Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

December 16, 1982, 12 p.m.

Temporary command post outside Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.

As night fell, although the fire had been extinguished by the fire department, the gaping hole blasted into Starlight City still resembled a gaping, dark maw, mocking the police's incompetence. The air was thick with the smell of burning and lingering smoke.

Beside a police van, Chan Ka-kui, whose wounds had just been bandaged, sat on the safety bar, holding a bottle of mineral water, staring blankly at the ruins in the distance.

"Ka-Kui."

A gentle voice rang out.

Uncle Piao, heavily pregnant, walked over with a smile, holding a newly printed document in his hand. Behind him stood Director Raymond, whose face was still stern, but whose eyes had softened considerably.

"Uncle Piu, Director." Chan Ka-kui stood up and tried to salute, but the movement aggravated the wound on his arm, causing him to wince in pain.

"Sit down, sit down, don't be shy."

For the first time ever, Raymond pressed down on Chen Jiaju's shoulder, his tone tinged with emotion, "The bomb disposal experts just checked it out. The bombs made by that polar bear gang were extremely powerful. If you hadn't acted decisively and evacuated the crowd, this place would be a living hell with hundreds of corpses today."

"Ka-Kui, you saved many people, including the police force."

"It's what I should do, Director." Chen Jiaju scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, "Even though I've already resigned..."

"Resign from what position? Who approved your resignation?" Uncle Piao immediately glared at him, shoving the document into Chan Ka-kui's arms. "That's your resignation letter. The chief didn't even sign it! So you're still a senior sergeant in our Major Crimes Unit!"

"And..." Uncle Piu leaned closer, beginning his most skillful deception, "Ka-Kui, think about it. These criminals are so arrogant, using only military-grade explosives, and their methods are extremely professional. Looking across the entire West Kowloon, besides a super cop like you, Chan Ka-Kui, who else could catch them?"

"Are you just going to stand by and watch those ruthless criminals get away with it? And watch them bomb innocent civilians again?"

"This..." Chen Jiaju's passion was instantly ignited; his sense of justice made it impossible for him to refuse. "Of course not!"

"That's more like it!" Raymond chimed in. "The Commissioner of Police has given a firm order to establish the 'Starlight Task Force' and solve the case within a set timeframe. You're the perfect candidate to lead this task force."

"Ka-Kui, this is the police force's trust in you. Give them men or guns. Do whatever you want as long as you catch that bomber!"

Chen Jiaju was completely fooled by the two seasoned police officers' coordinated rhetoric.

"Yes, Sir!"

Chen Jiaju snapped to attention, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "I guarantee I'll complete the mission! I won't let those bastards hurt another person!"

Watching Chen Jiaju turn away and get back to work, Raymond and Uncle Piao exchanged a glance and revealed sly smiles.

……

at the same time.

Deep Water Bay, No. 79 Mansion.

This is the residence of the world's shipping magnate and chairman of Wharf Holdings Limited – the shipping king, Pao.

As a leading Chinese-owned tycoon in Hong Kong's economy, the shipping magnate was sitting on a leather sofa in his study, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

The television news was showing footage of the Harbour City explosion on a loop.

"Chairman, the loss statistics are in."

The general manager of Wharf Holdings cautiously reported, "The main structure of Star City has been damaged, and repairs are expected to take three months, with direct economic losses exceeding 50 million. Add to that the rental losses incurred during the shutdown..."

"Where are they?" the shipping magnate interrupted him, his voice steady and powerful. "Any casualties?"

Thankfully, no.

The general manager wiped his sweat. "Thanks to that policeman named Chen Jiaju for evacuating the area in advance, there were only a few minor injuries, and no one died."

"call……"

The shipping magnate let out a long breath, and his tense body finally relaxed a bit.

"As long as everyone is safe, money is a small matter."

As a shipping magnate who has weathered many storms, he is indifferent to money. A building can be repaired if it explodes, and the insurance company will pay out; but if people die, it will be a huge public relations crisis, and may even affect the reputation that has just been built after the strategic shift of global shipping.

"Notify the public relations department to immediately issue a statement condemning the violence and cooperating with the police. Also, send a banner to Chan Ka-kui and donate one million to the police welfare fund in the name of the group."

"Yes."

……

The next day, March 17, early morning.

On the breakfast table in the Bao family mansion.

Just as the shipping magnate picked up a glass of milk, the butler walked in, pale-faced, carrying an envelope.

"Sir... the security guard at the gate just found it. It says on it... 'Please open this yourself.'"

The shipping magnate frowned, put down the milk, and took the envelope.

There was no letter inside the envelope, only a photograph taken at the site of the explosion and a cassette tape.

The butler brought over a tape recorder and pressed play.

"Sizzle sizzle..."

After a hissing sound, that chilling, altered voice came through:

"Mr. Bao, were the fireworks beautiful yesterday?"

"I didn't expect the police to be more effective than I thought; they didn't manage to blow up a single person. But it's okay, this is just the appetizer."

"Prepare ten million old banknotes, not consecutive serial numbers. I will inform you of the transaction location in three days."

"If they call the police, or try anything funny..."

The voice in the recording suddenly became ferocious:

"The next explosion won't happen in an empty shopping mall lobby. It could be in the crowd at the Star Ferry Pier, or it could be... on your grandson's school bus after school."

"Click".

Recording has ended.

*Smack!*

Bao Chuanwang slammed the cup in his hand to the ground, splashing milk everywhere.

"Outrageous! Lawless! Utterly lawless!!"

This shipping magnate, who had roamed the world and even commanded respect from the British Prime Minister, was now trembling with rage.

What storms hasn't he weathered in his life? He's not afraid of business competition or political suppression. But what he hates most is this kind of despicable tactic of threatening his family's lives!

"Master, should we call the police?" the butler asked in a trembling voice.

"Call the police……"

Bao Chuanwang took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Reason told him that he couldn't let the robbers lead him by the nose in such a serious case; he had to call the police.

"Call the police! Get the Commissioner of Police to handle this personally!"

Half an hour later, the Starlight Task Force arrived. Leading the team was Chen Jiaju, the newly appointed head of the task force.

"Don't worry, Mr. Bao! We've already set up surveillance around your home! We'll definitely protect your safety!" Chen Jiaju assured him, patting his chest.

"Thank you for your hard work, Officer Chen." The shipping magnate had a good impression of Chen Jiaju, who had helped him save a huge loss last night, and his mood improved.

However, looking at the group of police officers setting up listening devices, who seemed serious but were clearly nervous, Bao Chuanwang's brows furrowed again.

The scene at the Cointreau Hotel a few days ago involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

The area was heavily guarded, and the Flying Tigers were deployed, but what was the result?

If it weren't for the sudden emergence of Jiahe Security, it wouldn't have been just that unlucky guy, Newbikin, who died; instead, a whole group of people would have been buried with him.

Are the police forces these days really reliable?

That bomb extortionist, given how much explosives he managed to acquire, was clearly no ordinary thief. What if…

The thought of the "school bus" mentioned in the recording sent chills down Bao Chuanwang's spine.

He can't gamble.

"Officer Chen, thank you for your hard work."

The shipping magnate turned and went back to his study. After a moment of contemplation, he picked up his private, secure phone and dialed a number that, in this special period, gave him a greater sense of security than the Commissioner of Police.

……

Central, Golden Harvest International Building, top floor.

Lu Chen was listening to a briefing about the overseas release of the "JF Famicom" when the red phone on the table rang.

"Feed? Guaranteed birth?"

Lu Chen was somewhat surprised and waved for his subordinate to leave. "Calling so early, is it about Harbour City?"

"Little Lu..."

On the other end of the phone, Bao Chuanwang's voice sounded tired and helpless, "Brother, this time you're really in trouble."

Bao Chuanwang told Lu Chen without reservation the contents of the extortion letter and the recording, as well as his concerns about the police's capabilities.

"These cops are good at catching petty thieves. I really don't trust them to deal with terrorists like this," Bao Chuanwang sighed. "Ah Chen, I know you have a crack team under your command. That incident at the Grand Hotel really opened my eyes."

"I want to ask you... to send someone to help me. Money is not a problem, but I can't gamble with my family's lives."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's lips curled into a smile that seemed to confirm his expectations.

In fact, Lu Chen already knew the true identities of the bombers. Therefore, as early as last night when the explosion occurred, Fourth Brother (Rum)'s intelligence network was already searching for people codenamed "Polar Bear" and Ahui.

Lu Chen had been waiting, waiting for Bao Chuanwang to speak first.

This is not just business, but also about human relationships.

In this era when Chinese capital was about to take over Hong Kong Island completely, Bao, the shipping magnate, was a leader of Chinese capital and a mainstay of the "red alliance." The Bao family had previously contributed significantly to the acquisition of Hong Kong Electric and the fight against British capital.

Both for public and private reasons, Lu Chen had to help with this.

Moreover, this is yet another excellent opportunity to GG.

If Golden Harvest Security can handle the bomb-monger who even the police struggle with, then DOA's position in the wealthy circles will be unshakeable.

"Bao Sheng, you're being too polite," Lu Chen's voice became serious and sincere. "We're allies, we're in the same boat. Your business is my business."

"I'll take this case. Don't worry, those police officers follow procedures when investigating cases, but I won't. I have my own ways of dealing with lunatics."

"Thank you! Thank you, Chen!" Bao Chuanwang's voice was full of gratitude.

"Mr. Bao, you're too kind. Please wait at home for a moment; my people will arrive in half an hour."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Chen pressed the call button on his desk.

"Ah Sheng."

"Boss." Tian Yangsheng pushed open the door and entered, as if he had been waiting outside all along.

Lu Chen stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked in the direction of Harbour City in the distance.

"The shipping magnate is in trouble. Someone is trying to extort ten million from him with a bomb."

"You don't need to follow me these next two days," Lu Chen turned around and looked at his most trusted confidant. "Take your brothers—Tian Yangyi, Tian Yangen, and bring the 'Seven Sons of Tian Yang' with you."

"Go to Baojia in Deep Water Bay and take over the security there."

"Also..." Lu Chen's eyes sharpened like knives, "Using the intelligence from 'The Distillery,' dig out that guy called 'Polar Bear' for me. Also, Fourth Brother will give you some information about a guy named Ahui later; Polar Bear probably got his explosives from him."

"Remember, this is not just about protection, but also a demonstration. I want all the wealthy people on Hong Kong Island to see clearly whether, when real danger comes, the foreign police are more reliable, or our Golden Harvest's shield is stronger."

Tian Yangsheng pushed up his sunglasses, a hint of excitement playing on his lips.

"Understood, boss."