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

"The county head and the county party secretary are the top leaders of the party and government, respectively. Why is it that the county party secretary is in charge of personnel while the county head is in charge of finances?"

Long Shaolin smiled and said, "After all, everything ultimately comes down to people. As long as you get along with people, there's nothing that can't be solved."

"Since Du Weizhong has sent you a director of the Party and government office, she must be quite attractive. If you really can't resolve this situation, then sacrifice your looks and win her over to your side."

Jiang Yiming thought for a moment and nodded, "That's a good idea."

"Brother, I was just joking, don't take it seriously. Once you get involved with a woman, it's very difficult to get rid of her, especially if she's married."

Long Shaolin was startled.

"What are you thinking? I agree with your suggestion to win her over as one of our own."

Jiang Yiming laughed and said, "As for methods, aren't there many? I'm not so low as to sacrifice my virtue."

"I knew it! You scared me. You have a bright future ahead of you, you can't let something as trivial as a woman ruin it."

Long Shaolin laughed and said, "If you really want women, just go to the island country under the guise of a business trip and have sex with their women. Nothing will happen to you after you've done it."

"You're so patriotic!"

Jiang Yiming rolled his eyes.

Seeing that it was still early, Jiang Yiming called Chen Wei.

"Secretary Jiang, what are your instructions?"

Chen Wei's cheerful voice came through the microphone.

"Brother Wei, if you keep talking like that, I'm going to hang up."

"Look at him, he just became the Party Secretary and he's already turning his back on his brothers."

"How about we switch seats?"

Jiang Yiming said irritably.

"Never mind, how could I steal Brother Jiang's thunder?"

Chen Wei laughed and said, "I'm not kidding, I'm sincerely congratulating you. Although you are nominally the deputy secretary, you are actually doing the work of the top leader. These days, you can't just look at the title, you have to look at the specific business you are in charge of."

"I really envy the feeling of having control over personnel and finances, and making decisions on everything big and small. As a vice minister, I have to report to my superiors when I sign the bill for meals. From now on, I won't stand on ceremony with you, Secretary Jiang, I'll let you pay the bill."

"Please, please, please. If Brother Wei would do me the honor, I'll not only treat you to one meal, but I'll also take care of all your meals from now on. I'll personally pay for you to eat out every day."

Jiang Yiming smiled and said, "There's something I'd like to ask you."

"You said."

Do you know Wang Jiajia, the director of the Party and government office of the industrial park?

“I know. I was the one who helped her get promoted to deputy section chief. I’ve met this woman a few times. She’s a very career-oriented person, but she’s also very capable. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been promoted to deputy section chief at such a young age.”

Chen Wei laughed and said, "Is this preparation for taking over the industrial park?"

"Yes, whether it was in the Organization Department or the County Party Committee Office, with you guys guiding me, I didn't have to worry so much. Now it's different. I need to make a breakthrough myself. The industrial park is quite complicated. If I don't handle it well, I might accidentally capsize in the gutter and cause a big mess. It's a small matter if I lose face personally, but it would be bad if I implicate Secretary Ma."

"Yes, although Secretary Ma has the upper hand in the Standing Committee now, I've heard that quite a few people still oppose your case. He promoted you under pressure."

Chen Wei said, "I'll tell you as much as I can. Another thing I know about Wang Jiajia is that her husband is a substitute teacher in a rural town. She's asked around a lot to get him a permanent position, but there are too many substitute teachers in schools now, and even more people are waiting for permanent positions. Without strong connections, it's impossible to get a permanent position."

"By the way, you should keep your distance from Wang Jiajia. When a woman is too beautiful, there are more rumors. There have been quite a few rumors in the county about her and Wang Fugui or Du Weizhong. Don't get involved."

How much of the rumor do you think is true?

Jiang Yiming inquired.

"I can't say for sure, but I think it's unlikely. After all, Wang Jiajia's promotion to deputy section chief has little to do with Wang Fugui and Du Weizhong. Wang Jiajia was actually seconded to the county discipline inspection commission for a long time, and she was promoted to deputy section chief and became the director of the Party and government office only after being recommended by the leaders of the county discipline inspection commission."

"However, after Wang Fugui's downfall, Wang Jiajia may align herself with Du Weizhong. You may not know Du Weizhong's relationship; he and Liu Changzhu, the executive deputy minister of our Organization Department, are cousins. If Wang Jiajia wants to be further promoted to a member of the industrial park's leadership team, she will need Du Weizhong's strong recommendation."

"Okay, I got it. Thanks, Brother Wei. I'll treat you to dinner when we get back."

"We're too kind of each other. As for dinner, there's no need to wait for you to come back. Next Monday, I'll accompany Minister Zhao to a meeting in the city, and I'll definitely come to see you then. Minister Zhao said he wants to congratulate Secretary Jiang in person."

Chen Wei smiled and said, "Originally, I planned to go to the city with Chen Zixin and the others to congratulate you tomorrow, but things have changed. I will go with Minister Zhao to see you then."

"Are Zixin and the others coming tomorrow?"

"They haven't told you yet? Looks like they want to surprise you. Just pretend I didn't tell you."

Chen Wei smiled.

"Alright, then I'll prepare some good food and drinks and wait for you to come over."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yiming quickly washed up and lay in bed pondering how to win over Wang Jiajia.

The following day, after finishing his class in the afternoon, Jiang Yiming received a call from Chen Zixin.

"Brother Jiang, guess where I am?"

"Where could it be? It must be in Yusha Town."

Jiang Yiming cooperated in the act.

"Hehe, you guessed wrong. I'm on my way to Yiyang city. As soon as I got off work, I set off with Liu Sicheng, Wan Wenbing, and Wang Weifa."

Chen Zixin laughed and said, "We calculated the time. You can have a late-night snack after you finish your evening self-study."

"No problem, I've booked the place, we'll get started as soon as we arrive."

Jiang Yiming said happily.

"Book a few more seats. Director Luo Yan, Director Zhang Chong, and Director Tang Guangyong from the Education Bureau will also be there. We estimate that everyone will arrive around the same time."

"Okay, then I'll reserve a few more seats."

"Okay, let's talk when we meet."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yiming was about to call to reserve a table himself, but in the end he called Wang Jiajia instead.

"Secretary, what are your instructions?"

"A few friends from Xinping County will be arriving later, about ten of them. Please arrange a good table for them."

"Okay, Secretary, what time will you arrive? And will you be drinking with me?"

"I expect to arrive around 8:30. Don't worry about the drinks, I'll take care of that."

"Okay, Secretary, I've booked the table and will send you a message. I'll arrive at the Party School to pick you up around eight o'clock. Do you have any other instructions?"

"You'll be there too; they'll all be colleagues from various departments in our county."

"Okay, Secretary."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yiming called Jiang Yongchen again, asking him to bring some wine so they could all join him that evening.

After thinking for a moment, he approached Long Shaolin: "A few friends from Xinping County are coming over tonight. Interested in joining us?"