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

"Before coming down to conduct research, I was still discussing with Yonglin the timing of the Standing Committee meeting."

Ma Qiyun paused briefly, then smiled and said, "Not only does the county government have several issues that need to be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting, but the county party committee also has several issues that need to be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting."

"However, the enterprise reform can no longer be delayed. After the research this morning, the relevant functional departments should come up with a practical and feasible plan, solicit opinions from all parties, and then submit it to the Standing Committee for approval and implementation."

"Let's see how long it takes for the government office to come up with a final plan. Once the plan is finalized, we'll convene a standing committee meeting immediately."

"I'll put some pressure on you. Let's set the Standing Committee meeting for Thursday. I need to see the final draft by Thursday."

Now it was Jiang Xuangui's turn to have a headache.

"Secretary Qi Yun, isn't this a bit too rushed?"

Jiang Xuangui said, "Although the reform of Yusha Winery was relatively successful, other factories obviously cannot simply copy their model. They need to optimize it before they can promote enterprise reform."

"An optimization plan cannot be formed in a short time. Moreover, after the initial draft is completed, feedback and revisions are needed from various departments. This back-and-forth process takes several days and is difficult to complete."

"That's no excuse. When I sent Jiang Yiming down to carry out enterprise reform, why didn't the relevant departments conduct research and summarize relevant experiences at the same time? Now that Yusha Winery has successfully completed its enterprise reform, they still haven't come up with a plan for the next step. What are they doing?"

Ma Qiyun angrily said, "The time is set for Thursday. If I don't see the relevant plan, whichever department is involved, its head should voluntarily apply to retire to a less demanding department. Don't just occupy a position without doing anything!"

Jiang Xuangui didn't know what else to say, and instructed the director of the government office: "Notify all departments to immediately implement the instructions of Secretary Qi Yun."

"Yes, County Magistrate."

The heads of the relevant county departments in car number 2 all looked worried after hearing the news.

"How could it possibly be completed in less than four days?"

Xu Changming, the head of the Economic and Trade Bureau, sighed and said, "It seems I need to find a new position to retire in."

That's what he said, but he was extremely reluctant to leave. After all, he was the head of a powerful department, and he was a relatively young one. Based on his current development, he would at least become a deputy county head, if not a member of the county party committee.

If he is relegated to a less demanding department because of this, he will likely have little chance of making a comeback.

"Director Xu, you could learn a thing or two from Director Jiang. He was the one who built up Yusha Winery."

Someone offered a suggestion.

"Director Jiang only conducted a pilot program at Yusha Winery. I'm afraid his plan will be difficult to implement in other factories, right?"

Do you have a better idea now?

Xu Changming could only nod, preparing to finish the research and then seek advice from Jiang Yiming.

The next step is the research.

Township officials accompanied the factory manager and explained the factory's development and current situation to the visiting leaders.

After the survey of the five factories was completed, everyone felt as if a stone was pressing on their hearts.

The difference between the four enterprises that did not undergo enterprise reform and Yusha Winery that did is enormous.

Yusha Winery not only overcame its difficulties, but also achieved profitability in just one month. Moreover, according to Chairman Wang Weifa, Yusha Winery's next step is to upgrade its equipment and facilities and expand its scale.

Other factories, let alone upgrading their equipment, couldn't even pay their workers' wages, so they had no money for anything else.

Moreover, during the investigation of the four state-owned enterprises, the factory workers all requested to learn from Yusha Winery.

"Time is tight and the task is heavy, so I won't take up any more of your time for a meeting. After you go back, please take care of your responsibilities and think about how to carry out the enterprise reform in a way that meets the needs of all parties."

"We hope that the enterprise reform plan will be approved at the Standing Committee meeting on Thursday, so as to meet the reform aspirations of all employees in the county as soon as possible."

After Ma Qiyun finished speaking, he returned to his office.

Whether others are willing to participate in enterprise reform or not, they all know that the general trend of enterprise reform is unstoppable.

What everyone needs to consider is how to gain more benefits and advantages from enterprise reform.

"Secretary, Xu Changming from the Economic and Trade Bureau wants to see me, probably about enterprise reform."

"Of course he'll come to you. I gave him a firm order: if he doesn't come up with a solution by Thursday, I'll move him out of the house and let him retire!"

Ma Qiyun said, "Of course, we can't act impulsively. Although he is Jiang Xuangui's man, we should still help him if we can and get the enterprise reform done as soon as possible. This will be more beneficial to both of us."

"Okay, Secretary."

"By the way, Yiming, how's Tang Guangyong's investigation into Qiu Tian going?"

Ma Qiyun sighed, "The Standing Committee meeting is on Thursday. If Qiu Tian's matter cannot be resolved, I will be in a very passive position."

"I've done the math. The Discipline Inspection Commission and the People's Armed Forces Department aren't involved in my matter with Jiang Xuangui, so they'll probably abstain from voting. Apart from Huang Yonglin, Zhao Zhenlin, and Su Huaizhang, the remaining five Standing Committee members will likely vote for Jiang Xuangui."

"Originally, I wanted to buy more time and win over another member of the Standing Committee, but time is too tight, and Jiang Xuangui is keeping a close eye on things. It will be too difficult to win this round through voting."

"Therefore, Qiu Tian's case is of great importance."

“Secretary, I called Tang Guangyong to inquire about the progress. He said that Qiu Tian’s case has attracted the attention of some people, and a lot of evidence has been processed in advance. If there is enough time, we will definitely be able to find solid evidence through clues. But it will be difficult to produce evidence in a short period of time.”

Jiang Yiming said.

"I can think of investigating Qiu Tian's economic problems, and Jiang Xuangui can naturally think of the same thing. In order to win this round, he will definitely guard against it closely and will not leave me any chance."

Ma Qiyun rubbed his temples and said pessimistically, "If the Standing Committee fails to remove Qiu Tian at Thursday's meeting, even if the enterprise reform plan is approved, its implementation will be greatly compromised."

"Large-scale enterprise reform is simply impossible to succeed without financial and policy guarantees."

"And the financial power is tightly controlled by Jiang Xuangui, which makes the situation very difficult."

"Secretary, there's something I haven't had a chance to report to you yet."

Jiang Yiming said, "Someone discovered that Guo Hongliang had an improper relationship with a woman who was more than 20 years younger than him."

"Is this happening?"

Ma Qiyun asked, "Is there any concrete evidence?"

"I only assigned this task today, and I don't have much evidence yet, only a front-facing photo of Guo Hongliang with his mistress."

Jiang Yiming said.

Ma Qiyun stood up and paced back and forth. Suddenly, he stopped.

"Yiming, get the photos here immediately. I need to talk to Guo Hongliang!"

Ma Qiyun said with a serious expression, "Remember, not a single word about this matter can be leaked, lest Jiang Xuangui prepare countermeasures in advance!"