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

After Wang Xianming finished expressing his opinion, the members of the county party committee standing committee present looked at each other and all revealed meaningful smiles.

"What about other people's opinions?"

Jiang Yiming asked calmly.

"I agree with County Chief Wang's opinion."

Gao Guochang, the head of the United Front Work Department of the county party committee, chimed in.

"I also agree with County Chief Wang's opinion."

Wang Hao, director of the county party committee office, and Huang Zongmei, head of the publicity department, spoke in succession to express their support.

"I think Secretary Yiming's proposal is more relevant to reality. But we also need to find a way to resolve the negative impact of breaching the contract. If we can't resolve it, we'll have to continue with the contract."

Hua Wentao, the Minister of the Organization Department, spoke up.

Hua Wentao's speech was somewhat perfunctory, agreeing with both sides without offending either.

Chen Zixin and Chen Xujian then spoke, clearly expressing their support for Jiang Yiming.

Sun Xingchao, the head of the People's Armed Forces Department, shook his head, indicating that he would not comment.

"What are County Magistrate Yuntao's thoughts?"

Jiang Yiming looked at Zhang Yuntao.

"I agree with Minister Wentao's opinion."

Zhang Yuntao said calmly.

The current situation is very clear, so there is no need for him to make a clear statement.

After all, it was the first meeting of the Standing Committee, and he still had to give Jiang Yiming some face to avoid the news spreading to the city that he was going against Jiang Yiming.

"Everyone has shared their thoughts. Based on the current situation, this issue is quite controversial, so let's put it aside for now. Meeting adjourned."

Jiang Yiming remained completely calm throughout, without any change in expression.

Chen Zixin and Chen Xujian chased after them with grim expressions.

Zhang Yuntao and his companions exchanged glances and all wore smug smiles.

After the meeting, Wang Xianming followed Zhang Yuntao directly into his office.

“County Chief Yun Tao, what do you think? I told you, don’t be fooled by the fact that Jiang Yiming is nominally in charge of the county party committee’s work. Without your support, he can’t get anything done.”

Wang Xianming laughed and said, "Today's Standing Committee meeting was so satisfying. This was an issue he personally added, and it was the only one that didn't pass."

"If I'm not mistaken, he will definitely come to you and apologize within three days. Otherwise, he won't be able to implement any of his plans."

“County Chief Xianming, you can’t say that. Secretary Wei has spoken with me. We should still support him.”

Zhang Yuntao laughed and said, "I did a great job today. You all tried to undermine him, but I supported him. I'm sure when Secretary Wei hears about it, he won't say anything about me."

"However, we should not let our guard down. Jiang Yiming is someone who has won Secretary Wei's appreciation, so he must be truly capable. We must prevent Jiang Yiming from pulling other Standing Committee members into his camp."

"Don't worry, everyone knows that Jiang Yiming is only temporarily in charge of the county committee's work and will probably leave Xinping County soon. You will be in charge then. Under these circumstances, no one will side with him."

Wang Xianming laughed and said, "I used to be jealous of how quickly he was promoted, but now I can't wait for him to leave Xinping County. That way, I'll have a chance to become the deputy secretary of the county party committee."

"By the way, County Chief Yuntao, when Secretary Wei came last time, did you ask him to transfer me to another county as deputy secretary?"

Zhang Yuntao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly nodded: "Of course, with our relationship, I would definitely recommend you to the secretary."

"What did the Party Secretary say?"

Wang Xianming said expectantly.

"The Party Secretary said that if there are any personnel changes in the near future, you will definitely be included in the evaluation scope."

Zhang Yuntao made up lies without blushing at all.

Anyway, Wang Xianming couldn't verify with Wei Shanghua.

As for the fact that he was ultimately not transferred, he could have easily pushed it to the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department or made other excuses.

"Thank you, County Chief Yuntao. It has been a pleasure working with you."

Wang Xianming left in a good mood.

After returning to his office, Jiang Yiming personally called Hua Wentao and invited him to sit in his office.

"Secretary Yiming, do you have any instructions?"

Hua Wentao inquired.

"It's nothing much, I just wanted to talk to you."

Jiang Yiming placed the brewed tea in front of Hua Wentao and invited him, "Sit down and let's talk."

Hua Wentao was puzzled, wondering what Jiang Yiming wanted to see him about.

"Minister Wentao, what are your thoughts on the last item on today's agenda?"

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "Let's talk privately. I want to hear your true thoughts."

"Secretary Yiming, I am truly sorry that I was unable to clearly express my support for you at the Standing Committee meeting."

Hua Wentao didn't expect Jiang Yiming to ask about this. Could it be that Jiang Yiming wanted to cause him trouble?

Although he was somewhat displeased, the other party was the acting secretary, so he couldn't say anything and could only apologize.

"I think you can guess that both County Magistrate Yuntao and County Magistrate Xianming have approached me. It was already very difficult for me to make this statement."

"Minister Wentao, you misunderstood. I didn't mean to question you; I just wanted to have a simple chat with you about this matter."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "The reason I included the Cultural Plaza project in today's Standing Committee meeting is simply to see everyone's attitude."

Hua Wentao was relieved to find that Jiang Yiming was just testing everyone. He said, "To be honest, I agree more with your opinion. Suspending the Cultural Square project would be entirely beneficial to Xinping County."

"As for the issue of breach of contract, it can be resolved through negotiation. If the other party does not agree to withdraw voluntarily, then we should look for loopholes. There were many violations in the contract itself. Once we take it seriously, this agreement will definitely be void."

Jiang Yiming smiled and nodded, saying, "Your suggestion is very good. I hope that at the next meeting, you can express your true thoughts."

“Secretary Yiming, I also want to explicitly support you, but given the current situation, even if I support you, it won't have a real effect. Most of the current Standing Committee members support Zhang Yuntao.”

Hua Wentao hesitated for a moment: "Besides, you may have to leave Xinping County in a year or two. At that time, we will have to deal with Zhang Yuntao. If we offend him at this time, it will be difficult for us to carry out our work after you leave."

"I hope Secretary Yiming can understand my difficulties."

"Minister Wentao, please let me finish."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "I know you have some concerns, and I understand your difficulties. However, the situation is not as bad as you think. I can give you a heads-up: there will be significant changes in the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee."

“The situation will be very different when we discuss this issue again next time. I don’t need your promises now; you can make your own choice based on the situation at that time.”

"As for what will happen after I leave, I think you don't need to worry too much. I will definitely make all the necessary arrangements before I leave. Besides, it is still unknown who will take over as secretary."

"Of course, I just hope you can support me. As for what choice you make, that's your own business."

"Secretary Yiming, I really need to think this over carefully."

Hua Wentao said, "But you can rest assured about one thing: even if I can't support you, I will never go against you."

"As long as you say this."

Jiang Yiming said, "The positions of Director of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and Director of the Education Bureau are currently vacant, and I plan to make some personnel changes."

Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?

“I think Director Chen Wei is very suitable. He was somewhat wronged when Jiang Xuangui dismissed him. If you reinstate him, I will definitely support you.”

Hua Wentao said with a smile, "As for the director of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, I would like to recommend Jiang Xiaopo, the Party Secretary of Xuji Town. He is very good in terms of personal ability and other aspects. I hope Secretary Yiming will support him."

"Okay, I'll remember this person."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "I plan to appoint Chen Wei as the director of the county party committee office, Qiao Xiaomai as the director of the education bureau, and Liu Sicheng to take over Qiao Xiaomai's position as the secretary of the party working committee of Kaiyuan Subdistrict Office."

"Chen Wei and Qiao Xiaomai's appointments are basically guaranteed. At that time, we will need Minister Wen Tao's support to appoint Liu Sicheng as the Party Secretary of Kaiyuan Street."

Since he was the acting secretary, the position in the county party committee office would definitely be filled by someone from his side, so even Zhang Yuntao and Wang Xianming had nothing to say about it.

As for Qiao Xiaomai's appointment as director of the Education Bureau, no one will object, since Qiao Xiaomai's husband is the deputy director of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee.

Only Liu Sicheng lacks connections and needs a push.

"Secretary Yiming, rest assured, I will definitely support your proposal."

Hua Wentao made his position clear.

The two have reached a preliminary consensus.

"By the way, I plan to resign from my position as Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and recommend Director Du Zhengqiang for the position."

Jiang Yiming said, "You should also expedite the process on your end."

The Organization Department, Publicity Department, United Front Work Department, and Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the County Party Committee are subordinate departments of the County Party Committee, and their administrative level is only at the level of a section chief.

If the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission is not on the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee, he is only at the level of a section chief, so the county can make the decision.

"It seems that Director Zhengqiang is going to join the Standing Committee."

Hua Wentao smiled and said, "I'll start going through the procedures in the next couple of days."