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

Wang Xian left the office and called Zhang Kai back.

"Director Zhang, the Secretary-General has asked Chen Shi to come to his office to report on his work."

"Thank you, Secretary Wang," Zhang Kai said with a big smile.

After hanging up the phone and returning to his office, Zhang Kai said, "Director Chen, I'll take you to see Secretary-General Huang."

Chen Shi stood up: "Thank you, Director Zhang."

The two arrived at Wang Xian's office at the Municipal Party Committee. Wang Xian stood up, and Zhang Kai said, "Director Chen, let me introduce you. This is Wang Xian, Secretary-General Huang's secretary."

Chen Shi quickly stepped forward and shook Wang Xian's hand: "Hello, Secretary Wang, I am Chen Shi, the director of the Education Bureau of Chunyang County."

"Hello, Director Chen," Wang Xian said. "I'll take you to Secretary-General Huang's office."

Chen Shi quickly said, "Thank you, Secretary Wang."

Upon arriving at Huang Ao's office, Wang Xian said, "Secretary-General, Director Chen is here."

Huang Ao was looking at the document issued by the provincial party committee when he looked up at Chen Shi and remembered, "Director Chen, we've met a few times."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Secretary-General, just call me Xiao Chen. I was honored to have had a drink with you before."

"Didn't I leave you my phone number? You can call me directly if you need anything."

"Secretary-General, you are very busy, and I was afraid of disturbing you by calling you."

"Don't stand, sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room. Wang Xian poured Chen Shi a cup of tea and thought to himself, "This kid is not bad. It turns out he knew Secretary-General Huang before."

Leave the office and close the door behind you.

Huang Ao laughed and said, "Little Chen, what work are you reporting to me about?"

Chen Shi had already prepared his report: "Secretary-General, two years ago, Chunyang County abolished three township high schools and rebuilt three key high schools in the county seat. Chunyang County is on a tight budget and doesn't have much money. The fact that we were able to build three key high schools is inseparable from the support of the municipal party committee and government for education in Chunyang County."

Last September, three key high schools were completed and began enrolling students. I am confident that we can change the backward state of education in Chunyang County.

Huang Ao felt that Chen Shi's report was not too abrupt, as all the work in the city was carried out under the leadership of the municipal party committee and government.

The reconstruction of three key high schools in Chunyang County is the largest project in Chunyang County in the past two years, and he has learned about it.

"The reconstruction of three key high schools in Chunyang County is highly valued by the municipal party committee. Xiao Chen, you can complete the reconstruction work in a short period of time. Not to mention a poor county like Chunyang County, even several financially wealthy counties could not do it within a year."

I personally acknowledge and appreciate your work.

Huang Ao looked at Chen Shi and grew to like him more and more. This young man was quite good; he had a practical spirit and was also good-looking. He thought of his niece, Huang Xin. If Chen Shi didn't have a girlfriend, he and Huang Xin would be a perfect match—a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Chen Shi quickly said, "Thank you, Secretary-General, for recognizing my work."

Huang Ao looked at Chen Shi: "Little Chen, you came to Mingzhou, but you didn't go to report to your uncle."

Chen Shi was still thinking about how to get Huang Ao to help him invite Zhou Yun out for dinner, and then the opportunity would come.

"My uncle went to Yizhou for the municipal government leadership reshuffle election in April."

The meaning is clear: Wang Mingzhang went to the provincial capital to lobby and doesn't have time to deal with my affairs.

Chen Shi continued, "In July, several districts and counties under the jurisdiction of Mingzhou will hold leadership reshuffle elections. I want to take this opportunity to advance further."

Huang Ao was surprised that Chen Shi was so direct: within the system, who doesn't want to advance?

To put it bluntly, Huang Ao actually thought it was a good thing. You come to me for help, do I have to guess what you're thinking?

Seeing that Huang Ao remained silent, Chen Shi continued, "Secretary-General, my uncle wants to avoid any appearance of impropriety with me. He said that you and he are old friends, so he asked me to come and ask you for help. I want to run for the position of Executive Deputy County Magistrate of Chunyang County, but I am not familiar with Minister Zhou of the Organization Department. I would like to ask the Secretary-General to invite Minister Zhou out for dinner and help introduce me."

Huang Ao and Wang Mingzhang had a good relationship; both were Xiao Chong's confidants and had no conflict of interest. He admired Chen Shi and was willing to help him with this matter.

"Old Zhou often drinks with me. He can hold his liquor well. If you invite him out, you'd better keep him company."

When Chen Shi saw that Huang Ao had agreed and invited Zhou Yun out for dinner, he immediately stood up and said excitedly, "Secretary-General, rest assured, I guarantee I will complete the mission."

"sit down"

Chen Shi sat down, and Huang Ao asked, "Little Chen, do you have a girlfriend?"

Chen Shi understood that Huang Ao definitely wanted to introduce Huang Xin to him.

Huang Xin is too aloof; she's not suited for dating, let alone marriage. She's only suitable for sleeping with occasionally.

"Secretary-General, I have a girlfriend, and we plan to get married after the New Year."

Huang Ao was disappointed. How could he have a girlfriend? What about my niece? She finally admired a young man, and now he has a girlfriend.

Huang Ao knew that matters of the heart were difficult to explain and unpredictable.

He didn't show it on his face, and said calmly, "When running for deputy director level, family background is also an important part of the evaluation. Resolving your personal issues as soon as possible will help your campaign for executive deputy county head."

"Thank you for your guidance, Secretary-General."

After chatting for a while, Huang Ao said, "I have a meeting, so I'll stop here for the report. I'll make an appointment with Lao Zhou later to see if he's free tonight. Wait for my call."

"Okay, thank you, Secretary-General."

Chen Shi returned to Zhang Kai's office at the municipal government. Zhang Kai asked, "Director Chen, did Secretary-General Huang help arrange a meeting with Minister Zhou?"

Chen Shi nodded: "The Secretary-General agreed and told me to wait for his call."

Zhang Kai was very satisfied with his arrangements. He knew that Zhou Yun would not refuse Huang Ao's invitations as long as she was available.

Chen Shi said, "Director Zhang, I won't disturb your work any longer, I'll be leaving now."

Zhang Kai saw Chen Shi into the elevator before returning to his office.

After leaving the municipal government, Chen Shi found a hotel near the Water Cube and checked in, waiting for Huang Ao's call.

Chen Shi paced anxiously in his room, waiting for Huang Ao to call. It was already 5:30 when he was supposed to leave work, and he still hadn't received a call from Huang Ao.

Chen Shi guessed that Zhou Yun might have something to do that evening and wouldn't be free to come out for dinner.

Wang Mingzhang values ​​his reputation and wants to be re-elected mayor, so he wouldn't speak up for himself at this critical juncture.

Thinking about this, I can only rely on two people to run for executive deputy county head: Liu Youguang and Huang Ao.

Huang Ao is a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and has a voice. It wouldn't be difficult for him to promote someone to deputy county head.

On second thought, why should he help you? If you marry Huang Xin, Huang Ao will definitely help you.

The phone rang, and Chen Shi picked it up to see that it was Huang Ao calling. He quickly answered it.

"Secretary-General, this is Xiao Chen."

"Xiao Chen, seven o'clock, Water Cube, I'm coming with Lao Zhou."

Chen Shi was overjoyed: "Great, thank you, Secretary-General."

Chen Shi decided to take it one step at a time, because thinking about it would only lead to problems, and only doing it would provide answers.

Humans are complex; they are influenced by many factors besides self-interest.

Sometimes, it's just because someone likes you and wants to help you out; there's no complicated reason.

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to go to the Water Cube, booked a private room, and wait at the door.

I glanced at my watch; it read 6:20.