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

"After all, Gao Wenchang has been with Secretary Wei for six or seven years, and they have a deep affection for each other. Since he is one of their own, Secretary Wei will definitely arrange a good position for him."

Ma Qiyun laughed and said, "That's only human nature."

"I'll find an opportunity to call Director Gao and congratulate him properly."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

“Now that you’re in the city, I’ll take the lead in celebrating for him.”

Ma Qiyun said, "I've had some dealings with Li Xinhou before, and I'll let him know when the time comes. You two can help each other out."

"Thank you for your concern, former leader."

Jiang Yiming asked, "By the way, when does the training start?"

"It is expected to start in early May and last for a month."

"Okay, I'll wait for your notification."

Jiang Yiming had just hung up the phone when he received a call from Zhu Jun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Executive Vice Mayor, and Director of the Office of the Leading Group for Optimizing the Business Environment of the City.

"Secretary Yiming, please take care of your current tasks and set aside a week. Secretary Wei has asked us to conduct research and supervision on the city's efforts to optimize the business environment, to understand and identify problems, so as to prevent various localities from not thoroughly implementing this task, engaging in fraud, or going astray."

"Okay, Mayor, when should it take place?"

"Let's set it for next week. Today is Thursday. You can work overtime this weekend to finish up what you have on hand, and then we'll head to the municipal party committee compound on Monday morning."

Zhu Jun said, "I'll call Jiang Xuangui later."

"Yes, Mayor, I will fully cooperate with the work."

Jiang Yiming called Liu Weimin over.

"Notify the county party committee office that any documents that require my signature should be brought over before the weekend. I won't be in the county next week, so if you want my signature, you'll have to wait until a week later."

Jiang Yiming said, "Make a list of things that need to be dealt with in the near future, and I will prioritize the important things based on these three days."

"Yes, Secretary, I'll get ready right away."

After Liu Weimin left, Jiang Yiming walked towards Jiang Xuangui's office.

Although he was reluctant, the other party was, after all, the top leader, and he still had to inform him that he was leaving for a week.

"Secretary, I have something to report to you."

Jiang Yiming knocked on the door and came in.

"Was it Mayor Zhu who pulled you aside for the research trip?"

"Yes, Mayor Zhu just finished a phone call with me."

"No problem, just go ahead. Don't worry about things in the county. Just help the leaders get things done."

Jiang Xuangui smiled and said, "If there's anything, I'll have someone call you again."

He couldn't wait for Jiang Yiming to leave, preferably by being transferred, so that Jiang Yiming wouldn't be able to contradict him.

"Yes, Secretary. Thank you for your understanding."

Jiang Yiming said, "Our county's efforts to optimize the business environment also require you to convene a coordination meeting and increase our efforts. If I'm not mistaken, the city will hold an on-site meeting on optimizing the business environment in our county within the next two months. As the place where this activity was initiated, if our county's work is not done well enough, Secretary Wei will definitely have something to say about it."

“I understand about this matter. I’ve been busy these past few days and haven’t had time to hold a meeting. I’ll find some time next week to hold a meeting to urge all functional departments to perform their duties and to increase efforts to create a favorable business environment.”

"Okay, Secretary."

Jiang Yiming said, "There's one more thing I need to report to you."

"Our county's industrial sector is gradually growing stronger, and agricultural development cannot lag behind. I plan to focus on developing the 'one small and two yellow' industries to drive farmers to increase production and income."

"The stable development of the primary industry cannot be separated from the integrated development of the secondary and tertiary industries. Therefore, I propose to hold an agricultural production and marketing matchmaking event, so that processing, distribution and catering industries can directly sign supply contracts with planting and breeding cooperatives, reduce intermediaries, and promote a win-win situation. At the same time, we will promote the agricultural brands of Xinping County and enhance their popularity and influence."

"You come up with a plan first, and we'll discuss it at the meeting later."

Jiang Xuangui said with little interest.

"Okay, Secretary."

Jiang Yiming could also tell that the other party was not interested, after all, Jiang Xuangui's main focus was currently on the Cultural Plaza project.

After returning to his office, Jiang Yiming received a call from Zhao Zhenlin, deputy secretary of the Qing'an County Party Committee in Linjiang City.

"Brother Yiming, the province has officially appointed Ding Nan as the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and acting mayor."

Since Zhao Zhenlin and Jiang Yiming no longer worked in the same county, they addressed each other as brothers in private and stopped using each other's official titles.

"Brother Zhao, you don't need to tell me about this, do you?"

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "I'll only be happy when you get promoted. Others are none of my business."

"Brother Yiming, are you kidding me?"

Zhao Zhenlin said, "You told me last time that you and Mayor Ding had a falling out and your relationship was very strained. But it doesn't seem like that to me."

“Last week, Mayor Ding came to our county for research and asked me privately about your recent situation. She also said that since I came to work here, she would actively invite you to come and exchange ideas and provide guidance. She said that you have done a very good job in all aspects and that I should learn from you. She also said that once you come, you should call her.”

"I have a feeling that Mayor Ding cares about you a lot."

"Brother Zhao, don't overthink it. She just treats me like a junior and cares about me."

Jiang Yiming said, "I'll come to see you when I have the chance. But like I said, you and she can have normal contact, but don't get too close."

"Don't worry, I'll remember it all."

Zhao Zhenlin laughed and said, "Brother, I can still listen to what you have to say."

"How's it working over there?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"Oh, don't even mention it. Now I finally understand the difficulties you face as deputy secretary. The county head has the authority over finance and economics, so I can't get involved. The county party secretary has the authority over major matters such as personnel and party building, so I don't have the final say either. As the deputy secretary, I'm stuck in the middle. It seems like I have a lot to manage, but in reality, I can't make any decisions. Especially for an outsider like me, I can only agree with the secretary on everything, otherwise I'll be in an even worse situation."

Zhao Zhenlin said, "You are much better than me. At the county level, you have the support of Secretary Xu Jian and County Head Zi Xin, at the city level, you have the support of Minister Ma, and even Secretary Wei admires you very much. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for you to do many things, let alone me."

"It's all about getting through it slowly."

The two chatted for a while before hanging up the phone.

Jiang Yiming's phone rang again before he could put it in his pocket.

When Jiang Yiming saw that it was Ding Nan calling, he hesitated whether to answer.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yiming put his phone aside and did not answer the call.

However, Ding Nan was very persistent and immediately typed it a second and a third time.

Jiang Yiming had no choice but to accept.

"Mayor Ding, I'm sorry, I was busy just now and didn't have time to answer the phone."

"It's nothing, why are you being so polite with me?"

Ding Nan smiled and said, "I have good news for you. The province has officially issued a document appointing me as the Deputy Secretary of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee and Acting Mayor."

"Really? Congratulations on Mayor Ding's promotion, that's truly a cause for celebration."

Jiang Yiming seemed to realize this just then, letting out a perfectly timed expression of surprise.

"Yiming, this is a great joy in my life. I just want to share it with the people I care about most. Are you free? Let's get together in Linjiang City."

"Mayor Ding, I'm so sorry, but I'll be accompanying Mayor Zhu on a research trip for a week next week, and I have a lot of other things to take care of. I'm afraid I won't have time to come over, so I can only wish you well from afar over the phone."

Jiang Yiming politely declined.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then Ding Nan said resentfully, "You really don't want to spend even a little time on me? My demands aren't high, just treat me like you used to, okay?"

“I don’t ask for anything else. I just want us to be like before, where you call me Sister Nan and I call you Brother. If we don’t have time, we’ll call each other to say hello, and if we have time, we’ll sit down and get together.”

Jiang Yiming, fearing that the other party would pester him, did not respond directly: "Secretary Chen of the Discipline Inspection Commission has something urgent to discuss with me. We'll talk later."

Then hung up the phone.

Jiang Yiming breathed a long sigh of relief. You can't be soft-hearted with this kind of woman. Once you are soft-hearted, she will think that there is still a chance, and this back-and-forth entanglement will only make things more troublesome in the end.

Hesitation when a decision is made will inevitably lead to chaos; indecisiveness will inevitably result in future troubles.

Upon hearing the busy tone on the receiver, Ding Nan slammed her phone onto the sofa.

"Jiang Yiming, do I have absolutely no appeal? Why are you so heartless towards me!"

Ding Nan then buried her face in her arms on her desk and began to cry.

Upon hearing the knock, Ding Nan quickly went into the inner room to tidy up before letting the person in.

"Mayor, these documents need your signature."

The female secretary walked in.

"Put it down, I'll sign it later."

Just as the female secretary was about to leave, Ding Nan called out to her: "You can drive, right?"

"Mayor, I can drive."

"Come with me to Xinping County, Yiyang City."

Ding Nan said, "No one is allowed to know about this, do you understand?"

"Mayor, rest assured, I will not speak carelessly."

The female secretary quickly replied.

"Okay, go prepare a private car and pick me up after get off work."

"Yes, Mayor."

After the female secretary left, Ding Nan went into the inner room, changed into casual clothes, put on light makeup, carefully examined herself, and nodded in satisfaction.

When it was time to leave work, Ding Nan took a Mercedes-Benz to Xinping County.

After get off work, Jiang Yiming declined all social engagements and returned home.

Lately, he's been either working or attending various social events, and he wants to take a good rest.

Around 8 o'clock, Ding Nan called.

This left him speechless and angry.

"Why is this woman sticking to me so tightly, like a sanitary napkin?"

Without saying a word, Jiang Yiming hung up the phone.

Just as he was thinking he was finally getting some peace and quiet, a text message arrived.

"Little brother, I'm waiting for you downstairs at your house."

Jiang Yiming hurriedly looked out the window and saw Ding Nan dressed in casual clothes.

She wore a tight-fitting black dress that accentuated her perfect figure. Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks, adding a touch of softness to her appearance.

Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, and her lips were painted with vibrant lipstick, making her look even more sexy and alluring. Her eyes radiated confidence and elegance, captivating all who beheld them.

But for Jiang Yiming, it was somewhat frightening.

What should he do?

To go down or not to go down?