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

The renovations of the three key high schools were completed in mid-August, and Huang Ming went to Chen Shi's office.

Director Chen

Chen Shi stood up to greet him: "Director Huang, please sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room. Huang Ming said, "Director Chen, the three key high schools have been completed and passed the quality inspection. Now Donghai Group is asking us to settle the final payment for the project. According to the contract, we will leave 5% of the project payment as a deposit. If there are no problems within five years, we will settle the 5% of the project payment with them."

Chen Shi asked, "How much money is in the Education Bureau's account?"

5.7 million

"How much more project payment do we still need to pay Donghai Zhencheng Group?"

11.9 million

"There's still a deficit of 6.2 million."

Huang Ming nodded. Chen Shi was in charge of making money; he didn't have the ability to make any.

Chen Shi thought for a moment, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "There's still 300 million yuan left in the special education fund support project. The three township high schools sold for 290 million yuan, so we're short 30 million yuan. I'll ask the finance bureau to see if they can help. It shouldn't be a big problem."

"Director Huang, pay them 5.7 million first, and the rest will be settled after October."

"Director Chen, I've spoken with their project manager, and they're using the contract as leverage, demanding a lump sum payment. They won't hand over the project to us until the payment is settled."

Chen Shi asked, "Did you call Wan Xirong? What did he say?"

"I called him, and he said the group was short of funds and asked us to think of a solution. They had too much capital tied up in this project. He agreed, but the shareholders did not."

Chen Shi knew what Wan Xirong meant. Last time, when Wan Xirong asked for half of the project payment, the project manager approached Huang Ming, who then reported to him. Chen Shi had refused, and Wan Xirong wanted to owe him a favor.

Now Wan Xirong is waiting for me to speak up so that he can repay this favor and we'll be even.

Does Wan Xirong no longer want to work on the Chunyang County project?

"Director Huang, I understand. I'll call Wan Xirong later and explain the situation."

After Huang Ming left, Chen Shi called Li Zhe and asked him to come to his office.

Li Zhe arrived at the office: "Director Chen..."

"Director Li, please have a seat."

Li Zhe sat down, and Chen Shi asked, "When will the proceeds from the auction of the three high schools in the township arrive in our account?"

Li Zhe thought for a moment and said, "It will be after National Day. The local government doesn't have any money, so we'll have to wait for them to raise the funds."

Chen Shi looked at Li Zhe: "Director Li, this money must be in your account by the end of October at the latest. If it can't be in your account, cancel the transaction and re-auction it."

Seeing Chen Shi's serious expression, Li Zhe quickly said, "The contract stipulates that all payments should be settled in September. If it's October, it's their violation, and we can cancel the transaction at any time."

"Canceling the deal is not the goal; we need to get them to pay as soon as possible. We cannot hand over the school to them until we receive payment."

Li Zhe nodded: "I'll go down and urge them."

Chen Shi hummed in agreement, and after Li Zhe left, he picked up the phone and called Wan Xirong.

Director Chen

"Chairman Wan, I apologize for disturbing you."

"No rush, I'm on vacation abroad. Does Director Chen have any instructions?"

"Chairman Wan, I have something to discuss with you. The three high schools have been completed. According to the contract, the Education Bureau should pay you 45% of the project cost, but the Education Bureau does not have that much money. We have 5.7 million in our account, which we will pay you first, and then we will take over the schools."

The remaining 6.2 million yuan will arrive after October with the third batch of special education support funds. The sale of our three high schools to the local government will also take place after October. With these two payments totaling 6.2 million yuan, don't worry, I'll arrange payment to you as soon as the funds arrive.

"Director Chen, Donghai Zhencheng Group expanded its projects overseas this year, but the funds are tied up overseas, resulting in a severe shortage of funds in China."

Your project has tied up a lot of our funds, and now the banks won't give us any loans.

"Now that you've spoken up, I'll explain to the shareholders that we can postpone it for two months until your funds arrive."

"Thank you, Chairman Wan."

"Director Chen, you're too kind."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi called Huang Ming.

Director Chen

"Director Huang, I've spoken to Wan Xirong. You should arrange for them to receive 5.7 million yuan tomorrow, and the remaining 6.2 million yuan can be paid to them after October."

Take over the school and arrange for the teachers and students to move in.

"Yes, Director Chen." Huang Ming hung up the phone, realizing a problem: Chen Shi had absolute authority in the Education Bureau; he could do things that others couldn't.

After the school was completed, Chen Shi called Liu Feng, who was now the deputy director of the county party committee office.

"Director Liu"

"Director Chen, shall we report to Secretary Liu?"

Chen Shi hummed in agreement: "Secretary Liu, are you free?"

"Come here, I'll make arrangements for you."

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to take him to the county party committee office. When they arrived at Liu Feng's office, Liu Feng quickly stood up to greet him: "Director Chen, Secretary Liu's office is empty. Please go there now."

"Director Liu, thank you very much."

Chen Shi arrived at Liu Youguang's office: "Secretary..."

Liu Youguang looked up at Chen Shi: "Little Chen is here, please have a seat."

Liu Youguang put down the documents in his hand and sat down in the living room.

Chen Shi said, "Secretary, I've come to report to you on the situation of the three key high schools."

Three key high schools have been completed, passed inspection, and are of acceptable quality; teachers and students can move in now.

Chen Shi handed the acceptance report to Liu Youguang with both hands.

Liu Youguang took it, looked at it, and placed it on the table.

"Xiao Chen, you did an excellent job. In Chunyang County, only you were able to complete the construction of three key high schools in one year."

Chen Shi quickly said, "Secretary, it's all thanks to your support. Without your support, I would be nothing."

"Don't be modest. After the New Year, I might be transferred to the city. At that time, I will recommend you to join the Standing Committee and serve as the Executive Deputy County Head. Strive to achieve good results next year and shut up the gossip."

You're too young. Promoting you would face resistance; you need to demonstrate your achievements.

"Secretary, no matter where you are, I am your soldier, always ready to serve you. I will do my job well, produce results, and shut them up."

Liu Youguang was increasingly satisfied with Chen Shi. He was capable and efficient. Liu hadn't expected Chen Shi to build three key high schools within a year, but Chen Shi surprised him by actually completing the task.

"Xiao Chen, how much is still owed on the project payment? Can you handle it?"

"Secretary, the project funds are still a little short, but I can handle it."

Liu Youguang smiled. If he had a few more talented people like this under his command, who could get things done and wouldn't cause him any trouble, it would be hard not to achieve political success.

Liu Youguang became interested: "Go and make the arrangements. I'll find some time to inspect the three high schools."

Chen Shi quickly agreed.

Liu Youguang thought for a moment: "Invite Xiang Dong along too."

Chen Shi took out his notebook and wrote it down.

Liu Youguang took out a packet of fine tea from the drawer and placed it in front of Chen Shi: "Take this and drink it. Mayor Wang gave it to me. It's a good thing that money can't buy."

Chen Shi chuckled: "Secretary, then I'll accept it."

Liu Youguang grinned broadly: "You little rascal..."