Chapter 189

The special train crept across the Northern Plains, the sound of wheels on rails monotonous and regular.

Chen Jingwen sat in the compartment, the tea in his hand long cold. Outside the window lay an endless desolate wilderness; the deep autumn wind swept up the withered yellow grass, swirling beneath the overcast sky.

He unconsciously touched the secret edict hidden in his cuff. It had been personally handed to him by Regent Prince Yelü Hua before his departure. Compared to the solemn public edict, this secret edict's contents were far harsher and far more dangerous.

"If Lin Yu persists in his obstinacy, it is a death sentence," he silently repeated the words on the secret edict, feeling a chill rise from his heart and spread through his limbs. Though the brazier burned brightly, he could not warm himself.

Chen Jingwen rose and paced back and forth in the cramped compartment. The fate of the former Zhou Special Envoy kept surfacing in his mind—that imperial official, still detained by Lin Yu in Shen City, his life or death unknown.

"Blood Drop Child" corpses found on Shen City's streets—he had heard of it. Even the court's most elite assassins were disposed of as easily as crushing ants.

As for the Lu Zhou Army, Chen Jingwen couldn't help but shudder. Two elite divisions were simply wiped out outside Shen City, leaving not a single intact corpse.

"Lin Yu..." he muttered, "This man is no longer a subject, but a regional warlord, even..." he paused, "a dragon of this chaotic age!"

The train jolted over a rough stretch of track, the teacup clinking on the table. Chen Jingwen gazed at the tea, long gone cold, with no appetite.

"Going to Shen City, nominally to pacify, actually to skin a tiger," he gave a bitter laugh. "The court... alas, the court likely sees me merely as a scout's stone. Whether I return depends on heaven's will and Lin Yu's mood."

A flicker of despair crossed his eyes, but was quickly suppressed, turning into deeper caution. As a veteran court official, he fully understood the peril of this mission.

In the Regent Prince's secret edict, besides the harsh wording, it hinted he could use any means necessary. But facing Lin Yu, those concealed killing intentions would likely be child's play.

The train continued racing south. Chen Jingwen watched the scenery flash past outside, his feelings mixed. He did not know what awaited him at the journey's end.

Would it be Lin Yu's blade? Or the court's forsaken fate? Or perhaps a slim chance of survival in the cracks?

The deep autumn chill seemed to grow heavier; Chen Jingwen tightened his official robe, yet could not dispel the cold that seeped into his marrow.

Shen City, Lin Gong Guan.

Deep autumn sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling window into the study, falling on the huge battle map on the wall. The map was thickly marked with red and blue arrows and unit numbers, each marking representing a formidable military force.

Lin Yu was reviewing a document on the armory's construction progress. The Krupp Armory had completed seventy percent of its equipment installation, expected to go into production next month, which pleased him.

"Report, Commander." Qi Ming Yuan entered, respectfully standing before the desk and handing over a freshly received encrypted telegram: "Latest intelligence from Yan Capital. The newly appointed Imperial Envoy, Vice Minister of Rites Chen Jingwen, departed yesterday by special train southward, expected to reach Shen City in three days."

"Understood." Lin Yu didn't look up, continuing to flip through the file, his tone flat: "Just a worthless old dog—if he seeks death, let him come."

Qi Ming Yuan hesitated, then made a subtle gesture: "Should we make some preparations?"

"No need." Lin Yu finally set down the document, waved a hand, and said: "The court is now an empty shell, not even worthy of being a target for our drills. Just have the men below keep watch, don't let him run about and ruin our plans."

He rose and walked to the map: "Our focus remains clearing the concession's remnants and rebuilding the economic order. The factories in these areas," he pointed to the marked zones on the map, "must resume production quickly. Grain reserves also need to be secured—winter is coming."

"Understood." Qi Ming Yuan nodded, but said: "Commander, the court seems serious this time. Reportedly, Regent Prince Yelü Hua personally issued a secret edict to Chen Jingwen."

"Hmph." Lin Yu snorted, "Do they think I only have the Ghost Division and 'Greater German'? Those old fogies in the court could never imagine that the force I now command could sweep across several southeastern provinces!"

His finger traced slowly across the map: "A mere envoy is nothing but a grasshopper after autumn—won't last more than a few days. Once I have fully digested Shen City..."

His gaze drifted to farther places on the map, his eyes flashing with ambition and confidence.

"What the Commander means..." Qi Ming Yuan seemed to understand something.

"No rush." Lin Yu turned back to the desk, saying: "Right now, the most important thing is to consolidate our foothold in Shen City."

He picked up the teacup on the desk and took a leisurely sip: "Let Chen Jingwen come. This will let him see firsthand what true power is, and make the court understand that the rules of this land are no longer theirs to set."

Outside, the sunlight slanted westward, casting long shadows across the map.

Those red and blue arrows seemed to hint at something—a storm capable of altering the nation's fate was brewing in this prosperous port city.

The train pulled into a small station, and several merchant‑looking passengers entered Chen Jingwen's carriage.

"Have you heard? Commander Lin in Shen City has seized another foreign firm!"

"No kidding! This guy really dares to act. I heard the foreign firm's backers were British, yet he still shut it down."

Hey, you haven't seen what Shen City looks like now." A merchant who had just returned from Shen City lowered his voice, "Those foreigners, when they now see Commander Lin's troops, are like mice seeing a cat—scared, they don't even have time to hide."

That's right! Those foreigners used to be so arrogant; now? They don't even dare to fart.

Commander Lin really has guts. I heard that a few days ago, a foreigner, relying on the consulate's backing, bumped into a little girl on the street and was killed on the spot by Commander Lin's guard. When the consulate came demanding the person, Commander Lin simply tossed the corpse to them, saying that if they dare cause trouble again, he'll wipe out the consulate as well.

Crazy! Really a crazy one!" Someone clicked their tongue in amazement, "But we Shen City should have had such a crazy person long ago.

Chen Jingwen sat in the corner, silently listening to the chatter. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the teacup, the unease in his heart growing stronger.

In the merchants' words emerged a chilling image—a madman who fears no power and dares to challenge the Great Powers, a ruthless figure that makes foreigners tremble at the mere mention of his name.

"Such a person could not be subdued by a mere imperial edict," Chen Jingwen sighed to himself.

He recalled the secret edict Yelü Hua had given him before his departure; those solemn words, before these market gossip, suddenly seemed so pale and powerless.

The train continued racing south; the clatter of wheels on rails sounded like a death knell. Chen Jingwen gazed out at the darkening sky outside the window, the gloom in his heart growing deeper.