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

Jiang Yiming and Niu Baogen went to the city together.

Inside the meeting room, Dai Wei, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Transportation, Zheng Junling, Vice Mayor of Yiyang City in charge of transportation, Yi Pingchuan, Vice Mayor of Linjiang City, and the main party and government leaders of Xichuan County and Pinghu District attended the meeting.

After nearly two hours of discussion, a final plan was decided.

The provincial transportation department will subsidize 40% of the funds for the road construction, the municipal level will subsidize 20%, and the remaining 40% will be the responsibility of the relevant county or district.

Niu Baogen consistently expressed his opposition at the meeting, stating that Xichuan County had no money and that only the provincial and municipal governments could fund the road construction.

However, the provincial and municipal leaders completely ignored his opinion.

"This is something personally approved by Secretary Li of the Provincial Party Committee. Anyone who dares to compromise on it or fail to implement it properly will be held strictly accountable!"

Dai Wei, the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Transportation, gave a serious briefing and then hurriedly returned to the province.

Niu Baogen was also in a bad mood. Jiang Yiming had originally planned to stay and have dinner with his old friend Yi Pingchuan, but Niu Baogen wanted to go back, and since they only had one car, they had to return to Xichuan County.

On the way back, Niu Baogen complained, "County Chief Yiming, although the provincial and municipal governments have subsidized 60% of the funds, there are still 40% of the funds that are still unaccounted for. You've been in our county for a month now, so you know the specific situation of our county's finances."

"I opposed the road construction at the meeting just now, you should support me."

"Secretary, this matter was approved by Secretary Li of the Provincial Party Committee, and we cannot stop it."

Jiang Yiming said, "Moreover, I think this is an opportunity. If we can seize the opportunity and do our best to build rural roads in our county, we might be able to narrow the gap with other counties and catch up in terms of transportation."

"You mean not only the road we originally envisioned, but also that we want to build more roads?"

Niu Baogen said, "County Magistrate Yiming, tell me, where did the money come from?"

"We can figure out a solution about the money later; the main thing is that we need to reach a consensus."

Jiang Yiming said, "The acting director didn't specify how long the road should be. As long as we build it, we'll receive a 60% subsidy from both the provincial and municipal governments, which is a considerable sum. There used to be no such subsidy."

“County Chief Yiming, your idea is good. But where will the money come from? As long as you can raise the funds, I will support you in doing this.”

Niu Baogen felt that Jiang Yiming's thinking was too simplistic, so he decided to pass the buck to him.

"Great! With the Party Secretary's strong support, I'll raise the money even if I have to sell everything I own!"

Jiang Yiming said earnestly.

Niu Baogen ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.

Jiang Yiming didn't say anything more, his gaze fixed on the window as he pondered where the money would come from.

He made it sound so easy, but in reality, money isn't so easy to come by.

The funds allocated by the higher authorities each year are used to ensure salaries and operations, leaving virtually no extra money available.

Xichuan County has little industry, and therefore little tax revenue.

Suddenly, Jiang Yiming had an idea.

Back in his office, Jiang Yiming immediately called Zhao Yuan, the director of the Finance Bureau, and asked her to come over in person.

"County Magistrate Yiming, what are your instructions?"

Zhao Yuan strode in, a smile on her face.

How many official vehicles does our county have, and what are the approximate annual operating costs?

Jiang Yiming inquired.

“I am very clear about this number. As of December 31, 2004, our county had a total of 249 official vehicles, of which 209 were in county-level departments and 40 were in townships. By system: 63 were in the government system, 68 were in the public security, procuratorate, court and judicial system, 27 were in the agriculture, forestry and water system, 28 were in the culture, education and health system, 17 were in the industry, construction and transportation system, and 46 were in other departments.”

Zhao Yuan brought a document and said, "From 2002 to 2004, the total expenditure on vehicle operation in the county was 3813.03 million yuan, accounting for 1.94% of the total fiscal expenditure over the three years. Among them: in 2002, the operating expenses were 714.43 million yuan, accounting for 78% of the initial budget for public funds, with an average annual operating cost of 4.41 yuan per official vehicle; in 2003, the operating expenses were 730.88 million yuan, accounting for 69% of the initial budget for public funds, with an average annual operating cost of 4 yuan per official vehicle; and in 2004, the operating expenses were 980.29 million yuan, accounting for 57% of the initial budget for public funds, with an average annual operating cost of 4 yuan per official vehicle."

“The operating costs of official vehicles are too high, placing a heavy burden on the finances, squeezing out the unit’s operating funds, and affecting the unit’s normal operation. I originally wanted to bring this up with you last time, but you were too busy, so I didn’t have time to report it to you.”

"Two hundred and forty-nine vehicles?"

Jiang Yiming frowned and said, "The annual maintenance cost is over 40,000, which is still quite high."

"Your Finance Bureau has drafted a plan that stipulates two cars for each township, and the Finance Bureau will subsidize the purchase of two motorcycles. Among county-level units, large units will retain five vehicles, and small units will retain a maximum of two. All other vehicles will be taken back, and fifteen vehicles will be handed over to the County Government Affairs Center for unified management. If relevant units do not have enough vehicles and need to use vehicles, they can apply to the Government Affairs Center."

"It is also stipulated that the price of a car for a county-level leader shall not exceed 180,000 yuan, and the price of a car for other units shall not exceed 120,000 yuan. Any car exceeding this limit shall be purchased and replaced by the Finance Bureau within three months. The original car shall be auctioned off, and the remaining funds shall be used by the county finance department in a unified manner."

"There's also the expense for official receptions. We're a national-level poverty-stricken county, and each reception costs thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. That's too extravagant. Your Finance Bureau should develop a plan based on the living standards of Xichuan County, including meal and travel standards. I'll put this on the agenda at the government's executive meeting and then report it to Secretary Niu."

Zhao Yuan sat on the sofa, dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.

"County Magistrate, I suggest you think it over."

Zhao Yuan said with a wry smile, "This is a thankless task. You've just arrived in Xichuan County and you're already affecting everyone's welfare. I'm afraid it will cause public outrage. It will be difficult to carry out the work then."

"The issue of operating expenses is relatively easy to handle. We can set a standard and have everyone follow it from now on. Even if there are complaints or grievances, they will disappear after a while once everyone gets used to it. However, the car issue is more complicated and involves more factors. I suggest setting a standard so that when new cars are purchased in the future, we can refer to this standard. There is no need to make them replace all their cars. What do you think?"

"It's precisely because it's a thankless task that successive leaders have turned a blind eye and been unwilling to tackle this tough issue. So, I, Jiang Yiming, will be the bad guy!"

Jiang Yiming said, "As for the car issue you mentioned, we can't follow your suggestion. A car can be used for seven or eight years, and it would take seven or eight years to replace all the cars. Do you think this policy can be implemented? You should formulate it as soon as possible, and you don't need to worry about other things."

"By the way, many cars in our county need to be traded in for cheaper ones instead of high-priced ones. We won't buy new cars anymore. We'll contact a big used car dealer and trade in our expensive Audis for cheaper used cars. That way, we can save a lot of money."