Chapter 50

After the meeting dispersed, everyone felt as if they had been granted a great pardon.

The gang leaders were terrified, fleeing as if escaping; even the Three Great Chinese Businessmen left hastily, their faces ashen.

Only one person remained.

Ma San.

This newly risen magnate at Shen City Port, the boss of the Axe Head Gang.

"Ma Boss," Zhou Wei said with a smile, "What's up?"

"Hehe," Ma San rubbed his hands, "I want to see Director Lin."

"Come in," Lin Yu's voice came from the office.

Ma San hastily tidied his clothes and quickly walked into the office.

"Big Brother!" he grinned, "Today's move was superb! Scared them silly!"

Lin Yu lit a cigarette and gestured for him to sit.

"Big Brother," Ma San rubbed his hands, "Rest assured, I've secured our foothold at the port. The Hong Gang daren't provoke us, and the Green Gang is leaderless."

He hehe laughed: "The protection money the brothers collect each day is turned in on time. Look, I've brought today's share."

Saying that, he pulled out a stack of silver dollars from his pocket.

"Keep it," Lin Yu said lightly, "I want you to watch the port for me, not for this little money."

"Understood, understood!" Ma San nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, Big Brother, as long as I'm at the port for a day, no one dares cause trouble there!"

Lin Yu nodded in satisfaction.

This Ma San indeed did not disappoint him.

He's not only good at fighting, but also very adept at handling affairs.

Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring: "Ma San, I have a task for you."

"Speak, Big Brother!" Ma San immediately sat upright.

"The port is just the beginning," Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, "I want you to expand your influence to the entire French Concession."

"The entire French Concession?" Ma San's eyes lit up.

"Exactly," Lin Yu said coldly, "Replace the Hong Gang and become the biggest gang in the French Concession. I want you to control the entire Underground World."

He stood up, walked to the window: "Starting from the French Concession, gradually influence all of Shen City."

"Understood!" Ma San excitedly rubbed his hands, "Don't worry, Big Brother, I will surely make the Axe Head Gang the biggest gang in Shen City!"

But then he showed a troubled expression: "But Big Brother... I only have about two hundred brothers under me, which is... a bit insufficient."

"The Hong Gang alone has at least three thousand men, and the Green Gang has one or two thousand." Ma San rubbed his hands, "If only we could have more manpower..."

"Three hundred?" Lin Yu pondered a moment, "I'll arrange five hundred for you as soon as possible."

"Five... five hundred?" Ma San almost jumped up, "Big Brother, are you serious?"

"I'll figure it out," Lin Yu said lightly, "They'll all be well-trained capable men, and their equipment will be complete."

"Great!" Ma San excitedly rubbed his hands, "As long as the manpower is in place, I guarantee that within a month I'll make the Hong Gang disappear from the French Concession!"

"Take it slow," Lin Yu reminded, "Don't be too conspicuous. Remember, you're just an ordinary gang, with no connection to the Fourth Bureau."

"Understood, understood!" Ma San nodded repeatedly, "Just watch, Big Brother, I'll definitely handle this splendidly!"

Watching Ma San's retreating back, Lin Yu curled the corner of his mouth in a cold smile.

Soon, the entire Underground World of Shen City will be under his control!

Lin Yu stood by the window, gazing at Shen City in the night.

Actually, as his subordinate troops continually expand, such gang forces as the Axe Head Gang are no longer that important to him.

But Lin Yu is well versed in the art of power.

To control a city, relying solely on overt strength is not enough.

Black and White Sides, neither can be lacking.

Overtly, he has the Fourth Bureau as an official agency, and well-equipped troops.

Covertly, he needs underground forces like the Axe Head Gang.

Collecting protection fees, controlling the port, gathering intelligence, infiltrating all sectors... these shady tasks must be done by gangs.

The rise of the Axe Head Gang has already begun to show results:

All goods moving in and out of the port must pass through the Axe Head Gang's hands;

The movements of all major firms cannot escape the Axe Head Gang's surveillance;

The flow of funds in the Underground Money House is under the Axe Head Gang's control;

Even every move of the various consulates can be promptly transmitted to Lin Yu's ears.

Most importantly, this information and these benefits will have no connection to the Fourth Bureau.

To outsiders, the Axe Head Gang is just one among many gangs, merely a bit stronger.

No one would think that behind this gang stands the Director of the Fourth Bureau.

This is the effect Lin Yu wants.

Overtly decisive and swift, covertly his reach spreads everywhere.

Once the Axe Head Gang completely replaces the Hong Gang and becomes the largest gang in the French Concession, his layout will be even more complete.

By then, all of Shen City, from above ground to underground, from light to dark, will be firmly under his control!

This, then, is true power!

"Ding!"

【Congratulations to the host for intimidating all the gang bosses, the Three Great Chinese Businessmen, and business figures, displaying a tough hand, and earning the Hardness Value Reward of 200 points!】

【Currently possessing Hardness Value: 4300 points】

Lin Yu looked at the System Prompt, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

4,300 points of hard value...

A Mid-level Lottery draw costs 1,000 points.

That means, enough for four draws.

"—It's time to expand my power." Lin Yu silently calculated.

Ma San needs five hundred troops, and his own forces should also be expanded.

Moreover, the Fourth Bureau's equipment also needs an upgrade.

The most important thing is...

Lin Yu squinted.

He had promised Ma San five hundred men, and must fulfill it.

Otherwise, this capable officer's morale would be hurt.

"—System."

Lin Yu silently thought in his heart: "—Open the Mid-level Lottery interface."

【Mid-level Lottery interface opened】

【Current hard value: 4300 points】

【Each draw consumes: 1000 points】

【Start the draw?】

Lin Yu took a deep breath.

"—Start the draw!"

This time, he will push his power in Shen City to a new height!

Shen City Grand Restaurant, second‑floor private room.

The gang bosses and the Three Great Chinese Businessmen gathered together, each with a worried frown.

"—This Lin Madman is really getting more and more dismissive of us!" a gang boss said angrily.

"—Exactly," another replied, "—A Protection Fee of ten percent per month, isn't that a death sentence for us?"

Shen Zhongyuan took a drag of his cigarette, and said gravely: "—The question is, pay or not pay?"

"—Not pay?" Zhang Jingyao forced a smile, "—Look at Pierre's fate. That's a Frenchman's property, and he dared to touch it!"

"—Indeed," a merchant boss wiped cold sweat, "—This madman can do anything."

"—But if we pay," the Hong Gang boss gritted his teeth, "—how can our gangs survive in Shen City?"

"—Survive?" Zhang Jingyao sneered, "—Didn't you hear him? Starting tomorrow, the French Concession will only follow the Fourth Bureau's rules!"

The crowd fell silent.

Indeed, this is clearly demanding they bow and submit!

"—How about... we join forces?" a gang boss suggested loudly.

"—Join forces?" Shen Zhongyuan shook his head, "—Isn't the Health Union Association just an example? Cheng Hu is still begging on the streets!"

"—But we can't just give up, can we?"

"—Then what do you suggest?"

The crowd chattered, but no one made a decision.

"—In my view," Shen Zhongyuan finally sighed, "—this money still has to be paid."

"—And if not?" Zhang Jingyao forced a smile, "—Are we waiting for him to come and break our legs?"

No one objected.

Because they all understood:

In front of this madman, no one can play hard!