Chapter 173: New Era, New Order

The next morning, the square in front of the former British Concession Works Bureau building was packed with people.

Tens of thousands of citizens filled the square, and the crowds pouring in from all directions continued to grow. People looked up at the platform with both awe and curiosity, waiting for the appearance of Shen City's new ruler. Soldiers maintained order in the crowd, but in fact they didn't need to do anything, because everyone was silent as cicadas, afraid to miss the imminent important moment.

When Lin Yu appeared on the platform, the entire square fell silent to the point that a dropped pin could be heard. He wore a crisp military uniform, and his young face bore an indisputable air of authority.

Lin Yu's voice rang out over the square via the loudspeaker: 'Elders and folks of Shen City, I stand here to tell you one piece of news: from today onward, Shen City will have no more concessions!'

A stir ran through the crowd. Some showed surprise, some whispered to each other, and many more could not believe their own ears.

Lin Yu continued, his voice tinged with suppressed anger: 'Eighty years ago, the foreigners' powerful ships and cannons opened the gates of Shen City. From that day on, our ancestors lived on this land as dependents.'

Lin Yu went on: 'How many of you have been beaten or scolded by the foreigners' lackeys? How many have been unable to hold your heads up as human beings on your own land? How many have watched the foreigners run rampant in the concession, yet could only swallow their anger?'

The square fell silent. Many lowered their heads, painful memories flashing in their eyes.

Lin Yu's voice suddenly rose: 'But from today onward, all of this is over! The Works Bureau has been dissolved, all foreign privileges abolished! This land has returned to the hands of our own people!'

A cheer burst from the crowd, but it quickly died down. Decades of servility made them unable to believe such good fortune could suddenly befall them.

Lin Yu's voice suddenly softened: 'I know what you're worried about. You fear the foreigners will retaliate, fear they will again threaten us with gunboats. But I want to tell you all: that era is already past.'

He pointed to the Works Bureau building behind him: 'Do you see this building? It once symbolized the foreigners' arrogance in Shen City. But now it will become the office of our city government. This is the best proof: we Shen City people can finally stand tall and be human!'

The atmosphere in the square gradually heated up. People's eyes began to glimmer with hope.

Lin Yu's voice firm and powerful: 'I assure you all. As long as I, Lin Yu, remain alive for a single day, I will never allow anyone to oppress our people in Shen City. This city is ours, this land is ours. From now on, we Shen City people will hold our heads high, and let the whole world know: we are no longer lambs to be slaughtered.'

Earth-shaking cheers echoed across the square. People's eyes filled with hot tears; some clutched their heads and sobbed, others shouted loudly. The decades of humiliation and repression were finally released at this moment.

Lin Yu stood on the platform, looking out over the surging sea of people. A new era, truly belonging to ourselves, has arrived.

After the speech ended, reporters from several media outlets immediately gathered around.

Director Lin, the Da Qian Daily reporter spoke first: 'You now dominate all decisions in Shen City, including this major matter of abolishing the concession. May I ask whether you have received the court's authorization? After all, you were merely the chief of the Fourth Bureau...'

Lin Yu's mouth curled slightly upward: 'Court authorization? Tell me, when the foreigners used their powerful ships and cannons to blast open Shen City back then, whose authorization did they have?'

The reporter was momentarily lost for words.

The Shen Newspaper reporter raised a question: 'The concession is a provision clearly stipulated in the treaty signed between the Great Powers and the Da Qian Court, recognized internationally. Your unilateral announcement of abolition—is it legal? Does it have effect?'

Lin Yu let out a cold laugh: 'Legal? Those unequal treaties themselves are illegal. They were blasted out by gunships, forced out by opium. Do such treaties even deserve to be obeyed?'

He looked around and said, 'As for effectiveness...' He pointed to the surrounding soldiers armed with live ammunition: 'My guns and cannons are the best proof of effectiveness.'

The Yingjili Times reporter shouted in stiff Chinese: 'This is too barbaric! This is outright violence! It completely violates the rules of civilized society! We strongly condemn...'

Lin Yu sternly interrupted him: 'Shut up! When you used gunships to blast open Shen City, how did you not talk about civilization? When you oppressed our people in the concession, how did you not talk about rules?'

He walked up to the foreign reporter, looking down at him: 'Tell your readers, the era has changed. This is Shen City, not a place where you can freely run rampant. Want to do business here? Fine, but you must abide by our rules.'

The Da Qian Daily reporter asked again: 'Then how do you plan to handle those foreign merchants in the concession?'

Lin Yu turned and said: 'Very simple. Those willing to abide by our rules can continue doing business in Shen City. Those unwilling, pack up and get out. Shen City will no longer have any privileged class.'

The Shen Newspaper reporter still wanted to follow up: 'But...'

Lin Yu interrupted him: 'There's no "but". I know what you're worried about. You fear the Great Powers will send warships to retaliate, fear it will cause international disputes.'

His voice suddenly became resonant and powerful: 'But I want to tell everyone: that era of being slaughtered at will is over! Present-day Shen City has sufficient strength to protect itself. Whoever dares to invade, I, Lin Yu, will be the first to strike and cut them down.'

The reporters looked at each other. This young warlord's harsh tone revealed in his words left them both shocked and bewildered. But one thing is clear: this person follows through on his words, never just empty talk.

Lin Yu adjusted his uniform and said: 'Finally, a reminder to all: your reporting must be objective. Let everyone know: the concession era in Shen City is completely over.'

The Da Qian Daily reporter suddenly raised his voice, face showing an aggressive expression: 'Director Lin, your behavior amounts to openly betraying the court!'

An uproar broke out on the spot. Other reporters stopped writing, staring in disbelief at this colleague who suddenly launched an attack.

The reporter continued, voice tinged with some excitement: 'You unilaterally abolished the concession, expelled foreigners, completely ignoring the treaty signed by the court and the Great Powers. This not only puts the court in a passive position, but also challenges its authority. What you're doing—how is it different from rebellion?'

Lin Yu's face instantly darkened. The surrounding soldiers immediately tensed, hands on their gun grips. The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Everyone held their breath, awaiting the young warlord's response. The question was too sensitive, striking at the heart of the matter. A mere Fourth Bureau chief daring to defy the court's will and act unilaterally indeed calls for an explanation.