"The Wu family kid became Peng Minsheng's assistant?" President Zhou Yongchang of the Yongchang Chamber of Commerce simply couldn't believe his subordinate's report.

"Reporting to the President, it's true. Governor He conducted a political review on Wu Youping these past few days and met with him several times. Yesterday, Wu Youping went to Mayor Peng Minsheng's side to be an assistant. People on Peng Minsheng's side say they saw the appointment letter with their own eyes."

Zhou Yongchang's face was clouded with uncertainty. The prominent figures of the Yongchang Chamber of Commerce were also bewildered by this news.

The Chamber of Commerce believed that Peng Minsheng would sooner or later be replaced by the assistant sent by He Rui. Wu Youping went to see He Rui and got the job of Mayor Peng Minsheng's assistant. That mad-talking Wu Youping was actually going to become the Mayor of Siping. Could there be anything more ridiculous than this?

Peng Minsheng also felt it was ridiculous because his draft of the "Notice Urging Certain Categories of Personnel to Surrender Within Three Days" was actually rejected by Wu Youping.

Even knowing that his position would sooner or later be taken by the fledgling youth in front of him, Peng Minsheng didn't feel he had to spend his last days as mayor bowing and scraping. He ordered someone to call Wu Youping over and asked with a straight face, "Assistant Wu, what is lacking in this notice?"

"Report to Mayor Peng. The notice is too bookish; the populace can't understand it. Moreover, the tone of the notice carries threats, which isn't open enough." After speaking, Wu Youping presented a manuscript. "This is the draft notice written by this subordinate. Please look over it, Mayor Peng."

Peng Minsheng took it and looked. He felt the writing had no literary grace at all; it just coldly stated that four categories of black and evil personnel must go to the police station to surrender within three days of the notice's release. If they turned a blind eye to this notice, they would receive no leniency if caught after three days.

After reading it, he couldn't find any fault, so Peng Minsheng decided to use it. But he asked, "I wonder what arrangements the Governor has for after three days?"

"This subordinate also just received the Governor's order to complete official duties, that's all. As for the arrangements after three days, this subordinate is not clear either. If Mayor Peng has doubts, why not go ask the Governor?"

The person Peng Minsheng wanted to see least was He Rui, so he just dealt with him perfunctorily and sent Wu Youping away.

After Wu Youping left, the more Peng Minsheng thought about it, the angrier he got. He was a *Xiucai* [^1] of the former Qing. Under the Manchu Qing system, even proper *Jinshi* [^2] had to pay money to buy a substantive vacancy. A *Xiucai* had absolutely no chance. However, at the end of the Qing dynasty, scholars were unwilling to serve as officials for the Great Qing which was about to collapse. That was how Peng Minsheng got his chance. Later, he maneuvered carefully to reach his current position.

Seeing a fledgling youth about to replace him, who had only been here for two days yet spoke so impolitely, he was even more annoyed. He just wanted to grab the draft notice written by Wu Youping and tear it up.

However, seeing "criminals whose profession is doing evil for others" among the four categories on the draft, a thought suddenly moved in his mind. He called over his personal attendant and whispered a few instructions. The attendant left, and Peng Minsheng ordered his subordinates to invite Wu Youping back.

He saw Wu Youping had just finished writing an official document. Hearing Peng Minsheng's invitation, he handed the document to the clerk sent by He Rui. "Send these to the Governor's Office." Only then did he go to Peng Minsheng's office.

After Peng Minsheng's attendant went out, he headed straight for Peng Minsheng's house. He came out after a while, turning left and right until he reached a courtyard. Seeing no one nearby, he knocked on the door: three long, two short. The door opened suddenly, startling Peng Minsheng's attendant. He hadn't heard the footsteps of anyone walking to the door just now.

The person who opened the door had a lean build and ordinary appearance. But his eyes were full of hostility. Meeting his gaze, one felt he was not to be trifled with. Peng Minsheng's attendant didn't like dealing with this person, but he had to go in. The man closed the door casually and asked in a low voice, "What did Master Peng send you to do?"

"Master Peng said a notice will be posted tomorrow. I'm afraid Governor He wants to put on a show and arrest some people to establish his authority after three days. He sent me to inform Second Master Sun. If Second Master has no business in the city, why not go out of town for a few days?"

A fierce light flashed in Second Master Sun's eyes, and he said unhappily, "I can't control Governor He. But how come I heard Master Peng's seat isn't stable?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Peng Minsheng's attendant scolded. Although his voice was loud, he was somewhat fierce in appearance but weak inside.

Second Master Sun snorted coldly. "Hmph! Go back and thank Master Peng for me. But I've done quite a few things for Master Peng these past few years. Since Master Peng still thinks of me, I have to ask Master Peng to prepare some more travel expenses for me. I don't want to stay in this Siping anymore."

Just as his voice fell, a rush of footsteps was heard outside. Peng Minsheng's attendant could hear there were quite a few people coming. Second Master Sun's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he kicked Peng Minsheng's attendant over.

Second Master Sun's skills were truly remarkable. After knocking down one person, he rushed into the room without stopping. With a sound from the back window, he had already jumped out.

Seeing no one in the alley outside the window, Second Master Sun ran wildly down the alley. Suddenly, several people appeared at the mouth of the alley, blocking the way. Second Master Sun didn't force his way through but turned back to run. Reaching a place where the gap between two houses was less than a meter, Second Master Sun propped his hands against the earthen walls on both sides, exerting force with his hands and feet in turn, and actually climbed up quickly like a monkey.

A gunshot rang out. Second Master Sun cried out in pain. His body swayed; he really couldn't hold on and fell to the ground.

At this time, a large group of police rushed up, pinned Second Master Sun down, and tied him up firmly. Second Master Sun cursed loudly, while the police happily bandaged Second Master Sun's wound first, found a door plank, tied him horizontally onto it, and left excitedly.

***

Near evening, Peng Minsheng was preparing to get off work. In the past, when he got off work, it was inevitable that someone would come to invite him out. Now that He Rui had seized Siping, the merchants dared not come anymore. Mayor Peng had sent his attendant out again. Looking at the empty office, he felt all alone, a shadow with no companion. He couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation.

A knock sounded on the door. Mayor Peng hurriedly gathered his mood and said, "Come in."

It was Wu Youping who came. In the afternoon, after Mayor Peng sent out his attendant, he chatted with Wu Youping for a while. He talked about his own ideas on catching bad guys. Wu Youping was obviously not interested and just asked some questions about municipal administration.

How could Mayor Peng be willing to teach? He just perfunctorily answered in various ways. Although the two didn't exactly part on bad terms, their relationship didn't get any closer either.

Seeing Wu Youping enter at this time, Mayor Peng was about to ask a question when he heard Wu Youping ask, "Mayor Peng, may I ask where your attendant went?"

Mayor Peng was startled, seeing Wu Youping looking calm. He knew something must have gone wrong. With a turn of thought, Mayor Peng figured it out. Although this Wu Youping was arrogant, unexpectedly, his way of doing things was actually like He Rui's. Presumably, he had started laying out his plans from the day he arrived. Needless to say, when he sent his attendant to do things, Wu Youping must have sent someone to tail him.

Mayor Peng's brain spun a few times. He didn't answer but walked straight out. Wu Youping didn't stop him, just chuckled lightly. When Mayor Peng walked out the door, he saw four policemen standing outside. The leading policeman feigned politeness: "Mayor Peng, sorry to delay your time. I wonder where you are going in such a rush?"

***

[^1]: *Xiucai* (秀才) - Entry-level degree in the Imperial examination system.

[^2]: *Jinshi* (进士) - Highest level degree in the Imperial examination system.