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

Xu Mei approached Huang Kun and said, "Director Huang, what are you looking at so intently?"

Huang Kun quickly looked away from Huang Xin and Chen Shi. Xu Mei poured a glass of wine and handed it to Huang Kun: "Director Huang, let's have a drink."

Huang Kun took the wine glass handed to him by Xu Mei, the two clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.

Xu Mei put down her wine glass and said softly, "Director Huang, don't be greedy. When it comes to love, if you don't like someone at first sight, it's hard to like them later."

Huang Kun ignored Xu Mei and turned to chat with Liu Youguang.

You won't turn back until you hit a brick wall. Everyone says women are love-struck, but when men get love-struck, women have nothing to do with it.

Xu Mei walked over to Qin Xiaoming and said, "Minister Qin, instead of singing, let's dance."

Xu Mei is quite good-looking, with delicate features; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to rise from a temporary worker to the director of the county committee's guesthouse.

Qin Xiaoming smiled, reached out his hand, took Xu Mei's hand, and went up to the stage to dance.

Chen Shi was covered in sweat after jumping off the stage. He picked up a bottle of mineral water and drank half of it.

He picked up a bottle of mineral water from the side and handed it to Huang Xin: "Minister Huang, have some water."

I'm not thirsty.

Chen Shi didn't tolerate Huang Xin's behavior. He thought, "You just need to sleep. You'll behave after a good night's sleep." He then turned to chat with Zhang Xiangdong.

Chen Shi sat down next to Zhang Xiangdong. Zhang Xiangdong handed him a glass of wine, which Chen Shi quickly accepted. Zhang Xiangdong picked up his glass, and the two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhang Xiangdong put down his wine glass: "You better not make a mistake with a woman. There are a lot of people watching you. Don't give your political enemies a chance."

"Zhang County Chief, I have no personal dealings with Minister Huang. Young people, it's fine to hang out together when we meet."

Zhang Xiangdong said earnestly, "Your current position is hard-earned; you worked your ass off to achieve it. But losing it is very simple. Just give your opponent one chance, and they can bring you back to square one."

Chen Shi nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, Magistrate Zhang. I will keep it in mind."

Liu Youguang walked over with a big smile: "Xiao Chen, go up and sing. The song you sang earlier was pretty good."

Chen Shi stood up: "Secretary, tonight I'm a singer, I'm going to sing my heart out."

When Yang Xiaobo saw that Chen Shi wanted to sing, he quickly handed over the microphone and asked Chen Shi to sing a few songs that he usually practiced.

Huang Xin sat below, listening to Chen Shi sing up above, somewhat captivated by the music. She was certain that she had feelings for Chen Shi.

Seeing his chance, Huang Kun walked up to Huang Xin, smiled, and said, "Minister Huang, let's go dance."

"I'm tired from dancing, I need to rest for a bit."

Huang Kun was surprised that Huang Xin refused outright, but still smiled as he poured himself a glass of wine and handed it to Huang Xin, saying, "I'd like to toast Minister Huang."

Huang Xin said coldly, "Director Huang, I don't drink."

Huang Kun took back his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Huang Xin felt a physical aversion to Huang Kun, so she stood up and went to toast Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong.

Fang Min sat down next to Huang Kun and said, "Director Huang, if this isn't your type, don't force yourself. You'll end up with nothing. I'll introduce you to two beautiful female teachers."

Huang Kun glanced at Fang Min. He knew that Fang Min's appointment as deputy director of the county party committee office was partly due to Huang Kun's efforts.

"Director Fang, let's go dance."

"Okay," Fang Min reached out her hand, but Huang Kun grabbed it. If it weren't for Liu Youguang's interest, he would have slept with this charming young woman long ago.

Chen Shi sang five songs in one go, his throat parched. Liu Youguang clapped and said, "Not bad, you sang well. It's obvious you've practiced a lot in private."

Liu Youguang looked at Zhang Xiangdong: "Xiangdong, go up and sing two songs. Every time you come, don't just sit there. You're busy with work, so when you have free time, you should have some fun and enrich your cultural life."

Liu Youguang personally selected two songs for Zhang Xiangdong, and Chen Shi handed him the microphone.

Zhang Xiangdong smiled, took the microphone, and walked onto the stage: "I'll make a fool of myself and sing two songs for you."

Liu Youguang shouted, "Sing a couple more songs!"

Seeing that Liu Youguang had some free time, Fang Min said to Huang Kun, "Secretary Liu hasn't sung yet, Director Huang, let's move over here and I'll go invite Secretary Liu to sing."

Huang Kun smiled and said, "Accompanying Secretary Liu is more important, you go."

Qin Xiaoming and Xu Mei came downstairs. Qin Xiaoming sat down next to Huang Xin and said, "Minister Huang, don't sit there. Go up and sing with County Chief Zhang."

"I'm not a good singer, but I'm okay at playing the piano."

Qin Xiaoming looked at the piano on the stage: "If there's a piano, go up and play a piece."

Huang Xin went up and played the piano to accompany him. The music was melodious, and Chen Shi was so engrossed in it that he played very well.

Qin Xiaoming sat down next to Chen Shi, poured him a glass of wine, and handed it to him, saying, "Director Chen, let's have a drink."

Chen Shi then came to his senses and quickly took the wine glass: "Minister Qin, County Chief Zhang's singing is truly beautiful, I was completely captivated."

"Zhang County's voice is similar to Secretary Liu's; it's very magnetic."

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

Qin Xiaoming asked, "Director Chen, your Education Bureau is short of a deputy director. Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

When it came to personnel appointments and removals, Chen Shi became cautious: "Minister Qin, Wang Zhikai has not yet been convicted, and his deputy director position has not yet been dismissed. Isn't it a bit premature to recommend him now?"

Qin Xiaoming smiled and said, "Many people are eyeing this position. Director Chen should prepare early. Wang Zhikai will soon be dismissed, expelled from the Party, and handed over to the judicial authorities for trial."

"Thank you for the reminder, Minister Qin."

Chen Shi thought to himself, "If a deputy director is brought in who is one of Zhang Kaizhi's men, things will get complicated."

If one deputy director falls from power, it's his problem. But if one deputy director after another falls from power, it's your problem as the top leader; you can't control the overall situation.

The newly appointed deputy director must be someone from our own circle.

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo, who was serving the leader. Yang Xiaobo did not have a strong background, but he was qualified enough. He was most suitable to be promoted to deputy director. He could only rely on himself and would not have any disloyal intentions.

"Minister Qin, I will come down and give this matter careful consideration. I will report back to you in a couple of days."

"Director Chen, no rush. Take your time to investigate. Let me know when you find a suitable candidate."

Zhang Kaizhi is already trying to win over Ma Guanghui, the vice principal of Shangying Town Central School, by recommending him for the position of deputy director.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Xiaoming reported it to Liu Youguang, who then instructed Qin Xiaoming, the deputy director of the Education Bureau, to seek Chen Shi's opinion.

He understood Liu Youguang's meaning: whoever Chen Shi recommended, he would recommend to the organization.

With Hu Hai's downfall, Liu Youguang had absolute say in the Standing Committee meetings, and whatever he did, County Magistrate Zhang Xiangdong gave him his full support.

Chen Shi fell into deep thought. There was no one more suitable than Yang Xiaobo. It was time to have a talk with him.

After Liu Youguang got tired of dancing, he looked at Huang Xin and said, "Minister Huang, you play the piano very well, and Xiang Dong sings well. Why don't you play a duet together?"

Xu Mei smiled and said, "Minister Huang is a man of great talent. His piano skills are unmatched in Chunyang."

Liu Youguang smiled and said, "Director Xu, you haven't sung yet tonight. Go up and sing a duet with Xiang Dong."

When Liu Youguang spoke, Xu Mei, with a smile on her face, took the microphone and walked up.