Chapter 16: Triple Draw

Lin Yu sat in the office, carefully calculating the accounts.

Just like now, the Fourth Bureau's public account has less than three thousand taels; it can hold out for a short time, after all, when the system summoned them, the supporting equipment and supplies were complete.

But the future expenses are a big problem.

For the over three hundred people's food, drink, and basic needs, each person needs at least fifteen taels a month in wages; just this item alone requires four to five thousand taels.

Adding the maintenance of firearms, ammunition replenishment, vehicle parts replacement, fuel consumption, and uniform replacement...... these are all considerable expenses.

Although Ma San's side is developing independently, over a hundred brothers also need to eat; I can't just watch them starve. Conservatively, I need to support them with two thousand taels each month.

Moreover, if the system later summons new troops, that will be another considerable expense.

"At least ten thousand taels of expenses per month..." Lin Yu rubbed his temples, "This is still the most basic expenditure. If any unexpected situation arises, this number will have to go even higher."

Although starting next month I can receive the Great Dry Dynasty's stipend, that amount of money is nowhere near enough.

"Looks like I need to find a source of funds quickly." Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, "The banquet in three days is a good opportunity. Those wealthy people in the French Concession should also pay tribute to me, the new bureau chief......"

As for the Health Union Association...... hmph, aren't they looking for trouble? Perfect, I'll extort them for a sum!

Lin Yu leaned back in his chair and called up the system interface:

【Host: Lin Yu】

【Toughness Value: 300】

【Current Title: None】

【Already summoned: 300 military police (including 50 clerks), German-equipped guard platoon 32】

"Ma San and his men took care of those six warriors, and the system rewarded 50 toughness points?" Lin Yu's eyes lit up, "Added to the previous 250 points, that's exactly 300 points—I can do a triple draw!"

【Draw: Consumes 100 toughness points】

【Yes/No】

"Draw!"

A golden light flashed, and the system prompt sounded:

【Congratulations on obtaining: one Influence Summon Card】

【Effect: Can summon 100 members of the Axe Head Gang, all equipped with axes, 100% loyal to the host】

"Great! Just in time to give Ma San some manpower!"

"Continue!"

【Congratulations on obtaining: item-type reward—one Lin Gong Guan building at No. 30 Xiafei Road】

【Effect: Covers seven mu, Sino-Western hybrid style, with garden and garage, interior luxuriously decorated, full property rights】

"Haha, finally I have my own house!"

"Last draw!"

【Congratulations on obtaining: 200 Mosin-Nagant rifles, with matching ammunition】

【Effect: Can equip an elite unit, long range, great power】

"Perfect!" Lin Yu laughed loudly, "This triple draw was totally worth it! We have personnel, we have a house, we have weapons!"

With these rewards, his foothold in Shen City is even more stable. Especially that Lin Gong Guan building, it not only solves the housing problem but can also serve as a secret contact point.

"System, you really are my lucky star!" Lin Yu thought happily, "Looks like I need to do more tough deeds, accumulate more toughness points!"

"System," Lin Yu looked at the rewards he just drew, feeling curious, "The low-level draw's rewards are already pretty good; what about mid-level and high-level draws?"

【Ding! The system will now explain in detail to the host:】

【Low-level draw (100 toughness points):】

Influence type: Can summon at most company-level (or smaller) forces, such as the Axe Head Gang 100 people, guard platoon, etc.

Item type: Can obtain low-level positions (such as bureau chief, section chief, etc.), real estate (such as mansions), etc.

Material type: Can obtain various light weapons, such as rifles, pistols, and matching ammunition】

【Mid-level draw (1000 toughness points):】

Influence type: Can summon battalion- or regiment-level forces, such as a reorganized battalion, security regiment, etc.

Item type: Can obtain high-level positions (such as commander, governor, etc.), large assets (such as factories, docks), etc.

Material type: Can obtain heavy weapons, such as mortars, mountain guns, and military vehicles, etc.】

【High-level draw (requires completing specific tasks):】

Influence type: Can summon division- or brigade-level forces, such as a reorganized division, armored brigade, etc.

Item type: Can obtain the highest-level positions and special privileges, large-scale industries (such as railways, banks), etc.

Material type: Can obtain heavy equipment, such as tanks, armored vehicles, warships, aircraft, etc.】

"Holy crap!" Lin Yu sucked in a breath of cold air, "This gap is way too huge!"

The current low-level draw has already let him gain a foothold in Shen City; if he could get mid- and high-level rewards, wouldn't that let him sweep the entire Shen City?

"Looks like I need to figure out how to accumulate more toughness points," Lin Yu's eyes flashed with a glint, "Once I draw a division's worth of troops and match them with tanks and warships, then......"

Imagining that scene, Lin Yu couldn't help but laugh. However, the most important thing now is to make good use of the forces at hand and strive to gather 1000 toughness points as soon as possible for a mid-level draw!

Lin Yu stood by the window, gazing at the prosperous street scene of the French Concession, and began to calculate silently.

The era background of this world roughly corresponds to the time just after World War I ended on Earth. In the early twentieth century, the Great Powers surrounded, warlords carved up territories, a tumultuous age.

Once glorious, the Great Dry Dynasty is now in decline. The court's authority has long vanished; regional warlords hold their own troops, especially several southern warlords who have almost completely broken free from Great Dry's control.

The Great Powers are even more watchful, none putting Great Dry in their eyes. They have carved out concessions in every trade port, enjoying extraterritorial rights, practically states within a state. British, French, Oriental...... each nation wants to take a bite out of this fat meat.

Take Shen City as an example: its five concessions are like five independent mini-kingdoms. Each country's consul within his concession is more imposing than Great Dry's officials. The foreign police in the concessions can arbitrarily beat and insult Chinese people.

And outside the concessions, in the Chinese quarters, it's even more a mix of dragons and snakes. Various gangs openly and covertly fight for territory and profit, while warlord forces infiltrate secretly. All of Shen City is like a giant dye vat, with forces tangled and interwoven, constantly undermining each other.

"In chaotic times heroes emerge......" Lin Yu narrowed his eyes.

Such a turbulent age, on the contrary, gives him an opportunity. With the system in hand, if he operates properly, he can certainly make a mark in this grand era.

We'll start from Shen City and expand our influence step by step. Once we have enough strength, we might just carve a bloody path out of this chaotic age!

Just imagine—when I save up enough hard points, draw a division‑level unit, then add tanks and warships—wouldn't that let me walk sideways? By then, not only would gangs like the Health Union Association be nothing, even those warlords would only be fit to lick the soles of my shoes!

"This era is the best opportunity for my rise!" Lin Yu clenched his fists.

In this chaotic age, some lament their bad luck, while others seize the chance to soar. And he, Lin Yu, will be the one who rises to power in this turmoil!

Soon, not just Shen City, but all of Great Dry will know his name, Lin Yu!