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

Xiao Ning arrived in the county town but couldn't find Zhang Kaizhi. He called Gao Rong, but it rang for more than ten seconds before being answered.

"Old Xiao"

"Gao County, I called Zhang County, but no one answered. I came to his house to look for him, but he wasn't home. Do you know where Zhang County is?"

"Zhang County has something to do; he's going to the city to report to Secretary Zhu." Gao Rong asked, "Old Xiao, why are you in such a hurry to see Zhang County? What's the matter?"

Xiao Ning cursed inwardly, but knowing the answer already, he asked in a low voice, "The Organization Department is transferring me to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director. I'd like to ask County Chief Zhang to see if I can get away from the Science and Technology Bureau and go somewhere else."

"At the Standing Committee meeting, Zhang and I did our best. There's no room for negotiation. You should stay at the Science and Technology Bureau for a while, and when the opportunity arises, we'll transfer you to another position."

Xiao Ning was furious. Back then, it was not because you said that Chen Shi had no way to deal with him that he went against him.

"Gao County, when are we supposed to wait for an opportunity?"

"Old Xiao, what kind of attitude is this? I told you to wait for an opportunity, so I waited. Are you questioning me?"

Xiao Ning realized that he was no longer of any use to Gao Rong and could not afford to offend him, so he quickly said, "County Magistrate Gao, I'm sorry, I was in a bad mood today and said the wrong thing. Please forgive me."

"You need to figure out who you're talking to."

"Gao Xian, I lost control of my emotions. I was wrong. I'll treat you to dinner tonight to apologize."

"I'm too busy to eat."

Xiao Ning wanted to persuade him further, but Gao Rong had already hung up the phone. Xiao Ning was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it. He was a real piece of work.

Xiao Ning was transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau as deputy director, as everyone knows, because he was not proactive in the land acquisition for the highway project, which offended Chen Shi, and he was transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau to retire.

The next morning, Qian Dajiang, the Party Secretary of Shangying Town, went to the county government to report to Chen Shi.

Xie Shanquan poured Qian Dajiang a cup of tea, left the office, and closed the door behind him.

Qian Dajiang said, "In Chen County, the land acquisition for the expressway in Shangying Town has been fully launched. All cadres in the town are working with village cadres, taking responsibility for each household, and doing ideological work with the villagers to cooperate with the county government in the land acquisition."

As of yesterday afternoon, two hundred households had signed agreements to have their land expropriated, covering more than 300 mu (approximately 20 hectares).

Chen Shi looked at Qian Dajiang: "Secretary Qian, how many acres of land will the expressway in Shangying Town occupy?"

2450 mu

Chen Shi said in a low voice, "We've only requisitioned a little over 300 mu, not even a fraction of what we need. It's been almost half a month, we need to hurry."

Qian Dajiang repeatedly agreed, but when he left Chen Shi's office, he broke out in a cold sweat. Chen Shi was dissatisfied with his work; land expropriation was a difficult problem, and not an easy task.

Thinking that Xiao Ning would be transferred to the Science and Technology Bureau to retire, or even be demoted, he knew he had to do the job, even if it was difficult. If he didn't do it, there were plenty of people who would do it for him. He quickly left the county government, went back to hold a mobilization meeting, and assigned tasks to all the town's leaders and cadres. Whoever failed to complete their tasks would be removed from their post first.

In the afternoon, Wen Kai, the Party Secretary of Huangchang Town, came to the county government to report to Chen Shi.

"In Chen County, the total land requisitioned for the expressway in Huangchang Town is 2600 mu. Most villagers are eager for the expressway to be built and responded positively. More than 1100 households signed to agree to the land compensation from the county government, and the requisitioned land reached 1250 mu."

Chen Shi nodded in satisfaction: "The land acquisition in Huangchang Town is commendable. In less than half a month, nearly half of the land acquisition has been completed."

Wen Kai continued, "Chen County also faces a problem. The highway passes through several small coal mines. Once the highway is built, these coal mines can no longer operate because the underground has been hollowed out. Heavy vehicles passing through can easily cause collapses."

I personally led the team to negotiate with them. Their asking price was very high; they wouldn't agree to close the coal mine unless we offered them sufficient compensation.

Chen Shi said in a deep voice, "Reasonable demands should still be met. If someone tries to take advantage of the situation to make a quick buck, that won't do. Contact the tax bureau and the coal bureau to investigate whether they have engaged in any illegal or disorderly conduct."

In extraordinary times, a firm stance must be taken; there can be no leniency.

Wen Kai nodded: "County Chief Chen, I will find a solution as soon as possible."

The two chatted for a while, and then Wen Kai left. Chen Shi personally saw him to the door. This Wen Kai was a good person; he was someone who could get things done.

After seeing Wen Kai off, Xie Shanquan entered the office: "County Chief Chen, Secretary Zhao from Laoyan Town is here to report on his work."

Chen Shi sat down: "Have him come to my office."

It seems that the punishment of Xiao Ning has had a deterrent effect. It's been almost half a month since the mobilization meeting for the land acquisition for the highway, and not a single person has reported on their work. Today, everyone is actively and proactively coming to report.

Zhao Yuancheng arrived at Chen Shi's office with a smile: "County Magistrate Chen..."

"Secretary Zhao, please have a seat."

Chen Shi poured Zhao Yuancheng a cup of tea. Zhao Yuancheng took a sip, put down the teacup, and said, "County Chief Chen, I'd like to report on some difficulties we've encountered in the land acquisition for the highway project."

Laoyan Town has a large population but limited land, mostly mountainous with very little paddy fields. After the last meeting, I went back and instructed town officials to go to the villages to urge village officials to requisition land. The villagers generally felt that 50,000 yuan per mu for arable land was too low and refused to sign. I then conducted a survey, and the villagers demanded 80,000 yuan per mu for arable land.

Seeing that Chen Shi remained silent, Zhao Yuancheng tentatively asked, "County Magistrate Chen, considering the special circumstances of Laoyan Town, could the arable land be increased to 80,000 yuan per mu?"

Chen Shi looked at Zhao Yuancheng: "The situation in Laoyan Town is special, but isn't Huangchang Town special too? The other towns also have special circumstances. Heyuan Town and Shangying Town have a lot of paddy fields, which are all priced at 50,000 yuan per mu. It's normal for them to have objections, but they won't increase the price. It's still 50,000 yuan per mu. If Xiao Ning can't do it, then replace him with someone more capable."

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Chen Shi emphasized, "Other towns think that 50,000 yuan per mu of arable land is too low, which I think is normal, but if Laoyan Town thinks it is too low, then it is not normal. Laoyan Town will benefit the most from the completion of the expressway."

It will take you at least three hours to get to the county seat now, and if you drive a little slower, it will take three and a half hours. In that time, you can get to Yizhou from the county seat.

With the highway completed, it will only take an hour and a half to get to the county town, saving so much time and hassle for medical treatment, schooling, and other needs.

Laoyan Town is a large town, and the number of tunnels and bridges there is more than the total of several other towns combined. Repairing this section in Laoyan Town will cost at least five billion yuan. What more could you possibly want?

Zhao Yuancheng tried to argue his case, but was rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

Chen Shi asked, "How much land does the expressway in Laoyan Town occupy in total?"

2100 mu

How much land was requisitioned?

500 mu

"Secretary Wen Kai of Huangchang Town just left my office. Do you know how much land Huangchang Town has requisitioned? 1250 mu, almost half of it has been completed. Your Laoyan Town still has the same attitude. I think it's enough to build the expressway to Huangchang Town. There's no need to build it to Laoyan Town. It can save one-third of the investment."

Seeing that Chen Shi was angry, Zhao Yuancheng quickly said, "County Magistrate Chen, I will go back and immediately expedite the land acquisition, and I guarantee it will be completed within two months."

Chen Shi glanced at Zhao Yuancheng: "Is there anything else?"

Zhao Yuancheng said with a forced smile, "The highway passes through two large coal mines. The coal mines asked if we could build an exit for them so that their vehicles wouldn't have to detour to the Laoyanzhen toll station to get on the highway."

"Yes, all export costs will be covered by the coal mine. If they agree, we'll sign an agreement, report it to the Transportation Bureau, and revise the blueprints."

They certainly wouldn't be willing to pay for it themselves, so Zhao Yuancheng said, "I'll go down and make sure it's settled."

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