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

"I think……"

"Director Zhang, I heard that Yao Dayou, the Party Secretary of Daling Village, is your cousin. I suggest you avoid him."

Jiang Yiming interrupted Zhang Yufeng's speech.

He knew that Zhang Yufeng's opening remarks would definitely be to exonerate Yao Dayou.

According to what he knew, Fei Jianzhong, the deputy director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, only acted out of personal favoritism and failed to conduct a proper investigation after receiving a phone call from Zhang Yufeng.

Zhang Yufeng's face immediately flushed red, and she looked at Niu Baogen.

“County Chief Yiming, what you said is true, but you can’t make people recuse themselves just because they are cousins.”

Niu Baogen said, "There's no need to avoid it; just don't express your opinion."

Upon hearing Niu Baogen's words, Jiang Yiming remained noncommittal.

"Everyone has heard what County Chief Yiming just said. Let's all share our thoughts. However, it's not easy for our Party to cultivate a cadre, so let's try to handle this matter in accordance with the principle of 'curing the disease to save the patient'."

After Niu Baogen finished speaking, he took out a cigarette, and Zhang Yufeng immediately lit it for him.

Although Niu Baogen did not explicitly state his position, his words set the general direction, and everyone understood his intention.

"Based on County Chief Yiming's account, I think this matter should be investigated and understood more thoroughly to determine whether the 30,000 yuan was gambling money or funds from other sources."

Jiang Fengying, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department, said, "Only by clarifying the nature of the funds can we take further action. It is too early to discuss the matter now."

"Since the police station caught people on the spot, it means they were indeed playing cards. But whether playing cards can be defined as gambling is still up for debate. After all, the investigation team are also human. They also have boring moments. It's not a big deal for a few people to sit together, play cards, and chat."

Sun Liangcai, Minister of the United Front Work Department, was the second to speak.

"Now that the matter has been investigated to a certain extent, I think we should deal with it as soon as possible to minimize the impact."

The third speaker was Deputy Secretary Huang Yonglin. Just when everyone thought he was speaking in support of Jiang Yiming, he unexpectedly changed the subject and said, "I personally propose that the members of the investigation team be given a party warning, and that the village party secretary of Daling Village be removed from his post in accordance with relevant procedures, and that Zhaowan Township re-elect a village party secretary."

Jiang Yiming glanced at Huang Yonglin, then continued writing something.

“I agree with County Head Yiming’s opinion that the punishment of these party members and cadres should be increased.”

Meng Chunsheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Executive Deputy County Head, said: "Yao Dayou oppressed the people, causing widespread resentment among the farmers, and even leading to a large number of villagers petitioning the government. In order to quell the incident as soon as possible, County Head Yiming sent an investigation team to investigate, firstly to give the people an explanation, and secondly to restore the image of the Party and the government and rebuild the government's credibility. However, the members of the investigation team not only failed to play their role in supervising the investigation, but also colluded with Yao Dayou, causing even worse consequences. If the punishment is not increased, it will definitely arouse the dissatisfaction of the villagers."

"I agree with County Head Chunsheng's proposal to increase the penalties for those involved, so as to serve as a warning and deterrent."

"This was said by Gao Zhenliang, member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission."

“I think they should be given a chance to make amends. They shouldn’t be dismissed just because of playing cards. That’s too harsh a punishment. A party warning would be enough.”

"Xiang Yuanwu, member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Minister of the Organization Department, said."

The other standing committee members also made a few indifferent remarks, but their overall stance was consistent with Niu Baogen's.

"Everyone shared their views, and generally speaking, there are two opinions."

Niu Baogen flicked his cigarette ash and said, "However, everyone prefers to treat these cadres by 'curing the disease and saving the patient'."

"In that case, I propose that the village party secretary of Daling Village be dismissed and that the villagers of Daling Village elect a new village party secretary. As for the members of the investigation team, those who participated in the card game should be given a party warning, and those who did not participate in the card game should be given a reprimand."

"County Magistrate Yiming, what do you think?"

"I agree with the secretary's opinion."

Jiang Yiming was somewhat helpless, but he had to agree that if a vote were held by raising hands, his side would definitely get fewer votes.

Now that we know the outcome, there's no need to make things awkward.

"Since no one has any objections, let's proceed according to this suggestion. Now, let's continue the meeting."

…………

After the meeting, Jiang Yiming returned to his office.

Executive Deputy County Head Meng Chunsheng knocked on the door and came in.

"County Magistrate Chunsheng, thank you for your strong support just now."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

"County Chief Yiming, you're too kind. You're the county chief, and I'm the executive deputy county chief. If I don't support you, who will?"

Meng Chunsheng said, "Besides, I deeply abhor corrupt officials, but unfortunately this matter involves Zhang Yufeng, so we can only let it go."

"It's just a temporary setback."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "County Chief Chunsheng, don't be discouraged. Have confidence in our organization."

"I want to believe it too... Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you have time tonight? I'll call Lao Gao and we can get together."

"Okay, let's get together tonight."

Jiang Yiming did not refuse. Meng Chunsheng and Gao Zhenliang had just supported him at the meeting, so he naturally could not refuse their invitation.

Besides, they've invited me several times; refusing again would seem rather unreasonable.

"Okay, I'll arrange the seating and let Xiao Wang know when the time comes."

Seeing that the invitation had been accepted, Meng Chunsheng left the office.

Jiang Yiming stared blankly at the newspaper.

The vote at the meeting just now, which may seem to be just a matter of different attitudes toward handling a sudden incident, is actually a division of political factions in Xichuan County.

It is obvious that Meng Chunsheng, the executive deputy county head, and Gao Zhenliang, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, have a good relationship.

As the top Party Secretary, Niu Baogen still controlled the overall situation. Apart from Zhang Yufeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Director of the County Party Committee Office, who was his follower, the Minister of the United Front Work Department, the Minister of the Organization Department, and the Minister of the Propaganda Department of the County Party Committee all firmly stood by his side.

Although Meng Chunsheng and Gao Zhenliang supported him at the meeting, he was not naive enough to think that Meng Chunsheng and Gao Zhenliang had sided with him.

Meng Chunsheng and Gao Zhenliang were clearly at odds with Niu Baogen. The reason they stood on his side was based on the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, which is why they supported him in order to rival Niu Baogen.

However, Jiang Yiming did not intend to get involved in their dispute.

His primary task as county head was to develop the economy of Xichuan County, ensure that the people had food to eat, solve the poverty problem for the 110,000 people in Xichuan County, and lead the people of the county to a well-off life.

Of course, he wouldn't mind using their conflict to advance his work.

If he completely distances himself from the issue, no one will stand by him or support his work.

the other side.

"Secretary, thank you for speaking up for me."

Zhang Yufeng took out a cigarette from her pocket, bit it with her rosy lips, lit it, and then put it in Niu Baogen's mouth.

Niu Baogen took a sip and showed an expression of enjoyment.