Chapter 108: A Turbid Pool

Boss Huang, are you waiting for someone?

Huang Genrong looked up and saw the "scholar" who, before he knew it, was already standing at his table. The other's face bore a gentle smile, but his eyes were unusually bright.

"May I ask who you are…" Huang Genrong signaled his bodyguard to step back.

"My surname is Zhou, I come from Suzhou." The envoy clasped his hands in salute, "I just saw Boss Huang sitting alone; may I trouble you?"

Huang Genrong smiled and gestured to sit. Both old veterans understood that, rather than continue the evasive probing, it was better to be straightforward.

"Mr. Zhou, what a refined taste, coming early in the morning to listen to the opera." Huang Genrong poured a cup of tea for the envoy.

"Indeed," the envoy took the cup, "I've heard that Shen City's 'Yu Tang Chun' is performed best. However…" He paused meaningfully, "Now Shen City is more exciting than any play."

A hint of alertness flashed in Huang Genrong's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged: "Mr. Zhou, you are mistaken. Our Shen City is merely an ordinary trading port."

"Is that so?" the envoy lightly sipped his tea, "What do you think of the Security Army, Boss Huang?"

"Oh? Mr. Zhou also knows about this?" Huang Genrong set down his cup, "It's just petty family matters. The Young Commander of the Qin family is to succeed; that's only natural."

"What about Lin Inspector?"

The soft clink of cups sounded between them. Huang Genrong's fingers unconsciously brushed the rim, "Lord Lin… is a capable person."

"A capable person?" the envoy smiled wryly, "Capable enough to even dare to suppress the Foreigners' ace brigade?"

"Mr. Zhou, since you know this so clearly," Huang Genrong stared at him, "why ask the obvious?"

The envoy gave no answer, turning his gaze to the window: "I heard the Jiangnan Four Young Masters have recently arrived in Shen City?"

"They have arrived." Huang Genrong sighed, "Young people always want to make a mark. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"It's just Shen City," Huang Genrong said meaningfully, "it's not as simple as they imagine."

"Oh?" the envoy showed interest, "What does Boss Huang mean by that?"

"Mr. Zhou," Huang Genrong lowered his voice, "you say, a place has the court's Lin Inspector, a Security Army as local armed force, Foreigners in the concession, the influence of the four major Jiangnan families, and underground gangs… with so many forces intertwined, can anything stay peaceful?"

"Then, in your view, Boss Huang, who is most likely to stir this pool?"

Huang Genrong was silent for a moment, then laughed suddenly, "Mr. Zhou, what do you think?"

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of understanding in the other's eyes. The opera actress on stage continued to sing, but they both knew this seemingly ordinary conversation had already touched Shen City's deepest undercurrents.

"Speaking of which," the envoy suddenly changed the subject, "I heard Boss Huang is highly respected in the French Concession?"

"I don't deserve it." Huang Genrong modestly said, "I'm just a Chinese director."

"With Lin Inspector being so powerful, aren't you, Boss Huang, worried?"

Huang Genrong's gaze suddenly deepened, "Mr. Zhou, in this Shen City, everyone has their own stance. We, for our part, are merely trying to survive in the cracks."

The envoy nodded thoughtfully. This Chinese director of the French Concession was indeed no simple figure. In just a few sentences, he articulated Shen City's core issue.

"Boss Huang, your words have truly opened my mind," the envoy set down his cup, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

From the brief exchange, he already saw that this French Concession Chinese director was far from ordinary. Though the surface was light banter, every sentence was a test. Moreover, when mentioning the concession's Foreigners, Huang Genrong's tone carried a faint, barely concealed disdain.

"Mr. Zhou, you flatter me," Huang Genrong laughed, "We are just ordinary merchants, nowhere near someone of your caliber."

The envoy noted that when Huang Genrong said "people like us", he used "we" rather than "they". This detail was interesting—seeming that the director still considered himself a compatriot at heart.

"Speaking of which," the envoy pretended to ask casually, "I wonder what Boss Huang thinks of Lin Inspector's recent actions?"

"Lord Lin…" Huang Genrong's gaze deepened, "Indeed, he is a character. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"It's just a bit too hasty." Huang Genrong lowered his voice, "The pattern of Shen City for decades cannot be changed overnight."

The envoy felt a stir in his heart. That sentence revealed much—Huang Genrong did not fully endorse the current order, only believing change must be gradual.

"Then, in your view, Boss Huang, what should be done?"

"Mr. Zhou," Huang Genrong suddenly spoke earnestly, "I am merely a merchant; such big matters are beyond my place to comment."

He said so, yet his gaze betrayed him. The envoy could see that this old veteran clearly had his own judgment on Shen City's situation.

"Boss Huang, you are too modest." The envoy stood, "Today's conversation has been immensely beneficial to me. I shall definitely visit you another day."

"Always welcome." Huang Genrong also stood, "Only I don't know how long Mr. Zhou will stay in Shen City?"

"Well…" the envoy smiled meaningfully, "It depends on how long this Shen City drama continues to be performed."

The two exchanged an unspoken glance. The opera actress on stage continued her melodious, graceful singing, but they both knew the real show was just beginning.

Watching the envoy's departing back, Huang Genrong was thoughtful. This "Mr. Zhou" was clearly not as simple as he seemed. His appearance might herald new variables for Shen City's situation.

The envoy left the teahouse, silently noting in his mind: Huang Genrong is someone who can be approached deeply. As the French Concession's Chinese director, his knowledge of the various forces may become the key to unlocking Shen City's chessboard.

More importantly, though this man resides in the concession, his heart remains with his own people. That is quite interesting.

Soon after the envoy left, a middle‑aged man in a white, double‑collared scholar's robe strolled into the Gathering Hall. He was slender and refined; if not for his sharp eyes, one would hardly associate him with Shen City's three big tycoons.

Soon after the envoy left, a middle‑aged man in a white, double‑collared scholar's robe strolled into the Gathering Hall. He was slender and refined; if not for his sharp eyes, one would hardly associate him with Shen City's three big tycoons.

"Brother." Du Yusheng approached Huang Genrong's table and clasped his hands in salute. As the youngest of the three big tycoons, he always showed great respect to Huang Genrong.

"The third elder has arrived." Huang Genrong smiled and gestured for him to sit, "Perfect timing, there was an interesting guest just now."

"I know." Du Yusheng sat opposite, a shrewd glint in his eye, "That Mr. Zhou just passed by the doorway, brushing past me."

Huang Genrong's gaze tightened, "What did you discern?"

"His manner is overly proper, his steps silent, his back perfectly straight…" Du Yusheng whispered, "He is clearly from Yanjing."

"I think so too." Huang Genrong poured Du Yusheng a cup of tea, "Coming to Shen City at this time, he must be targeting Lin Yu."

"Lin Yu…" Du Yusheng murmured the name softly, "Brother, this man is too sinister. Even the court cannot keep him at ease."

Huang Genrong remained silent, staring out the window. The pool of Shen City was already murky enough. Now, with a court spy arriving, the situation would surely become more complicated.

"By the way, brother," Du Yusheng lowered his voice, "I heard Lin Yu recently…"