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

Yang Xiaobo entered the private tea room: "Director Chen..."

Chen Shi said calmly, "Old Yang, have a seat."

Yang Xiaobo sat down, and Chen Shi poured him a cup of tea and handed him the report materials: "Take a look at this."

Yang Xiaobo's heart skipped a beat, thinking it was a report against him. But after taking a look, he relaxed and said angrily, "Who wrote this report? It's baseless! The first two points were already discussed at the democratic life meeting, and Section Chief Ren of the Finance Department also explained them. Yet someone still brings it up. They have ulterior motives."

Chen Shi lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "This is the report material Dong Xuexi sent. Old Yang, what do you think of the third point?"

He was involved in the first two cases and knew them perfectly well, but he knew nothing about the third case, the three bidding sections of Donghai Zhencheng Group.

Chen Shi asked himself what he meant. Did he have any dealings with Donghai Zhencheng Group, and was they trying to make him take the blame?

On second thought, Chen Shi had summoned him late at night because he considered him a confidant. If there were any transfer of benefits between him and Donghai Zhencheng Group, he wouldn't have let him know. Besides, there was no evidence in the report.

"The projects for the three key high schools were awarded through normal bidding. Donghai Zhencheng Group won the bids based on its strength. Some people, unable to win the bids, belittled themselves and spread rumors."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo: "Old Yang, someone asked Dong Xuexi to take this report to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and the County Commission for Discipline Inspection to file a formal complaint. I'd like to hear your opinion on how to handle this."

It is obvious that Dong Xuexi has sided with Wang Zhikai, and it was Wang Zhikai who instructed Dong Xuexi to file a formal complaint.

This report lacks concrete evidence and offers no real recourse against Chen Shi. Why would Wang Zhikai do such a thing?

Yang Xiaobo thought of the expert review panel of the Education Department. Dong Xuexi made a real-name report. Even without real evidence, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and the County Commission for Discipline Inspection would intervene in the investigation. If the expert review panel saw that the head of the Education Bureau was under investigation, regardless of whether it was true or not, they would not give Chunyang County a high score.

If the Education Department fails to secure the 1 billion yuan special funding for education projects, the construction of the three key high schools will be abandoned. If Chen Shi fails to complete the tasks assigned by Liu Youguang, he will lose Liu Youguang's trust, and the head of the Education Bureau will likely be replaced, giving Wang Zhikai an opportunity.

Thinking of this, Yang Xiaobo broke out in a cold sweat. If Wang Zhikai went on stage, he would be in big trouble.

After a moment's thought, Yang Xiaobo said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, you should personally deliver this report to the county discipline inspection commission. The county discipline inspection commission will conduct a secret routine inspection and will not spread the word. It will not affect the expert review panel."

If anyone later takes this same report to the municipal discipline inspection commission and files a formal complaint under their real name, the county discipline inspection commission will not intervene in the investigation; instead, it will inform the municipal discipline inspection commission of its findings.

Chen Shi lit another cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Old Yang, you should know who asked Dong Xuexi to file a formal complaint against me."

Yang Xiaobo then said, "Wang Zhikai."

Chen Shi nodded: "That's right, it's Wang Zhikai. Apart from him, no one in the Education Bureau has the guts to go against me."

Chen Shi took a few puffs of his cigarette and put it out: "Your suggestion is good, but it's not perfect."

Chen Shi checked the time: 12:30 a.m.

"Take this report, make several copies, and place them in a place where everyone at the Education Bureau can see them, away from surveillance cameras."

Yang Xiaobo finally understood what Chen Shi meant. The report materials, which were distributed everywhere in the Education Bureau like illicit pornographic material, completely changed the nature of the matter.

Even if Chen Shi really had some kind of illicit relationship with Donghai Zhencheng Group, the county discipline inspection commission would still protect Chen Shi.

The disciplinary committee's investigation of officials is decided by the leadership. Who is investigated and who is not cannot be forced through such tactics.

Where is the leader's authority placed?

"Director Chen, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Chen Shi said calmly, "Take a taxi to handle it, and have Yang Bin take you. It will be easy to find the license plate number."

Yang Xiaobo nodded: "Don't worry, Director Chen, I understand."

After Yang Xiaobo left, Chen Shi sat for more than ten minutes before returning to the Education Bureau's staff quarters.

As soon as Chen Shi arrived at his office in the morning, Li Zhe stormed in, holding the complaint materials, and said angrily, "Director Chen, look at this! This is outrageous! Someone has scattered these complaint materials throughout the Education Bureau like flyers."

Chen Shi pretended not to know anything, took the report materials and looked at them, his face darkened: "The materials used to report me are just like handing out flyers."

Li Zhe said angrily, "Yes, some people like to engage in conspiracies and tricks, trying to force the Discipline Inspection Commission to investigate in this way. The three things that were reported against you are all fabricated. The first two points have already been discussed at the democratic life meeting, and everyone agreed that it is necessary for the Education Bureau to build a cadre activity center."

Does the third point, being baseless, automatically constitute spreading rumors? These days, if you're a leader and want to get things done, there are always people gossiping behind your back.

Huang Ming rushed into the office with the complaint materials in his hand. Li Zhe asked, "Director Huang, you've seen the complaint materials too?"

Seeing that Chen Shi was holding the report materials, Huang Ming knew he was a step too late and grunted in response.

He had to show his stance, and angrily said, "Director Chen, these people are making trouble behind the scenes. We must call the police, find the people who distributed the whistleblower materials, and bring them to justice."

Yang Xiaobo, carrying the complaint materials, walked into the office with a furious expression. Seeing Huang Ming and Li Zhe there, and Chen Shi still holding the complaint materials, he said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, Director Huang, Director Li, someone is distributing complaint materials in the Education Bureau. Many people have seen it. I'm asking the leaders of each department to collect the complaint materials."

After Yang Xiaobo finished speaking, he stood aside, waiting for his superiors' decision.

Chen Shi glanced at the group of people. No one suggested involving the Discipline Inspection Commission. They were worried that he might have some connection with Donghai Zhencheng Group. If the Discipline Inspection Commission found anything, wouldn't that play right into the hands of the person who distributed the whistleblower materials?

Chen Shi put down the report materials and said calmly, "True gold fears no fire. This matter has already spread throughout the bureau, and many comrades have seen it. There is no need for us to cover it up. Let the Discipline Inspection Commission intervene directly and investigate the three points in the report thoroughly."

Only conclusions drawn by the disciplinary committee can convince everyone.

Huang Ming and Li Zhe exchanged a glance, surprised that Chen Shi dared to stand up to them.

Chen Shi picked up the landline and called the Discipline Inspection Commission.

At this moment, Wang Zhikai walked in with the report materials. He saw Huang Ming and Li Zhe were both there. Chen Shi was on the phone, looking furious. He had to act, so that Chen Shi wouldn't realize that he was the one behind it all.

The phone rang for a few seconds before being answered.

Chen Shi said with a relaxed expression, "I am Chen Shi, the director of the Education Bureau. I'm looking for Secretary Ma."

"Hello Director Chen, this is Ma Chunlan."

"Secretary Ma, I have something to report to you. This morning, someone distributed materials at the Education Bureau accusing me. I request that Secretary Ma send someone to investigate and clear my name."

This was the first time Ma Chunlan had ever seen anything like this. Someone was distributing the whistleblower materials as leaflets everywhere, causing extremely negative consequences.

"Director Chen, I've personally led a team to the Education Bureau to handle this matter."

After hanging up the phone, Ma Chunlan was confident that Chen Shi's willingness to make the call meant he could withstand scrutiny.