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

At a press conference in Haojiang.

Suddenly, someone rushed in from outside and whispered something in a reporter's ear. The reporter's gaze towards Wang Yaotang gradually became strange. After listening, he raised his hand high and, without waiting for the press officer to call his name, loudly asked, "Mr. Wang Yaotang, the Chief Lands Officer of Hong Kong, Enoch McCormack, was just attacked by thugs in front of the Wan Chai Magistrates' Courts. The thugs stabbed Mr. McCormack three times, and he has been taken to the hospital. What do you have to say about this?"

This shout plunged the scene into an eerie silence.

The land administration director, the court, the attack, Wang Yaotang—there are too many key elements, making it hard not to make some interesting connections.

Johnny from Standard Chartered Bank in Macau tilted his head and stared wide-eyed at Wang Yaotang.

"Huh? Who? Enoch McCormack?" Wang Yaotang was momentarily stunned, his brows slowly furrowing as he glanced at the group of reporters. "He was attacked in front of the courthouse?"

"No, what do you mean by looking at me like that?"

Everyone: What do you think?

"He even asked me what I wanted to say. He's in Hong Kong, and I'm in Macau. What does this have to do with me? I'd like to say, serves him right, okay?" Wang Yaotang waved his hand impatiently. "This is the signing ceremony between Standard Chartered Bank and Umbrella Security Company. Have some professionalism and don't ask so many irrelevant questions."

Who cares about signing ceremonies these days, unless they've paid a hefty travel allowance and are required to report on it later?

Seeing that the reporters' attention was drawn to the attack on the Hong Kong Lands Director, Wang Yaotang and Johnny hurriedly ended the press conference. As soon as they left, the reporters immediately became noisy, crowding around the reporter who had just asked the question to inquire about the situation.

Originally, this matter was kept secret from the media, but the bloodstains outside the courthouse caused the news to spread rapidly. In a very short time, Hong Kong paparazzi found out the details of the conflict between Wang Yaotang and Enoch McCormack.

Wang Yaotang was acquitted by the court due to insufficient evidence after allegedly hosting banquets, offering bribes, and forcing alcohol on Enoch McCormack, causing him to be hospitalized with a lung obstruction.

But based on the stereotypes people have always had about Wang Yaotang, this must be true!
It couldn't possibly be that Enoch McCormack went crazy and started chugging alcohol.

In ancient times, there was no need for any evidence to attack an official of the imperial court; they would simply be arrested and executed.

Therefore, it's understandable that when Enoch McCormack was attacked outside the courthouse, everyone immediately suspected that Wang Yaotang had instigated it.

……

"What's going on?" Johnny asked with great curiosity when they reached the rest area.

“The noble British gentleman McCormack has Victorian-era engine oil flowing through his veins, which has made him mentally unstable and caused him to have many fantasies. He imagines that he has an invincible fleet behind him and cannonballs can be spat out of his mouth. I would tremble with fear in front of him and kneel down to beg for his mercy and forgiveness,” Wang Yaotang said with a sneer.

“Uh…” Johnny’s expression froze, and he lowered his head and raised his hand to tidy his hair to hide his embarrassment.

He acted this way when dealing with some Chinese people, but of course, this did not include those with power and influence. He knew when to adopt the airs of the British Empire and when to be amiable.

However, he had seen many people like McCormack, especially among senior public officials in the Governor's Office. They were often asked for favors, and the people who asked were always respectful and humble. Over time, they naturally developed this kind of personality.

Even in the liberal and democratic Western world of the 21st century, there are still many such cases.

Johnny chuckled and chatted with Wang Yaotang about the handover of security and other matters. He didn't think Wang Yaotang was responsible; he had only cursed a few times and had already sent the person to the hospital. There was no need for him to commit murder.

Don't underestimate Standard Chartered's Haojiang branch; its security business exceeds that of the three local banks in Tai Fung combined.

Macau is a gambling city, and most of the funds come from outside. Transactions between the three local banks and foreign banks are mostly conducted through Standard Chartered and HSBC, two established banks. Therefore, the security of the protective umbrella (Macau) will have to be fully mobilized. In order to continue to expand business, more people will need to be sent here.

Given the increasing prevalence of robberies, we need to both increase recruitment from the mainland and expedite the establishment of a professional training team. Shi Jiayang, the chief instructor from the mainland, is quite capable in training ideology and discipline, but he is indeed inadequate in urban CQB, let alone security for important figures.

After finishing his business in Macau, Wang Yaotang boarded a patrol boat and returned to Hong Kong Island. The boat was indeed not very comfortable, but it was safe!
The Type 56 light rifle can be mounted at any time; there are plenty of guns and ammunition in the cabin…

Just as they reached the shore, the command center relayed the news that McCormack had died on the operating table, beyond saving.

Back at their old hideout in the Union Building, Ah Jie, Ah Ji, and Four-Eyes were all waiting for them.

"Where is he?" Wang Yaotang sat on the sofa, his legs propped up on the coffee table, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

“It’s been sent to Shekou.” The four-eyed guy asked, “Why did you suddenly make a move again? It wasn’t necessary. Now everyone thinks you did it.”

“It’s necessary, absolutely necessary.” Wang Yaotang shook his finger. “McCormack is, after all, British, a government official. Whether he’s mentally ill or not, he works for the Public Works Department. He’ll side with his own people, not with what’s right. They’ll definitely try their best to cause us trouble at the Shek O and Lamma Island quarry auctions. You agree with that, right?”

“Of course, but would killing McCormack make a difference?” the four-eyed guy retorted. “That would only make them more hostile and hate you.”

“Wrong. First of all, there are limits to the methods they can use in open bidding. Even if they are more hostile to me, they can't cross those limits. Secondly, when McCormack was alive, we were under the same bureau chief, and everyone would definitely give him face and push those limits to the limit. But now that he's dead…” Wang Yaotang shrugged. “If they think I did it, would they be willing to offend me, this vengeful and vicious man who kills at the drop of a hat, for the sake of a dead man, for some damned dignity of the British Empire, the dignity of the Governor’s Office?”

"It's you, are you willing?" Wang Yaotang asked in return.

"Of course I wouldn't. A few thousand yuan a month is none of my business," A-Jie said with a smile, shaking his head.

“I definitely won’t, at least not without asking. It won’t affect my position anyway, so why make things complicated?” Awei added.

Ah-Jie just shook his head. Four-Eyes suddenly realized that the situation had gotten to the worst point, so of course a change had to be made.

"The worst-case scenario is that the Hong Kong government will change the public auction to a private auction, but I estimate that the Public Works Bureau will actually be fair, just and transparent after this, since we are virtuous people," Wang Yaotang said with a sneer.

The way of man is to make more than enough losses but more than enough sacrifices.

The more cowardly you are, the more people will bully you.

The more reasonable you are, the more unreasonable others become. Only when you become unreasonable will the other party take the initiative to reason with you.

If you obey orders, you'll be severely punished; if you fight back, you'll be comforted.

Fairness is never given by others; it must be earned through one's own efforts.

Hearing Wang Yaotang say this, the brothers laughed along.

"So how are you going to get past the police station?" the bespectacled guy asked.

Just as he finished speaking, the phone on the table rang. Wang Yaotang picked it up, "It's me. What? Suspicion? Then issue an arrest warrant!"

"What, is my time worthless... Do you think I'm your subordinate, always at your beck and call?"

"Ha, fine, I'll give you face this time, but don't blame me for getting angry later." With that, Wang Yaotang hung up the phone.

"What's wrong? The police station?"

"Okay." Wang Yaotang nodded. "Let me go over there to cooperate with the investigation."

"They don't have any evidence, do they?" A-Jie asked, frowning.

"What evidence do you have? We can't even see the murderer's face clearly, we don't know how old he is, how can we investigate? It's just about giving the Public Works Bureau an explanation. We have to go through all the necessary procedures." Wang Yaotang picked up his teacup and downed it in one gulp. "Alright, I'll go over there."

When they went out, Sha Ze was still driving, and Bi Sina led a team of 20 people as escorts. The Toyota Hiace had been modified, with ordinary steel plates that were 5 mm thick. They couldn't protect against AKs, but they couldn't be penetrated by .38 caliber bullets.

At police headquarters, Chief Superintendent Morton of the Criminal Investigation Department was waiting downstairs. He immediately came to greet Wang Yaotang as soon as he got out of the car.

On the way upstairs, there were no proposals, just a few casual chats. Morton inquired about Wang Yaotang's 'security company,' mentioning that it had recently poached so many retired and current mid-to-high-level officers from the police force, causing quite a stir within the force.

This means that everyone has a place to go after retirement.

This time, instead of going to the interrogation room, we were moved to a small conference room in the criminal investigation department.
Police internally judged that this was not Wang Yaotang's style of doing things.

The Kowloon Park shootout, the Jiujiang Street murder, the InterContinental Hotel murder, the highway shooting spree... a series of cases instigated by Wang Yaotang were all more violent in method. This case, however, involved a lone individual and seemed more like a revenge crime committed by an ordinary person.

The event was hosted by Senior Assistant Commissioner of Crime and Security, Kelvin, and Assistant Commissioner of Crime, Cabel, both of whom were on the same side... However, a camera was set up nearby to record the entire event.

"Mr. Wang, could you please tell me what kind of conflict occurred between you and Mr. McCormack?"

Wang Yaotang slightly turned his head to look at the camera. "I did this out of respect for the police. I didn't reveal a single word to the reporters. I never expected that my kindness would be met with betrayal. The charge of murder has been pinned on me. I think it's time to make these things public. In McCormack's mind, he is a noble British gentleman, while we Hong Kong people are all lowly, yellow-skinned people. We are born to grovel before noble British gentlemen and kiss his boots."

Kelvin and Cabel had no expression on their faces. A few days ago, Cabel had spoken to Wang Yaotang to understand the situation. After returning, he investigated McCormack and found that he was indeed that kind of person. Even within the Public Works Department and the Land Administration Department, he always had a cold face and a bad attitude towards Chinese civil servants.

Where were you at 3 p.m. yesterday?

"Haojiang signed a security contract with Standard Chartered Bank and gave an interview to reporters."

"Do you harbor resentment towards McCormack because of the conflict?"

"Yes."

Kelvin, Cabel, and the others looked at Wang Yaotang with some surprise.

"What are you looking at? Is it illegal to be unhappy with him? Should I thank him for cursing me?" Wang Yaotang said with a smirk, looking completely indifferent.

“Holding a grudge, then you are the one who ordered the murder.” A voice suddenly rang out.

Wang Yaotang tilted his head and looked at the middle-aged man, whom he did not recognize, but judging from his shoulder insignia, he was a chief superintendent.

“This is Chief Superintendent Avid Hershel of the Wealth Intelligence and Investigations Division,” Cabel introduced, squinting.

These are his subordinates in the criminal investigation department, but they are not his people.

Wang Yaotang nodded, stood up, and walked over with a smile. Avid Hershel frowned. "What are you doing? Sit back down."

"Hehe, don't be in such a hurry." With that, Wang Yaotang swung his hand and slapped him hard across the face, making a "smack" sound.

Avid Hershel was so stunned by the slap that his vision went black, and he sat there dumbfounded. Not only him, but everyone else stared blankly at Wang Yaotang, not understanding why he had suddenly hit someone. "Remember, you're not allowed to hate me. If you harbor hatred, you might order someone to kill me, and I'll sue you for attempted murder!" Wang Yaotang said with a cold laugh, then turned and sat back down.

Arvid Hershel finally snapped out of his daze, feeling that half of his face had gone numb. Then, a surge of anger rushed to his head, and he suddenly stood up and lunged at Wang Yaotang.

Comerton, from the Criminal Investigation Department, and Klaus from the Organized Crime and Triad Investigations Department, reached out to stop him, but he slapped him away and charged at Wang Yaotang like an enraged wild dog.

Wang Yaotang remained seated, motionless, then sprang up his leg and kicked Avid Hershel in the side of his shin. Avid Hershel's kick missed its mark, and the force of the blow sent him sprawling onto the ground in a split, yelling, "Ah!!!"

A piercing scream echoed in the small conference room.

Kelvin and Cabel turned their heads away; the sound was painful. Morton and Klaus covered their faces; this guy was out of his mind. Wang Yaotang was the kind of guy who could beat a Japanese boxing champion in the ring. How could someone who runs 2000 meters and is already panting like a baby want to fight him?

You can't hold them back no matter how hard you try; they're really crazy.

If Wang Yaotang really ordered the killing, then he's incredibly petty. Why would you bother him?
If it wasn't murder, what's the point of your provocation? Can it lead to a conviction?
People don't necessarily become calm and collected just because they hold a high position. They'll still brag when they want to, and they'll still have diarrhea when they want to.

Even though they weren't on the same wavelength, they couldn't just stand by and watch their colleague scream in agony on the ground. Cabel quickly called out, and Morton, Klaus, and a few others went over to support Arvid Hershel, but they didn't dare move him. It was obvious that he had torn his thigh muscle.

The inquiry was now completely disrupted, and Cabel waved for his secretary to turn off the cameras.

“I’m going to charge you with assaulting a police officer. You’re dead! Aaaaah, you damned bastard, you dead rat in the ditch!” Arvid Hershel cursed, his face contorted in pain.

Wang Yaotang said with a contemptuous look, "There is video recording. I am here to verify the testimony. As a police officer, you have an obligation to cooperate. The facts prove that you are wrong. Even according to the law, this is just a fight between us. You don't even understand the basic laws and regulations. How did you get to this position?"

"Alright, call an ambulance to take him to the hospital." Kelvin slammed his fist on the table a few times.

Even if he wins the case over such a trivial matter, what difference will it make? Wang Yaotang can just pay a fine and be released on bail. At his level, he can't be brought down by something so small.

"Wang Yaotang, you're a billionaire now, can't you be a little less violent?" Kelvin frowned and looked over. "Have you ever seen a super-rich person resort to violence?"

“When I was poor, I had to suppress my anger. Now that I’m rich, why should I suppress it? What’s the point of having money?” Wang Yaotang said with a smile, spreading his hands. “Besides, there are plenty of instances of members of Parliament getting into fights during parliamentary debates in London, aren’t there?”

"Isn't the point of having money and power to do whatever you want?"

Kelvin rolled his eyes, but inwardly he agreed with what Wang Yaotang said, "Alright, the questioning is over. Go back now. I'm warning you, don't cause any more trouble!"

Wang Yaotang pointed to the camera, "That bastard McCormack's death caused me a lot of trouble, and I won't let my reputation be tarnished."

Kelvin didn't reply, but silently packed his things and left.

As I drove away from the police headquarters building, a large group of reporters indeed surrounded me at the entrance.

"Mr. Wang Yaotang, sources have revealed that you ordered the murder of McCormack. What is your opinion on this?"

"Mr. Wang Yaotang, has the police filed charges against you?"

"Mr. Wang Yaotang, some people have accused you of attempting to threaten and intimidate government officials using violent means. What is your opinion on this?"

"Who said I used violence to threaten or intimidate?" The car slowly came to a stop, and Wang Yaotang rolled down the window and asked coldly, "Tell me the name of this hero who is not afraid of power."

"Uh..." The reporter who had just spoken was stunned.

"Please don't say you're spreading rumors. Everyone knows I'm not some nice guy. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it," Wang Yaotang said with a smile.

"No, it wasn't me, it was Shi Jingyuan," the reporter said hastily, his face turning pale with fright.

They dare to ask any question and spread any rumors when facing public officials, police officers, celebrities, or reporters, but they can't do that when facing organized crime, because they really will take action.

"Which loser is this now?"

“He is from Kwun Tong District and is running for district councilor.”

"Ha, all sorts of Tom, Dick, and Harry come here to stage accidents, threaten and intimidate me, huh? Tell him for me, he's right, someone will teach him a lesson soon!" Wang Yaotang sneered.

I never intended to cultivate a public image as a good citizen, nor did I ever intend to completely shed my street background. Trying to coerce me with my reputation is utterly delusional.

The group of reporters immediately erupted in a clamor of discussion, their faces beaming with excitement.

Every Hong Konger knows about triads. Triads exist in all aspects of life. Triads themselves know that they are not above the law, so they always avoid interviews and exposure. This is the first time in Hong Kong that someone has revealed their identity and publicly threatened a public figure.

Wang Yaotang waved to quiet the reporters before saying, "Alright, stop shouting. Besides, that bastard McCormack is a complete racist. Yellow-skinned people are all lowly and inferior. Only British whites are noble and superior. Yellow-skinned people should be grateful to be able to serve whites. That's why I clashed with him. As for whether it's true or not, you can investigate at the Public Works Department and Land Administration Department where he works. There are quite a few Chinese civil servants there."

"Of course, all of this is on the premise that your newspaper dares to report this. The problem is that they've become so used to being slaves that they're not ashamed but proud of it. Then there's nothing we can do."

"That's it, please make way."

The car restarted, and the crowd parted to make way.

……

Wang Yaotang is a man of his word. If he says he'll kill you all... if he says he'll threaten or intimidate, he will. That night, the Tseung Kwan O Super A team began to take action. First, they arranged for a team to follow Shi Jingyuan and his family 24 hours a day, determined to never leave them and never leave them alone.

Whether you're going out by car, shopping for groceries, or even just using the toilet, there are always a few slovenly guys who look like bad people following you around and watching you.

Because Wang Yaotang spoke publicly, he was clearly not afraid of media reports, so reporters followed and filmed him, which really put Shi Jingyuan and his family in a lot of trouble.

The first thing to do is call the police.

Kwun Tong police responded to the emergency call and dispatched officers immediately, but...

"What? Are we Hong Kongers restricted from going out? Are we poor people not allowed to go out? Are we breaking the law on the streets?!"

Reporters were snapping photos right next to them, and the police couldn't do anything about it; they couldn't just detain someone without any reason.

This isn't America, where people with dark skin just empty their magazines.

Besides, Wang Yaotang, that kind of scoundrel, can easily mobilize thousands of people; he can't just arrest them all.

Starting the next day, not only Shi Jingyuan and his family, but also some of the companies that supported him began to frequent the vicinity of their offices, with men and women dressed in flamboyant attire loitering around.

They don't go in, they don't cause trouble, their main purpose is to disgust people.

Within a few days, Shi Jingyuan felt he could still hold on and gain fame by demonstrating his 'tough attitude' in this matter, but those who supported him couldn't take it anymore and forced him to either go to Wang Yaotang's door to apologize or not to run for office at all.

I support you in exchange for corresponding benefits, not to cause trouble for myself.

On the other hand, Wang Yaotang directly exposed the discriminatory and arrogant attitude of British officials. Apart from a few newspapers with good relations with the government remaining silent, newspapers backed by other forces did not hold back. They not only published all of Wang Yaotang's words in their newspapers, but also sent people to the Public Works Bureau and the Land Administration Office to find out the situation before publishing it. Of course, the tone was all that of "insiders" and "sources".

Although most people in the colonies were used to or didn't care about these things, newspaper sales still rose as a result, even if they just read it as a joke.

The exposure of the incident made the Hong Kong Government House feel very embarrassed, and they had to immediately instruct their subordinates to suppress the matter and vigorously publicize Wang Yaotang's threats and intimidation of Shi Jingyuan in order to cover it up.

As for the investigation, it can continue, but it should not cause any disturbance. At the same time, all departments of the Hong Kong government should give Wang Yaotang a severe scolding. This bastard is like a stinky durian, covered in thorns and emitting a foul stench. There is no need to provoke him.

You're not someone to be bullied, that's why no one bullies you!

Of course, there were countermeasures. The Wealth Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, together with the Commercial Crime Bureau and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, launched an investigation into all of Wang Yaotang's properties. Avid Hershel vowed to find evidence of Wang Yaotang's crimes and bring him to justice.

Wang Yaotang didn't care at all about this. It wasn't that there were no problems with the company or its finances, but rather that in a limited liability company, whoever is responsible for a certain link in the chain will take the blame if something goes wrong. The company isn't listed, so as long as the cash flow is secure, a small problem won't shake anything.

There's no problem as long as there aren't any huge sums of money of unknown origin in Wang Yaotang's personal account.

Previously, there were indeed huge sums of money in his personal account with unclear sources, but all of them were donated through the CNC lathes in Marseille... Now every sum of money has a clear source, the largest sum being more than 3 million yuan that he won by buying his own money some time ago.

As for illicit funds, Wang Yaotang had long ago taken care to separate them from individuals and companies.

As expected by Wang Yaotang, the Public Works Bureau, with its notorious reputation, decided to auction off the ownership and mining rights of the "Shek O" and "Lamma Island" quarries in a fair, just and open manner. Many companies in the construction industry prepared to participate in the auction.

"This is the list of interested parties we got from the Public Works Bureau." Awei handed over a piece of paper.

Apart from a few important departments headed by British officials, the other positions in the Public Works Department were all held by Chinese people. They might not identify as Chinese, but their feelings for 'Franklin' were genuine and passionate.

Wang Yaotang picked it up and looked at it. He couldn't remember the company name, but all the employees were listed after it.

“There are a lot of interesting people involved, but after inquiring about their backgrounds, the only ones truly capable of competing with us are Lui Chi-wo, Li Xiangjiao, the Fok family, the Li Zhao family, the Rui An Luo family, the Hung Kai Kwok family, the New World Cheng family… more than a dozen well-known families in Hong Kong. What are we going to do?” Ah Wei asked with a somewhat grim expression.

"What's going on?" Wang Yaotang said with a stern face, tossing the list aside. "Don't be scared just because you see the names. What's so scary? In terms of assets, we're not lacking compared to these people. In terms of cash, each of them might not be able to match ours. What's so scary?"

“Our biggest rival is still Lui Chi-Wo. Other companies have a wide range of businesses, and stone is just a small part of building materials. In terms of real estate, it is an insignificant branch. We are fighting with all our might, and they will not and cannot focus all their energy on this. That is why Lui Chi-Wo has 70% of the stone production in Hong Kong Island.”

“As long as we suppress Lü Zhihe, I will personally visit the other families. After all this time, I don’t believe I have no face at all.”

"Will it work? What if they don't give us face?" Awei was still a little unsure, after all, they were all from prestigious families he had known since childhood.

“If you won’t give it to me, then let’s have a go.” Wang Yaotang said with narrowed eyes, “Industry standing is always earned through real skills. Real estate is related to dozens or even hundreds of industries. The most important thing in this industry is connections. You have to show your teeth to get a share of the pie.”

"You're the boss, what you say goes," Awei chuckled. (End of Chapter)