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

"Luo Yan, since Yiming and Su Yun are not meant to be, you should stop interfering."

Ma Qiyun spoke up.

"I was just asking about the situation."

Luo Yan smiled and said, "If Yiming really doesn't want to be with Su Yun, I'd like to introduce him to some beautiful women. Whether it's our Education Bureau or teachers in various schools, there are many beautiful women. If Yiming is interested, I'll find a few for him to choose from."

“A while ago, our former director talked to me about his granddaughter. He said he had heard that Yiming was a good person and a promising young man, and asked me to find someone to act as a matchmaker so that Yiming and his granddaughter could get to know each other.”

"Yiming, I've met the old director's granddaughter. She's very beautiful and has a good personality; she's gentle and refined. How about I arrange for you to meet her tomorrow?"

"Thank you, Sister Luo. I already have a goal."

Jiang Yiming quickly refused.

"You've got a target? Which family's girl is so lucky to have caught the eye of our Brother Jiang?"

Luo Yan asked curiously.

Even Ma Qiyun, who had been silent, turned his curious gaze over.

"Ahem, you don't know each other, we're still in school."

Jiang Yiming said, "When the time is right, I will bring her to meet the leaders."

"It's so mysterious, I'm too embarrassed to say it."

Luo Yan joked.

"Is he the top scorer in the province?"

Ma Qiyun suddenly interjected.

"Provincial No. 1 Scholar?"

Luo Yan was somewhat confused.

"you do not know."

Ma Qiyun laughed and said, "That girl is indeed quite outstanding, and she is a good match for Yiming."

"I don't know it, that's why I need you to tell me."

Luo Yan's gossip-loving heart was burning brightly, but Ma Qiyun changed the subject.

"Yiming, come with me to the city tomorrow to pay New Year's greetings to the leaders."

Ma Qiyun said, "I've had the things prepared. Tomorrow, you'll come with me to visit Mayor Wei and Minister Ding Nan. If they accept my invitation, we'll have dinner together. If they're busy, you can go about your own business."

"Okay, I'll wait for my boss's call."

After the meal, Jiang Yiming asked Jiang Yongchen to take the remaining items to the city the next day, while he rode in Secretary Ma's car.

The next morning, Jiang Yiming arrived at the county committee compound and rode with Ma Qiyun in car number one to the municipal government.

"Secretary Ma, Secretary Yiming, the mayor just finished a meeting, and there are quite a few people waiting to see him. I'll go and report to the mayor to see if he has time to meet with you."

Mayor's secretary Gao Wenchang greeted him warmly and then went inside to report.

A moment later, Secretary Gao came out.

"Secretary Ma, the mayor doesn't have time to see you right now, but he said he'll leave you lunchtime so you can have a good chat then."

Gao Wenchang laughed.

"Thank you, Secretary-General Gao. I'll make the arrangements right away."

Ma Qiyun was overjoyed and said with a smile, "I brought some local specialties for the mayor and you. Please take the trouble to put them in the car."

"Secretary Ma, why are you being so polite with me?"

"Haha, it's a holiday, so I'm wishing you and the boss a happy new year in advance."

The group chatted and laughed as they went downstairs.

The car was driven to a sparsely populated area a short distance away, and Jiang Yiming helped place the two cases of liquor and five cartons of cigarettes in Gao Wenchang's car.

After Ma Qiyun announced the gift allocation, Gao Wenchang drove away.

"Yiming, make the reservations and have Xiao Wang set out the drinks first. We'll go visit Minister Ding first, and then we'll head over."

Ma Qiyun arranged it.

"it is good."

Jiang Yiming immediately made a phone call, arranged the seating, and then went to the office of the Minister of the Organization Department with Ma Qiyun.

"Secretary, the mayor offered to have dinner with us. It seems he greatly admires you. You have a chance to be promoted."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

Don't try to guess what your boss is thinking.

Ma Qiyun smiled and said, "Let's go visit Minister Ding first."

Minister Ding happened to have some free time, so he chatted with Ma Qiyun and Jiang Yiming for a while.

After placing the gift in Minister Ding's car, the two went to the hotel to wait for Wei Shanghua's arrival.

Around 12:30, Wei Shanghua arrived at the hotel.

"Secretary Qiyun, Comrade Xiao Jiang, I'm sorry, something came up and I'm late."

"We are deeply honored that our leaders, who are so busy with their affairs, could take the time to have lunch with us."

Ma Qiyun personally pulled out a chair and invited Wei Shanghua to sit down.

"Don't stand, please sit down."

There were only four people in total. Jiang Yiming and Ma Qiyun sat on either side of Wei Shanghua.

Gao Wenchang sat right next to Ma Qiyun.

"I won't drink at noon, I have a meeting this afternoon."

Wei Shanghua set the tone first.

"Since the leader is in a meeting, we won't insist. We'll find some time in the evening next time and have a proper drink together."

Ma Qiyun instructed Jiang Yiming to remove the wine from the container.

The food was served, and the group ate and chatted.

"Qiyun, your Xinping County has performed exceptionally well this year, emerging as a dark horse. Secretary Yang has nothing but praise for you."

Wei Shanghua smiled and said, "I am very satisfied with your performance this year."

"Thank you for your concern, leaders. The reason why Xinping County has been able to achieve such remarkable results is mainly due to the effective leadership of the municipal party committee and government."

"That also owes much to the efforts of your county party committee and county government, especially Comrade Xiao Jiang, who has made invaluable contributions."

Wei Shanghua raised his glass and said, "Xiao Jiang, we didn't drink any alcohol at noon, so let's have a toast with tea instead. Do a good job, I have high hopes for you."

Jiang Yiming hurriedly stood up, holding his cup, and said, "Thank you for your encouragement, Mayor. I will continue to work hard and live up to your expectations."

"I'll buy a horse."

Ma Qiyun picked up his glass and clinked glasses with it.

Midway through the meal, Wei Shanghua said with a smile, "Qiyun, go back and prepare well. The Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department will talk to you after the Spring Festival."

Ma Qiyun was taken aback; he hadn't expected the surprise to come so suddenly.

"Boss, I have no news at all. Could you please tell me where I am?"

Ma Qiyun inquired.

“You haven’t moved; you’re still working in Xinping County.”

Ma Qiyun was confused. If he hadn't changed his position, why was the provincial Party committee's organization department contacting him?

“Last month, Liu Guangchao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Mingyang District Party Committee, was formally arrested. As a result, a position on the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee became vacant, and the city decided to recommend you to serve as a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the County Party Committee.”

Wei Shanghua said, "I recommended you to this position despite everyone's objections. Do a good job, develop the economy of Xinping County, and shut up the others."

"Thank you, sir. I'll offer you tea instead of wine."

Ma Qiyun quickly stood up and drank three cups of tea.

Even after the dinner ended, the joy on Ma Qiyun's face hadn't faded.

"Secretary, oh no, Standing Committee Member Ma, congratulations!"

Jiang Yiming offered his congratulations repeatedly.

"Don't shout nonsense, things aren't settled yet."

Ma Qiyun said this, but he was secretly overjoyed.

"By the way, Yiming, I heard you were involved in the Mingyang District incident?"

"Wow, this kind of news has spread?"

Jiang Yiming's face immediately fell as he said, "I only participated in a very small part, I didn't expect it to be known to the outside world."