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

"Secretary Yiming, is everything alright?"

Chen Wei walked in and asked with concern.

"It's nothing, just some unfounded rumors."

Jiang Yiming shook his head and said in a deep voice, "You'd better not let me find out who's pulling any tricks behind my back, or I will never forgive them!"

For him, the first two points were simply a matter of investigating them thoroughly.

However, the third point states that he had an improper relationship with Shen Xue. Even if the investigation is thorough and he is cleared of suspicion, the rumors have already spread, making it impossible to completely clarify the situation. Many people will not believe it.

"It's okay."

Chen Wei nodded and said, "Do we still need to go to the countryside for research?"

"Go, why not."

Jiang Yiming's work was not affected by this incident.

But this incident still had an impact on him.

Many relatives and friends called to inquire about the situation.

Jiang Yiming responded to each point, saying that nothing was wrong, and whether some people believed him or not was not his concern.

As he walked from his office downstairs, he could clearly sense that people were looking at him differently. Even after he passed, a few people huddled together and whispered among themselves.

However, he didn't care.

These people were just passersby in his life, not even passersby.

After finishing his field research trip, Jiang Yiming brought gifts and went to his prospective father-in-law and mother-in-law's home.

"Yiming, are you alright? We heard that the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection is investigating you. Your Uncle Xia and I are very worried about you. We wanted to call you, but your Uncle Xia stopped us. He said you're already busy enough, so we shouldn't add to your troubles."

Xia's mother quickly came forward and asked with concern, "They didn't do anything to you, did they?"

"Auntie, don't worry, they received a report and are just here to find out what's going on."

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "As you know, the city is going to evaluate me these days and is preparing to promote me to the rank of director. In addition, I just took charge of the county party committee's work, which affected the interests of some people, so they are trying to smear me. But you don't need to worry. You know what kind of person I, Jiang Yiming, am. Their slander is useless. They will leave in less than three days."

"I came here for two reasons. First, it's been a while since I last visited you, and I wanted to come and see you. Second, I wanted to give you an update so you wouldn't worry. As for the rumors that I have improper relationships with other women, those are completely unfounded."

“Your aunt and I trust you completely. I told your aunt that if you were really a playboy, there would be no need for you to be engaged to our daughter. You're single, so you can be with whichever woman you want, and the disciplinary committee can't interfere.”

Xia's father said, "Just focus on your work and don't let us distract you. Since those bad people have started trying to harm you, it means they're afraid. You need to be even more determined to catch those bad people."

"Okay, Uncle, I will definitely get rid of these cancerous tumors."

Jiang Yiming nodded seriously and then stayed at the Xia family's house for dinner.

The investigation progressed faster than Jiang Yiming had imagined. On the afternoon of the following day, Jiang Yiming received a notification from the investigation team, asking him to convene a meeting of all county officials to help clarify the rumors.

Jiang Yiming immediately called Chen Wei and asked him to issue a notice.

At 4:30 p.m., all the leaders of the four major county-level organizations, heads of county-level departments, and township leaders of Xinping County were present.

“Some time ago, we received a report about Comrade Jiang Yiming. As assigned by the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Government, and the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, I led a special team to investigate the report. After careful investigation, we found no violations of discipline or regulations by Comrade Jiang Yiming. All the reports were false accusations. We have communicated with the Xinping County Public Security Bureau to have them investigate and deal with the people who made the false accusations, and give Comrade Jiang Yiming an explanation.”

Lai Jiahong said in a loud voice: "We are here to clarify the situation for Comrade Jiang Yiming. We hope that everyone will learn from him, maintain a good work style, and not tarnish the reputation of the organization or the Party."

After seeing Lai Jiahong and his entourage off, county leaders came to visit Jiang Yiming to express their disgust and condemnation of the whistleblower.

Subsequently, after the public announcement period, Qiao Xiaomai, Liu Sicheng, Chen Wei, and others took up their respective posts.

Xie Yanhua, deputy director of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, once again led an inspection team to Xinping County to assess Jiang Yiming.

After the previous ordeal, this time it went much more smoothly.

All interviews and democratic assessments were passed.

Subsequently, the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee issued a public notice. In accordance with the spirit of documents such as the "Yiyang City Civil Servant Rank Promotion Plan," the relevant information of the candidates to be promoted is hereby publicized. The public notice period is 5 working days, specifically from July 3, 2004 to July 8, 2004. Public supervision is welcome during the public notice period. Contact department: Cadre Supervision Section, Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee; contact number: 79112xxx. Reports should be factual, objective, and fair; defamation and false accusations are prohibited.

Jiang Yiming, male, born in June 1979, is a postgraduate student and currently holds the rank of deputy division chief. He is proposed to be promoted to the rank of division chief.

Organization Department of the CPC Yiyang Municipal Committee

November 2004, 7

Before you knew it, the public announcement period was over, and Jiang Yiming successfully entered the ranks of cadres at the division level.

For many cadres, the transition from deputy director to director is a significant hurdle. Jiang Yiming, at the age of 25, has already entered the ranks of director, making countless Party members and cadres envious.

Jiang Yiming entrusted Lu Hansheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, to organize a dinner party, inviting a group of friends including Ma Qiyun and Long Shaolin, in preparation for a weekend get-together.

However, an unexpected event forced him to cancel the dinner.

"Secretary Yiming, three primary school students from Hezhuang Village, Liji Township, drowned while swimming in the river."

Chen Wei immediately reported this unexpected situation to Jiang Yiming.

"We demand that the Liji Township Party Committee and government immediately investigate the cause and handle the aftermath properly."

Jiang Yiming immediately issued an order: "Notify the Education Bureau to strengthen the publicity work on preventing drowning among students during the summer vacation."

"Okay, Secretary."

Chen Wei quickly walked out.

Jiang Yiming stood by the window, gazing into the distance, his mood becoming heavy.

The drowning deaths of the three children are an absolute devastation for their three families.

However, this situation, while not happening every year, does occur every few years, with students drowning.

Despite the school issuing multiple notices, it was unable to prevent the tragedy from unfolding.

The tragedy was caused by multiple factors.

In some cases, parents don't pay enough attention and neglect their children's upbringing. In other cases, parents go out to work, leaving their children in the care of grandparents who are older and less capable of disciplining them.

As Jiang Yiming was pondering how to reduce the occurrence of tragedies, the landline on the table rang.

"Secretary Yiming, this is Qiao Xiaomai."

"Director Qiao, what's the matter?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

“Secretary Yiming, three students from Liji Township drowned. As the head of the Education Bureau, I bear some responsibility, and I apologize to you.”

Qiao Xiaomai said sincerely.