Chapter 266: Sea Battle Ends, Shen City Quiet

Jiang Hai City, a few days after the sea battle ended.

After the thrilling maritime clash and the subsequent land‑cleansing operation, Jiang Hai City's surface quickly returned to its former calm. Ships still shuttled across the waters, streets bustled with traffic, shops opened as usual, as if nothing had happened.

Citizens may have heard vague rumors about the maritime clash, but the specific details and the astonishing results were cleverly controlled by Lin Yu's propaganda machine, circulating only within certain circles, creating an atmosphere of "everything is under control."

Yet beneath this apparent tranquility, hidden currents churn. Patrols in the port area were noticeably intensified, and construction crews began appearing on previously barren coastlines, with large mechanical equipment being delivered, clearly for some secret construction.

Troop movements also became more frequent, and Shen City's entire defense system was quietly being upgraded. The joy of victory permeated Lin Yu's inner circle and the army, but at the same time, vigilance against the Eastern Empire's possible mad retaliation never waned.

At the same time, Sasebo Naval Base, First United Fleet Headquarters.

Dahe Nei Den Qi sat listlessly in his office. Outside the window was a bustling naval port, but he was in no mood to pay attention. The stern telegram from Kyoto was like cold shackles, binding his vengeful fury.

What frustrated him even more was that just as the annihilation of the search sub‑fleet was confirmed, a report from the Army Intelligence Department arrived on his desk—the Empire's intelligence network that had operated for years in the Yan Zhou region suffered a devastating blow almost simultaneously!

From the core outposts surrounding Shen City to the peripheral informants scattered across Kunshan, Dongchi, Yunxu and other counties, they were almost all wiped out! Personnel were either captured or killed, the radio station seized, codebooks fell into enemy hands… This meant the Empire had lost all its "eyes" and "ears" in that area!

A double blow! The navy's successive annihilations, coupled with the total collapse of the intelligence network!

Dahe Nei Den Qi stared at the now‑blank Yan Zhou region on the map, the blue veins on his forehead flaring again, but this time a deeper sense of helplessness overwhelmed him.

He finally understood why Kyoto's senior officials had so strictly forbidden him from acting rashly.

Because they now knew nothing about Shen City's situation, Lin Yu's next move, the true scale and origin of that mysterious fleet… **know nothing! **

They didn't know how many of those terrifying warships Lin Yu still held.

They didn't know how strong Lin Yu's coastal‑defense forces truly were.

They didn't know whether Lin Yu had already anticipated their retaliation and set a more lethal trap.

They couldn't even tell if Lin Yu's fleet was still docked in the harbor or had already set sail again!

Having lost their intelligence source, they were like blind men groping in darkness! Sending the main fleet rashly would be no different from a high‑stakes gamble, a foolish gamble likely to repeat past mistakes!

Dahe Nei Den Qi closed his eyes in pain. Previously, he could issue attack orders relying on the Empire's great strength and contempt for the enemy. Now, facing an opponent whose strength was completely unknown, whose methods were ruthlessly cruel, and whose movements were a total mystery, any impulsive military action could bring disastrous consequences.

This "blindfolded" state became the Damocles sword hanging over his head, binding his hands more effectively than Kyoto's accountability telegram, until they could reestablish effective intelligence channels or otherwise ascertain Lin Yu's true situation.

He dared not, and could no longer easily mobilize the Empire's precious main fleet. Lin Yu's thunderous tactics not only dealt a military blow to them but also, strategically, temporarily forced them into a passive, watchful stance.

Shen City, 9 p. m., Bailemen dance hall, luxurious private box on the second floor.

This place was once the Sun Family's property; now it has changed hands, but its lavish, decadent style remains undiminished, even more so than before. Heavy Persian carpet, soft velvet sofa, exquisite crystal chandelier, the air scented with cigar smoke, high‑end perfume and expensive liquor. The box's soundproofing was superb, isolating the noisy jazz and laughter from the dance floor below, creating a private and noble atmosphere.

On the sofa by the window sat two well‑dressed Western gentlemen. One, slightly older, wore a well‑tailored black suit with a delicate family crest at the collar—he was a noble from Yingjili—Christian. He cradled a glass of whisky on the rocks, his brow slightly furrowed. The other was the head of a large foreign trading firm stationed in Shen City, slightly plump, his expression showing a merchant's shrewdness and a hint of anxiety.

"Strange," Christian swirled his glass, speaking in a pure London accent, his tone marked by obvious bewilderment and a hint of impatience, "logically, the Eastern Empire would never tolerate Lin Yu's arrogance. Where is their fleet? Why has there been no sign for so many days? Do they intend to just let it be?"

The trading‑firm head snorted, his face showing unabashed contempt: "Lord Christian, those Eastern dwarfs—you can't expect them to have any strategic vision. They're just a backward, inferior nation, lucky enough to have a 'reform' like a nouveau riche, and even a suit can't hide their barbaric, short‑sighted nature. Compared with us, the old‑line European aristocracy with a long history and true civilization, they're nothing."

He took a sip of brandy and continued: "Perhaps they're scheming internally, or were frightened by Lin Yu's bluster and are still hesitating. Who knows what those uncivilized minds are thinking."

Christian nodded, agreeing with the assessment of the Eastern "civilization," but then added: "That said, we must admit that these 'nouveau riche' naval forces currently have no rival in Asian waters. Even our Royal Navy's Far East Fleet is reluctant to clash with them directly."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he shifted to the question they cared most about: "If… I mean if the Eastern people ultimately decide to act, using their fleet to force Lin Yu to bow, even sanction him… that could be an opportunity for us."

The trading‑firm head immediately understood, his eyes lighting up: "Exactly! As long as Lin Yu's rule wavers, or he is forced by external pressure to make concessions, we can seize the chance to strike! Pressure him, even unite other nations to take back everything that belongs to us!"

Mentioning the stripped benefits, both men's faces turned resentful.

"This Lin Yu is far too audacious!" Christian set his glass down, his tone icy, "Unilaterally seizing the concession zone! Seizing so many of our assets! This is an outright provocation against the entire Western world! He must pay for this!"