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

Chen Shi and Jiang Yiqiu returned to the No. 1 Middle School teachers' apartment. Jiang Yiqiu showed no signs of anything unusual, just like before, which put Chen Shi's mind at ease.

The next day, Chen Shi returned to work at the Education Bureau and called Huang Ming to his office.

Huang Ming walked into Chen Shi's office, and Chen Shi stood up to greet him.

"Director Huang, please have a seat."

The two sat down in the reception room, and Chen Shi poured Huang Ming a cup of tea.

"Director Huang, No. 1 Middle School is short of a vice principal. Do you have any suitable candidates?"

Huang Ming thought to himself that Yang Xiong had mentioned recommending Jiang Yiqiu to take over as the vice principal of No. 1 Middle School. Jiang Yiqiu was Chen Shi's girlfriend, so he wouldn't object and would do Jiang Yiqiu a favor by promoting him.

"Director Chen, I think Jiang Yiqiu, the director of teaching at No. 1 Middle School, is more suitable. Last year, the admission score line set by the supermarket bureau for No. 1 Middle School was several tens of points, which was all thanks to Jiang Yiqiu."

Chen Shi said, "We'll be holding a Party Committee meeting later. You can bring it up, and we'll discuss the candidate."

Huang Ming took out his notebook and wrote it down.

Chen Shi looked at Huang Ming: "The construction progress of the three key high schools must keep up so as not to affect the start of school for new students in September."

"Don't worry, Director Chen. The overall framework is now complete, and we can start interior decoration in April. It won't affect the start of the school year in September."

Chen Shi trusted Huang Ming's abilities.

Huang Ming then said, "Director Chen, there's something else I wanted to report to you. It's just ahead. The first batch of funding for the Education Department's special education fund project has arrived, amounting to 300 million yuan."

Chen Shi was overjoyed: "That's wonderful!"

Huang Ming continued, "Donghai Zhencheng Group has requested payment of half of the project funds. Please advise, Director Chen, whether to grant their request."

"Did Wan Xirong mention this to you?"

"No, it was their project manager who suggested it."

"No rush, let's wait for Wan Xirong to bring it up before making arrangements."

Chen Shi wanted Wan Xirong to owe him a favor, but he wouldn't pay a single penny of the project funds unless Wan Xirong offered to do so.

Huang Ming said with a worried look, "If I don't agree to their application, I'm afraid it will affect the construction progress."

"Director Huang, don't worry about that. We'll stick to the contract. Once it's signed, it's not just a piece of paper. If they deliberately delay the construction, we'll follow the contract and not pay them a single penny. We'll find a few more renovation companies and get the work done."

Chen Shi looked at Huang Ming: "How much money is left in the Education Bureau's account?"

Huang Ming took out his notebook and glanced at it: "Mingzhou No. 1 Middle School has 100 million yuan, the Municipal Education Bureau has 200 million yuan, and the Municipal Finance Bureau has 100 million yuan. They have been deposited into the bank and are earning interest. I dare not touch them. In addition, there is 300 million yuan from the first batch of funding for the special education fund support project, which brings the total to 700 million yuan."

Last year, the Finance Bureau allocated 500 million yuan, of which more than 20 million yuan was spent. Now, the project funds for the three key high schools amount to 11.8 billion yuan.

Half of the project funds have been paid; over 100 million is still short.

Chen Shi lit a cigarette and took a puff: "When the time comes, have the Finance Bureau allocate more than 100 million yuan in advance."

Chen Shi called Yang Xiaobo to inform Li Zhe that the Party Group meeting was about to begin.

Li Zhe and Yang Xiaobo were chatting when they saw Chen Shi and Huang Ming walk into the conference room. The two of them quickly sat down.

Chen Shi sat down and solemnly said, "Let's convene a meeting of the Party Committee of the Bureau. First, you can talk about the work situation under your respective responsibilities."

Huang Ming reported on the construction progress of three key high schools, while Li Zhe reported on the progress of the pilot program for basic education.

"Director Chen, the basic education pilot project in Laoyan Town, which centrally allocated funds for running primary schools, was solved by Dong Xuexi mobilizing local coal mine owners to donate money to build schools."

However, Fushan Town doesn't have many coal mine owners, so it's impossible to secure sponsorships. After calculation, the budget for establishing a centralized primary school in Fushan Town is 20 million yuan. The Fushan Town Central School applied to the Education Bureau for funding for this project.

Chen Shi said in a deep voice, "Director Li, every administrative village in Fushan Town has a primary school. After the centralized schooling, the other primary schools will be closed. The closed primary schools are fixed assets, so we can put them up for auction and raise a few million yuan. It shouldn't be a big problem. The Education Bureau will allocate funds to them for the remaining amount."

Li Zhe wrote in his notebook: "Qinghe Village Primary School will finish renovations in April and will open normally in September."

Qinghe Village Primary School, covering four administrative villages, is a pioneer in basic education pilot programs. Fushan Town Central School will build several other primary schools on the same scale as Qinghe Village Primary School.

Chen Shi said solemnly, "Qinghe Village Primary School has relatively high standards. The construction of other primary schools should be carried out at a lower standard. The Education Bureau does not have enough money to allocate to Fushan Town Central School."

Li Zhe quickly jotted down in his notebook: "Director Chen, I'll go down and arrange for the Fushan Town Central School to be redesigned and the plan submitted."

Yang Xiaobo reported on the work he was in charge of. He was not in charge of the core work of the Education Bureau; it was all trivial matters.

The last item on the agenda was personnel appointments and removals.

Huang Ming said solemnly, "No. 1 Middle School is short of a vice principal. Principal Yang recommended Jiang Yiqiu, the director of teaching affairs. I agree with Principal Yang's recommendation. Comrade Jiang Yiqiu has done a commendable job and is a good comrade who is pragmatic and capable. Such a comrade should be promoted and given important responsibilities."

Li Zhe and Yang Xiaobo exchanged a glance. Jiang Yiqiu was Chen Shi's girlfriend, so they quickly expressed their support for Yang Xiong's recommendation.

Chen Shi said in a deep voice, "Everyone agrees. I need to avoid suspicion, after all, Comrade Jiang Yiqiu is my girlfriend. Director Huang is fully responsible for this matter."

Huang Ming raised his voice and said, "Everyone agrees to promote Comrade Jiang Yiqiu to the position of vice principal of No. 1 Middle School. Director Yang, go down and issue the announcement of the appointment and removal."

"Yes," Yang Xiaobo wrote down in his notebook.

Upon seeing the Education Bureau's announcement of appointments and removals, Yang Xiong immediately called Jiang Yiqiu and asked her to come to his office.

Jiang Yiqiu walked into Yang Xiong's office with a smile: "Principal, you wanted to see me?"

"Sit down, I have some good news for you."

Jiang Yiqiu sat down, and Yang Xiong poured her a cup of tea.

"Director Jiang, congratulations! Just ahead, the Education Bureau has released a public notice regarding the appointment and removal of cadres, and you have been promoted to take over as the vice principal of No. 1 Middle School."

"Thank you for your guidance, Principal." Jiang Yiqiu was overjoyed. She had finally become the vice principal, something she had waited for for so long.

Yang Xiong smiled and said, "Principal Jiang, you are the youngest vice principal since the school was founded. The burden on your shoulders will be heavier. I have high hopes for you."

Jiang Yiqiu quickly said, "Principal, I will follow your lead and obey your instructions. I will strictly follow your orders."

Yang Xiong was very satisfied with Jiang Yiqiu's performance. She did not act arrogantly just because she was Chen Shi's girlfriend, and she showed great respect to him, the principal.

"Principal Jiang, I want to discuss something with you. You've been promoted to vice principal, and I'd like Tian Guangliang to take over the vacant position of director of studies."

Comrade Tian Guangliang has made mistakes, and we should give him a chance to correct them. His work ability is still strong, and our school is in dire need of capable people. We shouldn't negate a good comrade because of one mistake.

Jiang Yiqiu knew that Tian Guangliang was Yang Xiong's lackey. Leaders needed people like that around them. Who wouldn't want someone like that by their side who would do whatever they were told, more obedient than a dog?

"Principal, I also think we should give Tian Guangliang a chance to make amends and promote him to take over as the Dean of Students. I fully support that."

Yang Xiong nodded in satisfaction. Jiang Yiqiu was very sensible and a talented person.

Jiang Yiqiu left Yang Xiong's office and met Tian Guangliang in the corridor. The news of Jiang Yiqiu taking over as vice principal spread quickly throughout the school.

Tian Guangliang smiled broadly: "Principal Jiang..."

Jiang Yiqiu smiled and said, "Director Tian, ​​do your job well in the future and don't let me down."

Tian Guangliang was overjoyed. His dean of students, Yang Xiong, had spoken to Jiang Yiqiu, and she had not objected.

He quickly replied, "Principal Jiang, from now on I will be your soldier and will strictly follow your instructions."

Jiang Yiqiu smiled and nodded, then quickly left.

Tian Guangliang watched Jiang Yiqiu's departing figure. This woman is not simple. I used to be her boss, and now she is my boss. What goes around comes around. When will it be my turn to be her boss?