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

After leaving Niu Baogen's office, Jiang Yiming had dinner in the cafeteria and then returned to his office.

Dozens of county-level departments need to report to him, and he needs to understand all of them within a certain period of time.

First, we need to understand the general situation of each bureau; second, we need to understand the work capabilities of the heads of each county-level department.

Through the other party's report, Jiang Yiming was able to gain a general and intuitive understanding of the person in charge's ability to do things, work style, and work ideas.

All the department heads attached great importance to this report in order to leave a good impression on Jiang Yiming.

In order to understand the various departments as quickly as possible, Jiang Yiming worked overtime, using his evenings to continue listening to reports from the heads of the various county-level departments.

Tonight's report is by Zheng Tao, the director of the county transportation bureau.

Jiang Yiming had previously driven Zheng Tao to experience the traffic conditions and had a general impression of him.

"County Head, let me introduce you to the transportation situation in our county."

Zheng Tao respectfully stated, “This year, our county has further intensified its efforts in transportation infrastructure construction, enhancing its transportation capacity. Guided by the principle of ‘establishing a comprehensive transportation system to promote significant development,’ the county's transportation construction focused on three key aspects: funding, cost, and quality, with particular emphasis on the Xijiang Bridge and rural road construction. A total of 2319.2 million yuan was invested in transportation infrastructure construction throughout the year, including 1073 million yuan in the Xijiang Bridge and 1246.2 million yuan in rural road construction. Construction of rural roads in key townships such as Lulin and Zhaowan was initiated, fostering a positive atmosphere of shared responsibility for rural road construction. With the continuous improvement of transportation infrastructure, transportation capacity has increased year by year. The county's total road mileage reached 378 kilometers at the end of the year. The total freight turnover for the year reached 19800 million ton-kilometers, and the passenger turnover reached 7221 million passenger-kilometers.”

Jiang Yiming took careful notes, and after Zheng Tao finished reporting, he asked, "Are all the townships connected by roads?"

"There are still two townships that haven't been reached."

Zheng Tao said, "We plan to include this in next year's plan."

"There are no roads connecting the villages, no wonder everyone complains about the poor transportation."

Jiang Yiming frowned and said, "Your Transportation Bureau needs to find a way to speed up road construction. There's a saying that goes, 'To get rich, build roads first.' Without roads, goods cannot be transported, and the county's economy cannot develop."

"County magistrate, I also want to speed up the road construction, but our county doesn't have the money."

Zheng Tao said with a long face, "Every time I go to other counties for meetings, I feel deeply uneasy. The township roads in other counties have long been completed as Class III highways, not to mention the urban roads. But what about us? Apart from a few main roads, the roads in the county town are still gravel. Not to mention the township roads below."

"If you don't have money, you have to find a way to get it and raise funds from various sources."

Jiang Yiming said, "These past few days, all the units have been writing their year-end summaries and plans for next year. Your Transportation Bureau's goal is to double the transportation investment funds next year, not only to open up roads between townships, but also to select one or two townships to create 'roads connecting every village' models."

“County Chief, we also want to achieve this goal, but the current conditions don’t allow it.”

"It all depends on human effort. My main focus next year will be on developing agriculture and road construction."

Jiang Yiming said, "Your Transportation Bureau must be courageous and take responsibility. I will stand with you to achieve this goal!"

Hearing Jiang Yiming say this, Zheng Tao naturally dared not say anything more and immediately assured him, "Please rest assured, County Chief, our Transportation Bureau will definitely go all out and run towards our goal!"

"Based on what I just said, your Transportation Bureau should write a plan for me. As for which township should be designated as a model township for the 'Road to Every Village' project, you can leave that blank for now. I will make a decision after I report to Secretary Baogen."

"Yes, County Magistrate."

After Zheng Tao left, Jiang Yiming listened to reports from two other units. Seeing that it was already 11 o'clock, Jiang Yiming went back to rest.

The next morning, Tang Zhichao, the director of the government office, waited early in front of Jiang Yiming's office.

"County Head, the car has been arranged, and Director Tang from the Agriculture Bureau is already waiting downstairs."

"Okay, let's go."

Jiang Yiming took Wang Lifeng downstairs.

There were four cars parked downstairs: one belonged to the Agriculture Bureau, one to Jiang Yiming, one to Tang Zhichao and his government office staff, and one to the television station.

Tang Chen, the director of the Agriculture Bureau, quickly stepped forward to greet them, then returned to his car and led the way.

"County Head, today we will mainly be conducting research at three places: Hengxin Grape Plantation in Tangwan Village, Daxing Subdistrict; Youhao Vegetable Planting Base in Lulin Township; and Qingxiang Tea Planting Cooperative in Zhaowan Township."

Wang Lifeng took out the documents and said, "These are the basic details of the three planting bases."

Yesterday, Jiang Yiming only arranged for the agricultural industry-related things he wanted to see today. He then discussed it with Wang Zhichao, the director of the government office, and Tang Chen, the director of the agricultural bureau, and finally decided on three bases.

He delivered the proposal to Jiang Yiming's desk yesterday, but he was too busy listening to reports one after another and had no time to look at it.

He had no choice but to bring the materials with him and report to him in the car.

"Okay, let's go to these few points."

Jiang Yiming flipped through the documents in his hand and nodded.

The first stop was Hengxin Grape Plantation in Tangwan Village, Daxing Subdistrict.

Xu Yongchang, the Party Secretary of Daxing Subdistrict Office, and his team were already waiting at the grape planting base.

Upon seeing the car arrive, Xu Yongchang and a group of cadres quickly went to greet it and personally opened the car door for Jiang Yiming.

"Welcome County Head to Daxing Subdistrict Office for guidance."

Xu Yongchang smiled and said, "This is Mr. Zhao Heng, the person in charge of the Hengxin Grape Planting Base."

"Hello, County Head. I am the person in charge of the vineyard. I will be here to report to you on the development of the vineyard."

Zhao Heng quickly reached out and shook hands with Jiang Yiming, the county magistrate.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Zhao."

Led by Zhao Heng, Jiang Yiming walked, looked around, and listened.

Zhao Heng gave a detailed introduction to the development history and achievements of the Hengxin grape planting base.

"You said the grapevines in your plantation were provided by the Fruit Tree and Tea Research Institute of the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences?"

When Jiang Yiming heard that the grapevines came from the Dongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, he interrupted the explanation.

"Yes, County Head, our grapevines were cultivated by Professor Cao Zhongmin, the deputy director of the Fruit Tree and Tea Research Institute, and they are very suitable for the climate of Xichuan County."

Zhao Heng said, "Old Cao often comes to my base to provide guidance, and sometimes he stays for half a month at a time."

"Director Cao Zhongmin is from Xichuan County. He has a deep affection for Xichuan County and has always wanted to help the farmers in Xichuan County get rid of poverty through his own efforts. Unfortunately, due to various limitations, our county has not been able to promote the grapevines he cultivated."

Xu Yongchang added from the side.

"Yes, Mr. Cao's biggest wish is to have his grapevines grow on the hillsides of Xichuan County, blossom and bear fruit, and help farmers increase their income and become rich."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

When will Old Cao come again?

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"He will come over this afternoon with his team to check on the grape seedlings."

Xu Yongchang said, "He has cultivated tens of thousands of grape seedlings here, and he will come over every now and then."

"Director Zhichao, please cancel your afternoon schedule. After you have inspected the three bases, I will come here to wait for Elder Cao."

Jiang Yiming made the arrangements.