by Ian Hamilton
“This is Uncle. Can I speak to Xu?”
“He’s outside. I’ll get him,” she said.
While he waited, Uncle thought about Xu’s son. In his early twenties now, he would soon be entering the last year of a bachelor’s degree program in economics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Xu wanted him to stay in school, get a master’s degree, and then join either the provincial or national public service. But the younger Xu wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Whenever he saw Uncle, he questioned him for hours about the Heaven and Earth Society. Uncle had become, for better or worse, his mentor.
“Today I felt like I was on the other side of the world,” Xu said when he came on the line. “I didn’t hear about the attack on you until late today, when I called Ng to talk about buying more designer bags. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I apologize for not calling you. It’s been hectic.”
“I understand. I get caught up in my own business here, and days can pass without a thought about anything else entering my head,” Xu said. “Ng told me how you retaliated last night. It sounds as if it was effective, but I’m sorry you didn’t kill Wu. He’s a cretin. I remember how difficult he was to deal with when you were being held prisoner in China.”
“Killing him wouldn’t have accomplished anything. In fact, it might have worked against what I’m trying to do here,” Uncle said. “Anyway, I have managed to get him behind bars for a while. I wanted him out of the way so I could focus on a meeting I’m holding this Friday with a number of the Mountain Masters. Did Ng mention the meeting or talk about what I’m trying to do?”
“He told me that Man and some of his Kowloon cohorts are making threatening noises about taking over more turf, and that you’re trying to convince the other Territories gangs to form some kind of defensive coalition. He said he’s not sure how it’s all going to work, but he is prepared to commit to it,” Xu said.
“Others have indicated they will as well. I don’t know if they’re doing it because they realize it makes sense or because they’re simply afraid of Man,” Uncle said.
“Do you care what their motive is? You’re the one who always says that people usually do the right thing for the wrong reason.”
“This time I’d like it to be for the right reason, but I guess I should be happy for any support I get,” Uncle said. “Did Ng also tell you why Man thinks he has to take over some of the smaller gangs?”
“To fend off the Chinese after the handover?”
“Exactly, and I’ve been told by Liu Leji that it’s completely bogus. I do believe him, but you’re the triad that works most closely with the Communists. What do you think? After the handover, will they leave us alone?”
“I haven’t been left alone. That’s not how it works here, and not how it will work in Hong Kong,” Xu said. “You know I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t expressly permitted it, and I can’t operate here without their co-operation. They have the power to control absolutely everything. I decided to use that to my advantage by making them partners in my businesses — not official legal partners, of course, but I look after them financially as if they were. You may not have to operate the way I do here, but you’d be wise to make some accommodations with those who are responsible for running Hong Kong.”
“Are you saying there’s no middle ground? If you aren’t with them, you’re automatically considered to be against them?”
“What I’m saying is that you can’t ignore their presence. You can’t pretend they don’t exist. You can’t act as if it’s business as usual,” Xu said. “Uncle, do you want my best advice?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Listen to Leji. Whatever he tells you to do will be coming, one way or another, from his uncle. The old man knows the system inside and out and still has formidable influence.”
“I’m meeting with Leji on Wednesday. I believe he wants to talk about the handover, although he was vague when I spoke to him this morning.”
“You and the Lius have been successful partners for a long time. I’m sure that’s a relationship they’ll want to maintain, and one important way of doing that is to help keep your organization intact. So whatever advice he has to give will also be self-serving, and I think that’s a very good thing.”
“You make sense, of course. You always do. My thought process gets too convoluted at times.”
“That’s not true. Your mind just works differently,” Xu said. “Most of us see the world in black and white, but you are able to see all the shades.”
“I will try to convince myself that has some value,” said Uncle.
“Stay in touch, and let me know how things go this week.”
“I will. This was a good conversation, Xu. I appreciate the advice.”
As Uncle put down the phone he chided himself for not having called Xu sooner. He had always been a good man to bounce ideas off. Uncle rose from the chair and went to the kitchen to get another beer. On the way back he was overtaken by an enormous yawn. It was still early in the evening, but he knew he needed to get to bed. One more phone call, he thought.
Zhang answered. “I thought I might hear from you tonight. Did you read the late newspapers?”
“It seems the Hong Kong police are doing a bang-up job fighting drug trafficking.”
“Well, it was a major bust, and it made some people happy at headquarters and in the OCTB.”
“Are they happy enough to make sure Wu is kept out of circulation until the beginning of next week?”
“I think you can count on that,” Zhang said. “And there’s an additional wrinkle that you might find to your liking. Lam, the man you say is Wu’s Red Pole, had a gun on him. He didn’t have a permit for it and he happens to be on probation. That probation will be revoked tomorrow, and Mr. Lam will be spending the next six months in Tong Fuk prison on Lantau Island.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
On Tuesday, Uncle resumed his normal work schedule. After the drama of Sunday and Monday, the day seemed to drag, and by four Uncle was thinking about leaving the office early. Then Wang barged through the door.
“I just got a call from Song, the Red Pole in Tsuen Wan,” Wang blurted. “There’s big trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“The town has been overrun by members of Man’s gang. He says there has to be sixty of them.”
“What are they doing?”
“Harassing some business owners and loitering in front of restaurants and stores, driving customers away. And according to Song, they’ve been taunting his men, trying to draw them into a confrontation.”
“Why did he call you?”
Wang drew a deep breath as he sat down in front of the desk. “He’s looking for help.”
“How many men do they have?”
“Song says he might be able to put together a force of thirty,” Wang said.
“Wasn’t it his boss, Chow, who said at our meeting that he doesn’t need anyone else’s help, that his gang is capable of handling its own affairs?”
“Yeah, but Song is more realistic. He knows they need help and he’s not too proud to ask for it.”
“Did he tell Chow he was going to ask for it?”
“No.”
Uncle knew Wang wanted to provide assistance to Tsuen Wan, but he couldn’t agree to it based on Song’s request alone. “Unless I hear from Chow, there’s nothing we can do.”
“And if Chow does call you and ask for help?”
Uncle’s look became more intense. “Is Song a capable Red Pole?”
“Yes.”
“Would you trust him to lead our men?”
“I would, but why do you ask that question?”
“I think Chow and Song would resent it if someone from another gang took the lead. They have to save face. If we send men, I want you to stay in the backgroun
d. Let Song call the shots,” Uncle said.
“Will you talk to other Mountain Masters about contributing men?”
“Absolutely. I don’t want this to become Tsuen Wan and Fanling versus Kowloon. This is an opportunity to present a united front, and the more gangs we involve, the better.”
“How many of our men would you send?”
“If I can get Ng and Tan to participate and we each send twenty-five men, that will give Chow more than a hundred to fend off Kowloon with. Do you think that will be sufficient?”
“It should be. But it would send more of a message if we each sent thirty.”
“Okay. But nothing happens until I hear from Chow.”
“I’ll call Song right now and tell him,” Wang said.
Uncle picked up his phone as soon as Wang left. He reached Ng, explained what was going on in Tsuen Wan, and asked him if he would contribute men if Chow made a direct request. Without the slightest hesitation, Ng agreed. “I’ll let you know if this is going to happen or not,” Uncle said. “If it is, then we should let the Red Poles sort out the logistics.”
He next called Tan. There was no answer, and he left a terse message. “Man is making a move on Tsuen Wan. If Chow asks for help, Ng and I are each going to send thirty men. Would you be willing to do the same?”
Uncle walked into the main office. Wang’s door was open and he was sitting behind his desk, looking grim. “I’m going to chat with Wang,” Uncle said to Mo. “Answer my phone. If there’s a call from Tan or from Chow in Tsuen Wan, transfer it to Wang’s.”
“How did Song react to our offer?” Uncle asked Wang as he entered his office.
“He was grateful and was going to talk to Chow right away, but he wasn’t sure what Chow would decide to do.”
“We can’t help people who refuse to help themselves,” said Uncle. “Do you think he’ll say no? Is that why you’re looking so tense?”
“I’ve been sitting here wondering what kind of message it will send to the other gangs if we don’t react to what’s going on in Tsuen Wan. They might think all this talk about a defensive alliance is just that — talk.”
“Ng has agreed to contribute thirty men. I’m waiting to hear from Tan and I’m optimistic that he’ll join with us. That wouldn’t have been possible a week ago, so already we’ve gone beyond talking,” Uncle said. “And Wang, we can’t walk into Tsuen Wan without an invitation from Chow. If we did, we wouldn’t be acting any differently than Man.”
“I didn’t mean to sound dismissive about the progress you’ve made pulling the gangs together, Uncle,” Wang said. “I’m simply worried that Man is testing us and I’m itching to show him we’re up for it.”
Wang’s phone rang. The two men made eye contact before Wang picked it up. He said, “Wei,” listened briefly, then passed the phone to Uncle.
“This is Uncle.”
“This is Chow. Song is with me. I have him on speakerphone.”
“I have Wang, my Red Pole, with me. I’ll put us on speaker as well. I understand you’re having a bit of trouble,” Uncle said.
“Man’s men are swarming the town centre. I was hoping they’d come to pester us and then leave, but they’re getting more aggressive by the hour. Our men are on the verge of losing control,” Chow said.
“I spoke to Ng a few minutes ago. Between us we have sixty men that we’re prepared to send to help you. I also reached out to Tan, but we haven’t connected yet. When we do, I’m hopeful he’ll send thirty more.”
“If those men come here, who will be giving them instructions?” Chow asked.
“Whoever you designate. I assumed it would be Song,” Uncle said. “I’m sending my Red Pole with the men, but he’ll play whatever role Song wants him to. Ng’s Red Pole will do the same. It’s your turf and your call.”
“I didn’t want Song to reach out for help,” Chow muttered, almost as if he was talking to himself. “We’re very proud of our independence.”
“Chow, Ng and I aren’t forcing you to take our men. It’s your decision entirely, but I predict that not accepting them will be a greater threat to your independence than taking them.”
“He’s right, boss,” Uncle heard Song murmur.
“I appreciate your offer, but I have to ask — what strings are attached?”
“None. Although I’d like to think that if either Ng’s gang or mine faced a similar threat, you’d send men to support us.”
There was a long pause. Then Song said, “Excuse us for a minute.”
Uncle looked at Wang and whispered, “He may know he needs our help, but he’s afraid to lose face.”
“Uncle, we’re back. Send the men,” Chow said abruptly. “However this ends, you have my thanks. I’ll call Ng to thank him as well.”
“I realize that was a difficult decision, but I genuinely believe it’s the right move for the future of your gang,” said Uncle. “Now I’m going to turn things over to Wang. He and Song should contact Ng’s Red Pole and coordinate their approach.”
Uncle left Wang to sort things out. Yu was the only other executive committee member in the building, and Uncle made his way to his office.
“I thought you should know that Man is causing a disruption in Tsuen Wan. At Wang’s suggestion I have offered assistance to Chow and he’s accepted it. Wang will be heading there with thirty of our men and will be joined by thirty of Ng’s. Do I need to call a committee meeting to get approval?”
“No, but we should let everyone know what’s going on.”
“Uncle, Tan is on the phone,” Mo called from behind him.
“I need to talk to him. I’ll let you make the calls to the other committee members,” Uncle said, then hurried to his office. He picked up the phone. “Tan, I assume you got my message.”
“I did. Those pricks from Kowloon are going to try to do in Tsuen Wan what they did in Macau. The actors may be different, but the script is the same.”
“I just spoke to Chow. He asked us to send help.”
“That surprises me. After his comments at the meeting, I thought his pride would get in the way.”
“Truthfully it took some persuasion, and I think his Red Pole pushed him into the decision, but I care more that he got there than how,” Uncle said. “Ng and I have committed to send thirty men each, and we’re placing them under Chow’s command. Our Red Poles are coordinating their efforts now.”
“Ask Wang to involve my Red Pole in that discussion,” Tan said.
“So you’re sending men?”
“Yes, although I have to say it makes me nervous. It’s been a while since most of them were in a scrap. They’re hardly battle-hardened.”
“I expect there will be a lot of posturing, but when the Kowloon triads see ninety brothers showing up to support Tsuen Wan, I think they’ll back off.”
“I hope you’re right,” Tan said. “The past few days have been crazy enough.”
“I’ve certainly kept my Red Pole busy,” said Uncle. “Speaking of Wang, I should let him know that you’re on board. Tell your guy to expect a call in the next few minutes.”
“I’ll do it right now. Let’s touch base later,” Tan said.
Uncle hung up, feeling pleased with the reactions from Tan and Ng. He hadn’t taken it for granted that they’d agree to go into Tsuen Wan. He did believe, though, that they had bought into his ideas for the New Territories, so he hadn’t been surprised. Still, getting that confirmation increased Uncle’s confidence that the meeting on Friday would go his way — assuming, of course, that the foray into Tsuen Wan was successful. It had better be, or I’m going to look foolish, he thought as he walked back to Wang’s office.
“You need to call Tan’s Red Pole. Mai Po is contributing thirty men, so you have the ninety you wanted,” said Uncle from the doorway.
“There’s a large shopping mall on the outskir
ts of Tsuen Wan. We’ll meet up there with Song and his men. I’ll let Mai Po know where to go,” Wang said. “I’m rounding up our men now. We should be ready to leave in less than an hour.”
“Great,” Uncle said, then stepped inside the office and closed the door. He leaned towards Wang. “You know there’s a lot riding on what happens in Tsuen Wan. I’ve convinced Tan and Ng that working together is the best way to survive. This is the first test, and I need it to be successful. Or, frankly, there won’t be much point in having that meeting on Friday.”
“We will drive the Kowloon men out of Tsuen Wan,” Wang said.
“Getting them to leave is the goal. It would be ideal if you could send them packing without a shot being fired or a knife being drawn,” Uncle said. “But, if they won’t leave peacefully, you have my full support to do whatever is needed.”
“I’ll share that message with the other Red Poles. Although I know you told Chow that Song would be in charge, he quietly asked me to take control,” Wang said. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” Uncle said, then hesitated.
“Is there something else?” Wang asked.
“Yes. I’m thinking I might go to Tsuen Wan with you and the men,” Uncle said. “I wouldn’t interfere with how the Red Poles manage the situation, but I’d like to demonstrate to Chow how committed I am to this alliance.”
“Your physical presence would certainly do that. And, I can tell you, our men would be thrilled to have you alongside them,” Wang said.
“So no objections on your part?”
“None whatsoever, although I do think you should contact Chow to let him know. If he has objections, it could be awkward.”
“I’ll call him right now, and if he’s okay with it, I’ll let Tan and Ng know as well. Who knows, they might want to be in on this too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
When the triads from Fanling reached the rendezvous point at the shopping mall, the men from Mai Po, Sai Kung, and Tsuen Wan were already there. Uncle was in the lead vehicle with Wang and Sonny. As the Mercedes rolled to a stop he saw Chow, Ng, and Tan walking towards them. Stay calm, he thought, but the combination of adrenalin and excitement was difficult to restrain. Chow had been elated when Uncle suggested he come to Tsuen Wan, and when Ng and Tan found out he was going, they quickly decided to go as well.