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

Fu Changshan looked at Chen Shi: "I didn't expect the hero of the anti-gang campaign in Chunyang County to be so young. I admire cadres who can do practical things for the people. Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer cadres who can do practical things for the people. They shout 'serving the people,' but they don't care about the people at all. They only want to climb up the ranks and only want to serve themselves. They don't care about the people at all."

Xu Ping'an stopped there. He knew his father-in-law's temperament; he liked cadres who got things done. The cadres he recommended were all people who wanted to serve the people and had the common people in their hearts.

Chen Shi replied, "I am very happy to be able to do something practical for the people. When we are in leadership positions, we must keep the people in our hearts. If we don't do things for the people, it's useless no matter how high an official we are."

Fu Changshan exclaimed, "Well said, Director Chen. I rarely see such a young cadre as you who cares about the people."

Those who come to me are all seeking promotions. They will do anything for a promotion. Some officials come to me and kneel down, with snot and tears streaming down their faces, telling me about their hardships. I haven't heard a single word from them about doing anything for the people.

Such leaders, if promoted, will only bring trouble to the people. My only criterion for recommending cadres is that they must have the people in their hearts. Even my daughter is still only a section-level cadre; any other leader would have promoted her to a full section-level cadre long ago.

Xu Pingan thought to himself, "Your children have cursed you countless times in private. Being your daughter is the worst luck imaginable. You have power, yet you don't promote yourself. In a few years, after you retire, who will care about you? You really think you're Bao Zheng, the embodiment of justice?"

Chen Shi picked up his teacup: "Minister Fu, you are selfless and impartial. I want to learn from you. I'll offer you a toast with tea instead of wine."

Fu Changshan picked up his teacup, and the more he looked at Chen Shi, the more satisfied he became. "The young man is not bad," he thought. He clinked his teacup against Chen Shi's and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Shi and Fu Changshan chatted enthusiastically, and the meal was very pleasant. After leaving Fu Changshan's house, Chen Shi said, "Ping An, if your father-in-law were in the 1950s or 60s, he would have been a very popular cadre. Nowadays, there are very few cadres like him."

As the two stepped out of the elevator, Xu Pingan said, "My wife works at the Forestry Bureau. I asked him to pull some strings to get her promoted to deputy section chief, but she absolutely refused, saying that my wife is not leadership material and lacks a sense of the big picture."

Even if we don't promote him and instead suggest transferring him to another department, like the municipal government or the municipal party committee, where he could have more contact with leaders and more opportunities in the future, he still refuses.

"Your father-in-law is truly selfless."

Xu Pingan snorted coldly: "He's so stubborn. Few of the cadres he recommends and promotes are willing to listen to him. They're his accomplices, and when they become leaders, people say it's because of their own abilities, not because of him."

Having worked in the Organization Department for so many years, I have few close confidants and am still quite isolated. I've offended many people, which is why I haven't been promoted or given important responsibilities.

Xu Pingan looked at Chen Shi: "He admires you. You don't need to do anything else; he will speak well of you."

"Ping An, thank you, you've helped me a lot."

"Director Chen, where are you going? I'm going to the Public Security Bureau to take care of some things. I'll be returning to Chunyang tomorrow morning."

I'm going to the municipal party committee compound.

Xu Pingan got into the car and left. Chen Shi got into the car and called Yang Bin to go to the municipal party committee compound.

Upon arriving at the municipal party committee compound, Chen Shi did not call Li Nan. He rang the doorbell, and the nanny, Xiao Chen, opened the door. Seeing that it was Chen Shi, she greeted him with a smile: "Director Chen is here, please come in."

"Sister Chen," Chen Shi greeted with a smile as she entered the living room, but did not see Li Nan.

The nanny, Xiao Chen, said, "Sister Nan went out. I'll call her."

Chen Shi quickly said, "No need to call, I'll wait at home."

Wang Lingze came downstairs and looked at Chen Shi: "I heard you got married?"

Chen Shi smiled and said, "How big of a red envelope will you give me when I get married?"

"Whatever size you want, I'll give you. Is your wife that Jiang something-or-other from last time?"

Jiang Yiqiu

"I don't like this woman, so don't bring her home again."

Chen thought to himself, "She hasn't offended you, and you still don't like her. I bet she doesn't like you either."

"Jiang Yiqiu is now the executive vice principal of No. 1 Middle School."

"Oh dear, this woman is obviously no good. She married you only because she values ​​your ability to become the principal, not because she truly loves you. You should get a divorce."

Chen Shi sat on the sofa, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip.

"You're not her, how do you know she doesn't genuinely like me?"

"I warned you, but you didn't listen. Don't regret it later."

Chen Shi didn't want to talk about this topic and changed the subject: "Lingze, are you and Zhu Tong together?"

"We got together. He pursued me relentlessly, so I agreed."

Do your aunt and uncle agree?

"I'm not a child, do I need their permission?"

Just then, Li Nan returned home and, seeing Chen Shi there, greeted him with a broad smile: "Little Shi's here!"

Chen Shi stood up: "Auntie"

"Why didn't you even call when you came to my house?"

"I was afraid you were busy and I might bother you."

"Schools are on holiday now, there's nothing to do, please sit down."

Li Nan sat down and looked at Wang Lingze: "Your grandparents miss you. Go and see them."

Wang Lingze said, "I just visited them yesterday. Their room smelled bad, and I couldn't stay there."

"Yesterday is yesterday, today is today. You heartless bastard! Your grandparents loved you so much. The room smelled bad because they had disinfectant in the sun. It's gone now."

Wang Lingze reluctantly went upstairs, changed her clothes, and went to see her maternal grandparents.

Li Nan looked at Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, after your uncle found out about your marriage, he said you're someone who's destined for great things."

Chen Shi was overjoyed, finally gaining Wang Mingzhang's approval.

Li Nan continued, "Since you're running for executive deputy county head, your uncle will avoid any appearance of impropriety and won't help you. You need to come to the city more often, show your face in front of the relevant leaders, and let them know about you. That's crucial."

Chen Shi nodded: "Last time I had dinner with Zhou Yun, the Minister of the Organization Department, and Huang Ao, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee."

When Li Nan heard Chen Shi mention Huang Ao, she remembered that Huang Ao had a niece who also worked in Chunyang County and was about the same age as Chen Shi. She sighed.

"Huang Ao has a niece who also works in Chunyang County. I hadn't thought of her before, but I should introduce you to her."

Li Nan blamed herself inwardly. It was too late to say anything now. Could she ask Chen Shi to divorce his wife and pursue Huang Xin? She couldn't do such a thing.

Chen Shi understood Li Nan's meaning: to advance in his career, he needed to find a powerful father-in-law. If he married Huang Xin, becoming a division chief would be just the beginning, and he wouldn't have to put in much effort.

Chen Shi was lucky that Li Nan hadn't introduced Huang Xin to him beforehand. Huang Xin was arrogant and not suitable for marriage at all; she wasn't even good for dating, but sleeping with her was fine.