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

"Secretary Yuntao, shall we move on to the next venue?"

Wang Xianming smiled and said, "Several old buddies from various departments are waiting in the teahouse. Shall we go over and have a seat?"

"Okay, let's go sit down."

Zhang Yuntao burped and agreed.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, they found five people already waiting in a luxuriously decorated private room.

One is the township mayor, one is the township party secretary, and the other three are Wang Li, the director of the Land and Resources Bureau, Zhao Lei, the director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, and Zhang Xiangsheng, the director of the Environmental Protection Bureau.

They were all Jiang Xuangui's close associates and had a good relationship with Wang Xianming. This time, they were using Wang Xianming as an intermediary to show their loyalty.

Upon seeing Zhang Yuntao arrive, he hurriedly came forward to greet him.

"Secretary Zhang, County Head Wang."

everyone shouted.

"We're all old brothers, so don't stand on ceremony. Let's sit down and chat."

Zhang Yuntao waved his hand and then sat down in the main seat.

Wang Xianming and the others sat down one by one.

"Secretary Zhang, on behalf of several of us, I would like to apologize to you."

Director Zhao Lei of the Civil Affairs Bureau apologized, saying, "In some matters before, although we knew that your instructions were more correct and we should have followed them, as you also know, Secretary Xuan Gui has a rather forceful style. He interfered, and we had no choice but to obey. As a result, the implementation of your instructions was not thorough enough."

"You don't need to say anything more, I understand."

Zhang Yuntao waved his hand and said, "Don't even mention you, even I have to follow Jiang Xuangui's instructions. I can understand how you feel."

"Let's work together to improve the economy of Xinping County and make progress together."

"Secretary Yuntao is right. From now on, we will closely follow Secretary Yuntao, forge ahead, and make progress together."

Wang Xianming smiled and said, "As you've probably heard, there's a strong call for Secretary Yuntao to take over as secretary. I expect the appointment will be made soon. Then we'll follow in Secretary Yuntao's footsteps and develop Xinping County well!"

“I heard from my cousin in the city that Mayor Luo greatly admires Secretary Yuntao, and given that he is also the county magistrate, it’s practically a done deal that he will take over as secretary.”

Zhao Lei smiled and said, "Let's use tea instead of wine to congratulate Secretary Yuntao in advance."

"Congratulations, Secretary Yun Tao."

The others raised their glasses together and clinked them together.

"Thank you everyone."

Zhang Yuntao looked radiant and bumped into everyone.

"Secretary Yuntao, Xia Ziyang from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has been arrested, and Chen Wei, the director of the Education Bureau, has been dismissed. These are both key positions, and you must keep them under your control."

Wang Xianming smiled and said, "Whether it's Director Zhao Lei or Director Xiang Sheng, their abilities are obvious to all."

“County Magistrate Xianming, I understand what you mean. Once things are settled, I will immediately begin to study the personnel issues. I highly approve of all of them. I am very confident in appointing them as the directors of the Education Bureau and the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. I also believe that under their leadership, there will be a significant leap forward in both education and talent development.”

Zhang Yuntao understood immediately; these people had come to ask him for an official position.

Both the Education Bureau and the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau are highly coveted positions, and people would fight tooth and nail to become the directors of these two bureaus.

Upon hearing Zhang Yuntao's statement, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

Regardless of who is the director of the Education Bureau and the director of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, they are all family members, which makes things easier for them.

Besides, when they move to new positions, their original positions become vacant, which is also an opportunity for the remaining people.

So everyone present was very happy.

"Although Chen Wei was dismissed, no further action was taken. I heard that Secretary Yiming wanted to reinstate Chen Wei."

Environmental Protection Bureau Director Zhang Xiangsheng said, "Will there be any difficulties at that time?"

He had been severely criticized by Jiang Yiming because of the Mingda Paper Mill incident, and he felt some dissatisfaction with him, but more than that, he was afraid of him.

"Who does Jiang Yiming think he is? He's just a deputy secretary. How dare he disobey Secretary Yun Tao?"

Wang Xianming scoffed, "Besides, he'll probably be fired soon, so he won't have time to worry about anything else."

"That's true. If Jiang Yiming is really going to be promoted, then his most important task now is to maintain the current situation and not cause any major problems, especially not to have any conflicts with the leadership team. He is so young, and if he is to be promoted further, many people will have objections. If he has a dispute with Secretary Yun Tao, it will be blown out of proportion, and in the end, he will be the one who suffers."

Zhao Lei, director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, laughed and said, "So I think even if he is unwilling, he has no choice but to compromise at this time."

After analyzing the situation, the group realized there were no obstacles left, and they were overjoyed.

After finishing their discussion, Zhang Yuntao got up and left.

Everyone stood up to see them off.

Once in the car, Wang Xianming handed several black bags to Zhang Yuntao.

"Secretary Yuntao, this is their heartfelt gift."

"Why bother with this? Just give it back to them."

Zhang Yuntao refused, saying, "Tell them that doing their job well is the greatest support they can give me, and these things are unnecessary."

Seeing that Zhang Yuntao refused, Wang Xianming had no choice but to say, "Fine, I'll have them take it back tonight."

That's what he said, but Wang Xianming had no intention of returning it and simply took it for himself.

Zhang Yuntao received a call from Ma Qiyun of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department while he was still on his way back to his unit.

When Zhang Yuntao saw that it was Ma Qiyun calling, his heart skipped a beat.

At this crucial moment, Ma Qiyun called him, most likely to announce his appointment.

"Minister Ma, what are your instructions?"

Zhang Yuntao spoke with a slightly respectful tone.

"County Chief Yuntao, I am on my way to Xinping County with Secretary Wei. We should arrive before 3 p.m. Please notify all county-level cadres and above to have a meeting at 4:30 p.m."

"Secretary Wei came to Xinping County in person?"

Zhang Yuntao said excitedly, "Okay, okay, I'll get ready right away."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yuntao could not hide his excitement and immediately called Wang Hao, the director of the county party committee office: "Director Wang, notify all cadres at or above the level of section chief in the county to attend the meeting at 4:30 sharp, and no one is allowed to ask for leave."

"Yes, County Chief, I will issue the notice immediately."

Jiang Xuangui was taken away, and Zhang Yuntao, as the county magistrate, naturally had to listen to him.

"Secretary Yuntao, is there some good news?"

Wang Xianming inquired.

"Minister Ma just called me and said that Secretary Wei has come to Xinping County in person and asked me to notify all cadres at or above the level of section chief to attend a meeting."

Zhang Yuntao said excitedly, "I reckon they're about to announce the appointment."

"Congratulations, Secretary Yuntao."

Wang Xianming said this, but he was actually a little suspicious.

If Zhang Yuntao is indeed appointed as secretary, it must have been discussed and approved by the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee.

As soon as the meeting ended, someone would definitely tell Zhang Yuntao the good news.

But Zhang Yuntao hasn't received such a call yet, which means that Secretary Wei and Ma Qiyun's visit wasn't for this kind of thing.

Zhang Yuntao wasn't unaware of the possibility, but he had been drinking and was too excited to think about the details.

But he wouldn't expose it. Zhang Yuntao was in the middle of a good time, and if he revealed it, Zhang would only resent him.