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

"Teacher Yang, Uncle Li, please have a taste."

Jiang Yiming raised his wine glass to offer a toast.

"Try the wine that Yiming brought."

Yang Jing and Li Zhengquan raised their glasses and took a small sip.

"This wine tastes quite good, smooth and fragrant. I didn't expect that our Dongjiang Province has such good wine. It's a pity that it's not well-known. If it could be promoted properly, it could still gain a place in the liquor market."

Although Yang Jing is a woman, she was born into a wealthy family and began to taste various famous wines at a very young age, so she is even more knowledgeable about baijiu than Li Zhengquan.

Li Zhengquan nodded and smiled, "When Yiming mentioned Yusha Wine earlier, I felt that the name sounded familiar. Now I remember, Yiming had only been working for a short time when he was sent to Yusha Winery to lead the reform. It was at this time that he began to show his talent."

"If I'm not mistaken, you were the one who did the work on Comrade Shanghua's side, right?"

"Nothing can be hidden from Uncle Li."

Jiang Yiming said, "If a liquor brand wants to gain recognition, it needs a lot of money to advertise. Yusha Liquor has limited funds and the county government provides very little support, which has caused the Yusha Liquor Factory to stagnate. I had no choice but to go to Secretary Wei and ask him for help."

"After Secretary Wei tasted Yusha wine, he thought it was indeed very good, so he agreed to include Yusha wine in the city's official reception wine selection."

"Such fine wine, why doesn't your Xinping County support it properly? What are you thinking?"

Yang Jing shook her head, somewhat puzzled.

As the provincial governor, Li Zhengquan was naturally able to guess the intricacies involved.

"I imagine that after Comrade Shanghua's recommendation, the sales of Yusha wine have increased significantly."

"Secretary Wei personally led the way in drinking Yusha wine, and the entire officialdom of Yiyang City followed suit."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "There is a shortage of Yusha liquor now. However, I made a request to them that they cannot take the opportunity to raise prices. The profit margin of liquor is already high, and it is promoted with the help of the government. The main suppliers are government units, so they can't raise prices arbitrarily."

"We'll promote it in Yiyang City first, and once production capacity increases, we'll find a suitable opportunity to promote it throughout the province, striving to create a well-known liquor brand of our own Dongjiang region."

"Thank you for your support, Uncle Li. I will go back and ask them to improve quality and efficiency, and strive to increase both output and quality to prepare for promotion throughout the province."

Jiang Yiming was overjoyed.

He never expected that his trip to the provincial capital would yield such great results.

Yusha wine is a local industry in Xinping County. If it is developed, it will not only increase tax revenue, but also create jobs and promote the economic development of Xinping County.

Moreover, he personally spearheaded the reform of Yusha Winery. As Yusha Winery became famous, Jiang Yiming's reputation as the leader of the reform would also rise accordingly.

"Teacher Yang, Uncle Li, please try my 'Dragon Turtle Fighting'. It's made locally in Xinping County."

Jiang Yiming ladled a spoonful into each of their bowls and said with a smile, "Eel and soft-shelled turtle both have the effects of nourishing yin and beautifying the skin, as well as tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the body. They have a significant effect on improving symptoms such as soreness in the lower back and knees and lack of energy."

Yang Jing and Li Zhengquan each ate a few pieces.

Yang Jing gave a thumbs up and said, "Yiming, your cooking is excellent. It's spicy, fragrant, and the meat is tender and soft, perfect for pairing with drinks."

“It’s really delicious.”

Li Zhengquan also gave it a positive evaluation.

"If you like it, eat more. If you have the chance, I'll come and cook for you more often in the future."

Jiang Yiming also scooped a spoonful for Niu Niu.

"Shi Ning, you've really struck gold! Yi Ming is not only capable at work, but also a great cook."

Yang Jing praised with a smile.

"By the way, Shi Ning, have you told Yi Ming about your plans?"

"Yiming has been busy lately, and I haven't had a chance to discuss it with him yet."

Xia Shining said, "I plan to have a proper talk with him when he has some free time."

"Okay, you two discuss it, and the teacher won't interfere. Make a decision as soon as possible."

"Ok."

Xia Shining nodded.

Although Jiang Yiming was curious, he didn't ask in front of the teacher.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yiming and Xia Shining took Niu Niu out to play for the whole afternoon.

In the evening, Jiang Yiming was going to visit Guo Shenglin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Niu Niu and Guo Shenglin were also very familiar with each other, so they were brought along together.

When Jiang Yiming arrived at Guo Shenglin's house, he brought not only twenty catties of wine infused with turtle eggs, but also six cartons of cigarettes.

"Uncle Guo, my girlfriend Shi Ning and I wish you a Happy Chinese New Year in advance."

"Me too, me too."

Niu Niu raised her hand and said, "Grandpa Guo, I've come to wish you a Happy New Year too."

"Haha, good, good, come in quickly. Your Grandma Li is still in the kitchen. She'll be overjoyed to hear you're here."

Guo Shenglin smiled and said, "Yiming, Shining, come in and sit down."

"I'm going to find Grandma Li."

Niu Niu ran happily towards the kitchen.

"I'll go help in the kitchen too, you guys chat."

Xia Shining wasn't visiting for the first time, so she walked familiarly towards the kitchen.

"Yiming, congratulations! I heard that Yiyang City is making great efforts to optimize the business environment, and you were the one who spearheaded this initiative."

Guo Shenglin smiled and said, "Some provincial leaders know about this matter and are very concerned. If you can really achieve results, the province will follow up quickly. If it goes well, the province will probably report to the central government."

"If this is promoted nationwide, as long as you don't make any major mistakes and just demonstrate some ability, your career will be smooth sailing."

"What's more, you have Governor Zhengquan and me backing you up."

"Thank you, Uncle Guo, for your care and concern."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "I met with Mayor Zhu Jun a while ago, and he told me that you specifically asked him to take care of me. I am so grateful to you."

"You're being too polite by saying that."

Guo Shenglin smiled and said, "If you encounter any difficulties, just give me a call."

"Okay, Uncle Guo."

After having dinner at Guo Shenglin's house, Jiang Yiming took Niu Niu home and then went to the hotel he had booked.

As soon as I got downstairs, my college roommate Wang Chen came over carrying some things.

"Brother Jiang, hello sister-in-law."

Wang Chen smiled and said, "The Spring Festival is coming soon, so I got you two some small gifts. Please don't mind them."

"Why are you being so formal with me?"

"Just a little thought."

"Alright, then we won't stand on ceremony."

Jiang Yiming knew that Wang Chen's parents ran a small business. Although they weren't extremely wealthy, they were comfortably well-off.

"Let's not go out to find a place. Let's get some braised dishes and a bottle of baijiu, and we can chat and drink in the room."

"Okay, I'll go get some braised dishes. You guys wait for me upstairs."

Wang Chen went to buy braised food.

Jiang Yiming took a bottle of wine and checked in with Xia Shining.

They have to head to Yiyang City tomorrow, so they won't have time to get together alone. They can only have a late-night snack and chat together.