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

The next morning.

Xiao Shumin walked steadily toward the office of Huang Zehong, the Minister of the Organization Department. He carried a jar of pre-Qingming Longjing tea in his hand.

"Minister Zehong, are you still busy?"

Xiao Shumin gently knocked on the door and walked into the office with a smile on his face.

Huang Zehong, who was engrossed in reviewing documents, looked up at the sound of voices. Seeing that it was Xiao Shumin, he quickly stood up to greet him, a fleeting look of surprise in his eyes: "Secretary Shumin, what a rare guest! Please, have a seat."

"I brought some pre-Qingming Longjing tea from Hangzhou. Here, have a jar for you to try."

Xiao Shumin gently placed the tea leaves on the desk.

Huang Zehong accepted the tea leaves and said with a smile, "Secretary Shumin, you're too kind. I must savor this tea."

He personally brewed a cup of tea for Xiao Shumin and invited him to sit down on the sofa.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the two chatted about recent work updates and important plans from the provincial party committee. Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, Xiao Shumin gradually got to the point.

"Minister Zehong, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Xiao Shumin's expression was slightly solemn.

Huang Zehong immediately said seriously, "Secretary Shumin, you're being too polite. Just tell me what's on your mind. As long as it's within my responsibilities, I'll cooperate fully."

Huang Zehong was humble and showed no arrogance whatsoever.

Although he ranks ahead of Xiao Shumin according to the provincial party committee's ranking, Xiao Shumin is now both a member of the provincial party committee's standing committee and the secretary of the Jiangcheng municipal party committee, and has broad prospects for future development.

Judging from the career paths of cadres, the Party secretaries of sub-provincial cities are often more likely to be promoted. Xiao Shumin has a high probability of becoming the deputy secretary of the provincial Party committee or even the governor, which is much greater than his current position as the head of the organization department.

"Then I'll just say it directly."

Xiao Shumin pondered for a moment and said, "Recently, we have received some feedback that there are serious quality problems with the underground pipeline project in Jiangcheng City, which may be related to Comrade Sun Yuntong, the head of the Urban Management Bureau. The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has already launched an investigation."

"I've also heard rumors that Sun Yuntong might have some connection with Minister Zehong. I wonder if this is true. If it's just a rumor, please consider it as me coming here today for a casual chat, and don't take it to heart."

After listening, Huang Zehong's expression turned serious: "Secretary Shumin's initiative to inform me, regardless of whether this matter is related to me or not, I will remember this trust."

He paused briefly, then continued, "To be honest, Sun Yuntong does have some connection with me; he's a distant relative on my wife's side. However, I was completely unaware of his actions. If I had known earlier, I would have sent him to the Discipline Inspection Commission long ago, without you even needing to investigate."

Huang Zehong took a sip of tea, his tone becoming more sincere: "But besides being leading cadres, we are also ordinary people, with emotions and desires, and family ties. I will persuade Sun Yuntong to proactively explain the situation to the organization and actively cooperate with the investigation. At that time, I hope Secretary Shumin, while upholding principles, can provide appropriate consideration, so that I can have an explanation to my family."

"That's natural."

Xiao Shumin nodded and said, "As long as he has a proper attitude and cooperates thoroughly, the organization will definitely handle the matter according to regulations and discipline, and in a fact-based manner. Those who should be held accountable will be held accountable, and those who should be tolerated will be tolerated."

Xiao Shumin added: "Actually, before I took office in Jiangcheng, Mayor Yiming had received a letter of complaint about Comrade Sun Yuntong, but at that time, Mayor Yiming considered various factors and temporarily suppressed the matter. However, this situation is special. The municipal hotline has received no fewer than ten complaints from citizens, all reflecting problems such as the collapse of underground pipe networks and backflow of water after the recent rainstorm. If this is not thoroughly investigated, public resentment will likely boil over, and it may even push the conduct of all cadres in Jiangcheng into the spotlight. Therefore, after in-depth discussions with Mayor Yiming, I ultimately made the decision to immediately launch a special investigation procedure, instructing the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Municipal Housing and Construction Bureau, and the Municipal Audit Bureau to jointly establish an investigation team, requiring a preliminary report to be produced within a week."

Xiao Shumin specifically emphasized that he made the decision himself in order to prevent Huang Zehong from blaming Jiang Yiming.

After all, Jiang Yiming is already in a very difficult situation, and as the municipal party secretary, he should take the initiative to assume responsibility.

"Thank you, Secretary Shumin and Mayor Yiming, for your honesty and trust."

Huang Zehong expressed his understanding, saying, "If there's a chance another day, please invite Mayor Yiming along. I'll treat, and we can all get together."

"We're all colleagues, no need to be so formal."

Xiao Shumin responded with a smile.

After talking for a while, Xiao Shumin got up to take his leave. After leaving Huang Zehong's office, he went straight to the Jiangcheng Municipal Government to meet with Jiang Yiming for discussions.

What did Minister Huang say?

Jiang Yiming asked with concern.

He admitted that Sun Yuntong was a relative of his wife's side and hoped that, while adhering to principles, we would give Sun Yuntong the opportunity to voluntarily explain the situation and cooperate with the investigation.

Xiao Shumin gently shook his head: "He expressed his gratitude verbally, but what he truly thought was unknown."

"However, regardless, we must strictly follow the relevant regulations. We have already notified him as required, which is sufficient courtesy. Whether he is grateful or resentful, we have done what we were supposed to do, and now we just need to proceed according to the rules."

"Yes, Secretary, with your words I know how to handle this."

Jiang Yiming breathed a sigh of relief, then changed the subject: "Secretary, regarding the medical insurance reform, I anticipate encountering many difficulties during its implementation. After all, this is our province's first pilot program for centralized drug procurement, involving three key stages: drug catalog selection, distribution company access, and hospital implementation. Unexpected problems may arise at any stage."

"Any reform will encounter difficulties of one kind or another."

Xiao Shumin firmly stated: "But as long as we adhere to the people-centered development philosophy and act responsibly towards the masses, I believe we will be able to overcome all obstacles and implement this beneficial project effectively."

"Of course, you need to conduct a thorough and detailed analysis of all potential risks in advance, resolve some of the outstanding problems as early as possible, and at the same time reserve a sufficient policy buffer period to proceed step by step and steadily. In this way, even if some unexpected problems arise during the implementation process, they will not have a major negative impact on the overall work."

Xiao Shumin added earnestly, "There is another crucial point: this matter must be led and managed by a politically reliable and highly capable person. You must understand that you are currently in the eye of the storm, and many eyes are watching your every move, hoping that you will make a mistake so that they can take advantage of your misfortune and make a big fuss about it."

"I understand, and I will do my best to handle this matter properly."

Jiang Yiming responded solemnly: "However, it is impossible to do any job perfectly. There will inevitably be oversights or deviations in execution."

Xiao Shumin nodded, his expression serious, and said, "That's why I advised you to postpone this matter a little longer, but you insisted on pushing it forward. You need to understand that any reform will inevitably affect the vested interests of some people, and they will try every means to obstruct and resist it. But you, instead of avoiding the limelight, insist on going head-on, choosing to tackle the toughest challenges and break down the most difficult fortresses first. This drive and sense of responsibility are commendable, but they are also likely to attract trouble and make too many enemies."

“Actually, I also thought about delaying the process, but when I went to the hospital to do research some time ago, I saw with my own eyes that many patients dared not be hospitalized because the medical expenses were too high. Some even broke their pills in half to save money. There were also some patients’ families who could not raise enough medical expenses and could only watch their loved ones’ conditions continue to deteriorate, and in the end, they could not even get into the ICU.”

Jiang Yiming said in a heavy tone, "The sooner we promote medical reform, the sooner life-saving drugs can be successfully introduced into hospitals, giving more patients who cannot afford the drugs less despair and more hope for survival."

Xiao Shumin nodded seriously, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "In that case, let's postpone the plan for another day. I will personally invite Governor Zhao, who is in charge of health, and Director Xu of the Provincial Health Department to come to Jiangcheng later to have a chat and ask them to help review and give us their opinions. That way, even if any problems arise later, the responsibility can be shared appropriately, instead of falling entirely on your shoulders."

"Thank you, Secretary. I feel much more at ease knowing that you said that."

Jiang Yiming knew that Xiao Shumin meant well, so he did not refuse.

"Furthermore, what is the current status of the shutdown of those twenty-odd heavily polluting enterprises and the handling of the Gouwei Lake pollution incident?"

Xiao Shumin continued to inquire.

"The pollution problem at Gouwei Lake has been basically investigated. All companies involved have been placed under investigation, and relevant responsible persons have been detained. Officials involved in violations of laws and regulations are under investigation. Those already investigated include one municipal leader, Liu, the deputy director of the Municipal People's Congress—who previously served as the director of the Environmental Protection Bureau; one principal leader and three deputy leaders of municipal departments; and seven county and district leaders, including two deputy county heads in charge of environmental protection, and three township party secretaries and two directors of environmental protection sub-bureaus."

Jiang Yiming reported in detail: "The shutdown work is progressing steadily according to the principle of 'one policy per enterprise.' Eight enterprises have completed equipment dismantling, three have entered the asset liquidation stage, and the remaining enterprises are still in progress. There are currently two main problems: First, the pollution problems left over from the shutdown have not been completely resolved. Some factory areas still have underground leachate slowly overflowing, and the treatment costs are extremely high, which some enterprises simply cannot afford, and can only rely on government subsidies; second, the resettlement of some employees has not been properly resolved. Our municipal government is actively contacting a large state-owned chemical enterprise, planning to introduce it to Jiangcheng City, acquire and transform some of the shut-down chemical enterprises, and build them into a qualified green chemical industrial park, which will both undertake the transfer of production capacity and ensure the employment of employees. However, the conditions proposed by the other party are quite harsh, and the two sides are still in further negotiations."

"I have a good personal relationship with Director Liu of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. I will make a special trip to the capital the day after tomorrow to ask Director Liu to help me invite the other party's CEO out for a meal. We will then discuss the cooperation terms in detail over the dinner table."

Xiao Shumin proactively suggested, "Of course, this is just our best effort. Whether the other party will ultimately give us face is really hard to say."

"It's much better to have someone help us make connections than to try to negotiate on our own."

Jiang Yiming said with a smile, "At that time, I'm afraid Secretary Shumin will have to show his true strength and make sure the other side is satisfied."

"Now that you mention it, I'll definitely have to bring you along the day after tomorrow. First, it'll seem more important if the two of us go in person; second, with you there, I'll feel more at ease no matter how much alcohol the other person can hold. Last time you went to Hangzhou, you practically drank me out of the water. If you can knock him out the day after tomorrow, I guarantee he'll do our thing properly."

Xiao Shumin laughed and said, "Young people should take better care of us old comrades."

Jiang Yiming never expected that his casual reminder would backfire and get him into trouble.

However, he did not refuse. After all, he was the one who led the effort, and Xiao Shumin's personal involvement in finding someone to act as a go-between was already a great support. Naturally, he had to take on the responsibility he was supposed to bear.

"Okay, I'll go with you the day after tomorrow."

After the two agreed, Jiang Yiming went to attend to other matters.

the other side.

After get off work, Li Xuanzhang invited Lei Liang to dinner at a secluded private club.

"Old Lei, you haven't been working properly lately. I've heard the colleagues talking about you, saying you seem to be a bit stressed. What's going on?"

Li Xuanzhang inquired with concern.

Lei Liang sighed and said, "You specially prepared this banquet just to talk about this matter?"

"Otherwise what? If it were just about work-related matters, why would I go to all this trouble to invite you here? I could just call you to my office to talk."

Li Xuanzhang put down his wine cup, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Thank you for your concern, Governor Xuanzhang, but I am indeed fine and there is nothing unusual."

Although Lei Liang said this, his eyes revealed a hint of unconcealed fatigue.

"Old Lei, we've known each other for so many years, aren't you treating me like an outsider? If you have any difficulties, just tell me, don't bear it all alone."

Li Xuanzhang leaned forward slightly, his tone sincere.

"What's the point of me telling you all this? Things are already like this."

Lei Liang gave a bitter laugh, downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, and sighed deeply: "You managed to escape this predicament and remain firmly in your position as governor, but what about me? My position as secretary of the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee is gone just like that. Although I still hold the title of deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, it's clear to everyone that this is only a temporary transition. What does that mean? It means I've been abandoned. The only reason they're keeping me in this position is because they can't find a suitable successor for the time being, or they just want me to occupy this spot until Huang Zehong or Xiao Shumin have gained experience for a year or two before kicking me out and making room for them."

"Old Lei, you're being far too pessimistic."

Li Xuanzhang shook his head and said firmly, "As long as the final personnel arrangements are not yet finalized, there is still hope. My advice is that the most important thing for you now is to cheer up and do your current work well and thoroughly. There may be new opportunities later. Take me for example, how many people thought I would be assigned to a leisurely department to retire, but I still made it through in the end, didn't I?"

“I’m not like you, Governor Xuanzhang.”

Lei Liang shook his head with a wry smile: "You are the governor, wielding real power, so naturally some people are willing to lend you a hand at crucial moments. As for me, the deputy secretary, my words carry little weight, and I am utterly insignificant in their eyes. Right now, I just want to do my job well and wait for the organization's final arrangements. As for anything else, I dare not have any more unrealistic ambitions."