What do you mean by quitting the business? I'm not a big shot.

Chapter 610 Rebellion
Gao Laosen, who was hiding behind the screen, heard the noise at the door, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Come in, what are you doing hiding like that?"

Old Mo, dressed in a floral shirt, pushed open the wooden door and bowed, saying, "Uncle Sen."

Guangzai and Jieshiyong entered one after another and sat down at the round table, wondering why these three veterans had been called here.

There stood a tall man in a long robe, simmering slices of meat in a hot pot, and said, "Let's have hot pot, eat and chat at the same time."

Street vendor Yong was quick-witted and had a cunning look in his eyes. He picked up his chopsticks and said, "Great! It's been a long time since I've had hot pot with Uncle Sen. Let's eat first."

Guangzai picked up his chopsticks and observed Uncle Sen's expression.

Old Mo, filled with apprehension, scooped a piece of dog meat into his bowl and said, "Uncle Sen, this can't be my last meal before I'm executed, can it?"

Today's scene was indeed strange. The elder, who had not been involved in the affairs of the martial arts world for a long time, suddenly summoned the three of them to the restaurant, which aroused suspicion.

If Uncle Siu-sen hadn't been retired for many years and hadn't become so soft-hearted, it wouldn't be surprising if a few gunmen had emerged.

Gao Laosen slammed his chopsticks down and said coldly, "Hmph, this is your last meal before you're executed. If you don't behave, you'll be serving Cat Brother!"

Old Mo, Guangzai, and Jieshiyong all showed shock on their faces. Old Mo, in particular, immediately dropped his bowl and exclaimed, "Uncle Sen, I'm loyal to the gang, what right do you have to mess with me?"

Guangzai said, "Uncle Cat just passed his seventh day memorial, the gang shouldn't be in any trouble, right?"

Street vendor Yong was skeptical: "Everyone is fine with Ah Tang being the new leader, why is there something wrong?"

The best-case scenario is a well-ordered succession within an organization, ensuring that those who should retire step down and those who should rise take the lead, with new blood replacing the old, thus maintaining its vitality.

Gao Laosen was unusually angry, so he slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "Damn it, you guys are loyal to the gang, but not to Ah Tang."

"I'm not afraid to tell you, Brother Cat is protecting you out of old friendship. That's why Ah Tang hesitated to make a move on you. Do you really think Ah Tang didn't know you were scheming for the gang's money behind the scenes?"

"That money was all earned by Ah Tang. If he doesn't want a share, why should you?"

Old Mo and Street Market Yong fell silent. After all, the three young men present were all key members of the gang and powerful leaders in the past, with ambitions that were not willing to be second to anyone.

Even if you're not as capable, you should compare seniority and experience. Guangzai then said, "Atang wants to get rid of us?"

Gao Laosen sighed and waved his hand, saying, "It's not necessary to take action immediately, but if you keep overthinking, you'll definitely end up in trouble. I'm here today to give you some advice out of consideration for our relationship. Before Brother Cat left, the gang belonged to everyone, but after Brother Cat left, it only belongs to Ah Tang."

"None of you are Ah Tang's confidants, so it would be best if you handed over power. Three branches, just the right number of men, for peace of mind."

Street Yong frowned, displeased, and said, "Brother Sen, we all understand the principle of 'a new emperor, a new court.' But we risked our lives for the gang, and this is how it ends?"

"Where are the elders of the organization? If you don't speak up for them, you'll break the rules. We need to change the old ways and pass it on from generation to generation."

Gao Laosen's face suddenly turned cold. He pointed at Jie Shiyong and cursed, "Bastard, I risked my life to inform you. You're being kind enough."

"Still saying the elders don't do anything? Use your pig brain to think, would Shen Xian Tang let his son manage the gang? Sooner or later, the gang will be separated and returned to the brothers."

"Ah Tang is the next Mr. Huo!"

Old Mo quickly offered a toast: "Uncle Sen, calm down. Ah Yong has a big mouth, don't mind him."

Gao Laosen downed his cup of yellow wine and exhaled, "In short, if you want to live, you have to retire. When you're in this business, you either strive to rise to the top or you retire gracefully. Everyone has to choose one. Those who can't become the leader will face this choice. I made that choice before, and I'm doing just fine now, aren't I? I called you here because this is a rare opportunity. In a few days, A-Tang will be establishing his altar. Retire then, and you'll retire gracefully. Otherwise, once A-Tang has freed himself up, he might ruthlessly make things difficult for you, and you won't even have a chance to retire."

"In addition, before he passed away, Brother Cat bought all the shares of Pegasus and returned them to Ah Tang. This was the last thing he did for you. Although he didn't say it explicitly, Ah Tang should understand."

Old Mo, Street Market Yong, and Guangzai fell silent, unable to make up their minds.

Gao Laosen stood up and said, "You're all smart people, eat slowly and think slowly."

"Take the lead."

Gao Laosen got up and left the private room quickly.

Guangzai gradually came to his senses and sighed, "Uncle Sen meant well and is right. Let's just back out."

Old Mo hesitated, only asking, "I can quit, but what will I do after quitting? Sell newspapers on the street, dance in a nightclub, or solicit customers in Malan!"

They all made a lot of money in the triads; even the poorest of them, Kwong-jai, had over ten million Hong Kong dollars in his account. Compared to ordinary people, they were quite wealthy, but they lacked the assets to break into the circle of big bosses. They were still influential figures in the underworld, always surrounded by followers and enjoying immense prestige.

If you back down, you'll be trampled on; who would feel good about that?

The oldest member of the market, Yong, is not yet forty, which means he needs to make a bigger decision than Uncle Sen, who retired in his fifties. Imagining himself having to give way to even a young man when he goes out to eat, Old Mo felt a growing sense of resentment.

Street vendor Yong took out a cigarette, lit it, and spread his hands, saying, "I have a solution."

Guangzai's eyes lit up: "Tell me about it!"

Street Market Brave slapped his lighter onto the cigarette pack: "Come on! Leave the gang brothers and all the property behind. I'll take three of my trusted confidants and leave the gang openly and honestly. Then we'll find a new signboard and start over."

They might not have the ability to start their own organization, but by using Lao Zhong's name, they could transfer to other gangs and certainly be treated with great respect. Regardless of whether they achieved anything, they could continue to maintain a place in the underworld.

Old Mo said, "Just as Shenxian Tang was about to take over, the three of us Red Sticks said we wanted to leave the gang. It was a huge blow to his reputation. Even if we could leave Lao Zhong Mountain, we'd be skinned alive, if not dead."

Street Warrior coldly replied, "If you're afraid, retire. If you don't want to retire, then you need the courage to stay and fight in this world. So what if he strips me naked? As long as I don't die, I can still make a name for myself!"

"Uncle Cat just passed away, so we have to show him some respect. If we don't leave now, we'll never have another chance."

Guangzai gritted his teeth and said, "Let's do it!"

"If Lao Zhong isn't part of our gang, then we'll run away."

Once the three made up their minds, they whispered and plotted in the private room, clarifying details such as when to speak, how many brothers to choose, and which signboard to go to.

Gao Laosen never expected that a well-intentioned piece of advice would provoke the three men to rebel.

On January 16, 1988 (the day of Gengwu in the month of Gui Chou in the year of Dingmao), a folk activity, a Taoist ritual, was held at the Tai Seng Po Temple on Po Lam Road in Kwun Tong District. With the approval of the Kowloon Municipal Council, the road was closed for one day, and vehicles were required to detour.

At five o'clock in the morning, more than 500 residents of Tai Sing Estate set up their food stalls. They slaughtered fish and chickens, washed rice, and prepared dishes like "Pot Dishes" by the roadside.

(End of this chapter)