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

If we ask Li Zhengquan for help with road repairs, then if we can't resolve issues like the misconduct of officials in Xichuan County or other problems, will we also have to ask Li Zhengquan for help?

If asking a high-ranking leader for help could solve the problem, why would the organization need him to be Jiang Yiming as the county magistrate? Wouldn't it have been the same if someone else had been chosen?

Besides, he and Li Zhengquan were only casual acquaintances; asking for help would only lower his standing in Li Zhengquan's eyes.

Unless it's a life-threatening situation, he'd better not ask Li Zhengquan for help.

After all, favors are one less you can use once. If you use them too often, others will think you are incompetent, a burden, or even a troublemaker, and naturally they will distance themselves from you.

If we don't seek help from Li Zhengquan, will this matter just be left unresolved?

Jiang Yiming was unwilling to accept this situation. As the head of a county, he had to overcome difficulties and find solutions and benefits for the people.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and pondered how to break the deadlock.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and thought of a solution.

He immediately took out his phone and called his old friend Li Muyao.

"Junior Brother Yiming, what made you decide to call me?"

Li Muyao's clear voice came through the microphone.

"Ahem, Senior Sister Mu Yao, your Dongjiang Daily provides internal reports to provincial leaders every day, right? I'd like to recommend some material to you, but I don't know if it meets your requirements."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Xichuan County ranks among the lowest in the province. Some villagers in the townships still rely on government relief to survive. The houses they live in, the clothes they wear, and the food they eat are heartbreaking to see."

Jiang Yiming said, "After I arrived, I went to conduct research and didn't sleep all night. The scene was so heartbreaking that I made up my mind to change the situation here."

"We finally secured some funding from the province to vigorously promote the planting of grapes and vegetables, but transportation has become a major obstacle in our path. I tried every possible way to find a solution, but to no avail. I can only ask you to step in and write an internal report to see if it can attract the attention of the province and get the province to coordinate and resolve this matter."

“I just thought about it. You wrote about how Xichuan County blindly promoted vegetable planting projects without considering practical issues such as transportation. Once a large amount of vegetables are on the market in May and June, farmers will not be able to sell them, which will cause huge losses and social risks. Such content will definitely attract the attention of the province.”

"Oh, wouldn't that make you a negative example?"

Li Muyao said, "This won't do. I can't let my junior brother down."

"Senior sister, just listen to me. Only in this way can we get the province to take it seriously."

Jiang Yiming said seriously, "Besides, there's still time to resolve this. Even if the province punishes me, it will at most be a party warning. If I can resolve the road issue, it will be worth the punishment."

After a moment of silence, Li Muyao said, "If all the ministers were like you, willing to sacrifice their own interests to do things well for the people, how could our country not develop well?"

"I will immediately send reporters to Xichuan County to conduct research and collect materials, and strive to deliver them to the provincial leaders within ten days."

"Thank you, senior sister."

"There's nothing to thank me for. By writing it this way, we're putting you in an unjust position. I should be the one apologizing to you."

Li Muyao said, "Give me a call when you come to the provincial capital, and I'll treat you to a meal."

"Okay, it's almost the end of the year, I'll definitely be going to the provincial capital, and I'll invite you to get together then."

Jiang Yiming breathed a long sigh of relief. Although the matter was not yet resolved, at least he had a plan.

Where there's a way, there's hope!

Upon arriving at the Yiyang Municipal Party Committee compound, Jiang Yiming met with Li Xinhou, the deputy director of the Municipal Party Committee Office.

"Brother Li, Secretary Wei asked me to come and report on my work."

“There are still people talking in Secretary Wei’s office. Wait until they come out before you go in. Come on, let’s sit in my office first.”

Li Xinhou invited Jiang Yiming to his office and poured him some tea.

"Thank you Brother Li."

Jiang Yiming took the water glass and sat down on the sofa.

"Brother Jiang, you've been in Xichuan County for a while now, are you settling in well?"

"Everything is difficult at the beginning, and some work is still being sorted out."

Jiang Yiming said, "Now I realize that being a county magistrate is not an easy job, especially being the magistrate of a poor county, which is even more difficult."

Now the main focus is on managing money and controlling the economy.

If Xichuan County has no money, then the county head can't stand up straight. Without money, there's no way to invest in construction projects, so it's difficult to change the face of Xichuan County and for the economy to improve.

It's a vicious circle.

"Yes, Secretary Wei hesitated before about whether he should send you to Xichuan County, but he finally made up his mind. He said he had confidence in you."

Li Xinhou said, "By the way, you left in such a hurry before taking office that I didn't have time to communicate with you. There's something I'm afraid I need to trouble you with."

"Brother Li, you're too kind."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "Just make the arrangements."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you. My cousin Fu Yuhua works in the county party committee office of your Xichuan County. He's a pretty reliable person. If you have the chance, please give him some pointers."

"Don't worry, Brother Li, I will definitely take care of what needs to be taken care of."

Jiang Yiming laughed.

The criticism the other person was referring to wasn't a genuine request for criticism, but rather a request for him to take better care of the other person.

He naturally wouldn't refuse something that didn't violate his major principles.

If the other party is a capable person, he will boldly employ them.

It doesn't matter who we use anyway.

If the other party is an incompetent person, give him a proper reminder to give Li Xinhou an explanation, and then leave him alone.

"Haha, I won't say anything more. After I finish reporting to Secretary Wei at noon, I'll pick you up for lunch."

"I'll report to the Party Secretary first, and then we'll see how things go."

As the two were talking, the door to Wei Shanghua's office opened, and a group of people came out.

Li Xinhou took Jiang Yiming directly to Wei Shanghua's office.

The people still in line could only watch helplessly as Jiang Yiming bypassed them and reported to Secretary Wei first.

After leading Jiang Yiming inside, Li Xinhou poured tea, closed the door, and left.

A group of people immediately surrounded Li Xinhou, asking when it would be their turn to see Wei Shanghua. Some offered him cigarettes, while others slipped him gifts.

"Soon, soon. I'll let you in as soon as Secretary Wei is done with his work."

Li Xinhou replied perfunctorily.

In Wei Shanghua's office.

"Secretary, what are your instructions?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"Sit down and let's talk."

Wei Shanghua sat down opposite Jiang Yiming and asked, "Did you see Mayor Ding yesterday?"

"We saw them, but they are unwilling to budge, so the road construction project will probably have to be shelved."

Jiang Yiming said.

"Yes, the other party definitely won't agree to the road construction."

Wei Shanghua said, "I originally thought that after you went there, I would find time to call her and communicate with her, but I didn't expect her to call first and complain about you."

"Secretary, I..."

"You don't need to explain, I believe you."

Wei Shanghua waved his hand and said, "Actually, when Ding Nan was in Yiyang City, I heard some things about her. First, there was no evidence, and second, she had a high-ranking leader protecting her. In the end, she left Yiyang City unharmed and even became the mayor of Linjiang City."

"Let's leave it at that. You don't need to pay attention to the rumors. Just do your best. I believe the truth will come out eventually."

"Thank you for your understanding and support, Secretary."

Jiang Yiming nodded seriously.

"If road construction isn't feasible, we need to quickly find other solutions."

Wei Shanghua said, "We must solve the poverty problem in Xichuan County within three years!"