Hong Kong Movie: At the beginning, Big Boss B asked me to draw the death lottery

Chapter 201: Britain brought people here but didn't take them away. What's the difference between that and abandoning them?
The oak doors of Government House slowly closed, shutting out the last ray of sunlight.

Fei Peng stood by the window, the twilight outside was deep, just like the unfathomable look in his eyes at that moment.

"Notify Williams of the South China Morning Post that the front page article will be changed tomorrow!"

He suddenly spoke, his voice so soft it was as if he were talking to himself: "Not a single word of Ho Yiu-chung's discourse on colonial history today is allowed to be published in the newspapers."

Chen Fang'an's hand, which was taking notes, suddenly trembled, and the pen left sharp ink marks on the paper.

When she looked up, she met Fei Peng's cold blue eyes behind his glasses.

“Governor, I’m afraid that…”

She swallowed hard: "Seven newspapers have already obtained the live recording!"

Fei Peng chuckled lightly: "Then let the Information Office put pressure on them. If these newspapers knew it was your Provincial Administration Secretary's idea, they certainly wouldn't say anything more."

Chen Fang'an immediately understood—the British Empire had managed Hong Kong for a century, and its media lifeline had long been woven into a network.

Back then, Wei Yixin was able to shut down the Far Eastern Economic Review for six months with a single injunction; now, Fei Peng can certainly silence He Yaozong's sensational remarks.

The so-called freedom of speech depends on whether the Governor of Hong Kong is willing to personally take responsibility for this matter.
This time, it's just that it's their Provincial Administration Office that's stepping up to take responsibility.

After Chen Fang'an quickly made a phone call and completed the task assigned by Fei Peng, Fei Peng clearly had a new strategy.

"Chen, go and inform those foreign representatives. I want to tell them that the Governor's House will never abandon them!"
-
Inside Fat Peng's mansion on Victoria Peak, a secret meeting is being held.

After glancing at everyone, Fat Peng took off his signature round-framed glasses.

His unobstructed blue eyes, like two floating ice floes, coldly swept over the twelve foreign representatives in front of him.

Maria from the Philippine Maids' Union, Raj from the Indian Chamber of Commerce, and Gesang from the Nepal Veterans Association—each face was frozen with similar unease.

“Our ancestors came with the Union Jack.”

Fei Peng's Cantonese suddenly became incredibly fluent: "But now, someone wants to tear down the land beneath your feet."

The slideshow behind him showed photos of the conflict at Bijia Mountain, with He Yaozong's image deliberately rendered as sinister and terrifying.

Old Raj's silver teaspoon clattered to the ground.

The 70-year-old Sikh, whose great-grandfather was among the first Indian police officers on Hong Kong Island, trembled as he picked up a teaspoon: "Your Excellency, we..."

"Call me Mr. Peng."

Fat Peng affectionately patted the old man's shoulder: "On behalf of London, I would like to thank you all for your cooperation with Government House over the years."

But times have changed, and Great Britain's departure is a foregone conclusion. From now on, you must learn to protect yourselves.

Gesang suddenly burst into tears: "My parents and I have worked diligently on this land, but even now, people still call me 'Acha, Acha'."

"Because you don't have votes!"

Fat Peng's voice suddenly sharpened: "Even if Great Britain leaves, it will leave democracy on Hong Kong Island forever!"

He unbuttoned his suit jacket, a casual gesture that inexplicably heightened the tension in the room.

"Remember, before 1997 this was the Queen's Hong Kong Island."

Gesang suddenly shouted something in Nepali, and the Nepali veterans immediately straightened their backs.

Fat Peng was pleased to see that the flame he needed had been ignited in the eyes of these Gurkhas who had once been loyal to the British army.

"Everyone, the conflict at Bijia Mountain is like a childish game!"
You should learn to fight using more civilized and more lethal methods.

Next, Ms. Chen Fang'an will teach you how to do it. You are all the most respected elders in your respective groups.

We will help you establish supreme prestige within your respective groups, and we also hope that you will manage your communities well to truly achieve what you desire.

At 3 a.m., in He Yaozong's encrypted conference room at Bijia Mountain.

The advisor, Su, rushed in, saying, "Mr. He, I just received news that seventeen newspapers have temporarily withdrawn their articles, including the Oriental Daily."

"As expected."

He Yaozong waved his hand: "Fei Peng still refuses to get involved personally. For this reason, he even missed the opportunity to use the conflict at Bijia Mountain to suppress me."

After thinking for a moment, Master Su said, "That's fine too; at least we won't have to worry ourselves sick."

"What good?"

Ho Yiu-chung suddenly laughed: "When dealing with the Vietnamese refugee issue before, the Governor's Office glossed over it."

Now they want to use these foreigners as a pretext? Fine, I'll just give them what they want!

After speaking, He Yaozong's expression turned serious, and he greeted his advisor, Su.

"Since Fat Peng doesn't want my colonial remarks to be published, then let's give the Penholder Mountain incident a big report."

Go and buy some press releases right now, get all the major newspapers to criticize the Bijia Mountain security team for beating up the foreign community. This matter must be blown out of proportion!

It would be best if it garnered attention throughout Hong Kong!

"what?"

The advisor, Su, couldn't help but wonder, "Mr. He, what good will this do us?"

"Don't ask any questions, just do as I say!"

That night, undercurrents were swirling in the Hong Kong media circle.

On one hand, there was a "news ethics seminar" suddenly convened by the newspaper association, and on the other hand, there were mysterious large orders received by the advertising departments of major newspapers.

At five in the morning, the printing presses pressed two diametrically opposed truths onto the same newsprint—the front page featured a statement from the Hong Kong government condemning “racial discrimination.”

There were even editorials calling for "ethnic reconciliation." In short, both the major media outlets and the Chief Executive have learned a lot.

This is the first time in all these years that they have seen someone spend a lot of money to buy articles to smear them!
Chen Fang'an, in particular, always felt that He Yaozong was plotting something.

But I still can't figure out what he's planning to do.

The next day, Ho Yiu-chung took the newspaper that Sai Wai brought him, glanced at it casually, and then tossed it aside.

After having his morning tea, he went to his study and dialed a number.

"Officer Lu, are you ready on your end?"

"Mr. He, the crime data for these ethnic minorities is all publicly available."

However… you absolutely mustn't say in front of the media that these things were given to you by the police department.”

"Understood. Just say I compiled this data based on officially released data from recent years. I'll have someone come and get it in a bit!"

After hanging up the phone, He Yaozong couldn't help but chuckle softly.

……

At the Governor's House, Fat Peng, who had already sat in his office and drunk a cup of coffee, was still scrutinizing a newspaper.

When Chen Fang'an knocked and entered, Fei Peng put down the newspaper in his hand and rubbed his sore temples.

"Governor!"

Upon seeing Fei Peng, Chen Fang'an immediately greeted him respectfully, but Fei Peng simply waved casually.

"Chen, what's your opinion? Why is He Yaozong going to such lengths to buy articles to smear his own reputation?"

Chen Fang'an sat down awkwardly opposite Fei Peng, and after a long while, she could only shake her head helplessly.

"Sir, I can't possibly hope that this guy has gone mad, can I?"

"He's not crazy, but he's practically insane!"

Fei Peng sighed, then spoke.

"He's using this self-degrading method to force me to step into the arena and fight him."

Chan, don't forget that Ho Yiu-chung's official position is a member of the Legislative Council and the Director of the Housing Estate Relief Department!
He possessed a letter of appointment personally signed by the previous Governor of Hong Kong. Just imagine, a member of the Legislative Council has caused such a sensational incident of racial discrimination; how could I, as the Governor, possibly remain unscathed?

Chen Fang'an was speechless.

After a long pause, she looked up and said, "Sir, perhaps I should do it this time..."

"You're not qualified!"

Fat Peng immediately interrupted Chen Fang'an's speech and said, "How about this, I will hold a press conference here in the name of the Governor's Office."

The topic is a self-examination of racial discrimination by the Housing Estates Relief Department. You will be asked a few questions on behalf of the reporters, and interrogate Ho Yiu-chung!
If his answer is inappropriate, then removing him from his position as a legislator should be perfectly reasonable!

"Sir, why not also abolish the Housing Estate Relief Department at the same time?"

Faced with Chen Fang'an's eager question, Fei Peng simply shook his head.

"Abolishing the Housing Estate Relief Department will offend many Hong Kong Island residents."

But what I fear most is Ho Yiu-chung's status as a legislator. Perhaps one day he will submit a fatal bill to the Legislative Council, and my biggest worry is that we will be forced to pass it!

As he spoke, Fei Peng's voice became clearer, and he continued to explain.

"You only need to remember one thing: Ho Yiu-chung's legislator status was granted by the British Hong Kong government. If he denies the legitimacy of British rule and the legitimacy of the status of those foreign citizens, then he is denying his own legitimacy!"

Chen Fang'an nodded thoughtfully, while secretly admiring Fei Peng's caution.

Even when things had escalated to the point where the Governor's Office had to respond personally, Pang Ho-cheung still only agreed to hold a press conference in his own name.

Moreover, he asked the questions on behalf of the reporters, allowing Ho Yiu-chung to respond.

So no matter how Ho Yiu-chung responds, the fire won't reach the Governor's House.

The press conference was held in the Legislative Council auditorium.

Chen Fang'an specially chose a dark blue suit, and the brooch was the kapok flower emblem of the Government House.

When Ho Yiu-chung entered with two lawyers from the legal department, she noticed that he was holding a blue folder, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

For some reason, a bad feeling began to creep into her mind.

"Thank you to all my friends in the media. I heard that this morning you were all criticizing me for being a racist?"

Ho Yiu-chung dropped a bombshell at the start, "These are the foreign crime statistics for the past five years. If you're too lazy to look at them, I can read them to you."

He opened the folder, and on one page, a number circled in red showed that South Asians were five times more likely to be involved in drug cases than Chinese.

The death rate caused by Vietnamese migrants working as knife hitmen is more than ten times that of local gangsters in Hong Kong!
Chen Fang'an quickly interrupted: "These data."

"These data are from the Criminal Statistics Division of the Police Force over the years. I arranged for someone to collect them. If the Secretary-General has any questions, he can take these data to the Police Force to verify them himself!"

Chen Fang'an shook her head.

"Mr. He, we invited you here today to face questions from a group of reporters, not to do data statistics."

As far as I know, you do have a very strong tendency to be prejudiced against people of foreign descent.

Don't forget, you are a municipal official and a legislator. With such strong racist tendencies, I feel you need to give an explanation to all the citizens!

"Who said I have racist tendencies?"

Ho Yiu-chung smiled slightly: "I discriminate against criminals, regardless of skin color. Data shows that foreigners make up 8% of the population, but are involved in 23% of drug cases and 31% of loan shark cases. That's a fact."

An Indian journalist stood up agitatedly: "But your security detail violently suppressed a peaceful protest!"

"Damn it! That's a peaceful petition?"

Furthermore, what are you doing in my home doing peacefully petitioning? Can't I go to Government House? Can't I go to Victoria Peak?!

"Then do you acknowledge the legitimacy of these foreign residents?!"

Chen Fang'an gestured for the Indian reporter to sit down, and then confronted He Yaozong personally.

His focus remained on whether Ho Yiu-chung recognized the legitimacy of British rule in Hong Kong and the legitimacy of these foreign residents.

If Ho Yiu-chung gives a negative statement, then the Governor's Office can immediately remove him from his position as a legislator.

If Ho Yiu-chung gives an affirmative answer, then the die is cast, and he can only watch helplessly as the foreign ethnic groups on Hong Kong Island gradually form the ideology needed by the British Hong Kong government.

Fei Peng's initial goal can be considered to have been achieved.

He Yaozong smiled faintly and answered slowly.

"I wonder which foreign residents the Secretary-General was inquiring about their legal status. Does that include those who entered illegally?"

"Of course... of course, it's those foreigners and their descendants who came to Hong Kong Island with the British and made outstanding contributions to maintaining the security of Hong Kong Island!"

"Of course they are legal!"

He Yaozong shrugged and his straightforward attitude surprised Chen Fang'an.

Unfortunately, He Yaozong hadn't finished speaking.

“Madam, but please tell me, were these people brought here by the Hong Kong British government?”
Shouldn't the Hong Kong British government, and myself as a municipal official, take responsibility for these people?!

Chen Fang'an looked alarmed, but facing a group of reporters, she could only bite the bullet and respond.

"That's right!"

He Yaozong's smile widened as he slowly took a document from his briefcase and pushed it to the center of the table.

"Great! I can join forces with the government now and take on this responsibility."

Given that the Government House will be leaving Hong Kong Island in five years, in order to assume corresponding responsibilities, the sailors and descendants of the garrison who came to Hong Kong Island with the British should also leave Hong Kong Island with the British government!

It doesn't make sense that the British left, but we left them here. What's the difference between doing that and abandoning them?
Furthermore, I will establish a special fund to assist all foreign citizens who wish to leave to immigrate to the UK!

The room erupted in chaos. Chen Fang'an's eyes widened, and the pen in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.

He Yaozong continued his output, his voice drowning out the noise.

"Since these foreigners were brought by the British, Britain has a responsibility to take them away."

Hengyao is willing to cover part of the costs and send them to their true 'motherland'!

He looked directly into the camera, as if looking through the lens at someone who wasn't there: "After all, wasn't following the British Empire their ancestors' long-cherished wish?"

Chen Fang'an suddenly stood up: "This is absurd! Hong Kong Island is their home!"

"Then why does the Governor's Office never issue them passports?"

Ho Yiu-chung countered, "Why do Nepalese veterans receive 'identity certificates' instead of British citizenship?"

Their ancestral homes are in India and Nepal; they sold their lives to the British, yet they're forced to remain on Hong Kong Island. Do you still dare say the Hong Kong British government didn't abandon them?!

He stood up and looked down at Chen Fang'an.

"Please tell Governor Peng that if the British government is willing to accept these 'loyal subjects,' Hengyao will write a check tomorrow!"

If he's unwilling, at least he should make a public appearance and state his position!

After speaking, He Yaozong scanned the crowd with his sharp gaze.

He spoke again: "Today's press conference was convened at the personal suggestion of the Governor of Hong Kong."

Hong Kong Island is a place of freedom of speech. If anyone dares to take my words out of context or keep them hidden, then tell your boss to prepare for a lawsuit from Hengyao!

The group of reporters immediately looked at each other in bewilderment. Over the years, they had interviewed quite a few municipal officials.

Regardless of their private character, these people will pretend to be polite when facing the camera, even if they have to put on an act.

There's never been one as arrogant as Ho Yiu-chung!
There's no way around it; being rich and powerful gives them confidence. Hengyao can really use lawsuits to drive these newspapers out of business...

The press conference ended in chaos.

As Ho Yiu-chung left, a South Asian journalist chased after him, yelling "ethnic cleansing!" He simply said calmly, "Go apply for a British visa, and I'll write you letters of recommendation."

The Governor's House was brightly lit that night.

Before Fei Peng could react, He Yaozong's detailed rules for the immigration fund had already been sent over, each clause resembling a meticulously designed trap.

"Fell into a trap!"

Looking at Hod in front of him, Fatty Peng couldn't help but give a wry smile.

“If we don’t accept these descendants of South Asians now, it’s tantamount to admitting that we are denying their legitimacy.”

If they agree to take them in… Fuck! How could London possibly agree to take in these people!

Hod wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "So what should we do now?"

Fat Peng suddenly grabbed a wine glass and smashed it against the fireplace.

Crystal shards scattered everywhere, just like his shattered schemes.

"Notify the Foreign Office that we need emergency authorization from London!"

Fei Peng was unusually angry, a stark contrast to his previous warm and approachable demeanor.

As Hord was about to get up, he couldn't help but ask one more question.

"Governor, could you please be more explicit? How should I communicate with the people in London?"

"The most urgent task is to accept only a portion of them; we must never deny their legitimacy!"

"What if He Yaozong insists on making us accept everything?"

"Then let's follow their example!"

Fat Deng glared and roared, "If he insists on questioning the immigration policy of our Government House, then we can also question those big circle boys who came from the mainland back then, and they should also be deported!"
It's important to know that Hong Kong Island has received countless illegal immigrants over the past few decades.

I don't believe He Yaozong wants to see all these people deported back to the mainland; that would be an absolute disaster!

Hod's face grew increasingly dejected: "Christopher, according to the law, these South Asian descendants and mainland Chinese cannot be treated the same."

After all, Hong Kong Island was just a British concession, but Hong Kong Island... is still...

Hord was unwilling to continue the conversation; these foreigners were actually quite aware of what was going on!

(End of this chapter)