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

Chen Shi left Liu Youguang's office and went to Liu Feng's office.

Liu Feng quickly stood up to greet him: "Director Chen, please sit down."

Chen Shi sat down, and Liu Feng poured him a cup of tea.

Chen Shi looked at Liu Feng: "I reported to Secretary Liu earlier, and from what he said, Fang Min will be transferred soon, leaving a vacancy for deputy director. You should be prepared."

Liu Feng had waited far too long for this deputy director position, and now that the opportunity had arrived, he was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, Director Chen."

"This matter cannot be made public. Just keep it to yourself and focus on your work in front of Secretary Liu."

Chen Shi guessed that after this incident, Liu Youguang would not keep Fang Min by his side. She was too conspicuous, and if she were used by his political enemies, Liu Youguang's career would probably come to an end.

When it comes to his future, Liu Youguang would not hesitate to transfer Fang Min away from the county party committee office.

Tell Liu Feng in advance so that he knows his importance in front of Liu Youguang; what others may not know, he knows.

Liu Feng said in a low voice, "Don't worry, Director Chen, I won't utter a single word."

Chen Shi chatted with Liu Feng for a few minutes before leaving the county party committee office.

Back at the Education Bureau, Yang Xiaobo went into his office.

"Director Chen, the issue of Yang Bin's staffing has been resolved. The personnel bureau called to say that my application for hiring him has been approved."

In response to the call from the Central Military Commission, the Education Bureau is arranging suitable positions for veterans. The Bureau is recruiting one veteran, requiring prior experience in education and a work certificate from the Education Bureau.

This position was tailor-made for Yang Bin. Chen Shi said, "Great. Tell Yang Bin to pay attention to the recruitment information released by the Personnel Bureau and apply in time."

Yang Xiaobo returned to his office and called Yang Bin over.

Yang Bin walked into the office with a broad smile: "Director Yang, you wanted to see me?"

"Yang Bin, please sit down."

Yang Xiaobo poured Yang Bin a cup of tea: "Director Chen asked me to arrange a position for you. I submitted a staffing application to the Personnel Bureau. The Education Bureau responded to the call of the Central Military Commission and offered some positions to veterans."

The employment application has been approved. You recently noticed the recruitment information released by the personnel bureau, which requires veterans, those with work experience in the education bureau, and proof of employment from the education bureau.

I will control the number of applicants. Go and prepare well.

Yang Bin was overjoyed to be able to secure a permanent position and quickly said, "Thank you for your guidance, Director Yang. I will work hard and serve you well."

"No need to thank me. This was arranged by Director Chen. The Personnel Bureau was able to approve it because of Director Chen."

Yang Xiaobo chatted with Yang Bin for a few minutes, and then Yang Bin left the office.

Xiao Guang had arrived earlier and, seeing someone in Yang Xiaobo's office, waited. He waited a few minutes after Yang Bin came out before entering the office.

"Director Yang"

"Old Xiao is here, please have a seat."

Xiao Guang sat down: "Director Yang, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to Hejia Courtyard for a couple of drinks."

Yang Xiaobo knew what Xiao Guang wanted to do: he coveted the position of director of the Party and Government Office. He didn't have any important social engagements tonight: "Okay, you make the arrangements tonight."

"Okay, thank you, Director Yang."

After getting off work, Xiao Guang arrived at the Hejia Courtyard early to wait for Yang Xiaobo.

Seeing Xiao Guang standing at the door, Feng Yuan quickly walked over and said, "Director Xiao, are you waiting for someone?"

"I invited Director Yang to dinner and waited for him at the door."

With Yang Xiaobo becoming deputy director, Feng Yuan's business has become even more booming, and a branch store is already preparing to open.

He took out a cigarette and handed it to Xiao Guang: "Director Xiao, I'll keep an eye on it for you. I'll let you know in advance that my cousin is coming."

Xiao Guang took the cigarette, and Feng Yuan took out a lighter and lit it for Xiao Guang.

Xiao Guang took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke: "It's alright, I'll wait at the door."

A moment later, Yang Xiaobo's car pulled up. As soon as the car stopped, Xiao Guang strode forward, opened the car door, and greeted him with a broad smile: "Director Yang."

Yang Xiaobo got out of the car: "Director Xiao, why are you waiting outside? I'll go up by myself when I arrive."

"Director Yang, it is my honor to have waited for you."

Feng Yuan came over to greet him: "Cousin."

The three entered the private room, with Yang Xiaobo taking the seat of honor and Xiao Guang arranging for the waiters to serve the dishes.

Feng Yuan opened the wine bottle, poured wine for Yang Xiaobo and Xiao Guang, and also gave them two of the restaurant's signature dishes as a gift.

Feng Yuan drank two glasses with the two of them before leaving the private room.

As they ate and chatted, Xiao Guang said, "Dong Xuexi is really amazing. He doesn't speak up until he makes a name for himself. In less than a year, he was promoted two ranks and became the principal of Laoyan Town Central School. He also put the pilot project for basic education in Laoyan Town."

He lowered his voice: "Director Yang, why did Director Chen suddenly promote Dong Xuexi?"

"Dong Xuexi is my old classmate. He is capable. He didn't quite get it before, but now he has. He could become the principal of the central school or even the deputy director of the bureau."

The pilot program for basic education in Laoyan Town centralized the establishment of primary schools. He was able to secure donations without taking a single penny from the bureau. That alone shows his competence; he gets things done without asking leaders for resources. What leader wouldn't like that?

Xiao Guang muttered to himself, "Dong Xuexi has been a marginal figure in the Party and Government Office for so many years. How come he suddenly became so insightful and gained the appreciation of the leaders?"

Yang Xiaobo lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Old Xiao, stop worrying about things like that. Don't you know what kind of people Director Chen likes to use?"

Xiao Guang shook his head: "I don't know."

"You are the deputy director of the Party and Government Office. The Party and Government Office mainly serves the leaders. If you don't even know the leaders' personnel selection habits, it will be difficult to gain their approval."

Director Chen prefers to use capable people and dislikes subordinates who only know how to flatter.

If you are capable and understand the leader's intentions, he will definitely give you priority consideration.

Xiao Guang nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, Director Yang."

Xiao Guang raised his glass: "Director Yang, this is a toast to you."

Yang Xiaobo picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Xiao Guang's, and took a small sip, while Xiao Guang drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Guang put down his cup: "Director Yang, the work in the Party and Government Office is complicated, and you are in charge of the most departments among the three deputy directors. I would like to share some of the work with you."

"I'd appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me with Director Chen regarding my position as Director of the Party and Government Office. I'm your subordinate, and I'll follow your orders in all actions."

Yang Xiaobo needs subordinates like Xiao Guang who will absolutely carry out his orders. If he could promote Xiao Guang to the position of director of the Party and Government Office, it would be of great help to him, as he could keep track of Chen Shi's movements.

"Director Chen asked me to serve as the director of the Party and Government Office for a period of time. It certainly won't be for too long. Once I find a suitable opportunity, I will recommend you to Director Chen to take over as the director of the Party and Government Office."

"Unless you're parachuted in from outside, no one within the Party and government office is more suitable than you."

Upon receiving Yang Xiaobo's reply, Xiao Guang was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude. Yang Xiaobo was Chen Shi's confidant, and Chen Shi would not refuse Yang Xiaobo's recommendation; the position of Director of the Party and Government Office was basically secured.

Xiao Guang asked for nothing, he just wanted to be promoted to deputy section chief, and he would be satisfied with that for the rest of his life.

He made an excuse, left the private room, called his wife, and told her to deliver the gifts to Feng Yuan's office. He had prepared two sets, one for Feng Yuan and one for Feng Yuan.

The only difference was that Yang Xiaobo's share contained not only gifts but also real gold and silver.