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

Upon seeing this, Zhang Chong considered for a moment and said, "The secretary is right to criticize me. I shouldn't have only reported the good news and not the bad."

"In promoting this work, there are also some minor issues that we need to reflect on and resolve. For example, some students have strong self-esteem and are unwilling for their parents to work at the school."

"In addition, the number of positions offered by our school is limited, making it difficult to help all impoverished students. Currently, we mainly target families of outstanding impoverished students. Moreover, some parents have limited work experience and find it difficult to find suitable positions."

"My personal suggestion is that the county organize relevant departments to allocate some positions from enterprises to provide more assistance to the parents of impoverished students."

"The question you raised is very important, and your suggestions are excellent."

Ma Qiyun nodded and said, "I've decided to make this a priority. Yiming, remind me to include this topic in our regular work meetings and to formulate and implement this work at the county level."

"Okay, Secretary."

Jiang Yiming wrote down the secretary's instructions in his notebook.

When they arrived at the charity window, not only were Xia's parents busy inside, but Xia Shining and Jiang Qianqian were also helping out.

"Brother, what brings you to our school?"

When Jiang Qianqian saw Jiang Yiming, her face lit up with joy, and she waved happily at him.

"I accompanied the leader on this inspection tour."

Jiang Yiming replied simply.

"Oh, then you're busy."

Jiang Qianqian understood and stopped asking questions.

"Your sister?"

Ma Qiyun asked.

"Yes, my younger sister."

Jiang Yiming explained, "She's always been very outgoing. This charity window is run by her classmate Xia Shining's family, so she's probably here to help out."

"She's a good girl. As Principal Zhang just mentioned, many students have too much pride and don't want their parents to work at the school. They feel that their parents are embarrassing them by doing so. To be honest, these students' thinking is not good, and the school needs to provide more guidance."

After Ma Qiyun finished speaking, he greeted the people inside, "Brother, how's business?"

"Master Xia, this is Secretary Ma of our county party committee. Please tell him about the situation here."

Zhang Chong offered a suggestion.

When Xia's father heard that the other party was the county party secretary, he spoke somewhat nervously: "Thank you, thank you, Secretary. Many students come here to eat, and Principal Zhang arranged a window for us free of charge, which solved a big problem for us. Thank you to the government and the school."

"That's good. If you encounter any difficulties, just go to Principal Zhang."

Ma Qiyun nodded and encouraged Xia Shining and Jiang Qianqian, "You two girls are very good. Helping with chores helps you understand the hardships your parents face. Of course, you can't neglect your studies. The college entrance exam is coming up soon, so you need to prepare well and get good results."

"Thank you, Secretary."

Xia Shining and Jiang Qianqian both nodded in response seriously.

Jiang Yiming nodded to his sister and Xia Shining, then left with Ma Qiyun.

"Secretary Jiang, I never imagined that Jiang Qianqian was your younger sister. It's truly enviable. The brother is outstanding, and I never expected that the sister would be just as outstanding."

Zhang Chong laughed and said, "Secretary, you don't know this, but Jiang Qianqian is one of the top ten students in our school. She has no problem getting into a key university. If she tries, she has a very good chance of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University."

"Indeed, the Jiang family produces talented people."

Ma Qiyun laughed and said, "Yiming, I'll find a way to get you two days off during the college entrance exam so you can come back and accompany your sister to the exam."

"Alright, we've done our tour, so we'll head back now. Your No. 1 High School should continue its efforts, improve student services, and strive to become a provincial key demonstration high school as soon as possible."

"Please rest assured, Secretary, we will certainly live up to your and all the leaders' expectations and strive to turn the county's No. 1 High School into a provincial key demonstration high school within two years."

Zhang Chong quickly expressed his opinion.

Everyone got into the car and left.

"Secretary, Principal Zhang has arranged a dinner. Do you have time?"

Jiang Yiming, sitting in the passenger seat, asked.

"Yiming, what do you think of Zhang Chong?"

Ma Qiyun inquired.

He handed the decision over to Jiang Yiming.

Someone of Zhang Chong's caliber wouldn't even catch his eye.

So there's no need to deal with it, but he needs to consider the needs of those around him.

If Jiang Yiming needs it, he can help him gain support and expand his network.

“Secretary, I haven’t had much contact with Principal Zhang, but overall, I think he is a pragmatic person.”

Jiang Yiming naturally understood Ma Qiyun's meaning and gave Zhang Chong a positive evaluation.

"Okay, let's invite Director Luo Yan from the Education Bureau to join us."

Ma Qiyun agreed.

Jiang Yiming immediately called Zhang Chong to ask him to make arrangements for the reception, and at the same time called Luo Yan to inform her to attend tonight's banquet.

He then said to the driver, "Brother Wang, Pinghu Hotel."

"Okay, Director Jiang."

Just as Jiang Yiming and his group arrived, Luo Yan's car followed closely behind.

Suppressing his excitement, Zhang Chong led Ma Qiyun and his group to the private room.

Because of the difference in their social standing, the dinner was somewhat awkward.

After chatting for a while, Ma Qiyun looked at Jiang Yiming and asked, "Yiming, how many years has Lao Zhang been working at the county's No. 1 High School?"

"Secretary, Principal Zhang has been working at the county's No. 1 High School for three years now."

Jiang Yiming knew that Ma Qiyun was giving him a chance to help Zhang Chong. After all, he could have asked Zhang Chong directly, but he asked him instead, which meant that he wanted Jiang Yiming to fight for Zhang Chong's promotion.

"Principal Zhang is very pragmatic in his work, and he is also very energetic and driven. He is a role model for me to learn from."

Ma Qiyun nodded and looked at Luo Yan, saying, "Luo Yan, I remember you told me last time that one of your bureau's leadership members is about to reach the age limit. Old Zhang is quite capable; how about he be your deputy?"

"Thank you for your concern, Secretary. I have dealt with Principal Zhang many times and I highly approve of his abilities. I welcome Principal Zhang to our Education Bureau with open arms."

Luo Yan stated her position.

“Okay, you, as the top leader, have no objections. I’ll talk to Minister Zhenlin later and ask him to expedite the procedures.”

Ma Qiyun's words determined Zhang Chong's fate.

"Thank you for your trust and kindness, Secretary. I will work harder and continuously improve myself so as not to let the leaders down. I also thank Director Luo and Director Jiang for their recognition."

Zhang Chong knew that although Ma Qiyun had decided on his position as deputy director, it was Jiang Yiming who truly helped him.

While he was grateful to Jiang Yiming, he also deeply realized Jiang Yiming's position in Ma Qiyun's heart.

After the banquet, Jiang Yiming told the driver to take a taxi home, and personally drove Ma Qiyun home.

After Luo Yan's driver left, Jiang Yiming transported Ma Qi to her residence.

"Brother Jiang, come up and have a glass of water before you leave."

Luo Yan took the initiative to invite her.

"Thank you, Sister Luo. I won't bother you and the Party Secretary any longer."

Jiang Yiming naturally didn't want to disturb their time together.

Ma Qiyun said, "Come up and have a seat."

Jiang Yiming knew that Ma Qiyun was truly treating him as one of his own.