Chapter 18: The Invitation Card Incident

At the same time, the various powers in the French Concession were also discussing another matter: the invitation cards suddenly issued by the Fourth Action Bureau.

"Did you receive it? The invitation from Director Lin?" Boss Huang sat on the sofa, twirling the gold‑embossed invitation in his hand.

"Got it," Boss Liao exhaled a ring of smoke, "How many years has the Fourth Bureau been idle? Suddenly a director pops up..."

"I heard he was appointed directly by the Great Dry Dynasty."

"Ha," Boss Huang sneered, "Great Dry can still control Shen City now? Someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes, right?"

"Have you ever seen Director Lin?"

"No, I heard he just took office today."

"Strange, I had people look into his background and they couldn't find anything."

Health Union Association headquarters.

"Mitsui‑san, this is the invitation that arrived this morning."

Mitsui took the invitation, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Fourth Bureau... have you clarified Director Lin's background?"

"Sorry, still under investigation."

French Concession Public Administration Bureau.

"Director Lin has quite a pedigree," a French councilor said, flipping through the invitation, "He's hosting a banquet at Great Three Yuan, inviting people like us..."

"But no one has ever seen him; we can't even find a photo of him."

"Interesting," another councilor stroked his chin, "A mysterious figure suddenly took over the Fourth Bureau."

Green Gang headquarters.

"Boss, should we go?"

"Yes, of course we should," the Green Gang boss squinted, "I want to see what kind of background this suddenly‑appearing director has."

For a moment, the entire French Concession was speculating about Lin Yu's identity.

Some said he was a confidant of a warlord;

Others claimed he was backed by a senior minister of the Da Qian Court;

Still others whispered that he was a puppet propped up by the Great Powers......

But whoever he is, reviving the Fourth Bureau after years of dormancy means this new director's background is certainly not simple!

"Interesting," Lin Yu, seated in the study of Lin Gong Guan, listened to Zhou Wei's report on the various reactions and nodded approvingly, "Let them keep guessing. The more they can't figure him out, the more they'll value this dinner."

"Yes," Zhou Wei adjusted his glasses, "All sides are now inquiring about your background, Director. However, my subordinates have already arranged things so they won't uncover anything."

"Very well," Lin Yu stood, gazing at the night view of the French Concession through the window, "The more they can't decipher my origins, the more they'll show us proper respect later."

"After all," a cold smile tugged at his mouth, "In this place, mystery is the best deterrent."

"Everyone heard? The Fourth Bureau has a new director," Chen Guotai, director of the Third Action Bureau, lifted his teacup, his tone tinged with contempt.

Several directors were gathered in a private room of Chunman Lou.

"Heard about it," Sun Zhiyuan, director of the Fifth Bureau, fanned, "A guy named Lin Yu, and no one knows where he popped up from."

"Ha,"...

"I had people look into it," Chen Guotai set down his teacup, "Lin Yu had never held even a petty post before, and suddenly he became director of the Fourth Bureau."

"Exactly," Sun Zhiyuan agreed, "All of us who are directors climbed up from the grassroots. He, however, vaulted straight to the top!"

"I heard he sent out invitations to everyone?" Zhao Hongfei asked, "Even the foreigners of the Public Administration Bureau?"

"Indeed," Chen Guotai sneered, "He's holding a banquet at Great Three Yuan, quite a show. No idea where his confidence comes from!"

"In my view," Sun Zhiyuan lowered his voice, "Director Lin is bound to take a big fall. Does he even know how deep the waters are in the French Concession?"

"Exactly," Zhao Hongfei continued, "The Frenchmen in the Health Union Association, Green Gang, and Public Administration Bureau... which one isn't an Old Fox? How can a newcomer hope to establish a foothold in the French Concession?"

"Gentlemen," Chen Guotai suddenly adopted a serious tone, "I actually find this Director Lin rather interesting."

"Oh? How so?"

"Don't you find it odd?" Chen Guotai squinted, "He just took office, hasn't even met anyone face‑to‑face, yet he boldly throws a grand banquet for these people. Either he's brazenly confident, or..."

"Or what?"

"He's completely confident," Chen Guotai said meaningfully.

The directors exchanged glances, each falling into thought.

Indeed, a newly appointed director daring to invite every prominent figure in Shen City—such audacity.

Could it be...... that Director Lin truly has some background?

"Fine," Sun Zhiyuan waved his hand, "We'll know in a couple of days. Then we'll see what kind of background this Director Lin really has!"

"Right," Zhao Hongfei raised his glass, "Let's drink first!"

Although the directors said so, each felt a bit uneasy.

What kind of person is this suddenly‑emerged Director Lin, after all?

Security Command Headquarters, Commander's Office.

Qin Dong Zhi sat on the grand chair, his brows knit as he stared at the documents on the desk.

"This Lin Yu..." he murmured to himself, "Interesting."

As the highest officer of Shen City's Security Command Headquarters, Qin Dong Zhi considered himself fully aware of everything in Shen City. Yet this time, even this Old Fox was caught off guard.

The Fourth Bureau suddenly rebooted, a parachuted director nobody had ever heard of, and this commander hadn't even received a whisper of warning!

It should be noted that six action bureaus fell under his jurisdiction. Previously, any personnel changes required his approval, or at least prior notice.

But this time, he only received a written appointment from the court.

"Someone!" Qin Dong Zhi suddenly called out.

"Commander." His close aide entered immediately.

"How's the investigation going?"

"Report to the commander," the aide said in a low voice, "Lin Yu's background is extremely clean—too clean to be normal. Apart from the court's appointment documents, we can't find any related records."

"What about the court?"

"We've also checked," the aide said, shaking his head. "Even the Ministry of War and the Cabinet don't know how this appointment came about."

Qin Dong Zhi narrowed his eyes. In his view, the harder something is to find, the more it deserves attention.

To be able to let the court directly issue an appointment, yet even the Ministry of War and the Cabinet are unaware—this Lin Yu, the power behind him must be considerable!

"Interesting," Qin Dong Zhi said softly. "A mysterious figure, coming with the court's appointment to take over the Fourth Bureau. What exactly is he after?"

"Commander, should we...?"

"No need," Qin Dong Zhi waved his hand. "Since he invited me to the banquet, let's go and see. Let's see what background this suddenly appearing Director Lin has."

After seeing off the aide, Qin Dong Zhi stood by the window, gazing toward the French Concession in the distance.

After thirty years of military life, he had never encountered such a situation. A person's origin could be so mysterious that even he couldn't uncover it.

"Lin Yu, Lin Yu," Qin Dong Zhi said softly. "Who exactly are you? And why did you choose to come to Shen City at this time?"

This question probably won't be answered until the day of the banquet.