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

At the police station, the emergency phone kept ringing. The duty officer was covered in sweat, waving his hands and shouting at his officers to hurry up and get to work.

This is an affluent area, and the people calling are all among Bangkok's top old-money aristocrats. He couldn't help but be anxious; he could hear the booming of cannons when he answered the phone just now.

The police inspector was sweating profusely as he yelled, and the police officers below were running around like crazy, causing chaos throughout the entire police station.

"Armory, armory, open it now!"

"No document can be issued without the director's signature!"

"What the hell is going on? Didn't you hear there was an accident over there?"

"Then you'll need the police inspector's signature too."

The group of people exchanged glances and shouted at each other at the top of their lungs; their shouts could be heard through several walls.

Outside, seven or eight policemen were running back and forth carrying oil drums. Suddenly, one of them tripped over something, stumbled a couple of steps, and fell. The lid of the oil drum in his hand was not closed, and the gasoline gushed out.

"Watch out, watch out! Gasoline has spilled! Don't let it catch fire!"

"Call for help! There are only a few of you!"

"The car is broken! It won't start!"

The entire police station was in complete chaos. Five minutes had passed since the emergency call, and things were still in a mess, with no end in sight for departure...

The on-duty police inspector realized that these guys were obviously doing it on purpose and didn't want to respond to the call. This made the inspector so angry that he jumped up and down and started cursing.

"Boss, they're deliberately stalling for time," the assistant said loudly, looking anxious.

The police inspector's expression turned cold. He turned and stared at his assistant without saying a word.

Is that noticeable?

You think you're so smart!
The assistant felt a chill run down his spine and his feet went cold from the glare. He didn't know why, but he had said the wrong thing.

In fact, the police inspector didn't want to go either. He could still hear the sound of artillery on the phone just now. Those were cannons!

When the artillery fire is slamming the ground, they won't recognize his police uniform. One shell and the whole village will be wiped out!
I've already called the director, but he still hasn't shown up.

Besides, which of these old-money noble families doesn't have ten or eight security guards? They are all trained by their families and have also served in the military. They are all well-equipped and well-trained. The dozens of noble families in the core section of the Chao Phraya River have more than a battalion of soldiers combined.

They're all hiding at home, too afraid to go out and deal with these terrorists. Why should the police go?

Since things have already come to this, does arriving in time guarantee his promotion?
No, you'll definitely get scolded even if you go, so why rush?
You can't only think of me when you're in danger!
Of course, the attitude must be made clear: the police officers below are poorly trained, they are flustered in emergencies, and the police station's equipment is outdated and unable to respond quickly.

I will submit a report on this and request that the higher authorities increase their investment in the police force, at least in their affluent areas!
What is a bureaucrat?
specialized!

Just 10 minutes after Ah Jie and Ah Ji arrived, a large police force rushed to the core section of the Chao Phraya River, blocking off the entire road and waterway, vowing to catch the terrorists!
Once the police force arrived and each household deployed security personnel to maintain order, the core section of the Chao Phraya River only became active again after confirming that the attackers had disappeared and would not return.

On the contrary, ambulances arrive faster. Whether it's underground forces or terrorists, everyone has rules and doesn't attack medical personnel.

(Open the door, you're under arrest!)
(Why? What's wrong with me!)

(Hey kid, don't think we don't know what you're talking about just because you didn't mention 'oil stains'. You're being arrested for insulting oil!!)
Who launched the attack?
For what reason?
These are all unknowns, but each family already knows that the attacked families are the Son family and the Tidi family.

The two manors looked no different from a battlefield ravaged by artillery fire, but in fact the main buildings were intact and there were very few casualties, all of whom were servants of the manors. The main family members were just too frightened.

The 60mm mortar is mainly used to target trenches, foxholes, and behind bunkers, enemy troops on the march or in formation, and targets in complex terrain such as mountains and reverse slopes.

Its destructive power to buildings is limited.

It's the middle of the night, and the Song En and Ti Di families are in complete chaos. It's obviously not a good time to ask why, but after such a terrorist attack, who the hell can sleep?
However, when the heads of the various old money families gathered together, they reached a consensus on security.

To be an aristocrat, you must rely on yourself!
Strengthening security on highways and waterways is crucial, as the police can no longer be relied upon. Various entities are pooling their resources to form dedicated security teams, raising the security level to military standards.

Furthermore, whoever launches the attack must be made to pay the price!
Unscrupulous!

Lawless!

……

"Ah-Jie, do you think those big local families will let this go?" Ah-Jie asked suddenly after his excitement subsided on the way back.

"Heh, so you're scared now?" Ah Ji said with a chuckle. "If you can think of that, how could Brother Yao not?"

Ah Jie scratched his head. "It's not that I'm scared, it's that I don't understand why Brother Yao is so sure they won't dare to break off relations?"

"If the Italian Mafia suddenly came to Hong Kong and bombed the Xiang family's house, killing everyone, would you go after them and fight them to the death?" Ah-Jie asked.

"What does it have to do with me? I'm not his father!" A-Jie said without thinking, then realized what he meant.

Yeah, it's none of my business!
At most, he might stand up and say a few words of criticism, express his support for 'Yi An', and might even provide money and weapons, but he would never risk his life against the mafia for the sake of the Xiang family.

Are these Thai nobles, whose lineage has lasted for over a hundred years, more noble than myself?
Haha, I don't think so.

Ah-Ji chuckled and patted Ah-Jie on the shoulder. "They're just paper tigers. Even if there are one or two with foresight, it doesn't matter. Their first challenge is dealing with resistance within their own families. So, don't worry, keep singing and dancing as usual."

“Okay, I’m not worried about that, it’s just…” Ah Jie pursed his lips, hands on his hips, glaring angrily at Ah Ji, “You fucking bastard, were you secretly studying behind your brothers’ backs?!”

Aji: "..."

"You shameless scoundrel, you're so despicable!" Ah Jie cursed angrily.

……

After being humiliated by Wang Yaotang, Pinapan Nasi flew into a rage again. He forced himself to stay awake until the banquet ended, then hastily packed up and went home, where he fell asleep immediately.

Even when I'm asleep, I can't stop having nightmares.

Around 1 a.m., there was a sudden knock on the door. Pinapan Nasi was jolted awake and sat up abruptly in bed, waking his wife who was next to him.

“What’s wrong!” Pinapan Nasi asked loudly.

"Master, something has happened!" came the anxious voice of a servant from outside.

"Come in." Pinapan Nasi hurriedly got down to greet him. "What happened?"

The butler glanced at the mistress on the bed and whispered in Pinapan Nasi's ear, "News just came in..."

"What!" Pinapan Nasi exclaimed, his voice becoming shrill. "Are you serious?!"

"It's true, according to the police, four policemen at the intersection were killed. Those lunatics fired more than 100 shells, and the Song En family and the Tidi family's house were reduced to ruins."

Panapan Nasi looked terrified, his hands and feet were ice-cold, and his teeth were chattering uncontrollably. Last night, the man surnamed Wang had carried out a series of attacks, and he still remembered that guy saying he would kill his whole family.

Perhaps, the person is already on their way.

"Go, go, go..."

"I can't stay at home anymore."

"Get the car ready, let's go now to the hotel!" Pinapan Nasi said in a panic.

These days, people who can afford to stay in five-star hotels are people of status. Regardless of the hotel's background, the people there are all sorts of people. Unless they are aware of their own safety, they would not do something like attacking a five-star hotel.

……

Wang Yaotang slept until after 9 a.m. before getting up. When he asked, he found that A-Jie and A-Ji were still sleeping.

Last night I bombarded Lao Qian with criticism, and I was so excited that I couldn't sleep. I also hung out with two local minor celebrities for a while, and didn't go to bed until the early hours of the morning.

He laughed and cursed a few times, then had someone help him wash up before having breakfast. Wei Tao read the newspaper next to him; at his level, he needed to keep up with all kinds of news every day.

Of course, reading the newspaper doesn't mean reading the original text. There are so many newspapers, how can anyone read them all? All the newspapers that come to Wei Tao have to be sorted out, the nonsense removed, and the central idea extracted. For the same event, several different factions of newspapers are compared and contrasted. After removing the subjective opinions of the newspapers, what Wang Yaotang needs to understand is the original state of things.

Everything I heard was essential!

After breakfast, just as I was listening to what the day's schedule was, there was a knock on the door. Sha Ze pushed the door open and walked in. "Brother Yao, someone from downstairs has come to visit. They say they are the Chief of Police of Bangkok."

Wang Yaotang raised an eyebrow, knowing it was about what happened last night. Their house had been bombed to the ground; if they couldn't find the cause within 10 hours, it had no chance of existing.

"Let them come up."

When Pira Thasin arrived at the top floor with two subordinates, he was stopped and, upon hearing that he was to be searched, he flew into a rage.

This is Bangkok, Thailand. How can a police chief be searched just to meet a foreign thug?

This is an insult to him!
An insult to Thailand!

"A subject who has disgraced his master shall die." Before Pira Thaksin could even speak, his two subordinates erupted, "Do you even know what you're saying? If anyone should be searching, it's us searching you! This is Thailand, and I'm going to search this place now. Right now, immediately, put your hands up!"

Lu Shaotao glanced at the guy with a cold face and disdain, not bothering to pay him any attention. "Either search him and go in to see the boss, or leave. It's that simple."

"You! You!" The subordinate was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged. He hadn't expected the other party to be so tough, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Do you believe that we’ll have the police surround this place right now? You dare to defy Thai police!” another person immediately shouted.

"Really? I don't believe it!" Lu Shaotao had a faint smile on his face.

If it were a few years ago, he would have been terrified to death upon hearing this, but after following Brother Yao, he has come to realize that the law is nothing but bullshit. The law can only govern ordinary people, and true strongmen are never bound by the law!
Wang Yaotang is now clearly disrespecting the police, so what can the Bangkok police do?
Is it really possible to mobilize hundreds of police officers to surround the Dusit Thani Hotel and then stage a CQB battle inside the hotel?
Kill one person and the blood will flow like a river?
Stop talking.

The first to press the pause button was the mayor of Bangkok. Those powerful figures who were pressuring the police behind the scenes also had to call a halt. Not to mention the enormous pressure from the north, no wealthy person in the world has ever died because of a conflict with the police!
Whether it's domestic police or foreign police.

Once this happens, it sends the wrong signal: the power of the police will expand rapidly.

In both Eastern and Western countries, the capitalist system has consistently tried to limit the power of the police.

"Alright." Pira Thasin waved his hand, his face dark, to stop his two subordinates from continuing their commotion; it was too embarrassing.

After being searched by Lu Shaotao's men, Pira Thasin went in alone, while his two subordinates were told to wait in another room.

Entering the presidential suite with a dark expression, Pirat Thaksin immediately spotted the young man dressed casually, who looked more amiable than in the photos, with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Director Pilat Thasin." Wang Yaotang took the initiative to walk up and extend his hand.

Pira Thasin glanced coldly at the outstretched hand, but finally suppressed his anger and shook it. "Obviously, I am not good at all. As the Bangkok Police Chief, I still need to be searched in Bangkok. Is Mr. Wang Yaotang insulting me?"

“First of all, you’ll be searched even if you go to the palace. Secondly, I didn’t know you a minute ago, so humiliating you won’t produce even a trace of dopamine in my body.” Wang Yaotang’s smile remained bright.

"You!" Pira Thasin's face darkened even more. He didn't understand what dopamine was, but he could tell that this person, despite his bright smile, had absolutely no respect for him.

"Okay, let me put it bluntly. Humiliating you won't attract any attention, even if it's mentioned at a dinner table, because nobody knows you." Wang Yaotang shrugged. "What do you think?"

In a state of extreme anger, Pira Thaksin
He took a deep breath and snapped angrily.

There's no way, I'm used to it.

Both are police chiefs in large cities with 500 million people, but Pira Thaksin's status is far inferior to that of Han Yili in Hong Kong.

It's often said that Hong Kong is a shallow pond teeming with turtles, full of big shots, but compared to that, Bangkok is even more extreme, with the King, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the military, the Mayor, the City Government, powerful figures, and tycoons at the top...

Being a police chief is really a struggle, even for middle-level managers.

The whole country is full of old ladies. Just look at the security situation in Bangkok. Every Bangkok police chief has been incompetent, and Pirat Thaksin is just one of them.

"Alright, let's not talk about such unpleasant things anymore. Sit here, what would you like to drink?" Wang Yaotang said with a smile.

Pira Thaksin sat down with a grim face. Having been openly humiliated, he had no appetite for food. "Wang Yaotang, what exactly do you want? This is Bangkok! You, a foreigner, are shelling here..."

"Alright, alright." Wang Yaotang raised his hand to interrupt Pira Thasin. "I know why you came. It's just a small matter."

“It’s a small matter. 100 rounds of 60mm mortar fire were fired in one minute. You call that a small matter?” Pira Thasin suddenly stood up.

“Look at you, you’re in such a hurry again.” Wang Yaotang leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs with a smile, “For me, it’s just a matter of a word, and it’s the same for you. But obviously you haven’t realized that a major opportunity has come your way. You’re still getting hung up on some trivial details. That’s the biggest reason why you haven’t been able to get promoted.”

Is it more important to seize opportunities and pave the way for your advancement, or to rush around aimlessly just because someone else gives you an order?

“What…do you mean?” Pira Thasin frowned as he looked at Wang Yaotang, his expression filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

Of course he wants a promotion, but don't you, a foreigner, find it a bit funny to say that?
Wang Yaotang raised his hand and pointed to himself with a thumbs up. "I, Wang Yaotang, started from scratch and went from a street thug to a billionaire in three years. Now I've even expanded beyond Hong Kong and extended my influence to Southeast Asian countries. Last night, I shelled the core section of the Chao Phraya River, scaring those so-called powerful people who can command you to be terrified but dare not face it directly."

In short, Pira Thasin's heart suddenly started pounding at over 120 beats per minute, his face began to turn slightly red, and his breathing became heavy.

"Trust me or them?" Wang Yaotang said calmly.

“I believe you!” Pira Thasin said emphatically, his back unconsciously bending down.

"Then what should you call me?" Wang Yaotang said with a half-smile.

"Master Yao!" Pira Thasin smiled obsequiously.

Wang Yaotang burst into laughter, and Pira Thasin chuckled along.

After sitting down again, Wang Yaotang said, "You know the situation in Thai society better than I do. Your background determines that this position is your limit, unless you have exceptional personal abilities and can break through the family's ceiling. Can you do that?"

Pira Thasin shook his head, "No."

"That's it then." Wang Yaotang smiled. "Regarding last night's events, to what extent do you think they can help you advance further?"

Pira Thasin frowned, his mind racing, trying to force Wang Yaotang to submit.
Or perhaps they arrested Wang Yaotang?
He shook his head inwardly, thinking that even if he succeeded, the most likely outcome would be that he would be thrown out as an explanation.

As for the family, they will make compensation by promoting a new person or giving them an extra position. He has seen this kind of thing many times, and the family will definitely agree. Then they will give his parents and wife some compensation.

Enjoying the benefits of family comes at a price; sacrifices must be made when necessary—this is a universal rule.

But I'm fucking finished!
"Haha, looks like you've figured it out too." Wang Yaotang put his feet on the coffee table and half-reclined on the sofa. "Let me summarize for you: there's no future in following them, right?"

"Alright then, do you want to go further? And are you willing to pay some price for it?"

“I do!” Pira Thasin said without hesitation.

A 2009 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America showed that winners in business negotiations had 15% higher testosterone levels than losers. This physiological response stems from the underlying evolutionary logic that "power = resource control = reproductive advantage." The increase in testosterone further strengthens an individual's desire for power, forming a positive feedback loop of "behavior-hormones."

A 2015 study published in Nature Neuroscience indicated that the amygdala (an anxiety-related brain region) of powerful individuals had lower activity levels than those of powerless individuals.

The experience of power, such as control over resources and obedience to others, stimulates the brain's dopamine system, producing a pleasure similar to "addiction." This mechanism prompts men to associate the "pursuit of power" with "pleasure," forming the physiological basis of their psychological motivation.

Whether in politics or business, the ultimate pursuit is power; men will do anything for power!
“I hope you really realize that,” Wang Yaotang asked in a deep voice.

“I’m sure! I won’t regret it!” Pira Thasin said emphatically.

Wang Yaotang smiled slightly. He took those words as a joke. If he couldn't see any hope of advancement in the end, he would not hesitate to switch sides.

However, it doesn't matter, because I'm confident!
Wang Yaotang pointed to a glass of red wine on the coffee table and said with a light laugh, "See this glass of red wine? The power in Thailand is just like this. Without external forces, it will remain unchanged. The past 200 years have formed an extremely stable power structure."

"It's absolutely impossible to bring about change internally anymore. The only way is..."

Wang Yaotang lightly tapped his toes, and the wine glass fell to the ground on the coffee table with a 'clatter,' spilling red wine everywhere.

“You mean…” Pira Thasin’s eyes flickered.

“Since Thailand opened international flights in 1958, this opportunity has been brewing. Distance restrictions are being broken down rapidly. No country can continue to remain closed off. Everyone must be prepared to face external shocks.” Wang Yaotang spoke eloquently with his head held high. “Thailand is also experiencing all of this, and this is beyond the control of any class.”

“Some people are prepared, proactive, and want to go further in the process, but many more are conservative and resistant. After all, they already have enough power, and change means risk, which is what the Son family and the Tidi family want.”

"Just because of a family member's shady business, such a huge disaster has been brought to the family. Tsk tsk, I believe both families are now ready to kill each other, but that's reality."

"So most people are unwilling to take risks, and even if there are one or two people in the group who have a long-term vision, it's useless; they will be trapped in this spider web."

“I’m here. I want to cut a slice of the Thai cake to fill my stomach. My natural ally in Thailand is the local Chinese family, but Chinese alone are not enough. After all, the dominant ethnic group is Thai. So, we need to push a Thai person up.”

As he spoke, Wang Yaotang looked at Pira Thasin, whose breathing was becoming increasingly rapid. "Because of my background and because I have the mainland behind me, I prefer to use tough methods to solve the difficulties I encounter. Therefore, this collaborator should ideally be a high-ranking police officer."

Pira Thasin stood up abruptly, his face flushed, and said in broken Cantonese mixed with Thai, "Respected Mr. Wang, my ancestors were from Taishan, Guangdong, surnamed Wu, I..."

"Loyalty!" Pira Thaksin clenched his fist and swung it fiercely!
Wang Yaotang: "???" (End of Chapter)