The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

If a horse-drawn carriage passes by, pedestrians on the roadside can easily get splashed with water.

It was through a combination of persuasion and pressure that the town's merchants and wealthy households contributed money and grain to renovate the street. Now it looks much better, and the merchants passing by are full of praise for it.

He also specially formed a sanitation team to clean the streets regularly every day. Only then could they maintain such cleanliness.

The two walked slowly along the street, and people greeted Xiang Peng from time to time.

Although this limping police chief has only been in office for less than a year, he has earned everyone's respect. He not only enforces the law impartially and is incorruptible, but also enthusiastically solves many problems for the people and businesses.

"Director Xiang, we heard you're getting promoted to the provincial capital? We really hate to see you go!" Manager Huang of Taisheng Restaurant saw Xiang Peng pass by and quickly came out to pull him away.

Manager Huang was telling the truth. Before Xiang Peng arrived, his restaurant was often frequented by dock thugs and beggars who would dine and dash. He had no way to deal with these scoundrels.

After Xiang Peng arrived, he gave those thugs a good beating. Then he assigned them jobs, and now they're all going to work obediently!

"Yes! I don't want to leave either, but I can't disobey orders!" Xiang Peng shook his head. As for how Manager Huang knew, he wasn't surprised. These merchants were always well-informed.

"Manager Huang, you can run the business with peace of mind! Even if I'm gone, the rules here won't change. I'll be keeping an eye on things at all times."

"Alright, alright! When is Director Xiang leaving? Let us set up a couple of tables for your farewell!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Huang, but we won't trouble you all!" Xiang Peng waved his hands repeatedly. Everyone in business has a tough job, and he always strictly forbids his subordinates from accepting bribes or demanding favors. He naturally had to set a good example.

After exchanging a few more words with Manager Huang, Xiang Peng led Li Qing toward the dock.

Although Yanghe is just a small town, it has a bluestone wharf that is about two hundred meters wide. There are four or five boats moored at the wharf now.

Five or six members of the joint defense team, wearing red armbands and carrying wooden sticks, stood aside, watching the cargo being unloaded from the large ship.

Everything was in good order, without the previous noise and without any fighting or scrambling.

"Director Xiang is here! Come in and have a seat, rest your feet and have a cup of tea!" There was a simple tea stall with bamboo mats stretched across the roof by the dock. The owner was an old man with gray hair.

"Uncle Tan, business is alright, isn't it?" Xiang Peng was tired from walking, so he led Li Qing inside and sat down.

"Thanks to the director, things are alright! Da Ya, didn't you see you came to Uncle Xiang? Hurry up and get some braised food for Uncle Xiang. You have no sense of propriety at all." Old Tan called out while shouting loudly.

"Alright! It's almost lunchtime anyway, so let's support your business today and bring us a few more steamed buns!" Xiang Peng nodded.

"Alright! Please have a seat, sir!" The old man wiped the table and happily walked towards the steamed bun shop across the street.

"Li Qing, the most important thing in our Yanghe Town is this wharf! If you can manage the security and order here well, merchants will be willing to come to Yanghe, and with more merchants, Yanghe's economy will naturally improve."

"A good economy means more people. Everyone's making money, so our expenses will naturally keep coming in! Do you understand?"

"Yes, Chief!" Li Qing nodded, knowing that the chief was instructing him.

“Those auxiliary police officers must be kept in check! Although they are relatively obedient now, they all have prior convictions. Don’t relax your control over them.”

"After I'm gone, if you encounter any problems you can't solve, just send me a telegram."

"Director Xiang, are you... are you leaving?" Old Tan put the plate he was holding on the table and said with trembling lips.

"Yes, Uncle Tan, I'm being transferred to the provincial capital!" Xiang Peng nodded.

"Uncle Xiang, please don't go!" A girl of about eleven or twelve years old, dressed in a faded, patched floral dress, already had tears in her eyes and was about to burst into tears.

"No way! I can't disobey orders from above!" Xiang Peng reached out and patted the little girl's head.

"I won't let you go!" The little girl burst into tears.

"Alright, alright! Uncle is just going to work, he'll be back later." Xiang Peng hugged the little girl and patted her shoulder as he spoke.