Chapter 23: Overly Rigid Breaks Easily

The welcome banquet, which should have been filled with joy, finally ended amid a strange atmosphere.

The guests said their goodbyes one after another—some with sullen faces, some gloating over the misfortune, some deeply worried. Yet everyone understood one thing: this madman Lin Yu is likely to bring about a change in the French Concession.

"Director Lin," Commander Qin came to Lin Yu's side, "May I have a word?"

Lin Yu nodded and followed Commander Qin onto the balcony.

"Young man," Commander Qin sighed, "I originally had a good impression of you. The court could send you to head the Fourth Bureau, so you must have extraordinary talent."

He looked at Lin Yu, shook his head, "But tonight, with this incident, you've offended everyone."

"Behind the Health Union Association are the Japanese, behind the Green Gang is the Public Administration Bureau; these are not to be offended lightly," Commander Qin said gravely, "Your reckless actions are courting death, aren't they?"

He had originally thought Lin Yu would be a capable young man, but unexpectedly found him to be such an immature brute.

"You think having the title of Director lets you stride through the French Concession?" Commander Qin, somewhat bitter, "You have no idea how deep the waters here are."

Looking at Lin Yu's youthful face, Commander Qin grew increasingly disappointed. This is not a capable young man at all; he's clearly a brainless lunatic.

"Anyone you offended tonight could see you meet a disastrous end," Commander Qin said in a low voice, "I advise you to find a way to make amends quickly, or else..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: this hot‑headed youth probably won't survive this week.

The night wind blew as Lin Yu stood on the balcony, watching the brightly lit French Concession in the distance, a faint, meaningful smile curling his lips.

Commander Qin looked at this young man who knew no limits, and felt a throbbing headache.

Can such a madman truly bear the heavy responsibility of Director of the Fourth Bureau?

"Lin Yu," Qin Dong Zhi said earnestly, "Do you know how many troops I have at my command?"

"Thirty thousand," he sighed, "Exactly thirty thousand elite. Yet even so, I dare not grin before the Great Powers."

He looked at Lin Yu: "And you? Fresh here, you only have the Fourth Bureau, not even a full staff, yet you dare to be so obstinate? Isn't that digging your own grave?"

"The principle that excessive rigidity breaks easily—don't you understand?"

Lin Yu turned, his gaze deep: "Commander, I understand everything you said."

"But..." He pointed at the brightly lit concession in the distance, his voice trembling, "Look at this land; it should be ours!"

"The Great Powers run rampant here, the Japanese oppress men and women, the gangs commit crimes here..."

"They trample our dignity on our own soil, humiliating our compatriots." Lin Yu's voice grew more heated, "Do you know? Just a few days ago, I saw a Japanese man; because a rickshaw driver demanded fare, the man almost cut the driver to death!"

【Ding! Host's generous speech defending national dignity grants 200 hard points!】

【Current hard value: 950 points】

"These years, we've endured too much, retreated too much," Lin Yu clenched his fists, "But Commander, you ask, how long must we continue to endure?"

"This is our territory, our home. If we cannot even preserve the dignity of this land, then are we still worthy of being officials of Great Dry?"

Qin Dong Zhi was momentarily at a loss for words.

"I know what I'm doing," Lin Yu said with steadfast eyes, "Even if I shatter to pieces, I will make them understand that this land is not theirs to do as they please!"

The night wind blew as Qin Dong Zhi watched the young man's silhouette, suddenly feeling that perhaps... the youth was not as reckless as he had imagined.

Such blood‑spilling spirit and sense of responsibility are truly rare in these times.

Qin Dong Zhi sighed, patting Lin Yu's shoulder, "Young man, I understand your intention. Yet in this world, falling behind invites beating."

"Today's Great Dry lacks the strength to challenge the Great Powers," he said with a wry smile, "Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and swallow blood. Blind hardness only worsens the situation."

He looked at Lin Yu's youthful face: "I truly admire your temperament. But if you truly cannot survive..."

Qin Dong Zhi handed over a business card: "Come to the command center to find me. Though I dare not offend the Great Powers too much, I can still manage to protect you once."

Having said that, he turned and left, his silhouette somewhat forlorn.

Lin Yu watched Qin Dong Zhi's receding figure, a faint, meaningful smile curling his lips.

"You certainly don't dare bare your teeth," he muttered softly, "But I have a system."

"I can mass‑recruit troops," Lin Yu sneered, "And let the Great Powers ride on our heads, defecating and urinating—doesn't that make us spineless?"

He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

In the night, the cigarette's ember flickered intermittently.

This mad night was only a beginning.

Soon, everyone will know why this young Director dares to act so recklessly.

Because he truly possesses that strength.

"Director," Zhang Zhi Yuan hurried to Lin Yu's side, lowering his voice, "Cheng Hu has already sent a message, saying you'll not live past three days."

He expressed some concern: "The Health Union Association won't settle easily either; Mitsukawa's expression was very grim when he left just now."

"Oh?" Lin Yu's mouth curled a snarling grin, "Come on, let's hurt each other."

He inhaled deeply, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes, "I can't wait for daily conflicts, I hope people keep coming to me so I can collect hard points."

"Director..." Zhang Zhi Yuan was somewhat puzzled.

"You don't get it," Lin Yu sneered, "Only by slapping these trash head‑on can I develop faster."

He flicked the ash, "Let them come; one I beat, two I beat both."

Zhang Zhi Yuan watched his own Director's excited demeanor, swallowing hard. This young Director didn't seem fearful; rather, he seemed... anticipatory?

"By the way," Lin Yu suddenly asked, "Where is the Health Union Association's headquarters?"

"It's on Xiafei Road," Zhang Zhi Yuan replied, "How..."

"Tomorrow," Lin Yu's eyes flashed coldly, "Take people to clear out their premises."

"Huh?" Zhang Zhi Yuan was stunned.

"What?" Lin Yu turned to him, "Are you scared?"

"It's not..." Zhang Zhi Yuan wiped his cold sweat, "It's just that I feel, Director, you seem especially..."

"Like what?"

"Like... looking for trouble?"

Lin Yu laughed loudly: "; No mistake, I just like to cause trouble.";

He looked at the night sky, dangerous light flashing in his eyes: "; This French Concession, how can it not be lively?";