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

Chapter 19 The Initial Team Formation
“Zhihui is right, we can try to find bankrupt big bosses.” Lin Tiansheng was greatly inspired and looked at Zhong Zhihui with admiration in his eyes.

Back then, the entire force collapsed. Although the big bosses had low status within the corrupt police, many were implicated and suffered even worse fates.

Corrupt police officers can run away or be pardoned, but those who act as fronts either go to jail, are killed by debt collectors, or go bankrupt and jump off buildings.

Moreover, they were isolated and powerless, unable to break away and form their own faction like the triad societies and the New Territories gentry.

Da Wang Company was just a financial company that helped Brother Le launder money. The licensee, "Li Zhongying," was in his forties, a native of Shanghai, and had previously worked at Standard Chartered Bank.

He is a friendly person and has a good relationship with Lin Tiansheng and his group.

"Check his address, and when I have some free time in a few days, I'll go and have a chat with him." Lin Tiansheng believed that someone who had run a financial company should be able to easily manage a real estate agency.

Zhong Zhihui laughed and said, "Whether Li Sheng agrees or not is irrelevant. There are so many bankrupt bosses, one more won't make a difference. If Brother Sheng is willing to lend him a hand, he should kowtow and thank him."

"The one we need to be careful of is Tang Yuk-cheung of the Heung Yee Kuk in the New Territories. We're not afraid of him resorting to underhanded tactics. During the police reform, many detectives who were investigated either joined triads or became depressed and drank heavily and acted crazy all day. Now that you, Brother Sheng, have returned to the underworld, these people are actually a force to be reckoned with."

“If you were willing to use them, they would definitely bow down and worship. It’s a pity that there is no suitable place to use them for the time being, but as long as they are there, Deng Yuchang and the people of the Chaozhou gang can only watch helplessly.”

"Nobody wants to be shot in the back every day!"

"But in business and politics, we have to be careful that he doesn't do anything bad."

Lin Tiansheng slowly nodded, sat on the sofa, and said while holding a cigarette, "I understand. Everyone be careful and take precautions."

Based on his experience, the remaining forces left behind by the Chinese detectives are still considerable. It's just that after the division and turmoil, commanding and mobilizing them has become extremely difficult.

After spending a sum of money to buy the lives of the "small fry" and "crab generals," he had his first group of manpower at his disposal. After accepting the pledge of allegiance from the "Four Sergeants," Zhong finally had his own team!
With the addition of future business license holders, the team can gradually become more solid, allowing them to extend their reach step by step and leverage the power of the remaining members.

Once he comes to power, he will be able to command a large following and gather more and more people.

Starting a business from scratch is a long and arduous journey, requiring us to overcome obstacles and strive for victory at every step.

"Have a drink."

"cheers."

"Cheers!"

Lin Tiansheng raised his glass, and his brothers laughed and clinked glasses in response. They had a great time that night, with a five-person sofa, a bed, and straw mats—there was plenty of room to sleep. The next day happened to be Saturday, a holiday, and all five of them slept soundly until late morning.

When everyone woke up, they crowded at the entrance of the small bathroom, queuing up to wash and squat.

Zhang Jinrong, the oldest among them, covered his neck with his hand, tilted his head, and complained, "Damn it, a senior inspector, and he can't even afford two beds at home."

"When foreigners were high-ranking inspectors, they all lived in seaside villas."

Deng Gengyun felt refreshed after sleeping on the ground all night and said cheerfully, "Drink less alcohol, Brother Rong, be careful of osteoporosis."

"Don't you understand the concept of respecting the elderly?" Zhang Jinrong complained.

Lin Tiansheng crumpled the empty cigarette pack in his palm and threw it into the trash can: "I'm going back now. Ah Rong, remember to go to the underground bank to withdraw money and give it to me on Monday."

Zhang Jinrong nodded and said, "Understood, boss."

"Is it considered an investment or a loan?" Zhang Jinrong laughed and said, "If you lose money, it's considered the principal; if you make a profit, it's considered a loan from me."

"I'll pay you back double when the time comes," Lin Tiansheng patted Zhang Jinrong on the shoulder.

Zhong Zhihui chased after him and said loudly, "Boss, get in my car."

I took a minibus from Mount Davis to Central, then transferred to the Kwun Tong Line MTR to Mong Kok. When I returned to my Shanghai Street residence, I found that the room had been cleaned again.

The bathroom mop and rag were still wet, so it seems they come to clean every Saturday morning. Ah Feng is indeed a student girl, and Detective Wudu is eating too well.

Lin Tiansheng curled his lips. How could he get rid of a girl that his predecessor couldn't get rid of no matter how hard he tried?
He changed his clothes and, taking advantage of his free time, went to the government-run Elizabeth Secondary School in the washing machine district. He enrolled in a night school and decided to work and study a "preparatory course" so that he could obtain a university diploma in two years.

The previous system only required a secondary school education, which was more than enough in the 1970s. However, after police reforms, the selection of officials began to have educational requirements, and to rise smoothly in rank, one had to have a presentable diploma.

His high school education was the reason he was able to be transferred to the police station as a sergeant. Detectives without even a high school certificate were all dismissed.

Three years.

The task of guarding the pond is three years; one must use those three years to accumulate merit and be promoted to senior inspector.

That would be enough to gather momentum and gain the full support of my old comrades.

Saturday evening.

Lin Tiansheng put on a white shirt, with a .38 pistol hanging at his waist and a bag slung over one shoulder. He entered the Peninsula Hotel and met Li Zhongying, the former boss of Dawang Company, in the tea area on the second floor.

In my memory, he was a very wealthy man, always decked out in designer brands and spending money like water. Now, however, his temples are gray, and he looks extremely haggard. Five years in prison and a hefty fine have aged him by more than ten years.

Upon learning that the former detective wanted to discuss a business deal with him, Li Zhongying still took out his old-fashioned suit, put on his leather shoes with moldy soles, asked the car wash owner for an advance on a month's wages, and chose the most famous and upscale location.

As an old-fashioned "Shanghai-style" businessman, he believes in a saying in his business philosophy: When doing business, you have to pay attention to style, gimmicks, and trends.

If you don't even have any class, who would want to do business with you?

The less capable you are, the more you should act like you are! It's either putting on airs or making a desperate gamble. If you succeed, it's an opportunity; if you fail, it's not shameful.

To be honest, when Lin Tiansheng saw that Li Zhongying could not hide his loss of power, but was still very polite, dressed appropriately, and ordered a table of tea and snacks, he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

"He is an ambitious, magnanimous, and persevering man."

Lin Tiansheng ordered a coffee, picked up his backpack, placed it on the table, and got straight to the point: "Mr. Li, there is HK$350,000 in this bag. When the securities company opens on Monday, I can withdraw another HK$350,000, for a total of HK$700,000 in principal. I would like to ask you to manage a real estate agency."

"You will be the licensee, and based on my inside information, you will be fully responsible for management. You will not have any shares, but your monthly salary will be three thousand, plus a year-end bonus every ten years."

"How about helping me like you used to help Brother Le? Are you interested?"

Li Zhongying's Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped down his coffee. He used his fingers to pry open the zipper, glanced at the banknotes in his eye, took a deep breath, and said, "I'm grateful that Young Master Sheng thinks highly of me and hasn't forgotten my surname, Li. Back when Brother Le got into trouble, I didn't say a word that I shouldn't have, hoping that someone would get out of prison and help me out."

"It's my good fortune to have Young Master Sheng save my life, I'll definitely do a great job."

Having been a lavish and successful boss who could spend money like water, how could he be content to wash cars and tires, humbling himself like a servant? He was just waiting for an opportunity.

(End of this chapter)