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

The next morning, Jiang Yiming rushed to the main conference room in the municipal party committee compound.

At this time, the top party and government leaders of various counties and districts, heads of municipal departments, and representatives of entrepreneurs have arrived one after another.

Jiang Yiming was quite familiar with many of these entrepreneurs, including Sun Yuxiu, head of Xinxin Food Company; Xiao Yuxiang, head of Yuxiang Company; Jiang Yongchen, head of Xiawang Catering Chain Company; Jiang Yunzhou, head of Yuegou Chain Supermarket; Wang Lin, head of Jiuzhou Company; and Du Hongyuan, head of Hongyuan Publishing House, among others.

Wang Lin, the head of Jiuzhou Company, had by then become the richest man in Yiyang City.

Yuegou Supermarket has become the largest supermarket chain in the city, with seventeen supermarkets currently operating in almost every county and district.

Xinxin Food Company has now become one of the top three food companies in Yiyang City, and its influence should not be underestimated.

Xiao Yuxiang, the head of Yuxiang Company, has amassed a net worth of 7.3 million yuan through his involvement in non-woven fabrics and medical protective equipment, ranking 99th on the 2003 Forbes China Rich List.

He rarely appears in Xinping County. This time, it was Wei Shanghua, the municipal party secretary, who called Jiang Yiming and asked him to invite Xiao Yuxiang to attend the meeting.

If Jiang Yiming hadn't made the call personally, even the municipal party secretary Wei Shanghua might not have been able to invite Xiao Yuxiang over.

At 8:59, Mayor Luo Zhangwen arrived at the conference room, and the Party Secretary entered the conference room right on the hour.

"Comrades, this meeting is an important one convened by the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government. It is related to the future economic development momentum of Yiyang City. I am very pleased to meet so many outstanding entrepreneurs. On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you."

clap clap clap!

As the applause subsided, Wei Shanghua continued, "With the advancement of reform and opening up, the national GDP has grown rapidly, and people's living standards have improved accordingly. Many places have achieved poverty alleviation and basic needs have been met. However, there are still many people living below the poverty line. Only by developing industries and the economy can we solve the problem of poverty."

"Therefore, the Party and the State attach great importance to economic development. Economic development cannot be separated from enterprises, and even more so from outstanding entrepreneurs. How to achieve rapid and sound economic development is a question that all our leading cadres must consider."

"The ranking of total economic output for this year has been released, and Xinping County's economy has once again achieved a leap forward. It should be noted that three years ago, Xinping County's economic output was at the bottom. With the implementation of a series of enterprise reform policies and preferential policies for attracting investment, Xinping County's economy has achieved a leap forward."

"In 2003, Xinping County's economy once again achieved a leapfrog development. Xinping County's economic development was not only due to catching the wave of the infectious disease, but also because the cadres of Xinping County were enterprising and boldly tried reforms, formulated a work plan to optimize the business environment, and implemented the plan, which won the favor and praise of many investors. Many investors took the initiative to invest and build factories in Xinping County, making a huge contribution to the county's economy."

"To this end, Mayor Zhang Wen and I have held several meetings to have the staff of the Policy Research Office summarize the work experience of Xinping County. With the relevant staff working overtime and working intensively, and after soliciting opinions from relevant experts, scholars, business leaders and business leaders of relevant departments, we have repeatedly revised the experience and formed the Xinping experience. The purpose of this conference today is to promote the Xinping experience."

"The Xinping Experience, also known as the Business Environment Optimization Mechanism, has been formulated. A work plan for optimizing the business environment has been developed, along with a list of tasks. All municipal departments and county/district party committees and governments are strictly implementing the plan, establishing a system of 'monthly consultations, bi-monthly assessments, quarterly scheduling, and semi-annual evaluations.' Units and individuals that fail to implement the plan will be severely criticized, and those with serious violations will be held accountable."

"To ensure the implementation of the plan and to ensure that the policies are not distorted, a leading group for optimizing the business environment in the city has been established. Mayor Zhang Wen and I serve as the group leaders, Zhu Jun, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor, serves as the executive deputy group leader, relevant municipal leaders serve as deputy group leaders, and heads of relevant municipal departments and heads of various counties and districts serve as members of the leading group. The leading group has an office and 14 working groups under it."

"The Leading Group Office is located in the Municipal Administrative Approval Service Bureau, and is responsible for the daily work of the Leading Group. Zhu Jun serves concurrently as the Director of the Office, and Lin Guo and Jiang Yiming serve concurrently as the Deputy Directors of the Office. The Office is responsible for coordinating and promoting the city's business environment improvement campaign, coordinating, supervising, guiding, and evaluating the implementation of various policies and measures by counties (districts), economic and technological development zones, and relevant municipal departments, promoting the resolution of key and difficult issues, studying relevant matters to be submitted to the Leading Group for review, and completing other tasks assigned by the Leading Group."

The leading group office operates in a centralized location, with personnel drawn from various counties (districts), economic and technological development zones, and some directly affiliated units of the district, adhering to the principle of "selecting the best and most qualified personnel." The office comprises four subgroups: a comprehensive group, a publicity and training group, a follow-up supervision group, and an assessment and evaluation group.

"We will also implement a list management mechanism, a regular scheduling mechanism, a work reporting mechanism, a supervision and enforcement mechanism, an accountability mechanism, and an assessment and incentive mechanism."

"Party and government leaders of all counties (districts) must treat this work as a key task for the whole year. At the end of the year, the party and government leaders whose work ranks in the bottom three will have to make a self-criticism speech at the conference!"

“Xinping County, in particular, as the birthplace of the work to optimize the business environment, should play a benchmark role. I expect that after this meeting, many county and district leaders will come to Xinping County for research and learning. You should play a leading role.”

The meeting lasted for more than two hours.

Throughout the meeting, Wei Shanghua, the municipal party secretary, praised Xinping County for its excellent work.

But Jiang Xuangui, the Party Secretary of Xinping County, and Zhang Yuntao, the County Head, were not happy.

After all, Jiang Yiming had been in charge of this work, and the municipal party secretary was very familiar with the situation.

Otherwise, Jiang Yiming wouldn't have been appointed as the deputy director of the office.

Although it was only a temporary organization, Jiang Yiming was able to influence the entire city by virtue of his position as deputy director.

After the meeting ended, Wei Shanghua called Jiang Xuangui over.

“Secretary Xuan Gui, because of the tight schedule, I did not have time to consult you, the county party secretary, before arbitrarily arranging Secretary Yi Ming in the leading group.”

“We are all your soldiers, and it is only right for you to assign any cadre to us. I will fully cooperate with the Xinping County Party Committee. Besides, it is an honor for Xinping County to have Secretary Yiming, as a cadre of Xinping County, to be appreciated by you, our leader.”

Although Jiang Xuangui felt uncomfortable, he outwardly appeared proud of it.

"It's good that you think that way!"

Wei Shanghua said, “When I attended your county’s special meeting before, I felt that you did not attach enough importance to this work and did not personally serve as the group leader. After returning this time, we will immediately form a leading group, with you and County Head Yuntao serving as the group leaders. Of course, Secretary Yiming has been in charge of this work before and is quite familiar with it. In addition, he serves as the deputy director of the municipal leading group office, so it is appropriate for your Xinping County to include him as the group leader.”

"Please rest assured, Secretary. After we return, we will immediately convene a mobilization meeting to thoroughly study today's meeting and do our utmost to ensure the success of this task."

Jiang Xuangui quickly expressed his opinion, but he had a bitter pill to swallow.

He had clearly done the work ahead of time, but now he dared not take credit.

Since he not only didn't include Jiang Yiming among the group leaders, but also ranked him after Wang Xianming, he naturally couldn't say anything.

What left him speechless was that the Xinping County Leading Group had already been established and its documents had been issued.

Now look what's happened, they want to reprint it. Where will Jiang Xuangui put his face?

They kicked Jiang Yiming aside before, but after only a few days, they want to add him back.

Isn't this a slap in the face?

After leaving the office, Jiang Xuangui ran into Jiang Yiming, who was waiting outside.

"Secretary Yiming, did you already know you would be appointed as deputy director?"

Jiang Xuangui asked with a stern face.

"If I said I didn't know, you definitely wouldn't believe me."

Jiang Yiming said calmly.

Why didn't you report to me or ask for my opinion before?

"When you kicked me out of the work on optimizing the business environment, did you consult me?"

Jiang Yiming said, "Besides, this matter was arranged by Secretary Wei. How can I report to you before things are settled?"

"If you feel this is inappropriate, you can discuss it with Secretary Wei."

"you……"

Jiang Xuangui was speechless after being rebuked, and just as he was about to say something, Wei Shanghua's voice rang out in the office.

"What are you two talking about outside? Why don't you come in and talk?"

"No, Secretary. I told Secretary Yiming not to worry about anything. The county has me and County Head Yuntao. I told him to make sure he does his job well and brings honor to the cadres of Xinping County."

Jiang Xuangui quickly replied.

"Xuan Gui still has a higher political stance."

Wei Shanghua smiled and said, "You and County Magistrate Yuntao can go back first. Yiming, stay here. I have something to discuss with him."

"Okay, Secretary, please feel free to call me anytime if you need anything."

After Jiang Xuangui left, Wei Shanghua said with a smile, "Yiming, I heard that you not only have a close relationship with President Xiao of Yuxiang Company, but also with President Wang of Jiuzhou Company?"

“We had interacted before, and we also kept in touch privately.”

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "But it's all official business."

"Haha, you're quite cautious with your words."

Wei Shanghua smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not investigating anything. It's just that our municipal party committee and government are hosting a banquet for General Manager Xiao and General Manager Wang at noon. Our city leaders don't have much contact with him, so I'm afraid it will be awkward. You can come and keep them company."

"Secretary Wei, you're inviting them and hosting banquets, are you trying to get them to invest?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"you are right."

Wei Shanghua said, "In 2003, Yiyang City's economy was in the middle to lower range in the province. If we can't turn things around this year, I'm afraid the province will hold Mayor Zhang Wen and me accountable."

"Therefore, I would like to invite President Xiao and President Wang to increase investment in Yiyang City, revitalize the economy, create jobs, and boost domestic demand. Of course, I am also aware of the situation in Yiyang City. Compared with other cities and prefectures, we have no advantages, so we can only play the emotional card."

“I know you have a good relationship with them. You can help me persuade them.”

"Secretary, to be honest, I will definitely complete any other tasks assigned to me without fail, but I can't guarantee anything about this one."

Jiang Yiming said, "Whether it's Xiao Yuxiang or Wang Lin, they are businessmen, and businessmen want to make money. It's unlikely that they will easily invest because of my persuasion. Of course, I can't afford to owe them such a favor either. If the project can't make them money, I'll be embarrassed to ask them for help."

Wei Shanghua nodded and sighed, "You're right, I was too hasty."

"Yiming, let's just consider this a chance to build rapport. Just pretend I didn't say anything earlier. When we chat, I'll personally invite them to invest. If they're interested, I'll welcome them. If they don't think it's a good idea, we won't force them."

"Secretary, give me a few days so I can find out if there are any suitable projects for them in Yiyang City. If there are, I will work with them."

Jiang Yiming decided to help Wei Shanghua out.

"Okay, Yiming, just tell me what information you need, and I'll personally arrange for someone to connect with you."

Wei Shanghua said happily.