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

"Mayor Yi, it's like this, our Xichuan County borders Yangshan Town in Pinghu District of Linjiang City, but due to road problems, communication and exchanges are very inconvenient."

Jiang Yiming said, "To this end, our Yiyang Municipal Party Committee proposed to open up roads with Linjiang City to strengthen exchanges and interactions between the two cities."

"According to our research, the cost of transporting vegetables and other agricultural products from distant places to Linjiang City is very high. The price is even higher when they reach the citizens, which invisibly increases the cost of living for the citizens."

"Xichuan County is making every effort to build a vegetable supply base for Dongjiang Province. If the road connecting it with Linjiang City can be opened up, it will save a lot of transportation costs, thereby reducing the price of vegetables and other agricultural products. The citizens will benefit from this."

"Of course, farmers in our county can also earn some income and change their impoverished situation."

"This is one of the more important reasons. The second point is that Yangshan Town has many hot springs. If these are utilized to develop the leisure tourism industry, it will definitely increase the income of the people in Yangshan Town. Therefore, building a road from the city to Yangshan Town will not only make it convenient for citizens of Linjiang City to visit Yangshan Town, but also attract citizens of Xichuan County and even Yiyang City to come and spend money, thus driving the economic development of Yangshan Town."

"Mayor Yi, please consider the suggestions put forward by our city."

“Brother Yiming, you’ve really given me a big problem. It’s 37 kilometers from the city to Yangshan Town. Even if we just build a two-lane cement road, it will cost more than a million yuan.”

Yi Pingchuan said, "This matter requires the mayor's approval."

"We're here to communicate with you first, to see if you think our reasons are appropriate. If you approve them, then you can report to Mayor Ding."

Jiang Yiming said, "These are the relevant materials."

"I agree with both of your reasons."

Yi Pingchuan said, "I will definitely support you, but I can't guarantee what Mayor Ding will do."

"Mayor Yi, don't feel pressured. Things can be discussed. We're here to discuss things first, and if there are any differences of opinion, we can communicate and negotiate further."

Long Shaolin smiled and said, "Things can't be accomplished overnight."

“Standing Committee Member Long, County Head Yiming and I were roommates at the Party School and have a very good relationship. I will do my best to help if I can. I will actively promote this matter, after all, it is a win-win situation.”

Yi Pingchuan glanced at his watch and smiled, "It's almost lunchtime. I'll go report to the mayor first and see what his attitude is. Then we can discuss it at the dinner table."

"Okay, we'll contact you after we've decided on the location."

"I've already booked the place. You've come all this way, so how can I let you spend money?"

Yi Pingchuan smiled and said, "I'll have Secretary Bai take you there first. I'll be there later."

Afterwards, Jiang Yiming and Long Shaolin, accompanied by Secretary Bai, went to the hotel together.

Yi Pingchuan then went to Mayor Ding Nan's office to report on his work.

"Yiyang City has proposed to build a road connecting it with Xichuan County?"

Ding Nan smiled and said, "This is a good thing."

"The road involves Xichuan County, so shouldn't a leader from Xichuan County be involved? Which leader is leading this?"

"It is Jiang Yiming, the county magistrate of Xichuan County."

Yi Pingchuan smiled and said, "Mayor, you served as the Minister of the Organization Department in Yiyang City. I wonder if you know him?"

“I know, Jiang Yiming is very capable, and I’m quite familiar with him.”

Ding Nan asked calmly, "He came this time too?"

"Yes, in Yiyang City, it was Standing Committee member Long Shaolin who took charge, while in Xichuan County, it was County Magistrate Jiang Yiming."

"I agree to this in principle."

Ding Nan thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let Jiang Yiming, the county magistrate of Xichuan County, report to me personally."

“You relay my words to him, and he will know how to contact me.”

Although Yi Pingchuan felt something was off, he couldn't pinpoint what it was, so he could only nod and say, "Yes, Mayor, I'll convey your message."

Yi Pingchuan then went to the hotel to meet up with Jiang Yiming and the others.

Also arriving at this time was Zhao Zhenlin, deputy secretary of Qing'an County.

"Mayor Yi, Zhenlin used to be my boss and he took great care of me."

Jiang Yiming explained, "I called him a couple of days ago and learned that he was coming to the city to report on his work, so I arranged to get together with him. Since we had this opportunity today, we decided to meet up."

“I am also very familiar with Secretary Zhenlin; he is extremely capable.”

Yi Pingchuan laughed and said, "Your ability to train such a strong soldier as Brother Jiang shows that you are quite capable."

"Mayor Yi praised him, mainly because County Chief Jiang is very capable. I have learned a lot from him."

Zhao Zhenlin quickly replied.

“Secretary Zhenlin, if there’s anything you need in the future, just talk to me directly.”

Yi Pingchuan naturally understood Jiang Yiming's purpose in calling Zhao Zhenlin over; it was simply to ask him to take better care of Zhao Zhenlin.

For him, it was just a small favor, so naturally he wouldn't refuse.

"Yes, yes, I will report to you, Mayor, regularly."

Zhao Zhenlin readily agreed, and from then on, he would be working on Yipingchuan's line.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

The group ate and chatted, mainly talking about people and things they knew in common.

“Brother Jiang, I reported to Mayor Ding, and she has agreed in principle to build this road.”

Yi Pingchuan said, "But he wants you to report to her personally. If you can persuade her, she will submit this proposal to the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee for discussion."

Zhao Zhenlin and Long Shaolin both looked at Jiang Yiming with ambiguous expressions.

Jiang Yiming was a bit stumped, but he could only bite the bullet and say, "Okay, I'll contact her this afternoon."

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways, as everyone was quite busy.

"Yiming, I have things to take care of and need to rush back to the city, so I won't stay here with you. You should communicate well with Mayor Ding."

Long Shaolin smiled and said, "You must get this done. The municipal party committee and government are waiting for your good news, and the 400,000 people of Xichuan County are also looking forward to you bringing back good news."

“This matter is very important. Even if Mayor Ding makes some unreasonable demands, you must do your best to meet them.”

Jiang Yiming rolled his eyes and said, "Brother Long, I'm so anxious right now, and you still have the mood to joke with me."

“I’m telling the truth. I believe that as long as you are willing to sacrifice yourself, this matter can definitely succeed.”

Long Shaolin laughed and said, "Alright, I'll be waiting for your good news."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Jiang Yiming shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to take out his phone and dial Ding Nan's number.

"Yiming, you finally called me. If it weren't for something coming up in Linjiang, would you have even bothered to contact me?"

Ding Nan's voice came through the microphone.

"Mayor Ding, I know you're busy, so I didn't dare bother you."

Jiang Yiming quickly changed the subject, saying, "Do you have time this afternoon? I'd like to come to your office to report on my work."

"I don't have time this afternoon. If you want to report on your work, come to my house tonight."

After Ding Nan finished speaking, she hung up the phone immediately.

She knew Jiang Yiming; she knew he would definitely come.

At that point, wouldn't she be able to do whatever she wants with him?