Chapter 166: Pay the Price for Your Sins

In less than twenty minutes, the battle was already drawing to a close.

The armed forces that the British Concession boasted of were no match for a real military strike. The patrolmen who were usually haughty discarded their weapons, raised their hands, and knelt on the ground begging for mercy. The Royal Navy Marines also lost their fighting spirit, slipping out of the buildings in small groups to surrender.

On the plaza in front of the Works Bureau building, confiscated weapons lay everywhere. Lee‑Enfield rifles, Vickers machine guns, 18‑pound Field Artillery, all became spoils. Several British soldiers' corpses lay sprawled on the ground, their faces still bearing expressions of disbelief.

Armored vehicles lined up in front of the building, their dark barrels aimed at every possible threat. The grenadiers, organized by tactical squads, swiftly secured the surrounding key points. Their movements were clean and efficient, without a trace of hesitation.

"; Take inventory of the spoils."; Klaus stepped down from the armored vehicle and looked around.

"; Report, commander," a officer hurried forward, "; 47 British soldiers killed, 156 captured. Seized 312 rifles, 8 machine guns, 2 Field Artillery. Our side zero casualties.";

Klaus nodded: "; Continue searching the building; leave no corner unchecked.";

The surrendered British troops were gathered on the plaza. Some trembled, some sobbed softly, and others wore blank stares. These Foreigners tasted for the first time what it feels like to have a gun pointed at them, and for the first time understood what true military power is.

Lin Yu's sedan rolled in slowly and stopped in front of the building. He stepped out, looking at the wreckage. The road beneath the armored vehicle bore deep track marks, and the bullet‑scarred walls were still shedding dust. The air was thick with gunpowder smoke and the scent of blood.

"; Sir," Klaus stepped forward, "; the entire Works Bureau area is now under our control.";

Lin Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the British soldiers kneeling on the ground: "; These Foreigners finally have a day to kneel and beg for mercy.";

"; Please give orders for the next action.";

"; Search every room," Lin Yu said coldly, "; collect all documents. As for these prisoners..." He glanced at the trembling British men, "; first lock them up. Let them also taste what it's like to be imprisoned.";

Inside the Works Bureau building, the grenadiers were conducting a carpet‑style search. Clerks hiding in offices were dragged out, each looking ashen. This building, a symbol of British authority, was completely overrun in just twenty minutes.

Lin Yu, escorted by a squad of grenadiers, strode into the Works Bureau building.

The wide marble corridor was littered with battle scars. Bullet holes in the walls, casings on the floor, scattered documents, and fresh bloodstains. Several of the expensive crystal chandeliers had been shattered by stray rounds, glass shards strewn everywhere.

Along both sides of the corridor, oil paintings hung askew on the walls. They were portraits of successive Works Bureau officials, each in suit and tie, expressions haughty. Lin Yu sneered; these Foreigners probably never imagined a day like this.

In the ground‑floor lobby, a few clerks huddled in a corner, trembling. When they saw Lin Yu pass, they buried their heads even lower in fear. The British staff who were usually haughty now resembled bereaved dogs.

"; Sir," a grenadier reported, "; the second floor has been cleared; only Duke Albert remains in his office.";

Lin Yu nodded, stepped onto the stairs. Blood‑stained handprints lingered on the rosewood railing, indicating fierce street fighting had occurred here. The second‑floor carpet was also riddled with bullet holes and blood, the former luxury now scarred by war.

Passing the conference room, Lin Yu glanced inside. The large conference table was riddled with bullet holes, documents and glass shards scattered everywhere. The massive British flag on the wall had been torn down and thrown into a corner.

"; Just ahead," Feng An pointed at the largest oak door at the end of the corridor, "; Albert's office.";

Two grenadiers stepped forward, smashing the lock with their rifle stocks. The heavy oak door burst open with a roar.

Inside the office, the furnishings were jaw‑droppingly luxurious. Expensive Persian carpet, gilded fireplace, a whole wall of rosewood bookcases—every detail flaunted the highest official of the Works Bureau's power. Yet at this moment, it all seemed absurd.

Duke Albert slumped in the wide leather chair, his face pallid. A half‑filled glass of whisky sat on his desk, apparently to steel his nerves. Yet when Lin Yu entered, he couldn't help but tremble.

"; Lin... Mr. Lin," Albert forced composure, "; we can talk...";

Lin Yu ignored him and walked to the window. From there he could overlook the entire Works Bureau area. The armored vehicle tracks left deep marks on the ground, the seized weapons were neatly piled on the plaza, and the surrendered British troops knelt en masse.

This is what they call "extraterritoriality," this is the capital that British people have ruled over Shen City with impunity. But after tonight, everything will change.

Lin Yu strode to the desk and sat unceremoniously in the chair opposite Albert. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and the smoke curled through the luxurious office.

"; Duke Albert," Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, "; I have a few matters to inform you of.";

Albert forced composure, but his trembling fingers still revealed his inner fear: "; Mr. Lin, what matters can we discuss properly...";

"; First," Lin Yu cut him off, "; as of today, Shen City will no longer have any concessions. This land has always been Great Dry's territory; your days of running amok here are over.";

Albert's face turned instantly pallid: "; This... this is impossible! Concessions are protected by international treaties...";

"; Second," Lin Yu continued, his voice icy, "; the Works Bureau is dissolved at once. That so‑called 'municipal institution' was merely a tool for you to oppress our people, and it has no need to exist.";

"; Third," he flicked ash, "; from now on Shen City will have no extraterritoriality, no foreign privileges. Doing business here is allowed, but you must obey our rules.";

Sweat already beaded on Albert's forehead: "; Mr. Lin, this violates international...";

"; International?" Lin Yu sneered, "; when you broke into Shen City with iron ships and powerful cannons, why didn't you mention international law?";

He stood up, looking down at Albert: "; Fourth, I heard your senior councilor Williams, together with Lei Nuo of the French Concession, filed a complaint against me to the court?";

Albert's body visibly shivered.

"; Find him for me," Lin Yu's voice turned cold, "; I will speak with him personally.";

"; Finally," he sat back down, "; we both know how much money the Works Bureau has made in Shen City over the years. Now I demand twenty‑million yuan in compensation.";

"; Twenty... twenty million?" Albert shouted, "; That's impossible! We don't have that much...";

"; None?" Lin Yu sneered, cutting him off, "; Which of your industries, banks, or docks in Shen City isn't worth something? No matter what methods you use, I want to see the money within three days.";

He stood, looking down at the once‑imperious duke: "; Remember, this is not a negotiation. It is an order.";

Albert slumped in the chair, his face ghostly pale.