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

Huang Kun put down his wine glass: "Director Chen, go up and sing two songs."

"Director Huang, I sang a song, would you like to sing one? I'll request a song for you."

Chen Shi used to request a song for Huang Kun. After Qin Xiaoming finished singing, he handed the microphone to Huang Kun.

Huang Kun said, "Secretary Liu hasn't sung yet tonight."

He handed the microphone to Liu Youguang: "Secretary Liu, please sing a song, and I'll request one for you."

Liu Youguang became interested and took the microphone: "It's been a long time since I sang, how about 'Ten Red Army Soldiers Sending Off'?"

Chen Shi quickly requested a song for Liu Youguang.

Liu Youguang sang a song in a loud and clear voice, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Xu Mei was the first to arrive, beaming with smiles: "Distinguished leaders, I'm late. I'll punish myself with three drinks."

Huang Kun smiled and said, "Director Xu, there's no need to punish yourself with three drinks. Let's toast to all the leaders instead."

Xu Mei, holding a wine glass, walked up to Liu Youguang with a big smile: "Secretary Liu, when I heard you went to the Education Bureau's cadre activity center to sing, I thought you were dissatisfied with our county party committee office's guesthouse. I was so scared that I rushed over."

Liu Youguang took the wine glass handed to him by Xu Mei: "Director Xu, your work is still quite commendable. Tonight you're here to inspect the Education Bureau's cadre activity center, and you'll also sing some songs to enrich your spiritual life."

Xu Mei chuckled sweetly, "If there are any shortcomings in my work, please give me your criticism and instructions, Secretary Liu."

The two clinked glasses; Xu Mei finished her drink in one gulp, while Liu Youguang only took a sip.

Xu Mei held her wine glass and toasted everyone without blushing or skipping a beat, finally toasting Chen Shi.

"Director Chen, let me toast you. The cadres of the Education Bureau are truly blessed; the activity center is beautifully decorated."

"The Education Bureau has never had an activity center for its staff. Besides being busy with work, everyone has nowhere to have fun. We need to improve their spiritual and cultural life as well as their material needs.

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Fang Min walked in, and Huang Kun called out, "Our singer is here! It's been so long since we've heard you sing, my ears are itching to hear you sing! Quickly, sing a song!"

Fang Min smiled and said, "If Director Huang wants to hear a song, then I'll make a fool of myself."

Huang Kun went to get the microphone and ran to select a song.

Fang Min took the microphone, sang a song, and then walked up to Liu Youguang: "Secretary, let's sing a song together."

Liu Youguang had the same idea, so he got up and sang a duet with Fang Min.

Chen Shi, holding a wine glass, sat down next to Zhang Xiangdong and said, "County Magistrate Zhang, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

"I drank too much tonight, I'll drink some more later."

Chen Shi drank half a glass and put it down: "County Chief Zhang, Secretary Liu has a very special feeling about Lao Huang. He's just a cook at the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse, with no special background."

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi as if he were a fool and slowly said, "You're saying someone close to a big leader doesn't have a background?"

Throughout history, those around high-ranking leaders have often influenced their decision-making.

The former provincial party secretary liked Old Huang's fish soup and often invited him to his home to cook it. Could Old Huang, who didn't trust the former party secretary, really invite Old Huang to his home? What if Old Huang poisoned the soup?

Chen Shi handed his wine glass to Zhang Xiangdong, and the two clinked glasses. Zhang Xiangdong drank half a glass and then said, "The former provincial party secretary was transferred to the central government. Although he is no longer in a powerful department, his influence is still there. If Secretary Liu can get in touch with the former provincial party secretary, it wouldn't be difficult to get a deputy director-level or even a powerful director-level position."

Liu Youguang is Wang Mingzhang's man. It seems he doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket and needs to prepare multiple options. The higher you go, the fiercer the competition becomes.

Zhang Xiangdong whispered, "When Lao Huang celebrated the National Day, the former provincial party secretary sent someone to pick him up and take him to Beijing to make fish soup."

Chen Shi nodded repeatedly, realizing Lao Huang's influence. Meng Bayi, the former provincial party secretary, served as the party secretary of Donghai Province for six years, and now many heads of powerful departments are his people. Xiao Chong, the party secretary of Mingzhou City, was promoted by him.

Last year, he was transferred to the central government at the vice-national level. Although he is not in a department with real power, his influence on Donghai Province is still significant.

Last year in Chunyang, Chen Shi launched a campaign to crack down on organized crime, which caused two major upheavals in the officialdom. It was only with Meng Bayi's approval that Xiao Chong supported Wang Mingzhang and sent the mayor to work on a sewing machine.

Wang Mingzhang was able to become mayor with the support of Meng Bayi.

Chen Shi's current rank is not high enough to reach Meng Bayi's level. If he maintains a good relationship with Lao Huang, he might be able to use him someday.

At this moment, Huang Xin walked in. She was always aloof, but seeing so many leaders present, she still managed a smile: "Hello, leaders, I'm late."

While chatting with Qin Xiaoming, Huang Kun called out, "Minister Huang, Director Xu is late. He's already toasted everyone; you can't be an exception."

He took a wine glass, filled it to the brim, and handed it to Huang Xin.

Huang Xin did not accept the wine glass: "Director Huang, I don't drink alcohol. I will offer tea instead to all the leaders."

"Minister Huang, this is beer. It won't make you drunk. If you do, we'll arrange for someone to take you home. Everyone's drinking tonight, so you can't be an exception."

Huang Kun had long coveted Huang Xin's hot figure, but hesitated to make a move because of her uncle Huang Ao.

Huang Xin is aloof and looks down on greasy middle-aged men like Huang Kun, so she often avoids him.

Huang Kun was attracted to Huang Xin, a mature and charming single woman. Every time he tried to get close to her, Huang Xin would avoid him from afar.

Qin Xiaoming walked over, smiling, and said, "Minister Huang, the beer is fine. Let's toast Secretary Huang and County Magistrate Zhang."

Qin Xiaoming saw that Huang Kun was trying to get Huang Xin drunk, and the two were at an impasse. Given Huang Xin's personality, she would not give Huang Kun face, and offending Huang Kun would not be a wise move.

Qin Xiaoming was able to become the Minister of Organization thanks to Huang Ao's efforts, so naturally he had to take good care of Huang Xin.

A woman being too beautiful is not a good thing; it easily attracts unwanted attention. Fortunately, the woman who is interested in him is Huang Kun, and he can help her deal with the situation.

If Liu Youguang takes a liking to Huang Xin, he can't help her at all; he can only ask her uncle Huang Ao to step in.

Seeing that his direct supervisor had spoken, Huang Xin took the wine glass handed to him by Huang Kun and walked towards Liu Youguang.

Qin Xiaoming's implication was that she should pay respects to the two main leaders, and not to the others.

Xu Mei stepped in to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "Director Huang, let me toast you. After you finish your drink, would you do me the honor of dancing for me?"

Huang Kun withdrew his gaze from Huang Xin: "You must drink the toast offered by Director Xu."

Xu Mei understands men well and is even more adept at social etiquette. She has no background; she is just a vocational school graduate. She became the manager of the guesthouse entirely through her own connections.

After finishing his drink, Huang Kun took Xu Mei's outstretched hand and went up to dance.

Chen Shi was unaware of what was happening here. He was whispering with Zhang Xiangdong when he saw Huang Xin come over to toast Zhang Xiangdong. The two exchanged a glance and quickly looked away.

Huang Xin said softly, "County Chief Zhang, let me toast you."

Zhang Xiangdong raised his glass: "Minister Huang, drink as much as you can, don't force yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, County Chief Zhang." Huang Xin picked up his wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, choked, and coughed repeatedly.

Chen Shi quickly stood up, took out a tissue, and handed it to Huang Xin: "Welcome, Minister Huang, to the Education Bureau's Cadre Activity Center for inspection."

Huang Xin hesitated for a moment, then took the tissue Chen Shi handed her and wiped her lips.