Chapter 238

The Great Qian Dynasty, Shen City.

Translation: Great Dry Dynasty, Shen City.

Several days have passed since that bloody press conference.

Translation: It has been several days since that bloody press conference.

Surprisingly, the anticipated large-scale riots or strong reactions from the foreign powers did not immediately erupt in Shen City.

Translation: Surprisingly, the anticipated large-scale turmoil or fierce reaction from the Great Powers did not immediately erupt in Shen City.

This, the largest city in the Far East, after a brief shock and panic, surprisingly recovered its surface calm at an eerie speed.

Translation: This largest metropolis in the Far East, after experiencing a brief shock and panic, actually restored surface calm at an eerie speed.

Trams still clanged along Nanjing Road, steamships on the Huangpu River blew their whistles, factory smokestacks belched thick smoke, and banks, foreign firms, and shops opened as usual. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, a subtle tension lingering in their brows, but the basic social order seemed undisturbed.

Translation: Trams still clanged along Nanjing Road, steamships on the Huangpu River blew their whistles long and loud, factory smokestacks belched thick smoke, banks, foreign firms, and shops opened for business as usual. Pedestrians on the street, though hurried, still bore a faint tension in their brows, but the basic social order seemed undisturbed.

The usually arrogant and overbearing foreigners had dwindled in number; when they did appear, they kept a low profile, no longer daring to act as recklessly as before.

Translation: Those usually arrogant foreigners had dwindled in number; when they occasionally appeared, they acted discreetly, daring not to behave as recklessly as before.

Everything seemed to run smoothly, as if the two shocking shootings and declaration of independence that had stunned both domestic and foreign observers were merely a stone tossed into a lake, its ripples gradually subsiding.

Translation: Everything seemed to run in orderly fashion, as if the two shocking shootings and declaration of independence were merely a stone tossed into a lake, its ripples gradually calming.

Yet beneath this veneer of calm, an invisible net was quietly operating in every corner of the city.

Translation: However, beneath this veneer of calm, an invisible great net was quietly operating in every corner of the city.

Shen City, the Shen City Intelligence Bureau headquarters located in a manor somewhere in the former British Concession.

Translation: Shen City, a manor somewhere in the former British Concession, headquarters of the Shen City Intelligence Bureau.

This was once the luxurious estate of British merchants, now it has become the heart of Shen City's most mysterious and efficient organization. Unlike the everyday scene outside, the atmosphere here is tense yet highly efficient.

Translation: This was once the luxurious manor of British merchants; now it has become the heart of Shen City's most mysterious and efficient organization. Unlike the everyday scene outside on the streets, this place is filled with a tense, efficient work atmosphere.

Intelligence officers in various attire moved between departments, the tick of telegraph machines, the faint hum of advanced surveillance equipment, and low-voiced reports intertwining. On the wall hung a massive map covering the entire Far East and even the world, marked with countless information points in various colors.

Translation: Intelligence personnel in various uniforms shuttled between departments; the tick of telegraph machines, the faint electric currents of advanced surveillance equipment, and the low voices of reports intertwined. On the wall hung a massive map covering the entire Far East and even the world, marked with dense information points in various colors.

Intelligence Bureau Director Qi Ming Yuan, a stern-faced veteran agent, stood before the huge map wall, listening to briefings from the heads of each department.

Translation: Intelligence Bureau Chief, Qi Ming Yuan, this senior agent with a stern face, stood before the huge map wall, listening to briefings from the heads of each department.

Director, Liang Shubai of the Intelligence Analysis Center pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and pointed to Kunshan on the map, saying, "According to our latest decrypted communications, the Kunshan outpost (Sato Kenichi's location) and the Kwantung Army headquarters at Longjin Port have sharply increased their communication frequency, repeatedly mentioning the 'Chrysanthemum Agency' and 'Plan B'; preliminary assessment links this to covert operations against Shen City."

Translation: "Chief, Intelligence Analysis Center Director Liang Shubai pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, pointing at Kunshan's location on the map, 'According to the latest decrypted cable we've broken, the communication frequency between the Kunshan outpost (Sato Kenichi's location) and **Longjin Port** Kwantung Army Headquarters has surged, repeatedly mentioning the 'Chrysanthemum Agency' and 'Plan B'; preliminary judgment links it to covert action against Shen City."

"And the Operations Department?" Qi Ming Yuan asked in a low voice.

Translation: "How about the Action Department?" Qi Ming Yuan asked in a low voice.

"Operations Department Commander Xiao Yunxiao stepped forward, his voice crisp: 'We have detected multiple small-scale infiltration activities near Dongchi, confirming some personnel as Japanese 'continental ronin' and plainclothes agents. Our Infiltration and Espionage divisions have begun counter-tracking and surveillance of them.'"

Translation: Action Department Commander Xiao Yunxiao stepped forward, voice crisp: "We have detected multiple small-scale infiltration activities near East Pond; we have confirmed that some personnel are Japanese 'mainland ronin' and plainclothes agents. Our Infiltration and Agents Sections have already begun counter-tracking and surveillance of them."

"What findings does the Technical Department have?"

Translation: "Any findings from the Technical Department?"

Technical Department head Shang Yining reported: "We have detected unusually strengthened external communication signals from the French and British Concession consulates, with increased frequency and encryption levels. Meanwhile, the miniature listening devices we placed near several key targets have also picked up discussions about 'sanctions,' 'pressure,' and 'military options.'"

Translation: Technical Department Head Shang Yining reported: "We have detected an abnormal strengthening of external communication signals from the consulates in the French Concession and British Concession, with frequency and encryption level increased. At the same time, the miniature surveillance devices we planted near several key targets also picked up discussions about 'sanctions', 'coercion', and 'military options'."

External Operations Department head Chu Wusheng added: "Our covert lines inside Japan have reported that the Imperial General Headquarters has recently held multiple secret meetings concerning the 'Shen City situation' and adjustments to the deployment of the Far East Navy."

Translation: Field Operations Department Commander Chu Wusheng added: "Our covert lines within Japan have reported that the Tokyo General Headquarters has recently held multiple secret meetings, discussing the 'Shen City situation' and 'adjustment of Far East Navy deployment'."

Precise, detailed intelligence flowed in from every corner of the city and from domestic and foreign stations without cease. The agents of the Shen City Intelligence Bureau, equipped with advanced gear and professional skills granted by the system, lay in wait like hunters in the dark, precisely tracking every target's movements.

Translation: One batch after another of precise, detailed intelligence flowed in from every corner of the city and from domestic and overseas intelligence stations. The agents of the Shen City Intelligence Bureau, relying on the advanced equipment and professional skills granted by the system, like hunters lurking in the dark, precisely captured the movements of every target.

Whether it be the Japanese secret outposts, the private whispers of foreign consulates, or every move of hidden agents, nothing escapes their notice.

Translation: Whether it was the Japanese secret bases, the whispered conspiracies of the Great Powers' consulates, or every move of hidden agents, none escaped their eyes.

Yet, despite holding enough intelligence to frighten the enemy and to preemptively destroy multiple threats, the order from Lin Manor remains—'strict surveillance, no action for now.'

Translation: However, despite holding enough intelligence to make enemies tremble and to preemptively destroy multiple threats, the order from Lin Gong Guan remained——"Strict surveillance, no action for now."

Qi Ming Yuan looked at the blinking red dots on the map, his brow slightly furrowed. He understood Lin Yu's intention; now is not the time to startle the snake by beating the grass.

Translation: Qi Ming Yuan gazed at the flashing red dots on the map, his brow slightly furrowed. He understood Lin Yu's intention; now was not the time to startle the snake.

The enemy's plot is brewing; only by letting them fully expose themselves can we net them all in one go, thereby gaining greater strategic initiative.

Translation: The enemy's plot was brewing; only by letting them fully expose themselves could we net them all at once, thereby gaining greater strategic initiative.

The entire Shen City Intelligence Bureau operates like a precise, cold war machine, silently turning. All gears are engaged, all weapons loaded, awaiting only the supreme commander—Lin Yu—to issue the final attack order.

Translation: The entire Shen City Intelligence Bureau was like a precise, cold war machine, silently operating. All gears meshed, all weapons loaded, awaiting the Supreme Commander—Lin Yu—to issue the final attack order.

Shen City's calm is merely a brief lull before the storm; a deeper, more ruthless covert war has already begun.

Translation: Shen City's calm was merely a brief lull before the storm. A deeper, more ruthless covert war had already begun.

Shen City, Lin Manor, inside the study.

Translation: Shen City, Lin Gong Guan, inside the study.

Outside the window the sky had grown completely dark, while the study was lit with a soft glow. Lin Yu reclined comfortably on a leather sofa, holding a cup of steaming coffee, his expression relaxed, as if what he had just heard were not urgent intelligence about Shen City's future but a trivial bedtime tale.

Translation: Outside the window the sky had fully darkened; inside the study a soft light glowed. Lin Yu leaned comfortably on the leather sofa, holding a cup of steaming coffee, his expression relaxed, as if what he had just heard were not the tense intelligence concerning Shen City's future fate, but merely an innocuous bedtime story.

Standing before him was Qi Ming Yuan, who had just rushed from the Intelligence Bureau headquarters. This veteran bureau chief had just presented a detailed briefing to Lin Yu, summarizing the latest intelligence—including the Yan Jing court's reaction, movements of the Japanese Kwantung Army, and the activities of Japanese agents lurking around Shen City.

Translation: Standing before him was none other than Qi Ming Yuan, who had just rushed from the Intelligence Bureau Headquarters. This experienced Intelligence Bureau Chief had just summarized the latest intelligence—including the reaction of the Yanjing Imperial Court, movements of the Japanese Kwantung Army, and the activities of Japanese agents lurking around Shen City—then gave Lin Yu a detailed report.

After the briefing, Qi Ming Yuan gazed at Lin Yu's excessively calm demeanor and couldn't help but secretly admire him.

Translation: After the report, Qi Ming Yuan looked at Lin Yu's overly calm expression and couldn't help but secretly admire him.

This young commander seems always able to maintain an extraordinary composure amidst turbulent circumstances, as if everything were within his grasp.

Translation: This young commander seemed always able to maintain extraordinary composure amidst turbulent circumstances, as if everything lay within his grasp.

"The court has passed the buck to Murong Qing... the Japanese Kwantung Army is drafting battle plans and even plotting small moves at sea... the hidden agents are becoming active again..." Lin Yu set down his coffee cup, his fingers lightly tapping the sofa's armrest, a playful smile curling his lips, "It seems my fire isn't burning hot enough yet."

Translation: "The Imperial Court passed the buck to Murong Qing…… the Japanese Kwantung Army began drafting battle plans, wanting to stir up trouble at sea…… hidden agents also started becoming active……" Lin Yu set down his coffee cup, his fingers lightly tapping the sofa arm, the corner of his mouth curling in a wry smile: "Looks like my fire isn't burning hot enough yet."

His tone was light, betraying no trace of tension or worry.

Translation: His tone was relaxed, with no hint of tension or worry.

Qi Ming Yuan respectfully asked: "Director, we have basically located the Japanese outposts and agents in Kunshan and Dongchi, along with their personnel composition. Should the Operations Department move to remove these nails first, to prevent them from continuing to gather intelligence or cause trouble during our actions?"

Translation: Qi Ming Yuan respectfully asked: "Chief, regarding the Japanese strongholds and agents in Kunshan and East Pond, we have basically locked down their locations and personnel composition. Should we send the Action Department to take them out first? To prevent them from continuing to gather intelligence or cause trouble during our operations."

Lin Yu heard this and slightly shook his head.

Translation: Lin Yu heard this and merely shook his head slightly.

He rose, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed out at Shen City shrouded in night. The specks of light on the distant Shen River twinkled like stars.

Translation: He rose, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed out at Shen City shrouded in night. In the distance, the specks of light on the Shen River sparkled like stars.

"No rush," Lin Yu said in a calm, clear voice. "These little fish and shrimp are easy to pull out now, but it wouldn't mean much. On the contrary, it could scare the snake, alerting the big fish lurking deeper."

Translation: "Not urgent." Lin Yu's voice was calm and clear: "These little fish and shrimp are easy to pull out now, but it wouldn't mean much. Instead, it would easily scare the snake, alerting the big fish lurking deeper."

His gaze was deep, as if piercing the night to see farther: "The Yan Jing court is hopeless; Murong Qing is old and crafty, won't act until he sees a rabbit, so he won't make any big moves for now. The only ones who pose a direct threat to us, with both the capability and willingness to act, are the Japanese."

Translation: His gaze was deep, as if piercing the night to see farther: "That bunch of good-for-nothings in Yanjing is hopeless; Murong Qing is old and crafty, won't act without seeing a rabbit, so he won't make a big move for now. The only ones truly posing a direct threat to us, with both capability and willingness to act, are the Japanese."

"As for the Kwantung Army, Nanda Youichi and Ishihara Shinichi may be arrogant, but they still need an order from the Imperial General Headquarters to launch a large-scale offensive. This process takes time, giving us time to prepare."

Translation: "As for the Kwantung Army, Nanda Yoichi and Ishihara Shinichi may be arrogant, but they also need an order from the Tokyo General Headquarters to launch a large-scale offensive. This process takes time, also giving us time to prepare."

"As for the agents lurking nearby," Lin Yu's lips curled in a cold arc, "since they love to jump around, let them keep jumping. It's perfect—we can use them to feed them the 'intelligence' we want them to know."

Translation: "As for those agents lurking nearby……" Lin Yu curled the corner of his mouth with a cold, icy arc, "since they enjoy jumping around so much, let them keep jumping. It's perfect to use them to pass along some 'intelligence' we want them to know."

Qi Ming Yuan's eyes flashed with realization. He understood Lin Yu's intention—'cast a long line to catch a big fish.'

Translation: Qi Ming Yuan's eyes flashed with realization. He understood Lin Yu's intention——"cast a long line to catch a big fish."

Keeping these Japanese intelligence outposts and agents not only serves as a smokescreen to confuse the enemy, but can also become a channel for reverse dissemination of false information. Moreover, at a future critical moment, wiping them out in one net could yield unexpected strategic value, such as framing them or using them as bargaining chips in negotiations with Japan.

Translation: Keeping these Japanese intelligence strongholds and agents can not only serve as smokecreens to confuse the enemy, but also become a channel for feeding false intelligence in reverse. Even, at some future critical moment, wiping them out in one net could yield unexpected strategic value, such as framing them or using them as bargaining chips in negotiations with the Japanese.

"Moreover," Lin Yu turned, his sharp gaze fixed on Qi Ming Yuan, "I need to know what the Japanese truly have up their sleeves. Is it only the Kwantung Army's land threat? Or will their proud Combined Fleet also join in? From which direction will they attack, and with what force?"

Translation: "Furthermore," Lin Yu turned, his sharp gaze fixed on Qi Ming Yuan, "I need to know what the Japanese truly have up their sleeve. Is it only the threat of the Kwantung Army's land forces? Or will their proud Combined Fleet also join in? From which direction will they attack? How many troops will they commit?"

"Only by making them feel the moment is ripe and prompting them to act can we see more clearly and strike more precisely."

Translation: "Only when they feel the time is ripe and jump out on their own can we see more clearly and strike more precisely."

Qi Ming Yuan bowed and said: "I understand, sir. The Intelligence Bureau will maintain the highest level of surveillance, missing no clue, and will, according to your instructions, timely release some 'bait'."

Translation: Qi Ming Yuan bowed and said: "Understood, sir. The Intelligence Bureau will continue maintaining the highest level of surveillance, letting no clue slip, and will, according to your instructions, timely release some 'bait'."

"Very good," Lin Yu nodded satisfactorily. "Tell the brothers to be patient. A hunter must have enough patience to wait until the prey enters the optimal range."

Translation: "Very good." Lin Yu nodded satisfactorily, "Tell the brothers to be patient. A hunter needs sufficient patience to wait until the prey enters the optimal range."

His fingers lightly traced the windowpane, as if sketching a future blueprint: "This grand play has only just begun; the lead hasn't even fully appeared yet. We're not in a hurry—let's take our time."

Translation: His fingers lightly traced the windowpane, as if sketching the future blueprint: "This grand play has only just begun; the lead hasn't fully appeared yet. We're not in a rush, let's take it slow."

Night deepened, and outside the window Shen City still blazed with lights, calm as if nothing had happened. Yet beneath that calm, a great storm gathering around the city, driven by all sides, was accelerating.

Translation: Night deepened; outside the window Shen City still blazed with lights, calm as if nothing had happened. Yet beneath this calm, a great storm swirling around the city, driven by all sides, was accelerating its brewing.

And at the storm's center, the young ruler stood by the window, with vision transcending the era and astonishing composure, calmly observing every change on the chessboard, waiting for that moment belonging to him, the decisive moment.