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

The next day, Chen Yuanjin brought gifts to Xie Shanquan's home in Shangying Town.

During holidays and festivals, Chen Yuanjin would bring some gifts to Xie Shanquan's house for a visit. When Chen Yuanjin left, Xie Shanquan's father, Xie Zhuguo, would give him some gifts to take back with him.

Visiting relatives involves exchanging gifts, that's the way it is. Xie Zhuguo is a teacher at Shangying Town No. 1 Middle School, and Chen Yuanjin is the secretary of Xiaxin Neighborhood Committee. The two are of similar status and frequently visit each other, so they are naturally closer than brothers.

Xie Zhuguo had just returned home after finishing his class when he saw Chen Yuanjin walking in carrying some things, and he quickly stood up to greet him.

"Brother-in-law, please sit down."

The two sat down, and Xie Zhuguo's wife quickly poured tea for Chen Yuanjin, and the two began to chat.

Chen Yuanjin said, "Zhu Guo, you've never been to our home since you went to the county town. Next time you go to the county town, you must come and visit us."

"I'm always in a rush when I go up there, I have to get back to class. I'll definitely go when I have time." Xie Zhuguo took out a cigarette and handed one to Chen Yuanjin.

The two lit cigarettes and started chatting about everyday things.

Chen Yuanjin looked at Xie Zhuguo: "Zhuguo, it's my birthday in a few days. I came here specially to invite your family to our house for dinner. We didn't invite anyone else, just the two of us, to sit together, have a meal, and have some fun."

Chen Yuanjin came to invite him, and Xie Zhuguo, feeling embarrassed to refuse, readily agreed.

Chen Yuanjin said, "Shanquan works at the county government, which is close to our home, so we must invite him."

Xie Zhuguo couldn't make the decision for Xie Shanquan: "We'll see if he's free then, and we'll have him come along."

The two would sit together and often talk about international affairs, and once they started, they would never stop.

Chen Yuan sat for about an hour and was about to leave when Xie Zhuguo stopped him and invited him to stay for dinner.

Chen Yuanjin and Xie Zhuguo drank a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and didn't go home until after 8 p.m.

After Chen Yuanjin left, Xie Zhuguo called Xie Shanquan.

"dad"

"Shanquan, are you still working overtime?"

"I haven't been working overtime; I haven't been very busy lately."

"Your uncle, Chen Yuan, is coming over soon. It's his birthday on Sunday, and he specially invited our family to have dinner at his house. Are you free on Sunday?"

"We'll see when the time comes. I'll visit his house when I have time. My uncle is a nice guy; he comes to visit us every year."

"Your uncle is a generous man, and we get along very well. When you were admitted to the county government, all the relatives came to congratulate you. But when they learned that you were being suppressed in the county government and were temporarily transferred to Laoyan Town, not a single relative came to visit. Instead, they made sarcastic remarks behind your back."

Only your uncle, who continues to keep in touch as before and even offers you advice, is a relative worth maintaining contact with.

Xie Shanquan thought for a moment. Chen Yuanjin was a good person. He had gone to his home to invite him. If he didn't go, Chen Yuanjin would think that he looked down on him now that he was the secretary of the executive deputy county head.

"Dad, it's my aunt's husband's birthday, I'll definitely make time to go."

Xie Zhuguo then hung up the phone with relief. Chen Yuanjin specifically mentioned that he wanted his son to go with him, otherwise Chen Yuanjin would have something to say if he didn't go.

He didn't want his son to become estranged from his family after becoming a leader's secretary.

Chen Yuanjin returned home and called Chen Dazhi.

"Dazhi, get ready for Sunday. I've invited Xie Shanquan and his family to our house for dinner."

Will Xie Shanquan come?

"I said it's my birthday, he should come back."

"Didn't you just have your birthday last month?"

"Birthdays aren't important. If there's a need, you can celebrate them every month. You always need a reason to treat people to a meal."

Chen Dazhi thought to himself, "Old ginger is spicier."

"Dad, we're inviting people to dinner at a hotel. It's not good to stay at home; it makes us look stingy and shows a lack of respect for Xie Shanquan's family."

"Kid, you're wrong. Going to a hotel shows a lack of respect for Xie Shanquan's family. It's much more intimate to be at home."

Chen Dazhi didn't want to argue with his father; once he made up his mind, it was hard to change it.

On Sunday, Chen Yuanjin asked his wife to go grocery shopping to prepare a lavish dinner, and he also ordered a cake.

At 5 p.m., Xie Zhuguo and his wife arrived at Chen Yuanjin's house with birthday gifts. Chen Dazhi had returned home early. Chen Yuanjin introduced Xie Zhuguo and his wife, and Chen Dazhi quickly greeted them. This was the first time he had met Xie Shanquan's parents.

The group sat together chatting. When the food was ready, Chen Yuanjin said, "Let's wait for Shanquan."

Xie Zhuguo said, "No need to wait for him, let's eat first."

"Shanquan is busy with work, wait for him, it's still early." Chen Yuanjin took out cigarettes and handed them to Xie Zhuguo.

Around seven o'clock, Xie Shanquan arrived with gifts, and Chen Yuanjin and his family greeted him at the door.

Xie Shanquan smiled and said, "Uncle, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. My boss had something to arrange, which caused the delay."

Chen Yuanjin said, "Shanquan, work is important. We're at home, so it's not like we're waiting outside."

Chen Yuanjin asked his wife to put the food in the microwave to heat it up, then pulled Chen Dazhi over and said, "Shanquan, let me introduce you. This is your cousin, Chen Dazhi. He works at the Chengnan Subdistrict Office."

Chen Dazhi held out his hand: "Mountain Spring."

Chen Yuan slapped Chen Dazhi's hand: "This is home, not outside. Don't act like you're at work."

The group burst into laughter.

Chen Yuanjin asked Xie Zhuguo to sit in the main seat, but Xie Zhuguo declined. Chen Yuanjin then pressed him to sit down and sat next to Xie Zhuguo.

Chen Dazhi took out some wine, poured it for everyone, and they started chatting.

After eating for more than an hour, Chen Dazhi noticed that his father hadn't mentioned asking Xie Shanquan to help him get transferred to the county government. He glanced at Chen Yuanjin several times, but pretended not to notice.

Until 9 p.m., when Xie Zhuguo and his wife were about to leave, Chen Yuanjin did not mention it.

After seeing Xie Zhuguo and his wife off, Xie Shanquan was about to leave when Chen Yuanjin called out, "Shanquan, wait a moment."

Chen Yuanjin stepped forward and pulled Xie Shanquan aside: "Shanquan, your uncle needs your help."

He glanced at Chen Dazhi, who was standing in the distance: "Your cousin works at the Chengnan Subdistrict Office. Because of me, he was implicated. Zhao Xiongcai, the Party Secretary of the Chengnan Subdistrict Office, thought that I was behind the blockade of the county government. So he dismissed the secretary of my Xiaxin Neighborhood Committee and made things difficult for your cousin. He found some excuse to remove him from his position as deputy director of the Party and Government Office. He is being targeted at work in every way. He really can't stay at the Chengnan Subdistrict Office anymore. Can you think of a way to transfer him to the county government?"

Xie Shanquan knew that Chen Yuanjin had put in a lot of effort for the dilapidated housing renovation project and had been seeking a solution from the government.

They only resort to extreme measures when the normal procedures fail; they are driven to desperation.

He admired Chen Yuanjin, believing that a leader should stand up for the people.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Uncle, tell me the truth, were you behind the blockade of the county government?"

Chen Yuanjin said angrily, "This is a spontaneous petition by ordinary people. There was no one organizing it. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a person. They were forced into this situation and had no other choice but to take extreme measures."

Xie Shanquan needs to cultivate his own people now. Chen Dazhi has managed to rise to the position of deputy director of the Party and Government Office in Chengnan Subdistrict Office, which shows that he is capable. He is worth a try.

"Uncle, the government office is short-staffed right now. I can't transfer you into the government office, but I can think of a way to temporarily transfer you to the government office."

Chen Yuanjin quickly expressed his gratitude. He knew what Xie Shanquan meant: to observe Chen Dazhi and see if he was worth the effort.