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

Shen Xiaorong got up early and put on light makeup. She never wears makeup, and this was the first time she had ever done so, as well as the first time she had ever been interviewed.

Life is full of first times, and each one is a new chapter.

A reporter from the Mingzhou Daily arrived at No. 1 Middle School, where school leaders, including Yang Xiong, personally greeted them. At Tian Guangliang's suggestion, the reporter first interviewed the school leaders, and later interviewed Shen Xiaorong's homeroom teacher and subject teachers.

Opportunities to show their faces are few and far between, and everyone wants to be seen. The reporters try their best to accommodate them. As for whether the photos will be cut later, that depends on the reporters' mood.

Finally, we interviewed Shen Xiaorong, the main character. The interview with Shen Xiaorong took more than an hour. Shen Xiaorong tried to say that it was thanks to the cultivation of the school leaders and the dedication of the teachers that she was able to stand out and achieve the highest score in the history of the college entrance examination in Donghai Province.

After the interview, it was already past 1 p.m., and Yang Xiong and other school leaders treated the reporters and others to dinner.

Tian Guangliang gave red envelopes to the reporters and others, saying that these people couldn't be offended, as they might be useful in the future, and they exchanged contact information.

In the afternoon, Chen Shi called Huang Ming to his office.

Huang Ming arrived at the office: "Director Chen."

Chen Shi stood up: "Sit."

The two sat down in the reception room. Chen Shi said, "This year's college entrance examination results at No. 1 Middle School are outstanding. We have met the Education Bureau's target. There are 49 students who scored above 600 points, and we even produced a student with the highest score in Donghai Province ever, 739. It is truly remarkable that Chunyang County can produce a top science student in the province. The Education Bureau should show its appreciation by awarding the top science student a prize to encourage students to study actively and proactively."

Huang Ming chimed in, "Director Chen, I had the same idea. What do you think would be a suitable reward?"

Chen Shi thought for a moment: "The No. 1 Middle School gave a reward of 500,000 yuan, so our Education Bureau can't be stingy either. We'll also give the top science student a reward of 500,000 yuan. Call and inform Shen Xiaorong."

The two chatted about work for a while, then Huang Ming left and returned to his office. He called Shen Xiaorong to inform her that the Education Bureau had awarded her 500,000 yuan.

Chen Shi felt he needed to report to Zhang Xiangdong, so he took out his phone and called Xu Mo.

Director Chen

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

"Director Chen, please come here, I'll make arrangements for you."

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to drive to the county committee. Upon arriving at the county committee, Chen Shi first went to Xu Mo's office.

Xu Mo stood up to greet him: "Director Chen, you've come at just the right time. Secretary Zhang's office is empty."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Thank you, Secretary Xu."

Chen Shi arrived at Zhang Xiangdong's office: "Secretary..."

"Xiao Chen is here, please have a seat."

Chen Shi sat down with a smile on his face. Zhang Xiangdong said, "Chunyang County's college entrance examination results this year are quite good. They have escaped the bottom three and entered fifth place. Mayor Liu called to inquire about your work. He is very satisfied with your work."

Don't get too cocky. The election is just around the corner. Focus on doing your job well.

"Secretary, I didn't even have a wedding. I've been keeping a very low profile lately. I haven't attended a single dinner party, and I go straight home after get off work. I don't go anywhere else," Chen Shi said with a wronged expression.

Zhang Xiangdong looked at Chen Shi: "The higher the rank of a leader, the more low-key they are. Now that you've gone from a section chief to a deputy division chief and are registered in the city, you need to be careful about your words and actions, and be wary of people with ulterior motives taking advantage of you."

This year's college entrance exam results will be the icing on the cake for you; they'll give you political achievements and shut others up.

Chen Shi said, "Secretary, this year No. 1 High School produced the highest score in the history of the college entrance examination in Donghai Province. Shouldn't the county party committee and county government make a gesture of appreciation?"

"You little rascal, you've come all the way to the county committee to freeload. The county government is in charge of this. Go find County Chief Zhang and get it sorted out."

"Secretary, don't be so stingy. This is a great honor for Chunyang County. Now the whole Donghai Province knows that Chunyang County has produced the top science student in the province."

Zhang Xiangdong laughed and said, "Alright, go find County Chief Zhang and ask for the reward. This is the county committee's decision."

Chen Shi looked at Zhang Xiangdong: "County Chief Zhang, the election is in a few days. I mean, if I am successfully elected as the Executive Deputy County Chief, I would like to recommend Deputy Director Huang Ming to take over the vacant position of Director of the Education Bureau. He is currently in charge of the work of the Education Bureau and is very efficient. I can leave with peace of mind if he is in charge of the work of the Education Bureau."

Zhang Xiangdong said in a deep voice, "Huang Ming is indeed a good candidate. I will exchange opinions with Secretary Qin."

"Thank you, Secretary."

Chen Shi reported the Education Bureau's recent work to Zhang Xiangdong before leaving.

After leaving the county committee, Chen Shi went directly to the government office, to the office of Hu Yang, Zhang Kaizhi's secretary, without making a prior call.

Hu Yang, who had met Chen Shi several times, quickly stood up and said, "Director Chen."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Secretary Hu, excuse me. Does County Magistrate Zhang have a moment? I'd like to report on some work."

Hu Kai smiled and said, "Director Chen, please wait a moment. I'll go check if anyone's in County Zhang's office."

Hu Yang arrived at Zhang Kaizhi's office: "County Chief Zhang, Chen Shi has come to report to you."

Zhang Kaizhi, holding the documents in his hand, said, "Tell him to wait. I'm very busy and don't have time right now."

Hu Yang returned to his office: "Director Chen, County Chief Zhang has important matters to attend to, please wait a moment."

Hu Yang knew that Zhang Kaizhi was very dissatisfied with Chen Shi, so he had no intention of pouring water for Chen Shi and didn't want to keep him in the office.

"Thank you, Secretary Hu. Please let me know when you're done, County Chief Zhang." Chen Shi tactfully left the office and waited in the lounge.

Chen Shi waited for more than an hour before Hu Yang finally came over.

"Director Chen, County Chief Zhang has finished his work and wants you to come over."

Chen Shi arrived at Zhang Kaizhi's office: "County Magistrate Zhang..."

"Director Chen, please have a seat."

Zhang Kaizhi sat with his hands in front of his chest, and Chen Shi pulled over a chair to sit down.

"County Chief Zhang, I've come to report on this year's college entrance examination."

After Chen Shi finished reporting on his work, Zhang Kaizhi said with a smile, "Not bad. This year, Chunyang County has finally shaken off the label of being among the bottom three. This is a historic step forward and deserves praise."

Even more gratifying is that Chunyang County has produced the highest score in the history of Donghai Province. Your Education Bureau must give her special commendation and make her a role model so that other students can learn from her.

Chen Shi continued, "The Education Bureau is preparing to allocate 500,000 yuan to reward the top science student. I reported this to Secretary Zhang earlier, and he suggested that the government should also appropriately express its appreciation to the student."

"If Chunyang County can produce a top science student in the province, it will be a source of pride for all levels of government in Chunyang County. As for how much reward the government should give, you can discuss that with Vice County Head Gao Rong, who is in charge of the Education Bureau."

Zhang Kaizhi originally intended to award Shen Xiaorong on behalf of the county government, but Chen Shi proposed it, using Zhang Xiangdong to pressure him, and the county government refused to give her a single penny.

Chen Shi chatted with Zhang Kaizhi for a few minutes before leaving the office. He knew that Gao Rong was even more dissatisfied with him because he had snatched his candidate for executive deputy county head. If he had told Gao Rong in advance that he needed to report to him, Gao Rong would have made him wait for more than two hours.

Chen Shi went directly to Gao Rong's office. The office door was open, and Chen Shi knocked gently.

Gao Rong looked up and was quite surprised to see Chen Shi. He had no manners at all; if he wanted to see him, he should have notified Chen Shi in advance.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he still wore a smile: "Director Chen, please come in."

Chen Shi entered the office: "County Chief Gao, I've come to report on the college entrance examination. I noticed your office was open, so I didn't give you prior notice. Please forgive me."

Gao Rong smiled and said, "Director Chen, I have important matters to attend to." He glanced at his watch and said, "Go wait outside for a moment."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "County Magistrate Gao, could you give me two minutes to finish my report and then I'll leave?"