Hong Kong variety show: My Boss, Thirteen Sister

"Have you argued enough?" Mr. Jiang asked.

"Fine, Big B, you're just going to have a few more bad lucks, what's there to be afraid of?" Liang Kun said sarcastically to Big B as he picked him up at the airport.

"Ah Kun, are you going to categorize people into different levels?" Mr. Jiang asked Liang Kun.

Hearing Mr. Jiang say this, Liang Kun spoke up again: "No matter what your rank or status is, you have to take responsibility for your mistakes."

"Ah Kun, just say what you have to say!" Mr. Jiang realized that Liang Kun was targeting him, so he asked directly.

“You’re in this position every year during the election!” said Liang Kun.

"Do you want to sit in this seat?" Mr. Jiang asked in return.

"According to the rules, elections are held every three years. Don't I have the right to run for election, Brother Yao?" Liang Kun arrogantly stated his purpose.

“Yes, you’re right,” Chen Yao said without arguing, indicating his agreement with Liang Kun’s meaning.

"Ah Kun, what did you say?" Big B snapped.

“I’ve done a lot for the gang over the past few years, and I think everyone knows that!” Liang Kun said without backing down.

"If everyone has someone in mind, I am willing to step down and give way!" Mr. Jiang said without hesitation, as if he didn't care about the position at all.

“Brother Yao, you’re in charge now,” Liang Kun said to Brother Yao as he sat down after hearing Mr. Jiang say this.

Jiang Lai sat quietly behind Thirteen Sister. Seeing this scene, he suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. However, this time it was a live broadcast, which he found quite interesting.

Just as Chen Yao was about to speak, Thirteen Sister stood up and said to everyone, "Wait a minute, the election of the leader is a big deal. I have something small I'd like to mention first, is that alright?"

Everyone looked at Thirteen Sister, and then at Chen Yao.

"Thirteenth Sister, you speak!" Chen Yao said directly without stopping him.

"As you all know, I was targeted by Tung Sing and the United Front this time, and Jiang Zai made a great contribution. I propose that Jiang Zai become a Red Pole!" Thirteen Sister stated her purpose directly.

Chapter 18 Red Stick (a promotional title)

As soon as Thirteen Sister finished speaking, Chen Yao looked first at Jiang Lai behind her.

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Lai behind Thirteen Sister.

Several people in charge who were familiar with Jiang Lai smiled and nodded to him.

Jiang Lai touched his neck and gave a helpless smile, indicating that being watched by everyone was very stressful!

Several people in charge who were not very familiar with Jiang Lai also looked at him, their expressions thoughtful.

Only Liang Kun, whose rhythm had been interrupted, had a fleeting shadow of gloom on his face, but he quickly regained his smile and was the first to speak: "Of course, I'm the first to agree to Jiang Zai taking over, unlike some people who only know how to play with their second sister-in-law!"

"Ah Kun, what did you say?" Big B was displeased upon hearing this, pointing at Liang Kun, his anger rising immediately.

"What did I say? Don't you know?" Liang Kun glanced at Big B and said disdainfully.

"You..." Big B wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Mr. Jiang.

“Alright, since Thirteen Sister has proposed that Jiang Zai take over, let’s all raise our hands to vote!” Mr. Jiang said.

“Brother Sheng, why are you still raising your hands? Everyone knows the God of Slaughter of Hung Hing, right?” Brother Ji said directly after Mr. Chiang finished speaking.

Before anyone could speak, Brother Kei raised an eyebrow at the Prince and teased, "Prince, your prestige as the God of War of Hung Hing is now being overshadowed by Jiang Zai, the God of Slaughter of Hung Hing. You wouldn't be jealous of this kid, would you?"

"Haha, Brother Ji, if you're talking about other people, I, the Crown Prince, really disagree. But if Jiang Zai takes over, I'll be the first to support him. Let alone a Red Pole, I wouldn't object to him being the head of the organization!" The Crown Prince didn't care at all when he heard Brother Ji's teasing. Instead, he laughed and said loudly.

When it comes to Jiang Lai's relationships with the various leaders, apart from Thirteen Sister, the best relationship is with the Crown Prince. After all, Jiang Lai not only taught the Crown Prince boxing but also saved him once.

"Jiang Zai captured Hua Fo alive, killed Crow, fought against a hundred men single-handedly, and swept through the entire Mong Kok. In terms of merit and ability, he is qualified to be promoted to Red Pole!" Han Bin also stood up and said to the crowd.

Hearing several influential figures supporting Jiang Lai, Fatty Lai from North Point and Pretty Mom from Sham Shui Po couldn't help but look at Jiang Lai with more respect.

In the world of business, sometimes, ability is one thing, but the greater the ability, the easier it is to infringe on the interests of others and to attract jealousy. Getting so many influential people to support you is no easy task.

"I'll also vote for Jiang Zai. Our Hung Hing is keeping up with the times and needs more talents like Jiang Zai to come out and help the gang!" Chen Yao stood up and said to everyone.

"Jiang is so brave, of course I, Fatty Li, agree to him taking the position!" Fatty Li, a fence-sitter, saw everyone supporting Jiang and even Brother Yao personally joining in, so he quickly added.

The bigwigs all spoke up, saying that even if they didn't vote now, the number of people supporting Jiang Lai had already exceeded half.

“So everyone sees those who contribute to the organization, that’s what the people want,” Liang Kun suddenly said, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"Alright, Jiang is really good, everyone raise your hands!" Mr. Jiang ignored Liang Kun's words and spoke directly.

After speaking, Mr. Jiang was the first to raise his hand to show his support, followed by Big B, and then all the big shots, including Sister Thirteen, raised their hands. In this way, Jiang's appointment as a Red Pole was unanimously approved in the Hung Hing's Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, witnessed by all the big shots.

"Since everyone agrees, I hereby announce that Jiang is hereby appointed as a Red Pole!" Mr. Jiang declared decisively.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang, and thank you all for your kind words!" Jiang Lai stood up and bowed to Mr. Jiang and the other dignitaries to express his gratitude.

Everyone nodded in agreement!

“I have a suggestion. Since all the bigwigs are here today, let’s just hold Jiang’s induction ceremony right away. Any questions?” Chen Yao stood up and said.

Generally, after the appointment of the Red Pole is decided, a ceremony will be held on another day.

Moreover, the usual number of people involved in a "Zhazhi" (a type of official position) is three: one with a stick, one with a fan, and one with a shoe.

Becoming one of the three—the staff, the fan, or the shoe—means that one's status as a member is recognized, and one is legitimately qualified to recruit followers. Those followers will also be recognized by the gang and become true gang members. Therefore, it is common for all three to become members at the same time.

Sticks, fans, and shoes are all called "big soles." There's no specific division of labor. Basically, each time three people are assigned a role, the most outstanding and capable one becomes the "red stick," and the others, like straw sandals and paper fans, are just assigned randomly. It's not that being a straw sandal means you have to be a liaison, or being a paper fan means you have to be a strategist; it's just a title indicating seniority in the martial arts world.

In the past, being promoted to Red Pole in a triad was a big deal. Although it was not as important as being promoted to a leader or a Double Flower Red Pole, in addition to the witnessing and voting by the bigwigs, a promotion ceremony was held, and the promotion was announced to all branches and the public. At the same time, a big banquet was held, and the responsible bigwigs invited some well-connected triad bigwigs to witness the promotion.

However, nowadays, the gang's influence has mostly gone underground. Although everyone knows this, they won't be too blatant, otherwise being targeted by the anti-triad unit would be a troublesome matter.

很多人不知道红棍的含义，红棍的代号是“426”，4+2+6=12，也叫十二底。另一种算法是4×26+4=108，代表梁山一百零八个好汉。

The most skilled fighter among them, Wu Song, wielded a red staff, hence the name. The red staff were responsible for internal punishments and external military expansion; the regional leaders of the Hung Hing Society were mostly promoted from among the red staff. (ps: This content is borrowed from Baidu Knowledge; interested readers can find more information online.)

Nowadays, the ceremony for promoting a Red Pole in Hung Hing is relatively simple. Regardless of whether there are three people, once the election is passed, the hall can be opened. The leader is in charge of the ceremony, and all the bigwigs of Hung Hing are witnesses. They open the incense hall, worship Guan Yu, burn incense and take an oath, burn paper money in the shrine, register their names, and then receive the Red Pole.

Because of the simplified process, no one had any objections to Chen Yao's suggestion. It was just a matter of taking up some time. Otherwise, they would have to make another trip next time. They were too lazy to make another trip once it was done!

The group moved to the back hall.

Inside the incense hall, Mr. Jiang presided over the ceremony, sitting beneath the statue of Guan Yu. Chen Yao stood slightly below Mr. Jiang, while the other dignitaries stood on either side of Jiang Lai, who knelt in the middle.

Jiang Lai took a stick of incense from a henchman, raised it above his head, and under Chen Yao's guidance, Jiang Lai took the oath:

"Your parents are my parents, your brothers and sisters are my brothers and sisters, your wife is my sister-in-law, your son is my nephew. If anyone disobeys this, may they be struck down by lightning... If any of my brothers are in trouble, I will surely help them..."

After reciting a series of oaths, Chen Yao took a steel knife from one of his underlings.

Chen Yao slapped Jiang Lai on the back with the back of his knife and asked, "Money or brotherhood?"

Jiang Lai raised his head and said, "I want brothers!"

Then........

Jiang Lai took a red stick with some reliefs on it, but he didn't look closely at what they were.

After a series of procedures, Mr. Jiang announced: "Jiang Lai, hereby appointed to the 426th Division and given the position of Red Pole. You shall be courageous and resourceful, paving the way for Hung Hing and creating new glories!"

Jiang Lai received the red stick from Mr. Jiang, and the ceremony officially ended.

After the ceremony, Jiang Lai can choose to work for the gang or continue following Thirteen Sister.

Jiang Lai did not hesitate to continue following Thirteen Sister.

Working for the gang, to put it bluntly, means becoming a professional thug for the gang. He goes wherever there's trouble, which is less free than working under Sister Thirteen.

Chapter 19 Controversial Leader

The title of "Red Pole" in the underworld doesn't hold a high status, but with this title, Jiang Lai can begin his next step in his plan.

People who live in this world are all about making money, but to make money, you need connections and a certain status, otherwise no one will listen to you.

If Jiang Lai wants to do business and make money, he first needs people. With the status of a "red stick" and his own territory, Jiang Lai can legitimately develop his own power.

After leaving the incense hall, Thirteen Sister patted Jiang Lai on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Jiang!"

"Follow Sister Mei, and you'll have money and status," Jiang Lai jokingly replied.

"Haha, you've got a conscience, kid!" Thirteen Sister was also very happy that Jiang Lai chose to continue following her.

Jiang Lai's promotion ceremony didn't take long, only a little over an hour. After leaving the incense hall, everyone returned to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.

After everyone was seated, Mr. Jiang continued, "Congratulations, Jiang!"

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Applause rang out.

Everyone applauded.

"Thank you all for your support. Please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future!" Jiang Lai stood up to express his gratitude and said a few polite words.

After Jiang Lai finished speaking, Liang Kun's voice rang out.

“Mr. Jiang!” Liang Kun said slowly to Mr. Jiang from his seat.

Mr. Jiang, sitting in his seat, smiled slightly upon hearing Liang Kun's voice and then said, "Alright, Jiang's election is over. Now, let's vote on my seat by raising our hands!"

Mr. Jiang spoke in a calm tone, as if he didn't care about the position of the dragon head at all, and maintained a smile on his face the whole time.

"Handsome Kun, don't go too far!" Big B slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Handsome Kun and yelling when he heard that Handsome Kun wanted to continue running for leader.

“I’m going too far, how am I going too far? It’s Hung Hing’s rule that the leader is elected every three years. What’s wrong with me running for the position?” Facing Big B’s accusations, Handsome Kun said nonchalantly.

"Brother Yao, what do you think?" Ignoring Big B, Liang Kun turned to Chen Yao and asked.

“According to Hung Hing’s rules, the leader is elected every three years. Anyone who is in charge is eligible, so there’s no problem with Ah Kun running for the position!” Chen Yao said calmly.

this......

Right after Liang Kun finished speaking, Jiang Lai noticed a detail: Mr. Jiang glanced at Big B intentionally.

At this moment, Big B suddenly stood up and looked at Chen Yao.

"Ah Yao, does everyone who is in charge have the right to run for office?"

“That’s right!” Chen Yao replied.

“Alright, I, Big B, am also a person in charge, can I run for office?” Big B said directly.

"Okay!" Chen Yao hesitated for a moment, then answered.

"It's fairly fair, but I know my place; I'm not qualified to be the leader, but..."