Chapter 26: line with translation of chapter title

Lin Yu ordered Zhang Zhi Yuan to immediately arrange personnel to convert the servant quarters and garage in the rear courtyard into temporary barracks. Fortunately, this mansion had many buildings; after simple modifications, it could barely accommodate these 850 troops stationed.

Watching the busy figures, Lin Yu fell into contemplation.

How to let this troop appear openly in Shen City is a major problem. My current identity is Fourth Bureau Chief, with under two or three hundred military police members; this scale is just right. But if a well-equipped battalion-sized unit suddenly appeared, the court would surely think I was raising a private army.

Moreover, this troop's equipment is shockingly advanced. MG42 machine guns, advanced mortar systems—these far exceed the current era's standards. Knowing that World War I had just ended, the main forces of various countries still used water-cooled Maxim heavy machine guns; who has seen such over-the-top equipment?

"How should I explain the origin of this troop?" Lin Yu frowned in thought.

But soon he snorted coldly, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes: "What explanation? At worst, just lay it out openly—so what?"

Indeed, if one has sufficient strength, is any explanation needed?

The emperor takes turns sitting; next year it'll be my turn!

Kings, marquises, and generals—are they born of a special kind?

The Great Dry Dynasty has long since rotted to the core. Especially its control over the region south of the Longjiang River, which is practically nominal. Here, a provincial governor of troops is in fact a warlord who has declared himself king, hearing orders but not obeying them.

Take Qin Dong Zhi, for example: his thirty-thousand-strong force is nominally the Great Dry's army, but in reality the court cannot even issue their pay. Qin Dong Zhi can maintain this force only thanks to his various gray-income sources in Shen City.

With such a Great Dry, what is there left to fear?

"In chaotic times, the victor becomes king, the loser a bandit." Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, "As long as I have sufficient strength, even if the court finds out, what can they do?"

Furthermore, the combat power of this troop under my command is likely greater than Qin Dong Zhi's thirty-thousand motley crew. With over-the-top equipment, excellent training, and rich combat experience, such an elite force in this era is practically a dimensional strike.

"Once I save up enough toughness points for a few mid-level lotteries..." Lin Yu curled his lips in a cold smile, "By then it won't be a matter of hiding or not, but who dares to move against me!"

In chaotic times, strength is everything. Aren't all the warlords on this land built up this way?

"Feng An!" Lin Yu suddenly shouted.

"Present!" The battalion commander immediately ran over.

"Let the brothers rest for the night; tomorrow I will inspect the troops." Lin Yu said in a deep voice, "Also, prepare a detailed equipment list so I can plan properly."

"Yes!"

Watching Feng An's retreating back, Lin Yu's gaze grew ever more resolute.

This troop is the capital for my rise in this chaotic age. Having chosen this path, I will go all the way to the end!

As for the court? Ha, once I become truly strong, this rotten court might already have collapsed.

By then, a new storm will surely sweep across this land!

And he, Lin Yu, will be the eye of that storm!

Lin Yu finished a bowl of nourishing black-bone chicken soup, then lay down and slept. Too many things happened today, but each lifted his spirits.

The next morning, he arrived at the Fourth Bureau full of vigor.

Just as he sat down in the office, Zhou Wei came in with tea. This young secretary, whom he had summoned from the system as a trusted aide, handled matters efficiently and never needed him to over-explain.

"Chief, your tea." Zhou Wei set the teacup on the table and skillfully lit a cigarette for Lin Yu.

"Mm." Lin Yu took a satisfied puff.

Seated behind the spacious desk, Lin Yu felt at ease. The bureau's daily affairs were handled by Zhang Zhi Yuan and others, making his hands-off manager role wonderfully carefree.

But today he had no intention of continuing as a hands-off manager.

Gazing at the sunlight outside, Lin Yu calculated: by noon he would take the military police and directly sweep the Health Union Association's premises. Those foreign riffraff have run rampant in the French Concession for years; it's time to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Moreover, the Health Union Association's headquarters on Xiafei Road is a veritable fat sheep. Its legitimate businesses include casinos, smoke dens, and brothels, while behind the scenes it trades in arms and opium. Such a treasure trove—if he didn't ruthlessly take a share, Lin Yu would not let it rest.

"Zhou Wei," Lin Yu suddenly said, "have Zhang Zhi Yuan prepare personnel for action at noon."

"Understood." Zhou Wei immediately turned and left.

Lin Yu stood up and walked to the window. From here he could just see the Health Union Association's sign glittering in the sunlight.

Lin Yu curled his lips in a cold smile: Mitsukawa, you like to play, don't you? Well then, let's have a good play!

Early in the morning, the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Bureaus began to stir with undercurrents.

These three action bureaus are ordinary security forces responsible for public order, with generally average equipment and training. Each bureau has about two hundred plus personnel, basically equipped with batons and a few revolver pistols; only the bureau chiefs and a few squad leaders carry handguns.

Third Bureau Chief Chen Guotai, while rubbing his belly kicked sore by Lin Yu, gritted his teeth and ordered: "Call everyone to me!"

The Third Bureau is located in the eastern district, a three-story brick building. The first floor is the office area, the second floor the meeting room and archives, the third floor the bureau chief's office. The compound also has two rows of flat-roofed houses, which are the personnel's dormitories.

The Fifth Bureau's situation is similar. Sun Zhiyuan, feeling his burning face, said hatefully to his subordinates: "Assemble everyone, follow me to meet that brat who doesn't know the height of heaven or depth of earth!"

The Fifth Bureau is in the British Concession, a two-story old Western-style building. Their equipment is even worse; most personnel lack revolver pistols and can only carry batons.

The Sixth Bureau is in the old city area, its situation no better. Although it has over two hundred people, only a few are truly capable of fighting.

"Damn it," Zhao Hongfei said fiercely, "If this brat doesn't get a taste of his own medicine, he really thinks he's somebody!"

Over six hundred personnel from the three bureaus successively advanced toward the Fourth Bureau in the French Concession, all burning with anger, ready to give this arrogant young bureau chief a profound lesson.

But they do not know that what awaits them will be what kind of nightmare......

On the streets of Shen City, a massive troop appeared.

Chen Guotai, Sun Zhiyuan, and Zhao Hongfei, the three bureau chiefs, led the way, followed by over seven hundred troops. Among them, more than a hundred carried revolver pistols, the rest held batons and had short knives at their waists.

This mighty troop marched toward the French Concession, and wherever it passed, pedestrians made way.

"Damn it, this brat who doesn't know the height of heaven or depth of earth, today I'll make him know how many eyes the Horse King has!" Chen Guotai cursed as he walked.

"Exactly," Sun Zhiyuan sneered, "Just arrived and already so arrogant; if we don't teach him a lesson, we'd really be taking these old men for vegetarians!"

Zhao Hongfei felt the revolver at his waist: "I want to see how his over two hundred men will fight us!"

The three of them didn't put Lin Yu in their eyes. In their view, even if the Fourth Bureau had over two hundred people, it could not possibly match their side's seven or eight hundred. Moreover, their side still had over a hundred guns!