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

After Huang Xin finished speaking, the conference room was silent for three seconds. Zhang Kaizhi did not expect that Zhang Xiangdong would not consult with him in advance and would be so ruthless towards Xiao Ning. Not only was he transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau to retire, but he was also demoted and reassigned. This was a transfer with the nature of punishment.

Zhang Kaizhi looked at Gao Rong, who solemnly said, "Minister Huang, what mistake did Comrade Xiao Ning make that warrants his demotion and transfer?"

Huang Xin said calmly, "In Gao County, Comrade Xiao Ning was not demoted or transferred. He was transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director, retaining his full-section-level treatment. He was not demoted from full-section-level to deputy-section-level."

Zhang Xiangdong glanced at Qin Xiaoming, who said, "I support Minister Huang's proposal. If you have any different opinions, you can share them."

Li Jianlin, the Minister of Publicity, chimed in: "I think we are at a critical time for the land acquisition for the expressway. We should not frequently change the top leader, as this will affect the progress of the land acquisition work for the expressway."

My opinion is to retain Comrade Xiao Ning as the Party Secretary of Heyuan Town and observe his performance in the later stages before making any further transfers.

Huang Kun looked at Huang Xin: "I support Minister Huang's proposal to transfer Comrade Xiao Ning to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director."

Zhang Kaizhi said in a deep voice, "Comrade Xiao Ning has been transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director. This is a deputy section-level position. Sending a section-level official to this position is not only a demotion, but also a demotion and transfer. Minister Huang, your Organization Department must give a reason."

Huang Xin remained calm: "Zhang County, there is no rule in the organization that a deputy section-level position cannot be held by a section-level cadre."

Zhang Kaizhi looked at Huang Xin and said, "If it weren't for your uncle's sake, I would have wanted to teach you a lesson a long time ago."

"The director of the Science and Technology Bureau is at the level of a section chief, and the deputy director is also at the level of a section chief. A section chief unit with two section chiefs—this is the standard configuration, and there aren't any like it in the surrounding counties."

"The fact that the surrounding counties don't have this shows that they don't value science and technology. Our county's Party Secretary Zhang has repeatedly emphasized that science and technology is the primary productive force. We attach great importance to science and technology. It's normal for the Science and Technology Bureau to have two section-level leaders."

Zhang Kaizhi cursed inwardly, "The right to interpret this rests with your Organization Department. You can say whatever you want and it will be right."

Zhang Xiangdong said in a deep voice, "Minister Huang is right. Our county attaches great importance to science and technology. The Science and Technology Bureau is equipped with two section-level leaders as standard. I fully support it."

No one had any objections, so a vote was held by raising hands, with the minority obeying the majority.

Zhang Xiangdong raised his hand first, followed by Chen Shi. Except for Gao Rong, Li Jianlin, and Zhang Kaizhi, everyone else raised their hands.

Zhang Xiangdong lowered his hand and solemnly said, "Eight votes in favor, three votes against. Comrade Xiao Ning is to be transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director. The Standing Committee has approved this decision."

Zhang Kaizhi's face was gloomy. As the second-in-command, he had no say in the county.

Huang Xin solemnly said, "Comrade Xiao Ning has been transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director. The position of Party Secretary of Heyuan Town, which was left vacant, has been filled by Comrade Shi Fu, the mayor of Heyuan Town, recommended by the Organization Department. He will also serve as the mayor."

Zhang Kaizhi looked at Xu Sanduo, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and then at Ma Chunlan, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Shi Fu was walking very close to the two of them.

Gao Rong wanted to object, but Zhang Kaizhi gave him a look, and Gao Rong chose to shut up. Xu Sanduo and Ma Chunlan were centrists, and of the eight remaining members of the Standing Committee, only the two of them were left. Zhang Kaizhi could try to win them over.

Qin Xiaoming, the full-time deputy secretary; Huang Xin, the organization minister; Huang Kun, the director of the county party committee office; and Chen Shi, the executive deputy county head—these four are all staunch supporters of Zhang Xiangdong and cannot be won over.

Zhang Xiangdong glanced at everyone: "If there are no objections, Comrade Shi Fu will serve as the Party Secretary and Mayor of Heyuan Town. The Organization Department will issue a public notice of appointment, and once the public notice period ends, the appointment will be formally confirmed."

After the meeting, the news that Xiao Ning had been transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director spread like wildfire.

When Xiao Ning learned of this news, his face turned ashen. How could this be? The top official of Heyuan Town was transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau to retire, and he was still in a deputy section-level position.

He hadn't taken Chen Shi seriously before, but now that he knew Chen Shi's methods, he was completely panicked. He was only in his forties, and he was already going to retire at the Science and Technology Bureau. He was unwilling to accept that.

He took out his phone and called Zhang Kaizhi three times, but no one answered.

Xiao Ning slumped on the sofa, completely devoid of energy. Power is the most nourishing thing; losing power makes one age ten years instantly.

When Shi Fu learned in his office that he had been appointed as the Party Secretary and concurrently the Mayor, holding both Party and government positions, he instantly felt ten years younger and was in high spirits.

When the town's officials learned of this, they all lined up to report on their work, especially the director of the Party and Government Office, who was the most enthusiastic. Xiao Ning was being transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau, where he wouldn't have much power. Going with him would offer no future, so he could only cling to Shi Fu's coattails.

Shi Fu's power is now terrifyingly vast. He can issue orders directly without needing the town party committee's approval to do whatever he wants.

Whether he can hold onto his position as director of the Party and government office depends on his word.

When people came to Shi Fu to report on their work, Shi Fu always emphasized that the land acquisition for the highway had to be completed within two months, and anyone who did not carry it out seriously would be dismissed.

The leaders and cadres of Heyuan Town began to get busy, putting other tasks aside. The land acquisition for the expressway was the core of their work, as it concerned everyone's future.

As one side gains and the other loses, no one reports from Xiao Ning's office anymore. Xiao Ning regrets believing Zhang Kaizhi and Gao Rong's lies and letting Shi Fu take the opportunity to rise to power.

Unwilling to give up, he called the director of the Party and government office and asked him to arrange a car to take him to the county town to find Zhang Kaizhi and try to persuade him.

A transfer is inevitable. Could you please not go to the Science and Technology Bureau, but to a larger bureau with real power, where you could be the top leader?

After making three calls, the director of the Party and Government Office finally answered. Xiao Ning roared, "I haven't even left yet, and you're already looking for another job? Isn't that a bit too shameless? I'm still the top leader of Heyuan Town, and I have the power to dismiss you as the director of the Party and Government Office."

The director of the Party and Government Office, who had been reporting to Shi Fu, had his phone on silent. He quickly explained, "Secretary Xiao, I was busy with something earlier. Is there anything you need?"

"Drive the car to the door, I need to go to the county town."

The director of the Party and Government Office looked embarrassed, but said with a forced smile, "Secretary Xiao, Shizhen wants to go to Yumi Village to inspect the land acquisition situation for the expressway. He wants to take the car you usually use, so I will arrange another car for you."

There's no such thing as a dedicated car for town leaders. There's an unwritten rule that the best car belongs to the top leader, followed by the town mayor, and other cars are arranged on a temporary basis for whoever needs one.

No one dares to use the cars of the Party Secretary and the Mayor; they are no different from official vehicles, reflecting the authority of the top leader.

Xiao Ning laughed angrily: "People leave and the tea gets cold. I haven't even left yet, and the tea has already gone cold. You should know that I promoted you. Without me, you would still be an ordinary staff member."

During a work report, Shi Fu mentioned that he was going to Yumi Village to inspect the land acquisition work for the highway. In order to curry favor with Shi Fu, the director of the Party and Government Office said that he would arrange a car for him, which had to be the best car in the town, as it was a symbol of power.

The director of the Party and Government Office endured Xiao Ning's outburst of anger without uttering a single word.

After venting his anger, Xiao Ning could only accept the harsh reality and roared, "Arrange a car for me!"

I like the game of power, starting with the police officers at the local police station.