Chapter 70: The Mediator

Heh, Lin Yu finished reading the telegram, gave a cold snort, "Those foreigners sure know how to show off."

Director Lin, Li Mingze said cautiously, "This Ninth Division is indeed tough to handle. According to our intelligence, this unit is well-equipped and extremely strong in combat. And..."

"And what?"

"And they came this time with a determination to kill," Li Mingze lowered his voice, "the lives of over three thousand Japanese expatriates; they won't just let it go."

Lin Yu lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip: "So what? What does the Security Command Headquarters mean?"

"The Commander's meaning is," Li Mingze carefully chose his words, "since the other side is willing to talk, we might as well sit down and discuss it properly. After all..."

"After all what?" Lin Yu set down his teacup, his eyes suddenly sharpening, "After all, should we be afraid of them?"

"No, no, no," Li Mingze quickly waved his hands, "I don't mean that. Just..."

"Go tell Commander Qin," Lin Yu stood up and walked to the window, "just say I understand. As for the meeting..."

He turned around, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile: "Let the foreigners' envoy come; I want to see what tricks they can play."

Li Mingze looked at Lin Yu's back and, for some reason, suddenly felt a chill.

This young man, though he was smiling, gave off a feeling that made one's blood run cold.

"Well... then I'll take my leave."

Watching Li Mingze's hurriedly retreating back, Lin Yu's smile gradually faded.

"The Ninth Division?" He muttered to himself, "Just in time."

"Zhou Wei!"

"Here!"

"Get the brothers ready," Lin Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of cold light, "it looks like we're going to have a tough fight."

Two days later, Shen City Security Command Headquarters.

The Japanese Empire's envoy, Muto Chiaki, under the protection of a squad of warriors, strode into the command headquarters building.

This envoy was tall and slender, with a stern visage. He wore a finely tailored black uniform, the medal on his chest flashing coldly in the sunlight. Most striking was the scar across his left eye, running horizontally across the corner, giving a feeling that made one's blood run cold.

"Commander Qin," Muto Chiaki entered the office, his gaze sweeping around the room before settling on Qin Dongzhi, "I've long heard of your great name."

His Chinese was very standard, but his tone carried an innate arrogance.

"Envoy Muto, you've come a long way, please have a seat." Qin Dongzhi gestured for the secretary to serve tea.

Muto Chiaki sat on the sofa, his slender fingers lightly stroking the ancestral samurai sword at his waist. This sword had accompanied him in battle for many years, the dark patterns on its sheath recounting countless bloody tales.

"No need for tea," he said lightly, "I've come this time to seek justice for my fallen compatriots."

He stared directly into Qin Dongzhi's eyes: "Over three thousand lives—Commander Qin, how do you think they should be accounted for?"

Qin Dongzhi could feel the pressure in the other's gaze, but having spent many years in official circles, he kept his composure and replied, "That's exactly what we need to discuss. Tomorrow morning, at the Da San Yuan Restaurant, Lin Yu will come."

"Lin Yu..." Muto Chiaki muttered the name, a flash of cold light in his eyes, "Isn't he the madman who slaughtered the concession?"

"Exactly."

"Interesting," Muto Chiaki suddenly laughed, but his smile made one's blood run cold, "I'd like to see what kind of person dares to be so arrogant in Shen City."

He stood up, looking down at Qin Dongzhi: "Commander Qin, I hope you understand one thing."

"Please speak."

"The Ninth Division is already on the road," Muto Chiaki's voice turned icy, "if tomorrow's negotiations don't go smoothly, then..."

He didn't finish, but Qin Dongzhi already understood his meaning.

"I don't think it will be that bad," Qin Dongzhi said cautiously, "after all, nobody wants to see war."

"Let's hope so." Muto Chiaki turned and left, his back straight as a spear, "See you tomorrow, Commander Qin."

Watching Muto Chiaki's retreating back, Qin Dongzhi's face turned extremely grim.

This Muto Chiaki is no pushover. That scar and the killing intent in his eyes speak of his danger.

But...

A hint of a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Tomorrow's meeting probably won't go as smoothly as Muto Chiaki imagines.

Given Lin Yu's personality, this negotiation is likely to turn into a spectacle.

After Muto Chiaki left, the office fell into a silence.

"Commander," Li Mingze finally couldn't help but speak, "this Japanese devil has a huge ego. However..."

He lowered his voice: "Why doesn't he go directly to Lin Yu to show off his might?"

"Heh," Qin Dongzhi gave a cold snort, "the fate of Kudo Yusaku is right before our eyes—how dare he? That short-lived ghost didn't even finish a harsh word before Lin Yu shot him in the head."

"That's true," Li Mingze nodded, but then frowned, "but Commander, the appointment is set for tomorrow at Da San Yuan... which is in the French Concession."

Qin Dongzhi's hand, about to lift the teacup, paused: "How so?"

"The French Concession is now Lin Yu's turf," Li Mingze lowered his voice, "how dare Muto Chiaki set the meeting there?"

Qin Dongzhi stared for a moment, then a gleam of sharp light appeared in his eyes: "It seems these foreigners have some backing. Perhaps they've already reached some agreement with the French."

He set down his teacup and sneered, "But they still don't understand Lin Yu. He's a true madman—he even dared to burn the consulate, so what's there to fear about acting in the French Concession?"

"Then Commander..."

"Me?" Qin Dongzhi lifted his teacup and took a light sip, "I'm just a mediator."

His gaze turned to the window: "Tomorrow's show is likely to be spectacular. Let this fire burn even brighter."

"The Commander's meaning is..."

"You say," Qin Dongzhi suddenly asked, "if something unpleasant happens tomorrow at Da San Yuan, won't the foreigners become even more angry?"

Li Mingze's eyes lit up: "Then the Ninth Division..."

"Exactly," a flash of malice appeared in Qin Dongzhi's eyes, "let them fight like dogs. The fiercer the fight, the better for us."

"Commander," Li Mingze hesitated, "if the Ninth Division really reaches Shen City and does something outrageous... our Security Command Headquarters might also be hard-pressed to avoid responsibility."

Qin Dong Zhi set down his teacup, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile: "You think, when the time comes, who will the court hold responsible?";

"This...";

Qin Dong Zhi said leisurely, "The black pot is naturally to be borne by Lin Yu," and then said: "After all, he didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth and offended the Foreigners. Our Security Command Headquarters did make an effort; even I, the Commander, personally went out to mediate.";

He lifted his teacup, gently blew on it, and said: "Furthermore...";

"What more to say?";

Qin Dong Zhi's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, and he said: "I plan to deploy the Seventh Mixed Brigade outside the city," and added: "Just for show. Then even if the court investigates, we can say we fulfilled our defensive duty.";

Li Mingze's eyes lit up.

Brilliant! Truly brilliant!

On the surface it's a guard against the Foreigners, but in reality it's leaving himself a perfect escape route. This way, no matter how the situation develops, the Security Command Headquarters will remain invincible.

Qin Dong Zhi added, "Just... The position of the Seventh Mixed Brigade must be chosen well. It cannot be too close, lest we really clash with the Foreigners; nor too far, so that people can see we are fulfilling our duty.";

Li Mingze nodded repeatedly, "Understood!" and said: "I'll arrange this right away.";

Watching Li Mingze's hurriedly retreating back, Qin Dong Zhi's smile grew deeper.

In this game of chess, every move must be made just right.

He must let Lin Yu and the Foreigners fight to the death, while leaving himself room to maneuver.

This, then, is the true art of power.