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

Technology is equal for everyone. There was no cell phone, and Li Xiangjiao's car didn't have a radio system either. So, halfway through the journey, Sheng Songsheng got out of the car and found a phone booth to make a call before finally rejoining the main force at the police headquarters.

Li Xiangjiao's secretary, Hong Xiaohong, brought a team with her: the company's legal team, senior lawyers and criminal lawyers from the partner law firm, and even a security team from the company that usually handles the building's security. The group consisted of more than 30 people.

As Li Xiangjiao got out of the car, she looked around. There were so many people; their presence was definitely different!

Damn it, you little bastard, once I get more people involved, I'll beat you up next time and make you apologize to me!
Throughout his 50-plus years of life, Li Xiangjiao had always had a smooth and successful life, and had never experienced being nearly beaten up like this before. Now, seeing so many of his subordinates, he suddenly felt a surge of youthful exuberance, and his blood was boiling!
You little bastard surnamed Wang, let's fight! Who's afraid of who!

One of Hong Kong Island's top ten richest Chinese, the famous "Superman" Li Xiangjiao, has arrived, and the head of the headquarters, Han Yili, personally came downstairs to greet him.

Upon meeting, they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Han Yili's smile was as gentle as a morning breeze, as if he had no idea that Li Xiangjiao had just been insulted by Wang Yaotang.

After chatting for a few minutes, the group prepared to take the elevator. The security guards who were there to make a show of things were left outside, as they were not presentable in terms of their attire or demeanor.

Upstairs, in the small meeting room.

Han Yili roughly understood why Li Xiangjiao had come; he had been bullied by Wang Yaotang and had come here seeking help.

Li Xiangjiao: An ally, an ally!

Therefore, he specially invited Heywood, the anti-Wang Yaotang vanguard, to come and keep him company.

After serving tea and chatting about various topics, the conversation gradually turned to the issue of public security in Hong Kong. Li Xiangjiao expressed his concerns about the security environment and the harm that underground forces pose to businesses.

Han Yili nodded in agreement and gave an in-depth analysis of the situation. The global economic recession has affected Hong Kong's economic development and industrialization. Many young people cannot find work and will naturally end up on the streets. The police are also facing limited funds. Currently, there are only more than 20,000 police officers in total, with just over 10,000 actually working on the front lines. There is a serious shortage of police force, and the equipment is outdated and obsolete, etc.

Li Xiangjiao stated that as a member of Hong Kong, he has the responsibility and obligation to contribute to Hong Kong's security. He expressed his intention to donate a batch of PTU patrol cars, a batch of police motorcycles, a batch of walkie-talkie equipment, and also to donate to several charitable funds established by the police.

As a well-known Hong Kong tycoon and philanthropist, Li Xiangjiao is naturally qualified to donate.

Because of the serious corruption problem in the police force during the era of the four former chief detectives, the rules for donations to the police were changed after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was established. Apart from a few officially established funds, no other department or individual in the police force can accept any form of donation. Furthermore, donations to the funds require qualification review, and people with underworld backgrounds, such as Wong Yiu-tong, are prohibited from donating.

After a series of donations were agreed upon, the door to the small meeting room opened, and Li Xiangjiao's entourage, including lawyers, walked in. Several mid-level officers from the police's Commercial Crime Investigation Bureau, Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Criminal Records Bureau, Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, and Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau also followed them in.

But the head of the criminal investigation department, Cabel, came over.

Several departments presented all the materials they had gathered regarding Wang Yaotang. Among them, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department possessed a series of documents detailing Wang Yaotang's 'suspected' bribery activities. Han Yili glanced through them briefly and then closed the documents, instructing them to investigate but not actually to uncover any results...

This thing is too dangerous!
Heywood only glanced at it; the government has its rules, and there are some things that cannot be investigated.

Li Xiangjiao gestured to her lawyer.

"According to some information we have received, Yaoxing Audio-Visual Company threatened and intimidated many shop owners during its establishment process."

"Qiming Plastic Products Factory transferred more than half of its shares to Wang Yaotang for some unknown reasons, and then sold them, which is suspected of commercial extortion."

"Yuanda Trading Co., Ltd. has a large quantity of red wine of unknown origin."

"Tiansheng Entertainment Co., Ltd. is suspected of money laundering..."

"There's a huge discrepancy between Yaoguang Audio-Visual's production time, estimated output, and the export volume reported by customs..."

Li Xiangjiao's love for Wang Yaotang was profound!
A whole host of commercial violations and illegal activities may be exposed. Han Yili looked intently at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department. “I’ve given you the direction of the investigation. Mobilize your best personnel to conduct an in-depth investigation into these areas.”

"Yes Sir!"

Han Yili then looked at the Criminal Intelligence Section and the Criminal Records Section.

"Sir, all criminal cases involving Wang Yaotang have been closed." The two men exchanged a glance and said, forcing themselves to speak.

"Hmm? You caught them all?" Han Yili asked with an unfriendly look.

“Yes…and the court has already delivered its verdict, unless, unless someone recants.” As they spoke, the two lowered their heads.

In fact, both departments had a very good impression of Wang Yaotang; a good person in the underworld is one who doesn't cause trouble.

“We all know those people are scapegoats. Communicate with them as much as possible and get them to reveal who is behind it all,” Heywood instructed in a deep voice.

“Yes, Sir!” the two answered loudly.

It's fine for the group to put on a show, but to go and recant their testimony? Are you crazy? This is a tacit understanding between the underworld forces and the police. Why risk your life for a few thousand yuan a month?
Li Xiangjiao understood their thoughts at a glance and immediately gave up on trying to cause trouble for Wang Yaotang in this regard.

Han Yili didn't hold out much hope. His gaze swept past the Financial Intelligence and Investigation Department and finally landed on the 'O-Division' (Organization of the Underworld), which was the real key to controlling the power of the underworld.

"What is your assessment of Wang Yaotang and the Triad forces he controls?"

O-Division Superintendent Lu Zixuan was extremely annoyed. His immediate superior, Chief Superintendent Klaus, had a close relationship with Wong Yiu-tong, and his superior's superior, Assistant Commissioner of Criminal Investigation, Cabel, was practically Wong Yiu-tong's mouthpiece in the police force. Now that the Chief Superintendent was asking him for his opinion, what the hell was he talking about?
Can you gods at least keep your distance when you're fighting?

“Well, the definition of ‘triad’ in the ‘Order for the Suppression of Triads and Other Secret Societies’ promulgated in 1845 and the ‘Social Organizations Ordinance’ promulgated in 1914 is relatively vague. Then the ‘Summary Procedure Punishment Ordinance’ was promulgated in 1936. However, it’s hard to say whether the evidence we have will be accepted in court.” Lu Zixuan tried to explain: “Including previous court precedents, they are also quite vague. For example, the ‘56’ case concerning ‘Tiao Lin’ and ‘Xin’an’ was ultimately settled by expulsion.”

These two events had a huge impact at the time. The Hong Kong government, backed by the British Empire, was ultimately helpless against two deserter organizations that had fled from the mainland and could only resort to expulsion. It was truly... a huge mess!
Although the "Wu Lu" case did not seem to have any significant impact on British Hong Kong on the surface, it actually shattered the blind spots that Chinese people in Hong Kong and the British colonies in Southeast Asia had in their perception of the British. A few upper-class Chinese families discovered that the British were not as powerful as they had claimed, and that the so-called powerful military force of Britain could not really be projected onto Southeast Asia. These foreigners were just making empty threats; in reality, they would crumble at the first sign of trouble.

In 57, Xu Shixun founded China Construction Enterprises.

In 58, Guo Desheng and Li Zhaoji jointly established Yongye Co., Ltd. to enter the real estate and construction industry.

In 57, Li Xiangjiao's plastic flowers became a bestseller, and in 58, he began to venture into the real estate business.

The top ten richest people all ventured into the real estate industry after the "Five and Six" (referring to the five richest men in China), which led to their rapid asset appreciation.

Before '56', transportation, electricity, mining, docks, construction, and real estate were all monopolies of the British, and it was very difficult for Chinese to get involved.

Han Yili's face was expressionless. Lu Zixuan pushed out photocopies of three documents: "Regulations for Suppressing Triads and Other Secret Societies," "Social Organizations Regulations," and "Regulations for Simplified Procedural Punishment."

After Li Xiangjiao's criminal lawyer got up and took the document, he and the others began to carefully review it, looking for legal provisions that could severely punish Wang Yaotang.

The professional criminal lawyer quickly found some clauses that could convict Wang Yaotang, and at Li Xiangjiao's prompting, read them aloud: "According to the 'Regulations for the Suppression of Triads and Other Secret Societies':"

"Any association activity that uses triad rituals, titles or names is prohibited. Violators may be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison and, upon completion of their sentence, have a mark tattooed on their right cheek as a mark."

Core provisions of the Societies Ordinance (promulgated in 1914 and revised multiple times):
Article 2: Clarify that "Triad rituals" include rituals commonly used by Triads, similar rituals and parts thereof, such as beheading chickens, drinking blood wine, drilling knives, etc.

Article 2 is amended to include "triad titles" (such as "red stick" or "white paper fan") in the category of illegal activities. Even if the name of a triad does not directly use "triad," it will be considered illegal as long as the relevant title is used.

Article 20: It is an offence for any person to claim or assert that he is a member of a triad, to participate in an assembly, to possess triad documents (such as a list of members or a flag) or to make payments to a triad for assistance, and he is liable to imprisonment for a maximum of seven years and a fine of HK$250,000.

Core provisions of the "Simplified Procedure for Punishing Crimes"
Article 20: Supplementary provisions stipulate that displaying triad symbols (such as triangular flags) or using coded language (such as Hung Society slang) in public is punishable by imprisonment for six months and a fine of HK$1000.

The lawyer looked up at Li Xiangjiao and said, “According to the information we have, Wang Yaotang was first detained in the Yau Ma Tei Police Station’s detention cell. He was given the title of ‘Double Flower Red Stick’ by the triad organization ‘Wo Shing Yee’ and others, whose nickname was ‘Boone-Picking East’. Afterwards, a special ceremony was held to mark his appointment, which was attended by many people.”

“After that, Wang Yaotang held triad gatherings at the InterContinental Hotel on multiple occasions and held a funeral with triad characteristics at the stadium. He also presided over the election of ‘red sticks,’ ‘white paper fans,’ ‘straw sandals,’ etc., for 16 branches. These can all be used as evidence for conviction.”

Li Xiangjiao looked at Han Yili, "What does Director Han think?"

Han Yili looked at Lu Zixuan.

Lu Zixuan coughed lightly and said, "Cough cough, at present, our Organized Crime and Triad Bureau does not have any video or audio recordings of the scene as evidence."

"What about undercover agents? Didn't we send undercover agents to various large and medium-sized organizations?" Haywood asked in a deep voice.

“Uh… we did send in undercover agents.” Lu Zixuan said with a wry smile, “but they all joined later. They almost never see Wang Yaotang. Those sent in earlier did reach the upper echelons of Shengyi, but they all resigned.”

"Resign?" Han Yili's expression was strange. "What do you mean?"

“I just resigned. I submitted my resignation letter.” Lu Zixuan forced a smile. “Why?” Haywood demanded loudly, “Did you violate any regulations?”

Lu Zixuan frowned, unwilling to speak.

“Speak up, I’m asking you a question.” Haywood placed his hands on the table, his face showing great anger.

"Because Wang Yaotang's side offers a very high salary. It's a legitimate company job with various insurances, a company car, and a company house. But according to the regulations for undercover police officers, company cars and houses are illegal. They must be handed over after the undercover mission is completed and undergo repeated reviews to ensure that the undercover agent's actions during the mission complied with laws and regulations and to ensure that these are not bribes from criminals." Lu Zixuan's face was full of anger, and he cursed inwardly. He asked, "Why the hell do you have to ask? You're crazy."

"What did you say!" Haywood's face flushed with rage. "These damned bastards! They're committing blasphemy! Don't they have any sense of honor? They betrayed us for a little money! Do they deserve the training the police gave them? Do they deserve the Queen's respect?!"

"These shameless, despicable, and lowly things!"

These words caused the atmosphere in the meeting room to suddenly fall silent. Lu Zixuan and the other group of Chinese police officers looked grim. What difference was there between this and being pointed at and cursed?

Who the hell becomes a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer for some bullshit honor?

Who the hell would lick the asses of you foreigners if it weren't for the money!

Honor, loyalty, and all that—these are just things Huang Zhuk Hang uses to fool those brainless young people. After all, those who go to police academy are mostly junior high or high school students. If they had any brains, they would go to university. With a university degree, they would start as inspectors, while those idiots at police academy would never even get close to becoming inspectors in their entire lives.

The lawyer remained calm, criticizing the police officers, not the other way around.

How can someone with a genuine sense of justice become a lawyer?

"Director Han, Deputy Director Heywood, I have some matters to attend to at my company, so I won't delay the police discussion any longer." Li Xiangjiao coughed lightly and stood up. He had conveyed the intended meaning; as an outsider, he shouldn't interfere with the specifics of how to proceed.

“Okay, I’ll see Mr. Li off,” Han Yili said with a smile.

The others stood up to see him off. When they got downstairs, Li Xiangjiao still felt uneasy. After thinking for a moment, he said, "These people have always considered themselves江湖人 (jianghu people, people of the martial arts world) and are proud of it. They often speak to each other in a jianghu style. It won't be difficult to get evidence."

"Anyone who claims to be a member of a triad, participates in a gathering, possesses triad documents, lists, flags, or makes payments to the triad is committing a crime, and those ledgers and registers are evidence of this."

“Sometimes, it’s not necessary to catch them all in one fell swoop. We can dismantle them little by little and maybe we can find relevant evidence from some people. Hong Kong’s security situation is a long-term problem, so there’s no need to rush.”

“Mr. Li is absolutely right. Combating triads is a long-term process, and the police will spare no effort in carrying it out.” Han Yili nodded with a smile.

Wang Yaotang repeatedly contradicted the police. Han Yili did want to teach him a lesson, but he never thought of arresting him directly.

This is something that Li Xiangjiao's donation cannot change.

If they were so easy to catch, the police would have wiped out the Four Greats long ago.

When they say you pose a 'great danger,' you better actually do!

The "Wu Lu" incident caused such a big commotion that the Governor's Office and London were humiliated, yet they only expelled two high-ranking officials. Even though Sheng Yi is a newly emerging company, the Kwun Tong incident a few days ago mobilized several thousand people, and that was within just one hour, without the participation of several gangs on Hong Kong Island.

All of this intelligence was subsequently compiled and sent to Han Yili's desk, and he was fully aware of it.

If Wang Yaotang were arrested and sentenced simply because of a small donation from Li Xiangjiao, it would be strange if those people didn't cause a disturbance. There are over a thousand well-trained people among them. What if a mass incident occurs?
The duty of the Hong Kong Royal Police is to maintain Hong Kong's law and order, not to create problems.

Cracking down on triads is good for Hong Kong society, good for the people, good for the wealthy, and good for Deputy Commissioner Neil Heywood, but Han Yili only wants to take responsibility for his own position.

However, doing nothing wouldn't work, so Han Yili called Lu Zixuan and the others over.

Back in his office, Han Yili called Kelvin over and instructed him on the task of cracking down on the Triad 'Sheng Yi', demanding significant results in the short term to curb 'Sheng Yi's' arrogance.

Han Yili was quite confident about this.

“It’s difficult.” Unexpectedly, Kelvin said with a frown.

"Kelvin, do you know what you're saying? You are first and foremost a Senior Assistant Commissioner of the Hong Kong Royal Police. You need to know your place and not let interests blind you." Han Yili glared at him sternly, and the atmosphere in the office seemed to drop several degrees.

“Believe me, of course I know that. I’m not making excuses, but I really have difficulties. A normal gang’s power wouldn’t grow this fast. He’s really one of those rare cases…” Kelvin said solemnly.

"You can continue." Han Yili's expression softened.

“You’ll understand once you hear this.” Kelvin held up a finger. “He never lets anyone call him ‘Head of the Gang’ or ‘Boss.’ Whether in public or in private, everyone either calls him by his name, his nickname, or ‘Brother Yao’ or ‘Master Yao.’”

"Second: Normally, after a leader is chosen, he should be registered on a roster. However, according to the information I have obtained from various sources, no one has ever seen the roster since he took control of Shengyi."

Kelvin raised his third finger. "The information I received from the Commerce Department is that after he took office, he established a series of companies, such as Sheng Yi Investment Company and Sheng Yi Tong Co., Ltd. Sheng Yi Tong has a series of subsidiaries, such as Sheng Yao Co., Ltd., which manages the Tsim Sha Tsui branch that he originally controlled. All other branches have established companies and are controlled by professional managers."

"Do you understand what I mean? All the legitimate income of the gangs has been corporatized and taxed normally. Most importantly, even if there are illegal activities such as money laundering, it is very difficult to investigate. Even if we have the evidence, we cannot prosecute him."

"What about those illicit gains?" Han Yili frowned.

“No.” Kelvin shook his head. “We’ve been monitoring him for two years. He’s already a real billionaire, a super-rich man who can beat up Lui Chi-ho and humiliate Li Xiangjiao to his face. In the auction that just ended, he spent nearly $9000 million to buy the Shek O and Lamma Island mines.”

“My respected Director, what kind of illicit income can earn so much money in such a short time? The leader of Sheng Yi does indeed participate in some illicit activities in private, but there is no way to prosecute him.”

"Just like we can't possibly sue Li Xiangjiao, according to the information we currently have, he directly or indirectly controls more than 50 companies, has more than 280 stores of various types, provides more than 4000 jobs, and indirectly provides tens of thousands of jobs. Oh right, and that doesn't even include the two mines he just bought."

“Even if he publicly declares now that Hong Kong is part of China, we can only listen and do nothing, as long as he doesn’t lead people to storm the Governor’s House.”

"Phew—" Han Yili let out a long breath and rubbed his temples with a headache. "Too fast. In my memory, he was still a small-time hoodlum selling erotic lingerie."

Kelvin shrugged. "It's really fast. He made HK$5 million from the Macau casino in just two matches. How could his development not be fast? As far as I know, after the last funeral, gangs from East Asia and Southeast Asia placed orders with him that exceeded HK$10 billion. The Commerce Department predicts that the turnover of his various companies this year will exceed HK$30 billion, and that was before he entered the stone mining industry."

"If he really monopolizes the Hong Kong Island Stone Mining Company, its annual turnover could exceed HK$80 billion."

Han Yili shook his head and smiled at Kelvin, "So, what does this have to do with capturing Shengyitang's mouthpiece?"

Kelvin's expression froze.

“Buddy.” Han Yili patted the chair. “This appointment comes from London, and London will refer to the Governor’s House. We need to show the Governor’s House that we are doing our job, not neglecting our duties.”

Han Yili has always been very clear that everything he does is to protect his current position, and if betraying the British government can bring him profit, he doesn't mind doing so.

“Yes, Director, you’ll see results soon.” Kelvin smiled and nodded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

"Go."

……

Mingquan Hot Spring.

Inside the small pond, Wang Yaotang and Kelvin stood on either side.

“That’s how it is. Li Xiangjiao wants to use the police to deal with you, but the police are under pressure from the Governor’s Office, so I can’t do anything about it.” Kelvin picked up a glass of red wine and took a sip.

Soaking in a hot bath, sipping chilled wine, and having a pretty young girl give you a massage—life is good!

"I understand." Wang Yaotang nodded. He would warn the various branches under him, but if anyone was caught doing something wrong, he wouldn't care; he would just consider it normal metabolism.

Wang Yaotang didn't take this matter to heart. Li Xiangjiao obviously didn't have a clear understanding of the underworld or the situation of Shengyi. The gang was prepared and it wouldn't cause any real harm. What really worried him was that Li Xiangjiao would tamper with the handover between Shek O and Lamma Island later.

That old bastard will definitely not let himself complete the handover easily.

Sure enough, a few days later, Xiong Demin, Su Guangxuan, and Jiao Peilin came over together, saying that something had happened at the two mines.

Li Xiangjiao used the same tactics Wang Yaotang employed at the two mines, exactly as they had done. (End of Chapter)