Chapter 155: A Justified Cause for the Army

Lin Yu let out a sudden light laugh.

"... Fourth Bureau Chief..." he shook his head. "... this title now sounds truly ridiculous."

Indeed, from a modest Fourth Bureau Chief to now commanding a force of seventy thousand troops. The German Second Armored Division, the newly formed 88th Division, and the American Red First Division constitute three elite flagship units, together with the battle‑glorious Ghost Division, the Northern German Arms Brigade and the Security Brigade—two elite formations—and the ever‑victorious German Infantry Battalion. In just a few months, his strength has already surpassed that of many regional warlords.

Since he has already broken with the Court, there is no need to continue this game of concealment. Shen City, the most prosperous port of Great Dry, is now firmly in his grasp. What comes next is to turn it into an impregnable stronghold.

"... Shen City's geography is uniquely advantageous..." Lin Yu walked to the map hanging on the wall and said, "... backed by the sea, surrounded by rivers, as long as we control a few key points, we can form a natural defensive ring."

Seventy thousand troops, three of which are world‑top elite divisions. The German Armored Division's iron torrent, the newly formed 88th Division's precise firepower, and the American Red First Division's formidable mobility—such a combination even the Great Powers must weigh carefully. Not to mention the Ghost Division, a special operations unit, and two veteran elite brigades. With the soon‑to‑be‑completed military‑industrial plant supplying a steady stream of ammunition, even if the Court sends a massive army, he is confident he can hold the city. As for the Great Powers eyeing him? Ha, if they dare come, he'll snap their arms!

In this era, Great Dry is impoverished and weak, and the Great Powers act with impunity. Do they think this land will forever remain a lamb to be slaughtered? Lin Yu sneered. Let them see what power a modern military‑industrial plant, combined with seventy thousand elite troops, can unleash.

"... Shen City is just the beginning..." Lin Yu's gaze drifted over the map, "... once we have a firm foothold, we should expand outward..."

The decaying Great Dry Court has long lost the ability to lead the nation toward revival. The warlords? Nothing more than bandit chiefs caring only for their own interests. As for the Great Powers? They only wish to nail this land forever onto a pillar of disgrace.

"... Then let me do it." Lin Yu's eyes flashed with a cold glint. "... Since no one is willing to shoulder this responsibility, I'll be the one to lead."

Yes, he will use Shen City as a cornerstone, expanding his influence step by step. First seize the Longjiang basin, then all of Jiangnan, and radiate outward... When the time is right, he will make this ancient Eastern land shine anew, and make the lofty Great Powers understand that the people of this land have never been lambs to be slaughtered!

"... Shen City Manufacturing, this will be a new brand." Lin Yu looked at the myriad lights outside the window, "... we will not only produce armaments but also develop civilian industry. Let the whole world see that the industrial revolution on this land is finally beginning."

He turned back to his desk, spread out a blank sheet. It was time to carefully plan the site for the military‑industrial plant. This would be his first major project in Shen City, the first step toward that grand goal.

"... One day, I will make this land stand again atop the world." Lin Yu tightened his grip on the pen, "... this is not just a dream, but a mission that must be fulfilled."

Lin Yu set the pen down, his gaze turning toward the window.

"... Fourth Bureau..." he murmured to himself, "... this name truly ought to be changed."

Since he has decided to break away from the Court and the Great Dry system, he can no longer consider himself a tiny intelligence agency. With seventy thousand troops and three elite divisions, ruling under the banner of "... Fourth Bureau..." would be both misnamed and discordant, and would leave his soldiers lacking a sense of belonging.

"... A command must have a justified cause, that's the basic principle." Lin Yu picked up his pen again, scribbling on the blank page, "... we need to give this force a resonant designation, a name that everyone can be proud of."

He contemplated the current situation. The Court is corrupt, the Great Powers loom, warlords carve out territories. In this most turbulent era of Great Dry, how should an emerging force position itself? Under what banner can seventy thousand soldiers unite in purpose and win the wholehearted support of the populace?

"... We cannot use '... army...,' that's the Court's exclusive term." Lin Yu shook his head, "... nor can we use '... corps...,' that's the Great Powers' designation."

His pen tip tapped lightly on the paper, and suddenly a bright idea flashed before his eyes.

"... Garrison..." Lin Yu wrote the two characters, "... Shen City Garrison Command. This name is good; it shows locality and legitimacy."

Indeed, garrison. The term reflects the duty of defending the land and its people without being overly ostentatious. Moreover, it fits his current situation of using Shen City as a base.

"... Ghost Division becomes the First Division, German Second Armored Division becomes the Second Division, newly formed 88th Division becomes the Third Division, American Red First Division becomes the Fourth Division..." Lin Yu wrote rapidly, "... the Northern German Arms Brigade and the Security Brigade merge into a Training Brigade, and the German Infantry Battalion expands into a Guard Brigade."

Thus the entire order becomes clear: four main divisions, one Training Brigade, one Guard Brigade, plus various support units. Every unit now has a distinct designation and affiliation.

"... Shen City Garrison Command..." Lin Yu whispered the name, finding it increasingly fitting. The name shows his resolve to safeguard Shen City's stability while hinting at future outward expansion. After all, a garrison area can be large or small.

"... Once the military‑industrial plant site is finalized, we will officially announce this decision." Lin Yu wrote the final strokes on the paper, "... let everyone know that from today, Shen City has its own guardian."

He rose and walked back to the window. Shen City in the night remained brightly lit, but in his eyes the city's future already held a brand‑new vision: a powerful garrison force and a modern military‑industrial plant—this would be his first step toward that grand goal.

"... Shen City Garrison Command..." Lin Yu smiled, "... let's start with this name."

Lin Yu was about to continue detailing the plan when his secretary Zhou Wei hurried in.

"... Report, Commander, the last stronghold has been captured. Feng An's German Battalion has taken over the French Concession, and the Second Armored Division has completed the purge of the remaining forces in the western city."

"... What are the casualty figures?"

"... Our casualties are minimal. The German Battalion's operation was clean and swift, and the Second Armored Division's armored units swept through the western city with thunderous force. Most of the enemy chose to surrender."

Lin Yu nodded. This is the combat power of elite troops: fast, precise, efficient. In just a few days, the entire Shen City had already fallen under his control.

"... Very good." He looked at the brightly lit streets outside, "... from today onward, Shen City can finally be at peace."

Zhou Wei bowed and withdrew, leaving Lin Yu alone at the window. Shen City in the night remained as bustling as ever, people still flowing through the streets. This most prosperous port of the Eastern continent had silently changed hands.