Chapter 65: There's nothing Lin Yu won't dare to do

Inside the Public Administration Bureau Building in the French Concession, the lights were bright.

Director General Lei Nuo sat in the chief seat, his face grim enough to wring water; Deputy Director General Du Pont, several French directors, and Chinese Directors Shen Zhongyuan and Zhang Jingyao sat on either side; Police Chief Martin stood to the side, reporting the situation.

"Gentlemen," Martin's voice hoarse, "the tragic state of the Eastern Concession—I'm sure you all know it. Over three thousand were killed, the concession burnt more than half, all shops looted clean..."

"Mon Dieu!" Lei Nuo slammed the table, "Is Lin Yu crazy? How dare he? How dare he!"

"What's more worrying," Du Pont interjected, "the Fourth Bureau is right inside our French Concession! This drawn sword hangs over our heads!"

The meeting room fell silent. Yes, the Fourth Bureau is right in the French Concession, and this mad Lin Yu has already proven with his actions that he dares to do anything.

"Do you all still remember," Shen Zhongyuan said, "when we agreed to let the Fourth Bureau station here? Who could have imagined back then..."

Zhang Jingyao gave a bitter laugh: "Who could have imagined he'd go this crazy? First he burned the consulate, killed the consul, now he's blood‑bathing the whole concession!"

"The problem is," Police Chief Martin wiped his cold sweat, "our police force is no match for them. You've seen it—even the Easterners' gendarmerie was wiped out by them..."

Lei Nuo rose and walked to the window. Outside, the Eastern Concession still smoked black.

"We must find a way," he said turning, "otherwise who knows who his next target will be?"

"But what can we do?" Du Pont spread his hands, "We can't exactly kick him out of the French Concession, can we?"

"Expel?" Martin sneered, "With just our police? We probably couldn't even get past their gate!"

Shen Zhongyuan pondered for a moment: "Why don't I go talk to him?"

"Talk?" Lei Nuo shook his head, "What's there to discuss with a madman? He dares to kill the Eastern consul—would he even notice us?"

"But we have to try," Shen Zhongyuan said solemnly, "It's better than sitting and waiting to die. At least we need to make him understand that our French Concession is different from the Easterners..."

"Right," Zhang Jingyao agreed, "We've always coexisted peacefully with him, no conflict. As long as he doesn't provoke us..."

"You're too naïve!" Du Pont interrupted, "Would he care about that? Haven't you seen how crazy he was when he blood‑bathed the Eastern Concession?"

The meeting room fell silent again.

From afar came the church bell, its melodious sound echoing in the night sky. But now, that sound made everyone present feel a twinge of unease.

They all knew the city had changed. The Fourth Bureau was like a drawn sword, flashing cold light, ready to strike any target at any moment.

And they, the representatives of the Great Powers in Shen City, could only wait with bated breath, waiting to see where that sword would swing next.

"God bless..." Lei Nuo murmured, "May this not be the start of a disaster..."

The news swept like a hurricane through the various concessions of Shen City.

Inside the American Concession consulate, Consul Smith was convening an emergency meeting.

"This is outright madness!" he exclaimed, waving the report, "In just one night, over three thousand lives! The entire Eastern Concession looted clean!"

"Even more terrifying is Lin Yu's audacity," Deputy Consul Thompson wiped his forehead sweat, "He cares nothing for consequences, for international conventions, even for the war he might provoke!"

The situation in the Russian Concession was no better. Governor Petrov sat in his office, a half‑empty bottle of vodka before him.

"Damn it," he cursed, "Is Lin Yu trying to turn Shen City upside down?"

"Sir," his assistant whispered, "Should we strengthen our defenses?"

"Defense?" Petrov scoffed, "Haven't you seen what happened to the Easterners? Their gendarmerie was wiped out!"

In the German Concession's Works Bureau, Bureau Chief Schmidt was meeting with several committee members.

"This is a dangerous signal," he said gravely, "Lin Yu is challenging the Great Powers' rule over Shen City!"

"But what can we do?" one committee member wryly asked, "Who dares provoke him now?"

In the Italian Concession governor's office, the atmosphere was even more solemn.

"We must find a way to protect ourselves," Governor Antonio paced, "This madman will do anything!"

"Should we contact the other concessions?" the secretary suggested.

"What good would that do?" Antonio shook his head, "Now everyone's just trying to survive!"

In the Belgian Concession administrator's office, the lights were on.

"Step up patrols!" the administrator ordered, "All key institutions must be on 24‑hour alert!"

"But sir," the subordinate objected, "with just our manpower..."

"Shut up! We can't just sit and wait to die!"

Inside the Austrian Concession governor's residence, the governor was sending a telegram to Vienna.

"We must request aid!" he told the telegraph operator, "This place is no longer safe!"

In the Danish Concession's Works Bureau, the bureau chief was meeting with all department heads.

"From now on," he said sternly, "anything related to the Fourth Bureau must be handled with extreme caution! Never provoke them!"

The nine concessions, each governing itself, showed their first rift. Panic spread like a plague, and every concession's leader pondered the same question:

Will we be the next target?

That question hung over them like a sword, leaving everyone on edge.

Only then did they realize that in this city, there truly was someone who dared not to regard the Great Powers, who dared to challenge their authority in the bloodiest way.

And that person was right here in the French Concession, among them.

No one knows what he'll do next, but everyone sees: Shen City's pattern has been shattered.

This city, carved up by the Great Powers, is about to undergo an unprecedented transformation.

The price of this transformation will be blood, lives, and the interests the Great Powers have cultivated for years.

But no one can stop its arrival.

Because the man named Lin Yu has already proven with his actions: in this city, there's nothing he dares not do!

Lin Yu sat in his office, fingers lightly toying with a pure silver lighter. It was one of the spoils taken from the Eastern Concession, finely crafted, with a cherry‑blossom pattern engraved on it.

"Click."

He opened the lighter, the flame flickering in the dark.

"Qin Dong Zhi, Qin Dong Zhi," Lin Yu muttered to himself, "It's time to have a good talk with you, old fox."

He pressed the electric bell on the desk.

"；Secretary Zhou."；

"；Yes, sir."； Zhou Wei pushed the door and entered.

"；Call the Security Command Headquarters."； Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, "；Just say I'm hosting a banquet tonight at the Grand Three Yuan Restaurant, please Commander Qin honor us with your presence."；

"；Just that?"；

"；Hmm,"； Lin Yu fiddled with the lighter, "；Just say I have important matters to discuss."；

Zhou Wei nodded, turned and went out to make a call.

Lin Yu stood up, walked to the window. In the distance, the Eastern Concession was still emitting black smoke. This fire, I don't know if it also scorched the heart of that old fox Qin Dongzhi, making it anxious?

"；Pop."；

He flicked the lighter open again, watching the dancing flame, a hint of a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

This banquet, I don't know if Commander Qin can stomach it?