shi finished speaking, he stood up and left, and the meeting room fell silent.

Huang Ming broke the silence and said in a deep voice, "Director Chen has something to attend to, so let's continue the democratic life meeting. Everyone, please take turns and share your views on the questions raised by Comrade Dong Xuexi."

Inside the venue, the voices were overwhelmingly condemning Dong Xuexi.