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

Ma Xudong is an academic by training, the vice dean of the School of Literature at Donghai Normal University, a senior professor in the School of Literature, and an expert in basic education.

Ma Xudong was appointed as the head of the second judging panel. He was recommended by Zhao Ji, who had spoken with him once and mentioned Chunyang County.

Of the nine counties, Zhao Ji only mentioned Chunyang County. Clearly, Zhao Ji wanted to invest the special education funds in Chunyang County.

Seeing that Chen Shi wasn't making empty promises but instead offering solutions based on reality, Ma Xudong realized that Chen Shi had no money and that they had to take it one step at a time.

After the symposium, Yang Xiaobo arranged for lunch at a four-star hotel in Chunyang County.

Chen Shi and other leaders from the Education Bureau accompanied the expert review panel to the four-star hotel.

As soon as the expert review panel's car stopped, Yang Xiaobo, who was already waiting at the door, quickly went forward and opened the car door.

The car carrying Chen Shi and other education bureau leaders pulled up behind them. Chen Shi got out of his car, strode forward, and said with a smile, "Experts, please come in."

Chen Shi, accompanied by three deputy directors, led Ma Xudong and his party of four into the hotel and into a private room.

When Ma Xudong saw the fine wine on the table, his face darkened: "Director Chen, isn't your Education Bureau short of funds? How can you afford to drink such good wine?"

The poorer the place, the more they care about appearances. They try to save money wherever possible; these few bottles of wine are probably enough for a teacher's annual salary.

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo, who immediately asked the waiter to change the wine.

He served as the director of the Party and government office for many years and was very professional in handling receptions. If you didn't serve good wine, the leader would feel that you didn't value him. Only by serving good wine could he demonstrate his art of speaking and show his integrity.

The wine that was brought out cost several hundred yuan a bottle. Ma Xudong said, "The Education Bureau is short of funds, so we can save a considerable amount of money on hospitality."

Chen Shi repeatedly said yes.

After dinner, Ma Xudong and his three companions returned to their hotel to rest. In the afternoon, they were to attend a symposium at the county government, which would be attended by the county's main leaders.

At 3 p.m., a symposium was held at the county government, chaired by County Mayor Zhang Xiangdong, and attended by key county leaders including County Party Secretary Liu Youguang.

Chen Shi, as the director of the Education Bureau, attended the symposium.

The meeting lasted for two hours. Ma Xudong was satisfied that the county leaders attached great importance to education.

The county's main leaders dined with the expert review panel at a banquet. The next morning, the expert review panel left Chunyang County and returned to Yizhou.

After the expert review panel left, Chen Shi relaxed completely. He had done everything he needed to do and was now waiting for the results.

The phone rang, and Chen Shi picked it up to see that it was Jiang Yiqiu calling.

Yi Qiu

"Honey, has the expert judging panel left?"

"Gone."

"We can relax a bit. We've been busy with the admissions process for a while now, and it's finally over. Here's some good news: the minimum admission score for No. 1 High School this year is 579, and two-thirds of the students scored above 600."

"Very good, it's several tens of points higher than the minimum admission score set by the Education Bureau."

Let's get together tonight and celebrate.

Chen Shi thought for a moment, realizing he didn't have any important social engagements that evening: "Okay."

"I'll drive here, so I don't need your driver to take me. It'll be more convenient for us that way."

Chen Shi also felt that Yang Bin should be given a few days off. He had worked hard these past few days, following the expert review panel.

"it is good"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi called Yang Bin.

Yang Bin saw that it was Chen Shi calling and quickly answered the phone.

Director Chen

"Yang Bin, you've worked hard these past few days. I'm giving you two days off. Go home and spend some time with your wife and kids. Go home now."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Chen. This is my job, it's not hard work."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Bin was very excited. He finally had two days off and could take his wife and children out for some fun.

The leader's driver has a very relaxed job, but he is on call 24 hours a day. He can come whenever the leader calls, no matter when.

After get off work, Chen Shi walked out of the office building, and Jiang Yiqiu drove into the Education Bureau to wait for him.

Chen Shi walked over, and Jiang Yiqiu took Chen Shi's hand: "Honey, what do you want to eat tonight? It's on me."

A female cadre from the Education Bureau, who was leaving get off work, saw Jiang Yiqiu holding Chen Shi's hand and felt envious, jealous, and resentful. Looking at her own appearance, she realized that she was indeed not as outstanding as Jiang Yiqiu, which made her feel a little better.

Chen Shi said softly, "You're familiar with the county town, so you decide what to eat."

"Do you want to eat beef? There's a beef hot pot restaurant that's really good. It's very popular and has been open for over ten years. When I was in high school, my classmates and I would go there once a month."

Chen Shi got into the car: "Let's go get some beef."

Chen Shi drove to the Rolling Pot Beef Restaurant, guided by Jiang Yiqiu. The restaurant was bustling with business; the three-story building was packed with people.

There were still customers waiting outside.

Chen Shi got out of the car: "So many people."

Jiang Yiqiu said, "We don't need to wait; we booked a private room in advance."

Jiang Yiqiu took Chen Shi's hand and, led by a waiter, went to a private room.

Jiang Yiqiu asked, "Honey, would you like a drink?"

"I don't drink, I have to drive later."

Jiang Yiqiu was in a good mood: "I won't drink baijiu, I'll have a bottle of ice-cold beer with you."

Chen Shi ordered two bottles of beer from the waiter.

This hot pot beef was delicious; Chen Shi ate six plates of beef by himself.

Jiang Yiqiu asked, "Want more?"

Chen Shi patted his stomach: "That's enough, I'll be stuffed if I eat any more."

Jiang Yiqiu picked up his beer glass: "Let's have a drink."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I drank both bottles of beer; you didn't even finish one."

"I don't drink, but I'm happy tonight, so I'll have a drink with you."

Chen Shi remembered that Shen Xiaorong had asked him to talk to Jiang Yiqiu about the bet last time, and asked, "Did Shen Xiaorong get into No. 1 Middle School?"

"We have an agreement. She also served as the admissions consultant for No. 1 Middle School this year. This girl is quite amazing. She recruited more than 50 students with scores above 600 and received a bonus of more than 20,000 yuan."

She also demands a 100,000 yuan appearance fee, showing she knows how to secure her own maximum benefit.

"Top students are just different; they can do anything very well."

Jiang Yiqiu saw the admiration for Shen Xiaorong on Chen Shi's face and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking about her?"

"This kind of academic star must stay in Chunyang. As the bureau chief, I still need her to achieve political achievements."

Chen Shi looked at Jiang Yiqiu: "Don't restrict this kind of academic genius. No. 1 High School should give her absolute freedom."

Jiang Yiqiu nodded: "The bet with her is still valid. At No. 1 Middle School, she can do whatever she wants."

In the teachers' apartment, she was given a private dormitory. There were eleven classes in the first year of high school, and she could decide which class she wanted to go to.

The homeroom teachers of these eleven classes almost came to blows over her.

Chen Shi asked, "Doesn't No. 1 Middle School have elite classes?"

"In the first semester of the first year of high school, we do not create honors classes. Instead, we do so in the second semester. This way, the top students are selected more accurately."

Jiang Yiqiu glanced at his watch: "Let's go see a movie. It's been a long time since we've been out and about."

Chen Shi grinned mischievously: "Tonight is my time, it's yours. You can do whatever you want with it."

Jiang Yiqiu's cheeks flushed.