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

Upon learning that Wang Mingzhang had come to Yizhou for a meeting, Liu Youguang immediately called Zhang Kai.

The call connected, and Liu Youguang greeted him with a broad smile: "Director Zhang."

"Secretary Liu, is there something you need?"

"Director Zhang, I heard that Mayor Wang is in Yizhou for an investment promotion conference. I'm currently in training at the Provincial Party School. Is Mayor Wang free tonight? I'd like to come over and report to him on my work."

"Mayor Wang is very busy lately and doesn't have time. We'll talk when he has time."

Liu Youguang wanted to say something more, but the call had already ended.

Liu Youguang was well aware that he had taken a risky step by securing the vice mayor position and forcing Wang Mingzhang to accept it.

Wang Mingzhang is still angry. Without Wang Mingzhang's support, I can't hold onto my position as vice mayor.

Since Wang Mingzhang wouldn't see him, he had to take a roundabout approach, asking Wang Mingzhang's sister, Wang Xiaoya, to mediate. He had helped Wang Xiaoya a lot, and it was time to put this pawn to use.

Liu Youguang took leave and asked his driver to take him back to Mingzhou.

Liu Youguang has a house in Mingzhou, so he went home first to select two boxes of valuable gifts and then called Wang Xiaoya.

The call was answered after about ten seconds.

"Xiaoya, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to a couple of drinks."

"Old Liu, are you in Mingzhou?"

"I just returned to Mingzhou from the Provincial Party School."

"I work in the elderly care department, I have plenty of time, you can arrange the location."

"See you at the usual place at 7 PM."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Youguang checked the time and saw that it was still early, so he rested at home. He waited until 6:30 before calling a driver to take him to the Water Cube.

Liu Youguang arrived at the Water Cube, booked a private room, and waited for a while before Wang Xiaoya arrived.

Wang Xiaoya put her bag on the table: "Old Liu, why are you treating me to dinner after coming back from the Provincial Party School? Do you need my help again?"

Liu Youguang handed the menu to Wang Xiaoya: "Order whatever you want to eat."

"Since you're treating, you have to order a few main dishes."

Wang Xiaoya took the menu, ordered six or seven main dishes, glanced at the two boxes of expensive gifts placed to the side, and asked, "Are these for me?"

"There are only the two of us in the private room. If we don't see you off, who else would we see off?"

Wang Xiaoya's face lit up with joy: "Tell me about it first. Let me see if these two gift boxes are worth my help."

Liu Youguang smiled broadly: "Xiaoya, haven't you gotten enough benefits from me?"

"I've helped you a lot too. When I first met you, you were just a section-level cadre. Now you're the county party secretary with real power, and I heard you're going to be promoted again. In the meantime, I've argued with my brother a lot because of you."

"You should try to control your temper. Only Gao Zhiyuan can tolerate it. If you were gentler, I might marry you."

"You want to marry me? I still won't marry you! Gao Zhiyuan, if I tell him to go east, he'll never go west. Can you do that?"

"I can't do it." Liu Youguang chuckled to himself, thinking to himself, "A woman like you has neither looks nor gentleness, only a bunch of bad habits. Marrying you is like marrying a tyrant. Gao Zhiyuan is incredibly unlucky to have married you."

When the food was served, Liu Youguang opened the bottle of wine, poured wine for Wang Xiaoya, put down the bottle, and picked up his glass: "Xiaoya, let's have a drink."

Wang Xiaoya picked up her wine glass: "If I get drunk, will you take advantage of me?"

"Don't worry, our friendship is very pure. Even if we sleep in the same bed, Gao Zhiyuan won't suspect anything between us."

Liu Youguang was used to seeing beautiful women, and he wouldn't have any thoughts about Wang Xiaoya, a middle-aged woman, even if they slept in the same bed.

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

While eating and chatting, Liu Youguang said, "Xiaoya, I'll show you a way to get rich, do you want it?"

Tell me about it.

Liu Youguang continued, "Mayor Wang's decision to send you to the CPPCC is a wise one. You are not suited for the cutthroat world of officialdom; this is to protect you."

"Even if you can't be an official, you can still make money, right? You can find someone to start a technology company, work behind the scenes, and make your fortune."

Wang Xiaoya snorted coldly: "What era is this? Setting up a technology company? If you're going to do something, do real estate. These days, every real estate boss is worth billions."

"Real estate requires a huge investment; you can't operate without hundreds of millions in capital. Don't be fooled by these bosses' net worth of billions; who doesn't owe billions to the bank? Their net worth is all illusory."

Running a tech company is different. Don't underestimate it; making 20 or 30 million a year is no problem, and you don't have to take any risks.

Wang Xiaoya became interested: "Tech companies? Can they make this much money?"

Liu Youguang picked up a piece of fatty intestine, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and slowly said, "With so many government agencies and schools in Mingzhou, have you thought about how many computers, printers, and consumables we need to purchase in a year?"

And then there are the government's meeting rooms and lecture halls—how many of those need upgrading? Don't underestimate these things; they're highly profitable, mainly because they don't attract much attention, have very low risk, and require virtually no investment.

"You can work with these manufacturers, and they all have payment terms. You don't need to invest a single penny; you just earn the price difference. It's simple and hassle-free. If there are any problems, just have the manufacturers solve them. You don't have to worry about anything."

Wang Xiaoya asked, "Is this really a good thing? Why don't other people do it?"

"To put it another way, those with powerful connections look down on these things, and those without connections find it difficult to get into government agencies. To get on the good side of the relevant officials in government agencies, you have to take at least half of their profits."

You're different. Mayor Wang is your brother. Who would dare not give you face or not buy your products?

When I'm transferred to the city as vice mayor, I'll give the people below a heads-up, and all the office equipment for government units will be purchased from yours.

Another point is that you can find manufacturers in coastal areas who produce audio equipment, computers, printers, projectors, and other similar devices. You can easily obtain some patents from them and apply for national science and technology research and development subsidies, which could amount to several million yuan.

Wang Xiaoya was tempted. It was indeed a good deal. No risks were involved, no investment was required, it was a sure thing with no risk of loss.

He had previously wanted to get into real estate, but Wang Mingzhang gave him a good scolding, and Gao Zhiyuan also opposed it, saying that the capital investment was too large and it was simply impossible to make a living from it.

Liu Youguang knew that Wang Xiaoya was bound to get into trouble sooner or later because she lacked both intelligence and emotional intelligence. She would be sold out and still be counting the money for others. As for office supplies, nothing would happen to her. Even if something did happen, it would be a minor matter, and he could clean up her mess.

Wang Xiaoya's face lit up with joy: "Your idea is pretty good. I don't have much to do at the CPPCC. I earn 20 to 30 million a year, which is enough to live on. I'll arrange to set up a technology company when I get back."

With a broad smile, Liu Youguang raised his glass: "Let's have a drink, to congratulate you on becoming a rich woman soon."

Wang Xiaoya raised her glass: "Congratulations in advance on your election as vice mayor."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Xiaoya put down her wine glass and asked, "You rushed back from Yizhou to treat me to dinner, it wasn't just for this, was it?"

Liu Youguang chuckled, "He's not too stupid."