The Chief Detective Inspector is dead. I'm now the top police officer in Hong Kong!

Chapter 154 Twelve O'Clock, Nathan Road (33)

Lin Tiansheng, Pi Zhibang, and Henry exchanged glances, secretly alarmed. If it weren't for the Special Branch having its own intelligence network, they wouldn't have known that Four-Eyes Taki had secretly returned to Hong Kong.

With a powerful figure behind the scenes, it's no wonder Lin Jiang decisively launched the attack. If Su Long were to raise his banner and engage Lin Jiang in a full-blown battle, and then Four-Eyed Dragon were to step in to uphold justice, someone would likely turn against him immediately. At that point, if Su Long showed any weakness, he would collapse completely.

From the police's perspective, the primary goal is to ensure street order and prevent major chaos. A war requires forceful suppression to decisively defeat both sides and cause a substantial collapse. Peace, on the other hand, involves mediating, negotiating with both sides, and persuading people to disperse.

Lam Tin-shing had already paved the way for the major operation, but the return of "Four-Eyed Taki" to Hong Kong has left William somewhat hesitant. If the situation gets out of control during the crackdown and affects business activities, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) will be held accountable.

Chief Inspector Shen Haolong of the New Territories South Operations Division looked wary and advised, "Four-Eyes Taki has been in charge for many years and enjoys great prestige. His secret return to Hong Kong may indicate that he has a backup plan. Rushing into battle could pose significant risks."

"What's Kowloon's opinion?" William's gaze swept over Henry and Pi Zhibang. Internal strife, Lin Jiang framing Su Long, the main battlefield is in Kowloon.

Pi Zhibang spoke up, "This is a golden opportunity, and I suggest we start fighting! If we let Four-Eyed Taki easily regain power, it will be a lot of work and effort to dismantle him, and it will take four or five years to get it done. On the contrary, tonight we'll add fuel to the fire, wait until the two groups start fighting, and arrest all the leaders at the police station. Then we can decide whether to fight or make peace."

"At that time, we will directly support the division of the family, thus completing the most important step. We can then gradually take control of the smaller branches below."

William looked interested and estimated, "How many people would we need to mobilize?"

"The entire Kowloon District Mobile Force!" Pi Chi-pong said firmly. That's a paramilitary unit of 170 people. If you include the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, the Major Crimes Unit, and uniformed officers, the total force will reach 500.

"Could we limit the area and impose a lockdown?" William asked. The officers from the other districts exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.

“No problem,” Lin Tiansheng said. “I’ll contact Su Long. After midnight tonight, we’ll let them take over the entire Nathan Road. But we’ll have to ask our colleagues in the other districts to talk to the Heung family’s henchmen.”

William nodded emphatically and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, all district leaders, go back and stand by, prepare for action. Tonight, I will be on the front lines in Kowloon."

"We have to fight, whether we want to or not!"

The O-Division officers present all stood up, saluted, and said, "Yes, sir."

As Tong Anze walked past, he whispered, "Inspector Lin, I wish you success in your operation."

"Thank you, sir." Lin Tiansheng smiled politely. Even if the elites were unhappy, they had to follow the Westerners' lead. They couldn't openly contradict their superiors because of infighting within the Chinese police force.

This is the benefit of taking the strategic initiative: by managing upwards, you can mobilize the power of your superiors and force people in other departments to submit.

Henry didn't rush to leave. He took Lin Tiansheng with him and caught up with William. He said, "Sir, there's something I need to report."

“Speak,” William said, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, his words as precious as gold.

Henry said, "The gunman who shot Zhan Cheng was our informant in West Kowloon."

Although it was a subordinate's unauthorized action, as the superior, he had to clean up the mess. William chuckled and replied, "I understand."

"As long as tonight's operation succeeds, it doesn't matter what the gunman's identity is."

Henry and Lin Tiansheng stopped in their tracks, saluted, and watched their superior leave.

In the car, Henry, with a cigar in his mouth, warned, "Lin Jiang will definitely receive the news, and a fight is bound to break out tonight."

Lin Tiansheng, sitting in the back row, solemnly replied, "I understand, sir." "Furthermore, do not use live ammunition unless absolutely necessary," Henry reminded him. "Behind every gangster is a family."

“The gangster broke the law, but his family didn’t. Too much bloodshed would have a very bad social impact; having blood on your hands would affect your resume.”

Although Henry may not have had good intentions, they were all in the same boat. If a public outcry were to occur, the Chief Inspector of the West Kowloon Operations Branch would still be implicated and held accountable.

"Are there casualty statistics?" Lin Tiansheng asked.

Henry shook his head: "It won't be written in the documents, but the deputy director of operations knows it. Public opinion is the indicator."

Lin Tiansheng slowly nodded.

Being an executioner always gets you criticized, but if you don't even dare to kill gangsters, how can you be a good one?

Back to West Kowloon.

Upon entering the office, he immediately ordered: "Major Crimes Unit and Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, all leave is cancelled. Go to the armory to collect your equipment and get to work tonight."

Shi Zhanpeng, Hou Canxing, and the others were prepared and immediately agreed.

Lin Tiansheng picked up his mobile phone, dialed Su Long's number, and relayed the news that Si Yanlong had returned to Hong Kong. Su Long's heart sank, and his voice was hoarse: "Young Master Sheng, is this the situation you wanted to see?"

Lin Tiansheng remained calm and said coldly, "Tonight, if you win, I'll support you in establishing your own power base and becoming the leader. If you lose, neither the Four Dragons nor the foreigners will let you off the hook. If you want to climb up, you have to risk your life. What will you use to compete with the legacy of two generations?"

Su Long laughed and said, "You're right. It seems like I have no other choice but to fight."

"Don't let Lao Xin's reputation as the best fighter go to waste." Lin Tiansheng hung up the phone. Su Long, with a stern face, turned to Axe Jun and said, "Spread the word that I didn't kill Young Master Cheng. I know who the murderer is. Tell Lin Jiang to come to Jingyi Restaurant at midnight tonight."

Axe Jun nodded: "Okay."

By releasing this message, Su Long was essentially signaling to the underworld to back down and make peace, in order to cooperate with the police and delay the start of the battle until midnight, thus minimizing the impact on public order.

Just then, Four-Eyes Taki crossed the Lo Wu border and sat in the back seat of his Mercedes, looking out the window at the scenery. The car didn't enter Kowloon City, but stopped in front of a villa in Tuen Mun. Lin Jiang, Liu Yuan, Li Zhiqiang, Mai Gao, Tie Niu, and other loyal followers hurriedly went to the car, bowing and saying, "Dragon Head."

Wearing a suit with a white flower pinned to his chest, Four-Eyes Taki looked exhausted and asked, "Is everything ready?"

Lin Jiangdao said, "The battle will begin at midnight tonight on Nathan Road, and the police will mobilize a large number of officers."

Li Zhiqiang cracked his knuckles, his expression cold: "That bastard Su Long even called to ask me to make peace. I don't know who he's putting on an act for."

Four-Eyed Taki strode into the villa and sat in the hall. A dozen bodyguards with buzz cuts, muscular builds, and fierce expressions, carrying backpacks, were clearly former soldiers.

"The police told us to fight, so we fought. We not only had to put on a full-blown fight, but we also had to fight a tough battle, right there on the battlefield, where life and death were at stake."

With the deaths of his two sons, Four-Eyed Dragon had nowhere to run. To protect his legacy, he had no choice but to fight to the death, even if it meant mutual destruction.

The workers lowered their heads and looked at the large circle that the big shots had brought back from the north. They all knew in their hearts that it was a surprise prepared for Lin Tiansheng.

(End of this chapter)