Chapter 175: Exploitation and Oppression

In front of the former Works Bureau building, workers were nervously replacing the signboard. The gleaming golden characters "Shen City Special City Hall" eight large characters replaced the original English plaque, symbolizing the change of power in this city.

Inside the building, Zhou Wei wore a brand-new dark blue uniform, standing by the office window. This spacious room had formerly been the Works Bureau director's office; it had now been converted into the City Hall vice-director's office.

"How are you? Still getting used to it?" Lin Yu's voice came from behind.

Zhou Wei turned around and said, "To be honest, I'm a bit unaccustomed. These matters......" He pointed to the pile of documents stacked like a mountain on the desk, "They're far more complicated than I imagined."

The documents on the desk were sorted by category: the Public Security Bureau's personnel allocation plan, the Tax Section's new tax revenue system draft, the City Management Office's infrastructure construction plan...... each one related to Shen City's future development.

"This is just the beginning," Lin Yu walked to the desk, casually flipping through the documents, "Things will get busier. The merger of the five concessions means the whole of Shen City needs to be replanned. Public security, tax revenue, municipal construction—none of them can afford mistakes."

Zhou Wei nodded, his eyes flashing with excitement: "I understand. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; we can reshape Shen City into something entirely new."

"Yes," Lin Yu looked satisfied at his enthusiasm, "but remember one thing: efficiency above all. I don't want to see the sluggish bureaucratic style of the old concessions. If something is to be done, do it quickly and well."

"Understood!" Zhou Wei replied standing at attention, "I've already been studying a new administrative efficiency improvement plan. From now on, all approval items must have clear deadlines; those not completed on time will have the responsible personnel held directly accountable."

Lin Yu nodded: "Very good. Also, regarding the City Hall staffing, I give you one principle: anyone capable can be reused, regardless of background. Those capable people from the old concessions can also be retained."

"I've already started screening," Zhou Wei pointed to a list on the desk, "these are the backbones of each department; they performed outstandingly in the former Works Bureau. As long as they are willing to serve the new regime, we'll give them a chance."

"Hmm," Lin Yu glanced at the list, "you handle things, I'm at ease. But remember, the new regime wants efficiency, not empty formalities. I want to see concrete results."

A flicker of determination crossed Zhou Wei's eyes: "Please rest assured, Bureau Chief, I will not let you down."

Lin Yu patted his shoulder and turned to leave. Through the window, he saw the workers outside had finished replacing the signboard. In the sunlight, the characters "Shen City Special City Hall" shone brightly, as if foretelling the city's brand‑new future.

In front of the Shen City Special City Hall, rows of soldiers were carrying out the seizure orders in an orderly manner.

"Bang!" A heavy iron hammer slammed onto the door of Yihe Foreign Firm, the deafening sound making the surrounding foreigners' faces turn pale. This foreign firm, closely tied to the former British Concession Works Bureau, was the first target of the seizures.

"Immediately hand over all account books and property lists to the City Hall Tax Section!" The soldiers smashed the door open with rifle butts and issued the order coldly.

The news spread quickly throughout Shen City. Those foreign firms that once called the shots in the concessions were all panicked. Some hurriedly destroyed their account books, some transferred funds overnight, and many more were simply waiting and watching.

In the City Hall reception room, former Works Bureau Director Albert, accompanied by representatives of several major foreign firms, came to negotiate. As the former highest administrator of the concession, he was pushed to the forefront of the talks. Those foreign merchants hid behind him, anxiously awaiting the outcome.

"Albert," Lin Yu paced into the reception room, "it seems you haven't given up yet."

"Director Lin," Albert forced himself to stay calm, "these firms are legally operating enterprises that have made huge contributions to Shen City's development. I hope you......"

"You're not qualified to negotiate terms with me," Lin Yu coldly interrupted him, "don't forget, you're no longer the Works Bureau director. Now you're merely a mouthpiece put forward by those foreign merchants."

Albert's face instantly turned pale. The foreign merchants behind him fell silent as if choked.

"Gentlemen," Lin Yu turned to those foreign merchants, "I'm sure you all know why you're here."

He casually tossed a stack of documents: "These are the account books of your several foreign firms over the years. Every smuggling transaction, every tax evasion, is recorded in clear detail."

The foreign merchants' faces instantly turned pale. They never imagined those secret accounts would end up in Lin Yu's hands.

"However," Lin Yu's tone suddenly shifted, "I can give you a choice."

Everyone held their breath, waiting for his next words.

"First, starting today, all foreign firms must pay a 40% business tax. Second, all employees must sign formal contracts, with wages not lower than those of local shops. Third, all armed security forces must be disbanded immediately, and security work will be handled uniformly by the City Hall."

"This... this is too harsh!" a foreign merchant exclaimed, "A 40% tax rate—we simply can't stay in business......"

"Then leave," Lin Yu interrupted him, "I believe many local merchants will be willing to take over your businesses. Of course, the price......" he gave a meaningful smile.

The foreign merchants looked at each other. These conditions would undoubtedly cut their profits sharply, but compared to selling off their businesses and leaving, accepting them seemed the wiser choice.

"Give you three days to consider," Lin Yu rose and left, "when the time comes, I want a clear answer. As for Albert......" he gave a meaningful glance at this former Works Bureau director, "I advise you to leave Shen City as soon as possible. This place is no longer where you can stay."

Watching those dejected foreign merchants and the pallid Albert leave, Zhou Wei said from the side, "They'll accept. After all, keeping half the profit is better than losing everything."

Lin Yu nodded: "That's exactly the effect I want. Let them taste what it's like to be exploited."

A few days later, the general manager of Yingjili Yihe Foreign Firm, Johnson, held a banquet at his mansion on the Outer Beach.

In the spacious living room, merchants from various countries gathered. The usually haughty foreigners now looked preoccupied. Waiters trays of champagne drifted through the crowd, but no one had the mood to savor these expensive drinks.

"This Lin Yu is simply a madman!" Johnson said, lowering his voice while holding his wine glass, "A 40% tax rate—he's trying to drive us to death!"

"But what can we do?" a French merchant said with a wry smile, "In Shen City now, he calls the shots. Our armed security has been disbanded; we don't even have the ability to protect ourselves."

"I've decided to withdraw," a German merchant said, "rather than being slowly drained here, it's better to leave early. I've heard the conditions over in the Fragrant River are not bad......"

Johnson shook his head: "You've also seen that those firms rushing to pull out have had their assets snapped up at low prices. Our investments in Shen City are too great; withdrawing would cause massive losses."

In a corner of the living room, several merchants were whispering conspiratively, occasional muffled arguments drifting out. The banquet appeared to be a social gathering, but in fact it had turned into a secret meeting to discuss countermeasures.

But everyone understood that under Lin Yu's iron‑fisted rule, they had hardly any choice left: either accept these harsh conditions and keep operating, or sell off their assets and leave Shen City. The former privileged class now had to bow their heads as well.