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

"Me, stop me? What can I use to stop you?"

Zhang Yufeng said angrily, "He is the county magistrate, and I am just the director of the county party committee office. How can you expect me to stop him?"

"I told you a long time ago to tone it down and not go too far, but you didn't listen and now look what's happened. Are you satisfied?"

"Oh, cousin, it's my fault. Please help me think of a solution. Please don't let me lose my job."

Yao Dayou pleaded.

“I’ve already spoken to Secretary Niu, but he said he wouldn’t interfere too much, so we need to figure out a solution ourselves this time.”

Zhang Yufeng said, "We can only start with the investigation team. As long as they can't find anything, no matter how capable Jiang Yiming is, he can't do anything to you. Then I'll whisper in Secretary Niu's ear, and you'll be able to get back to your position soon."

"I'll call the head of the investigation team later. You and the township leaders should work together to provide good service to the investigation team. As long as we serve them well, there won't be any problems."

"Okay, cousin, I'll head back to my hometown right away to make preparations."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yufeng immediately called Fei Jianzhong, the deputy director of the Civil Affairs Bureau who was leading the team.

"Director Fei, I am Zhang Yufeng."

"Standing Committee Member Zhang? Hello, hello, what are your instructions?"

Fei Jianzhong quickly asked.

"It's not really giving instructions, I just wanted to chat with you."

Zhang Yufeng smiled and said, "I remember your son has been in Lulin Township for two years, right?"

"Yes, it has been two years and seven months."

“You’re a leader in the Civil Affairs Bureau, yet you still won’t transfer your son back to the city. No matter what, the conditions in the countryside are still worse, and it’s much harder to work there.”

“I also wanted to transfer him back, and I contacted many people, but I couldn’t succeed.”

Fei Jianzhong sighed, "I'll be fifty-three next year and will be retiring soon, so they're not giving me much face anymore."

"The people in the Organization Department are so heartless. Our Party members and cadres have worked hard all their lives to serve the people, and they can't even take care of their own children. This is just too much."

Zhang Yufeng said, "I have a good relationship with Minister Lu of the Organization Department. I will talk to him later and try to get him transferred to the city next month."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Standing Committee Member Zhang, you are truly grateful."

Fei Jianzhong reciprocated in kind, whispering, "Standing Committee Member Zhang, don't worry. Secretary Yao's matter is just a formality. I will downplay the important issues and report some trivial matters."

“My cousin has done nothing wrong. It was those troublemakers who made false accusations. I believe Director Fei will clear my cousin’s name.”

"Yes, I also believe that Secretary Yao is innocent."

Fei Jianzhong quickly said.

…………

After Zhang Yufeng left, Niu Baogen stopped reading the newspaper and instead pondered Jiang Yiming's intention in dismissing Yao Dayou from his post. Was it a scathing rebuke of the leaders and cadres of Xichuan County, or just a spur-of-the-moment decision?

"No matter what you think, Xichuan County is my territory, Niu Baogen's territory. Without my approval, don't even think about touching the foundation of Xichuan County."

Niu Baogen's sharp gaze shot into the distance.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"County Magistrate Yiming, please come in."

Niu Baogen turned around, saw Jiang Yiming, paused for a moment, and then laughed, "It's already after get off work, why haven't you left yet?"

"I still have things to take care of, so I didn't leave."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "There's something I need to report to you."

"Tell me what's going on."

Niu Baogen laughed.

"In the afternoon, nearly a hundred villagers from Daling Village, Zhaowan Township, came to petition. The reason for the petition was that Yao Dayou, the village party secretary of Daling Village, showed favoritism towards relatives and friends in the allocation of poverty alleviation funds. The comrades from the Civil Affairs Bureau had already verified this before, and it was indeed true. Today, some village representatives reported that Yao Dayou also accepted bribes and misappropriated collective funds."

Jiang Yiming said, "Based on the existing evidence and the villagers' concentrated feedback, I have dismissed Yao Dayou from his post and sent an investigation team to Daling Village to conduct an in-depth investigation into Yao Dayou's issues."

"Because the matter was quite urgent at the time, I didn't have time to ask you for instructions before I handled it directly."

"I thought it was something serious."

Niu Baogen laughed and said, "County Magistrate Yiming, you don't need to report these things to me. If you ask me about everything, you'll exhaust me."

"I won't interfere with government matters unless they involve major issues; you can handle everything."

He was somewhat surprised that Jiang Yiming took the initiative to come and report.

It seems that Jiang Yiming still respects himself.

"The county government operates under the leadership of the county party committee, and there are some things that need to be reported to you, Secretary. Please bear with me and listen to my rambling."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

Some things are best left unsaid. Whether it's Niu Baogen, other county leaders, or heads of county departments, you shouldn't just listen to what they say, but observe what they do.

Especially Niu Baogen, who said he didn't want everyone to report to him, was actually very domineering.

It is said that the former county head failed to report to him in a timely manner because of some matters. At the Standing Committee meeting, Niu Baogen directly pointed his finger at the other party and berated him, making the other party very embarrassed.

Jiang Yiming took the initiative to report, not because he was afraid of him.

Rather, he was a newcomer with an unstable foundation, and needed Niu Baogen's support in many things.

Taking the initiative to show weakness is not shameful or cowardly; it is a strategy.

Once he has grown strong enough and has his own men, he will make his voice heard.

“Since County Chief Yiming mentioned Yao Dayou, the Party Secretary of Daling Village, let’s chat casually.”

Niu Baogen smiled and said, "I have been to Daling Village for research and have some impression of Yao Dayou. He may have some minor flaws, but overall he is not bad. I do not believe that he would do anything illegal. I also hope that County Chief Yiming will not look at the issue with prejudice. We must trust our own party members and cadres and give them more trust and support."

"Since he has been dismissed from his post, I won't say anything more. As for the follow-up investigation, give them a limited time. Three days is enough to investigate such a small matter. If it takes too long, it will easily cause instability among the staff and damage Yao Dayou's reputation."

"Yes, Secretary. I'll tell the investigation team to speed things up and shorten the time as much as possible."

Jiang Yiming stated, "If Yao Dayou is truly alright, I will personally reinstate him to his post and apologize to him."

"An apology is unnecessary. The fact that so many villagers have petitioned shows that he has not done his job properly and has neglected his duties. It is only right that he be removed from his post."

Niu Baogen laughed and said, "As long as he is reinstated to his post, that will be a recognition of his abilities."

"Yes, Secretary, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Jiang Yiming left Niu Baogen's office.

Before he came to report, he had anticipated some resistance, but he did not expect the resistance to be so great that Niu Baogen had to personally speak up for Yao Dayou.

This matter is no longer just about dealing with a village party secretary; it involves a power struggle between the county party committee and the county government.

If this is all bark and no bite, then his reputation as county magistrate will be severely damaged.

Those county leaders and officials at the county and township levels would become suspicious of him and probably wouldn't align themselves with him.

Therefore, this matter must be handled properly.