Chapter 49

"Gentlemen," Lin Yu lit a cigarette, "The existence of the Fourth Bureau is to maintain law and order and prosperous stability in the French Concession."

He exhaled a smoke ring: "This is a very arduous task, requiring massive manpower and resources."

Everyone present held their breath, waiting for his next words.

"So," Lin Yu said with a smile, "Starting tomorrow, the Fourth Bureau will collect a modest fee."

"Security fee, charged at five percent of monthly revenue."

"Protection fee, charged at three percent of monthly revenue."

"Stability fee, charged at two percent of monthly revenue."

Lin Yu's voice was not loud, but every word reached each ear in the room clearly.

"A total of ten percent," he said with a smile, "That figure should be quite reasonable, right?"

No one dared to speak.

But everyone inside was calculating: This is not a fee, it is clearly a Protection Fee!

Moreover this figure...

This is outright robbery!

But looking at Pierre's blood‑stained face, and recalling Cheng Hu's fate, who would still dare say a "no"?

"Of course," Lin Yu continued, "if anyone thinks this figure is unreasonable..."

He looked at Pierre meaningfully: "I would be happy to discuss it... privately."

The whole conference room fell silent.

This madman wants to grip the entire French Concession in his hand!

After a moment of silence, Shen Zhongyuan finally spoke.

"Director Lin," he chose his words carefully, "Law and order in the French Concession has always been maintained by the French Concession Police Bureau, as stipulated by the treaty."

He glanced at the others and continued, "To put it bluntly, this has nothing to do with the Fourth Bureau."

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, watching him quietly.

"According to the concession treaty," Shen Zhongyuan's voice grew louder, "all affairs within the concession, including law and order and taxation, are fully under the authority of the Public Administration Bureau."

He said sternly, "The Great Dry Dynasty has no right to intervene. This is a treaty signed between the Great Powers and Great Dry. Director Lin, your actions are irregular."

Zhang Jingyao, seeing Shen Zhongyuan start, added, "That's right, the Fourth Bureau has been idle for many years. Since this area was designated as the French Concession, the Fourth Bureau has had no need to exist."

He looked at Lin Yu, "Although the Fourth Bureau has been reactivated now, that is also the court's will. Frankly, the court in Shen City has no real say."

"The concession is the concession," Zhang Jingyao continued, "The Fourth Bureau is the Fourth Bureau. Director Lin, what you are doing breaks long‑standing rules."

"Moreover," Shen Zhongyuan added, "your fee standard is truly..."

He shook his head, "I doubt any merchant could afford it."

"Indeed," Zhang Jingyao agreed, "paying ten percent of revenue each month—are you trying to drive us to death?"

The two Chinese directors exchanged remarks, each making a point.

Others also nodded silently.

Indeed, on what authority does the Fourth Bureau collect Protection Fees in the French Concession?

This is French territory, not Great Dry's.

But soon they noticed Lin Yu's expression growing colder.

In those eyes, a dangerous light flickered.

Everyone recalled Pierre's recent fate.

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became tense.

How will this madman respond to these doubts?

Lin Yu slowly extinguished the cigarette in his hand.

"No need to remind me," his voice was light yet carried a chill, "I know very well this is the French Concession."

He stood up, "I also know there are entrenched rules here. But..."

Lin Yu looked around, "The existence of the Fourth Bureau is to break the rules."

He sneered, "If we cling to old conventions, the Fourth Bureau would have no purpose."

"Director Lin," Shen Zhongyuan said gravely, "I want to know, is this Commander Qin's intention? Or the court's?"

He looked at Lin Yu meaningfully, "Or perhaps... it's just you, Director Lin, personally?"

Clearly, Shen Zhongyuan was probing Lin Yu's background.

If it is Commander Qin's intention, there is still room to maneuver.

If it is the court's intention, it must be handled cautiously.

But if it is merely Lin Yu's personal intention...

"Does that make a difference?" Lin Yu said coldly.

His gaze swept over everyone present, "I called you here not to discuss..."

"but to notify!"

He said the last three words with great emphasis.

The whole conference room instantly fell silent.

Everyone heard an unmistakable meaning in those words.

This madman is determined to set his own rules in the French Concession!

"Gentlemen," Lin Yu's voice suddenly softened, "I am a very direct person."

He pointed at Pierre, who was slumped limp in his seat, "You have all seen the consequence of disobedience."

"Starting tomorrow," Lin Yu continued, "Anyone who doesn't follow my rules is an enemy of the Fourth Bureau."

He walked to the window, pointing at the opposite side of the street: "Cheng Hu, you all know him, right? The boss of the Green Gang, now a blind beggar."

He then pointed at Pierre: "Mr. Pierre of the Nesli Trading Company, a Frenchman, now with a bloody head."

Lin Yu turned around, his eyes like knives: "I never show mercy to my enemies."

"No matter if you are a gang boss or a business owner..."

"No matter if your backers are French or British..."

"No matter how much money you have, how powerful your background..."

He said, word by word: "Before the Fourth Bureau, it's all the same."

The entire conference room was deathly silent.

Everyone felt a bone-chilling cold.

Is this even a meeting?

Clearly, this is a show of force!

"Of course," Lin Yu said, returning with a gentle smile, "if you all follow the rules, the Fourth Bureau will naturally protect everyone's interests."

He sat back down in the main seat: "That's what I wanted to say today."

"As for whether you listen or not..."

Lin Yu gave Pierre and Cheng Hu outside the window a meaningful look: "It's up to your own choices."

No one spoke.

But everyone understood one principle:

This madman really dares to do anything!

Lin Yu lit another cigarette and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

"My words are done," he said, scanning the room, a meaningful smile curling his lips, "who agrees?"

No one spoke.

"Who opposes?"

Still no one spoke.

In the entire conference room, you could hear a pin drop.

The gang bosses lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

The business owners looked at each other, who still dared to say a "no"?

Even the Three Great Chinese Businessmen remained silent.

Pierre covered his bleeding forehead, trembling.

At that moment, everyone recalled that famous saying:

Silence means consent.

And here, silence is the wiser choice.

After all...

Nobody wants to become a second Cheng Hu or a second Pierre.

Lin Yu nodded satisfactorily: "Good, it seems everyone has no objections."

He stood up: "Meeting adjourned."

As he walked toward the door, he turned back and added: "Remember, starting tomorrow, the French Concession will have only one rule..."

"The Fourth Bureau's rule!"