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

Chen Shi convened an expanded meeting of the Education Bureau, attended by members of the secondary leadership team, principals of central schools in various townships, and principals of four high schools.

The meeting began with the formal appointment of Yang Xiaobo as deputy director. The next step was to outline the Education Bureau's work plan for 2013, the first item being the pilot program for basic education, to be implemented in Fushan Town and Laoyan Town.

The pilot program for basic education was a top priority for the Education Bureau in 2013, and it was overseen by Deputy Director Li Zhe.

The second item is the construction of three key high schools. Deputy Director Huang Ming is in charge of overseeing the project and ensuring the construction progress so that new students can enroll in September.

The meeting lasted for more than three hours before it adjourned.

After the meeting, everyone greeted Yang Xiaobo and congratulated him on taking over as deputy director.

Several principals from central schools who were on good terms with Yang Xiaobo invited him to dinner that evening to celebrate.

Yang Xiaobo was in a good mood and accepted their invitation.

When Chen Shi arrived at the office the next day, he saw that Yang Xiaobo was cleaning his office as before, doing it himself.

Chen Shi was very satisfied; his composure and humility were basic qualities of a leader.

After cleaning the office, Yang Xiaobo, seeing that Chen Shi had no further instructions, returned to his own office. Just as he sat down, Xiao Guang walked in, beaming, and said, "Director Yang."

Yang Xiaobo said, "Director Xiao, please have a seat."

Xiao Guang sat down: "Director Yang, we'll arrange for a separate office to be renovated for you."

Yang Xiaobo looked at Xiao Guang. He was satisfied with Xiao Guang; he was good at handling things, knew the rules, and most importantly, could understand the leader's intentions, which was very important.

"I'll work in the office for now. Director Chen asked me to serve as the director of the Party and Government Office for a period of time. We'll make further arrangements once a suitable candidate is found."

Yang Xiaobo's meaning was clear: he would serve as the director of the Party and Government Office for one day and work here.

Xiao Guang quickly said, "Director Yang, the comrades in the Party and Government Office all hope that you can stay and preside over the work. We can't do without you. Without your leadership, we feel empty inside, like we have no soul."

"I will serve in this position for a period of time, but it is impossible for me to serve indefinitely. There is no precedent for this. Once Director Chen finds a suitable candidate, he will arrange for me to take over."

I'm currently in charge of four departments, and I'm very busy. Director Xiao, you'll have to shoulder a heavy responsibility in the Party and Government Office.

Xiao Guang was waiting for these words: "Director Yang, tidy up Director Chen's office. I'll do it from now on. You're the director now, and you're very busy. Let me share some of the workload with you."

Yang Xiaobo knew what Xiao Guang wanted to do: clean up Chen Shi's office so he could see Chen Shi every day, perform well in front of the leaders, and if he performed well, Chen Shi would be satisfied and he would be promoted to director of the Party and Government Office.

As long as I am the director of the Party and Government Office, you can forget about trying to impress Chen Shi by bypassing your rank.

"It's my job as the director of the Party and Government Office to tidy up Director Chen's office. I'm very busy, but I can't completely ignore the work of the Party and Government Office. I will gradually hand over some tasks to you so that you can take care of them."

Xiao Guang smiled obsequiously. Yang Xiaobo was reminding him not to think that just because he had become the deputy director, he was now the director of the Party and Government Office. The director of the Party and Government Office was still Yang Xiaobo. He was to do his job as a deputy. Without his arrangement, he could not do anything.

"Director Yang, I will follow your instructions in all the work of the Party and Government Office. Just tell me what to do, and I will carry it out strictly."

Yang Xiaobo smiled and said, "At least you know the rules."

Chen Shi was in his office, looking at a document issued by the Education Department, when his phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Xu Mo calling.

"Xu Mi"

"Director Chen, County Chief Zhang requests that you come to the government office now."

Chen Shi asked, "Secretary Xu, did County Chief Zhang say anything?"

"Zhang didn't say anything, he only asked you to come, so it shouldn't be anything serious. Zhang seems to be in a good mood today."

As long as he was in a good mood, Chen Shi hung up the phone and immediately asked Yang Bin to take him to the government office.

Chen Shi arrived at the government office, Zhang Xiangdong's office.

"Zhang County Magistrate, you were looking for me?"

Zhang Xiangdong stood up: "Sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room, and Zhang Xiangdong said, "The Provincial Party School is enrolling a batch of graduate students this year, and our county has two spots. I talked to Secretary Liu about it, and I'd like you to go to the Provincial Party School for graduate studies."

This was so sudden; I wasn't prepared at all.

Chen Shi didn't want to pursue graduate studies. By the time he returned, it was uncertain whether Liu Youguang and Zhang Xiangdong, the two main county leaders, would still be in the county.

Without the support of leaders, it is difficult to carry out work, and without achievements, it is difficult to be promoted and given important responsibilities.

Within the system, things change every year. I wonder what it will be like when I graduate with a master's degree in two years.

"In Zhang County, the funding issues for the three key high schools have not been fully resolved. If I go on to pursue graduate studies, it will affect the construction progress."

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi: "Don't worry, no one will steal your achievements. You're going to graduate school, but that doesn't mean you'll be attending Party School classes every day. You'll still be responsible for the work at the Education Bureau. It'll be a little tough, but it's only a little over three hours from Chunyang to Yizhou."

Going to the Party School for postgraduate studies is a part-time postgraduate program, not a full-time one. You attend classes when there are classes, and return to work when there are no classes.

"In the future, when promoting young cadres, academic qualifications will be very important; at least a master's degree is required. With only a bachelor's degree, it won't be enough to advance your career."

Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief. He was so scared! If only they had explained things earlier, he wouldn't have worried so much.

"Thank you, Magistrate Zhang. When should I register?"

"Go tomorrow. The county party committee office will give you a letter of introduction. Register first. School won't start until March."

Chen Shi asked, "There's still one spot left. Who should go?"

"Secretary-General Huang called Secretary Liu and asked him to send his niece, and Secretary Liu agreed."

Huang Xin also went to graduate school, so now she has company.

"Okay, I'll register tomorrow."

Xu Mo walked in: "County Chief Zhang, is lunch to be delivered to your office?"

"Let's eat lunch in the cafeteria," Zhang Xiangdong said, checking the time; it was lunchtime.

Chen Shi followed Zhang Xiangdong and ate in the government office canteen.

After finishing his meal and sitting for a while, Chen Shi went to the county party committee office, Huang Kun's office, to wait for work in the afternoon.

"Director Huang"

Huang Kun stood up to greet him: "Director Chen, please have a seat."

The two sat down in the reception room, and Chen Shi said, "Director Huang, the Provincial Party School is recruiting graduate students this year, and County Chief Zhang wants me to study there. Could you please ask the County Party Committee Office to issue me a letter of introduction?"

Huang Kun smiled and said, "Secretary Liu has already given the instructions. I'll get the letter of introduction for you now. You need to register at the Provincial Party School tomorrow."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Thank you, Director Huang."

Huang Kun went to get a letter of introduction, and soon it was ready. He then took it to Liu Youguang for his signature.

Huang Kun opened two envelopes together, and Huang Xin's envelope was also opened. He would personally deliver it to Huang Xin later.

Chen Shi left with the letter of introduction. Huang Kun went to Huang Xin's office in the Organization Department, pushed open the door, and said with a smile, "Minister Huang, I've brought you the letter of introduction from the County Party Committee Office for your postgraduate studies at the Provincial Party School."

Huang Xin didn't even glance at Huang Kun, and said calmly, "Thank you, Director Huang."

He accepted the letter of introduction from Huang Kun with both hands, showing no intention of asking Huang Kun to stay.

Huang Kun smiled and said, "Minister Huang, I brought you a letter of introduction, but you didn't even invite me to sit down."

Huang Xin remained calm: "Director Huang, we have a meeting later, and I need to organize the meeting materials. Please have a seat next time."

Huang Kun had no choice but to leave, feeling very unhappy. "Huang Xin, I'm going to get you into bed and make you beg for mercy."

He coveted Huang Xin's beauty.