Chapter 130

Williams's English-style mansion, second-floor reception room.

The flames in the fireplace danced, bringing a hint of warmth to the cold night. Lei Nuo and Williams sat on a leather sofa, Watanabe Genta still holding his sake, and opposite them, the Zhou Special Envoy was leisurely sipping red tea.

"Gentlemen," the Zhou Special Envoy put down his teacup, "I suppose the consulates of the various nations have prepared diplomatic notes?"

Williams nodded, "All the evidence is here. Lin Yu threatened concession safety, extorted evidence from the various nations' business circles, and there are records of his privately raised army, even..."

"Very well," the Zhou Special Envoy interrupted him, "but now is not the time."

"What does that mean?" Lei Nuo frowned.

"We need a bigger lever," the Zhou Special Envoy showed a meaning‑laden smile, "For example... if he, taking advantage of the chaos in Shen City, attempts to seize local control..."

Watanabe Genta's eyes lit up, "So the war between the Security Army and the Jiangnan Four Young Masters..."

"Smart," the Zhou Special Envoy lightly nodded, "An ambitious person finds it hard to resist such temptation. Then, the consulates of all nations will simultaneously pressure the court, demanding a thorough investigation..."

He gave a meaning‑laden look at the few seated, "Moreover, given his prior record of threatening concession safety, the court has ample reason to act against him."

The room fell into a meaning‑laden silence. Everyone understood the court envoy's intention. This was not merely a plot against Lin Yu, but a meticulously designed trap.

Williams's English-style mansion, second-floor reception room.

"Then," Lei Nuo set down his cup, "When do we act?"

"No rush," the Zhou Special Envoy's voice carried a hint of playfulness, "I've already made arrangements. Over at the Security Army, Yang Chengdong will continue the offensive, acting arrogantly and disregarding everyone. As for the Lu Family and Sun Family..."

"Will they cooperate?" Williams interjected.

"They don't know the truth," the Zhou Special Envoy sneered, "But that doesn't matter. I've already bound them in the name of the court; outwardly it's a ceasefire, but in reality..."

Watanabe Genta's eyes lit up, "Waiting for Lin Yu to make a move?"

"Exactly," the Zhou Special Envoy nodded, "Once Lin Yu can't hold back and tries to intervene in this chaos, everyone will turn their guns on him. Then, the Security Army, Lu Family, and Sun Family forces will act against him simultaneously."

"He certainly wouldn't think of that," Lei Nuo sneered, "That arrogant guy runs rampant in our French Concession, doing as he pleases. Last month he even dared to break into a bank in the French Concession, claiming to audit accounts... it's an outright insult to France!"

"Hmph," Watanabe Genta's voice grew colder, "At least your French Concession was only subjected to his audit. What about our Eastern Concession? He brought that mysterious unit and slaughtered dozens of our expatriates in a single night, then set the consulate ablaze."

At this point, Watanabe's hand trembled, "Since that day, I've sworn to make Lin Yu pay the price!"

"He will pay the price," the Zhou Special Envoy soothed, "But now, our priority is to wait. Wait for him to show a flaw, wait for him to lose restraint."

"What if he never makes a move?" Williams asked.

"Impossible," the Zhou Special Envoy shook his head, "Think about it, someone who suddenly emerged and in just a few months assembled an elite force. Would such a person lack ambition? Moreover..."

His voice dropped even lower, "Now Shen City is in chaos, all factions are mutually weakened. For an ambitious person, is there a better opportunity than this?"

"So all we have to do is wait," Lei Nuo mused, "Wait for him to jump into this trap himself."

"Exactly," the Zhou Special Envoy stood, walked to the window, "When the time comes, we'll need everyone to contribute. Especially..."

He turned, his gaze sweeping over Lei Nuo and Watanabe, "The forces of France and the East must appear firm. The court fears international influence above all."

"Rest assured on that point," Watanabe sneered, "We've been ready for a long time."

Outside, the night grew deeper. In this cold night, a massive net was silently being spread. And Lin Yu, as the prey, still didn't know he had already been targeted by all sides.

"Let us together look forward to that day," the Zhou Special Envoy raised his glass, "To... eliminate Lin Yu."

"To eliminate Lin Yu!" Everyone raised their glasses.

Fourth Bureau office.

"Casualties have already exceeded three thousand," Zhou Wei set down the report, "The Security Army and the Lu faction's forces have turned half of Shen City into a battlefield."

Lin Yu stood by the window, watching the distant smoke. The war had been raging for three days, artillery fire unceasing day and night.

"The Security First Division launched a fierce attack from the east, while the Lu family's troops, though appearing to retreat, set ambushes at key points each time they fell back," Zhou Wei continued, "Both sides have bloodshot eyes, caring nothing for civilian lives."

Lin Yu pinched out the cigarette in his hand, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"Colonel Shiteyin," he suddenly said.

"Jawohl!" Shiteyin stood at attention.

"Prepare to act," Lin Yu's voice was icy, "Seventh Armored Division, all units, advance."

A spark of excitement flashed in Shiteyin's eyes, "Target?"

"All combatants," Lin Yu turned, "Indiscriminate suppression. Let them see what a true steel torrent is."

"Understood!" Shiteyin replied loudly, "Tiger King Tank battalion will lead the charge, Leopard Tank regiment and Armored Grenade Troop will flank from both wings. Marshal's Staff self‑propelled artillery regiment will handle fire suppression."

Lin Yu nodded, "Remember, this is not an annihilation battle. I want to, with thunderous force, render all combatants combat‑ineffective."

"Yes! I swear by the honor of the German Seventh Armored Division, within three hours Shen City will return to calm!"

Watching Shiteyin's departing back, Lin Yu's mouth curled into a cold smile. Over three hundred and fifty main battle tanks, nearly three hundred self‑propelled guns, more than a thousand armored vehicles—this well‑equipped steel torrent could crush any force daring to resist.

"Zhou Wei."

"Present!"

"Notify other units to prepare to take over security duties in the war zone," Lin Yu's gaze was sharp, "It's time these people know who truly calls the shots in Shen City."

"Understood!"

The artillery outside continued, but soon those scattered gunfire sounds would be replaced by the orderly rumble of tracks.

Those who fancied themselves able to control the situation could never have dreamed that what they were about to face was a steel force capable of changing the very nature of warfare...