Chapter 105

Morning sunlight spilled over the courtyard of the Security Command Headquarters, as several luxury cars slowly entered. Leading the procession was a brand-new Packard sedan, its body gleaming with an aristocratic sheen in the sunlight. Close behind were two black Buicks, with a few military jeeps guarding the flanks of the convoy.

"The young master Lu of the Southern Jiang Military Governor's Mansion has arrived," the gate guards whispered.

Not long after, another motorcade entered. At its head was a low-key gray sedan, but its license plate made everyone present straighten up involuntarily—this was the exclusive plate of the Governor's office of the Five Great Provinces.

Yang Chengdong was already waiting in the hall. The Security Commander wore a gentle smile on the surface, but a flicker of wariness flashed in his eyes. In just a few days, the four young masters of Jiangnan had all gathered in Shen City—this was no coincidence.

"Uncle Yang!" Lu Xiao strode ahead in a carefree, aristocratic manner, "Long time no see!"

Yang Chengdong hurried forward: "Your arrival, Young Master Lu, brings honor to my humble abode."

Sun Lingyun followed behind, offering an elegant salute to Yang Chengdong. As the son of the Governor of the Five Great Provinces, dressed in a refined Western suit, his every move bore the air of a scion of an aristocratic family.

Liu Wen pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and gave a shy smile: "Good day, Commander Yang."

Qin Chang'an walked last, his face bearing a complex expression. This was his first formal appearance at the Security Command Headquarters as Young Commander since his father's death.

"Please come in, please come in," Yang Chengdong said with enthusiasm, ushering them into the reception room. Yet his gaze lingered an extra second on the aide behind Sun Lingyun—there was an obvious bulge at the aide's waist, clearly a gun.

In the reception room, the atmosphere seemed harmonious on the surface, but undercurrents stirred.

"Uncle Yang," Lu Xiao said, sitting down bluntly on the sofa and getting straight to the point, "We've come this time to talk to you about Chang'an."

"Oh?" Yang Chengdong lifted his teacup, betraying no emotion.

"It's like this," Sun Lingyun took up the thread, his voice gentle but unquestionable, "Uncle Qin passed away suddenly, and the Security Army is in turmoil. We feel it's time for Chang'an to assume the position of Young Commander."

"This…" Yang Chengdong's smile stiffened.

"Commander Yang," Liu Wen adjusted his glasses, his tone mild but loaded with meaning, "the Security Army is ultimately the Qin family's foundation. Chang'an has grown up now; it's time he shouldered this responsibility."

Yang Chengdong glanced at Qin Chang'an sitting silently to the side and inwardly thought, "This is no ordinary visit; it's clearly pressure." More importantly, these youngsters behind them represented the powerful factions of all Jiangnan.

"I understand your good intentions," Yang Chengdong said, setting down his teacup and choosing his words carefully, "but the situation is special now, and regarding the Lin Inspector…"

"The Lin Inspector?" Lu Xiao snorted, "Uncle Yang, you're not actually taking that madman seriously, are you?"

"As for the Lin Inspector, I'll handle it myself," Sun Lingyun said lightly, "Commander Yang, you needn't worry too much."

Yang Chengdong watched the young man's confident demeanor, silently calculating. The Five Great Provinces' 250,000-strong force is indeed not something a mere Fourth Bureau can match. But that madman Lin Yu…

At the banquet, while glasses clinked and the mood seemed convivial, everyone covertly observed each other's moves. Especially when Sun Lingyun's aide mentioned that two reinforced brigades of the Five Great Provinces 'happened to be' passing through Shen City, Yang Chengdong's eyelid twitched noticeably.

After three rounds of drinks, the distinguished guests finally departed, satisfied.

"Summon Zheng Shihao and Sun Desheng." After the guests left, Yang Chengdong immediately wiped the smile from his face and ordered via the private line.

Soon, the two chief division commanders of the Security Army arrived quietly.

"Gentlemen," Yang Chengdong said from the master's chair in his study, voice low, "You've all seen what happened today. These brats are trying to pull the rug out from under us."

"Commander," Zheng Shihao frowned, "Should we strike first? My Third Division can move at any time…"

"No rush," Yang Chengdong waved his hand, "Acting now would be without proper justification. Besides…" He gave a meaningful glance out the window, "Lin Yu's side hasn't been settled yet, and if we start fighting internally, isn't that exactly what they want?"

"What do you mean, Commander?"

"Hold steady for now," Yang Chengdong narrowed his eyes, "Letting Qin Chang'an hold a nominal Young Commander title is fine, but the real power…"

He didn't finish, but everyone present understood his meaning.

Meanwhile, in a private room at Bailemen…

"This uncle of mine," Qin Chang'an said, holding his wine cup with a hint of coldness in his tone, "is even more difficult to deal with than I imagined."

"How so?" Lu Xiao asked.

"You haven't noticed?" Qin Chang'an sneered, "He shows me respect on the surface, but he's already laid his plans in the military. The commanders of his main divisions, Zheng Shihao and Sun Desheng, are all his confidants."

Sun Lingyun nodded, "So I had my aide bring two reinforced brigades into the city. Yang Chengdong won't back down unless we give him a bloody nose."

"The problem is…" Liu Wen pushed his glasses, "The Security Army is already splitting internally—some support Chang'an, some remain loyal to Yang Chengdong, and others are watching. If mishandled…"

"What's there to fear?" Lu Xiao said bluntly, "Worst case, we just…"

"No way!" Qin Chang'an suddenly raised his voice, "The Security Army is my father's lifeblood—I will absolutely not allow it to split!"

The private room fell silent for a moment.

At this very moment, the Security Command Headquarters appeared calm on the surface, but beneath it tension crackled. Yang Chengdong's confidants were tightening defenses, key arsenals and ammunition depots received extra guards. Qin Chang'an's supporters were also secretly networking, trying to win over more neutral officers.

Even ordinary soldiers sensed the unusual atmosphere. They saw that familiar comrades suddenly began to distrust each other, officers' whispers increased, and patrol posts were reinforced.

A smokeless war was quietly unfolding inside the Security Command Headquarters.

Under the cover of night, an ordinary black sedan slipped into Shen City's western district. Inside sat a middle‑aged man wearing sunglasses, maintaining that attire even though it was deep into the night.

"We're here," the driver said, pulling up before an unassuming little Western‑style building.

Before getting out, the middle‑aged man scanned his surroundings, confirmed no one was tailing him, then hurried into the yard. The Western‑style building's door opened and closed soundlessly, as if no one had ever come.

"Sir," an old man resembling a steward respectfully handed over a telegram.

The middle‑aged man removed his sunglasses, revealing sharp eyes. He took the telegram and, under the dim lamplight, quickly skimmed it. The message was brief, only a few lines:

"Lin Yu's power is great, change may come. The Security Army is torn by internal strife, Jiangnan is in turmoil. Investigate the situation promptly, to guard against the unexpected."

At the bottom was a tiny "Qian" character.

The middle‑aged man set the telegram alight, watching the paper turn to ash in the candle flame. He walked to the window, gazing at the distant, brightly lit Security Command Headquarters, lost in thought.

"Send word back," he suddenly said, "just say Shen City is already—storm clouds gathering."

Outside the window, clouds gradually obscured the moonlight. This sleepless night was destined to see more undercurrents stir, and the arrival of this imperial envoy would undoubtedly add another spark to an already complex situation…