More and more of the common people learned about the methods Governor He used to seize Siping City. It involved many high-ranking figures and the process was full of ups and downs. It was said that storytellers even wanted to compile it into a tale to narrate.

Everyone felt Governor He was a formidable character, but they hadn't seen him actually do anything to the common folk. They were uneasy but not truly afraid.

Now, witnessing Shopkeeper Han being taken away by soldiers with their own eyes, the merchants on the street were all badly frightened. Seeing the "Do Not Discuss Politics" sign in the teahouse, everyone was silent as a cicada in winter. They exchanged glances and hurriedly packed up their stalls to go home. That night, when Shopkeeper Han's waiter closed up, Han was still nowhere to be seen. This scared quite a few people into considering closing their shops to avoid calamity that night.

Early the next morning, the teahouse actually opened again. The crowd emboldened themselves to gather around and saw the waiter walk out and set off firecrackers, popping and crackling.

The teahouse hadn't just opened, nor did Shopkeeper Han's family have any joyous events like weddings, funerals (which were also treated as major events requiring noise), promotions, or gaining wealth. According to shop rules, firecrackers were naturally set off to drive away bad luck. Presumably, Shopkeeper Han had returned.

Sure enough, a person walked out of the shop. It was indeed Shopkeeper Han. His face looked slightly haggard, as if he hadn't slept well. However, his whole person was beaming with joy.

The shopkeepers couldn't care about fear and went up to ask. The sharp-eyed ones had already noticed that Shopkeeper Han was wearing a badge on his chest—it turned out to be the iron badge worn only by officials under Governor He Rui.

Han had a mix of joy and worry on his face. He bowed to everyone in turn before saying, "Shopkeepers. Thanks to Marshal He's undeserved favor, he gave this brother a job as a tax collector. From today on, the tax collection on this street is under my charge."

The group of small merchants was dumbfounded, looking at each other for a moment. Someone picked their ear, suspecting they had heard wrong.

The news of Teahouse Shopkeeper Han becoming a tax collector spread like wildfire on the street. A servant of the Yongchang Trading Company President, Zhou Yongchang, ran back to the Chamber of Commerce like the wind to inform President Zhou Yongchang.

Rushing back to the Chamber of Commerce, he saw quite a few people standing in President Zhou's room, talking all at once about Governor He suddenly appointing many tax collectors. The servant was stunned to discover that Shopkeeper Han was just one of them.

According to everyone's introduction, these new tax collectors included those doing business, working as laborers, and driving carts. Their backgrounds were varied. But one thing was the same: they were all recognized by neighbors as being fair and respected among the people.

President Zhou Yongchang frowned tightly. In the past two days, He Rui's subordinates had frequently made home visits to the populace, visiting the families and neighbors of Siping policemen. Zhou Yongchang originally thought they were going to handle some shocking major case in the police station. Now he realized they were actually replacing the petty officials and clerks.

This was truly unheard of—daring to just pick some people and use them. Governor He was really rash and bold. But recalling He Rui's methods of seizing Siping, President Zhou couldn't help but feel a little afraid.

Hearing the servant say that Shopkeeper Han had also become a tax collector, Zhou Yongchang ordered someone to prepare a gift and personally went to visit Shopkeeper Han's teahouse.

At this time, the teahouse was already packed with people. The "Do Not Discuss Politics" sign was gone. Small merchants who arrived early squeezed three or four onto a single bench. Those who came late stood in layers inside and out, packing the teahouse so tight not even water could trickle through.

Seeing President Zhou Yongchang arrive personally, the small merchants barely made way for a passage. President Zhou squeezed in and saw Shopkeeper Han reading a document. Seeing President Zhou enter, Shopkeeper Han hurriedly stopped his voice and came forward to greet him. "Why disturb President Zhou? If President Zhou sent someone, I naturally would have come to pay my respects."

"Hey! Brother Haitao, you and I have been in Siping for many years; no need to speak such distant words," President Zhou said warmly, holding Shopkeeper Han's hand. At this time, President Zhou's servant also followed in. President Zhou took the gift. "Brother Haitao, today is a good day for your promotion. I, your brother, prepared a meager gift. I hope Brother Haitao will accept it with a smile."

Shopkeeper Han's name was Han Haitao, originally from the capital. He moved outside the pass with his family when he was young. Although not from an official family, he had seen some of the world. Seeing President Zhou wanting to give a gift, he was so scared he hurriedly waved his hands. "President Zhou, forgive me. Before taking office this time, the higher-ups gave repeated orders and injunctions: we must not accept gifts, not even a single copper coin. I appreciate the President's kindness, but I really dare not accept it!" Seeing President Zhou's face turn ugly, he hurriedly said, "Forgive me, forgive me. But under Marshal He's orders, I am explaining the new tax regulations to everyone. Would President Zhou like to listen together?"

President Zhou answered readily, "That is good. If Brother Haitao is explaining, I simply must listen."

A stool was barely placed for President Zhou in the crowd, and Tax Collector Han Haitao continued to narrate. The content of the regulations was not complicated. The core content was prohibiting tax collectors from bending the law for personal gain and collecting taxes indiscriminately.

For so many years, tax collectors had acted recklessly. Officials changed term after term, and most said the same thing after taking office, yet there was no improvement. If the government sent someone to say this, the small merchants naturally wouldn't believe it.

However, Shopkeeper Han, whom they spent time with day and night, had suddenly become a tax collector. Even if the small merchants didn't believe the government's words, they believed Shopkeeper Han was one of their own.

President Zhou had no interest in those old clauses, but after hearing two specific items, his expression changed greatly.

The first was that the Siping government would build police substations in every street. The substations would have complaint boxes. Anyone who was taxed extra could drop a letter or go to the Finance and Tax Bureau to complain. Once investigated and found to be true, the tax personnel would immediately be dismissed and punished severely.

The second item was even more ruthless. It accepted reports on tax evasion. Once verified, the reporter could receive a portion of the fine as a reward.

Boss Zhou knew that these two regulations wouldn't have much impact right now. But given time, they would certainly trigger major events.

Just as he was thinking of finding Han Haitao to ask in detail later, a capable subordinate from the Chamber of Commerce squeezed into the crowd and whispered to President Zhou, "President. Governor He just posted a public notice. It says schools are also going to be rectified."

Coming out of Tax Collector and Shopkeeper Han Haitao's shop, President Zhou Yongchang first went to the street corner where the notice was posted. He saw written on the notice: *'It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to rear people. Education is a plan for a hundred years, the foundation of the nation. To improve the education level in Siping, effective immediately, new schools will be built, and students will attend school for free. Existing schools and private academies in Siping will be gradually brought under the management of the Education Bureau...'*

After reading the notice, he rushed back to the Chamber of Commerce. The prominent figures in the Chamber were all present. There was joy and worry in everyone's expressions, but surprisingly, there seemed to be more happiness.

When President Zhou took his seat, Boss Ma in the first seat said, "Is the President going to request a meeting with Governor He?"

President Zhou sighed. "Establishing education is a good thing. However, Governor He has said several times early on that if money isn't enough, he will raise taxes himself. He absolutely will not accept private donations. I think Governor He doesn't look like he's joking."