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

The issues also include migrant workers returning to their hometowns, migrant workers' wage settlement, and poverty alleviation work.

The meeting lasted the entire afternoon, not ending until six o'clock.

Chen Xujian sent Jiang Yiming a message, inviting him to dinner.

Jiang Yiming left in Chen Xujian's car.

They found a quiet little restaurant, ordered three dishes and a soup, and took a bottle of 20-year-old Yusha liquor from the trunk. The two ate and chatted.

"Secretary Yiming, the investigation into the apportionment issue is almost complete."

Chen Xujian said, "According to this investigation, nine cadres were involved, and the items they were asked to submit were all sorts of things. For example, Fei Feng, the deputy head of Xigou Township, submitted red wine; Cao Xiang, the deputy head of the labor security supervision team of the county's Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, submitted gift boxes; Ge Weihong, the head of the law enforcement team of the county's Urban Management Bureau, submitted tea; and Wang Li, the deputy director of the Land and Resources Bureau, submitted liquor..."

"Among them, Wang Li, deputy director of the Land and Resources Bureau, is a section-level cadre; Cao Xiang, deputy head of the Labor Security Supervision Brigade of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau; Fei Feng, deputy head of Xigou Township; and Ge Weihong, head of the Enforcement Brigade of the County Urban Management Bureau, are deputy section-level cadres; the rest are division-level cadres."

"In other words, the personnel found to have violated regulations so far include 1 section chief, 3 deputy section chiefs, and 5 division chiefs."

Jiang Yiming asked, "Do we already have solid evidence against these people?"

"Yes, we have secured evidence against these individuals. As long as the leaders have no objections, we can take appropriate measures according to the relevant procedures."

Chen Xujian said, "There are also some people who do things in a more discreet way. For example, they let their relatives or family members open a teahouse, where a pot of tea is very expensive. It can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of yuan, while the tea itself is very ordinary. However, many people still patronize the teahouse. It's not that the owners are stupid and rich, but that they need favors from certain officials. By spending money at the teahouse, they are indirectly bribing the relevant officials so that they can get them to give them preferential treatment."

"But this situation is very difficult to investigate and it is also very difficult to secure evidence, so there has not been much progress so far."

Jiang Yiming nodded and said, "Let's make an example of them first. If they still don't behave themselves, then we'll spend more effort dealing with them."

"Right now, I need to finish what I'm currently dealing with."

"Okay, I'll report to Secretary Jiang tomorrow."

Chen Xujian laughed and said, "He assigned the task in less than a week, and I found out four cadres at or above the deputy section chief level. I want to see how they deal with them."

Meanwhile, after the meeting ended, Wang Xianming received a call from his cousin Fei Feng.

"Third Uncle, is this a convenient time for you? I'd like to report something to you."

"I just finished a meeting and will be home in about half an hour. You can come straight to my place."

Wang Xianming said.

"Okay, then I'll wait for you downstairs at your place."

Not long after, Fei Feng was greeted by Wang Xianming, who had just returned.

"Is there a problem?"

After Wang Xianming got out of the car, he asked.

"Isn't it the end of the year? I wanted to come and see you."

Fei Feng looked around and handed over an envelope.

"You're really a filial son."

Wang Xianming took it, pinched it with his fingers, felt its thickness, and estimated it to be about ten thousand yuan.

He knew his cousin was rather stingy and usually gave him only ordinary gifts, but this time he took out 10,000 yuan, which meant he was in trouble.

"Speak up, did something happen? Don't beat around the bush, I have things to take care of."

"Uncle, you have such keen eyes! You could tell right away that something was wrong with me."

Fei Feng flattered him, then said with a mournful face, "Uncle, that brat Jiang Yiming is targeting me and has the Discipline Inspection Commission investigating me."

"Investigate you? What could he possibly investigate about you?"

Wang Xianming inquired.

“I just wanted to make some extra money for the Spring Festival, so I bought some red wine from a friend and sold it cheaply to those business owners. I only made a small profit from the difference. I wasn’t the only one in the county doing this; many party members and cadres were doing the same thing. But Jiang Yiming didn’t arrest them; he just kept targeting me.”

Fei Feng said aggrievedly, "I heard that he and you don't get along very well. He must be trying to humiliate you by making a fuss about me."

"Don't drag me into your dirty deeds. If you hadn't done these things, would they have been able to trace it back to you? I think you deserve it!"

Wang Xianming said angrily.

Fei Feng lowered his head, not daring to refute.

In his heart, he felt utter contempt for this uncle. He had done countless dirty things himself, yet he had the nerve to talk about them.

Bah, so shameless!

"Alright, I'll report this to Secretary Jiang tomorrow and try to suppress this matter. Just behave yourself for now."

Wang Xianming decided to help his cousin out of consideration for the 10,000 yuan.

"Thank you, Uncle. I'll come to wish you a Happy New Year again."

Having received the promise he wanted, Fei Feng left happily.

The following day, Chen Xujian reported to Jiang Xuangui on typical cases of undermining the efforts to optimize the business environment.

"So many officials are involved?"

Jiang Xuangui smiled and said, "Secretary Xujian, you've worked hard. You've been able to find so many officials who violated regulations in such a short time. Your efficiency is very high, and you've done a very good job."

"However, the Agricultural Bank loan case has already implicated twenty or thirty party members and cadres in our Xinping County. The impact of this matter has not yet been eliminated. If so many cadres are dealt with again, it will inevitably cause a great negative impact. Others will think that the cadres in our Xinping County are all corrupt."

"Therefore, my personal suggestion is to only deal with one or two section-level cadres. As for which one to deal with, I will not interfere. That is the work of your discipline inspection commission. You should handle it according to your actual situation."

“Secretary Xuan Gui, the conference on optimizing the business environment was just held not long ago. The county party committee and county government made a statement in front of representatives of entrepreneurs from all over the county. If we find out but do not take action, it will inevitably affect the image of our county government and severely dampen the enthusiasm for this work.”

Chen Xujian insisted, "My personal suggestion is that we should still deal with them to prevent those entrepreneurs from saying that we are two-faced and dishonest. If we lose credibility, it will be difficult to regain it."

Jiang Xuangui frowned. He had made himself so clear, yet Chen Xujian still insisted on handling it. This was disrespecting him!

"There's no need to rush this matter. Let's put it aside for now and deal with it later."

Jiang Xuangui looked displeased and slowly sipped his tea.

Seeing that Jiang Xuangui was unwilling to budge, Chen Xujian had no choice but to leave.

After Chen Xujian left, Wang Xianming came in.

"Secretary, how's the matter going?"

"I don't know what kind of spell Jiang Yiming cast on him, but Chen Xujian is so unwavering in his support for Jiang Yiming."

Jiang Xuangui said unhappily, "The position of secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission is very important. If I can't control it, it will be very troublesome. It seems that we still need to find an opportunity to get rid of him."

"Secretary, I think the person who should be removed the most is Jiang Yiming."