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

"Yiming suggested doing it this way, saying it's called the Veblen effect."

Jiang Yongchen explained: "If you serve a division-level leader the wine reserved for leaders at the section level or above, he will definitely be unhappy and feel that you look down on him; if you provide him with the wine reserved for leaders at the division level or above, he will just feel that you are receiving him normally, but he will not feel your attention and enthusiasm; if you provide him with the wine reserved for leaders at the department level or above, he will feel that you value him very much. So according to this logic, we set the minimum requirement to be reserved for leaders at the division level or above."

"In reality, it means that section-level leaders drink the special wine reserved for leaders at the division level and above, division-level leaders drink the special wine reserved for leaders at the bureau level and above, and so on, which makes our wine even more popular."

"Your analysis makes a lot of sense. It seems you've learned a lot from Brother Jiang."

Du Hongyuan laughed and said, "With a leader like you at Yusha Winery, my investment is guaranteed to make a profit."

"Mr. Du is too kind. I'm just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert. When it comes to important matters, it's Yiming who gives me guidance."

Jiang Yongchen said.

"Brother Du, since you're not joining our dinner, I won't force you. This afternoon, I'm thinking of buying a used car. Do you know anyone in that field?"

Jiang Yiming said, "You don't need to help me negotiate the price, as long as it's not a flood-damaged or accident-damaged car."

The biggest problem with used cars is the fear of buying a car with an unclear origin, such as a flood-damaged or accident-damaged vehicle.

Therefore, he needs to find a trustworthy acquaintance to help him buy the car; otherwise, he would rather spend more money to buy a new car.

"I have a friend who deals in used cars, I'll take you there this afternoon."

"Okay, I'll come find you this afternoon."

Juxianlou.

"Senior brother, you called us here all this time just to welcome a junior who just graduated?"

The woman with short, ear-length hair and an expensive watch said somewhat displeasedly, "Everyone is very busy. If he wants to see us, he can just come to our workplace. I will definitely see him for your sake. Why bother having dinner alone?"

"Wenjing, you can't say that. We're all alumni, it's good to keep in touch and build rapport."

The man said, "Besides, although Jiang Yiming just graduated, his first job is in the Organization Department. His future prospects may not be worse than yours or mine."

"So what? I don't expect him to help me out."

Jiang Wenjing pouted.

"Junior Sister Wenjing, since you're already here, if you don't want to eat, just say goodbye and leave when the others arrive."

Another man offered advice.

As the group was chatting, Jiang Yiming walked in.

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother Yang, I didn't expect you to arrive so early."

Jiang Yiming said apologetically.

"It's okay, we just arrived too."

Yang Hao introduced: "Wang Qiang, the vice president of the Municipal Central Hospital, graduated fifteen years earlier than you; Jiang Wenjing, the head of the Economic Construction Section of the Municipal Finance Bureau, graduated nine years earlier than you."

"This is Jiang Yiming, who works in the Cadre Section of the Organization Department of Xinping County."

"Greetings, senior brothers and sisters, I..."

Just as Jiang Yiming was about to introduce his new position, Jiang Wenjing said directly, "Senior Brother Yang, hurry up and serve the food, I have to rush back to the office for a meeting."

"Okay, I'll have the waiter bring the food."

Yang Hao said something to the waiter and then pulled everyone to sit down.

“Yiming, I remember two years ago when I went back to school for my 20th graduation reunion, you, as the president of the college student union, received me. That’s when I learned that I had a classmate named Yiyang.”

Yang Hao laughed and said, "Back then, I heard several professors praising you. I thought you would stay in the capital to develop your career, but I didn't expect you to come back to Yiyang City."

"Senior Brother Yang is so outstanding, didn't he also come back to help build his hometown?"

Jiang Yiming laughed.

"I had no choice in the matter, and to be honest, I regret it a little."

Yang Hao said, "If I hadn't entered the system back then, but instead entered a hospital or another industry, I might have done even better."

"Senior, you're already the deputy director of the Municipal Health Bureau. Compared to many people, that's already quite impressive."

Wang Qiang laughed and said, "If I could retire as the deputy director of the Health Bureau, I'd be laughing in my sleep." (Note: The Health Bureau was renamed the National Health Commission in March 2013.)

“Wenjing, Yiming is also in this training course for young and middle-aged cadres. As his senior, please take care of him.”

Yang Hao said, "You two should exchange contact information so it will be easier to communicate if anything comes up."

"It's just a training course, what's there to take care of? As long as he doesn't cause any trouble and compete with Long Shaolin for the position of class monitor, there won't be any problems."

Jiang Wenjing glanced at her Cartier watch and said, "The food is taking too long to arrive. I have other things to do. Let's get together another day. Senior Brother Yang, Senior Brother Wang, I'll be going now."

After saying that, he patted his butt and left.

Not only did they not leave their contact information, they didn't even say goodbye to Jiang Yiming when they left.

In her eyes, Jiang Yiming was just a recent graduate, not worth her time to feign sincerity.

"Yiming, don't take it to heart. That's just how your quiet senior sister is."

Yang Hao said, "It's good that she's gone. Now the three of us men can drink and talk more freely."

Jiang Yiming didn't care. He knew that he was inexperienced, had a low position, and worked in a county town. He could hardly bring any benefits to Jiang Wenjing, so it was normal that he couldn't catch her eye.

He couldn't be bothered to associate with such sophisticated egoists.

"Senior Brother Yang, who is Long Shaolin?"

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"Have you heard of Long Yumin? He was our city's previous Party Secretary and is now a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Minister of the Organization Department. Long Shaolin is his son."

Wang Qiang said enviously, "This is a second-generation official who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth."

"Long Shaolin is 26 years old this year and is already a member of the Standing Committee of Mingyang District and the Party Secretary of Shitun Town. He is a deputy-department-level leader in all but name."

"Yes, Long Shaolin is the son of an official. You must not mess with him."

Yang Hao nodded.

"Senior Brother Yang, I think your worries are unnecessary. What level is Junior Brother Jiang? What level is the other person? They're not even in the same league. How could there be a conflict?"

Wang Qiang said.

"You're right."

Yang Hao nodded in agreement.

The three chatted and ate, and Yang Hao told Jiang Yiming about his experiences and insights from working within the system over the years.

“Yiming, this is all the skill your senior brother has. Take the essence and discard the dross. If you don’t understand anything, feel free to call your senior brother anytime.”

Yang Hao patted his chest and said, "Within my capabilities, I will absolutely do everything I can to help you."

"Thank you, senior brother. I toast you."

Jiang Yiming downed the entire glass in one gulp.

Yang Hao and Jiang Wenjing belong to two different types of people.

Jiang Wenjing: I will befriend whoever is useful to me.

Yang Hao is a man of great loyalty and affection, and he values ​​relationships even more.

Before parting, Jiang Yiming called Jiang Yongchen and Sun Jun, who were waiting outside, and personally escorted Yang Hao back.

"Senior brother, I came in a hurry this time and didn't bring any valuable gifts. Please take these cigarettes and alcohol back with you."

Jiang Yiming stuffed two cases of specially supplied gin and two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes into Yang Hao's hands.