Chapter 101: Scheme

In a private room on the second floor of Bailemen, four young men sat around a table.

"Jiangnan Four Young Masters," Sun Lingyun lifted his wine glass, a faint, half‑present smile at the corner of his mouth, "This nickname first spread three years ago at the Yanjing Military Hall."

The custom‑made trench coat he wore was draped casually over the back of the sofa, revealing an expensive silk vest underneath. As the sole son of Sun Dingyuan, the de facto ruler of the Five Great Provinces south of Longjiang, this innate sense of superiority had long seeped into his very bones.

The 250,000 troops of the Five Great Provinces constituted the strongest military force in the southern Great Dry Empire. Although Shen City belonged to the Qin family, within Jiangnan's overall military layout it was merely a corner of the Sun Family's sphere of influence.

"Exactly," Lu Xiao said with a smile, taking over the conversation, "Back then the three of you were stars at the Military Hall. Especially Brother Qin, whose use of German tactics was praised even by the instructors as exquisite."

Liu Wen adjusted his glasses and said shyly, "Actually it was mainly because Chang'an was impressive. At that time I already knew the textbook material, but the real‑world drills were always a bit lacking."

Qin Chang'an said nothing, simply pouring himself a drink in silence.

"Later Chang'an went to Britain for further study, Lingyun attended the French Military Academy, and I returned to Shen City to learn statecraft from my father," Liu Wen continued, "Only Lu Xiao spends his days traveling the countryside for pleasure."

"That's how it is," Lu Xiao feigned displeasure, "I call it gauging the people's sentiment. Moreover, if I hadn't been traveling everywhere, the term 'Jiangnan Four Young Masters' would never have spread."

Indeed, the nickname first came from Lu Xiao's mouth. The young master of the Southern Jiang Military Governor's Mansion loved to brag about his three childhood friends—

Qin Chang'an, the eldest son of Security Commander Qin Dong Zhi, came from a military family; while studying in Britain he amazed the English instructors with his outstanding military talent. After returning home, he started from scratch in Kunshan, turning a ragtag group into an elite force.

Liu Wen, the sole son of Liu Xu, the garrison commander of Shen City, may appear shy and introverted, but he has made considerable achievements in administration and strategy. In the past two years assisting his father with Shen City affairs, he has further demonstrated extraordinary talent.

Sun Lingyun, the legitimate son of Sun Dingyuan—the de facto ruler of the Five Great Provinces—and heir who commands the 250,000 troops, caused a sensation at the French Military Academy with his brilliant strategic insight. Though only twenty‑five now, he is already his father's right‑hand man, overseeing all military deployments throughout Jiangnan.

As for Lu Xiao himself, although he appears a dandy on the surface, his status as the sole son of the Southern Jiang Military Governor's Mansion gives him a voice in this circle.

"Speaking of which," Sun Lingyun suddenly said, a hint of playfulness in his voice, "the four of us haven't gathered for two years. It's thanks to that Lin Madman that we could all meet this time."

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly grew subtle.

"Lin Madman?" Lu Xiao sneered, "A month ago he was just a junior patrol officer, and now he dares to stir up trouble in Shen City. I wonder whose backing he's relying on."

Liu Wen wanted to speak but held back, glancing at Qin Chang'an's expression.

"Don't say that," Sun Lingyun gently swirled his wine glass, "Eliminating the Ninth Division within a single month and forcing the Security Command Headquarters to cough up six million taels—such skill isn't possessed by ordinary people."

He looked at Qin Chang'an: "You agree, Chang'an?"

Qin Chang'an lifted his head, his gaze blazing, "So you came today just to watch my joke?"

"Not at all," Sun Lingyun gave a meaning‑laden smile, "We're here to help you. After all..."

He paused, "The sky over Shen City ought to change as well."

"In the end," Sun Lingyun pulled a gold‑inlaid cigar case from his coat, "the present Great Dry is like an old man whose candle is about to go out."

He took out a cigar and elegantly lit it, "More than half of the seven northeastern provinces have already fallen into Japanese hands. As for the court, besides issuing feeble statements, it doesn't even dare to lift a finger."

"Exactly," Lu Xiao took the cigar Sun Lingyun handed him, "I've heard the Japanese atrocities in the northeast are horrifying—seizing food, conscripting youths, even..."

He paused, looking at Liu Wen, "I heard even Uncle Liu's cousin's family suffered disaster last month."

Liu Wen adjusted his glasses, a flash of pain crossing his face, "Yes, Uncle's family of twelve, because they refused to hand over food, were all..."

"That's why," Sun Lingyun exhaled a smoke ring, "Great Dry can't protect its own people at all. Even the Western Great Powers, though no longer as aggressive as before, still see us as easy prey, a piece of fat meat to be carved up."

Qin Chang'an had remained silent, then suddenly spoke, "What are you trying to say?"

"Chang'an, do you remember the history we studied at the Military Hall?" Sun Lingyun looked toward the night outside the window, "Great Dry has existed for three hundred years, weathering countless crises of fragmentation. Each time, only when regional powers united could the danger be overcome."

"You mean..." Liu Wen's eyes lit up.

"Exactly," Sun Lingyun turned, his gaze blazing, "My father commands a 250,000‑strong army, the Southern Jiang Military Governor's Mansion has 100,000 elite troops, the Shen City Security Army fields 30,000 men, and the Garrison Office adds its forces… If we combine them, we control over half of the territory south of Longjiang."

"Is this… a rebellion?" Lu Xiao whispered, lowering his voice.

"Rebellion?" Sun Lingyun chuckled lightly, "The word sounds harsh. We're saving this crumbling empire. The court is already rotten; if this continues, the whole Great Dry will fall into Japanese hands."

"But..." Liu Wen hesitated, "The court may be weak, but its foundation remains. Moreover, the Imperial Guard in Yanjing City…"

"The Imperial Guard?" Sun Lingyun scoffed, "Just a bunch of embroidered pillows that only parade fancy rifles. In real combat, they wouldn't match any of our field units."

He looked at Qin Chang'an, "Chang'an, you studied modern military history in Britain. Do you know what is most crucial when an empire declines?"

Qin Chang'an lifted his head, "Timing."

"Exactly!" Sun Lingyun sprang to his feet, "Now is the best moment. The Japanese ravage the northeast, the Western Great Powers eye us hungrily but are preoccupied elsewhere, the court is corrupt and incompetent, and the people's grievances are everywhere..."

His voice carried a seductive power, "If we unite, we can establish a new regime in the south. Then we could not only repel foreign foes but also revive Great Dry's former glory."

"Sounds nice," Qin Chang'an sneered, "But now I can barely hold onto Shen City."

Sun Lingyun's gaze hardened, "That's why we came today. That Lin Madman is indeed a troublemaker. But..."

He sat back down, his voice dropping, "If we join forces, what can a mere Fourth Bureau amount to?"

The private room fell into silence. The four young men each contemplated the weight of the words. Outside, the night deepened, and Bailemen's jazz still played, but they all knew a plan capable of altering Great Dry's destiny was quietly taking shape in that room.