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

Chen Shi arrived at work early in the morning, and Xie Shanquan had already cleaned the office.

"Chen County, I'd like to go down to a few townships in the lower half of the county for research today."

Chen Shi looked at Xie Shanquan: "Go quickly and write me the economic development report for the second half of the county."

Xie Shanquan said, "In Chen County, I am not familiar with the relevant leaders in several townships in the lower half of the county. I would like to ask Director Lu to come with me to conduct research."

"Did you ask Director Lu if he agreed?"

"I asked him about the economic development report, and he agreed."

"Please have Director Lu come to my office for a moment."

Xie Shanquan arrived at Lu Nan's office: "Director Lu, I told County Chief Chen that I would like you to come with me for the investigation, and he asked you to go to his office."

Lu Nan arrived at Chen Shi's office: "County Magistrate Chen."

"Director Lu, please have a seat."

Lu Nan sat down, and Xie Shanquan poured him a glass of warm water before leaving the office.

Chen Shi said, "Director Lu, I've asked Xiao Xie to go to the lower half of the county to conduct research and write an economic development report on several townships. He's not familiar with the relevant leaders in those townships, so I'd like you to go with him. You need to make sure the data is up-to-date and comprehensive, and that there's no falsification."

"Don't worry, County Chief Chen, we will conduct on-site research and write a feasibility report on economic development."

"Director Lu, thank you for your hard work."

"I feel honored to be able to contribute to the economic development of Chunyang County."

Chen Shi and Lu Nan chatted for a few minutes. After Lu Nan left the office, Xie Shanquan walked in and said, "County Chief Chen, we'll go to conduct research in several townships in the lower half of the county now."

"Do you need a driver to come with you?"

"I have a car, I'll drive mine."

"Okay, be careful."

Xie Shanquan left the office and took Lu Nan back to get the briefcase. The two then went down to conduct research, starting from Shangying Town.

Upon learning that Xie Shanquan had gone to several townships in the lower half of the county for research, Zhao Gang went to Xu Wen's office: "Director Xu, Xie Shanquan and Lu Nan went to several townships in the lower half of the county for economic research. Chen Shi arranged it. Should we report this to County Chief Zhang?"

"There's no need to report such a small matter. Chen Shi is from Fushan Town and wants to develop his hometown, which is only natural."

It's quite normal for higher-ranking leaders to have stronger hometown sentiments.

Zhao Gang harbored a grudge against Xie Shanquan and kept him under constant surveillance, arranging for someone to report any illegal or disorderly conduct.

Xie Shanquan and Lu Nan conducted research in Shangying Town, Fushan Town, Huangchang Town, and Laoyan Town over a period of half a month. The data they collected was up-to-date and comprehensive.

Xie Shanquan spent two days writing an economic report on the development of the lower half of the county and sent it to Chen Shi's office.

When Chen Shi met Xie Shanquan, he had lost a lot of weight and looked much darker.

"Xiao Xie, you've worked hard. We'll give you and Director Lu two days off so you can go back and get some rest."

"Thank you, County Chief Chen." These past two weeks have been very tiring; I need to rest for two days.

After Xie Shanquan left, Chen Shi picked up the county's economic development report and began to read it carefully.

As Chen Shi read, he nodded in approval. It was well written and supported by data.

The most important thing is the economic development of the lower half of the county, which is contingent on the construction of a highway.

Highways are the foundation; without highways, everything is just a castle in the air, unable to be realized.

Xie Shanquan is a talented individual and deserves to be nurtured.

Chen Shi asked the staff of the government office to make several copies, and he called Li Hong and Song Yun to invite them to dinner that evening.

After getting off work, Chen Shi went to Lao Huang's farmhouse restaurant to wait. Li Hong arrived first, followed by Song Yun.

Chen Shi stood up to greet them, and Li Hong also stood up.

Chen Shi said, "Old leader, I've been wanting to invite you for a couple of drinks for a long time, but you've been so busy. Today we finally have the chance."

Song Yun smiled and said, "County Chief Chen, you are the Executive Deputy County Chief. Besides the County Chief, you are the highest-ranking person in the county government. I dare not be your superior."

"Song County, a teacher for a day is a father for life. You and Li County will always be my leaders."

Chen Shi let Song Yun sit in the main seat, as he was the most senior person in the county government.

Song Yun declined, but Chen Shi pressed him to sit down. The three of them sat down, and Chen Shi poured wine for Song Yun and Li Hong.

The three reminisced, eating and chatting. After a satisfying meal, Chen Shi took out the economic development report he had prepared.

"Two senior leaders, please take a look at this report on the economic development of the second half of the county. I am from Fushan Town and I want to contribute to the development of my hometown."

Song Yun took the report and glanced at it, then asked, "County Chief Chen, did you report this to County Chief Zhang?"

"Not yet, I'd like to hear the opinions of the two senior leaders first."

Li Hong read it carefully. With Chen Shi taking the lead, he naturally supported him. If Chen Shi achieved political success, it would belong to this government, and he would also feel proud.

If problems arise, Chen Shi will take the blame, but it won't affect me.

"Chen County, this economic development plan for several townships in the lower half of the county is excellent, and I fully support it. Chunyang County is a poor county, and developing the economy is the only way forward."

Song Yun put down the report: "Personally, I support it. Developing the economy can solve the livelihood problems of ordinary people, and this is something the government should do."

However, I need to report to County Chief Zhang and see what he thinks, after all, he's the head of the county government.

Chen Shi replied, "I will report to Secretary Zhang tomorrow morning, see what he thinks, and then report to County Chief Zhang."

Zhang Xiangdong is the top leader. As long as Zhang Xiangdong agrees to build the expressway, Zhang Kaizhi's opposition is useless.

Chen Shi consulted Song Yun and Li Hong in advance out of respect for them.

The next day after arriving at work, Chen Shi called Xu Mo.

"Director Xu, is Secretary Zhang free? I've come to report on my work."

"Chen County Magistrate, are you coming now?"

"I can come anytime."

"Secretary Zhang is about to have a meeting, please come over now."

Chen Shi took the economic development report and went to the county party committee, where Xu Mo was waiting in the office.

"County Chief Chen, please go there now. Secretary Zhang is available."

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

Zhang Xiangdong stood up to greet him: "Sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room, and Chen Shi said, "Secretary, since I took office, I have been thinking about how to develop Chunyang's economy. I sent people down to conduct research and wrote a report on the economic development of the second half of the county. Please take a look."

Chen Shi took out an economic development report from his briefcase, stood up, and handed it to Zhang Xiangdong with both hands.

Zhang Xiangdong took the report and placed it on the table: "Tell me first how you plan to develop the townships in the lower half of the county."

Chen Shi said solemnly, "The main source of fiscal revenue for Shangying Town, Huangchang Town, and Laoyan Town is coal. Coal resources are abundant. However, the coal market has been unfavorable and has been declining for the past year or two. After investigation, we can build the largest thermal power plant in Donghai Province in Laoyan Town and sell the electricity to Nanxi Province. Half of Nanxi Province's electricity is supplied by other provinces. By transmitting electricity to Nanxi Province, Chunyang will have a stable source of revenue, which can be used to improve infrastructure, address people's livelihood issues, attract investment, and develop industry."

Chen Shi paused for a moment, and seeing that Zhang Xiangdong did not intend to speak, he continued: "In order to build the largest thermal power plant in Donghai Province in Laoyan Town, we need to complete the highway in the lower half of the county in the early stage. The highway will pass through Heyuan Town, Shangying Town, Fushan Town, Huangchang Town, Laoyan Town, and connect to Yixing County."

"Without this highway, the thermal power plant will remain a pipe dream, never a reality."