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

Old Huang drank three cups of wine with Liu Youguang and the others before leaving the private room.

Chen Shi and his group of five drank three bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor). Chen Shi was already slightly drunk; he had drunk the most that night.

Liu Youguang said, "Xiao Chen's work at the Education Bureau is remarkable. He secured a special education funding project from the Provincial Department of Education, which is of great significance to education in Chunyang County."

The economic backwardness of Chunyang County is mainly due to a lack of talent. Where does talent come from? Of course, from education.

Improving the teaching quality in Chunyang County is the top priority. Closing the three township high schools and concentrating them in the county seat is the first step in improving teaching quality. The Education Bureau has been working on this for ten years without success, but Xiao Chen accomplished it in less than a year after joining the Education Bureau.

Our cadres must be bold in their thinking and actions, and be able to accomplish tasks that others cannot. You should all learn from Xiao Chen in this regard.

Zhang Xiangdong chimed in, "Xiao Chen is a cadre who gets things done. Chunyang County needs cadres like him. Let's all raise a glass to Xiao Chen."

Chen Shi was flattered and quickly stood up: "Secretary Liu, County Chief Zhang, Minister Qin, Director Huang, I was able to secure the education special fund support project from the Department of Education without your strong support. I was just following the instructions of Secretary Liu and County Chief Zhang. I would like to toast all the leaders."

Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong stood up, and Qin Xiaoming and Huang Kun quickly stood up and clinked glasses with Chen Shi.

The group drank it all in one gulp.

After chatting for a few minutes, Huang Kun said, "Secretary Liu, that's enough for tonight. Let's go sing karaoke."

Qin Xiaoming chimed in, "It's been so long since I sang; my throat's itching to sing."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Let's go sing karaoke at our cadre activity center tonight. We've renovated some KTV rooms there. Secretary Liu, go check them out tonight."

Liu Youguang said, "Our cadres, in addition to doing their jobs well, must also keep up with spiritual civilization. The cadre activity center can be a place for them to relax during their free time. Tonight, we'll go to the Education Bureau's cadre activity center to sing."

Liu Youguang spoke, and the others echoed his words.

After leaving Lao Huang's farmhouse, the group headed to the Education Bureau's cadre activity center. Chen Shi got into the car and called Yang Xiaobo.

"Old Yang, go to the cadre activity center right now to prepare. Secretary Liu, County Chief Zhang, Minister Qin, and Director Huang are coming to sing."

Yang Xiaobo, who was lying on the sofa, was so frightened that he quickly stood up.

"Okay, Director Chen, I'll be right there."

His wife asked, "Where are we going this time?"

"Secretary Liu and other leaders are coming to the Education Bureau's cadre activity center to sing karaoke, and I need to go and receive them."

As Yang Xiaobo put on his clothes, he walked outside and called Xiao Guang.

The call was answered quickly: "Director Yang."

"Director Xiao, quickly notify the people in the Party and Government Office to come back and work overtime. Secretary Liu and several other county leaders are coming to the Cadre Activity Center to sing karaoke. We need to be prepared to receive them."

Xiao Guang had just returned from drinking outside. He took off his shoes and quickly put them back on, thinking this was an opportunity to get closer to his superiors.

"Director Yang, I'll arrange it right away."

Xiao Guang notified three young people to come and work overtime, but he completely ignored the two bosses' stools. He might only get one chance in his lifetime to show his face like this.

They weren't staff members of the county party committee office or the government office, so they could see leaders frequently. Ordinary staff members from other bureaus might never see Liu Youguang even once in their entire lives.

Liu Youguang's car drove into the Education Bureau, where Yang Xiaobo, along with Xiao Guang and a few others, stood at the entrance to greet him.

As soon as the car stopped, Yang Xiaobo strode forward and opened the car door.

Liu Youguang got out of the car. Yang Xiaobo was meeting Liu Youguang for the first time and was very excited. He quickly introduced himself and said, "Secretary Liu, I am Yang Xiaoguang, the director of the Party and Government Office of the Education Bureau. Director Chen asked us to pick you up here."

Liu Youguang nodded to Yang Xiaobo, and the other leaders' cars stopped as well. Xiao Guang quickly stepped forward, opened the car door for Zhang Xiangdong, and said with a smile, "County Chief Zhang, I am Xiao Guang, the deputy director of the Party and Government Office. Director Chen asked us to pick you up here."

Chen Shi got out of the car and quickly stepped forward: "Distinguished leaders, please."

The group arrived at the cadre activity center. Liu Youguang inspected the equipment and asked, "Director Chen, how much did the cadre activity center cost?"

"More than half a million."

Huang Kun chimed in, "Not bad, over 500,000 yuan, and it's done like this, very good."

Chen Shi handed the microphone to Liu Youguang: "Secretary, please test the sound quality."

Liu Youguang didn't take the microphone: "Sing a song first, I've never seen you sing before."

Chen Shi was prepared. Liu Youguang liked to sing classic revolutionary songs, so he asked Yang Xiaobo to select "The Waves of Honghu Lake." He sang it many times and sang it loudly.

After the song was finished, Liu Youguang led the applause and exclaimed, "Well sung, good sound quality!"

Seeing that there were no female comrades, Huang Kun said to Qin Xiaoming, "Minister Qin, call over the beautiful head of your organization department to sing. It's more interesting to sing with a mix of men and women. I'll call Director Xu over."

Qin Xiaoming said, "I called Minister Huang, but I don't know if it's convenient for her."

Huang Kun said with a grin, "It's definitely convenient with Secretary Liu here."

Qin Xiaoming went out and called Huang Xin. It took him more than ten seconds for the call to be answered.

"Minister, I just finished showering. It's so late, is there something you need?"

"Minister Huang, Secretary Liu is inspecting the Education Bureau's cadre activity center. Come over here, let's sing with Secretary Liu."

Huang Xin hesitated for three seconds, then said, "Okay, Minister, I'll change my clothes and come over."

"I'll call the driver to come pick you up."

Meanwhile, Huang Kun called Xu Mei.

"Director Xu, come over here quickly, Secretary Liu is singing at the Education Bureau's cadre activity center tonight."

Xu Mei was somewhat surprised. She usually sang at the county party committee office guesthouse, so why did she go to the education bureau cadre activity center tonight? Was she dissatisfied with the guesthouse?

"Director Huang, did Secretary Liu say anything? Is there anything wrong with our work at the guesthouse? Please criticize and correct us."

"Don't overthink it, come over quickly. Tonight, Director Chen has invited Secretary Liu to inspect the Education Bureau's cadre activity center."

Xu Mei breathed a sigh of relief. Subordinates are most afraid of their leaders being dissatisfied with their work, especially leaders who hold great power. A single word from them can determine your fate for life.

After hanging up the phone, Huang Kun called Fang Min.

The call was answered quickly: "Director Fang, are you asleep?"

"Director Huang, is there something you need?"

"Secretary Liu was inspecting the Education Bureau's cadre activity center, so I came over to sing with him."

"Weren't you always at the county government office guesthouse? Why did you go to the education bureau tonight?"

"Director Chen had dinner with Secretary Liu and invited Secretary Liu to inspect the Education Bureau's cadre activity center."

"Director Huang, I'm coming right now."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Kun walked into the cadre activity center. Qin Xiaoming was singing, and the table was full of snacks, beer, drinks, and mineral water.

What is Liu Youguang saying to Zhang Xiangdong?

Chen Shi, holding two glasses of wine, called out, "Director Huang, let's have a drink."

Huang Kun took the wine glass from Chen Shi, clinked glasses with Chen Shi, and the two drank it down in one gulp.