Hong Kong Island: From a small stall to a global supplier

Jiang Zhizhen's remarks at the door quickly reached the ears of the public relations department, which gave Klaus Kinlake a splitting headache. He once again sent out 'Benboerba' to communicate, but to no avail. The people outside holding large signs and marching did not cause any trouble, but just walked on the street, attracting the attention of reporters and passersby. The police were at a loss for what to do.

Now everyone understands what Wang Yaotang is up to. The Criminal Investigation Department and the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau are so afraid of getting involved with something dirty that they're avoiding him like the plague and won't even accept the Public Relations Department's requests for help.

"What a piece of shit!"

"I'll clean up your mess!"

"Shit, you bastard!"

Klaus Kinlake was cursing and swearing inside the office, while everyone outside shrank back, afraid of being sent out to deal with the 'Tang Monk and his disciples'.

Just as he was getting annoyed, the phone on the desk rang. Klaus Kinlake answered, "Hello, this is Klaus."

"what?"

“Someone just dropped us a bag of documents. One document is of a severed little finger, another is a ransom note demanded by the kidnappers, and the third is a cassette tape. I just listened to the tape; it's a recording of conversations between the kidnappers and the police, as well as Lai Chi-fai, including the kidnappers' accusations of counterfeit gold. Also, this document should have been obtained by many newspapers; we can't hide it.”

"No, wait a minute..." Klaus Kinlake rubbed his throbbing head. "A tape? A recording of the kidnapper's motherfucker?"

"Yes, it's a recording. I'll have someone make a copy and send it to you later. It includes the conversation between the kidnapper and Lai Chi-fai. Perhaps out of self-preservation, Lai Chi-fai tells the kidnapper that the gold is likely fake, tells him how to verify it, and says many things like he might want him dead... For your police and the Fang family... Wait, something else is being delivered."

There was a rustling sound on the phone. "Holy crap, someone happened to film the hostage exchange. The photos clearly show that Lai Chi-fai has been rescued by the police and transferred to a car nearby. From the photos, Lai Chi-fai can walk."

"The kidnappers poisoned Lai Chi-fai so he would die at the hands of the police!" Klaus Kinlake shouted.

There was a moment of silence on the other end. "Of course I trust the police."

Klaus Kinlake said, somewhat frantically, "You swear!"

"Alright, I've said all I can. The other party doesn't sell exclusive photos. I think all newspapers would buy these first-hand photos now. I'm sorry."

Listening to the dial tone, Klaus Kinlake silently tossed the receiver onto the table, lay back in his executive chair, and stared at the ceiling, his eyes devoid of light.

He didn't have to wait long. The copy was delivered, and Klaus Kinlake called the "Benboerba" brothers in to "enjoy" it together.

"What do you say?"

The group looked at each other, exchanging glances but no one spoke.

“Speak up, there are no outsiders here, I make sure the news won’t get out!” Klaus tapped the table.

Some were studying their fingers, some were studying their desktops... but no one was talking.

"I understand," Klaus rolled his eyes. These guys are now wondering how Lai Chi Fai actually died.

He himself had doubts, after all, kidnappers have many ways and opportunities to kill, so why bother handing over hostages?
Using poison as a method is utterly ridiculous.

Only two police officers testified on the spot, and since they had been in contact with the Jing and Fang families, it was impossible to rule out the possibility that the two officers had been bribed to commit the murder.

The profits from hundreds of millions of assets are enough for those people to commit murder.

As for why it was poisoning?

If the kidnappers killed the hostage, why did the police give them gold? Why didn't they kill two police officers?

The kidnappers have anti-aircraft machine guns and RPGs; we can blow them up from a distance!

As for the kidnappers not daring to kill the police?

The helicopter was almost shot down!

So, it looks like someone from the Fang or Jing families bribed someone to commit murder!

Of course, this is just speculation; there's no evidence.

Launching an internal investigation is a matter for later. Klaus took a deep breath. "Tell me, how are we going to deal with the media?"

This question immediately piqued their interest.

"Take the report out and make it a bit more formulaic."

"The official statement insists that the kidnappers killed the hostage after receiving the ransom!"

"The gold can't be fake!"

"It was all a kidnapper's conspiracy."

"Once the Lai Chi Fai estate case goes to trial, everyone's attention will be drawn to the Fang and Jing families."

"As for Wang Yaotang, if he wants to flex his muscles, then we'll help him. We'll find some media outlets we know to muddy the waters and say that he's the mastermind behind everything."

"Yes, we can also talk about the professionalism of the kidnappers. Speedboats, anti-aircraft machine guns, RPGs, and the fact that they knew to ask for gold instead of cash—these kidnappers are definitely not ordinary. They are most likely from overseas forces and may be related to Southeast Asian pirates or terrorist organizations."

Seeing that Klaus was no longer thinking about how to deal with Wang Yaotang and the media, the group quickly arranged things.

Now that things have come to this, there's no point in saying anything. The police already have enough problems, so one more won't make a difference. The news will die down soon anyway.

As he listened to his subordinates' suggestions, Klaus's face relaxed more and more. Indeed, nothing in this world is difficult if you are willing to give up!

Effort doesn't guarantee success, but not trying will definitely make life much easier!

The criminal investigation department caused this mess, so why should you take the blame? First, prove that your subordinates are innocent!
……

Fang family.

Mother, second uncle, brother, sister... the whole family was there, listening to the 'cassette tape' that had just been delivered. Councilor Fang looked at the photos in his hand, his face extremely pale.

"Was it you who arranged this?"

Fang Man's face flushed with anger. "It wasn't me! Why don't you believe me? How could I do such a thing? It must be someone from the Jing family!"

The whole family looked at him, their eyes filled with only two words: disbelief! "Does the Jing family have this ability? What do they have to convince those two?" Councilor Fang asked with a dark face.

"That was intentional on the part of the kidnappers!"

Family: Do you think we're stupid?
Others may not know your personality, but surely your family does?
There are a hundred reasons to doubt him!

Fang Man was so angry she almost fainted, pointing at everyone with trembling hands, "I'm not!"

No one knows better than the person who wronged you how wronged you are!
The problem is, whether it is true or not, the Fang family is going to be in trouble now.

No matter how powerful the Fang family is in both political and business circles, they can't control the media. Even the Governor of Hong Kong couldn't handle it!

The city was known as a spy city for a reason; the British Hong Kong government had very little control over the media.

Left-wing newspapers such as Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po.

The Hong Kong Times and Oriental Daily News are backed by Taiwanese forces.

The Hong Kong Daily is backed by the Japanese.

The South China Morning Post is backed by European capital.

There are also newspapers like Ming Pao, which currently claims to be neutral.

There's nothing the Hong Kong media dares not report these days!
Even the Governor of Hong Kong's dog having puppies was enough to be documented and photographed!

……

Police press conference.

Klaus stood on the stage expressionlessly, not even glancing at the raised hands below, and simply read his prepared remarks.

"Mr. Lai Chi-fai was kidnapped... The kidnappers were utterly inhuman; even after exchanging hostages, they still poisoned and killed Mr. Lai Chi-fai..."

At the same time, the hospital's report was displayed on the slides.

"Regarding Mr. Wang Yaotang's accusations, citizens have a responsibility and an obligation to cooperate with the police investigation... The police will not wrong an innocent person nor let a guilty person go unpunished..."

After reading the report, Klaus got up and left, demonstrating the arrogance of the police to the fullest extent.

Report it however you want!

……

Wang Yaotang stood at the entrance of the police headquarters, giving an interview to reporters, occasionally uttering terms such as "abuse of power," "white terror," and "police rule in Hong Kong"...

"Mr. Wang, what are your thoughts on Lai Chi-fai's death?" a reporter in the crowd asked loudly.

"Let's celebrate!" Wang Yaotang replied with a hearty laugh.

“The person is already dead. Don’t you think it’s heartless of you to say that?” a woman shouted.

"I don't think so. The moment someone plagiarizes my idea, we're already enemies. If an enemy dies, why not laugh or cry? You're hypocritical. A real man is someone who dares to take responsibility for his actions. Only a petty person would shed crocodile tears and feign compassion. How hypocritical!"

"Mr. Wang, do you believe that Lai Chi-fai died at the hands of the kidnappers?"

"What? You're saying Zhao Kuangyin bullied the orphans and widows of the Chai family?" Wang Yaotang exclaimed.

Reporter: No, I didn't ask!
Wang Yaotang pointed at another reporter and said loudly, "What? You're saying that the Commander-in-Chief became the emperor, and that after Emperor Shizong of Zhou, Chai Rong, fell ill, he was poisoned to death by someone arranged by 'Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guards, Zhao Kuangyin'?"

Reporter: Who asked you that?!

"What? You're saying Zhao Kuangyi imitated his brother Zhao Kuangyin to create the 'Candlelight and Axe Shadow' incident?"

After three consecutive questions, the reporters understood what Wang Yaotang meant, and they excitedly snapped photos.

"I can only say that you are all making baseless speculations. There is no official confirmation of this claim. It's just folklore. Zhao Kuangyin, the ruler, can say whatever he wants. If he really was poisoned, would he let you commoners know?"

"Guessing? What good is guessing? History is written by the victors!"

"Investigate? How can you investigate? The imperial physicians and the Imperial Guards are all from the Zhao family. What grounds do you have for investigation?"

"All I can say is that it was right for the Chai family to honestly relinquish the throne. Otherwise, they would be orphans and widows, and wouldn't even know if they were 'drowning' one day!"

The reporters finally understood: this person hadn't mentioned the "Fang" family once, yet every sentence revolved around the Fang family!
That's some serious venom!

……

That evening, TVB, which usually maintains a neutral stance, unusually broadcast a video of a police spokesperson. Due to its wide reach, it instantly caused a huge uproar in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia.

Most of the public's attention was drawn to the police.

Director Shih looked at the TVB news, his eyebrows twitching. RPG? Why does it look like 40 Fire?
Anti-aircraft machine gun?

Why does it sound so familiar?
Wang Yaotang was arrested and then released; he didn't do it.
It would be a miracle if he didn't do it!
It's clearly remote control!
Is capitalist business competition really this brutal?!
Indeed, capital comes into the world dripping with blood and filth from head to toe, from every pore!

……

"Damn your mother!" Klaus angrily grabbed the remote control and smashed it. It was obviously the Fang family's doing, hoping the police would attract media attention.

They didn't even say hello, they really don't respect me at all!
He grabbed the phone and called headquarters. "Contact familiar media outlets to report on Giordano's shareholding situation, predict the whereabouts of Lai Chee Fai's assets, and also those remarks made by Wang Yaotang in interviews... The citizens don't understand? If they don't understand, can't you explain it properly!"

"Citizens have the right to know!"

Come on, let's hurt each other! Who's afraid of who!

……

P.S.: I've been feeling really unwell lately, it seems like I have a fistula... I've had headaches and dizziness for months, and I feel like I could suddenly die at any moment!
I saved up some money for a full physical exam. I still have the gastroscopy and colonoscopy to do this morning. I don't know if I'll have the mental capacity to write today, so I'm just saying hi. (End of Chapter)