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

At 3 p.m., a meeting of the Party Committee of the Bureau was held. Chen Shi had communicated with Huang Ming and Li Zhe in advance, and it was just a formality.

Dong Xuexi was officially appointed as the principal of Laoyan Town Central School, while Diao Kuan retained his position as vice principal and was transferred to Lehei Primary School in Laoyan Town to serve concurrently as principal.

Comrade Gu Laixi was promoted to vice principal of Laoyan Town Central School.

Comrade Xu Mengmeng was promoted to vice principal of Fushan Town Central School, where she will preside over the pilot program for basic education.

Xu Mengmeng was overjoyed when she received the appointment notice from the Education Bureau. Before the matter was settled, she didn't tell anyone, including her younger brother Xu Mo.

She called Zhang Hu first, her voice trembling with excitement: "Zhang Hu, I have some great news for you! I've been officially appointed as the vice principal of Fushan Town Central School. From today onwards, I'm a leader too!"

Zhang Hu was also very happy: "Great! Let's invite Xiao Mo over tonight and have a couple of drinks to celebrate."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Mengmeng was still very excited and called Xu Mo: "Brother, come to my house for dinner tonight. I have some good news for you. I have been officially appointed as the vice principal of Fushan Town Central School. I will take office after the New Year."

"Sis, why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have contacted Director Chen and arranged for you to stay in the county town."

"There are no vacant leadership positions in the county. I don't want to trouble you. Your brother-in-law's relationship with Director Chen is even closer than yours. Going to Fushan Town is a good option. After working there for a few years and making achievements, even if you're not promoted, you can be transferred back to the county at the same level and still be in a leadership position."

Xu Mo felt that her sister was right; her relationship with Chen Shi was not as good as her brother-in-law's relationship with Chen Shi.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Mengmeng thought of Wang Yanhong, knowing that the two of them would soon be working together again, so she called Wang Yanhong.

"Bright Red"

"Mengmeng, I was just about to call you, but I'm so conflicted, I don't know what to do?"

Xu Mengmeng asked, "What happened?"

"That's a good thing. Principal Ding asked me and Teacher Zhao to attend the winter vacation training course organized by the Municipal Education Bureau. After the training, we will also go to the developed coastal provinces for study and inspection."

"Yan Hong, this is such a good thing, what are you still hesitating about? Hurry up and agree. This is a treatment that Principal Ding is giving you because of Chen Shi."

This is a rare opportunity. After the training, you'll have an advantage over others when applying for professional titles.

"Several teachers who are on good terms with me have told me privately that they want to go and have even given gifts to Principal Ding. If they find out that I'm going to the training, they will definitely talk about me behind my back and won't associate with me anymore."

Xu Mengmeng laughed in exasperation: "Yan Hong, why are you always thinking of others? There are only one or two spots available, and they're going to be fought over. Whoever gets them gets them. If they don't want to associate with you, so be it. Who do they think they are? Once you become a leader, everyone around you will be trying to curry favor with you."

"I'm not cut out to be a leader."

"Even if you don't become a leader, you still need to get promoted. Once you get promoted, the salary for the same job will be vastly different. Nobody complains about a higher salary."

Wang Yanhong thought about it and agreed. If they had this opportunity, they would definitely go for the training without hesitation, not for any other reason than to prepare for the professional title evaluation in the future.

"Mengmeng, I've decided to attend the training. I'm not going to dwell on it anymore. I'll just walk my own path and let others talk. No matter what I do, there will always be people talking badly about me behind my back."

Xu Mengmeng smiled broadly: "That's right, Yan Hong. I have some good news for you. I've been officially appointed as the vice principal of Fushan Town Central School. I'll take office after the New Year, and we can work together again."

Wang Yanhong was very happy: "Mengmeng, that's great! We can work together again. No, I should call you Principal Xu now."

The two of them burst into laughter.

When Diao Kuan received the transfer order from the Education Bureau, he was dumbfounded. He had never been to Lehei Elementary School. It was more than two hours away from the town, in an area inhabited by ethnic minorities. It was the most remote elementary school in Laoyan Town, and it was always ranked last. It was a desolate place. He was instantly exposed and angrily went to the door of Dong Xuexi's office and kicked the door open.

Dong Xuexi and Gu Laixi were discussing work when they were startled by a loud bang as the door opened, causing the teachers to peek out.

Enraged, Diao Kuan pointed at Dong Xuexi and shouted, "Dong Xuexi, who do you think you are? Back in the Party and Government Office, you weren't even worthy to carry my shoes!"

You are a despicable and shameless scoundrel, plotting and scheming against me behind my back.

"The bureau transferred me to Lehei Elementary School. Did you go to the bureau and complain to the leaders about me, distorting the truth and saying bad things about me?"

Dong Xuexi sneered inwardly. He knew fear was coming, and his impotent rage was ineffective. No matter how angry he was, it wouldn't solve anything.

He said coldly, "Diao Kuan, don't spout nonsense. Who reported you? This is a decision made by the bureau leaders. If you're so capable, go ask the leaders. Don't shout and disrupt the normal teaching order of the school."

Diao Kuan really wanted to beat Dong Xuexi up, but reason prevailed over impulse. Beating Dong Xuexi up wouldn't solve anything; instead, it would give Chen Shi leverage, and he might lose his job, let alone his leadership position.

I'll be patient for now, stay at Lehei Elementary School for a while, and then try to transfer back.

Suppressing his anger, he said, "Dong Xuexi, you're a despicable person. In front of everyone, do you dare to swear that you haven't spoken ill of me to the leaders?"

Dong Xuexi looked at Diao Kuan as if he were an idiot, and after a long while he coldly said, "If you have the ability, go find the leaders in the bureau. Don't take your anger out on me. Get out. Principal Gu and I still have to talk about work."

Gu Laixi chimed in, "Principal Diao, the decision to transfer you to Lehei Elementary School as a part-time principal was made by the bureau leaders. Why are you questioning Principal Dong? You are also a school leader. Shouting like this is not a good influence."

Diao Kuan pointed at Gu Laixi: "You're just a dog raised by Dong Xuexi, biting whoever he tells you to bite?"

Gu Laixi's face turned red, and his voice was low: "Diao Kuan, this is an insult to my character. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and no one has ever said this to me. I am going to call the leaders in the bureau and let them judge this matter."

Gu Laixi took out his phone and dialed Yang Xiaobo's number.

Diao Kuan then realized the seriousness of the situation and rushed forward, snatching Gu Laixi's phone. If this matter were reported to the bureau, he would definitely receive a reprimand.

He had no powerful backers in the bureau and was at Dong Xuexi's mercy.

Gu Laixi shouted, "Give me back my phone, or I'll call the police!"

Diao Kuan forced a smile: "Principal Gu, I was just joking with you, why are you angry?"

Gu Laixi's face darkened: "Who's joking with you? Give me back my phone. If you don't, I'll call the police right now."

Diao Kuan smiled apologetically: "Principal Gu, I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me. If you forgive me for not calling the bureau about this, I'll return your phone."

Gu Laixi looked at Dong Xuexi and asked for his opinion.

To establish his authority, Dong Xuexi said in a deep voice, "Principal Diao, you called Principal Gu a dog, which is extremely insulting. I have a solution for you. If you're both willing, then let's not take this to the bureau."

Diao Kuan wanted to slap himself a few times. Why was he so impulsive, handing over his weakness to Dong Xuexi and letting him control him?

With a smile on his face, he said, "Principal Dong, please speak."

Dong Xuexi said in a deep voice, "Principal Diao, you have insulted Principal Gu's character. This is a big problem, and you need to issue a written apology in front of all the faculty and staff of the school, sincerely apologize to Principal Gu, and ask for his forgiveness."

Gu Laixi added, "I need to see a sincere apology in your letter of apology. Otherwise, I will not forgive you. I will definitely ask the leaders in the bureau to judge this matter for me."

Having been put at the mercy of others, Diao Kuan had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Fine, I will write a letter of apology and sincerely apologize to Principal Gu in front of all the faculty and staff of the school."

Dong Xuexi sneered inwardly, "With your skills, you think you can fight me?"