Chapter 14: The Fourth Bureau Is Really Great!

The rickshaw stopped in front of 88 Xiafei Road.

Lin Yu paid the fare and looked up at the building before him.

A four-story gray building stood tall, with two fully armed gendarmes stationed at each side of the entrance, each wearing a Webley revolver at the waist, standing straight—clearly well-trained elite troops.

Above the main gate, the fourteen golden characters "Shen City Security Command Headquarters, Fourth Operations Bureau of the Great Dry Dynasty" shone brightly, and on the flagpole before the door, the Great Dry dragon flag fluttered in the wind.

Several military trucks and motorcycles were parked in the courtyard, plus a brand‑new armored vehicle; its turret mounted a heavy machine gun whose dark muzzle pointed skyward.

All windows on the first floor were fitted with iron bars, obviously to prevent prisoner escape; windows on the second floor and above were bulletproof glass, glowing with a faint blue sheen in the sunlight.

The whole building gave off a stern atmosphere, everywhere displaying the features of militarized management.

The two gendarmes at the door saw Lin Yu, immediately snapped to attention and saluted: "Welcome, Bureau Chief!"

Lin Yu nodded and strode into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, a unit of gendarmes was drilling; the synchronized footsteps made the ground tremble slightly. Beside the drill field, several German‑equipped guards were maintaining their MP18 submachine guns.

Passing through the courtyard, Lin Yu entered the building. The first‑floor lobby was spacious and bright, with maps of the Great Dry and a schematic of the Fourth Operations Bureau's jurisdiction hanging on the walls.

Several clerks saw Lin Yu, rose and greeted him: "Good day, Bureau Chief!"

Lin Yu glanced around, inwardly nodding. This base assigned by the system is indeed excellent—whether location or equipment, it is top‑notch.

Especially the three‑hundred‑strong gendarmerie and the German‑equipped police squad give this Fourth Operations Bureau considerable combat power; in this age of warlord cliques, such a quasi‑military force is enough to make anyone wary threefold.

"Take me to the office," Lin Yu said to the secretary beside him.

"Yes, Bureau Chief," the secretary replied respectfully and led the way ahead.

Lin Yu followed him upstairs, already calculating how to make use of this force at his disposal to establish a foothold in the ever‑changing Shen City.

Soon the Health Union Association will learn they have provoked the wrong person; this Fourth Operations Bureau will become their greatest nightmare!

Lin Yu had just sat down in the bureau chief's office when the secretary reported that the deputy chief and others requested an audience.

"Please come in."

A group filed in; the leader was a middle‑aged man about fifty, stalwart build, sharp eyes—clearly a capable and efficient person.

"Good day, Bureau Chief! I am Deputy Chief Zhang Zhi Yuan," he said, snapping to attention, "Welcome to your new post!"

The others also introduced themselves in turn:

Operations Section Chief Li Mingyuan, formerly of the Beiyang Army, skilled in tactical command.

Intelligence Section Chief Wang Desheng, originally from the Beiping Police Bureau's Investigation Division, very familiar with intelligence work.

Logistics Section Chief Zhao Guoqiang, formerly in the Supply Department for many years, outstanding management ability.

These people are all civil staff of the gendarmerie; each has rich professional experience and ability, and more importantly, they are one hundred percent loyal to me.

"Please sit," Lin Yu gestured for everyone to take a seat, "Tell me the current situation of our Fourth Bureau."

Zhang Zhi Yuan immediately reported: "Our bureau currently has 300 gendarmes, of whom 200 are combat troops, all equipped with Lee‑Enfield rifles and Webley revolvers; 50 special‑duty personnel, equipped with Winchester shotguns and Colt revolvers, mainly responsible for key‑point defense and emergency assaults; 50 clerks handling internal affairs."

"In addition, we have a German‑equipped police squad of 32 men, all specially trained, armed with German MP18 submachine guns and Mauser rifles, serving as our spearhead force."

"Regarding equipment," Zhao Guoqiang continued, "we have five military trucks, ten motorcycles, and one armored vehicle; 8000 rounds of various ammunition, 50 sets of leather armor, 200 steel helmets—fully equipped."

"The intelligence network is also being set up," Wang Desheng added, "and we will soon grasp all important information within our jurisdiction."

Hearing these reports, Lin Yu grew ever more satisfied. This force is not only well equipped but also of high caliber, and crucially, utterly loyal to me.

Such a force absolutely counts as an elite unit in Shen City!

"Good!" Lin Yu slammed the table, "Gentlemen, from today on we will make all powers in Shen City know that the Fourth Operations Bureau is not to be trifled with!"

"Yes!" the crowd replied in unison, eyes flashing with excitement.

Lin Yu surveyed the crowd, thinking to himself: This Fourth Bureau is simply too good! With this force, what do we have to fear from the Health Union Association?

Soon the whole of Shen City will know that the Fourth Operations Bureau is the true master of this territory!

"Bureau Chief, your tea," the secretary said, respectfully placing a cup of steaming Longjing tea before him and skillfully lighting a "Three Gun Platform" cigarette for Lin Yu.

Lin Yu drew a deep breath of smoke, leaned back comfortably in the leather chair, and stretched.

"Damn, this is what life is all about!"

Think of that ghost‑like police station where I spent all day watching faces, being summoned and dismissed by Chief Liao—compared to now, it's heaven and earth. This Fourth Bureau is truly a regional overlord!

"Little Zhou," Lin Yu looked at the secretary, "Tell me what our Fourth Bureau usually does?"

"Yes, Bureau Chief." Secretary Zhou immediately replied: "Our Fourth Bureau mainly handles security work in the French Concession and surrounding areas, specifically including the following:

First, cracking down on all kinds of criminal activities, especially cross‑regional major cases such as kidnapping and smuggling, which we are responsible for investigating.

Second, monitoring all forces. Whether gang members or foreign spies, as long as they operate within our jurisdiction, they are under our surveillance.

Third, maintaining social order. We have the authority to interrogate and detain any suspicious persons within our jurisdiction; even the police of the various concessions cannot stop us from enforcing the law.

Fourth, assisting other bureaus. If a major case occurs, we will cooperate with other bureaus in joint operations; if necessary, we can also mobilize troops from the Security Command Headquarters for support."

"Oh?" Lin Yu became interested, "Our authority is that great?"

"Yes, Bureau Chief." Secretary Zhou explained: "Although our Fourth Bureau is not a regular army, being directly subordinate to the Security Command Headquarters gives us many special privileges—for example, we may possess military weapons, enforce law within the concessions, and even take compulsory measures against foreigners."

"So, even in the French Concession we can arrest whoever we want?"

"In theory, yes… but…" Secretary Zhou hesitated, "In the past we usually gave some face to the various consulates."

"Hah." Lin Yu snorted, "That was before! From today on, whoever dares to run wild on my turf, no matter which nationality, will be arrested by me!"

"Yes!" Secretary Zhou's eyes lit up, "Bureau Chief, brilliant!"

Lin Yu happily puffed another puff of smoke. The authority of this Fourth Bureau exceeds my imagination; it seems time to let those arrogant foreigners see what "the law" really means!