Chapter 135: Each Harbors Their Own Designs

The night in the French Concession was as black as ink, and inside a hidden private club the lights were dim. The Jiangnan Four Young Masters sat around a rosewood round table, the tea had gone cold, and the air was filled with tobacco and anxiety.

"This matter doesn't feel right," Qin Chang'an pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, his brows knit, "the Zhou Special Envoy's words sound too perfect."

Sun Lingyun looked up at him, "What do you mean?"

"The court has suddenly intervened in Shen City affairs, demanding we join forces against Lin Yu..." Qin Chang'an lowered his voice, "the motive behind it is probably not that simple."

Lu Xiao sneered, "When has the court ever truly cared about local matters? It's just using this as an opportunity to weaken us."

Liu Wen had been silent until now, then said, "Our Security Corps has limited equipment; today's battle already proved that against those steel monsters we are helpless."

"Exactly," Qin Chang'an nodded, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, "my Security Corps has only two thousand men, all with outdated gear. Sending them back into battle would be a death sentence."

Footsteps from a patrol sounded outside the window, and the four of them simultaneously fell silent until the steps faded away.

"Moreover..." Qin Chang'an's eyes flashed with resentment, his voice low, "Yang Chengdong, that Old Fox, seized power as soon as my father passed away. It's true he's my uncle, but everyone knows what he's done to our family over the years."

Sun Lingyun poured himself a cup of tea, "Yang Chengdong has long wanted to control the entire Shen City Security Army. If we obey the Zhou Special Envoy's orders, it could be a trap..."

"But if we don't join forces, that armored unit..." Lu Xiao's voice trembled. The afternoon battle scene still left him shaken.

"That's my concern," Qin Chang'an sighed, "Joining forces might be a trap; refusing to join means we can't stand against that terrifying armored unit."

The four fell into silence. Inside the club only the ticking of a wall clock remained, each second like a heavy stone pressing on their hearts.

"The court's stance is subtle," Liu Wen mused, his fingers lightly tapping the table, "On the surface they claim to quell Shen City's unrest, but in reality they let Yang Chengdong stir up trouble first. Behind this..."

"There must be something fishy," Qin Chang'an took over, his gaze wary, "I suspect the court's sending of a special envoy this time isn't to quell the unrest, but for another purpose."

"You mean..." Sun Lingyun squinted.

"I mean, the court may have known about Lin Yu's existence for a long time, and about his terrifying armored unit," Qin Chang'an lowered his voice, "they want to use us to test Lin Yu's hidden cards."

Lu Xiao's complexion changed, "Then we'd become cannon fodder, wouldn't we?"

"Very likely," Qin Chang'an nodded, "but the problem now is we have no choice. You've seen the strength of that armored unit."

"Lin Yu is indeed a threat, but perhaps not as terrifying as the Zhou Special Envoy claims," Sun Lingyun suddenly broke the silence, his voice steady.

Qin Chang'an looked up, "What do you mean?"

Sun Lingyun stood, walked to the window, and through the curtain slit looked at the patrolling armored vehicle: "Think about it, how long has Lin Yu been in Shen City? Only a few short months, yet he already commands such formidable power. Why has he remained idle all this time? Only when we turn on each other does he make a move?"

"Because he's waiting for an opportunity," Lu Xiao interjected.

"Moreover," Sun Lingyun turned, his gaze blazing, "I've analyzed Lin Yu's behavior pattern. He's not one who enjoys pointless fights. His goal is clear—control Shen City. And his biggest obstacle is precisely Yang Chengdong."

Liu Wen's eyes flashed with understanding, "So you think..."

"I think, even if we now join forces against Lin Yu, after it's over Yang Chengdong will still be our enemy," Sun Lingyun returned to the table, both hands on the surface, "and Lin Yu might become a lever for us against Yang Chengdong."

Lu Xiao's eyes lit up, "You mean, we can..."

"We can outwardly cooperate with the Zhou Special Envoy, but in reality..." Sun Lingyun lowered his voice, "secretly reach some sort of understanding with Lin Yu."

"Too risky," Qin Chang'an frowned, though a flicker of doubt already appeared in his eyes.

"Think about it, Brother Qin," Sun Lingyun stared into Qin Chang'an's eyes, "Yang Chengdong seized the Security Army's command that should have been yours. If we can use Lin Yu to eliminate him, whose hands will the control of Shen City fall into?"

Qin Chang'an's eyes flashed with a hint of longing, but it was quickly replaced by doubt, "Will Lin Yu willingly be our pawn?"

"Not a pawn, a partnership," Sun Lingyun shook his head, "The court is thousands of miles away, while we are right here. No matter how strong Lin Yu is, he still needs local backing."

Lu Xiao nodded in agreement, "Exactly. Even if the court's reinforcements arrive, they can't stay stationed in Shen City long-term. In the end, this place remains our territory."

Liu Wen analyzed, "Lin Yu may have that terrifying armored unit, but after all he's just one man, an outsider. We four families are deeply rooted in Jiangnan, with extensive contacts and resource networks. In the long run, Lin Yu cannot match the four of us."

"Moreover," Sun Lingyun added, "we don't need to confront Lin Yu head‑on. We only need to make him believe we're more worthwhile to cooperate with than Yang Chengdong."

"What exactly should we do?" Qin Chang'an asked.

"On the surface, we cooperate with the Zhou Special Envoy and mobilize troops," Sun Lingyun's eyes glittered with cleverness, "In secret, we can use certain channels to convey messages to Lin Yu, stating our stance."

"What if Lin Yu refuses?" Lu Xiao asked.

"Then we'd truly join forces against him," Sun Lingyun shrugged, "The court's reinforcements are arriving soon, so we won't suffer much loss. But if he accepts..."

"We could then use his hand to eliminate Yang Chengdong," Qin Chang'an took over, a fierce glint in his eyes.

"Exactly," Sun Lingyun nodded, "By then, Shen City's landscape will be completely reshaped, and we will be the biggest winners."

"This plan..." Liu Wen thought for a moment, "does have feasibility, but the risk is also considerable."

"Without risk, where's the reward?" Sun Lingyun retorted, "Everyone, this is our best chance to turn the tide."

"I still have reservations," Qin Chang'an shook his head, his fingers lightly tapping the table, "If Lin Yu truly is as the Zhou Special Envoy says—ambitious and seeking to wipe out all local forces—our plan would backfire."

"Then we should definitely join forces," Lu Xiao patted his shoulder, "but not to obey the Zhou Special Envoy, rather for our own interests. In any case, we cannot fight each other separately."

Qin Chang'an was silent for a moment, "My Security Corps has suffered heavy losses and will struggle to regain combat power in the short term. If the plan fails..."

"I've already called my father, and two main brigades can be in place tomorrow," Sun Lingyun interrupted, "By then, we'll have more leverage."

"Same on my side," Lu Xiao added, "The Nanjiang Naval Infantry may be few in number, but they're elite. We're not fighting alone."

Liu Wen had been silently observing, then spoke, "Chang'an, what are you worrying about? Fear that Lin Yu is untrustworthy, or fear of Yang Chengdong's retaliation?"

Qin Chang'an gave a wry smile, "Both. Yang Chengdong is, after all, my uncle; though he seized my power, he's still blood. If our plan succeeds, I'll be in a dilemma."

"Family?" Sun Lingyun sneered, "Yang Chengdong has long treated you as a thorn in his side. Your father just died and he rushed to seize power. What is there to cherish about such a blood relative?"

Qin Chang'an's eyes flashed with pain, "But if we fail..."

"Then we'd both be doomed," Lu Xiao said bluntly, "Do you think Yang Chengdong would spare you? After today, he'll only intensify his oppression of you."

The club fell into a brief silence. Outside, the Ghost Master's tank still prowled the streets, its tracks rolling over the road with a clear sound.

"I understand," Qin Chang'an finally nodded, the hesitation in his eyes replaced by resolve, "We have no choice."

"For each of our own interests," Sun Lingyun added, a shrewd glint in his eyes, "I need Shen City's commercial network, Lu Xiao needs Nanjiang's shipping security, Liu Wen needs a voice, and you need to reclaim control of the Security Army."

"Exactly," Lu Xiao nodded, "We each take what we need."

Liu Wen thought for a moment, "Then, what exactly do we do?"

"On the surface we cooperate with the Zhou Special Envoy, secretly contact Lin Yu," Sun Lingyun said succinctly, "I have channels to reach Lin Yu's people."

Qin Chang'an raised an eyebrow, "What channels?"

"You don't need to know that." Sun Lingyun smiled, "Everyone has their own secrets. What matters is that we can reach an agreement."

The four exchanged smiles, complex light flickering in their eyes. On the surface they reached agreement, but each had their own little calculations.

"Then it's settled." Qin Chang'an raised his teacup, "For the common interests of the Jiangnan Four Young Masters."

"For our common interests." The other three also raised their cups in response.

The tea had gone cold, but the hearts of the four gradually heated up on this sleepless night.