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

Ma Guoliang is 42 years old this year. If he can't become the deputy director this time and only get a section-level cadre position, he will never have any hope in this life.

The head of a police station is a high-ranking official, holding the rank of deputy section chief. The heads of other police stations are all at the section chief level.

The deputy director of a police station is equivalent to the director of other police stations and is a section-level cadre.

Ma Guoliang had no connections and waited for more than 20 years before finally retiring as deputy director.

He invited Wang Jianming to dinner, requesting a private room. He asked several times before Wang Jianming finally agreed.

Wang Jianming is the director, so if he recommends me for the position of deputy director, it's practically a sure thing.

At the police station, I am the most senior, and according to seniority, I am the only one who can be the deputy director.

Within the system, having seniority isn't enough; you also need the leader's appreciation.

If it were based on seniority, whoever was older would go up, and I would be in line. I didn't waste my time until I was over fifty and I was still a grassroots police officer.

Ma Guoliang stood at the restaurant entrance waiting, and Wang Jianming finally appeared after more than half an hour.

When Ma Guoliang saw Wang Jianming, he jogged over and greeted him with a smile.

"Director"

"Old Ma, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Wang Jianming said politely.

That's a difficult question to answer. If you say, "I just arrived too," it means you don't respect your boss. If you say you've been waiting for a long time, it means you're complaining to your boss.

Ma Guoliang is a shrewd man. Having worked in the system for so many years, he smiled and said, "It is my honor to wait for the director."

The two arrived at the private room, and Ma Guoliang ordered the dishes.

Looking at the table laden with dishes—more than a dozen in total—Wang Jianming said with displeasure, "Old Ma, this is wasteful! Can the two of us eat this much?"

Ma Guoliang quickly explained, "Director, every dish is a sign of my respect for you. The respect in my heart cannot be expressed in words, and can only be shown when I order the food."

Leftovers will never be wasted; we'll pack them up and take them home.

Wang Jianming said with satisfaction, "I will keep your respect in mind and not order so much in the future."

"Yes, yes, yes," Ma Guoliang took out a bottle of Moutai and poured it for Wang Jianming.

He raised his glass, smiled, and said, "Director, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

The two drank a glass, and Ma Guoliang quickly poured another one.

"Chief, I see you've been very busy lately. Please take care of yourself. If there's anything you need, just let me know."

Wang Jianming smiled and said, "Your task is to maintain the stability of Fushan Town and prevent any trouble."

"clear"

After a few flattering words, the two had eaten their fill and were quite satisfied. Ma Guoliang then took out an ordinary rice bag from the side and said with a big smile, "Chief, this is rice that my parents grew at home. It's very fragrant when cooked. Please take it home and try it. If you like it, I'll send you some more."

Wang Jianming looked at the rice bag and asked, "Is there only rice inside?"

Ma Guoliang said with a forced smile, "It's all fresh rice."

Wang Jianming took the bag, reached inside, rummaged through it a couple of times, took out 20,000 yuan, and threw it heavily on the table.

"Old Ma, what are you doing? Are you testing me?"

Ma Guoliang was about to explain when Wang Jianming interrupted him: "You don't need to say anything. I know what you're thinking. Deputy Director Chang is retiring, and you want to take over from him. That's normal."

Based on your qualifications, there's no problem. I've seen your work ability; in the police station, there's no one more suitable than you.

I won't recommend you, but who I recommend isn't up to me. The bureau will hold a meeting to discuss it, so just wait patiently.

If you really want to thank me, just treat me to a meal when you become the deputy director.

After Wang Jianming finished speaking, he stood up and left.

Ma Guoliang quickly followed behind and saw them out of the restaurant.

Watching Wang Jianming's retreating figure, Ma Guoliang fell into deep thought. Wang Jianming had made it very clear that he would recommend him, but the gift could not be accepted in advance; it had to wait until Wang Jianming became the deputy director.

It seems Wang Jianming is very cautious. If he accepts the gift in advance and things don't go as planned, he might throw caution to the wind and sue him. He has nothing to lose, so he's already in this situation and has nothing to fear.

Ma Guoliang knew in his heart that if Wang Jianming hadn't recommended him for the position of deputy director, he wouldn't have come to this meal at all. This was a precaution for him; he would wait patiently until he became the deputy director before thanking him.

Ma Guoliang returned to the private room, put away the 20,000 yuan, and suddenly realized that Wang Jianming's heavy slamming of the money on the table earlier had another meaning: he was dissatisfied with the amount given.

Once I become the deputy director of the police station, I'll give him at least 50,000 yuan.

Gift-giving is an art. Leaders want to receive gifts, but they are also afraid of being exposed and reported.

This requires secrecy and addressing their concerns.

In this competition for the position of deputy director, he was the only suitable candidate. The other two, who were senior and had passed the age limit, were not considered.

Unless someone is parachuted in from elsewhere, this deputy director position is undoubtedly mine.

Ma Guoliang was in a good mood. No matter what, he had embarked on a career in politics. Maybe if he could get on Wang Jianming's good side, he could become a deputy section chief before retiring, take over as the head of the police station, and concurrently serve as the deputy town mayor.

When Chen Shi and Zhang Hu returned from their mission, they saw Ma Guoliang beaming with joy. He had invited Zhang Hu to dinner the day before, as this future deputy director and direct superior was someone they had to treat.

He ran over, smiling, and said, "Brother Ma, are you free tonight?"

Ma Guoliang asked, "What is it?"

I'd like to treat you to a couple of drinks tonight.

Ma Guoliang glanced at Chen Shi. As expected of someone from the provincial department, he was quite sensible, knowing to invite people separately, unlike that idiot Zhang Hu who invited everyone, spending money but gaining no favors.

No one will remember you treating them to a meal, but if you treat them individually, they will remember the favor.

Where to drink?

"I'm new here, Brother Ma, please give me a recommendation."

Ma Guoliang didn't mince words: "Let's go to Chunlai Restaurant."

"it is good"

Ma Guoliang was busy and left.

Chen Shi was unfamiliar with Fushan Town, so he asked Zhang Hu for directions and learned that Chunlai Restaurant was owned by Sun Ruyi, Ma Guoliang's cousin.

In such small places, everything is about interpersonal relationships and social customs. If you don't understand these things, you won't get anywhere.

After getting off work, Chen Shi went to Chunlai Restaurant to wait. More than an hour later, Ma Guoliang finally arrived.

Upon seeing Ma Guoliang, Chen Shi immediately greeted him with a smile: "Brother Ma."

"Xiao Chen, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Something came up at home and I was delayed. Your sister-in-law and niece haven't eaten yet either."

Chen Shi realized that inviting them to dinner was definitely not an option, as it would be inconvenient to talk. Ma Guoliang also didn't want to bring his whole family to a restaurant. So, who was really paying whom?

"Brother Ma, let's reserve a table and have the restaurant deliver it over. Your wife and niece won't need to cook."

"How could I possibly accept this?"

As we entered the restaurant, the owner called out, "Brother, what would you like to eat tonight?"

Chen Shi glanced at the boss; this was Ma Guoliang's cousin, Sun Ruyi.

Ma Guoliang laughed and said, "He's treating tonight, so I won't make the decision."

Sun Ruyi handed the menu to Chen Shi: "Brother, what would you like to eat?"

Chen Shi took the menu and handed it to Ma Guoliang: "Brother Ma, I don't have any dietary restrictions, you can order."

Ma Guoliang took the menu: "Then I won't be polite."

He ordered five or six dishes and handed the menu to Chen Shi: "You order two too."

Chen Shi symbolically ordered a vegetarian dish and said to Sun Ruyi, "Make two portions. We'll eat one at the restaurant, and the other will be sent to your sister-in-law and niece."

Sun Ruyi understood and left with the menu.