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

"Yiming, what are you doing? With our relationship, we don't need to do these kinds of silly things."

Yang Hao said seriously, "Besides, I don't lack cigarettes and alcohol. But you are different. You just started working and need to build relationships more often. You need to save money and use these things where it's most needed."

"Senior brother, it's your business if you don't need cigarettes and alcohol, but this is just a token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Only after Jiang Yiming's earnest persuasion did Yang Hao reluctantly accept it.

"Today's dinner was not well thought out by your senior brother. After your training course ends, come to my house and I will have your sister-in-law cook for you."

"Okay, I'll definitely visit your home next time."

Jiang Yiming and Yang Hao chatted for a while longer before getting into their car and leaving.

In the afternoon, accompanied by Du Hongyuan, they quickly selected a used Grand Cherokee 4700, a 96 model priced at 18.35 yuan.

"The owner of this car is the boss of a large company. He loves fishing. He usually drives a Mercedes to work and for business purposes, but he only drives this Grand Cherokee when he goes fishing."

The used car dealer said, "Although I bought it four years ago, the total mileage is only a little over 10,000 kilometers, and it's been maintained in excellent condition. Recently, because of the poor stock market performance, I urgently needed to raise funds, so I reluctantly decided to sell it."

"Brother Du brought you here personally today. I'm only making money from this meal. The boss quoted me 115,000, but you can have 116,000."

“Brother Jiang, I suggest you buy a sedan. An SUV doesn’t match your status, and the driving experience isn’t as comfortable as a sedan.”

Du Hongyuan advised.

“This car is mainly used by my dad. He usually drives to rural towns. As you know, the roads in rural towns are relatively bad, and cars can easily get stuck on the undercarriage.”

Jiang Yiming said, "This car will do."

Seeing this, Du Hongyuan stopped trying to persuade him.

"Xiaojun, you drive, I'll follow you for a couple of laps."

Jiang Yongchen handed the car keys to Sun Jun.

Sun Jun was very happy. When he was in the army, he mainly dealt with military vehicles.

Ignition and start-up were completed in one smooth motion.

After driving two laps, Jiang Yongchen got out of the car: "Yiming, Xiaojun's driving skills are good, he can drive alone without any problem. The car's performance is also very good, let's take this one."

He pulled Sun Jun aside just now to test the car's performance and Sun Jun's driving skills.

"Okay, this one will do."

After paying, Jiang Yiming told Sun Jun to drive back first.

The father was still waiting at home for Sun Jun to return so that the two could immediately set off to Dongchuan County to inspect the vegetable supply base.

"Brother Jiang, you rarely come to the city, do you? Let me show you around."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Du."

Jiang Yiming readily agreed. He had rarely had the opportunity to visit Yiyang City in his two lifetimes, and he wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about it.

In 2000, Yiyang City was not a large city, and it only took a little over an hour to walk around it. Just as the three of them were about to return, a group of people walked towards the municipal government while shouting slogans.

Looking at the banners in their hands, Jiang Yiming felt they were all too familiar.

"It seems that some state-owned enterprise employee is going out of business and is going to the municipal government to demand an explanation."

Jiang Yiming shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this kind of thing happens frequently in the city as well."

"Yes, every week or two, employees of the companies go to the municipal government to demand an explanation."

Du Hongyuan said, "These people should be employees of the state-owned department store. As early as half a year ago, the department store was criticized by citizens for its wrong business direction, high prices, inferior products and even counterfeit goods. Finally, three months ago, the store was completely closed, and hundreds of employees lost their source of income."

"It's really a twist of fate. The department store used to be a highly sought-after department. My grandfather spent several thousand yuan to get me in, but it was no use. In the end, it was those people with connections who got in. Who would have thought it would end up like this now?"

Jiang Yongchen sighed.

"Who says it isn't?"

Du Hongyuan said, "Unfortunately, it has now become a burden on the government. The government has tried many methods, but none of them have been able to solve the problem of the department store outlets."

"Then they don't have a leader like Yiming, otherwise they would definitely have brought the store back to life."

Jiang Yongchen said.

"Oh right, how could I forget about our reform pioneers?"

Du Hongyuan laughed and said, "Brother Jiang, if the department store were handed over to you, how do you think you could revive it?"

"No destruction, no construction; destruction precedes construction."

Jiang Yiming stared in the direction of the store for a while and said, "Brother Du, if the government sells the store, let me know."

"You're not going to buy it, are you?"

Du Hongyuan opened his mouth in astonishment, then said excitedly, "Let's make it clear first, if you take it over, don't forget to include me. I'm willing to contribute manpower and effort, just don't leave me behind."

The success of Yusha Winery led him to blindly trust Jiang Yiming.

"You're now both the owner of a publishing house and a major shareholder of Yusha Winery, so why are you still thinking about getting into other industries?"

Jiang Yiming asked in confusion.

"The Internet is familiar to both of us. I have a feeling that the Internet will develop rapidly, change people's lifestyles, and change many things in the world."

Du Hongyuan said, "I was particularly shocked when I went to the United States recently. Their internet development is so fast, and it has already affected every aspect of people's lives."

"With the development of the Internet, I think print media will decline rapidly and be replaced by e-books."

"So I want to shift my focus, gradually shrink the publishing business, and expand other businesses."

Jiang Yiming sighed inwardly. Du Hongyuan's later success as a boss with a net worth of nearly one billion was by no means accidental. His keen observation of world changes surpassed that of 99% of people. It would be difficult for such a person not to succeed.

"I think similarly to you."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "If you're willing, I'd love to have you join us. However, my dad will be in charge of the business. I can only offer suggestions at most."

"I trust your abilities, Uncle, and besides, you're overseeing things too."

Du Hongyuan smiled and said, "I will keep an eye on the department store's movements. If anything happens, I will call you."

At 5:30 p.m., Jiang Yiming arrived at Ya Lai Private Kitchen Restaurant first.

The restaurant is decorated in a very exquisite and elegant style, with a classic and traditional feel, and the waitresses are also very young and beautiful.

As soon as Jiang Yiming entered, the waiter greeted him warmly with a smile.

"Hello sir, are you looking for a meal or someone?"

"I booked room 777 in advance. The person who booked the room for me is surnamed Du."

"So you're a guest introduced by Boss Du. Please come with me."

Jiang Yiming and Jiang Yongchen carried three cases of Moutai into the private room.

In addition to the three dishes Du Hongyuan ordered, Jiang Yiming added three more, making a total of six dishes.

The rest is up to the guests to decide what they want to eat.

Although under normal circumstances, customers don't usually order food on their own initiative, but what if a silly person wants to order?