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

Chen Shi left Wang Xincheng's house, returned to the hotel, took a nap, and was woken up by his cell phone ringing.

He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Jiang Yiqiu.

Yi Qiu

"Honey, are you still in Minnesota?"

Still in Minnesota

"When are you coming back?"

"The matter isn't finished yet; it'll probably be tomorrow."

"I just received a call from my dad. My grandma passed away last night, and I need to go back home."

Jiang Yiqiu's voice was choked with emotion.

"Go back quickly, I don't have time, I'm not going down."

Chen Shi had never met Jiang Yiqiu's grandmother. Her grandmother lived in her hometown, and for Chen Shi, it was like hearing that a stranger had passed away.

After hanging up the phone, I checked my watch; it was 2:20. I took a half-hour nap.

After washing up, call Yang Bin and drive to the National Development and Reform Commission.

Chen Shi arrived at the National Development and Reform Commission at 2:50 PM, ten minutes early, and went directly to Xiao Zhiguo's office.

Director Xiao

Upon seeing Chen Shi, Xiao Zhiguo stood up to greet him: "County Magistrate Chen, please sit down."

The two sat down in the reception room. The office director poured tea for Chen Shi, left the office, and closed the door behind him.

Xiao Zhiguo said, "Chen County, I reviewed the documents you submitted this morning regarding the highway construction. Mayor Liu has given instructions to arrange for approval and submission to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission."

"Thank you, Director Xiao." Chen Shi took a sip of tea and asked, "Director Xiao, Mayor Liu told me that the Development and Reform Commission has a poverty alleviation and development support project for impoverished counties next year. I wonder what the requirements are. Chunyang County would like to try to get one."

"A few days ago, I went to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission for a meeting to discuss supporting development projects in this impoverished county. The funding is 3 billion yuan. I reported this to Mayor Wang and Secretary Xiao."

The 3 billion yuan poverty alleviation and development support project for impoverished counties is a special fund that cannot be diverted to other places. The Provincial Development and Reform Commission will send an audit team to audit it later.

Mingzhou has three impoverished counties, and Chunyang County meets the criteria. As for which county the funds will be allocated to, that will need to be decided by the city's top leaders. Our Development and Reform Commission is only responsible for supervising the use of these funds.

Chen cursed inwardly, thinking that Wang Mingzhang, that old scoundrel, hadn't mentioned a single word about his work when he went to report to him yesterday morning.

"Thank you, Director Xiao. I'll go to the municipal government and the municipal party committee to see the relevant leaders."

"Chen County, you need to hurry up and implement this. The secretaries and county heads of the other two impoverished counties have called me after hearing the news, wanting to come and visit."

Chen Shi thanked them again, left the National Development and Reform Commission, took out his phone, and called Wang Xian, Huang Ao's secretary.

"Secretary Wang, I am Chen Shi, the executive deputy county head of Chunyang County. Do you have time, Secretary-General? I am in Mingzhou and would like to come and report on my work."

"County Chief Chen, please wait a moment while I report."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Xian knew that Chen Shi and Huang Ao had a good relationship, so he didn't dare to be negligent and went to the secretary-general's office.

"Secretary-General, Chen Shi, the Executive Deputy County Head of Chunyang County, would like to report to you on his work."

Huang Ao put down the documents in his hand: "Have him come over."

Wang Xian left the office and called Chen Shi back.

"County Chief Chen, the Secretary-General is available, please come over."

Chen Shi was on his way to the municipal party committee: "Thank you, Secretary Wang, I'll be there soon."

Upon arriving at the municipal party committee, Chen Shi went to Wang Xian's office, where Wang Xian said, "County Chief Chen, the Secretary-General requests your presence."

"Okay, thank you, Secretary Wang."

Chen Shi arrived at Huang Ao's office: "Secretary-General..."

Huang Ao looked at Chen Shi: "Chen Shi, sit down."

Wang Xian came in, poured tea for Chen Shi, and then left the office.

Chen Shi took out Chunyang County's report on the economic development of the second half of the county from his briefcase, handed it to Huang Ao with both hands, and gave a detailed report.

Huang Ao took the report, read it carefully, and nodded repeatedly.

"Chunyang has abundant coal resources, so developing thermal power plants is a good option. It can concentrate resources and promote economic development."

Seeing that Huang Ao had given his approval, Chen Shi presented Huang Ao with a plan to build a highway.

"Secretary-General, to build a thermal power plant, we need to build a highway to connect several towns in the lower part of the county."

The townships under the jurisdiction of Chunyang County are quite scattered. Building a highway would bring these townships closer to the county seat, thus boosting economic development.

Chunyang County is a large, fragmented county. The townships under its jurisdiction are far from the county seat, but it's actually closer to other counties. Unless there's something important to do, people rarely go to the county seat.

Huang Ao was quite familiar with the geographical location of Chunyang.

He carefully reviewed the highway construction plan, which had a total investment of 145 billion yuan, and couldn't help but frown.

"Building a highway is a good thing. This highway is only related to the development of Chunyang. From the city's perspective, the development of the entire Mingzhou is dispensable. The city will not invest more than 10 billion to build this highway."

Chen Shi replied, "Secretary-General, that's why I came to you for help. The plan to build the expressway has been submitted to the Municipal Transportation Bureau and the Development and Reform Commission, and has been submitted to the Municipal Government and the Province for approval."

According to Director Xiao of the National Development and Reform Commission, they have secured 3 billion yuan in special funds from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission to support development projects in impoverished counties.

Secretary-General, you must help Chunyang County. This funding is crucial for Chunyang's development.

Huang Ao knew about this project; the secretaries of the other two counties had even called him to inquire about the situation.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shi acted very quickly, producing an economic development report and submitting it to the Municipal Transportation Bureau and the Development and Reform Commission to implement the highway construction project.

Huang Ao looked at Chen Shi: "Even if this 3 billion yuan special support for development projects is given to Chunyang County, it won't solve the problem. There's still a deficit of 115 billion yuan, which Chunyang's finances simply can't cover."

"Secretary-General, I believe that anything is possible with effort. As long as we are willing to work hard, there will be a way to solve the problem."

Chunyang's finances can only come up with a maximum of 2 billion yuan. If it can get 3 billion yuan in special funds from the city to support development projects, it will have 5 billion yuan.

"I'll go to the provincial level to figure out a way to get the remaining 9.5 billion."

Huang Ao saw that Chen Shi was resolute in his attitude and took concrete actions, proving himself to be a leader who got things done.

"It's too late today. I'll report to Secretary Xiao tomorrow."

Chen Shi said gratefully, "Thank you, Secretary-General. Are you free tonight? I'd like to have a couple of drinks with you."

Huang Ao thought for a moment and said, "Let me ask Minister Zhou. If he's free, we can go together."

Chen Shi readily agreed, leaving the municipal party committee and returning to the Water Cube to wait.

Around 6 o'clock, Huang Ao called and said he would come over at 7 o'clock.

Chen Shi instructed Yang Bin to book a private room and order the dishes according to Huang Ao and Zhou Yun's tastes.

Chen Shi arrived at the door early and waited. Huang Ao and Zhou Yun were both Xiao Chong's confidants, one the secretary-general and the other the organization minister. With their support, the 3 billion yuan development support project could be easily resolved.

If Wang Mingzhang won't help me, I'll prove to him that this highway will still be built even without his help.

The political achievements belong to Zhang Xiangdong and Zhang Kaizhi. If they are transferred, wouldn't I have a chance?

Without taking risks and sticking to a conservative approach, it's difficult to make progress.