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

After the Lantern Festival, Liu Youguang chaired a Standing Committee meeting to make work arrangements for 2013. The last item on the agenda was personnel appointments and removals.

All other personnel appointments and removals were approved unanimously.

Qin Xiaoming solemnly said, "The Education Bureau is very busy and is short of a deputy director. We need to fill the vacancy promptly. The Organization Department has examined several suitable candidates, including Yang Xiaobo. Yang Xiaobo has many years of experience in the Education Bureau, is highly principled and has passed the Organization Department's evaluation. I propose that Yang Xiaobo, the director of the Party and Government Office of the Education Bureau, be promoted to the position of deputy director of the Education Bureau."

The other members of the Standing Committee knew very well that Qin Xiaoming's proposal was actually Liu Youguang's proposal, and no one would be foolish enough to stand up and oppose it.

At the Standing Committee meeting, Zhang Kaizhi, as the deputy secretary in charge of organization, had not yet exercised his power.

"Minister Qin, Comrade Ma Guanghui, the vice principal of Shangying Town Central School, is a more suitable candidate for the position of deputy director of the Education Bureau than Comrade Yang Xiaobo. I propose that Comrade Ma Guanghui be promoted to the position of deputy director of the Education Bureau."

This is the first time in over a year that someone has stood up against Liu Youguang's promotion; it's a provocation.

The other Standing Committee members all looked at Ma Chunlan. Ma Guanghui was her cousin, and Zhang Kaizhi had stood up to support Ma Guanghui. Ma Chunlan must have known this, and she would definitely support him as well.

With the addition of the propaganda minister, there are only three votes, which is not enough to change the situation. Everyone is guessing that Ma Chunlan has always been cautious and prudent, which is not her usual style of doing things.

For the sake of his nephew, it would be unwise to side with Zhang Kaizhi and stand against Liu Youguang, the top leader.

Liu Youguang glanced at Ma Chunlan, who was already prepared and remained calm and composed.

Zhang Kaizhi thought to himself, "I don't believe that you, Ma Chunlan, would support your own cousin Yang Xiaobo in order to curry favor with Liu Youguang."

Liu Youguang said in a deep voice, "Does anyone have any objections to the selection of the deputy director of the Education Bureau?"

Everyone shook their heads. Liu Youguang continued, "The Organization Department proposed that Comrade Yang Xiaobo, Director of the Party and Government Office of the Education Bureau, take over as Deputy Director of the Education Bureau. Secretary Zhang proposed that Comrade Ma Guanghui, Vice Principal of Shangying Town Central School of the Education Bureau, take over as Deputy Director of the Education Bureau."

If people have different opinions, they can vote by raising their hands. The Standing Committee is very democratic.

Liu Youguang glanced at Zhang Kaizhi: "Those who agree with Comrade Yang Xiaobo and wish to take over as deputy director of the Education Bureau, please raise your hands."

Qin Xiaoming was the first to raise his hand, followed by Zhang Xiangdong, and then the other standing committee members.

Liu Youguang also raised his hand: "I also agree with the Organization Department's proposal to promote Comrade Yang Xiaobo to succeed as the director of the Education Bureau."

The head of the propaganda department glanced at Zhang Kaizhi and then raised his hand as well.

Only Zhang Kaizhi and Ma Chunlan did not raise their hands.

Seeing this, Zhang Kaizhi realized his goal had been achieved and successfully dragged Ma Chunlan into the mess.

Ma Chunlan looked at Liu Youguang and said, "Secretary Liu, I abstain from voting. I do not support Comrade Yang Xiaobo or Comrade Ma Guanghui to take over as deputy director of the Education Bureau."

Liu Youguang could understand Ma Chunlan's actions. After all, Ma Guanghui was his cousin, and he didn't support anyone. He told the members of the Standing Committee that he had not sided with Zhang Kaizhi.

Zhang Kaizhi's plan failed. Unexpectedly, Ma Chunlan abstained from voting, keeping her own position and abandoning her cousin Ma Guanghui.

Zhang Kaizhi is just a clown now, performing a one-man show, and Liu Youguang can't be bothered with him.

He said in a deep voice, "The decision to promote Comrade Yang Xiaobo to the position of Deputy Director of the Education Bureau was passed by nine votes in favor, one vote against, and one abstention. The Organization Department has officially issued the appointment document."

Yang Xiaobo took over as deputy director of the Education Bureau. The appointment document was sent to Chen Shi by the Organization Department, and Chen Shi called Yang Xiaobo to his office.

Yang Xiaobo was delighted to learn that his appointment had been approved at the Standing Committee meeting and went to Chen Shi's office.

"Director Chen, you wanted to see me?"

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

The two sat down in the reception room, and Chen Shi handed Yang Xiaobo the appointment document from the Organization Department.

"Old Yang, your appointment has been approved. We are officially informing you that you are being appointed as the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau."

Yang Xiaobo accepted the appointment document with both hands and quickly said, "Thank you for your guidance, Director Chen."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Director Yang."

Yang Xiaobo humbly said, "Director Chen, I will always be your subordinate and strictly follow your instructions."

Chen Shi said, "Your work arrangement is to first take over the department under Wang Zhikai's supervision. I think you can concurrently serve in the Party and Government Office for a period of time. We will make further arrangements when a suitable candidate is found."

Yang Xiaobo took out his notebook and wrote it down.

"Go and inform Director Huang and Director Li that we will be holding a Party Committee meeting to make arrangements for your responsibilities."

Yang Xiaobo quickly agreed and went down to inform Huang Ming and Li Zhe.

Chen Shi arrived at the conference room, where Huang Ming, Li Zhe, and Yang Xiaobo had all arrived earlier.

Chen Shi sat down: "After the Spring Festival, at the first Party Group meeting of the Bureau, an appointment was announced. Comrade Yang Xiaobo was officially appointed as the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau. The appointment document from the Organization Department has been sent to me, and I will announce the appointment."

The departments he oversaw were the Vocational and Adult Education Department, the Safety Management Office, and the Physical Education, Health and Arts Department. The Educational Technology Equipment Station, which was under the jurisdiction of Director Li, was also overseen by Director Yang.

This year, Director Huang's work focus is on the construction of three key high schools. Director Huang is in charge of the basic education section, which is now under the responsibility of Director Li. The pilot program for basic education is the top priority this year, and Director Li is in charge of overseeing it.

Laoyan Town and Fushan Town, as pilot areas for basic education, must set an example. Anyone who dares to obstruct the pilot program for basic education will be dismissed from their post.

Chen Shi glanced at the three men, all of whom were writing down the departments they were in charge of in their notebooks.

"Today is February 5th. At 3 PM on February 7th, we will hold an expanded meeting of the Education Bureau. All attendees will be members of the secondary leadership team, principals of central schools in various townships, and principals of No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 Middle Schools. We will arrange the Education Bureau's work plan for 2013."

Chen Shi looked at Yang Xiaobo: "Director of the Party and Government Office will be temporarily held by Director Yang. We will make arrangements later when a suitable candidate is found."

Director Yang's formal appointment was announced at the enlarged meeting.

After the meeting, Yang Xiaobo went to the Party and Government Office. Xiao Guang, who had already heard the news, greeted him with a smile: "Director Yang, has your appointment been officially approved?"

Yang Xiaobo had waited for many years and finally got promoted to deputy section chief. He was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Director Chen convened a meeting of the Party Committee of the Bureau to inform the organization of my appointment. The appointment document has been issued. On February 7, an enlarged meeting was held, at which the appointment was officially announced."

Xiao Guang smiled broadly: "Congratulations, Director Yang. Tonight, all the staff in the Party and Government Office will treat you to dinner to celebrate."

The others came over to congratulate Yang Xiaobo.

Yang Xiaobo said, "We'll have lunch in a couple of days; I've been quite busy lately. Director Xiao, please go down and arrange for the attendees to be notified. This meeting is very important; the Party and Government Office must handle the meeting arrangements meticulously."

Xiao Guang quickly agreed, thinking to himself that Yang Xiaobo's promotion to deputy director and the vacancy of the Party and Government Office director position meant his opportunity had arrived.