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

As the year draws to a close, the leading cadres of Chunyang County are all getting active, especially since this year involves the reshuffling of the county's main leadership, and everyone is trying to find ways to advance their careers.

The county's main leaders are thinking about whether they can get promoted; the deputy leaders want to become the leaders; and the leaders want to go even further and take a position in the city.

During this period, Chen Shi was also constantly on the move, either drinking or on his way to drink.

I drank too much last night and was in a bad mood this morning. I went back home at noon and slept for more than an hour. I was fully recovered in the afternoon.

Chen Shi picked up the phone and called Xu Mo.

The call was answered quickly: "Director Chen."

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

"Director Chen, County Chief Zhang has been very busy lately, handling all the work of the county party committee and the county government. People who want to see County Chief Zhang need to make an appointment several days in advance. You need to report to County Chief Zhang, I'll try to think of a way, please come over first."

Seeing a leader is not an easy thing. Without a good relationship with the leader's secretariat, it may take ten days or half a month to see them.

"Thank you, Secretary Xu."

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to drive to the county government. When they arrived at the waiting hall, there were more than a dozen people waiting to see Zhang Xiangdong.

Chen Shi arrived at Xu Mo's office, and Xu Mo stood up to greet him: "Director Chen, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

Chen Shi sat down, and Xu Mo poured him tea: "Please wait a moment, Secretary Li Hong from Zhongshan Subdistrict Office will report to County Chief Zhang again."

Chen Shi exchanged a few polite words with Xu Mo. This was the benefit of maintaining good relationships with the people around the leaders. You could see the leaders anytime you wanted, and there was a place to rest when you arrived at the government office. Otherwise, you would have to go to the outer rest hall and sit and wait.

After waiting a while, Chen Shi looked out the window and saw Li Hong come out of Zhang Xiangdong's office. He quickly stood up, walked out of the office, and greeted him with a smile: "Secretary Li."

Director Chen, Li Hong, quickly stepped forward and shook Chen Shi's hand. He was Zhang Xiangdong's confidant and was also making efforts to secure a deputy county magistrate position in the government reshuffle election.

"Secretary Li, it's been a long time. Let's grab a couple of drinks sometime."

"Director Chen, please arrange the location. I'll wait for your call."

The two exchanged a few words, but Zhang Xiangdong, busy with work and wanting to be close to his subordinates, only gave them five minutes.

Li Hong said, "Zhang County is waiting for you, go quickly."

Chen Shi released Li Hong's hand and went to Zhang Xiangdong's office.

Zhang County

"Get to the point. You have three minutes."

Chen Shi briefly outlined the Education Bureau's work plan for 2014 and then looked at Zhang Xiangdong.

"Zhang County, I went to the Provincial Party School for a class and met Secretary Liu. He told me about running for vice mayor."

"If Secretary Liu is transferred to the city as vice mayor, the county party secretary position will become vacant. You are the most senior person in the county, and no one can compete with you."

Zhang Xiangdong knew that Liu Youguang had approached the former provincial party secretary, squeezing out the candidate recommended by Wang Mingzhang. He was now unsure of Wang Mingzhang's attitude towards Liu Youguang—whether he would accept the established facts or suppress Liu Youguang.

He said sternly, "Don't pry into organizational matters. Who will succeed you as county party secretary is a matter for the organization to consider, not something a section-level cadre like you should be thinking about."

Chen Shi stood ramrod straight, barely daring to breathe.

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi: "That's your own business to consider. Don't you have any ideas about the county government's re-election in July?"

When Zhang Xiangdong asked Chen Shi about it, he said directly, "I have an idea. I want to run for executive deputy county head."

"You have quite the appetite. If you want to run for executive deputy county head, the first thing you need to do is get married. If the leaders see you and you're thirty and still unmarried, they'll think you're unreliable."

For cadres at the deputy division level and above, the Organization Department will pay attention to their family background during the assessment. For those below the section chief level, being unmarried has an advantage. Being single means having energy and not being affected by family matters, allowing them to devote all their energy to their work, go to the front line, and understand the most authentic situation.

At the deputy division level, the Organization Department prioritizes stability when evaluating cadres. Being unmarried gives the impression of instability and unreliability, and the Organization Department will not consider promoting such cadres.

Chen Shi had never thought about getting married; he wanted to enjoy life for a few more years. However, given his career prospects, marriage was now on the agenda.

"Zhang County, I have a girlfriend, and we can get married anytime."

"If you want to run for executive deputy county head, arrange your marriage as soon as possible, go to the city, and do some networking so that the city's main leaders at least know who you are."

The county head and several deputy county heads need to be selected by April; we need to hurry.

Chen Shi came out of Zhang Xiangdong's office. He was thirty years old this year, and it was time for him to get married.

The phone rang, and when I took it out, I saw it was Liu Feng calling.

"Director Liu"

"Director Chen, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you for a couple of drinks."

Chen Shi has been busy lately and hasn't contacted Liu Feng. Liu Feng is Liu Youguang's secretary. Liu Youguang has been transferred to the municipal government as vice mayor, so Chen Shi's future is uncertain.

"Okay, let's have a couple of drinks together tonight."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi went back to the Education Bureau to deal with urgent matters. After get off work, he went to Lao Huang's farmhouse.

Liu Feng waited at the door. When Chen Shi got out of the car, Liu Feng came forward and shook Chen Shi's hand.

"Director Chen, please come in."

"Director Liu, there's no need to wait for me at the door. You're now the deputy director of the county party committee office and also Secretary Liu's secretary."

"Director Chen, no matter what my position is, you will always be my former leader. You don't need to call me Director Liu in private; it's more intimate to call me by my name."

Chen Shi also felt awkward calling him Director Liu.

When Lao Huang saw Chen Shi arrive, he quickly came over to greet him: "Director Chen, Director Liu is here. Please come in."

"Old Huang, it's been a long time since we've had fish soup. Prepare a bowl for us," Chen Shi said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll bring it to you right away."

The two sat down in the private room, Liu Feng ordered the dishes, and called the waiter to serve them.

Old Huang brought in a pot of fish soup, took a spoon, and served two bowls of soup to Liu Feng and Chen Shi.

"Thank you," Chen Shi said, picking up the fish soup and taking a sip. It tasted much better than the one made by Lao Huang's son, Huang Zhang.

"Old Huang, I went to the provincial party school for a class, and Secretary Liu took me to your son's farmhouse restaurant for fish soup. Business is much better there than here."

Old Huang smiled and said, "The county town can't compare to the big city in terms of population flow. I'm old, and I'm returning to my roots. With nothing else to do, I've opened a farmhouse inn to pass the time."

Liu Feng replied, "Old Huang, it's fortunate you came back, otherwise we wouldn't have the chance to enjoy such delicious fish soup."

Old Huang chatted with Chen Shi for a few minutes before leaving the private room.

Liu Feng poured wine for Chen Shi and raised his glass: "Director Chen, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass, clinked it against his own, and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Shi put down his wine glass: "Secretary Liu is going to be the vice mayor of the city. Would you like to go to the city with him?"

Liu Feng filled Chen Shi's glass with wine: "Director Chen, I'm very confused right now. I can't decide whether to go to the city with Secretary Liu or stay and continue to serve as the deputy director of the county party committee office. I'd like to hear your opinion."

Chen Shi thought for a moment. He knew he wouldn't tell the truth if someone else asked, but Liu Feng was different. He had always been Chen Shi's confidant and kept a low profile.

"When Secretary Liu becomes the vice mayor of the city, he will be past the age limit for the next term, so it is unlikely that he will be promoted further. Before retiring, he will be transferred to the People's Congress or the CPPCC to obtain the treatment of a full-fledged department-level official."

If you go to the city with him, there's not much room for advancement.