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

Everyone else present had their heads down, each lost in their own thoughts.

Zhao Zhenlin and Chen Zixin both wore faint smiles.

They are Jiang Yiming's staunch supporters, standing firmly behind him regardless of whether he is at a disadvantage or in an advantageous position.

However, they remained silent at this time.

Jiang Yiming has already gained the upper hand, so there's no need for them to add fuel to the fire. If they really push Jiang Xuangui too far, it will be counterproductive.

No matter what, Jiang Xuangui was still the county party secretary.

"I understand the situation you mentioned. As the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, you must take the lead and do a good job in related work."

Jiang Xuangui had no interest in saying anything more to Jiang Yiming; he just wanted to finish the Standing Committee meeting as soon as possible so he could leave.

Next is the issue of personnel adjustments, mainly concerning the reshuffling of principals at several schools, including the county's No. 1 Middle School.

This had already been discussed beforehand; it was just a formality.

The next few agenda items were all rushed through.

That concludes today's meeting.

Jiang Xuangui stood up and walked out of the conference room with a gloomy face.

Wang Xianming quickly chased after him.

County Clerk's Office.

Jiang Xuangui returned to his office, plopped down in his executive chair, and immediately pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.

Wang Xianming, who was right behind him, quickly walked over, bent down, and lit the fire for him.

“Secretary, Jiang Yiming is outrageous. He used to pretend, but now he doesn’t even bother to pretend anymore and dares to challenge you directly.”

Wang Xianming looked angry: "Secretary, I don't think we can let him run wild like this, otherwise he'll start defecating and pissing on our heads sooner or later!"

Jiang Xuangui didn't say anything, but just took a few deep drags on his cigarette.

"Secretary, I think we can put Jiang Yiming down and extinguish his temper."

"How should we suppress him? Has he engaged in improper conduct, or has he accepted bribes?"

"Uh……"

Wang Xianming looked embarrassed; Jiang Yiming had indeed done an excellent job in this regard.

It was so good that they didn't know where to begin.

If they replaced the official, they might be able to find fault with his lifestyle or whether he accepted bribes.

But none of these methods worked on Jiang Yiming.

He's just too rich!

Just thinking about it makes me angry!

Jiang Xuangui said impatiently, "If you have a plan, just say it directly, don't beat around the bush."

Wang Xianming's eyes darted around: "Secretary, I think we can start with the people around him, such as Wang Jiajia, the mayor of Donggou Township, Peng Yunqing, the director of the Audit Bureau, and Liu Sicheng, the director of the Kaiyuan Office. They are all people he promoted and are his confidants. Targeting them is easy to do and can also provide a breakthrough."

Is that all the vision you have?

Jiang Xuangui scoffed, "Of the people you mentioned today, which one is qualified to attend? Even if we dealt with them all, would it affect the overall situation?"

"This……"

Wang Xianming smiled awkwardly and said, "Although it won't have a big impact on Jiang Yiming, it can at least serve as a warning to others and let those who want to follow Jiang Yiming see who the real leader is."

"That's all you've got!"

Jiang Xuangui said with exasperation, "Even if you had a third of Jiang Yiming's ability and methods, I wouldn't be at a disadvantage in a confrontation at the Standing Committee meeting!"

"You've really wasted your time as a member of the county party committee standing committee and executive deputy county head!"

Wang Xianming's face flushed red, and he was furious.

He came to comfort Jiang Xuangui and offer him advice.

Instead of receiving his praise, he scolded her like a grandson, which infuriated him!

But he dared not speak out against his anger, and could only force a polite but awkward smile.

"The only way to weaken Jiang Yiming's influence is to start with the county party committee members who support him."

Jiang Xuangui sneered, "When he's all alone, let's see how he dares to challenge me!"

Wang Xianming asked in surprise, "You want to target a member of the county party committee standing committee?"

"what are you thinking?"

Jiang Xuangui frowned and said, "How can we possibly touch the members of the county party committee standing committee?"

"What do you mean?"

"Can I recommend them to the city?"

Jiang Xuangui said, "For example, Zhao Zhenlin. He has been in this position for quite some time. I will ask Mayor Luo to help him get transferred and a new Minister of the Organization Department will be transferred in."

"Without Zhao Zhenlin's support, Jiang Yiming has basically no say in personnel matters. Such a deputy secretary is like a toothless tiger, utterly useless!"

"Of course, it would be better if Jiang Yiming could be transferred. But I mentioned it to Secretary Wei last time, and he didn't say anything. I'm afraid he doesn't agree to transfer him."

"Ahem, Secretary, if you don't recommend me for promotion, I've been the executive deputy county head for quite a while now. If I don't get a promotion soon, I might miss my chance."

Wang Xianming quickly replied.

“You can’t leave now. If you leave and Chen Zixin becomes the executive deputy county head, my situation will be even more difficult.”

Jiang Xuangui said, "Don't worry, I will recommend you to the city at the appropriate time."

"There's one more thing that needs to be resolved as soon as possible, and that's getting Wang Hao into the Standing Committee. He's been the director of the county party committee office for over a year, but Chen Zixin stepped in and got into the Standing Committee. If it weren't for Chen Zixin's intervention, and Wang Hao hadn't joined the Standing Committee, I wouldn't be in such a passive position with his vote."

"The Party Secretary is very thoughtful. I need to learn more from him."

Seeing that Jiang Xuangui only cared about his own interests and did not consider recommending him to the city, Wang Xianming felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife.

"There is still a lot you need to learn about the art of power."

Jiang Xuangui said, "Go and invite County Magistrate Yuntao over. I want to talk to him. It's time to strengthen cooperation with him."

Wang Xianming was stunned for a moment. He had to admire Jiang Xuangui. He might not be good at other things, but he was definitely an expert in power struggles.

First, he recommended Zhao Zhenlin to the city to replace one of Jiang Yiming's key figures. Second, he tried to win over County Chief Zhang Yuntao.

If he can actually do these two things, then Jiang Yiming will have no choice but to let him do as he pleases.

Not long after, Zhang Yuntao was invited in by Wang Xianming.

"Xianming, don't you still have things to take care of? Go ahead and do your work. Close the door behind you. I'd like to have a chat with County Chief Yuntao."

Jiang Xuangui spoke up.

Wang Xianming knew that Jiang Xuangui wanted to get rid of him, so he had no choice but to leave.

"Secretary Xuan Gui, is there something you need from me?"

Zhang Yuntao inquired.

"County Chief Yun Tao, have you ever thought about taking over my position?"

Jiang Xuangui got straight to the point.

Zhang Yuntao paused for a moment, then said, "This is not a question I should be concerned about. My task is to do my job well. As for my personal matters, the organization will arrange them. I have no objection. Whatever work the organization assigns me, I will do it."

“County Chief Yuntao, I invited you here because I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you, so there’s no need for empty words.”

Jiang Xuangui said, "I know you really want to sit in my seat and can't wait for me to move you out as soon as possible."

"Let me give you a heads-up: in the second half of next year, I might be going to a quiet department in the city to retire, and the position will be vacant very soon."

Zhang Yuntao's eyes lit up, but he quickly concealed it: "Secretary Xuan Gui is in his prime. If he cannot continue to serve the people, it will be a great loss for the 800,000 people of Quanxinping County."

"I'm getting old, it's time to make way for you young people."

Jiang Xuangui said, "You are the county magistrate, so it is only natural for you to take over as the county party secretary. As long as there are no problems, I believe you can take over this position."

"Of course, the premise is that the two of us get along well and the county party committee and county government are of one mind. Only in this way will the municipal party committee think that you are capable of taking on important responsibilities."

"If we fight to the death, and I then severely belittle you when I leave office, your chances of taking over the position of county party secretary will probably drop drastically."

"What do you want to say?"

Although Zhang Yuntao had already guessed it, he still didn't want to say it directly.

"During my less than one-year term, you must remain aligned with me and support my decisions. When I leave office, I will certainly recommend you to the municipal party committee and government."

Jiang Xuangui smiled and asked, "Are you willing to cooperate with me?"

Zhang Yuntao thought for only three seconds before smiling and saying, "You are the class monitor, so naturally we must unite closely around you."

A satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Xuangui's face.

He knew that Zhang Yuntao and he had reached an agreement.

With Zhang Yuntao's support, and the transfer of Zhao Zhenlin, things progressed smoothly.

In the entire Xinping County, no one could shake his position.

The next day, Jiang Xuangui took a case of good cigarettes and liquor to the city.

He wanted to visit Mayor Luo and recommend Zhao Zhenlin to him!

This was his counterattack; he wanted to show those wavering Standing Committee members that he, Jiang Xuangui, would not sit idly by and wait for his doom.

Once he retaliates, no one can withstand it!