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

In the afternoon, Jiang Yiming, accompanied by Deng Liwei, director of the county's agricultural bureau, went to the highway exit to welcome Shen Dakuan, chairman of Ainong Company, and his delegation.

Jiang Yiming and his group arrived at the highway exit at 2:20.

"They plan to exit the highway at 2:30."

Deng Liwei explained, "Ainong Company's business scope is the integrated development of breeding and processing. It mainly breeds crayfish and the four major freshwater fish species. Through processing, it produces products such as crayfish tails, drunken fish slices, pickled fish, and chopped pepper fish heads, which are sold to major supermarkets and restaurants. The profits are very good."

"They are currently conducting inspections in various locations. If the cooperation is successful, they will invest 500,000 yuan here to establish a 10,000-mu breeding base and 2.5 million yuan to establish a processing plant. Therefore, this is a substantial investment. Our Agricultural Bureau attaches great importance to this, which is why we have to ask County Head Jiang to personally intervene."

"I am the leader in charge of agriculture, forestry and water conservancy. It is my responsibility to support agriculture. As long as it can bring investment to our county, I would be willing to do anything, not just support it, but even dance for it."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

"Ahem, County Magistrate Jiang, you're really willing to spend a lot of money."

Deng Liwei smiled.

As the two were chatting, a Mercedes-Benz van drove off the highway.

"It was a group from Ainong Company."

As soon as Deng Liwei finished speaking, the Mercedes-Benz pulled up beside them, and several people got out of the car. The leader was a middle-aged man around fifty years old.

Jiang Yiming stepped forward, extended his hand and said, "Chairman Shen, welcome to Xinping County for inspection and research. On behalf of the Xinping County Party Committee and County Government, I warmly welcome your arrival."

However, the other person frowned and casually shook hands.

"Hello Chairman Shen, I am Deng Liwei from the Xinping County Agriculture Bureau."

Deng Liwei stepped forward and shook hands.

"Director Deng, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Shen Dakuan shook hands warmly.

"This is our County Head Jiang Yiming, who is in charge of agriculture. Upon learning that you were coming to inspect and conduct research, County Head Jiang put aside all his busy work and came here personally to welcome you."

Deng Liwei explained.

"He...he's the county magistrate?"

Shen Dakuan was somewhat taken aback.

Even though he was very knowledgeable, he had never seen such a young county leader.

He's only in his early twenties, right?

"Chairman Shen, I am Jiang Yiming, the deputy county magistrate in charge of agriculture."

Jiang Yiming explained with a smile.

"So it's the county head in charge of agriculture. I thought your Xinping County didn't value our Ainong Company and just sent some young guy over there."

Shen Dakuan grasped Jiang Yiming's hand tightly and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, County Chief Jiang, please forgive me if I offended you earlier. It's not that we're putting on airs, but in our country, if you want to do business, the first thing you need to see is whether the local leaders value it."

“If the county leaders don’t take this seriously, then my trip will be meaningless, so I’m a little unhappy.”

"I understand what the chairman means."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "It was just a misunderstanding. Let's not say anything more. Let's go to the site first and then sit down and talk. After all, cooperation is mutual. Only when both parties are satisfied can we have a chance to reach an agreement."

"Of course, regardless of whether this cooperation is successful or not, we've already met and can become friends."

"County Chief Jiang is right. No matter what, it's fate that we got to know each other."

Shen Dakuan smiled and said, "Please lead the way, we'll follow behind."

After Shen Dakuan and the others got into the car, Jiang Yiming and the others returned to their car.

Our first stop was Yusha Town.

Chen Zixin, the Party Secretary of Yusha Town, led a group of people to wait at the border between the two towns early in the morning.

After seeing Jiang Yiming and the others arrive in their car, Chen Zixin greeted them and then returned to his car to lead the way.

The car drove for more than twenty minutes before stopping at a fishpond.

Jiang Yiming and the others got off the bus one after another.

"Chairman Shen, this is Chen Zixin, the Party Secretary of Yusha Town. Their town has more than 30,000 mu of aquaculture water area, and a fish farm of more than 7,000 mu belongs to their town government. If a cooperation is reached, their town will be responsible for coordinating to rent the fish farm to you and working with the surrounding residents to get them to give up their fish ponds to meet your needs."

After a brief introduction, Jiang Yiming said, "Secretary Zixin, please explain the situation of the fish farm and the surrounding infrastructure to Chairman Shen."

"Yes, County Chief Jiang."

As they walked, Chen Zixin introduced, "Hello, Chairman Shen. Our Yusha Town is named after the Yusha River. Every year, there is abundant rainfall, and the Yusha River has clean and clear water, which is very suitable for aquaculture. Our town manages more than 7,000 mu of fish farms, most of which are leased to local people. However, the contracts expire at the end of the year. If you are interested, our town government will work with them."

“The infrastructure of the entire fish farm and its surrounding area is not yet perfect. If you are willing to establish an aquaculture base here, our town government will apply to higher authorities to upgrade the water, electricity, and road infrastructure of the fish farm and its surrounding area, and do our best to meet your requirements.”

Shen Dakuan and the people behind him kept nodding, looking around, and occasionally taking notes.

About ten minutes later, Shen Dakuan smiled and said, "This location is excellent. It's close to a water source, and the fish farm is far from factories and residential areas, so the aquaculture water is less affected by other factors. It's very suitable for aquaculture. My team and I will give it serious consideration."

"Thank you, Chairman Shen. I look forward to our cooperation."

Chen Zixin responded with a smile.

"Chairman Shen, now that we've finished looking around, shall we move on to the next location?"

"Alright, I'll follow County Chief Jiang's arrangements."

Shen Dakuan and the others returned to the car.

"Zixin, you've worked hard. We're going to the industrial park. If there's any interest here, I'll give you another call."

"Okay, take care."

Chen Zixin watched Jiang Yiming and his group leave.

The car headed towards the industrial park.

Just as they were about to arrive at the industrial park, Jiang Yiming received a call from Liu Sicheng.

"County Chief Jiang, there is something I need to apologize for. Our park's Party Working Committee Secretary, Liu Hui, has an urgent matter to attend to and cannot personally accompany you on your research trip. I will accompany you in her place."

Liu Sicheng said with a face full of embarrassment.

“Sure, we’re old acquaintances, it would be even better if you came along. We’ll be there in five minutes, let’s talk when we meet.”

Jiang Yiming felt somewhat uncomfortable after hanging up the phone.

He guessed that Liu Hui was probably deliberately making excuses to avoid showing up.

"You personally went to the countryside for research, and Liu Hui, as the top leader, actually had her deputy receive you. That's outrageous!"

Deng Liwei said indignantly.

"Perhaps Secretary Liu has something to attend to."

As a county leader, Jiang Yiming naturally couldn't show his emotions.

Upon reaching the park's boundaries, Jiang Yiming waved to Liu Sicheng, signaling him to get in the car and lead the way.

The car first went to Yunhu Village, and then went to Litai and Gaoqiao.

"I didn't expect you to be so good at breeding your specialty breeds."

Shen Dakuan exclaimed, "Moreover, the infrastructure in Yuchi is also very well built, comparable to that of some wealthy cities in the south."