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

"I've only heard about it; there aren't that many secrets in the world."

Ma Qiyun laughed and said, "You indirectly gave me a push. If Liu Guangchao hadn't been arrested, I probably wouldn't have gotten this position on the municipal party committee standing committee yet."

"However, I must remind you that whether it is Liu Guangchao or Deng Weicheng, the relationships involved in their rise to this point are intricate and complex. You are fine now that you are only in Xinping County, but when you become a county-level leader in the future, you still need to be careful that they will try to trip you up."

"Thank you for the reminder, I will pay attention."

Jiang Yiming did not regret it. He could not ignore the heinous crimes of Brother B and the officials who condoned and protected him just because he was afraid of retaliation.

"However, don't worry. Mayor Wei admires you very much. With him around, those people won't be able to succeed."

Ma Qiyun said, "According to sources, Secretary Yang is about to step down to the second line, and Mayor Wei is a strong contender to succeed him."

After chatting for a while, Ma Qiyun went to visit other city leaders, while Jiang Yiming went to visit his good friend.

He visited Long Shaolin, Tang Guangyong, Wan Yuankun (Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection), Liu Wenshan (Deputy Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau), Jiang Wenjing (Head of the Economic Construction Section), Xie Yanhua (Member of the Organization Department), Yang Hao (Deputy Director of the Municipal Health Bureau), and others.

In the evening, he would have dinner with close friends such as Long Shaolin, Tang Guangyong, and Yang Hao.

"This meal is on me."

Tang Guangyong laughed and said, "No one is allowed to take it."

"Brother Tang, what wonderful news has happened?"

Jiang Yiming laughed.

"He got promoted."

Long Shaolin said, "With Wang Xiongfei arrested, he and I are the biggest winners. He takes over the position of bureau chief, and I take over the position of district chief."

"You're the district head now? You should be treating us to this meal."

Jiang Yiming knew that Long Shaolin would be moved up a position. He initially estimated that it would be the third-in-command of Mingyang District, that is, the deputy secretary of the district party committee, since Long Shaolin's ranking on the district party committee standing committee was only in the middle or lower ranks.

Unexpectedly, Long Shaolin took a giant leap and became the district head.

However, considering the power of the Long family, this makes sense.

"Director Tang said we can't compete with him. I'll treat everyone tomorrow night. It'll still be just the few of us. We won't leave until we're drunk."

Long Shaolin laughed.

"Forget it, I have a ton of things to deal with in the park. I'll save them for later and take advantage of you next time I come."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

"That won't do. You deserve the most credit for our smooth advancement, Director Tang and I. If you leave, who will we drink with?"

Long Shaolin was displeased and insisted on keeping Jiang Yiming.

"Brothers, please spare me, I won't kill you, okay?"

Finally, after Jiang Yiming begged for mercy, the drinking party for tomorrow night was canceled.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Long Shaolin and Jiang Yiming whispered to each other.

"Take some time tonight and come with me to Jiangcheng."

"Minister Jianlong?"

Jiang Yiming instantly understood.

"Yes, this matter has been dragging on for a long time. It's almost the end of the year, so you can bring a box of tea over as a New Year's greeting. It won't be too abrupt."

"Uh, I left in a hurry and didn't have time to prepare tea."

"It's alright, I've prepared the tea leaves, you can just take them with you when you come."

Long Shaolin said, "We won't involve Wan Yuankun this time. His problem has already been resolved, so it doesn't matter whether we meet him or not."

"Oh, so Secretary Wan's position has been decided?"

"Yes, the vice mayor of Ningjiang City."

Jiang Yiming nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go with you."

Yiyang City is a three-hour drive from the provincial capital.

It was already past 11 p.m. when we arrived in Jiangcheng.

"Brother Jiang, let's not go back to our hotel. Let's find a hotel and I'll treat you to a foot massage. You can relax and unwind."

Long Shaolin put his arm around Jiang Yiming's shoulder and walked into a magnificent bathhouse.

"welcome."

A row of scantily clad girls bowed and greeted them.

At this moment, the owner of the bathhouse quickly came over.

"Young Master Long, your arrival is too sudden. Why didn't you call me before you left so I could come downstairs to greet you?"

"It was a last-minute decision."

Long Shaolin said, "Arrange a double room and find two girls with good skills to come over."

"Don't worry, Young Master Long, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

The boss personally led Long Shaolin and his companion to a luxurious private room on the third floor.

"Young masters, please change your clothes first. The technician will be here soon."

The boss closed the door and left.

"Brother Long, is this shop legitimate?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"Of course it's legitimate. How could an unregulated business be allowed to operate?"

Long Shaolin chuckled and said, "But whether the girls inside are decent or not is another matter."

Seeing Jiang Yiming's troubled expression, Long Shaolin laughed and said, "Don't overthink it, we're just washing your feet properly."

“If it weren’t a legitimate place, I wouldn’t dare bring you here so openly. If my dad found out, he’d break my legs.”

The two were chatting and had already changed their clothes when someone knocked on the door.

"Hello boss, we are technicians number 8 and 9, may we come in?"

"come in."

Two tall, slender girls, dressed in revealing clothing, walked in.

"Hello boss, it's a pleasure to serve you."

After the two girls finished speaking, they began to give Jiang Yiming and Long Shaolin a relaxing massage.

After the massage, the two took a shower in the private bathroom, had a late-night snack at the buffet restaurant, and then stayed in the room provided by the bath center to rest.

At 7:30 the next day, Jiang Yiming followed Long Shaolin to the provincial party committee compound.

Each provincial leader was provided with a three-story detached house; Long Yumin lived in Building No. 6.

When Jiang Yiming entered the living room, a middle-aged man with a square face and a side-parted hairstyle was leaning back on the sofa, reading an internal reference.

"Dad, you should go out for a walk early in the morning and get some exercise."

Long Shaolin said, "With your body type that can sit all day long, you'll end up with a lot of health problems when you get old."

Long Yumin heard the sound and looked up.

"Other people are the ones educating their sons, but you're the opposite; every time you come back, you start lecturing your father."

Long Yumin shifted his gaze to Jiang Yiming, his sharp eyes landing on Jiang Yiming.

Jiang Yiming tensed up, as if he were completely naked and had been seen by Long Yumin.

This is the power and authority of a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the Organization Department!

"Is this Comrade Xiao Jiang?"

Long Yumin said in a peaceful tone.

He has mastered the art of controlling his momentum!

"Hello Minister Long, I am Jiang Yiming."

Jiang Yiming spoke respectfully yet with integrity, then placed the tea provided by Long Shaolin on the coffee table: "I came in a hurry, so I only prepared some tea."

"Da Hong Pao, my favorite."

Long Yumin glanced at it, nodded, and smiled, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I asked Aunt Wu to prepare some for you. Let's eat together."

Jiang Yiming glanced at Long Shaolin, and seeing him nod, he sat down as well.

Soon, Aunt Wu brought out three bowls of eight-treasure porridge, three boiled eggs, three cups of milk, and bread.

"Don't be shy, eat it while it's hot."

After Long Yumin finished speaking, he began to eat seriously and did not say anything more.