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

"Construct supporting facilities?"

Niu Baogen asked, "What are the specific requirements?"

"The director affirmed our approach to developing the grape and vegetable industry, but he also expressed concerns, saying that if the roads are not improved, it will be impossible to transport agricultural products out."

Jiang Yiming said, "In order to give us ideas, he personally opened the map and looked for solutions for us. In the end, he suggested opening up the road to Linjiang City so that supplies could be transported there and the problem would be solved."

In order to get Niu Baogen to agree to build the road, Jiang Yiming had no choice but to resort to his usual rhetoric and empty promises to deceive the other party.

"Open up a road connection with Linjiang City?"

Niu Baogen frowned and said, "Isn't Director Huang being a bit delusional? Doesn't he realize that, even if we did build the road, why would Linjiang City be willing to extend it all the way to Gaotai Township?"

“I shared the same idea as the Party Secretary, and I disagreed with him at the time.”

Jiang Yiming said, "But Director Huang said that this is a necessary condition. If the road is not repaired, no matter how much or how high quality of our agricultural products are produced, they cannot be transported out. This will not only fail to help farmers get out of poverty and become rich, but will also increase the burden on farmers."

"In the end, I could only promise him that our county party committee and county government would overcome all difficulties and build the supporting facilities."

“Secretary Baogen, the matter was urgent at the time. In order to secure this funding, I rashly agreed to it without your and the county party committee’s consent. Please criticize me.”

"This is not your fault. It's just that Director Huang's conditions were too harsh."

Niu Baogen said, "Let's put this aside for now."

"Secretary, this matter needs to be decided as soon as possible, otherwise it would be a great pity if such a large sum of poverty alleviation funds were taken back by the higher authorities."

Jiang Yiming advised.

“County Chief Yiming, it’s not that I disagree, but we really don’t have the funds to repair the road.”

Niu Baogen said, "You're new here and don't know the basic situation in our county. Once you understand it better, you'll realize that the conditions proposed by Director Huang are simply impossible to meet."

“I understand the difficulties faced by the county, but if this matter is not addressed, the farmers will never be able to improve their lives.”

Jiang Yiming said earnestly, "Even if we have to sell everything we own, we will find a way to raise funds to repair the road. Please support us, Secretary!"

Niu Baogen, impatient with Jiang Yiming's urging, finally said, "Okay, as long as Linjiang City is willing to build the road, we will. Otherwise, even if we build the road, if Linjiang City doesn't support it, all our efforts will be in vain."

“Okay, Secretary, I will lead a team to Linjiang City tomorrow to persuade them to build the road.”

Jiang Yiming immediately said.

"Okay, if you can persuade them, I'll agree to your proposal."

Niu Baogen felt much more at ease after sending Jiang Yiming away.

Zhang Yufeng walked straight in and said with a smile, "Our county magistrate is quite well-mannered. After going to the provincial capital, he immediately came to report to you."

"Don't even mention it, I'd rather he didn't bother me at all."

Niu Baogen shook his head.

"Didn't I hear that he secured a lot of funding from the provincial and municipal governments?"

Zhang Yufeng said, "Everyone in the county government compound is praising our county head for being capable."

"We managed to get the funds back, but we also brought back a lot of trouble."

Niu Baogen recounted the road construction plan, then shook his head and said, "The plan had already been finalized to widen the road in front of the county committee compound and several main roads. With Jiang Yiming's suggestion, wouldn't the expansion be impossible?"

"How can it change?"

Zhang Yufeng said, "This was discussed and approved by the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee. How could he change it on his own?"

“Secretary, I think you can’t let him run wild, otherwise he will break the rules.”

"Besides, he was in charge of this matter. If we follow his ideas, all the credit will go to him."

"If we don't agree, the subsidies from the provincial and municipal levels won't be disbursed. We can't just watch the cooked duck fly away, can we?"

Niu Baogen countered with a question.

"If we do more work at the provincial level, maybe we can find a solution that satisfies both sides?"

Zhang Yufeng asked, "You haven't already agreed, have you?"

"It's not exactly agreeing, I just said that if Linjiang City agrees to build the road, then we will build it."

Niu Baogen said, "I don't believe he can convince Linjiang City to agree to build the road. After all, it's more than 30 kilometers from Linjiang City to Gaotai Township, which requires a lot of money."

“You’re right, that’s enough to shut him up.”

Zhang Yufeng nodded with a smile.

…………

After returning to his office, Jiang Yiming asked Wang Lifeng for the report persuading Linjiang City to build the road, and then personally revised it.

Jiang Yiming spent the entire afternoon revising the report based on the collected information.

The report was not finalized until after 11 p.m.

The next morning, Jiang Yiming headed to Linjiang City.

At the same time, he invited Long Shaolin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, to participate.

After all, such a big matter requires at least one city leader to step forward to show that it is taken seriously.

Around 11 o'clock, Jiang Yiming and Long Shaolin arrived in Linjiang City one after the other.

"Brother Long, thank you for your trouble. It's been a lot of work for you to make this trip in person."

"Why are you being polite to me?"

Long Shaolin said, "What you said is very important. If it can be realized, it will definitely help the economic development of Xichuan County and help the farmers of Xichuan County get rid of poverty and achieve a well-off life."

“When I came here, I had already reported to Secretary Wei. He said that you and I would first visit the leaders of Linjiang City to see what their attitude was. If necessary, he would personally come forward to communicate.”

"With Secretary Wei's words, I have even more confidence."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "Let's first visit Yi Pingchuan, the vice mayor in charge of transportation. He and I were roommates when we were studying at the Provincial Party School."

"Sure, with your connections, maybe things can be done."

Long Shaolin and Jiang Yiming went to Yi Pingchuan's office together.

Yi Pingchuan received a call from Jiang Yiming yesterday, and today he put aside other matters to wait for his old friend to arrive in his office.

Upon seeing Jiang Yiming and the others arrive, Yi Pingchuan warmly welcomed them inside.

"Brother Jiang, you finally have time to come to my place."

Yi Pingchuan smiled and said, "Our Mayor Ding is preparing to lead a team to Yiyang City for inspection and research. He also said that he would visit the place you stayed to learn from your experience. He said that the province attaches great importance to the system for optimizing the business environment that you proposed, and is further optimizing the plan, preparing to promote and implement it throughout the province after the Spring Festival."

"Let's seize the time, conduct research and study ahead of time, and strive to start the trial before it is promoted in the province."

"We welcome leaders from Linjiang City to visit and provide guidance at any time."

Jiang Yiming introduced them: "Brother Pingchuan, this is Long Shaolin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Yiyang Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Mingyang District Party Committee."

"Standing Committee Member Long, this is Mayor Yi Pingchuan of Linjiang City, who is in charge of transportation and other departments."

The two shook hands and exchanged a few pleasantries before taking their seats.

"Mayor Yi, we have come to visit you for two reasons: first, to learn from Linjiang City's advanced experience, and second, to discuss some matters."

Long Shaolin said, "County Chief Yiming will be responsible for introducing the specific details."