Zhang Linmo

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Linmo (张凛墨)
Alias(es)	Black Tiger 4
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Old Zhang Family; Old District underworld faction; Tang Association
Occupation/Role	Head of the Old Zhang Family and its underworld faction; leader among the Old District’s gang bosses 4 22
Status	Active 107
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

Zhang Linmo was raised under the harsh discipline of his father: he began horse-stance and martial-arts training at age three, was sent to Cambodia at twelve, and later survived as a mercenary, assassin, and gunrunner. His overseas contacts later became part of the Old Zhang Family’s foreign network. 34

Following the death of his younger sister, Zhang Hanmo, Linmo took in her newborn son, Zhang Xianyang. He concealed the boy’s parentage by presenting him publicly as his own third son, a decision driven by Hanmo’s dying wish and Linmo’s guilt at failing to protect her. 23 24 After Hanmo’s death, he also sent assassins to Kyoto to target Li Cunzhou, Xianyang’s biological father. 24

As head of the Old District Zhang Family, Linmo gradually exposed his three sons to gang affairs after they finished elementary school, intending for them to inherit the family’s power. 5 His early rule depended on force and absolute control, but he later pursued redevelopment, legitimate business, and cooperation with the government to secure the family’s future. 6 18 94

Appearance

Zhang Linmo is a tall, powerfully built middle-aged man with a refined, handsome face offset by an intimidating presence. A deep scar runs from the corner of one eye to his cheekbone. 4

• Often dresses casually, including floral shirts and boxer shorts while at his office. 4
• Projects a bloodthirsty, predatory aura likened to a tiger stalking prey. 4
• Underwent genetic modification with the Old Zhang Family; afterward, he appeared more than ten years younger. 14
• Is associated with the title Black Tiger. 4

Personality

Linmo is domineering, decisive, and accustomed to being obeyed. He dismisses objections when he believes the Old Zhang Family’s authority is at stake, and his reputation is strong enough that other Old District bosses wait for his position before voicing their own. 6 22

Despite his ruthlessness, he is intensely protective of his family—especially Zhang Xianyang. He covers Xianyang’s losses himself, makes sure he is fed during gang meetings, and refuses to allow others to threaten or exploit him. 4 16 24 His indulgence toward his sons stems from his own brutal upbringing and his regret over Zhang Hanmo’s death. 24 34

He is also pragmatic and politically adaptable. Although he once opposed redevelopment through violence, he comes to favor preservation-based renovation, legitimate enterprise, public goodwill, and eventual integration with the state. 6 8 34 94

Abilities & Skills

Underworld Leadership

Linmo commands the Old Zhang Family’s underworld faction and exercises decisive influence over the Old District’s gang bosses.

• Oversees debt collection, loan assessments, and borrower monitoring. 4
• Leads discussions at the Tang Association and guides collective responses to underworld disputes. 22 95
• Controls the pace of negotiations among rival bosses and can turn punishment proceedings into arrangements that preserve Old District unity. 18 22
• Maintains the Zhang Family’s authority through a mixture of intimidation, patronage, and personal reputation. 16 93

Strategic Planning

Linmo combines long-term planning with deception and pressure tactics.

• Reframed the Old District redevelopment plan around restoring historic residences and Manchu cultural heritage rather than demolition. 8
• Used public tenders and auctions to bring outside construction teams into the district while strengthening the Zhang Family’s defensive position. 29
• Approved false passages, false keys, and counterintelligence operations to mislead the Li and Kyoto Zhang families. 29 93
• Used the secret-passage treasures as bait to draw the Li Family and Black Dragon Society into a controlled confrontation. 81

Military and Security Development

Linmo recognizes force as the foundation of the Old Zhang Family’s position and invests heavily in its modernization.

• Identified the value of the Military Body Fist and new troop-training methods, initially restricting them to the Zhang Family before wider adoption. 6
• Acquired a metal-processing plant, imported restricted precision machine tools, and recruited skilled workers and construction engineers for the family’s projects. 13
• Directed the construction and use of the Zhang Family’s secret base as both a refuge and a defensive stronghold. 26 95
• Accepted a state-backed plan to train loyal super soldiers, with Zhang Muyang designated leader of Dragon Group Team Six. 82
• Demonstrated the secret base’s lethal security systems to visiting super soldiers before granting them entry. 95

Political and Public Relations

Linmo uses public legitimacy as deliberately as he uses underworld authority.

• Formed a preliminary redevelopment partnership with Mayor Gu Zhaohuan. 8
• Shifted Old District operations toward legal businesses and urged gang bosses to adapt to the changing political climate. 18 22
• Established a charitable foundation for retired soldiers and their families, improving public perception of the Old District Gang. 34
• Offered compensation to the families of seven dead soldiers and hired retired soldiers through Zhang Xianyang’s garment factory. 34
• Supported cultural projects and film production as promotion for the Old District. 40 42

Relationships

• Zhang Xianyang — Maternal nephew raised publicly as Linmo’s third son; Linmo is fiercely protective of him and treats him as family without reservation. 4 23 24
• Zhang Muyang — Eldest son and chosen successor in gang affairs; Linmo delegates major responsibilities to him and later supports his role in the super-soldier program. 26 82
• Zhang Xiyang — Second son; Linmo arranges for him to attend West Point Military Academy and cautiously vets his relationship with Elena. 34 69 93
• Zhang Tumo — Brother and trusted adviser; Tumo raises practical concerns about redevelopment and helps oversee super-soldier training. 11 73 95
• Zhang Hanmo — Younger sister and Zhang Xianyang’s biological mother; her death is the source of Linmo’s lasting guilt and protectiveness toward Xianyang. 23 24
• Li Cunzhou — Zhang Xianyang’s biological father and a longstanding adversary; Linmo attempted to have him assassinated after Zhang Hanmo’s death. 23 24
• Gu Zhaohuan — Mayor and political partner in Old District redevelopment; their cooperation gradually develops into a romantic relationship. 8 79 80 107
• Old District gang elders and bosses — Subordinates and allied powerholders whom Linmo leads through the Tang Association and shelters in the secret base during the ninja threat. 22 93 95

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Old District leadership — Oversees gang business, protects Zhang Xianyang at the West Street Casino, and establishes his authority as Black Tiger. 4
• Redevelopment alliance — Rejects demolition in favor of preserving the Old District’s historical and cultural character, then reaches a preliminary partnership with Gu Zhaohuan. 8
• Legitimization of the Old District — Begins moving gang operations underground while expanding into legal businesses, tourism, leasing, manufacturing, and public-facing ventures. 18 29 39
• Conflict with the Li Family — Protects Zhang Xianyang when Li Cunzhou attempts to reclaim him, then counters the Li Family’s schemes through surveillance, deception, and political restraint. 23 73 81
• Public rehabilitation — Builds goodwill through a charitable foundation for retired soldiers and compensation for the families of dead soldiers. 34
• Secret base and Black Dragon Society crisis — Persuades the Old District’s major families to enter the secret base, prepares for ninja infiltration, and coordinates with the Dragon Group. 82 95
• Integration with the state — Chooses cooperation with the country over remaining an isolated local power, offering to help train super soldiers and seeking a complete transformation of the Old Zhang Family’s standing. 82 94
• Relationship with Gu Zhaohuan — His political partnership with Gu develops into mutual romantic interest and a relationship. 107

Notable Quotes

“Their opinions don't matter.” 6

“Either we follow the country and integrate into it, or we go against the country and are cast aside by it.” 82

Trivia

• Linmo’s proposal for Old District preservation emphasizes its role as the Manchu homeland and the value of retaining cultural symbols for future returnees. 8
• He views gang activities through a business lens: arms dealing as sales, territorial conflict as real estate, usury as finance, and nightclubs as entertainment. 39
• Although he claims to be a “kind and loving father,” his proposed education for his sons includes West Point and time with a mercenary unit. 34