Chapter 286: The Army Is Assembled, Awaiting the East Wind!

The next day, Central.

A skyscraper whose entire surface had been scrubbed to a gleaming shine reflected a dazzling glare under the scorching sun on Hong Kong Island.

At the top of the building, a few audacious workers, tethered by safety ropes, hung in mid‑air, and under the awe and amazement of onlookers, slowly secured a brand‑new, enormous copper plaque—so bright it could almost blind the eye—onto the façade.

—Starry Sky Building.

Four gleaming characters forged from pure copper, square and flamboyant, perched like a freshly crowned crown atop this Central landmark. Henceforth, Hong Kong Island's skyline bore an additional Chinese name.

Guo Dongying's car had just settled at the foot of the building; he looked up, saw the four sun‑lit characters, grinned widely and chuckled, his laugh full of the exhilaration of a long‑suppressed triumph.

"Damn, now that's real presence!" he patted the driver's shoulder. "See? From now on we'll be here! This building bears Lu's name, and also ours, the Chinese merchants!"

On the top floor, the conference room that had once belonged to Wilson had been completely overhauled; within the vast chamber, the floor‑to‑ceiling windows were spotless, offering an unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour.

Li Fuying, Character and the other core members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce had already gathered; instead of their usual chatter, they all stood by the window, watching the suspended copper plaque below, their eyes filled with a proud excitement.

When Lu Qingshan entered the conference room, everyone's gaze instantly converged on him.

It was a gaze mingled with zeal, conviction and absolute reverence. If before they had regarded Lu Qingshan as a "wealth god" who could lead them to profit, now, in their eyes, this young man was a "king" capable of reshaping Hong Kong Island's landscape and even locking arms with the Empire.

"Everyone's here," Lu Qingshan said calmly as he took the head seat, as if the building were born to belong to him.

"Qing Shan, we've been waiting for you to speak!" Guo Dongying pulled out his chair and sat down heavily, as if the floor of the entire conference room trembled with it.

Lu Qingshan ignored his eagerness and turned his gaze toward Ye Ning.

Ye Ning immediately stood; she had rested less than ten hours, the fatigue on her face not fully gone, yet her spirit was unusually roused, her eyes frighteningly bright.

"Boss, distinguished members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce," she opened the documents, her voice crisp and efficient, echoing in the quiet conference room. "According to Chairman Lu's directive, the registration of the 'Victoria Far East Opportunity Fund' has passed through the Imperial Governor's Office's green channel and has been formally submitted to the London Financial regulatory authority. With Governor's handwritten letter, the approval process is proceeding smoothly; we expect to obtain the official license within a week."

"We have leased a temporary office on Fleet Street in London Financial City; the location is excellent, with a direct view of the Bank of England's roof. Li Zhi'an has already taken a five‑person team there to handle preliminary information gathering and channel establishment."

His words set everyone's hearts ablaze.

Imperial Governor's Office endorsement!

London Financial City establishment!

All of this, only a few days ago, was something they dared not even think of. And now, Lu Qingshan talks about it as if it were an ordinary matter.

"Very good," Lu Qingshan nodded, very pleased with Ye Ning's efficiency.

He scanned the crowd, his gaze sweeping each face; his calm eyes caused everyone to instinctively straighten their backs.

"The fund's shell is set up; next we must see whether our own blade is fast enough and sharp enough."

His gaze finally settled on Guo Dongying.

Guo Dongying got the point, pounded his chest: "Qing Shan, you can rest easy! Money is no problem! When I get back I'll transfer the eight hundred million from the company account to you!"

Character also quickly voiced: "My three hundred million will be credited this afternoon!"

"Mine is ready as well!"

"Ready anytime!"

Everyone rushed forward, fearing to be left behind. That was three billion in cash! It was the token of allegiance they wagered their lives and fortunes on for Lu Qingshan!

"Money isn't urgent," Lu Qingshan raised his hand, silencing the crowd. "I'll give everyone a week to transfer all funds into the designated account of the Pioneer Fund. Remember, I only want cash."

He paused, his tone becoming weighty: "In a month, this money will serve a great purpose."

One month!

That precise deadline acted like an injection of adrenaline into each heart. They knew the grand drama was about to begin!

Li Fuying looked at Lu Qingshan, pondered briefly, and asked the question everyone cared about: "Qing Shan, what do we do this month? Just wait?"

"Wait?" Lu Qingshan smiled, stood up, and walked to the massive World Map.

The blood‑red sword lodged in London's heart remained as strikingly terrifying as ever.

"Of course it's not just waiting."

He turned, looked at everyone, and uttered a sentence that caught everyone completely off guard.

"I'm going back to the Mainland."

"What?" Guo Dongying was the first to shout. "Back to the Mainland? At this critical moment? Qing Shan, over in London…"

Everyone froze, looking at Lu Qingshan in bewilderment. The great battle was imminent, yet the commander wanted to leave the battlefield? What logic was that?

Lu Qingshan observed the confusion on their faces, and a gentle smile appeared on his own, a hint of familial warmth that softened the otherwise intimidating aura of lethal resolve.

"Having been out for so long, I should go back to see my wife and child."

His off‑hand remark instantly eased the tense, death‑like atmosphere that had been stretched to the breaking point in the conference room.

Only then did everyone recall that the "king" before them, who had stirred the whole Hong Kong Island's storm and was about to brandish a blade against the never‑setting sun Empire, was ultimately just a young man in his early twenties—a husband, a father.

A flicker of admiration and sentiment passed through Li Fuying's eyes.

Like a mountain that collapses ahead yet remains unmoved, his heart still clung to wife and children. This is the kind of man who can achieve great deeds—armored yet with a soft underbelly.

"Of course, of course," Li Fuying hurriedly said. "Only when the family is settled can we fight abroad with peace of mind. We all understand."

"Indeed, Qing Shan, you should go back to see your siblings and niece!" Guo Dongying also caught on, scratched his head and chuckled.

Lu Qingshan looked at everyone and continued: "Besides seeing my family, I have some enterprises in Capital City and the Northeast that need arranging. Once I've settled home affairs, I'll fly directly from Capital City to London and hold the fort there until the war ends."

Capital City!

Northeast!

Those two locations were like deep‑water bombs, exploding loudly in everyone's hearts.

Their expressions froze instantly, and the way they looked at Lu Qingshan changed completely.

They had always believed Lu Qingshan's foundation lay in Hong Kong Island, within their Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Only now did they terrifyingly realize that what they saw might be merely a fragment of an iceberg!

This young man, in places unknown to them, in the far‑off, mysterious yet dignified North, actually has enterprises!

What could that be?

How great is its power?

A chill ran along everyone's spines, shooting straight toward the heavens.

They thought they had already wagered their entire fortune, binding fate with Lu Qingshan. But now it seems they don't even have the right to glance at his true trump card!

The conference room fell into a death‑like silence once again.

Guo Dongying opened his mouth to speak, but found not a single word could emerge from his throat. Looking at Lu Qingshan's young, calm face, he felt for the first time a Fear called "deep and unfathomable".

Li Fuying lifted the teacup, intending to sip water to steady their nerves, but discovered their hand was trembling ever so slightly.

He finally understood.

Lu Qingshan seeks them not because he needs them as allies.

He only needs a group of soldiers who can bear his banner, charge forward, and be obedient enough.

And they are willing.

Lu Qingshan took in everyone's reactions; this is exactly the effect he wants.

On Hong Kong Island, bank affairs are under the full authority of Liang Zhiwei; Uncle Li, you should take extra care. On the capital side, Ye Ning goes to London to set up the forward base, Wang Yuyun stays behind to provide support. The rest proceeds as planned.

"During the time I'm away, remember nine words—"

He walks to the window, looks down at the city beneath his feet that has already begun to change because of him, his voice cold and striking the ground with resonance.

Amass grain broadly, build high walls, and claim kingship slowly.