Chapter 46: Zhang Jingyao

Early the next morning, Lin Yu just walked through the Fourth Bureau's gate.

"Boss," Zhou Wei hurriedly greeted, "Mr. Zhang Jingyao has arrived."

"Zhang Jingyao?" Lin Yu frowned.

He is one of the three Chinese directors of the French Concession, together with Shen Zhongyuan and Huang Genrong, known as the three big heads of the French Concession. Zhang Jingyao's status in Shen City is no different from Feng Jingyao in the TV drama *The Bund*.

A business magnate, a Chinese director of the Public Administration Bureau, and a real‑power figure in the French Concession.

Everyone respectfully calls him "Mr. Zhang."

Why would a man like that come to the Fourth Bureau so early in the morning?

"Did he say anything?" Lin Yu asked.

"He said there's an important matter to discuss," Zhou Wei lowered his voice, "but judging by his demeanor, he seems a bit urgent."

Lin Yu sneered, "Urgent? It seems the Fourth Bureau's recent actions have made these Chinese directors restless."

"Do you want to see him?"

"Fine," Lin Yu adjusted his collar, "I want to see what Mr. Zhang has to say."

On the way to the office, Lin Yu squinted.

These Chinese directors appear to represent the Chinese, but in reality they are French lapdogs. Now the Fourth Bureau is unleashing a massacre in the French Concession, wiping out the Green Gang; it's normal that they can't sit still.

In the office, Lin Yu looked at the elderly man before him, dressed in a crisp suit.

Zhang Jingyao was about sixty, slender, with a gaunt face, a pair of gold‑rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, exuding a scholarly aura. Yet his sharp eyes and the faint smile at the corner of his mouth revealed the worldly smoothness typical of a businessman.

"Director Lin," Zhang Jingyao bowed slightly, "I apologize for the intrusion and hope you will forgive me."

His speech carried a heavy Wu dialect softness, sounding especially courteous.

"Mr. Zhang, you are too courteous," Lin Yu rose to greet him, "You are the North Star of the French Concession; your coming to the Fourth Bureau is truly my honor."

"Director Lin, you are joking," Zhang Jingyao waved his hand, "I am merely a businessman; I dare not accept such a title as North Star."

The two took seats as host and guest, and Zhou Wei served fragrant tea.

"I heard Director Lin is a native of Shen City?" Zhang Jingyao sipped his tea lightly, smiling as he asked.

"Yes," Lin Yu nodded, "I once served as a patrol officer on Yunfei Road; Mr. Zhang should have heard of that."

"I've heard of you for a long time," Zhang Jingyao nodded, "I've long heard of the great name 'Iron Forest.'"

During the small talk, both were silently assessing each other.

On the surface it seemed harmonious, but underneath currents swirled.

"Director Lin," Zhang Jingyao set down his teacup, "To be frank, the Fourth Bureau's recent actions have been far too frequent."

He sighed, "The bloodbath of the Green Gang headquarters, the sweep of the Health Union Association… these actions severely affect the prosperity of the French Concession."

"Therefore, Director General Lei Nuo sent me specifically to discuss this with Director Lin."

Lin Yu leaned back in his chair, a cold smile curling his lips, "Mr. Zhang, I said at the banquet that ever since I arrived, the French Concession has had only one rule—the Fourth Bureau's rule."

"But…"

"Moreover," Lin Yu interrupted, "every action I take leaves a trace; I'm not acting recklessly."

He raised a finger, "The sweep of the Health Union Association was because Mitsukawa wanted to act against me."

He raised a second finger, "As for the Green Gang headquarters, Cheng Hu brought it on himself. He not only wanted my head but also set a trap."

Lin Yu sneered, "In this situation, if I don't act, wouldn't it make the Fourth Bureau look easy to bully?"

"This…" Zhang Jingyao was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, both incidents were provoked by the other side first.

But the problem is…

"Director Lin," Zhang Jingyao chose his words carefully, "Your indiscriminate slaughter will make other forces in the French Concession uneasy."

"Uneasy?" Lin Yu sneered, "That's just right; it prevents them from having to learn restraint."

Zhang Jingyao looked into Lin Yu's eyes and suddenly felt a chill.

This young man truly dares to do anything!

Zhang Jingyao paused thoughtfully, lifted his teacup, and said meaningfully, "Director Lin, look at this cup of tea."

"The tea leaves are from Great Dry, the cup is French, and the water used comes from a water plant built by the British…" he gently swirled the cup, "Today's Shen City is just like this cup of tea."

Lin Yu squinted, watching the old fox continue his performance.

"Great Dry's tea leaves, though richly fragrant, ultimately…" Zhang Jingyao sighed, "…ultimately are only steeped in someone else's cup."

He took a sip, "Now the Great Powers' warships are moored on the Shen River, their troops stationed in the concession. Your massive mobilization, Director Lin, is likely…"

"What is it likely?" Lin Yu sneered.

"It will probably muddle this cup of tea," Zhang Jingyao said meaningfully, "No matter how fine the tea leaves are, they can't withstand such stirring."

He set down his cup, "When that time comes, I'm afraid not only the tea leaves will suffer, but the cup itself may…"

"Mr. Zhang," Lin Yu interrupted, "your metaphor is excellent. However…"

He lifted his own cup and drank it in one gulp: "I have never liked using a foreigner's cup.

"Mr. Zhang," Lin Yu set his cup down, "you are right, this is a foreigner's cup. But…"

He sneered, "The tea leaves are ours, the water is ours, this land is ours. Why should we use their cup?"

"Director Lin," Zhang Jingyao's forehead broke into cold sweat, "the words cannot be said like that…"

"I'll say it just like that," Lin Yu stood, looking down at Zhang Jingyao, "go tell Lei Nuo that I, Lin Yu, never act according to anyone's mood."

He said word for word, "The French Concession's rules, the Great Powers' warships, to me are all just jokes."

"You… you're playing with fire!" Zhang Jingyao also stood up.

"Playing with fire?" Lin Yu laughed, "Mr. Zhang, haven't you seen? I've already burned the Eastern Consulate. That fire was lit long ago."

He walked to the window, looking at Shen City outside, "If you're going to be a madman, then go all the way. Isn't that so, Mr. Zhang?"

"Mr. Zhang," Lin Yu turned, his eyes laced with mockery, "you are from Shen City?"

"Yes…" Zhang Jingyao didn't know why he asked that suddenly.

"Then you should remember the History of Great Dry you read as a child, right?" Lin Yu sneered, "Do you recall how glorious Great Dry once was?"

Zhang Jingyao's complexion changed slightly.

"But now?" Lin Yu stepped toward him, "The proud citizens of Great Dry, yet bow and scrape before the Foreigners, serving them at the saddle and behind."

"Director Lin!" Zhang Jingyao's face turned ashen, "That's overstepped!"

"Overstepped?" Lin Yu sneered, "Look at yourself now, you get nervous at the mention of Foreigners, fearing to offend them."

He shook his head, "Mr. Zhang, with this soft‑bony look, can you live up to the Great Dry blood flowing in you?"

"You!" Zhang Jingyao trembled with anger.

"I know," Lin Yu sat back down, "you Chinese bigwigs, pretending to be subservient before the Foreigners, yet flaunting your power before your own people, living carefree."

He lifted his teacup, "However, this kind of life has come to an end."

"Bang!"

Lin Yu suddenly smashed the teacup in his hand onto the floor with force.

The delicate French porcelain shattered instantly into pieces.

"Director Lin!" Zhang Jingyao was startled by the sudden action.

"Mr. Zhang," Lin Yu stood, his voice cold, "I gave you face, that's why I said so much."

He pointed at the fragments on the ground, "But remember, matters of the Fourth Bureau are not for the Foreigners to meddle in."

"You…"

"Want to tear the face with me?" Lin Yu sneered, "Come on then! I want to see whether your rules are hard or my fists are hard!"

"Zhou Wei!"

"Here!"

"See the guest out!"

Zhang Jingyao trembled with anger, but looking at Lin Yu's stern face, he knew nothing more would help.

"Director Lin," he forced down his anger, "I hope you won't regret today's decision!"

"Regret?" Lin Yu scoffed, "Mr. Zhang, go back and think carefully about who will regret!"

Watching Zhang Jingyao's angry departure, Lin Yu narrowed his eyes.

This soft‑bony one will definitely complain to the French.

However...

Lin Yu looked at the broken porcelain on the floor, a cold smile curling his mouth.

Come on, he wants to see what wave these Foreigners can stir up!