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

Chen Shi remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement; if something went wrong, he would have to bear the responsibility himself.

This is the brilliance of a leader. Did he say it? It's as if he did, and Xie Shanquan's words represent Chen Shi's meaning. You might say he didn't say it, but those words didn't come from his mouth. If something goes wrong, he won't admit to saying it.

If construction stops, it's normal for residents of Xiaxin Neighborhood Committee to react in extreme ways.

Zhao Xiongcai calculated in his mind that if the residents of Xiaxin Neighborhood Committee caused a disturbance and things escalated, he would be the first to be dismissed from his post, and he would be the person primarily responsible.

Even if you get reported for taking out a loan, the worst punishment is just dismissal, so the result is the same. You might as well take a gamble.

"County Chief Chen, I'll go down and contact the bank to see if I can find a way to get a loan to tide me over. I'll pay it back as soon as the county government's allocation comes through."

Chen Shi remained silent, so Xie Shanquan spoke up: "Secretary Zhao, this is a good idea; it can solve the immediate problem."

Zhao Xiong realized that continuing to argue with Chen Shi would yield no results, so he reported on other tasks and left the office.

Zhao Xiongcai got into his car and called the director of the Party and Government Office, asking him to contact the bank president to finalize the loan.

After Zhao Xiongcai left, Chen Shi looked at Xie Shanquan and said, "You're a sensible young man, capable of handling important tasks."

"Xiao Xie, call Duan Yanping and ask him to come to my office."

Xie Shanquan walked out of the office and called Duan Yanping.

"Secretary Xie"

"Mr. Duan, County Chief Chen wants you to come to his office now."

"Did County Magistrate Chen say there was anything urgent?"

"I don't know"

Duan Yanping hung up the phone and rushed to the county government.

Upon arriving at Chen Shi's office, Xie Shanquan poured Duan Yanping a cup of tea, then left the office, closing the door behind him.

Chen Shi asked, "Mr. Duan, how's the land mortgage loan in the Greater Bay Area going?"

Duan Yanping hurriedly said, "Chen County, the documents have been submitted to the bank. A loan of 700 million is too large an amount. The branch does not have the authority to approve it. It needs to be reported to the head office. I asked the person in charge, and the approval will take at least two or three months. After the approval is granted, it will take 60 days before the loan is released."

Based on this calculation, the earliest I can expect to receive the loan is July.

Chen Shi looked at Duan Yanping: "July is too long, we can't wait. We must get the loan by May at the latest."

Duan Yanping said with a troubled look, "County Chief Chen, I can still talk to people at the branch office, but I can't even get through the door to the head office. I really can't do anything about it."

Chen Shi said in a deep voice, "It all depends on human effort. As long as you want to do it, you can do it. It just depends on how much effort you put in."

"Mr. Duan, I need to see 700 million yuan deposited into the Zhongshan Subdistrict Office's account by May. If I don't see the money, you, as general manager, will have to be replaced by someone more capable."

Duan Yanping cursed inwardly, "Whoever wants to be the general manager, I'm not taking it. Don't try to scare me with the threat of dismissal. I'm not easily intimidated."

Seeing that Duan Yanping remained silent, Chen Shi solemnly said, "Before removing you from your post, I will have the Audit Bureau stationed at Chunyang Urban Development Co., Ltd. to audit the accounts."

Duan Yanping, realizing his own mess, immediately backed down. Chunyang Urban Development Co., Ltd. had too many bad debts and couldn't withstand an investigation. If things escalated, he would face imprisonment.

"Chen County, I will do my best to complete the task and strive to obtain the bank loan in May."

"It's not just about trying our best, it's about definitely doing it." Chen Shi looked at Duan Yanping. If you want a horse to run, you have to feed it.

"Seven hundred million yuan arrived in the account. Chunyang Urban Development Co., Ltd. kept twenty million yuan as development funds for the company and transferred six hundred million yuan to Zhongshan Subdistrict Office."

Duan Yanping thought to himself, "At least you still have some humanity. You didn't make me work for nothing. With 20 million yuan, I can pay off the bad debts and stop worrying about you."

Chen Shi glanced at his watch; it was 12:10. "Mr. Duan, I won't keep you for dinner. Hurry up and finalize the loan. Time is money; we can't afford to delay."

Duan Yanping repeatedly agreed and left the office.

Xie Shanquan had been standing at the door waiting. When Duan Yanping came out, he went into the office and said, "County Chief Chen, would you like to eat lunch at the canteen, or should I pack it up for you?"

Chen Shi stood up: "I've been sitting all morning, let's go for a walk and eat in the cafeteria."

Chen Shi led Xie Shanquan to the second floor of the canteen. The county government staff usually finish get off work at 11:30 for lunch, and now it was past 12:00, so there weren't many people left.

Xie Shanquan said, "Chen County, I'll ask the canteen staff to cook a few side dishes."

Chen Shi nodded, and Xie Shanquan went to make the arrangements.

The kitchen staff had already washed the pots and were getting ready to go home for their lunch break. When they learned that the executive deputy county head hadn't eaten and needed to cook something fresh, they complained inwardly, "What kind of people are they? They don't come to eat, and they only come to eat after the pots and pans have been washed. I should just eat whatever I can find."

After cooking and washing the pot, it takes another half hour before I can leave work.

He's just a temporary worker, earning only this much salary each month. You're the county magistrate, but that has nothing to do with me.

He complained inwardly, but dared not show it on his face. After all, he was a cook in the county government canteen, and his awareness was far superior to that of a restaurant cook.

Xie Shanquan served Chen Shi two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup.

Chen Shi called out, "Sit down and eat with us!"

After finishing his meal, Chen Shi went back to take an afternoon nap, as the county government starts work at 1:30 PM.

Chen Shi got up at 1:50, washed his face, and threw himself into his busy work.

Wang Jianming called Xie Shanquan.

"Secretary Xie, is County Magistrate Chen free this afternoon? I'd like to come over and give you a brief report."

Xie Shanquan knew that Wang Jianming was Chen Shi's man, and even if he didn't have time, he had to make arrangements because Wang Jianming was one of the leader's own people.

"Secretary Wang, please come here. I need to report to County Chief Chen."

When Wang Jianming arrived at the county government, Xie Shanquan arranged for him to go to his office. It was different when the leader was one of his own people; he didn't have to wait in the waiting hall.

Xie Shanquan arrived at the office: "County Chief Chen, Secretary Wang Jianming wants to report to you. He's waiting in my office."

Chen Shi put down the documents in his hand: "Have him come over."

When Wang Jianming arrived at Chen Shi's office, Chen Shi stood up to greet him: "Old Wang, you're here. Have a seat."

Wang Jianming sat down, Xie Shanquan poured him tea, left the office, and closed the door behind him. It wasn't appropriate for Xie Shanquan to stand by and watch, as the leader was speaking privately with his own people.

Wang Jianming said, "In Chen County, only a small portion of the land expropriation compensation for Dawandi has been distributed, and many villagers have gone to the Zhongshan Subdistrict Office to demand their land expropriation compensation."

The Zhongshan Subdistrict Office didn't have the money to give them, so they went to the county to petition, and some even went to the city to petition. They were discovered in time and the village officials persuaded them to come back.

"If the land expropriation compensation isn't distributed quickly, it will cause a huge mess."

Chen Shi asked, "How much of the land expropriation compensation has not yet been distributed?"

"Most of it hasn't been issued yet; there's still 1.8 million left."

Chen Shi thought for a moment. If the villagers caused trouble, Wang Jianming would be the person primarily responsible. He had asked Wang Jianming to do the land expropriation, and he couldn't let him take the blame. Otherwise, who would listen to him in the future?

"How much money does your Zhongshan Subdistrict Office have left?"

"Less than ten million, just enough for normal expenses."