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

Liu Jiaxiang leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Liu Siye's face.

There's an old saying: "Carriers, boatmen, innkeepers, and spies—even if they're innocent, they should be killed."

"I didn't really believe it before, thinking it was an exaggeration."

"Yesterday, on my first visit, I experienced it firsthand!"

He paused, his tone turning somewhat cold:

"I took a rickshaw from the Second Police Station on the right to the Xisi North Police Station. It's only a few steps. How much was the fare? One silver dollar!"

"Master Liu, I'd like to ask you something," Liu Jiaxiang said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Are the rickshaws from your company made of gold wheels, or are the drivers carrying the Queen Mother of the West's Peach Banquet? How could they be worth so much?"

The color drained from Old Master Liu's face instantly, his deeply lined old face turned deathly pale, and fine beads of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

At that moment, he suddenly understood the root cause of this unexpected disaster!

It turned out that it was those ignorant fools in their own car factory who dared to treat the newly appointed director as a fat sheep to be slaughtered at will!

A mere silver dollar for transportation... that's practically stealing offerings from the King of Hell's table, courting death!

No wonder the new official's first act was to ruthlessly target the company and the car factory.

Master Liu was filled with remorse, wishing he could immediately drag out the rickshaw driver who had caused the trouble and tear him to pieces.

"Oh dear! Chief Liu! This...this...this is really..."

Master Liu suddenly stood up and bowed repeatedly to Liu Jiaxiang, his voice trembling with fear and anger.

"It's all my fault! I've failed in managing my subordinates! These bastards under my command are blind as bastards, utterly audacious! How dare they offend you like this!"

"Don't worry! I'll go back and find that blind bastard, tie him up, and personally escort him to the police station! You can do whatever you want with him, beat him or kill him! No questions asked!"

Liu Jiaxiang waved his hand, gesturing for Fourth Master Liu to sit down. A semblance of calm returned to his face, even accompanied by a slightly helpless smile.

"Master Liu, what kind of talk is that?"

"It makes it seem like I, Liu, am taking revenge for personal reasons or settling personal scores."

"Let me reiterate: the police station is cracking down on illegal overcharging, market disruption, and actions that infringe upon the interests of the people!"

"We are targeting the behavior itself, not any particular car manufacturer, much less you, Mr. Liu, personally."

He picked up his glass and took another sip, his tone earnest and meaningful.

"The driver is your man. If he makes a mistake, you should train and educate him properly and rectify the internal atmosphere."

"Why send him to the police station? Our police station is a place for law enforcement, not a private school to discipline your buddies."

Master Liu sat back in his chair, but felt extremely uneasy. He cautiously observed Liu Jiaxiang's expression and tentatively asked:

"Yes, yes, Director Liu, you're absolutely right. I'll definitely go back and give them a good dressing down and discipline them strictly!"

"Then...when would be a convenient time for me to send someone to retrieve those twenty-eight rickshaws that are impounded at the station?"

"The drivers rely on it to make a living."

This is what he cares about most; cars are the lifeblood of a car manufacturer.

Liu Jiaxiang put down his wine glass, picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and ate it slowly, as if he were pondering an unimportant question.

After a moment, he looked up at Master Liu, his tone calm but unquestionable:

"No rush."

"You people and the car factory, go back and reorganize properly as I just said."

"The root of the problem lies in the chaotic internal management, the uneven quality of the drivers, and the corrupt atmosphere."

"Our police station will regularly send people to your car factory for assessment and evaluation."

"Let's see how effective your rectification is, whether the drivers' behavior is standardized, and whether the car factory's operations are compliant with laws and regulations."

"You can resume operations and retrieve your vehicles once you pass the assessment and meet our requirements."

Upon hearing this, Master Liu was thunderstruck and could no longer sit still.

This isn't a rectification; it's killing people and car factories!

Assessment? What are the standards? When can I pass?

This is entirely in their hands!

Ten days or half a month is fine, but if it drags on for several months, the car factory will have to close down completely, all the drivers will run away, and Liu Siye will really be left with nothing!

"Chief Liu! Chief Liu! Please have mercy!"

Old Master Liu was almost in tears. He stood up again, bowed deeply to Liu Jiaxiang, and bent his waist even lower.

"Absolutely not! You don't know, I'm so old, I rely on this meager income from the car factory to make a living and support my family."

"If this... if this rectification continues indefinitely, the car factory will shut down, there will be no income, and my whole family... we'll really be starving! Please, have mercy and give us a way to survive!"

His voice choked with sobs, filled with a desperate plea.

Looking at Liu Siye's frightened and pleading appearance, Liu Jiaxiang slowly curled a meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were icy cold.

He pondered for a moment, as if seriously considering Master Liu's predicament, and slowly said:

"Hmm... what you said makes some sense. After all, being forced by circumstances is understandable. How about this,"

He paused for a moment, looking at the hope that had instantly ignited in Master Liu's eyes.

"Let me think about this some more and see if there's a way to have the best of both worlds."

Liu Jiaxiang then changed the subject, seemingly casually mentioning:

"By the way, Uncle Liu, you're an old-timer around Xi'an Gate. You know the area well and have a wide network of connections."

"There's something I really need to trouble you with."

Master Liu dared not be negligent in the slightest, immediately straightened his back, and his face was full of eagerness:

"Director Liu, you flatter me! Please feel free to ask if you need anything!"

"Anything I, Liu Si, can do, I'll do without hesitation! I'll serve you wholeheartedly and diligently!"

He patted his chest and assured them.

Liu Jiaxiang's face showed a hint of helplessness and trouble:

"I have just arrived in the capital to take up my post, and I am completely clueless, with nowhere to even settle down."

"I spent the night in the duty room at the police station. This isn't a long-term solution."

He looked up at Master Liu, his tone questioning.

"I wonder if Master Liu knows if there are any suitable two-courtyard houses near Xi'an Gate, or in a place that is conveniently located near the Xisi North Police Station? I'd like to buy one so I can settle down."

Liu Siye felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an icy hand.

Liu Jiaxiang's righteous and impartial remarks about enforcing the law almost gave him a false sense of security.

Now, this fig leaf has been completely torn off!

The so-called "serving the people and bringing benefits to the region" and "combating illegal activities" are all just pretexts!