How to make Governor He understand the Chamber of Commerce's goodwill was a headache for the prominent figures of the Yongchang Chamber of Commerce. Just as everyone was discussing it, a young voice suddenly rang out, "Uncles and elders, this nephew has a matter to ask about."

Hearing this voice, everyone turned their heads unhappily. They saw a young man at the end of the table eager to speak his mind.

This young man was named Wu Youping. His father, Wu Qingshan, was the number three figure in the Chamber of Commerce. Boss Wu Qingshan had only this one son, so there was no struggle for inheritance. According to the seating arrangement, he should have sat in the third seat.

However, Boss Wu had caught a cold recently and was bedridden. Wu Youping was instructed to replace his father, Boss Wu Qingshan, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Wu Youping was just a fledgling youth; even though Wu Qingshan's seat was empty, he had to sit at the end.

But this wasn't the reason Wu Youping was disliked. Everyone was annoyed with him because this guy spoke the exaggerated and delusional nonsense of a student. He quickly became someone disliked by both men and dogs in the Chamber of Commerce.

President Zhou Yongchang asked patiently, "Youping, what do you want to ask?"

Wu Youping stood up and said frankly, "Not being blackmailed or extorted by the Governor was originally our dream. Why is it that now that we've really encountered it, you uncles and elders can't stand it instead?"

The faces of the Chamber of Commerce members became even uglier. The Wu Qingshan family had a single seedling in a thousand acres of land. Boss Wu treasured this only son very much and spent a lot of money to let him study. After graduating from middle school in Tianjin, Wu Youping was admitted to the Tangshan Railway and Mining School. Yet he didn't think of becoming an official, nor did he learn the ways of business. He just indiscriminately associated with some madmen in Beijing and Tianjin. Helpless, Boss Wu sent servants to forcibly bring this guy back to Siping immediately after his graduation to keep him under strict control.

Hearing Wu Youping talking nonsense again, no one bothered to pay attention to him.

President Zhou Yongchang felt very conflicted, not knowing whether he should explain the cruel reality that even children understood. It wasn't that President Zhou dared not face the cruelty of the world, but he worried that after speaking out, Wu Youping would not only refuse to listen but also preach another set of twisted logic.

If this were a peaceful and prosperous age, merchants would merely pay courtesy to officials. Who would really try every means to send their hard-earned money to those warlords who changed their faces as fast as flipping a book?

Looking at He Rui's methods of seizing Siping, how could that be the way of a peaceful age? Unlike Wu Youping, whose head was full of foolish student notions, He Rui was shrewd and ruthless, undoubtedly a "demon king" in troubled times. Not accepting the merchants' attempts to curry favor at this time meant that when He Rui made a move against the merchants, he would show absolutely no mercy.

President Zhou was thinking about how to send someone to persuade Boss Wu Qingshan to advise his silly son to go home, to stop losing face for Boss Wu and causing trouble for everyone. A servant ran in again, leaned into President Zhou's ear, and whispered, "President, Governor He ordered the police bureau personnel to drill, then suddenly arrested more than forty people."

He Rui had made another move! President Zhou's heart beat faster, feeling that his prediction had been verified again.

If anything exceeded President Zhou's expectations, it was that He Rui acted without hesitation, even earlier than President Zhou had imagined.

Looking at Wu Youping in front of him, President Zhou felt even more annoyed, so he smiled. "In that case, does Nephew Wu have any ideas?"

Wu Youping replied, "Uncles and elders, this nephew believes that instead of sending money to Governor He, it would be better to openly ask Governor He about his future plans for Siping. The Chamber of Commerce's business spreads all over the area outside the pass; there are so many things we can do. If we really want to contribute, whatever projects Governor He wants to do in the future, even if the profit isn't high, we should take them on and complete them well. When everyone makes money then, it will also show that Governor He has the wisdom to know people. Wouldn't that be a hundred times more dignified than sending money?"

The Chamber of Commerce meeting hall fell into silence. A moment later, a burst of laughter rang out. It was the laughter of being amused by absurd remarks. Malicious expressions appeared on the faces of several people as they laughed, looking ready to curse with unpleasant words.

President Zhou stood up, walked to Wu Youping, and affectionately held Wu Youping's hand. "Nephew, you have ambition. Since you volunteered, please go and request a meeting with Governor He now."

As he spoke, President Zhou affectionately put his arm around Wu Youping's shoulder and led him to the main gate of the Chamber of Commerce. As Wu Youping set off, he even patted Wu Youping's shoulder affectionately and encouraged him with a few words.

Returning outside the meeting hall, President Zhou called over a capable subordinate who had been in the hall and asked loudly, "Did you hear what Young Master Wu said just now?"

"President, this subordinate heard it."

"Since you heard it, go tell Boss Wu every single word without omission. Also, inform Boss Wu about Young Master Wu going to see Governor He. Go."

"Yes, sir!" President Zhou's subordinate left to carry out the order.

President Zhou recounted He Rui's cleaning up of the police bureau to everyone. Someone immediately said, "Governor He selected new tax collectors from reliable local people in Siping to replace the old tax clerks. The Garrison Regiment was disbanded by He Rui; the silver vault has fallen completely into He Rui's hands, and taxation is also controlled by He Rui. Now the police bureau has also been cleaned up; I'm afraid we are next."

Hearing this, a prominent figure in the Chamber of Commerce asked uneasily, "President, that Wu Youping went to see Governor He just now. If he angers Governor He and Governor He blames us, what should we do?"

President Zhou laughed heartily, but there was no smile on his face. "Governor He is very magnanimous; how could he blame us?"

Although he said this, President Zhou was calculating in his heart. If Wu Youping went and offended He Rui, and the Wu family was punished by He Rui, it would indeed be bad for the Chamber of Commerce. But the Chamber of Commerce had seen all kinds of storms and waves; they could handle it.

Moreover, bad luck was also an opportunity. Taking this opportunity, they could see what exactly He Rui wanted. As for the Wu family, it could only be said that their own family was unfortunate to have birthed such a rebellious son.

***

Here, Wu Youping didn't go directly to He Rui's headquarters. He ran home first, changed into the student uniform from when he attended the Tangshan Railway and Mining School, put on his schoolbag, and went to Wu Qingshan's room. "Father, I am ready. I'm going to see Governor He now."

Just as they were speaking, a servant came to report, "Master, people from the Chamber of Commerce are here."

Wu Youping went to a side room first. After hearing the person from the Chamber of Commerce recount what he had said at the meeting and his father sending the person away, he returned to his father.

Wu Qingshan didn't mention what the Chamber of Commerce said at all and asked directly, "Are you sure Governor He is truly a person who saves the country and the people? I see his methods are fierce and he colludes with the Japanese; I fear he is ambitious."

"He won't be. Governor He wrote a book called *The Fate of Japan*, describing both Japan's past and future. In my opinion, Governor He has long seen through Japan; how could he defect to a country with no future?"

Hearing this, Wu Qingshan sighed. He had joined the Tongmenghui in his early years and seen many figures. Everyone naturally talked about the principles of saving the country and the people at first, but as soon as the situation changed, their true colors were revealed immediately.

Wu Qingshan had long expected the result of his son speaking those words in the Chamber of Commerce. The reason he still let his son speak was that he wanted his son to see more of the human heart and not be too impulsive. Wu Qingshan intended to wait a while longer and observe He Rui's words and deeds more carefully before deciding.

Wu Youping saw his father's hesitation and said, "Father. My classmate Hu Xiushan is an upright person, just of humble origin and unwilling to make shocking statements. Since he was willing to follow Governor He far outside the pass, it must be because Governor He truly holds the heart of saving the country and the people. Besides, the writing reflects the person. Governor He's book is logical, open, and sincere. A person with malicious intent couldn't write it. As for Governor He's methods, look at these prominent figures in the Chamber of Commerce—if you reason with them, can they understand?"

Looking at his son in his student suit, full of vigor and vitality, Wu Qingshan sighed. "Go. Be careful in everything. By the way, I just got news that Governor He cleaned up the police bureau. He shouldn't be at the Governor's Office right now. Just wait at the gate."