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

Chen Shi was also in a dilemma. The earliest the loan could be obtained was May, and it was only March now, so he had to wait two more months.

"Old Wang, tell the villagers to wait until June, when the land expropriation compensation will be paid out."

Wang Jianming looked troubled: "In Chen County, most villagers don't have much money and rely on the land expropriation compensation to buy fertilizer."

"By June, the planting season will be over. They can't wait that long. At least they need some supplies so they can plant in the spring, otherwise they'll cause trouble."

Chen Shi took out his phone: "I'll call the Bureau of Finance and see if they can lend me tens of millions to solve this urgent problem."

The call connected, and Guan Hui greeted the caller with a broad smile: "County Chief Chen..."

"Bureau Chief, how much money is in the treasury account?"

Guan Hui's heart skipped a beat. Was he going to ask him for money, or was he going to tell the truth: "County Chief Chen, there are 1.5 million yuan in the fiscal account."

"Bureau Chief, first allocate 50 million to Zhongshan Subdistrict Office, consider it a loan from them. The land expropriation compensation for Dawandi has not yet been distributed to the villagers. The villagers can't wait, they need to plant in the spring and buy fertilizer."

The land in the Greater Bay Area has already been mortgaged to a bank. The amount involved is too large, so it has been submitted to the head office for approval. The approval should be granted by July at the latest, at which time the Zhongshan Subdistrict Office will repay the money to the Finance Bureau.

Guan Hui looked bitter. When Chen Shi spoke, he had to do as he was told, but he still had to explain his difficulties and let the leader know how many bullets he had taken for him.

"Chen County, this 150 million yuan is all planned. The Education Bureau's 50 million yuan is to be allocated to them. All the teachers in the county have not received their salaries for two months."

The People's Hospital received a grant of 30 million yuan, which was urgently needed because many of its medical equipment were outdated and unusable, which was related to the health of the people.

The Transportation Bureau allocated 20 million for road repairs last year, and now it needs to be paid in full, as it has been a year overdue.

The remaining 50 million yuan was allocated by the province and is specifically designated for the construction of new rural areas.

Chen Shi said, "Director Guan, if a portion of the land expropriation funds for Dawandi isn't distributed to the villagers, it will cause a major problem. There are priorities. This money is a loan to the Zhongshan Subdistrict Office. Once the loan is approved, they will repay the Finance Bureau. Think of a way to squeeze it out."

Guan Hui thought for a moment: "The other funds cannot be misappropriated. Misappropriation will cause a lot of trouble. If the teachers' salaries are not paid, they will still petition."

"We'll temporarily lend the 50 million yuan special fund allocated by the province to the Zhongshan Subdistrict Office. The new rural construction can be put on hold for now; there shouldn't be any villagers causing trouble."

"Okay, Director Guan, arrange it immediately and transfer the funds to Zhongshan Subdistrict Office."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi looked at Wang Jianming and said, "Old Wang, you can go back now. I'll ask the Finance Bureau to lend you 50 million yuan to pay some of the land expropriation compensation to the villagers and keep them calm. The loan should be approved by July at the latest."

Wang Jianming quickly said, "Thank you, County Chief Chen. The villagers have received part of the land expropriation compensation. With the village officials doing some persuasion, they should stop causing trouble."

After Wang Jianming left, Chen Shi sighed. Money is needed everywhere, and there are very few places to make money. He had to find a way to raise funds.

As the work of 2015 gradually unfolded, Chen Shi spent a week inspecting the seven departments under his supervision, aiming to have a clear understanding of which department leaders were actually doing their jobs and which were just coasting along or filling in the numbers.

Leaders who get things done should be given important positions, while those who just coast along should be marginalized.

Chen Shi rose through the ranks step by step, tackling tough challenges, and he appreciated capable subordinates.

A new week has begun, and Chen Shi is busy all morning. He always feels that there is not enough time. He wishes he could split himself into two parts and do one thing at a time so that he can get things done.

I had lunch and then took a short nap.

Gu Jia drove to the entrance of the county government building, where she was stopped by security guards: "Outside vehicles are not allowed to enter. If you need to see a leader, come down and register. We'll call to confirm before you can go in."

Gu Jia glanced at the security guard, took out her phone, and called Chen Shi.

Chen Shi was woken up by the phone ringing, looking grumpy. Damn it, who called him at noon and disturbed his nap?

Chen Shi's subordinates all knew that he had a habit of taking a midday nap. At this time, unless the sky was falling, they would not call Chen Shi for anything urgent.

Chen Shi picked up his phone and saw that it was Gu Jia calling, which calmed him down.

"President Gu"

"Chen County Magistrate, I was stopped by security guards at the entrance of your county government. Could you please tell them?"

Chen Shi was secretly delighted. Gu Jia's arrival meant there was hope for cooperation.

Give the phone to the security guard.

Gu Jia handed her phone to the security guard, who took it and said, "Hello, sir."

"I am Chen Shi, the executive deputy county head. President Gu has come to the county government to discuss cooperation. Please let her in."

"Yes"

The security guard immediately put on a smile and said, "Mr. Gu, please drive in, turn left, there's parking over there. I'll take you up to County Chief Chen's office."

Gu Jia didn't even glance at the security guard: "No need."

Gu Jia had clearly been to the county government before, and she found Chen Shi's office with ease.

Just as he was about to knock on the door, Xie Shanquan rushed over to stop him: "Hello, what do you need to see County Chief Chen for? County Chief Chen is taking a lunch break. Please go to the rest hall and wait a moment while I report to him."

Xie Shanquan knew that Chen Shi didn't like to be disturbed during his lunch break. He noticed that Gu Jia had an outstanding temperament and was clearly not an ordinary person, and she spoke very politely.

Gu Jia said, "I've already called County Chief Chen."

Before Xie Shanquan could speak, Gu Jia knocked on the door.

Chen Shi got up, washed his face, and when there was a knock on the door, he quickly went over and opened it.

"Mr. Gu, what a rare guest! Please come in."

Seeing Chen Shi personally open the door to greet him, Xie Shanquan made a note of Gu Jia. This woman was not simple; she had a very close relationship with Chen Shi.

Gu Jia walked into the office, smiled, and said, "County Chief Chen, you've been promoted and forgotten your old friend. If I don't look for you, you've forgotten me in a corner."

Gu Jia sat down, and Xie Shanquan quickly poured her some tea. Gu Jia said, "I don't like tea. Do you have coffee?"

The county leaders are all men who like to drink tea, while only the female leaders drink coffee. Even if there is no coffee, Xie Shanquan will say that there is, with a smile: "Yes, I'll go make you a cup of coffee."

Xie Shanquan walked out of the office, quickly found the female colleague, ordered coffee, brewed it, and brought it over.

Gu Jia glanced at the coffee: "Did you put sugar in it?"

Xie Shanquan then realized that his service had not been adequate. He had forgotten to ask that, mainly in the county government, when leaders came to Chen Shi to report on their work, he should have been doing them a favor by simply pouring them a cup of tea; no one would dare to make things difficult for him.

With a broad smile, he said, "No sugar was added."

"Make another cup; the coffee is too bitter, add sugar."

"Okay," Xie Shanquan said with a smile, but inwardly he cursed, "Who is this person? He's so arrogant and doesn't take me, his secretary, seriously at all."

Xie Shanquan brought over coffee again, and Gu Jia took a sip, seemingly satisfied.

Xie Shanquan quickly left, knowing that it was inappropriate for him to stand there in this situation.

As he walked out of the office and closed the door, he thought to himself, "I must find out exactly who this woman is."