Chapter 186: Counterattack Storm

Shen City Special City Hall, the Bureau Chief's office.

Lin Yu stood before the massive floor‑to‑ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city. In the morning light, pedestrians hurried along the streets, yet no one dared to look up at the seat of power.

Zhou Wei and Qi Ming Yuan stood respectfully behind him. On the desk lay an action summary report and a stack of intelligence briefs on various reactions.

"Report, Bureau Chief," Qi Ming Yuan said in a low voice. "The 'cleanup' operation is essentially complete. Target: 17 persons; 15 confirmed killed, two escaped amid the chaos. The intelligence network is already crippled; all key contact points have been destroyed."

He opened another report: "The Foreigners' community within the city is reacting violently, panic has peaked. A temporary consular delegation, using HSBC channels, has conveyed 'strong indignation' and requests a meeting with you."

Lin Yu turned, a cold smile curling his lips. "Two escaped? Fine, let them bring fear back. Let those so‑called 'consuls' understand that this is no longer their colony."

He walked to the desk and lightly tapped the surface. "Tell them I'm busy; City Hall is fully investigating this 'unfortunate violent incident' and will give the 'law‑abiding foreigners' an answer. As for the meeting…"

He looked at Zhou Wei. "Handle it; stall as long as you can."

"Bureau Chief," Zhou Wei said with a worried expression, "Such drastic measures may completely enrage the Great Powers. Their combined fleet could arrive soon. Our defensive deployments…"

"We must anger them!" Lin Yu interrupted, his tone decisive. "Shatter their illusion! Let them know this is no longer their paradise. Boiling a frog in warm water is too slow; I will strip them of all privileges in a single night."

He strode to the map. "Shen City can have only one voice, and that is mine! As for military intervention? Let them come! It's the perfect chance for our new equipment to see blood."

"Send the orders onward," he said, turning to Qi Ming Yuan. "Put the troops on the highest alert. Tell Shi Mi Te I need more shells and bullets; the armaments factories must speed up production."

"Yes!" Qi Ming Yuan turned and left at once.

Zhou Wei wanted to say more, but seeing Lin Yu's resolute gaze, he finally fell silent.

Lin Yu returned to the window. At that moment he resembled a calm hunter, watching the prey's dying struggle with a cold eye.

Last night's bloodshed was not a momentary impulse but a meticulously planned killing game. By this extreme pressure, the Foreigners' psychological and physical defenses in Shen City were utterly shattered.

Fear will spread faster than bullets, making those lofty bastards realize that their prized privileges crumble before real violence.

"Let them be afraid," Lin Yu whispered, "Let them know this city is no longer their playground. If they want war, I'll gladly join them."

Outside the window, patrolling soldiers marched in perfect formation. Their muzzles no longer pointed at their own compatriots but at the once‑lofty Foreigners.

The White Hall Foreign Ministry was brightly lit.

"Gentlemen," the Yingjili Prime Minister said from the conference table, his voice low and angry, "What happened in Shen City is a grave provocation against the empire's dignity! We cannot stand by idly!"

He hammered his fist onto the map; the red dot marking 'Shen City' was especially glaring.

"Navy Department, what is the status of the Far East Fleet? How long will it take to reach Shen City and act?"

The Navy Minister wiped sweat from his brow. "Sir, the fleet's main force is currently at the South Sea Base; redeployment takes time. Moreover…" He hesitated, "We need clear operational objectives and authorization. This is not mere gunboat diplomacy; Lin Yu's troops are well‑equipped and remarkably powerful…"

"Are we to let a Great Dry warlord challenge the Great British Empire's prestige?" the Foreign Minister said angrily.

"The problem is," the Navy Intelligence Chief interjected, "we know nothing of his strength. The intelligence network is destroyed, the consulate burned, and we have lost all eyes in Shen City."

Meanwhile, the East Ocean Empire's Xia Guan.

"Baka!" the Army Minister slammed the table, "This is an insult to the Imperial Army! We must immediately reinforce, unite the Great Powers, utterly annihilate Lin Yu, and reclaim the empire's interests in Shen City!"

"Please stay calm," the Navy Minister frowned, "Lin Yu is no ordinary warlord. He can easily defeat our elite marines; intelligence shows he commands a sizable modern army. A rash attack would have unpredictable consequences."

"Then dispatch more troops!"

"The problem is," the Chief of Staff said gravely, "our northern operation is at a critical stage; pulling large forces south would affect the overall strategic deployment."

France, the Élysée Palace.

"Lin Yu is too arrogant," the Foreign Minister said, "Murdering our overseas citizens and burning the consulate is blatant provocation!"

"But the rebellion in Annam is not yet quelled," the Colonial Minister reminded, "the Far East Fleet cannot spare much force."

Germania, Wilhelm Street.

"The situation in Shen City is an opportunity for us," the Foreign Minister said, "British and French influence in the Far East has waned; we can…"

"But Lin Yu is clearly not a puppet," the Chief of Staff interrupted, "He has his own industrial base and his own army. This is not the kind of warlord we know."

America, the White House.

"Mr. President," the Secretary of State reported, "Our direct losses in Shen City are relatively small, but the uncontrolled situation greatly threatens commercial interests. I suggest we first pursue diplomatic mediation before any military action and apply economic pressure on Lin Yu."

"What do the Yingjili say?"

"They are angry, but redeploying a fleet takes time. We can watch their moves and avoid premature involvement."

Emergency meetings in capital cities came one after another, yet turning anger into concrete action proved far more complex than imagined.

Bureaucratic operations require time, troop movements need preparation, and inter‑national coordination is fraught with difficulty. Most importantly, Lin Yu's displayed strength has left everyone too wary to act rashly.

This 'delay' is exactly what Lin Yu needs.

In Shen City's Shikumen Alley, low murmurs spread.

"Did you hear?" a rickshaw puller leaned against the wall, whispering to his companion, "Several foreign big‑shot bosses were killed last night! The ones who were always the most overbearing!"

"Damn!" another puller spat, "Those vampires ride on our heads every day, but General Lin has the guts to punish them!"

"Shh! Keep it down!" the first puller said nervously, glancing around, "Don't let the soldiers hear. But…" he lowered his voice, "It feels truly exhilarating!"

In a teahouse, a bespectacled accountant read from a newspaper: "City Hall issues a solemn statement, expressing deep regret over the recent unfortunate incident. Preliminary investigation shows many of the deceased had misconduct, linked to internal conflicts within foreign forces…"

"This is like beating the mountain to scare the tiger!" a nearby tea patron nodded, "General Lin is warning those foreigners not to be so arrogant again."

"Exactly," another patron added, "Do you remember? Last month the manager of that foreign firm wanted to kill us just because our rickshaw nudged his car. Now? They're all quiet."

On the street, Lin Yu's soldiers patrolled. Their uniforms were crisp, muzzles gleaming; pedestrians stepped aside as they passed. Notices from City Hall plastered on walls sternly warned citizens "Do not spread rumors," "Maintain social stability."

In a grocery shop, the shopkeeper's wife was arranging shelves when she heard her husband sigh.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"We killed a few bad foreigners," the husband said with a worried frown, "but I heard foreign warships are coming. If a fight breaks out, life will be even harder for us common folk…"

"Nonsense!" the shopkeeper snapped, "Since General Lin dared to act, he must be confident. Look how peaceful the streets are now; those foreigners no longer dare to run amok on the streets."

In the alleys, a strange atmosphere pervaded. People suppressed excitement, tinged with fear. Lin Yu's iron‑fisted methods drew covert applause yet no one dared to discuss them openly.

But one thing is clear: the city's order is changing quietly. Those once‑lofty foreigners now must bow their arrogant heads.