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

After a satisfying meal, Yang Xiaobo checked the time: "Old classmate, that's about enough. Go back and get some rest, and wait for the appointment documents to come down."

Dong Xuexi smiled and said, "Director Yang, I'll have to trouble you to take care of me in the future. I prepared some gifts for you and left them with Boss Feng."

Yang Xiaobo looked at Dong Xuexi and said, "If you had been this sensible earlier, you wouldn't have wasted so many years in the Party and Government Office."

But he said, "Old classmate, what are you doing? What kind of gift is this? Take it back. Do we need to exchange gifts?"

Dong Xuexi thought to himself, "Did you even bother with me before when I didn't give you gifts?"

With a forced smile, he said, "Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

"This is a one-time exception. You are not allowed to send them again, and I won't accept them even if you do."

Yang Xiaobo saw Dong Xuexi out, and Feng Yuan followed. Dong Xuexi smiled and said, "I've had some drinks, so I'll take a taxi home. I'll leave the car here for now and pick it up tomorrow morning."

Feng Yuan said, "Principal Dong, it's fine to park the car here. You can stay here for as long as you like. Please take care."

Dong Xuexi took a taxi and left.

Feng Yuan joked, "How come Dong Xuexi suddenly got it all and learned how to give gifts? Cousin, he gave you a gift, is it with me?"

Yang Xiaobo said, "People change. Without experiencing the harsh realities of society, one cannot achieve anything significant."

Feng Yuan went to get the gifts and escorted Yang Xiaobo home.

When Yang Xiaobo took the gift home and opened it, he found 50,000 yuan inside.

Yang Xiaobo's wife leaned over to take a look and asked, "Who sent the money?"

"you guess"

"How am I supposed to guess?"

"You would never guess that this money was given to you by Dong Xuexi."

Yang Xiaobo's wife was shocked: "He wouldn't be trying to harm you, would he? Dong Xuexi is so aloof, when did he learn to give money away? He doesn't get along with you, why would he give you money?"

Yang Xiaobo sat on the sofa, and his wife quickly went to make tea and brought it over.

Yang Xiaobo took a sip of tea and put down the teacup: "I don't have any major conflicts with Dong Xuexi. When we were in junior high school, he was the top student in the class, and his grades were much better than mine. When we took the high school entrance exam, there was a spot for a vocational school, which was originally his, but he gave it up and went to high school instead, so it was my turn."

He went to high school, got into a prestigious university, and was assigned to the Education Bureau.

I went to a vocational high school, taught in a rural primary school for a few years, studied on my own to get a junior college diploma, and passed the civil service exam for the education bureau, where I worked.

I excel at my job, while he only talks about principles and doesn't know how to be flexible, which makes him unpopular with the leadership. When he joined the Education Bureau, there weren't many undergraduates from prestigious universities. He was a key person the bureau was grooming, but he didn't know how to appreciate it and was marginalized by the leadership.

He always felt that he, a college graduate from a prestigious university, was not as good as me, a vocational school graduate. Working under me, he was constantly complaining and resentful, just like Xianglin's wife. Nobody in the bureau paid any attention to him.

Now that he's figured it out, accepted it, and realized his mistake, it's not too late. It's clear that Chen Shi still recognizes Dong Xuexi's abilities, and quickly promoted him to acting principal of the Laoyan Town Central School.

His wife said with a worried look, "Chen Shi's high regard for Dong Xuexi is not a good thing for you. Why did you recommend him to be the acting principal of Laoyan Town Central School?"

Yang Xiaobo sighed: "You think I wanted to? Chen Shi intended to promote Dong Xuexi. I was just stating his thoughts."

Leaders need to be capable of getting things done, and they also need to be understanding and considerate of people's needs; neither is dispensable.

Looking at the money in the gift, Yang Xiaobo knew what Dong Xuexi meant. He was trying to curry favor with him not so that he would help him, but so that he wouldn't cause trouble for him. After all, he was often around the leader, and it would be too easy for him to do something bad.

More importantly, Dong Xuexi wanted to tell Yang Xiaobo that they were all in the same boat. If I offered bribes and you accepted them, and something went wrong, no one would benefit.

Deep binding is the only way to lock down a relationship.

Two days later, Huang Ming came to Chen Shi's office: "Director Chen, there's something I'd like to report to you."

Chen Shi stood up to greet him: "Sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room, and Huang Ming said, "Director Chen, Zheng Yaoguang, the deputy head of the finance department, has been transferred to the personnel and teacher training department for some time now. The finance department is quite busy and is short of a deputy head. I think it's best to fill the vacancy as soon as possible so as not to affect the work of the finance department."

Chen Shi asked, "Director Huang, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

"Xu Qing from the Finance Department has been working there for four or five years. She is experienced and qualified, so it is quite appropriate for her to serve as the deputy head of the department."

Xu Qing took the route of the "wife" (referring to Zhao Yiman's wife). Her classmate was a friend of Zhao Yiman, and Xu Qing got in touch with Zhao Yiman and spoke well of her to Huang Ming.

Huang Ming observed Xu Qing for a period of time and found her to be conscientious and responsible in her work. He thought there were no problems with her as deputy section chief before he came to talk to Chen Shi about this matter.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "You are in charge of the finance department. We will hold a party committee meeting later to arrange this matter."

I also have something to discuss with you. Lei Liangping has been dismissed from his public office and expelled from the Party. Old Yanzhen is short a principal, and I'd like Dong Xuexi to take over as acting principal, observe him for a period, and then remove the "acting" designation.

Huang Ming nodded: "Comrade Dong Xuexi is quite capable. There's no problem with him serving as the acting principal of Laoyan Town Central School."

Chen Shi took out the materials Dong Xuexi had collected during his research in Fushan Town and handed them to Huang Ming: "Take a look at this. It's a report from Dong Xuexi on his research in 22 administrative villages in Fushan Town."

Huang Ming took a look and was shocked. This report was so comprehensive. How come he hadn't noticed it for so long? Dong Xuexi was a talented person.

"This report is excellent. Dong Xuexi, a cadre who gets things done, should be given an important position."

Chen Shi continued, "Let him go to Laoyan Town to conduct a pilot program. Education in Chunyang County must be addressed from the root. Adjustments to basic education are imperative. We cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach like other counties and send all students to towns and the county. We must consider the difficulties faced by left-behind children in accessing education. Dong Xuexi's research is very valuable."

Huang Ming said, "Let Dong Xuexi pilot the program in Laoyan Town first to see the results. If it works well, we'll promote it throughout the county."

After chatting for a while, Chen Shi called Yang Xiaobo to his office.

"Old Yang, go and inform Director Li that in ten minutes, we will convene a Party Committee meeting in the small conference room."

Yang Xiaobo went down to inform Li Zhe to start the Party Group meeting.

Ten minutes later, Chen Shi and Huang Ming entered the small conference room. Li Zhe was waiting inside. When he saw Chen Shi and Huang Ming come in, he stood up.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Director Li, please have a seat."

The three sat down, and Chen Shi solemnly said, "Today we are holding a Party Committee meeting to discuss personnel issues. Director Huang, what are your thoughts? Please share them."

Huang Ming said loudly, "The work of the Finance Department is quite complicated and there are many things to do. Comrade Zheng Yaoguang has been transferred to the Personnel and Faculty Department for some time, and there is a shortage of a deputy section chief. I propose that Comrade Xu Qing from the Finance Department take over the position."

Chen Shi looked at Li Zhe: "Director Li, what are your thoughts?"

Li Zhe said calmly, "I agree with Director Huang's suggestion. The Finance Department is short of a deputy section chief for a period of time, and we need to fill the vacancy promptly so as not to affect the work of the Finance Department. Comrade Xu Qing of the Finance Department has a positive work performance and a strong political ideology. Such an outstanding comrade should be promoted and given more important responsibilities."

Chen Shi then added, "I also agree with Director Huang's proposal to promote Comrade Xu Qing of the Finance Department to the position of Deputy Section Chief of the Finance Department."

Huang Ming said solemnly, "The Laoyan Town Central School is short of a principal, and we need to fill the position in time. I propose that Comrade Dong Xuexi serve as the acting principal of Laoyan Town, observe for a period of time, and then be officially appointed."

Li Zhe chimed in, "Director Huang's suggestion is excellent. Comrade Dong Xuexi is quite capable and a good comrade who gets things done. He should be promoted and given more important responsibilities."

Chen Shi nodded: "Comrade Dong Xuexi has done a lot of practical things since arriving in Fushan Town. There is no problem with promoting him to the acting principal of Laoyan Town Central School. We need pragmatic leaders."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo beside him: "Director Yang, go down and arrange for the issuance of appointment notices."