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

“Secretary, I apologize. I failed in my job and lacked awareness of the crisis. I didn’t expect that even after I warned them, they would still dare to petition collectively.”

Wang Xianming quickly offered a self-criticism.

"What's the point of saying all this? Once it's happened, there's no use in reflecting on it!"

Jiang Xuangui said, "I will convene a Standing Committee meeting as soon as I get back. But before the meeting, we need to set the tone and decide who will take primary responsibility. Only by identifying the main person in charge can the meeting reach a consensus and further formulate handling opinions."

"Only by clarifying the main responsibility can I give an explanation to the city."

“Secretary, although I feel that I have not done my job well, this matter is by no means my responsibility.”

Wang Xianming could easily understand Jiang Xuangui's implication.

He's trying to get himself to take the blame.

He was absolutely unwilling.

This collaboration with Zhang Yuntao is aimed at striving for progress.

If he takes the initiative to assume this primary responsibility, he will inevitably be subject to Party disciplinary action.

What kind of progress is that?

"Comrade Xianming, you must have a sense of the big picture. Only by protecting me can you protect yourself."

Jiang Xuangui was surprised that Wang Xianming would refuse. He frowned and said, "If I am punished for this matter, or even forced to retire early, do you think you will have a good time when Zhang Yuntao takes office?"

“Secretary, I really don’t want you to leave early, but this matter is indeed not my primary responsibility.”

Wang Xianming said, "If you insist that I am primarily responsible, then raise it at the Standing Committee meeting. If everyone agrees that it is my responsibility, then I will have no objections."

"Good, very good! Wang Xianming, you've grown up. You're no longer the Wang Xianming who used to come to my house every day, cook for me, and take my kids to and from school."

Jiang Xuangui said with a stern face, "If I can promote you from a deputy secretary of a township party committee to executive deputy county head, I can find a way to bring you down!"

"In Xinping County, there's nothing I can't do. Even Jiang Yiming gives me some leeway. Do you think you can just jump out of my grasp? It's not that I look down on you, but if you were that capable, you wouldn't have been stuck as the executive deputy county head for eight years without being able to move up!"

After that, he hung up the phone directly.

"What an ungrateful dog!"

Jiang Xuangui cursed loudly, "Back then, to curry favor with me, he would kneel down and kowtow to me every Spring Festival, and even call me godfather. Now that I've promoted him to the position of executive deputy county head, he dares to disobey his father!"

"He thinks he got to this position because of his own abilities. I only gave it to him out of pity! Since he dares to disobey me, he shouldn't blame me for being impolite!"

Jiang Xuangui's face turned ashen with anger. He recalled how Wang Xianming had shamelessly fawned over him in order to get promoted, and now that Wang dared to disobey him, he was furious. He felt like he had been bitten by his own dog, which made him extremely unhappy and depressed.

the other side.

After hanging up the phone, Wang Xianming sneered, "The old man still hasn't grasped the situation and wants me to work for him. He's getting more and more confused."

“Over the years, I have been under pressure to do all sorts of things for him and support him unconditionally. Even when Ma Qiyun was in control of the whole situation, I still gritted my teeth and charged forward for him, even at the risk of offending Ma Qiyun. Later, he became the secretary as he wished, but he didn’t take me seriously anymore. I have mentioned to him so many times that he should help me get the position of deputy secretary, or even recommend me to go to another county, but he always finds all sorts of excuses to refuse.”

"I'm forty-four this year. If I can't take another step forward, my career will come to an end. How can I be willing to accept that?"

He then looked at Zhang Yuntao and said, "County Chief Zhang, don't forget our agreement."

"Rest assured, County Chief Xianming, as soon as I become the Party Secretary, I will immediately recommend you for the position of County Chief. Even if the city does not accept my recommendation, I will still recommend you to be the Deputy Party Secretary of another county."

Zhang Yuntao assured, "Besides, Jiang Yiming is likely to leave Xinping County to take up a post in another county, which will vacate the position of deputy secretary. At that time, I, as the secretary, will have more say."

"I believe you, but will doing this really get rid of Jiang Xuangui?"

Wang Xianming said worriedly, "I heard that Mayor Luo has a good relationship with Jiang Xuangui. If he speaks on his behalf, I'm afraid that he won't be able to leave just because of this matter."

"Didn't I tell you? I went to see Mayor Luo, and he thinks highly of me and has expressed his intention to recommend me for the position of Party Secretary."

Zhang Yuntao laughed and said, "No matter what, Jiang Xuangui is getting old and has no potential for development. Mayor Luo doesn't have time to waste on him, but I have a lot of room for development, so he wants to cultivate me as one of his own."

“You’re right. Secretary Wei took over as secretary after serving as mayor of Yiyang City. Basically, the entire city of Yiyang is his army. Mayor Luo is weak and powerless and can’t make his voice heard. He really needs to cultivate his own people.”

Wang Xianming nodded.

“This petition has caused quite a stir, and given Jiang Xuangui’s advanced age, if Mayor Luo proposes to remove Jiang Xuangui, Secretary Wei certainly won’t stop him.”

"Moreover, some people are petitioning at the provincial level. If they succeed, the situation will escalate further. No matter what methods Jiang Xuangui tries, he will not be able to change the fact that he will have to leave Xinping County."

"Okay, after hearing your analysis, I feel much more at ease. I definitely won't take the blame when the Standing Committee meets later."

Wang Xianming smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm here for you."

Zhang Yuntao patted Wang Xianming on the shoulder and said, "Xinping County will soon be governed by the two of us."

"Congratulations in advance to Secretary Zhang."

…………

A hotel in Jiangcheng City, the capital of Dongjiang Province.

“Lu Huagang, just listen to me, come back with us obediently, and stop petitioning.”

Wang Xuanzhong advised, "What good will it do you to petition? You're not only dragging us down, but also your family."

"Don't blame me for not warning you. If you keep making a scene like this, it will affect your son and daughter's jobs and your grandson's schooling."

"Do you know why I petitioned? It's to bring down you shameless officials and let officials who truly understand and love the people take office."

"Oh, like who?"

“Secretary Jiang Yiming is such a good cadre, he should be made the county party secretary.”

Lu Huagang said in a deep voice.

Wang Xuanxuan's eyes lit up, and he coaxed, "Was it Jiang Yiming who gave you the idea to come and petition?"

"I have never had any dealings with Secretary Jiang. Stop trying to smear him!"

Lu Huagang sneered, "I came to petition purely because I can't stand you corrupt officials, it has nothing to do with Secretary Jiang."

"Lu Huagang, if you keep talking like that, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Wang Xuanzhong said coldly, "Let me tell you, you think you can see the provincial leaders by petitioning? Don't dream. The provincial petition bureau will just hand you over to Xinping County to handle. They'll definitely accuse you of 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble' and lock you up for several years!"