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

Late October 1983.

Wan Chai, top floor of the Police Headquarters building, highest operational conference room.

The rain outside the window continued to drizzle, and the gloomy sky, like a giant leaden curtain, weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. The air inside the conference room was thick and suffocating, filled with the strong smell of tobacco and a stifling sense of anxiety.

At the far end of the long mahogany conference table, Police Commissioner Han Yili was unconsciously tapping the table with his fingers, making a series of irritating "tap-tap" sounds.

Standing in front of the projection screen was Fang Jiexia, a senior inspector from the Public Relations Department.

At this moment, she was like a calm director selling a script to investors. Facing a room full of big shots with higher police ranks than her, she showed no stage fright, only a confidence and ambition to control the whole situation.

"Sirs, please look at the big screen."

Fang Jiexia pressed the laser pointer in her hand, pointing it to the floor plan of the Yu Man Fong Building in Kwun Tong, as well as the densely packed map of camera positions around it.

"The core of my plan lies in 'taking the initiative' and 'controlling the perspective'."

Fang Jiexia's voice, clear and powerful, echoed in the deathly silent conference room:

"This time, we need to break with convention. I don't recommend simply keeping reporters outside the cordon; that will only lead them to film the chaos on the outskirts and the panic of the citizens, then add sensational headlines."

"We need to 'invite' the media." Fang Jiexia's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "We'll set up an official media area on the rooftop directly opposite the building, giving them the best shooting angles. But that's not enough; the most crucial thing is—"

She pointed to a model of a fully armed Flying Tigers member on the screen: "I want to place a police officer photographer with a portable DV camera in every attacking Flying Tigers squad."

"We want to show all Hong Kong citizens firsthand footage. We want all Hong Kong citizens to see with their own eyes how our special police bravely and fearlessly break down doors, how they professionally advance their tactics, and how they brave gunfire to protect residents!"

"We want to use these impactful images to cover up all the previous shame! To tell everyone that it was just an isolated incident, and this is what the Royal Canadian Mounted Police truly are!"

As soon as Fang Jiexia finished speaking, a low commotion arose in the conference room.

Many of the more action-oriented superintendents showed interest in the mission. After all, in their view, this mission was a sure thing! What kind of trouble could those three gangsters hiding in the dilapidated building possibly cause? They could easily send in a few dozen Flying Tigers, and even just overwhelm them with sheer numbers! And given the certainty of victory, this kind of publicity stunt seemed to be the most effective way to gain exposure.

"Ridiculous! This is utterly disrespectful to the police force's reputation!"

Just then, an extremely jarring voice of opposition rang out.

Superintendent Li, the superior officer, stood up with a dark expression.

He is an extremely traditional pragmatist who has always scoffed at such flashy "PR shows".

"Chief! During the Wuhua Street incident last time, Inspector Fang mentioned this so-called 'live broadcast' plan, which I rejected at the time. Why? The reason is simple—it's too risky!"

Superintendent Li pointed at Fong Kit-ha and retorted bluntly, "Catching thieves isn't like making a movie! The situation on the scene changes in an instant, with stray bullets flying everywhere. You're sending the police to charge in with DV cameras? What if they film a special police officer getting injured? What if they film the criminals being subdued? What if there are civilian casualties? You're broadcasting the police force's incompetence live to the entire city!"

Superintendent Li took a deep breath, turned to Han Yili, and said in an extremely sincere tone, "Chief, traditional public relations methods may be old-fashioned, but they are the safest! We just need to quickly storm in, kill the bandits, and then release a few staged photos of our achievements afterward, and find a few state-run media outlets to praise us. Even if the public is still cursing us in the short term, the masses are forgetful... As long as we wait a few months until the storm passes, and then pick a few impressive operations to publicize, these stains will naturally be forgotten by history."

Superintendent Li held out his hands, comparing the two approaches: "Traditional public relations is a 70% guarantee. While it can't immediately salvage face, it can at least stop the bleeding and ensure no major mistakes are made. But what Inspector Fang calls 'showboating,' 'waging a media war,' and 'using news tactics to generate news'..."

Superintendent Li sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife: "That's gambling! It's a choice between ten points and zero! There's no middle ground!"

"Winning is certainly a cause for celebration, and it greatly enhances the reputation of the police force. But if we lose... even the slightest mistake will result in zero points! Or even negative points! At that point, the police force will be completely exposed, and who among us will have the face to wear this uniform?!"

Superintendent Li's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the restless atmosphere from before.

The high-ranking officials present exchanged glances, beginning to hesitate. Indeed, the bureaucratic system's greatest fear is taking responsibility. Seeking stability seemed to be the choice that best served their interests.

But Han Yili sat in the first seat, his brows furrowed.

Seven points?

Not enough! Far from enough!

The pressure from the Governor, the anger of the citizens, and the mess left by that damned Qiu Gang'ao who killed someone in the interrogation room... simply "stopping the bleeding" is no longer enough to save him.

More importantly, he didn't have much time to waste. Superintendent Li's medicine would take two or three months to take effect, and he couldn't wait that long!

Just then, Fang Jiexia spoke again. Faced with Superintendent Li's questioning, which was the same as last time, she had clearly done her homework and instead revealed a smile that she had expected.

"Li Sir is right, there are indeed risks involved, but I believe those risks are manageable."

Fang Jiexia pulled out another thick proposal from the folder and gently patted it on the table.

"I never said we were actually going to do a 'live broadcast,' I was just promoting that we were going to do a 'live broadcast'... I have contacted the top editing team in Hong Kong, as well as several live directors who have worked in television for many years. They are currently on standby in the command vehicle. All the footage sent back from the front lines will be selected and edited in real time, just like making a movie."

"Show footage of SWAT officers bravely advancing! Show footage of the criminals returning fire! That's to increase the tension."

"But... if any SWAT officers are injured, or if any unforeseen mistakes occur," Fang Jiexia coldly snapped her fingers. "Cut it! Cut the shot! Change to an exterior scene or footage of the officer giving commands!"

"We're not recording news, we're 'creating' news!" Fang Jiexia leaned forward, her hands on the table. "Li Sir, you're worried about accidents. But let me tell you, on my editing table, there are no accidents, only scripts!"

"We can deploy our most elite Flying Tigers as the lead actors, coupled with the most professional directing. This isn't just a capture operation; it's a Hollywood blockbuster starring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police! And what the citizens ultimately see on their televisions will be exactly what we want them to see—absolute heroism, absolute victory!"

Dead silence.

The conference room fell into a deathly silence once again.

Everyone was shocked by Fang Jiexia's extremely bold, even shameless, yet extremely tempting plan.

Manipulating the truth through editing? Turning the arrest into a performance that can be won no matter what?

This is insane! But it also perfectly reflects the current mentality of these bureaucrats who desperately need to clear their names!

Han Yili stared intently at Fang Jiexia, his breathing becoming rapid, the hesitation in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by the fervor of a gambler going all in.

There was a full two minutes of silence.

"Snapped!"

Han Yili slammed her hand on the table and made her final decision.

"Execute according to Inspector Fang's plan!" Han Yili stood up, surveyed the room, and issued the top order: "For this operation, Senior Inspector Fang Jiexia will be fully responsible for media coordination and on-site command! The Major Crimes Unit and the Flying Tigers will fully cooperate with her!"

"The code name for this operation—"

Han Yili glanced at the storm-swept Hong Kong outside the window and squeezed out three words through gritted teeth:

"[Breaking News!]"

"Yes, Sir!!"

Fang Jiexia stood at attention and saluted, a smile of extreme excitement blooming on her refined and capable face.

She knew that her time had come.

……

The next morning at seven o'clock.

The exterior of Yu Man Square Building, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

If you were to look down from above right now, you would find that this dilapidated old tenement building is enveloped in an extremely eerie atmosphere.

The innermost layer consisted of hundreds of heavily armed Police Tactical Unit (PTU) officers in heavy body armor, who had cordoned off the building with yellow tape, making it completely impassable.

Outside the cordon, however, lay an even more astonishing sight.

A dozen or so huge television broadcasting vans were parked on the roadside, resembling steel monsters, with tall signal antennas erected. Hundreds of reporters, carrying cameras and microphones, were flushed with excitement, chattering incessantly at the cameras as they reported live.

The huge searchlights illuminated the entire building as if it were daytime, making it seem as if it were not a crime scene, but a huge open-air photography studio.

Fang Jiexia, wearing a bulletproof vest and a headset, stood in the makeshift command center. On the wall in front of her, dozens of monitor screens were flashing, displaying images from cameras at various angles and miniature lenses on the helmets of the Flying Tigers.

"Attention all units, lighting, camera, actors... oh no, Flying Tigers, all in position."

Fang Jiexia looked at the monitor, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips, as if she had everything under control.

however.

Whether it's the ambitious Fang Jiexia, the desperate Han Yili, or the media reporters who just want to watch a good show.

Everyone made a fatal mistake that could turn this "show" into a "disaster".

They all severely underestimated the man hiding in the building—Da Dong.

He was a scout who survived the Vietnam War, a wolf king with an extremely keen sense of smell! When he saw the scene downstairs, which looked like something out of a movie, he felt no fear, only madness and determination after being humiliated.

Moreover, and more importantly.

The police intelligence revealed a huge flaw.

In that maze-like complex, Yuminfang Building, inhabited by all sorts of people.

The ruthless bandits hiding here are not just the desperate "remnants" of Da Dong's family!

In another unit on the seventh floor, a group of mysterious thugs looked out the window at the dense crowd of police officers and reporters, assuming that it was all aimed at them.

So they silently opened the heavy canvas bag.

Inside, there weren't ordinary handguns, but a whole bunch of AKs!

A major incident destined to spiral out of control is about to unfold amidst an unexpected explosion, drawing back a bloody curtain.