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

After leaving Zhang Xiangdong's office, Chen Shi called Zhang Song, and the call was quickly answered.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Secretary Zhang, is County Magistrate Gao free? I'd like to come and report to him."

"Director Chen, please wait a moment while I check the work arrangements for Gao County."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Song went to Gao Rong's office.

"County Chief Gao, Chen Shi is calling to report to you on his work."

Gao Rong said coldly, "He wants to report to me. Tell him to come over tomorrow morning. I'm not someone he can just see whenever he wants."

Zhang Song said yes, and walked out of the office to call Chen Shi.

Upon seeing the call from Zhang Song, Chen Shi quickly answered, "Secretary Zhang."

"Director Chen, my schedule in Gao County is very full, and I can't make it today. I'll ask you to come tomorrow morning."

"Okay," Chen Shi hung up the phone. He could only come over tomorrow morning, or he could choose not to come at all. Gao Rong had no way to deal with Chen Shi.

Chen Shi could ignore his supervisor, but the necessary procedures still had to be followed.

Chen Shi returned to his office, his phone rang, and when he took it out, he saw that it was Xu Ping'an calling.

Chen Shi answered the phone: "I'm safe."

"Director Chen, do you have any plans for tonight? Everyone's missing you and wants to grab a couple of drinks with you."

For a while, Chen Shi hadn't drunk with Xu Ping'an, Zhang Hu, Wang Haiyang, Wang Tao, Li Li, and Liu Feng.

"It's been a long time since I've had a drink with you guys. Where should we drink?"

Qingcheng Hotel

I'll come over after get off work.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi got busy with work. After get off work, he asked Yang Bin to take him to Qingcheng Hotel.

As soon as Chen Shi's car stopped, Zhang Hu ran over with a grin and opened the car door.

Chen Shi got out of the car and patted Zhang Hu on the shoulder: "You're a good criminal investigation captain. You've gotten a tan, which means you're not sitting in the office giving orders, but going to the front lines to investigate cases."

Xu Pingan walked over: "Captain Zhang has been very busy this year. We often don't see him. He solved a case that had been sitting unsolved for several years. Last time I went to the Municipal Bureau for a meeting, Director Zhao specifically praised Captain Zhang."

Chen Shi smiled broadly: "Well done, you didn't embarrass me. You made the best use of your talents. If you want to solve cases, the Criminal Investigation Brigade has plenty of cases for you to solve."

Zhang Hu smiled and said, "Director Chen, I am a soldier you trained. A strong general has no weak soldiers under his command. I will never let you down."

Wang Haiyang, Wang Tao, and Li Li walked over, and Chen Shi shook hands with them and greeted them.

Chen Shi asked, "Didn't Liu Feng come?"

Wang Haiyang said, "Secretary Liu is now Secretary Liu's chief secretary. He often has to accompany the leader, and he hasn't had time to attend several gatherings. Today, he accompanied Secretary Liu to a meeting in Mingzhou, so he didn't have time to drink with us again."

Chen Shi then remembered that Liu Youguang was going to a meeting in Mingzhou.

When the group arrived at the private room, Xu Ping'an asked Chen Shi to sit in the main seat, while he sat on the left to accompany him.

As they ate and chatted, Chen Shi went to the Education Bureau. It had been a long time since they had all gathered together for drinks. Xu Ping'an and the others still respected Chen Shi. They all knew that Chen Shi had gained Liu Youguang's favor and his position would rise higher and higher. Xu Ping'an was better off; his uncle was the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and he had found a girlfriend. His future father-in-law was Fu Changshan, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Mingzhou Municipal Party Committee. He would definitely be able to give him a hand in his career.

The others, lacking connections, could only cling to Chen Shi. Since Chen Shi was working at the Education Bureau, they now relied on Xu Ping'an; if they wanted to advance their careers, they still had to depend on Chen Shi.

They had a great time drinking, and it lasted for more than three hours before they finally parted ways.

Chen Shi returned home drunk, hugged the toilet, and vomited violently. Yang Bin bought some hangover soup for Chen Shi to drink, then helped Chen Shi to his room to rest. He changed Chen Shi's soiled clothes and put them in the washing machine to wash them. Yang Bin also washed the clothes that Chen Shi hadn't washed before.

He endured the stench, cleaned the bathroom thoroughly, and slept on the sofa at night, afraid that Chen Shi would need care if he woke up in the middle of the night.

Chen Shi didn't get up until after eight o'clock. Yang Bin got up, went to buy breakfast, and came back.

Chen Shi asked, "Yang Bin, you didn't go home last night."

"Director Chen, I see you've had quite a bit to drink, so I'll stay and take care of you."

Chen Shi was very satisfied with Yang Bin when he saw the clothes drying on the balcony.

"Yang Bin, I'm giving you half a day off. Go back and rest. I'll call you if anything comes up tonight."

"Thank you, Director Chen."

"Go back," Chen Shi said, washing up before heading to his office.

Liu Youguang went to Mingzhou and attended a two-day meeting. When he returned, he asked Liu Feng to call Chen Shi and invite him to Lao Huang's farmhouse for fish soup.

Chen Shi's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Liu Feng calling. He quickly answered the phone.

"Secretary Liu"

"Director Chen, Secretary Liu invites you to Old Huang's farmhouse for fish soup tonight."

"Who else did you call?"

"Zhang County, Minister Qin, Director Huang."

"Okay," he said, hanging up the phone. Only after he completed his task would Liu Youguang call him for dinner.

Those who could have meals with Liu Youguang were all his confidants.

After get off work, Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to take him to Lao Huang's farmhouse. Chen Shi was the lowest-ranking person at the gathering, so he had to be the first to arrive and wait.

When Old Huang saw Chen Shi arrive, he quickly came to greet him: "Director Chen, you've arrived, please come in."

"Secretary Liu is coming tonight too, I'll wait for him here."

Liu Feng had called earlier to ask Lao Huang to reserve a private room. Lao Huang assumed Chen Shi was coming alone and waited outside with Chen Shi.

After waiting for a while, Huang Kun's car arrived. The car stopped, and Chen Shi went up and opened the car door for Huang Kun.

Huang Kun got out of the car with a big smile on his face: "Director Chen, you've arrived quite early."

"Director Huang, I just arrived too."

Huang Kun stood with Chen Shi at the door, waiting for Liu Youguang.

Qin Xiaoming's car drove in, and Lao Huang rushed ahead to open the car door for Qin Xiaoming.

Qin Xiaoming got out of the car and shook hands with Huang Kun and Chen Shi to say hello.

Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong's cars drove in together, and Huang Kun jogged forward to open the car door for Liu Youguang.

Chen Shi went forward and opened the car door for Zhang Xiangdong.

Zhang Xiangdong got out of the car and said with a smile, "No need to wait outside. If you all stand outside, no one will dare to come to eat."

Liu Youguang said, "Yes, everyone should stay outside and not interfere with Lao Huang's business."

Old Huang chuckled and said, "Secretary, County Chief Zhang, it's like you leaders are giving me a free 'GG' (a euphemism for sexual enhancement) by coming to my restaurant. Everyone likes to eat here. Tonight, I'll treat you all to a few drinks."

Liu Youguang said, "Old Huang, you're running a small business, so we won't take advantage of you. We'll charge you the price you owe us. Just thinking about your fish soup makes my mouth water."

Old Huang quickly said, "Secretary, I've prepared the fish soup for you, it'll be served right away."

Old Huang led the group to the private room. Liu Youguang sat in the main seat, while Chen Shi, who held the lowest rank, sat at the end.

The fish soup was served quickly. Chen Shi stood up and served soup to Liu Youguang, then to Zhang Xiangdong, Qin Xiaoming, and Huang Kun, before finally serving himself.

Old Huang brought over three bottles of good wine, opened them, poured wine for Liu Youguang and the others, and finally poured himself a glass.

"Distinguished leaders, I'd like to propose a toast to you all."

Liu Youguang raised his glass, and the others followed suit, clinking glasses with Lao Huang.

Old Huang finished his drink in one gulp, Liu Youguang downed his in one go, and the others followed suit.

Liu Youguang smiled and said, "Old Huang, you don't need to worry about us. Go and do your work. When you finish the fish soup, bring us another bowl."

"Secretary, you can drink as many bowls as you want tonight, I'll save them for you."