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

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi called Wan Xirong.

Director Chen

"Chairman Wan, I checked the situation earlier. The remaining 300 million yuan for the project has not been settled because the Education Department's special funds have not been allocated."

Before the Lunar New Year, Director Zhao said the funds would be allocated in March, but it's June now and the funds still haven't come through. I looked into it, and Director Zhao has been promoted to be in charge of the overall work of the Education Department. The special education fund support projects are now being overseen by Executive Vice Director Qi Shijiang.

I'm not familiar with Director Qi, Chairman Wan. Please think of a way. As soon as the special fund of 300 million yuan comes through, we'll settle the remaining balance immediately.

Wan Xirong was confident in taking on projects for three key high schools, and he wasn't afraid that the Chunyang County Education Bureau wouldn't settle the project payments for him.

"Director Chen, let me think of a way. You should also urge the Education Department to work together to find a solution."

"Don't worry, Chairman Wan, I will arrange for the relevant person in charge of the Education Bureau to follow up on this payment."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi waited for the payment to arrive. The three hundred million yuan was to be paid to Donghai Zhencheng Group. If it didn't arrive, the final payment for the project would be delayed, and they would see who was more anxious.

Chen Shi lit a cigarette, took a puff, and thought of what Huang Ming had mentioned about the situation at No. 7 Middle School. He Chunsheng wanted to improve grades and forced students to study, using extreme methods.

Students with poor mental fortitude, if pushed to the limit, might jump off buildings. Political enemies could use this as leverage to have their candidacy for executive deputy county head revoked.

A smooth transition is needed now, and no hidden dangers can be allowed to occur.

Chen Shi called Xu Mengmeng to his office: "Director Xu, please inform Principal He Chunsheng of No. 7 Middle School to come to my office now."

Seeing Chen Shi's serious expression, Xu Mengmeng quickly returned to her office and called He Chunsheng.

"Director Xu"

"Uncle He, Director Chen wants you to come to his office now."

Did Director Chen say what it was about?

"He didn't say anything, he looks unwell, please come over quickly."

"I have to go to a meeting now. It's nothing important. I'll come back this afternoon."

"Director Chen wants you to come over now, and go back for a meeting this afternoon."

"The meeting notice has been sent out. Could you please tell Director Chen for me?"

Xu Mengmeng wanted to say something more, but He Chunsheng hung up the phone.

Xu Mengmeng was speechless. No wonder He Chunsheng was sidelined because he didn't take his superiors seriously.

Leaders appreciate those who are capable and, more importantly, those who respect their superiors. No leader likes someone who only knows how to do tasks but doesn't respect their leader.

Unless you're like Sun Wukong, indispensable to the work, your boss won't tolerate your arrogance.

Xu Mengmeng reviewed her actions and recommended He Chunsheng. He Chunsheng took office at No. 7 Middle School and caused chaos in order to improve the school's academic performance.

Suppressing Hou Weigui, forming cliques, and isolating Hou Weigui is not a wise move.

In the future, you can't casually recommend people to your superiors. If the person you recommend is not up to the task, your superiors will blame you for it.

Xu Mengmeng arrived at Chen Shi's office: "Director Chen, Principal He is in a meeting. He said he asked if he could come over this afternoon."

Chen Shi glanced at Xu Mengmeng meaningfully, "This is the person you recommended."

"He's busy with a meeting, so he can come whenever he wants."

Xu Mengmeng walked out of the office, and Chen Shi was clearly angry.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, He Chunsheng arrived at Chen Shi's office.

"Director Chen, there's a meeting this morning. We were notified a day in advance, so it's not convenient to cancel it at the last minute."

Chen Shi glanced at his watch and said, "Principal He, please have a seat."

Chen Shi stood up, sat down in the reception room, and poured He Chunsheng a cup of tea.

He Chunsheng said, "Director Chen, what do you need me for? I need to go back later to urge the students to eat quickly and then go back to the classroom to study."

All school leaders at No. 7 Middle School, including myself, take turns on duty at mealtimes to check the food in the cafeteria to ensure it meets standards, urge students to eat quickly, and not linger after finishing their meals, making good use of every minute to study.

Chen Shi looked at He Chunsheng: "How many minutes is the students' dinner time?"

"Twenty minutes. After you finish eating, go back to the classroom to study. The homeroom teacher will be there to supervise your studies."

Chen Shi gently tapped the table: "Principal He, many parents have reported to the Education Bureau that you are abusing students, only allowing them five or six hours of rest a day. Many students cannot bear the high pressure of studying and have developed a dislike for school. Some have chosen to drop out. The dropout rate at No. 7 Middle School is the highest."

He Chunsheng disagreed: "If they can't even endure this little bit of hardship, they will be eliminated and marginalized by society when they enter the workforce."

If your foundation is weak and you don't spend time studying, how can you catch up with the students at No. 6 Middle School?

I won't even let them compare with students from Mingzhou No. 1 High School, only with students from No. 6 High School. Their foundations aren't even on the same starting line.

Chen Shi said coldly, "Principal He, have you seen the school schedule issued by the Education Bureau?"

"I'm very busy and haven't had time to go back to the office yet. The work schedule document issued by the Education Bureau is in the office; I'll look at it when I get back."

"The timetable issued by the Education Bureau stipulates that students should not get to sleep earlier than 6:30 a.m. and later than 10 p.m., and that students should get at least eight hours of sleep."

He Chunsheng said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, students go to school to learn, not to enjoy themselves. I think six hours of sleep is enough for them. With two extra hours, they can do so many math problems, memorize so many English words, and recite so many ancient poems."

Three years will pass in the blink of an eye. Endure it, persevere in your studies; they can get good grades and go to a good school—that's more important than anything else.

Chen Shi slammed his fist on the table: "Students are human beings, not test-taking tools. Grades are important, but mental health is even more important. Strictly enforce the school schedule issued by the Education Bureau. Any school that does not strictly enforce it will have its principal dismissed."

He Chunsheng's face turned ashen as he looked at Chen Shi: "Director Chen, isn't the Education Bureau overstepping its bounds? If you want good grades, you have to put in the effort. Without effort, how can you expect good results? I reserve my opinion on the schedule issued by the Education Bureau."

Chen Shi said solemnly, "Principal He, you need to understand, I'm not discussing this with you, I'm asking you to strictly adhere to the schedule issued by the Education Bureau. If you can't, go back and submit your resignation."

When He Chunsheng realized that Chen Shi wasn't just bluffing and was serious, he stormed out of the office.

When Xu Mengmeng saw He Chunsheng walk out of the office, she called out, "Principal He, come to my office for a moment."

He Chunsheng was furious. These leaders were all the same; they wanted results, but they overstepped their bounds and wanted to control everything.

Upon entering Xu Mengmeng's office, Xu Mengmeng quickly closed the door. He Chunsheng complained, "The Education Bureau wants us to produce results, but also wants happy education and guarantees students' sleep time. How can there be such a good deal?"

With such poor foundational knowledge, how can students from No. 7 Middle School compete with students from No. 6 Middle School and Mingzhou No. 1 Middle School if they don't spend time studying?

The college entrance exam only looks at your score; it doesn't care how you've managed for the past three years. Students who can't even endure this little bit of hardship, develop a dislike for learning, and drop out are not suited for studying. It's a good thing they go back home early; don't waste their parents' hard-earned money.

High school isn't like nine years of compulsory education. It selects students with academic talent. If you don't have talent, hard work can compensate, but if you're unwilling to spend time studying, being eliminated is only a matter of time.