Chapter 81: Meeting Lin Yu

As dawn approached, the sky over the Security Command Headquarters turned a fish‑belly white.

Li Mingze remained seated in the corner of Qin Dongzhi's office, the ashtray on his desk piled with cigarette butts. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Footsteps approached from afar.

Qin Chang'an pushed the door open; his eyes were equally blood‑red, and his uniform still carried the chill of the mortuary.

"Secretary Li," Qin Chang'an's voice hoarse, "I need to know every detail of tonight."

Li Mingze lifted his head, looked at the young man who bore a resemblance to Qin Dongzhi, and nodded: "Young Commander, please have a seat."

"No need," Qin Chang'an stood by the window, his back to Li Mingze, "let's start from the beginning."

"Yes..." Li Mingze drew a deep breath, "The old man originally wanted Lin Yu and Muto Chiaki to fight to the death. He thought the fiercer the fight, the more advantageous it would be for our Security Command..."

"Father was too arrogant," Qin Chang'an suddenly interrupted, "he thought he could profit from the clash of two tigers, but he didn't expect..."

"That's right," Li Mingze gave a wry smile, "the old man missed a detail. Lin Yu wasn't here to negotiate; he came to..."

"To kill." Qin Chang'an picked up the thread, his voice icy, "Father always thought he was playing a grand game of chess, unaware he had already become a pawn on someone else's board."

Li Mingze fell silent for a moment: "The old man only realized his mistake at the last moment. He placed too much faith in his status and rank, believing the title of Security Commander could protect him. But in Lin Yu's eyes..."

"In Lin Yu's eyes, Father's status is not a talisman but a threat." Qin Chang'an's fist clenched and then relaxed, "He used Father's death to tell everyone: in Shen City, the rules have changed."

Silence fell over the office. Morning light gradually seeped through the window, casting long shadows on the floor.

This sleepless night was destined to change Shen City's landscape. Qin Dongzhi's scheming ultimately became his own death warrant, while that young Imperial Inspector established his reputation in the most brutal way.

"Secretary Li," Qin Chang'an suddenly spoke, his voice low, "On the surface it looks like foreigners killed Father, but..."

Li Mingze jerked his head up, meeting Qin Chang'an's gaze. Both saw the same thought in the other's eyes.

"Young Commander is right," Li Mingze stubbed out his cigarette, "this affair is suspicious everywhere. Muto Chiaki's corpse was dumped at the Public Administration Bureau's door, clearly a provocation against the French. Yet that mysterious unit runs rampant unchecked in the French Concession..."

"Continue." Qin Chang'an's gaze turned sharp.

"Father's death looks like foreign retaliation, but upon closer thought it's full of loopholes." Li Mingze lowered his voice, "The meeting place was at Daluansan, Lin Yu's turf. Why would Muto Chiaki agree to meet there? Unless..."

"Unless someone deliberately set a trap." Qin Chang'an took up the thread, "Father thought he was controlling the situation, unaware he had fallen into someone else's snare from the start."

The air in the office seemed to congeal.

"Anyone can see Lin Yu is stirring the pot, plotting everything." Li Mingze sighed, "but he did it too cleverly. At least on the surface, Commander Qin's death has nothing to do with him."

"Moreover," Qin Chang'an walked to the window, watching the sky lighten, "Lin Yu's status as Imperial Inspector is the key."

Li Mingze's eyes lit up: "Exactly! He was an eyewitness to the whole incident. If he uses his Imperial Inspector title to send word back to the court..."

"The matter of the court appointing a new Security Commander will be put on the agenda." Qin Chang'an's voice carried a hint of chill.

The office fell into a brief silence. Morning light streamed through the window, stretching Qin Chang'an's shadow long.

"He has factored everyone into his calculations," Qin Chang'an suddenly laughed, but that smile sent a chill through Li Mingze, "foreigners, French, the Security Command, even the court... each plays their part in his game."

"Young Commander..." Li Mingze wanted to speak but held back.

"Father's biggest mistake was underestimating Lin Yu's methods." Qin Chang'an turned, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

Li Mingze gazed at the young man before him, suddenly realizing Qin Chang'an saw things more clearly than his father.

"What should we do now?" Li Mingze asked cautiously.

Qin Chang'an did not answer immediately. He walked to his father's desk, lightly touching the surface: "Lin Yu has given us a choice."

"What choice?"

"Either accept the court‑appointed new commander, or..." Qin Chang'an's voice turned icy, "before he sends his report, we make our own arrangements."

Li Mingze sucked in a cold breath. He finally understood Qin Chang'an's meaning.

This young man has already seen the situation clearly. In this power struggle, one either passively waits for fate's arrangement, or... takes the initiative.

Outside the window the sky grew brighter, a new day about to begin. But for Qin Chang'an, the impact of this sleepless night is only just beginning to show.

"Secretary Li," Qin Chang'an spoke after a moment of silence, "please arrange a meeting with Lin Yu."

Li Mingze stared, his face showing disbelief: "Young Commander, meet Lin Yu at this time?"

"Exactly now." Qin Chang'an's voice was calm, yet his eyes showed resolve, "Father's body isn't cold yet, his schemes aren't fully wrapped up—this is actually the best moment."

"But..." Li Mingze wanted to speak but held back.

"I know what you're worried about," Qin Chang'an turned to face Li Mingze, "but consider why Lin Yu would do this. He could have waited for the court to send a new Security Commander, yet he chose this method..."

Li Mingze's eyes lit up: "What the Young Commander means is..."

"He is giving us an opportunity," Qin Chang'an's voice soft but each word carried weight, "or rather, giving me an opportunity. If I can make the right choice before he sends his memorial to the court..."

The office fell into a brief silence. Morning light was now bright, and the sound of the Security Command's routine shift change came from outside.

"I understand," Li Mingze drew a deep breath, "how does the Young Commander plan to meet him?"

"At Lin Gong Guan," Qin Chang'an said lightly, "just say I want to discuss Father's aftermath with him."

Li Mingze looked at the young man before him and suddenly noticed he bore a demeanor he had never seen before—a composure beyond his years, a calm in the face of fate.

"I'll see to it right away," Li Mingze rose and headed for the door.

"Secretary Li," Qin Chang'an's voice came from behind, "Father trusted you for many years; he hopes you will continue to assist me in the days ahead."

Li Mingze's steps paused, he didn't turn back, merely giving a slight nod.

As he closed the door, he faintly heard Qin Chang'an whisper: "This game, it's time for me to take the field."