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

"Therefore, I requested that the public security, procuratorate, and judicial organs intensify their crackdown efforts. Yesterday, they seized more than 40 boats illegally mining river sand, involving more than 30 party members and cadres. Further investigation is underway, and once sufficient evidence is gathered, they will be dealt with in a centralized manner."

"At the same time, according to the investigation, a county leader in our county is suspected of corruption. We have already obtained sufficient evidence. In order to uncover his accomplices, we did not rush to report it. Instead, we set a trap and are waiting for his accomplices to take the bait."

“These actions seriously threatened the core interests of some people, and they wanted to use this method to create an accident for me. Fortunately, Ding Li, who was traveling with me, was a retired veteran with excellent skills and marksmanship, which saved me from danger.”

"Is the situation in Xinping County really that serious?"

Wei Shanghua was aware that Xinping County had some problems, but he did not expect them to be this big.

"Secretary, as our country cracks down on organized crime more and more severely, these criminals have gradually transformed themselves, attempting to launder their money and establish business groups that have connections in both the legal and illegal worlds. This makes them even more difficult to investigate and crack down on."

Jiang Yiming said, "Xinping County's economy is developing steadily, but if this criminal gang is not eliminated, it will continue to affect the stability of Xinping County's society. Therefore, I have set a goal for myself: I will not leave Xinping County until this criminal gang is eliminated."

"We hope the Party Secretary will support us."

"Good, our people need party cadres like you who dare to act."

Wei Shanghua patted Jiang Yiming on the shoulder and said, "Go ahead and do it boldly. I'll support you. If you need anything, just let me know."

"However, there is one prerequisite: you must ensure your own safety. Fighting against organized crime is inherently a dangerous matter, and safety issues must never be ignored."

"Thank you for your concern, Secretary. I will definitely pay attention."

After reporting to Wei Shanghua, Jiang Yiming also gave a brief report to Luo Zhangwen.

He did not leave Yiyang City that day.

Long Shaolin, member of the Standing Committee of the Yiyang Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Mingyang District Party Committee, Ma Qiyun, Minister of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, Li Xinhou, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Reception Office, and others invited Jiang Yiming to drink together that evening to calm his nerves.

After the drinking session ended, Jiang Yiming offered to drive Ma Qiyun back.

Ma Qiyun naturally understood that Jiang Yiming needed to talk to him, so he got into his car.

"Minister Qiyun, a lot has happened in Xinping County recently. Among them, the Water Resources Bureau is involved in a case of illegal sand mining involving more than 30 party members and cadres. Moreover, the Sun family, a criminal gang, is gradually coming to light. I'm worried that once this is exposed, it will affect you."

Jiang Yiming said.

"I understand your idea."

Ma Qiyun nodded and sighed, "At the time, in order to maintain social stability and for my own safety and career, I did not take action against the Sun family. As a result, they were able to grow stronger. You are stronger than me, daring to confront them."

“If the criminal gangs in Xinping County are eradicated, it will definitely involve many party members and cadres, including some I promoted. It will affect me to some extent. However, you don’t need to worry too much. During my years in Xinping County, I did not receive any benefits. Even if they are arrested, it will not directly implicate me.”

"So, I personally support you to go for it and not have too many concerns."

"Okay, with your words of encouragement, I feel much less guilty."

Jiang Yiming chatted with Ma Qiyun for a while before returning to his home in the city to rest.

Early the next morning.

Jiang Yiming returned to Xinping County.

As soon as Jiang Yiming arrived at his office, Zhang Yuntao and other members of the county party committee came to visit him.

After dealing with the situation, Jiang Yiming kept Du Zhengqiang behind.

"What were the results of the interrogation? Could it be related to the Sun family?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

Du Zhengqiang shook his head: "We have investigated the background of the two robbers. One is named Wang Yuanfu, and the other is named Wang Yuangui. They are cousins. The living one is named Wang Yuangui. They did work on the sand dredging boat. Wang Yuangui insists that no one instructed him to kill you. He was just resentful that you ordered the police to shut down the sand dredging boat and cut off their livelihood, which is why he wanted to kill you."

"I don't know what benefits the person behind this promised Wang Yuangui, that made him work so hard, and that he even killed his own cousin in order to avoid exposing the person behind him."

"Once such a person is bribed, it is indeed difficult to make him betray them."

Jiang Yiming said, "I think this is something that money can't buy. You should arrange for someone to conduct an in-depth investigation into Wang Yuangui's relatives and friends to see if there's anything you can find."

"By the way, with so many illegal mining vessels, hasn't anyone accused them of being controlled by the Sun family?"

"Now I understand why the Sun family has been able to stand strong in Xinping County for so many years."

Du Zhengqiang said, "The Sun family had already planned a countermeasure for this situation. The Sun family never contacted these illegal mining boats directly, but instead had a bald man named Pingye collect various fees. By the time we took action and seized the illegal mining boats, this man named Pingye had already disappeared without a trace."

"Whether they went to another place to hide or were silenced by the Sun family, we do not know for the time being."

Jiang Yiming frowned; the Sun family was indeed much more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

"However, it's not all bad news."

Du Zhengqiang said, "Maybe when you mentioned in yesterday's meeting that the thief confessed to stealing gold bars and calligraphy and paintings, Wang Xianming couldn't sit still and arranged for someone to try to kill the thief in the detention center. The police officers disguised as thieves caught the person who was about to do it on the spot."

"That man confessed to a lot of things, and our bureau is implicated by a deputy captain of the criminal investigation team and several officers."

"To be on the safe side, I suggest we report this to the city and take measures against Wang Xianming."

"Okay, let's do as you say."

Jiang Yiming said, "I asked the county discipline inspection commission to monitor him first, in order to prevent him from fleeing to avoid punishment."

He then called Chen Xujian, the secretary of the county discipline inspection commission, and asked him to arrange for someone to monitor Wang Xianming.

After making the arrangements, he called Wei Shanghua, the municipal party secretary.

“Okay, I agree to put Wang Xianming under investigation. I’ll talk to Secretary Yang Zhen later, and you can contact him directly in ten minutes.”

Wei Shanghua said.

"Yes, Secretary, I will handle it immediately according to your instructions."

A moment later, Jiang Yiming contacted Yang Zhen, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission, and asked him to send someone to investigate.