The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

At this moment, Zhang Tiancheng finished taking inventory.

The amount of money matched perfectly with what the prison guards had overheard Liu Si saying: "There were 12,000 silver dollars in total, plus ten large yellow croakers."

Zhang Tiancheng was very satisfied with the result.

Liu Jiaxiang didn't do anything underhanded behind my back; instead, he honestly and completely handed over all the valuables in the safe to me.

Zhang Tiancheng placed the last gold bar back on the table, leaned back in his wide chair, and let out a satisfied sigh.

He looked at Liu Jiaxiang, whose well-maintained face was full of smiles, glowing with health, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes had smoothed out.

His eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and satisfaction, and even more so with a newfound trust that had been tested.

"Jiaxiang,"

Zhang Tiancheng's voice carried the tact and friendliness unique to officials, and he tapped his fingers merrily on the table.

"You handled this matter beautifully. Absolutely beautifully."

He paused, a look of mixed difficulty and reliance on his face, his tone conveying a sense of sincerity.

"Originally, according to the rules, you should have received a share of this money. However,"

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Right now, I, the director, urgently need money to maintain my position as the head of general affairs. I have to smooth things over with everyone, and it's a matter of life and death. So, I won't be sharing this money with you for now."

Zhang Tiancheng observed Liu Jiaxiang's reaction and saw that there was no change in his expression. He maintained a respectful listening posture and was even more satisfied. He then made the promise he had prepared beforehand.

"Don't worry, Jiaxiang. Once my position as head of general affairs is finalized..."

He emphasized his words, his tone carrying the weight of a superior's promise.

"I'll personally draft your promotion report right away. This position as deputy chief of the Second Inner Right Police District is reserved specifically for you, and I mean what I say."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiaxiang immediately straightened his back, and a look of gratitude immediately appeared on his face.

He stood with his feet together and gave Zhang Tiancheng a proper bow, the movement precise and powerful.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director. I will remember it in my heart and will do my best to serve you."

Zhang Tiancheng waved with a broad smile, his posture appearing very relaxed and trusting.

"Alright, go ahead and get busy. You've worked hard these past few days too."

"Chief,"

Liu Jiaxiang did not immediately take his leave. He bowed slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I have another request, but I don't know... whether I should say it or not."

Zhang Tiancheng was in a good mood at the moment, and he found Liu Jiaxiang even more pleasing to the eye. Upon hearing this, his smile remained unchanged, and he waved his hand generously, speaking in a very magnanimous tone.

"Hey, Jiaxiang, what are you saying? There's no need for such concerns between us about what should or shouldn't be said."

Liu Jiaxiang met Zhang Tiancheng's gaze, maintaining a respectful expression, and slowly began to speak:

"Chief, Liu Si's cash and other valuables have been seized. But he also has another property... that person and the car factory, plus the land occupied by the car factory."

"Although it's not as tangible as cash, it's still a business that can generate a steady income."

He paused, his tone carrying just the right amount of probing.

"I come from a small town and I always feel more secure having a business to rely on. I wonder if the Director would allow me to take over the Renhe and Car Factory."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tiancheng was slightly taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was happening, and his smile widened, carrying a hint of understanding and indifference.

"I wondered what was going on. Turns out you've got your eye on that shabby car factory."

He leaned back and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

"It's nothing. Here you go."

"However, Jiaxiang, there are some rules you need to understand."

Zhang Tiancheng sat up straight, a look of admonishment on his face.

"The car factory can't be directly registered under your name; it's too conspicuous."

"I'll arrange for someone to go through the proper procedures and shut down the car factory later."

"You, on the other hand, will symbolically hand over one hundred silver dollars to the police station as payment for the confiscated assets."

"Then, all the remaining rickshaws in the factory, along with the land deeds and house deeds, will all be yours."

"Just find a trustworthy and suitable person to take over the management; whatever you do, don't use your own name. Understand?"

Liu Jiaxiang listened attentively, nodding slightly from time to time.

After Zhang Tiancheng finished speaking, a solemn expression of receiving instruction appeared on his face, and he bowed again. "This subordinate understands. Thank you for your guidance, Director. In this way, we gain practical benefits without leaving any loose ends. Director, your consideration is thorough."

Zhang Tiancheng was satisfied with his reaction and nodded with a smile.

"You're a smart person, you get it right away. Alright, go and do it."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Liu Jiaxiang bowed again before turning around and leaving the director's office with steady steps.

The heavy wooden door closed gently behind him, separating the inside from the outside.

Only Zhang Tiancheng remained in the office.

The sunlight quietly spread across the mahogany table, illuminating the stack of silver notes and ten large yellow croakers, their golden and silver hues intertwining and gleaming.

Zhang Tiancheng sat alone in the large mahogany chair, his gaze returning to the table.

He reached out, picked up another silver note, examined the watermark closely against the light, and then put it down. His fingers brushed against the cool, heavy yellow croaker, making a soft rubbing sound.

"Twelve thousand... plus the previous five thousand..."

Zhang Tiancheng muttered to himself, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes.

"In total, Liu Si managed to squeeze out 17,000 silver dollars, plus these ten large yellow croakers."

He quickly calculated in his mind that ten large yellow croakers could fetch at least three thousand silver dollars at market price.

"Adding all that up, it's at least 20,000 silver dollars..."

This number made his heart burn. He had already carefully considered the various aspects of the position of Director of General Affairs that required bribing officials and the "gifts" that needed to be given.

This windfall has now provided him with most of the money he needed! As for the rest, he has his own savings and some other income, which is more than enough.

A surge of joy and a sense of certainty that "great things are about to be accomplished" filled his chest.

He carefully pulled open the drawer on the right side of his desk—inside were the five thousand silver dollars that Liu Jiaxiang had previously handed over, as well as some other savings and deeds.

He carefully placed the newly acquired 12,000 silver notes and ten large yellow croakers into the box, layer by layer, and put them together with his previous valuables.

The drawer closed with a soft click. To him, the sound was more pleasing than any music, like the crisp echo of gold coins clinking, proclaiming that the path to higher power was already largely paved.

Sitting back in his chair, Zhang Tiancheng's fingers tapped unconsciously on the smooth armrest, his thoughts drifting far away.

Liu Jiaxiang... This young man is capable, meticulous, and, more importantly, knows how to maintain boundaries, knowing what he should and shouldn't take, and is respectful and loyal to me.