Chapter 176: Waiting for Dawn

"Ladies and gentlemen," Johnson tapped his wine glass, stood on the central podium in the living room, "Thank you all for coming to this party named 'Waiting for Dawn'."

The foreigners present all stopped chatting and turned their gazes toward him.

"This name may be a bit pretentious," Johnson said with a bitter smile, "but I believe darkness will eventually pass. Today, I am honored to have invited two distinguished guests."

He gestured invitingly: "Please welcome Colonel Yamamoto of the Eastern Ocean Empire's Kwantung Army, and Captain Smith of Yingjili's Far East Company."

Amid polite applause, a burly officer in Eastern Ocean military uniform and a tall man in Yingjili naval uniform walked up to the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Colonel Yamamoto said in Chinese with a slight accent, "our Kwantung Army has been closely monitoring the situation in Shen City. This bandit leader named Lin Yu has seriously threatened the interests of the Great Powers in the Far East."

He looked around, his eyes flashing with cold light: "But please rest assured, this situation won't last long. No one can challenge the international order; anyone who tries will ultimately pay the price."

"Exactly so," Captain Smith interjected, "this Lin Yu is nothing but an ignorant thug. He thinks that with just a few thousand rag-tag troops he can oppose the power of the Great Powers? How laughable!"

A low chuckle rose from the crowd. These words seemed to give the foreigners present some confidence.

"I can tell you plainly," Colonel Yamamoto's voice suddenly turned stern, "the Eastern Ocean Empire will not stand by while a local warlord disrupts the order of the Far East. We are already preparing the corresponding measures."

"The Yingjili government holds the same stance," Captain Smith added, "our Far East fleet can at any time conduct military intervention in Shen City. This Lin Yu probably doesn't even know what kind of opponent he has provoked."

Johnson timely raised his wine glass: "So I say, this is the 'Waiting for Dawn' party. You all just need to endure a bit longer. Once the Great Powers act, that ignorant bandit will soon realize his predicament."

"Exactly!" someone in the crowd echoed, "Let him be arrogant for a while, what does it matter? When warships sail into Shen City harbor, let's see how long he can stay reckless!"

Colonel Yamamoto gave a faint cold smile: "Our Kwantung Army's intelligence shows Lin Yu's forces number only in the tens of thousands, and their equipment is all outdated junk. With such strength, daring to challenge the Great Powers? Simply suicidal."

"I suggest you temporarily comply with his demands," Captain Smith said, "but there's no need to rush. Before long, you'll see how this madman is overthrown. Then everything will return to the proper course."

The foreigners present all raised their glasses, superiority returning to their faces. They seemed to already see the scene of Lin Yu being annihilated by the combined forces of the Great Powers.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Johnson adjusted his tie and returned to the front of the podium, "let us discuss the current situation."

He leisurely scanned the foreigners below: "I know some of you have already begun selling off your assets at a loss, preparing to leave Shen City. But I must say, this is an extremely foolish decision."

A murmur rose in the hall. Johnson lightly smoothed nonexistent wrinkles on his suit, the corner of his mouth hinting at a faint smile.

"Just think, what is Shen City?" his voice suddenly rose, "It's the pearl of the Far East! The most important commercial center of the entire East! Because of a few days of swagger by an ignorant bandit leader, are we really going to abandon this fertile land?"

"But that Lin Yu..." someone whispered.

"Lin Yu?" Johnson let out a scoff, "Let me tell you what fate awaits Lin Yu."

He elegantly adjusted his cuffs: "This madman's actions are tantamount to self-destruction. Who has he offended? The Eastern Ocean Empire, the British Empire, France, Germany... almost all the Great Powers!"

The foreigners present all nodded.

"Think about it," Johnson's tone grew more contemptuous, "a local warlord, does he deserve to stand against these empires? He thinks his thirty thousand rabble can resist a joint punitive expedition by the Great Powers? Simply a huge joke!"

He paused deliberately, letting these words sink in: "So I say, those rushing to leave now are short-sighted. Once the Great Powers act, Lin Yu this jumping clown will naturally be blown away. Then everything will return to the proper course."

"Exactly!" someone in the crowd echoed, "We've operated in Shen City for decades; how can we be scared off by a thug?"

Johnson nodded satisfactorily, then tugged at his tie: "Moreover, I can tell you this: the court is also deeply dissatisfied with Lin Yu's actions. A mere Fourth Bureau Chief daring to openly defy the court—what crime is that, you all know in your hearts."

His voice suddenly dropped: "So Lin Yu will soon discover he must face not only the wrath of the Great Powers but also the court's punitive expedition. By then he will understand what self-destruction means!"

The foreigners present all raised their glasses, arrogance returning to their faces. Johnson's words gave them great confidence.

"Therefore I suggest you," Johnson raised his wine glass, "temporarily endure. Let this reckless fool enjoy himself a few more days. Soon we will see him blown to ashes under the iron heels of the Great Powers!"

"Cheers!" the foreigners chorused, "To Shen City's future!"

The party entered its revelry stage. Under the crystal chandelier, glasses clinked, perfume and silks swayed.

The band struck up a lively waltz; several couples twirled on the dance floor. Ladies' long skirts traced graceful arcs as they spun, gentlemen's tailcoats gleamed with refined luster in the light.

Johnson's mansion exuded opulence everywhere. Expensive champagne flowed nonstop, delicate pastries kept arriving. Servers moved about, maintaining perfect etiquette. Everything seemed to have returned to the concession's heyday.

"Looks like everyone's in good spirits," Colonel Yamamoto raised his glass and clinked with Captain Smith, "This is how Shen City ought to be."

"Of course," Captain Smith laughed, "This place should rightfully be our playground. Those yellow-skinned monkeys never know how to enjoy life."

By the dance floor, several merchants heatedly discussed future business plans. They seemed already to have seen the bright prospects after Lin Yu's downfall, their words full of anticipation for the future.

Johnson stood on the second-floor balcony, overlooking this scene of music and dance. The corner of his mouth held a hint of a satisfied smile. The party's effect was excellent; the wavering merchants had regained their confidence.

Amid the clinking of glasses, everyone seemed to have forgotten the present crisis. They immersed themselves in this sea of red lights and green wine, as if returned to the era when they could do as they pleased in Shen City.