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

Chen Shi was in his office checking this year's college entrance examination results for Chunyang County. The undergraduate admission rate for No. 1 High School was 46.5%, for No. 2 High School it was 13%, for No. 3 High School it was 14.6%, and for No. 4 High School it was 9.8%.

No secondary school met the Education Bureau's targets.

The fact that No. 1 High School produced one student who was admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University is considered a barely passing grade. The undergraduate admission rates of No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 High Schools are still very low.

Chen Shi made a pledge last year to escape the bottom three and enter sixth place.

In 2013, Chunyang County's undergraduate enrollment rate was 20.98%, higher than the previous year, moving it away from last place and ranking third from the bottom, failing to meet the target set by the county government.

Chen Shi picked up his phone and called Liu Feng.

"Secretary Liu, is Secretary Liu free? I'd like to come and report to him on this year's college entrance examination results."

"Director Chen, Secretary Liu has been quite busy lately. Please come over, and I'll make arrangements for you."

Having your own people around a leader makes it much easier to at least meet them.

Many people want to see Liu Youguang every day, and some have made more than a dozen trips, but they may not be able to see him even once.

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to take him to the county party committee office.

Chen Shi got into the car and asked, "Yang Bin, how did you do on the unified recruitment exam arranged by the Personnel Bureau?"

Yang Bin was in a good mood: "Director Chen, I got first place in both the written test and the interview. The personnel bureau is now publicizing the results, and I can officially report to the bureau in a week and become a staff member with a formal position."

"Work hard, and if a suitable position comes up, we'll arrange for you to take over."

"Director Chen, I don't want to go to any other position. I just want to be by your side and drive for you."

"Driving is hard work. You're doing this as a temporary worker. Are you willing to keep doing it forever?"

"I'd drive for you for the rest of my life."

Chen Shi was very satisfied with Yang Bin's performance. Of course, he wouldn't let Yang Bin drive for him for the rest of his life. If a suitable position came up, he would still promote him. He couldn't delay someone else's career.

Upon arriving at the county party committee office, Liu Feng saw Chen Shi and quickly walked over: "Director Chen, please wait in my office for a moment. Secretary Liu and Secretary Zhang are talking for a while and will be out soon. You can go in then."

Chen Shi went to Liu Feng's office, where Liu Feng poured him a cup of tea. Chen Shi asked, "Fang Min has been transferred to the People's Congress for some time now, leaving a vacancy for the deputy director position. Last night, I had drinks with Director Huang and Minister Qin, and Minister Qin said he recommended you to take over. Deputy Secretary Zhang Kaizhi has objections, but it shouldn't be a big problem."

Liu Feng lowered his voice and said, "Secretary Liu spoke with me before, and now he's called Zhang Kaizhi over to discuss this matter."

Chen Shi nodded. This Zhang Kaizhi has no self-awareness; he's got it all covered.

After waiting for a while, Zhang Kaizhi came out of Liu Youguang's office, and Chen Shi walked out of Liu Feng's office, where they bumped into each other.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Secretary Zhang..."

Zhang Kaizhi smiled and said, "Director Chen is so much better. He can see Secretary Liu whenever he wants, and there's even tea when he arrives. I always have to wait in line to see Secretary Liu."

Chen Shi smiled but did not respond. Zhang Kaizhi was saying this to the others: you are not destined for this, so just wait in line.

After seeing Zhang Kaizhi walk away, Chen Shi went to Liu Youguang's office.

"Secretary, I've come to apologize to you."

Liu Youguang chuckled: "If you're here to write a self-criticism, then don't bother with the paperwork. Just stand there and say it."

"Secretary, last year I made a pledge to you that this year I would get out of third place and move into sixth place. I failed to do so. This year I only managed to get out of last place and am now ranked third from last."

Liu Youguang looked at Chen Shi: "You're quite proactive. I haven't even looked for you yet, and you've already taken the initiative to come and apologize. Your attitude is very good."

Chen Shi solemnly said, "Secretary, I have failed in my mission. Please remove me from my post."

"When you made your pledge last year, you didn't say that. You resigned voluntarily."

Chen Shi said loudly, "Secretary, I am voluntarily resigning from my position as Director of the Education Bureau. Please approve my resignation."

Liu Youguang laughed loudly: "I'm very satisfied with your attitude. If you can't meet the target, you have to stand up when you're being punished. I'll give you another chance. Achieve sixth place in the city's undergraduate enrollment rate next year. If you can't achieve that next year, I'll dismiss you."

"Don't worry, Secretary, we guarantee it will be completed next year."

Liu Youguang called out, "Don't stand, sit down."

Chen Shi sat down, and Liu Youguang asked, "I heard that No. 1 High School produced a student who got into Tsinghua or Peking University this year?"

"Zhao Chunfang, the top science student in Chunyang County, scored 689 points. Last year, the minimum admission score for Tsinghua and Peking Universities in Donghai Province was 682. Getting into Tsinghua or Peking University will not be a problem."

Liu Youguang nodded: "Very good. Chunyang County has finally produced a student who has been admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University. You must keep this record."

What is the construction progress of the three key high schools?

"The overall framework of the three key high schools has been completed, and they are currently being renovated and landscaped. By mid-August, the renovations will be fully completed, ensuring a smooth start to the new semester in September."

Chen Shi did not disappoint Liu Youguang. Only Chen Shi could build three key high schools well within a year.

Liu Youguang affirmed Chen Shi's abilities and praised him a few times. Chen Shi left the office and called Xu Mo.

"Secretary Xu, is County Magistrate Zhang free? I'd like to come and report on my work."

"Director Chen, please come here, I'll make arrangements for you."

"Thank you, Secretary Xu."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi went to the government office. Xu Mo was now the deputy director of the government office.

When Xu Mo saw Chen Shi arrive at the government office, he quickly came over to greet him: "Director Chen, County Chief Zhang just finished a meeting with the heads of several bureaus. He has about twenty minutes. Please go over now."

Chen Shi shook Xu Mo's hand: "Okay, I'll go over now."

Chen Shi went to Zhang Xiangdong's office: "County Chief Zhang, I've come to apologize to you."

Zhang Xiangdong looked up at Chen Shi: "Don't pretend to apologize. This year, our school produced a student who got into Tsinghua or Peking University. The undergraduate admission rate didn't meet the standard, so it doesn't have a big impact. The main thing is next year. You need to hurry up."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shi sensed a hidden meaning in Zhang Xiangdong's words: "County Magistrate Zhang, I don't understand your meaning. Please explain."

The two sat down in the reception room. Zhang Xiangdong said, "The county leadership team will be adjusted next year. Secretary Liu may be transferred to the city. On the government side, several deputy county heads will also be re-elected. You need to be prepared and not waste too much time at the section chief level. You need to resolve the deputy division chief level as soon as possible. The higher you go, the fiercer the competition becomes, and the fewer positions there are."

Chen Shi's biggest worry is that Zhang Xiangdong will also be transferred away from Chunyang County, leaving him without anyone to protect him, which will make his life difficult.

"Zhang County Magistrate, will you be transferred out of Chunyang County?"

"It's still unclear," Zhang Xiangdong said, noticing Chen Shi's worry. "Don't worry, with Mayor Wang here, whoever governs Chunyang will have to take care of you."

Chen Shi knew very well that he could only ask his uncle for help in critical moments. His biggest worry was that if Zhang Kaizhi took over as secretary, he would be targeted and made things difficult for Zhang.

Zhang Kaizhi was a man of Zhu Ming, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee. He had offended Zhu Ming to the point of no return. If Zhu Ming took over as secretary, Zhu Ming wouldn't dare to openly punish Zhang Kaizhi, but behind his back, Zhu Ming would definitely make things difficult for him. For example, Zhu Ming might bring in his political enemies to work with him. Zhu Ming would have someone hinder him in everything he did, and if he couldn't achieve any political achievements, he wouldn't have any chance of promotion.

Zhang Xiangdong added, "As long as you understand it, the main thing is to do your job well and produce results. Only then will there be a reason to promote you."

Chen Shi nodded: "Thank you, Magistrate Zhang. I understand what to do."