Director Han glanced at Han Shenglin. Such a matter could be significant or trivial; if taken seriously, fines could be quite substantial. Since he had spoken, he couldn't make things too difficult. After a pause, he continued, "Let's just fine twenty for now. Be more careful next time."
Sun Zhiqiang felt a bit pleased when he heard Han Shengquan was going to issue a fine. After all, they were from the same department, so how could he possibly favor a young girl whose background was unknown? However, before the smile could even form on his lips, he heard that the fine was only twenty. Wasn't this a clear case of raising a hand high only to let it fall lightly? "Director."
Director Han raised an eyebrow. "Section Chief Sun, do you have any objections to the outcome?"
Sun Zhiqiang could only shake his head helplessly. "No."
"Thank you, Director, thank you, Uncle Han," Chen Lishu said, smiling and thanking the two.
The fine had dropped from five thousand to twenty. Wang Aixiang felt her heart swing like a pendulum, rising and falling several times. Fortunately, the outcome was good, so she quickly followed Chen Lishu in thanking both of them.
"Since there's nothing else..."
Director Han was about to say they could all leave if there was nothing else, when a flustered staff member ran in from outside. "Director, this is bad! Many merchants have come from outside, saying they want to collectively return their business licenses. They're not doing this anymore."
"What!" Even the usually calm Director Han's expression changed upon hearing his subordinate's report. He quickly turned and rushed out.
This group of self-employed individuals were among the first batch of "observers" during the reform and opening-up period. The country needed them to gain experience, and the provincial government also encouraged self-employment to help resettle the growing number of older youths who couldn't find jobs after returning to the cities. Moreover, self-employed individuals were also a source of tax revenue for the province, which was why they were actively processing their business licenses.
Outside the Administration for Industry and Commerce Bureau, Lin Qi stood with everyone, shouting first, "We must unite and resolutely resist the abuse of power and backtracking!"
"Yes, we've had enough of living in constant fear. We don't want these business licenses anymore, return our money."
"Return the money, we're quitting."
Soon, everyone chimed in with their agreement.
"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment and listen to me. This is our director, and he has a few words to say to everyone." A staff member on the steps spoke loudly.
As his voice fell, the crowd quieted considerably, their gazes turning to Han Shengquan.
"May I ask why you want to return your business licenses?"
Lin Qi stepped forward. "The owner of 'Shuse' clothing store, Chen Lishu, is an example. Everyone has seen the situation in her store, yet you still labeled her for speculation and profiteering and brought her back. What about the rest of us? Will we be the same as her one day?"
"Since you've relaxed the policy and allowed us to operate independently, what are you doing now? We were already looked down upon for being self-employed and had to endure many scornful glances. But to avoid causing trouble for the country and the organization, we silently endured it. We work hard to support ourselves, but how do you treat us?"
Lin Qi's words struck a chord with everyone, and soon someone added, "Yes, before we were chased like dogs when doing things secretly. Now that the policy has finally improved, we haven't even been happy for two days. Who knows if this piece of paper in our hands will become evidence against us tomorrow!"
Han Shengquan raised his hand to signal them to listen to him. "Please rest assured, this is a good time for reform and opening up. I guarantee with my personal integrity that the kind of flip-flopping that happened before will absolutely not occur. As long as you operate according to the regulations, no one in the Administration for Industry and Commerce Bureau will arbitrarily trouble you. If anyone does, come to me, and I will uphold justice for everyone."
Lin Qi asked, "Then how do you explain the clothing store?"
At this moment, facing so many self-employed individuals, even if Chen Lishu had an issue, Han Shengquan couldn't punish her severely to pacify them. Moreover, Chen Lishu genuinely didn't have many problems.
Therefore, Han Shengquan said with a smile, "Someone reported it, so we naturally had to conduct a routine inquiry. The matter has been investigated clearly; it was the other party who didn't understand the situation. I have just informed Chen Lishu that she can go back and continue her business as usual."
Just then, Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang came out of the door. Seeing that the situation was as Han Shengquan had described, the crowd's emotions were no longer as agitated.
"Sister Chen, are you alright?" Lin Qi went up and asked softly with concern.
Chen Lishu smiled and shook her head, then said to the other merchants, "The Director heard about my situation and personally inquired. He doesn't have any airs of an official; he is very approachable, practical, and handles matters impartially. I was fortunate to have him uphold justice this time and not be framed by a villain. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Director Han."
Chen Lishu bowed to Han Shengquan as she spoke.
Han Shengquan hadn't expected that after fining Chen Lishu twenty yuan, she would actually speak well of him and help him build authority. At this moment, Chen Lishu's public endorsement was more effective than a hundred empty promises from him.
Indeed, after hearing Chen Lishu's words, the merchants' gazes toward Han Shengquan began to change little by little, from doubt to hesitation, and then gradually to trust. Han Shengquan felt a sense of mission welling up within him.
"Who is Chen Lishu? Someone reported that..."
"A misunderstanding, officers. I am truly sorry; it was a colleague of ours who was not clear about the situation."
A staff member reacted quickly and invited the two approaching police officers inside to explain the situation.
It was a joke; if they let the person be taken away at this juncture, the situation today would be hard to resolve.
Chen Lishu glanced at Sun Zhiqiang, who stood not far away with unwillingness in his eyes. She narrowed her eyes dangerously.
The feud between them was truly sealed today. As long as he remained in the Administration for Industry and Commerce Bureau, her business path would certainly not be peaceful. Rather than constantly guarding against him and being on edge, it was better to use this opportunity to directly pull him down from his position, so he would no longer pose a threat to her.
With this thought, Chen Lishu looked up. "Director Han, there's something I don't understand. Are we offering business licenses for free or charging for them?"
Sun Zhiqiang suddenly looked up when he heard Chen Lishu's question, staring at her in disbelief. He had personally issued business licenses to all the self-employed individuals. Since they were the first batch, it was impossible for anyone to know that business licenses were issued for free. How did she know? Perhaps he never dreamed that Chen Lishu obtained her first business license not much later than he received his notification.
Han Shengquan truthfully replied, "It's a policy the state has given everyone. Since it's to encourage active participation, it's naturally free."
Next, without Chen Lishu needing to speak, other self-employed individuals quickly chimed in, "Free? We all paid twenty yuan to get our business licenses."
"Yes, we all paid..."
Sun Zhiqiang looked at Han Shengquan's increasingly grim expression. His legs felt weak, and he closed his eyes feebly. He knew he had no chance of turning things around this time...