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

Huang Ao's car drove into the Water Cube, followed by Zhou Yun's car. Behind Zhou Yun's car was another car, which Chen Shi immediately recognized as the car of Zhou Quanfu, the director of the Education Bureau.

Chen Shi jogged forward to greet them, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with Huang Ao, Zhou Yun, and Zhou Quanfu.

The four entered the Water Cube and went to a private room. Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to set up a table in the next private room to invite the drivers of several leaders.

Chen Shi asked the waiter to bring two bottles of fine wine and arranged for the dishes to be served.

In front of these big shots, Chen Shi was just a lackey, serving tea and water, opening wine bottles, and using a decanter to pour wine for the leaders.

The four ate and chatted, with Chen Shi constantly toasting Huang Ao and the other two.

Chen Shi was quite dizzy from drinking. After finishing two bottles of wine, Chen Shi drank more than one bottle by himself.

Huang Ao called Zhou Quanfu over; they were one player short for mahjong, so they went to play.

Chen Shi was still not fully conscious. He drank a bowl of hangover soup and felt a little better. He played mahjong until after 1 a.m., and Huang Ao and Zhou Yun had a great time.

They won every single time, winning a lot of games. Chen Shi was the only one who lost, while Zhou Quanfu neither won nor lost.

To make the leader win requires superior card skills. You can't let the leader win too easily; you have to make it difficult for them to win. Just when they're about to lose, the situation turns around, and they win. That's what makes it satisfying.

Playing cards with Huang Ao and his group, Chen Shi tried his best but could barely keep up.

Huang Ao and Zhou Yun were both top-notch card players, and Zhou Quanfu was no slouch either.

Huang Ao yawned repeatedly and glanced at Zhou Yun: "Old Zhou, that's enough for tonight."

Zhou Yun yawned a few times: "Okay, I'm done, I'm going back to rest."

Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling extremely sleepy. He stood up and saw Huang Ao and the other two off.

Chen Shi returned to his room, lay down, and fell asleep immediately.

I slept until after 11 o'clock before getting up, washing up, and preparing to return to the spring sunshine.

After thinking about it, I decided that when I come to Mingzhou, I should visit the God of Wealth, Hong Xiaojia.

In the afternoon, I called Hong Xiaojia again and asked Yang Bin to bring the food to her room.

My phone rang, and when I picked it up, I saw it was Xie Shanquan calling.

"Xiao Xie"

"Chen County, we have received a notice from the County Party Committee Office that an enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m.

"I understand," Chen Shi said, hanging up the phone. After finishing his meal, he felt sleepy and took an afternoon nap.

I got up at 2:10, washed up and tidied myself up, and then called Hong Xiaojia.

Chen County

"Director Hong, are you in Minnesota?"

"You are in Minnesota"

"Yes, I've come to sit with you, the God of Wealth."

"Welcome. I'm in my office, tea is ready, waiting for you."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to drive to the Finance Bureau.

Chen Shi arrived at the Finance Bureau and met Wen Xianglin, the director of the Party and Government Office. He greeted him with a smile: "Director Wen."

"County Chief Chen, Director Hong is waiting for you in his office."

Wen Xianglin watched Chen Shi's departing figure. "That kid is amazing. He's already a deputy director-level official at such a young age. I'm almost fifty and I haven't even gotten a glimpse of that level yet."

The differences between people are so vast that one can't help but sigh.

Chen Shi arrived at Hong Xiaojia's office: "Director Hong..."

"County Magistrate Chen, the tea is ready, please sit down." Chen Shi sat down, and Hong Xiaojia poured him tea.

"Chen County Magistrate, what important business do you have in Mingzhou?"

"Chunyang County wants to build a highway with a total investment of 145 billion yuan. The application has been submitted to the Municipal Transportation Bureau and the Development and Reform Commission. There is no problem with the approval. They are all crying poverty and not giving any funds. That's why we came here to see if you can help us."

Hong Xiaojia looked at Chen Shi: "More than 10 billion yuan, without the approval of the city's main leaders, no one can do anything. I can squeeze out 10 or 20 million yuan for you, but if it exceeds 100 million yuan, I can't solve it here."

"You're a god of wealth, you have so many ways to make money, help me think of a way."

"More than 10 billion yuan is no small amount. It's a major project in the city. We can only try to find a solution by talking to the top leaders. Without their support, it's impossible to resolve."

Hong Xiaojia is 52 years old this year. She failed to win the election for deputy mayor, and her political career is over.

When Chen Shi met him, he was completely different from before; he was more Buddhist and had a sense of being without desires.

Chen Shi's phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was Huang Ao calling.

"Director Hong, I need to take this call."

Chen Shi walked out of his office and quickly answered the phone.

Secretary General

"Is Chen County still in Mingzhou?"

"Here I am"

"Hurry up and come to the Municipal Party Committee, Secretary Xiao wants to see you."

After hanging up the phone with a "okay," Chen Shi was excited, never expecting Xiao Chong to want to see him.

He walked back to his office and said, "Director Hong, Secretary Huang called earlier. I'll go see him and see if I can come up with a solution."

"Over 10 billion yuan, Secretary-General Huang might be able to solve this. Go quickly."

Chen Shi asked Yang Bin to drive to the Municipal Party Committee. Upon arriving at the Municipal Party Committee, Chen Shi went directly to Huang Ao's office.

Secretary General

"You came quite quickly. This morning I reported to Secretary Xiao about the construction of the expressway in Chunyang County and left the economic development report in his office. Secretary Xiao took a look at it when he had some free time earlier and said he had some good ideas and wanted to meet you."

Chen Shi quickly said, "Thank you, Secretary-General."

Huang Ao brought Chen Shi to Xiao Chong's office.

"Secretary Xiao, Chen Shi has arrived."

Xiao Chong raised his eyes and looked at Chen Shi. This was the first time Chen Shi had seen Xiao Chong. He was over sixty years old and had a dignified appearance.

Secretary Xiao

Xiao Chong picked up the report: "Did you write this economic report?"

"Secretary Xiao, this is the economic development report I wrote after conducting research in various townships and towns in the lower half of Chunyang County."

"Chunyang has a lot of problems. Its economy has been unable to develop. The main leaders of Chunyang must take full responsibility."

"Is it really necessary to spend over 10 billion yuan to build a highway to develop Chunyang's economy?"

Chen Shi added, "Chunyang's geographical location is relatively scattered. Building a highway can connect various towns and villages, uniting them into a cohesive force to develop the economy."

Xiao Chong looked at Chen Shi: "If we spend over 10 billion yuan to build highways, and the economy doesn't develop, can you take responsibility?"

Chen Shi dared not respond. Building highways is a prerequisite for development, but it doesn't guarantee economic growth just because highways are built.

Xiao Chong added, "Chunyang County is better off than the other two impoverished counties. At least you've taken some action. They just talk about wanting the city to provide them with development support projects for impoverished counties, but they haven't done anything concrete."

The 3 billion yuan in special support funds was obtained after I repeatedly appealed to the provincial government.

"With this 3 billion yuan investment, the three impoverished counties in Mingzhou should at least be removed from the list of impoverished counties."

Xiao Chong placed the economic development report in his hand on the table.

"Three billion yuan, given to your Chunyang County, you plan to use it for road construction. The total investment is 145 billion yuan, which is a drop in the bucket and won't solve the problem."

Chen Shi quickly considered the situation and resolved to seize this opportunity.

"Secretary Xiao, Chunyang needs to develop, and this expressway must be built. I am confident that I can solve the funding problem for the road construction."

Several townships in the lower half of Chunyang County are major coal-producing areas with abundant resources, making them suitable for building thermal power plants. Once these plants are built and the electricity is transmitted to Southwest Province, it will boost Chunyang's economic development.

Xiao Chong asked, "If we can't build highways, can't we build thermal power plants?"

"Without building a highway, transportation will be a major problem, and costs will increase significantly. The main issue is that Laoyan Town is too far from the county seat, taking more than three hours. In contrast, it only takes less than half an hour to get to Yixing County in Southwest Province. They don't feel a sense of belonging to the county, making it difficult for them to unite as one and build the thermal power plant entirely according to the county's requirements."