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

"Lifeng, go order the food."

Jiang Yiming led the group to a corner and sat down.

There were five people in total, and they ordered five dishes and a soup.

Wu Jie wanted to bring in a case of fine wine, but Jiang Yiming stopped him.

"I won't drink any more alcohol. I'll drink with you after you've completed your mission."

Since I didn't drink alcohol, I finished my dinner in half an hour.

"Boss, how much is it?"

Wang Lifeng inquired.

"That's 183 yuan in total. I'll round it down for you, so 180 yuan will do."

"How many?"

Wang Lifeng was stunned.

They didn't order any drinks, just five dishes—two meat and three vegetable—plus an egg drop soup, which would cost at most fifty-something yuan.

This boss actually asked them for 180 yuan!

This is too dark!

"Boss, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"

Jiang Yiming took off his mask and asked.

"Hey, it's you again."

The boss chuckled, "Kid, how was your time in jail last time you got arrested?"

"You'd better pay for the meal properly this time, or I'll let you go in again and experience it for yourself."

"You'll not only suffer inside, but you'll also pay more than I do. What's the point?"

"Who gave you the audacity to rip off customers at will?"

Jiang Yiming said with a stern face, "Aren't you afraid we'll file a complaint against you with the Industry and Commerce Bureau?"

"Heh, what good will it do for you two outsiders to complain about me?"

The boss sneered, "Director Wu of the Industry and Commerce Bureau and I are good buddies. People in the Industry and Commerce Bureau have to give me some face. So what if you complain? Which one of them dares to punish me?"

"Director Wu, is there no one in the Industry and Commerce Bureau who dares to punish him?"

Jiang Yiming asked Wu Jie behind him.

Wu Jie stood up instantly and angrily retorted, "He's talking nonsense!"

He almost burst out laughing just now. When he heard the boss mention his name, he almost jumped up to argue, but Jiang Yiming didn't speak, so he didn't dare to open his mouth.

Only then did he understand Jiang Yiming's purpose in bringing the group here for dinner.

All indications today suggest that Jiang Yiming had previously visited Xichuan County and expressed dissatisfaction with many aspects of the county.

The most important part includes the content under the jurisdiction of the Transportation Bureau and the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

"Director Wu?"

The shop owner was stunned for a moment, then quickly came out from behind the counter: "Why are you dressed like this? I didn't even recognize you until you said anything."

"Who are you? Do I know you?"

Wu Jie said angrily, "Our Bureau of Industry and Commerce has repeatedly issued orders against overcharging customers, but you've ignored them all?"

"Not only do you not listen, but you're also ripping off our new county magistrate! You've got some nerve!"

This is the newly appointed county magistrate. If Jiang Yiming misunderstands him, his political future will be over!

"County... County Magistrate?"

The shop owner stared wide-eyed, frozen in place.

He never expected that the outsider he was bullying was actually the newly appointed county magistrate.

"County magistrate, I was wrong, I was wrong! Please give me another chance, I will never do it again!"

"If apologies were enough, what would be the point of laws?"

Jiang Yiming said with a dark face, "Director Wu, including this restaurant, how many other restaurants are overcharging customers? You need to find out for me!"

"I'll give you three days to investigate this phenomenon and report back to me on the corrective measures."

"Like the Transportation Bureau, your Industry and Commerce Bureau also has one month to rectify the situation. First, resolutely eliminate the phenomenon of overcharging customers; second, strengthen hygiene management. After one month, I will take some time to meet with the public. If more than three people complain about hygiene and overcharging, you can move to a less demanding department."

"Rest assured, County Chief, I will definitely follow your instructions and complete the task on time, in quantity, and with high quality, and I will never let you down."

Wu Jie quickly expressed his opinion.

"I'm not listening to your statements. I'll see the results in a month!"

"understand."

Wu Jie nodded repeatedly.

"It's getting late, you should all go back and rest."

Jiang Yiming did not inquire about how Wu Jie would handle the Xiangmanjie restaurant.

If Wu Jie hadn't lost his mind, he would definitely have punished this unscrupulous boss more severely.

"County magistrate, please give me another chance."

The restaurant owner wasn't stupid; if Jiang Yiming left the restaurant, he would never have another chance.

"I gave you a chance, but you didn't seize it."

Jiang Yiming said calmly.

If the shop owner hadn't been so unscrupulous today, he wouldn't have had much to say.

Since the other party had repeatedly overcharged him, he naturally wouldn't be polite.

Ignoring the shop owner, Jiang Yiming took Ding Li back to their dormitory.

Today was his first day in office, and he did lose his temper when he needed to, and gave instructions when he needed to.

If a month later, these two bureau chiefs still outwardly comply with his wishes but inwardly defy him and try to play tricks.

He can use them as examples to make an example of them.

The news that Jiang Yiming led the heads of the transportation and industry and commerce departments to conduct on-site research through experiential learning quickly spread throughout Xichuan County.

Officials in Xichuan County had mixed opinions on this matter.

Some people think Jiang Yiming is just putting on a show.

Some officials, however, believe that Jiang Yiming is acting practically and doing things conscientiously.

In short, everyone has different opinions.

Jiang Yiming knew there would be gossip, but he never cared and had no time for such trivial matters.

As long as he does his job well and has a clear conscience, he has nothing to fear from what others say.

Before I even had a chance to wash up, my phone rang.

"County Magistrate, this is Tang Zhichao. I apologize for disturbing your rest."

Tang Zhichao said, "Executive Deputy County Head Meng Chunsheng wants to see you. Is it convenient for you?"

"Let him come."

Jiang Yiming said.

He wants to push forward with various initiatives, and the support of the executive deputy county head is crucial.

Therefore, he naturally couldn't turn them away.

A moment later, the doorbell rang.

Ding Li opened the door, and Tang Zhichao, director of the government office, walked in with Meng Chunsheng, member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and executive deputy county head.

Tang Zhichao made a cup of tea for each of them and said with a smile, "You two can chat slowly. If you need anything, give me a call and I'll be there anytime."

He is deliberately avoiding the issue.

After Tang Zhichao left, Meng Chunsheng smiled and said, "I've often seen your name in the newspapers before. I never thought I would be able to work with County Magistrate Yiming one day. It's a great honor."

"This is some white tea that I brought back from the agricultural expo a few days ago, paid for out of my own pocket. Please try it and see if you like it."

As he spoke, he took out a beautifully packaged tea box from his handbag and placed it on the table.

"Thank you, County Magistrate Chunsheng. I had just forgotten to bring tea. This is a real lifesaver."

Jiang Yiming said with a smile.

"As long as it's useful."

Meng Chunsheng smiled and said, "I originally wanted to invite County Chief Yiming to a gathering tonight, but I heard you were busy, so I didn't want to bother you. Tomorrow I'll host the dinner and invite you to try some of Xichuan County's specialties."

"Thank you for the invitation, County Chief Chunsheng. As you know, there are many things to learn since I just arrived, so I may not have much time. How about this, we can get together sometime later."

"Okay, there's plenty of time in the future, let's find another time to get together."

Meng Chunsheng smiled and said, "I won't disturb County Chief Yiming's rest any longer. If County Chief Yiming needs anything from me, Meng Chunsheng, in the future, whether in life or at work, please just ask, and I will do my best to get it done."