The Official Ladder: I ascend to the pinnacle of power, wielding the power of life and death.

Chen Wei gave Wang Zhixiang a deep look and said, "Yiming has successfully completed the mission. You can keep your promise now."

"Section Chief, that was just a joke. Besides, I'm older than him. If word gets out that I apologized to him, how would I save face?"

Wang Zhixiang tried to back out, looking at Jiang Yiming and saying, "Little Jiang, you wouldn't want me to actually apologize to you, would you?"

"I'm not embarrassed at all, I'm even looking forward to it."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

Wang Zhixiang's face was as black as charcoal; he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

"Alright, Yiming, let's leave it at that."

Chen Wei spoke up.

"Alright, the section chief has spoken, so I'll give you some face today. I hope you'll use your brain too."

Jiang Yiming said casually.

"Hmph," Wang Zhixiang said with a gloomy face, and walked out.

"Did you offend him before?"

Chen Wei asked.

"No, I don't know why he always targets me."

Jiang Yiming shook his head.

"That's strange. He may be a bit cunning, but he shouldn't be so hostile towards you."

Chen Wei said, "Keep an eye on him, I'll find an opportunity to talk to him."

"Thank you, Brother Wei. You've gone to so much trouble."

The following day, Zhao Zhenlin reported the personnel adjustments to Ma Qiyun.

"The information in this issue is well organized and clear."

Ma Qiyun nodded and said, "By the way, Jiang Yiming has been staying with you for over a month now. How has he been doing?"

"I came here today to report on his situation to you."

Zhao Zhenlin smiled and said, "Yiming is a good prospect. He is down-to-earth, humble and hardworking, and is always the first to arrive at work every day."

"He not only knows how to drive, but he's also very proficient with computers. The document you just saw was compiled by him."

"Did he organize this?"

Ma Qiyun looked at the form again, pondered for a moment, then put the documents aside and said, "We'll make personnel changes in a few days. Can you test Jiang Yiming for me?"

"Have him write an article and bring it to me later. Also, arrange for someone to test his composure. If Yiming passes the test, transfer him to be my secretary."

"Yes, Secretary, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Zhao Zhenlin returned to his office and called Chen Wei over.

"Give me a list of people from townships who have recently come to you seeking promotions through connections, along with the townships they belong to. Three names will suffice."

Chen Wei was taken aback, then laughed awkwardly, "Minister, I didn't promise them..."

"I didn't criticize you."

Zhao Zhenlin smiled and said, "I have other uses for the three names you provide that I urgently want promoted."

Chen Wei thought about it carefully for a moment, and then wrote down three names that he wasn't very familiar with.

In his view, once the leaders know the list, these people will probably be eliminated and will have little chance of being promoted.

Zhao Zhenlin took it and looked at it, then said, "Tell Jiang Yiming to accompany me to these two towns this afternoon. By the way, if these three ask you for help again, tell them that Jiang Yiming is my cousin."

"Yes, Minister."

Although Chen Wei had a lot of doubts, he still went ahead and carried it out.

In the afternoon, Zhao Zhenlin went to the countryside to investigate the construction of grassroots Party organizations, accompanied only by Jiang Yiming, which surprised many people in the Organization Department.

After all, when the head of a unit goes down to the countryside, he is usually accompanied by his deputy and the head of the department. Very rarely does he go so far as to bring only ordinary staff members.

"Brother Wei, what's going on? Why did Minister Zhao only invite Jiang Yiming to the countryside? Why didn't you, the section chief, accompany him?"

Staff from other departments came to inquire.

"I have something to do and don't have time to go down."

Chen Wei dodged the question.

"It should be Zhixiang who goes, it's not his turn at all."

Wang Zhixiang already harbored resentment towards Jiang Yiming, and hearing what others said made him even more unhappy, as it was as if Jiang Yiming had stolen his opportunity to interact with the top leader.

“That kid has only been here for a little over a month. If he doesn’t take good care of Minister Zhao, he’ll be in big trouble when he gets back.”

Wang Zhixiang said sullenly.

"The leader has his reasons for making this arrangement. Hurry up and write your learning reflections. The minister told us to submit them before we start work tomorrow."

Chen Wei waved his hand, shooing away the people who were chatting.

"Yiming, did your workplace hold a study session the other day?"

"Yes, it was a study session chaired by Minister Liu on how to effectively carry out organizational work."

Zhao Zhenlin nodded and said, "Write carefully, don't just do it perfunctorily."

"Don't worry, Minister, I will write it well."

Upon arriving at the township, the township party secretary, along with the organization committee member and a group of others, quickly came to greet us, even more warmly than if we were seeing family.

After visiting Menlou Township, we went to Yusha Town.

At the warm invitation of the town leaders of Yusha Town, Zhao Zhenlin agreed to stay for dinner.

During the banquet, Zhao Zhenlin praised Jiang Yiming from time to time. The cadres of Yusha Town were very quick-witted and immediately increased the frequency of toasting Jiang Yiming.

On the way back to the county town, the driver said, "Sir, the cadres from Yusha Town prepared some local specialties and put them in the trunk."

"That old Qiu still likes to pull these kinds of tricks. Yiming, Xiao Wang, each of you take one back."

"Thank you, leader."

Jiang Yiming and his companion quickly expressed their gratitude.

He knew it was cigarettes without even looking.

In the past, when he accompanied Chen Wei to the countryside, he would basically give him a pack of cigarettes as soon as they met.

If the township needs something from them, or if they are facing inspections, they will stuff more things into their trunk before leaving.

Jiang Yiming didn't smoke in either of his lives, but he still had to carry things.

If he doesn't take it, he'll be out of step with the leadership.

Besides, if he doesn't take it, the driver won't be able to either.

Back in his dormitory, he quickly washed up, took out paper and pen, thought for a moment, and began to write a long and detailed reflection entitled "Organizational Work Should Be 'One' in 'Events'".

As a graduate of a prestigious university, he already possessed strong writing skills. Furthermore, as a member of the Communist Party in his previous life, he was required to attend monthly study sessions organized by the community, where he learned a great deal about Party theory. Writing a reflection was a piece of cake for him.

Just as I was getting ready to rest, there was a knock on the door.

When Jiang Yiming opened the door, he was surprised to see Liu Sicheng, the director of the Economic Development Office of Menlou Township.

"Director Liu, is there something you need at this hour?"

Jiang Yiming asked in confusion.

"Section Chief Jiang, I'm sorry to disturb your rest. May I come in and sit for a while?"

Jiang Yiming opened the door and poured Liu Sicheng a glass of water.

"Thank you, Section Chief Jiang."

Liu Sicheng took the water glass and said in a low voice, "Section Chief Jiang, I have a favor to ask of you."

As he spoke, he looked around, then discreetly wrapped a wad of cash in a black plastic bag and stuffed it behind the tea bottle.

"Director Liu, what do you mean by this?"

Jiang Yiming frowned and reached out to stop him.

"Section Chief Jiang, I really want to get promoted!"

Liu Sicheng hurriedly said, "I'm thirty-two this year. If I can't get to the deputy section chief level in three more years, my life is over."

"Please, Section Chief Jiang, put in a good word for me. I don't want any official position, I just want my rank to be settled."