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

Hao Qiang organized several groups of petitioners, but they were all blocked by Liu Sicheng and his men.

The employees gradually settled down. With the leadership and persuasion of respected figures such as Wang Weifa and Xu Shengmao, most employees chose to stay, while a small number chose to transfer to other companies.

"The first step has been completed; the next steps will be carried out simultaneously."

Jiang Yiming convened a meeting and said, "Mayor Liu, assist Manager Wang with recruitment. Elder Xu, prepare for the start of construction. Once we have raised the funds in three days, we will begin construction immediately. Is there anything else to add?"

"Recruiting is no problem, but raising four million yuan in three days is extremely difficult."

Wang Weifa said with a bitter face, "I only have 200,000 yuan of my own. Even if I invest it all, it will be a drop in the ocean."

"I'll offer 100,000."

"I'll pay 150,000."

"I am out..."

Xu Shengmao and the others also took out all their savings, but the five of them only managed to raise 700,000 yuan, which was still far from 4 million yuan.

"This is just the beginning, and we've already raised 700,000. It's a great start!"

"Everyone should go out and persuade their relatives and friends to get involved as well."

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "Of course, everyone should persuade us with the mindset that I'm here to help you, not to beg you. We're helping them make a lot of money, so they should be thanking us."

“Some employees are probably willing to contribute money; you should go and ask them.”

"Me and other members will also split up to solicit investment."

"Alright, anything is possible if we put our minds to it. If Director Jiang hasn't backed down, why should we?"

Everyone nodded.

"It's past nine o'clock, so that's the end of today's meeting. Everyone should go home and rest. Starting tomorrow, everyone will be responsible for their own tasks, and we'll strive to get things started smoothly in three days!"

Jiang Yiming returned to his dormitory and was just about to take a shower when there was a knock on the door.

"Director Jiang, this is Liu Sicheng. Are you resting?"

"not yet."

Jiang Yiming opened the door and said with a smile, "Mayor Liu, what can I do for you?"

"I... I'm here to thank Director Jiang."

Liu Sicheng bowed to Jiang Yiming and said gratefully, "Thank you, Director Jiang. I originally thought that you had rejected my request, but I didn't expect you to speak up for me. Without you, I definitely wouldn't have been able to get the deputy section chief position, let alone become the deputy mayor."

"If you ever need anything from me, Liu Sicheng, just ask, and I'll do my best."

"Mayor Liu, you're exaggerating. It was the organization that selected you; it has nothing to do with me."

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "You still have the ten thousand yuan from last time, right?"

Liu Sicheng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "It's still here. I'll go back and get it for you right away."

"You've misunderstood. I'm not asking you for a thank-you fee."

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "Didn't you say before that your family's financial situation wasn't very good? You can use this 10,000 to buy 1,000 shares, and they'll be worth something in two months. Of course, don't buy them in your own name, buy them from someone else in your family."

"Thank you, Director Jiang. I will definitely buy it tomorrow. Not only will my family buy it, but I will also persuade my relatives and friends to buy it."

Liu Sicheng solemnly assured him.

"Don't overthink it, I'm not giving you a task."

Jiang Yiming shook his head and said, "I'll say it again: persuading them to buy shares is helping them make money, and they should be grateful to us. Don't make it sound like we're begging them."

"Alright, it's getting late, you should go home and get some rest."

After seeing Liu Sicheng off, Jiang Yiming took a shower and then snuggled into bed, falling fast asleep.

He's been working overtime these past few days and is exhausted.

The next morning, Jiang Yiming returned to the county committee compound to report to Ma Qiyun.

After all, no matter how well you do, you still need your boss's approval.

"You disappeared without a trace after you left, and you didn't even come to report on your work. I thought you'd forgotten that you're my secretary?"

Ma Qiyun smiled and scolded.

It's clear he's in a good mood.

"The Party Secretary is a master strategist; even if I don't come to report, someone will report my every move to you."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "Of course, I should also report my work progress to you from time to time. It's just that the progress has not been very obvious recently, so I was embarrassed to come back."

"Your efficiency is already very fast."

Ma Qiyun still approves of Jiang Yiming's work: "Although some aspects are a bit radical, overall it is commendable."

"With the Party Secretary's words, I can roll up my sleeves and get to work as fast as I can."

Jiang Yiming chuckled and said, "Secretary, would it be convenient for me to give you Director Luo's number? I'd like to arrange a meeting with her."

"What, you're trying to trick her into buying shares in Yusha Winery?"

“The Party Secretary is indeed the Party Secretary. I had barely started when he knew what I was thinking.”

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "This is the first enterprise reform in our county. As one of Secretary Ma's key generals, Director Luo should naturally make his own contribution to the enterprise reform. Don't you think so?"

"Yiming, you're very kind. I'll give you my phone number, but whether she's willing to buy it or not is not up to me."

Ma Qiyun knew that Jiang Yiming wanted Luo Yan to get a share of the profits.

"Thank you for your support, leader."

After making the appointment with Luo Yan, Jiang Yiming went directly to the Education Bureau.

He was Ma Qiyun's secretary, and it was perfectly legitimate for him to come to Luo Yan, the director of the Education Bureau, under the guise of official business.

Standing at the entrance of the Education Bureau, Jiang Yiming felt a pang of envy.

In terms of power, the Education Bureau is a weak department, but in reality, the Director of the Education Bureau controls a great deal of resources.

All of the county's hundreds of schools and nearly 10,000 teachers are under the jurisdiction of the Education Bureau.

Rural teachers who want to move to the county seat, students who want to attend good schools, and ordinary teachers who want to become school leaders all need approval from the education bureau.

Every day, countless people come to the Education Bureau seeking favors.

As Jiang Yiming entered the director's office, Luo Yan, dressed in a black business suit, stood up to greet him, extending her delicate hand and saying, "Welcome, Secretary Jiang, to the Education Bureau for your guidance."

"Director Luo is joking. I'm just a secretary, how could I dare to give Director Luo any guidance?"

Jiang Yiming shook hands and said with a smile, "Welcome Director Luo to Yusha Town to guide our work."

"You are the secretary to the Party Secretary. When the Party Secretary is present, he is the top leader. When the Party Secretary is absent, you are the top leader."

Luo Yan sat down next to him and said, "No one dares to disregard you."

"Director Luo, please stop making fun of me."

Jiang Yiming shook his head; he felt that Luo Yan had a problem with him.

“Jiang Yiming, I know why you’re here. The mess you made in Yusha Town has offended quite a few people.”

Luo Yan said, "You're creating trouble for Secretary Ma."

"Reform will inevitably affect the interests of some people, and resistance is unavoidable. We can't just give up because we're afraid of offending people, can we?"

Jiang Yiming said, "Since you know why I'm here, I won't beat around the bush with Director Luo. Director Luo, would you be willing to buy shares in Yusha Winery?"

"If Director Luo is willing to buy it, he will not regret his choice two months from now."

"Are you begging me or threatening me?"

Luo Yan said with a sharp look in her eyes.