Chapter 67: Revealing Identity

Lin Yu pulled a gold‑bordered commission from his bosom and gently placed it on the table.

"Commander, want to know who I am?" he smiled faintly, "Then please look at this."

Qin Dong Zhi skeptically took the commission, and when he read its contents his complexion changed instantly.

"Great... Great Dry Cabinet Military Affairs Office?" his hand trembled slightly, "Shen City Security Army Inspector?"

Lin Yu lit a cigarette, leisurely exhaled a smoke ring, "So, Commander, do you understand now?"

Qin Dong Zhi's expression shifted repeatedly. He examined the gold seal on the commission again; it was indeed the official seal of the Military Affairs Office, impossible to forge.

"I see," he said with a wry smile, "No wonder you dare act so recklessly in Shen City; you are an imperial envoy of the court."

"Commander, you speak heavily," Lin Yu replied lightly, "I'm merely a minor Inspector."

"A minor Inspector?" Qin Dong Zhi sneered, "You represent the court in overseeing the entire security system; even I, the Security Commander, fall under your supervision. Lin Inspector, your post is far from small."

"So what?" Lin Yu stared at Qin Dong Zhi, "Is there something unsavory in the Commander's mind?"

A cold glint flashed in Qin Dong Zhi's eyes, but he quickly regained composure, "Lin Inspector, you're joking. I, Qin Dong Zhi, have served the court for years and have no regrets."

"Is that so?" Lin Yu smiled meaningfully, "Then that's perfect."

The atmosphere in the private room shifted subtly.

The previously tense standoff turned into a strange equilibrium.

One is the court's imperial envoy, the other a local power broker.

Both know that from this moment, Shen City's landscape will undergo earth‑shattering changes.

Qin Dong Zhi's fingers unconsciously brushed the commission, his mind racing with countless thoughts.

Lin Yu, the court's Inspector?

This madman running amok in Shen City is actually the court's imperial envoy?

No, there's something wrong here.

Qin Dong Zhi squinted, carefully recalling everything that had happened. Lin Yu led that well‑equipped force to appear out of nowhere, advancing forcefully, never taking anyone seriously.

That force truly belongs to the court?

As the Shen City Security Commander, he knows the court's troops intimately. The German Armored Camp? He had never heard of such a powerful unit in the court.

Moreover, if the court wishes to dispatch troops, why not inform the Security Commander directly?

Also, Lin Yu's methods bear no resemblance to a court official—burning the consulate, killing the consul, blood‑sweeping the concession... none of that matches court conduct. The court now fears offending the Great Powers; how could it send such a madman to Shen City?

Unless...

Qin Dong Zhi felt a chill in his heart.

Unless the court has already grown suspicious of him!

Over the years he has run Shen City, holding the reins of the entire security system. Though loyal to the court, he cannot guarantee the court won't become wary.

So they sent an Inspector, accompanied by a powerful force...

To check him? Or to... replace him?

Qin Dong Zhi's hand trembled slightly.

No, there's another possibility.

Could this Lin Yu be linked to a high‑ranking court minister? Could that force be a private army of some faction?

Currently the court's factions are openly and covertly battling; perhaps someone aims to control Shen City, a crucial stronghold.

And he himself is the stumbling block.

"Damned it!" Qin Dong Zhi muttered under his breath.

Whatever the possibility, none is good news for him. An Inspector wielding heavy troops and deep connections could at any moment threaten his position.

Moreover, this Inspector is a man of reckless actions.

Qin Dong Zhi watched Lin Yu across the table, sipping wine leisurely, and felt a chill in his heart.

The waters of Shen City are bound to get even deeper.

Lin Yu looked at Qin Dong Zhi opposite him, a faint smile playing at his lips.

"Old Fox, you must be a bundle of tangled thoughts right now, aren't you?"

He could see the shift in Qin Dong Zhi's gaze—from initial shock, to doubt, then fear, and finally deep unease. None of these emotions escaped his eyes.

This Inspector's commission was like a heavyweight bomb, detonating straight in Qin Dong Zhi's heart.

Old Fox must now be wondering: am I a court man or a faction man? Where did that German Armored Camp come from? Why does the court send an Inspector to Shen City? To check me, or to replace me?

Lin Yu chuckled to himself.

This is the effect he wanted.

To make Old Fox unable to see through, unable to guess, haunted by suspicion.

With the Inspector's title, his actions in Shen City become even more convenient. Even a massive event like the blood‑sweeping of the Eastern Concession can be brushed off as "purging the court's illicit affairs."

And Qin Dong Zhi, the Old Fox who has run Shen City for years, now must show him a modicum of respect.

After all, no one knows whether there truly is a court shadow behind him. In these turbulent times, who would dare offend an enigmatic imperial envoy?

"Old Fox," Lin Yu thought coldly, "you'll probably lose sleep tonight."

He lifted his glass and took a gentle sip.

The game of Shen City has only just begun.

And he has already seized the initiative.

"Lin Inspector," Qin Dong Zhi paused for a long silence before speaking, his tone now much softer, "Since you are the court's imperial envoy, I, the Security Commander, will of course cooperate fully."

"Commander, you are being courteous," Lin Yu chuckled lightly, "I'm only here to inspect military affairs and will not interfere with the Commander's daily duties."

"Is that so?" Qin Dong Zhi gave Lin Yu a meaning‑laden look, "Then the blood‑sweeping of the Eastern Concession..."

"What?" Lin Yu stared at him, "Does the Commander think I did something wrong?"

"— I dare not," Qin Dong Zhi shook his head, "— it's just that this affair has gotten too big, over there with the Foreigners..."

"— Foreigners?" Lin Yu sneered, "— they commit crimes on our territory, oppress the people; do we not even have the authority to deal with them?"

Qin Dong Zhi was startled, then gave a wry smile, "— Lin Inspector is right. It's just..."

"— Commander, rest assured," Lin Yu interrupted him, "— I have my own sense of proportion. The court sent me to Shen City, certainly not to be a mere ornament."

Qin Dong Zhi's eyes flickered for a moment, "— Then, Inspector, what are your plans next?"

"— Plans?" Lin Yu smiled meaningfully, "— Commander, do you think Shen City now needs to be reorganized?"

Qin Dong Zhi felt a chill in his heart. Is this the real deal now?

"— Since this is the court's will," he said cautiously, "— that is naturally fine. I only ask that the Inspector kindly give me further guidance."

"— Commander joked," Lin Yu stood up, "— you have managed Shen City for years; you know the situation here better than anyone. I believe that as long as the Commander cooperates, Shen City's situation will certainly improve."

Qin Dong Zhi also stood up, "— Lin Inspector, rest assured, I will fully cooperate."

"— That's good," Lin Yu patted Qin Dong Zhi's shoulder, "— it's getting late, Commander, you may go. Another day I will visit the command post."

Watching Qin Dong Zhi's departing back, Lin Yu's mouth curled into a cold smile.

This Old Fox has finally softened.