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

"For the position of Director of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, I recommend Jiang Xiaopo, the Party Secretary of Xuji Town. He is capable and of good character. I propose that he take the position."

After Hua Wentao finished speaking, Jiang Yiming and Chen Xujian expressed their support one after another.

Zhang Yuntao then learned that Jiang Xiaopo had been recommended by Hua Wentao.

After all, Hua Wentao had only been in Xinping County for a few months, and he had never heard that Hua Wentao and Jiang Xiaopo were particularly close.

"I also agree that Jiang Xiaopo should serve as the director of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau."

Zhang Yuntao could only express his support; he couldn't push Hua Wentao towards Jiang Yiming.

"However, Zhang Xiangsheng must take over the position of Party Secretary of Kaiyuan Subdistrict Office."

He is, after all, the county magistrate of Xinping County. If he can't even secure one of the key positions, then he would be a complete failure.

“Kaiyuan Subdistrict is where our county government is located. The Party Working Committee Secretary must be a capable and motivated cadre. Zhang Xiangsheng has never worked in a township. If he were to serve as the Party Secretary of another township, I certainly wouldn’t object, but I object to him going to Kaiyuan Subdistrict.”

Jiang Yiming said, "Liu Sicheng has worked at the grassroots level for many years and has rich experience in grassroots work. He is able to handle various emergencies. Moreover, Liu Sicheng is the director of Kaiyuan Subdistrict Office and is very familiar with Kaiyuan Subdistrict Office. He is very suitable to take over the position of secretary."

"I support Secretary Yiming's opinion."

Chen Xujian stated.

"I object."

Zhang Yuntao said with a stern face, "No matter what the outcome of today's meeting is, I will clearly express my opposition at the Standing Committee meeting, and I believe that this appointment will not be approved at the Standing Committee meeting."

"In that case, let's discuss it at the Standing Committee meeting."

Jiang Yiming said calmly.

"Comrade Yiming, wasn't the lesson you learned from suspending the Cultural Square project last time profound enough? I dare say that if you go to the Standing Committee again next time, it still won't pass. Why make yourself unhappy?"

Zhang Yuntao said, "Why don't we each compromise? The director of the Education Bureau will be someone you nominated, and I should recommend someone for the position of secretary of the Party Working Committee of Kaiyuan Subdistrict Office."

"I'm not one to believe in superstitions. The issue I proposed last time was quite controversial and didn't pass. I believe that after a period of reflection, everyone will understand whose proposal is more meaningful, and maybe next time everyone will agree with my proposal."

"Yiming, aren't you being a little naive? Do you really think everyone will change their minds?"

Zhang Yuntao sneered, "Since you insist on discussing this at the Standing Committee meeting, then I'll wait and see."

When exactly will the Standing Committee meeting be held?

"I haven't decided yet. Let's wait until the conditions are right."

The Party Secretary's greatest power is the ability to convene the Standing Committee meeting at any time, while the Deputy Secretary can only convene the Standing Committee meeting with the Secretary's authorization.

Therefore, compared to before, Jiang Yiming has only gained the power to convene Standing Committee meetings, but nothing else has changed.

“These positions are all quite important. I hope to convene a Standing Committee meeting as soon as possible to finalize the matter.”

After finishing his sentence, Zhang Yuntao stormed out of the meeting room.

After returning to his office, Zhang Yuntao called Wang Xianming and asked him to come to his office.

"What's wrong, County Chief?"

"Jiang Yiming wants to discuss the Cultural Plaza project and personnel issues again at the next Standing Committee meeting. Tell the other Standing Committee members to stick with me. I want to make sure his proposals are difficult to pass at the Standing Committee meeting and make him lose face!"

"Don't worry, County Chief, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Wang Xianming readily agreed.

On June 20th, the Agricultural Bank loan case was adjudicated, along with the bank robbery case.

According to the criminals' confessions, the consequences would have been more serious if Jiang Yiming and Ding Li hadn't intervened.

In addition, Jiang Yiming and Ding Li played an important role in this case, and the municipal party committee and government issued a commendation notice.

Jiang Yiming and Ding Liji were awarded third-class merits.

At the same time, Jiang Yiming also received two pieces of good news: the city held a standing committee meeting to discuss personnel issues.

First, the city approved his previous proposal to adjust the Standing Committee of the Xinping County Party Committee. Gao Guochang was transferred to another county as Executive Deputy County Head, and Wang Hao succeeded him as Minister of the United Front Work Department of the County Party Committee. Zhu Xinglei and Du Zhengqiang were added to the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee.

Secondly, the city is preparing to adjust his rank, moving him from deputy director to director level. This will give him even more confidence to serve as acting secretary of Xinping County.

"Yiming, I'm letting you know in advance that Minister Xie Yanhua will lead a team to Xinping County the day after tomorrow to inspect you. Be prepared. Of course, you don't need to worry too much. I believe the people have discerning eyes, and Minister Xie and you are old acquaintances. I believe that even if there are any minor hiccups, he will handle things properly."

Ma Qiyun smiled and said, "Yiming, congratulations in advance."

"Thank you for your concern and support, former leader. I will make sure to arrange everything properly to avoid any unexpected situations."

"That's good."

Ma Qiyun said, "Originally, we were going to take advantage of this job rank adjustment to transfer you to another county or district to serve as a government leader. However, there are still many problems to be solved in Xinping County, especially the work of optimizing the business environment. Xinping County is the place where this work was initiated, and the province attaches great importance to it. If you leave, this work will not be done well, and it will have a series of negative impacts. That's why Secretary Wei went to great lengths to keep you in Xinping County."

"In order not to affect your future promotion, Secretary Wei has made a special approval to raise your rank first, so as not to affect your future promotion."

"I will call Secretary Wei later to express my gratitude to him."

Jiang Yiming said, "I won't say anything more. When we get to Yiyang, I'll pay my respects to you properly."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yiming called Wang Hao.

"Secretary Yiming, what are your instructions?"

"Notify all departments that if there are any topics to be discussed at the meeting, submit them all this morning. The Standing Committee meeting will be held at 4 p.m. this afternoon."

Jiang Yiming said, "Notify all Standing Committee members to attend the meeting on time. As for Gao Guochang, there's no need to notify him."

"Isn't this bad?"

Wang Hao said, "Gao Guochang is a member of the Standing Committee. If we don't notify him of the meeting, he will definitely have objections."

"Don't worry, he won't have any objections. Just follow my instructions."

Jiang Yiming didn't bother with any more words and hung up the phone after he finished speaking.

Wang Hao had someone draft a notice, while he called Gao Guochang.

"Minister Gao, there's a Standing Committee meeting at 4 PM, but Secretary Yiming told me not to notify you. Could you ask Secretary Yiming why?"

Wang Hao said, "Secretary Yiming, could he be targeting you? Even if he has something against you, he can't prevent you from attending the Standing Committee meeting. Why don't you talk to County Chief Yuntao and ask him to stand up for you? If everyone else refuses to go, how will he hold the Standing Committee meeting then?"

"Director Wang, you should just follow Secretary Yiming's instructions."

Gao Guochang laughed and said, "I won't attend the meeting."

Clearly, he already knew that he was about to be transferred.

"Minister Gao, Jiang Yiming didn't let you attend the meeting, why aren't you angry?"

Wang Hao originally thought Gao Guochang would be furious, but to his surprise, the other party not only wasn't angry, but seemed quite happy.

"What do I have to be angry about?"

Gao Guochang said earnestly, "Director Wang, as an old acquaintance, I'm giving you a friendly reminder: don't go against Jiang Yiming. Going against him won't do you any good. I've only just realized this myself, and I regret it a little."

He believed that if he actively aligned himself with Jiang Yiming after he became acting secretary, he might be transferred to a position as deputy secretary of another county or district, instead of executive deputy county head.

Although the executive deputy county head is not much less powerful than the deputy secretary, there is still a small hurdle between them.

Many county heads are promoted from deputy county party secretaries, and very few are directly promoted to executive deputy county heads.

If he wants to become the county magistrate, he still needs to become the deputy secretary first.

"What do you mean?"

Wang Hao was confused.

"It's nothing, I'm busy."

After hanging up the phone, Gao Guochang walked towards Jiang Yiming's office.

“Secretary Yiming, although I know you want me to leave in order to free up a spot on the Standing Committee, I still want to thank you. Otherwise, I don’t know when I would be able to become the Executive Deputy County Head.”

Gao Guochang expressed his sincere gratitude.