by Ian Hamilton
Tian was still working on his first beer. “That’s a lot for those guys to absorb in one meeting, especially those who aren’t from the Territories. Don’t you think it might be too much?”
“We don’t need them to approve every detail of Fong’s proposal. I’ll be satisfied if they simply agree that we need a structure of some kind and commit to working to create one,” said Uncle.
“Will that satisfy Beijing?”
“As long as I’m the contact person, and we start shipping people from their list across the border, I don’t expect any opposition from them.”
Tian shook his head. “What a strange world this is becoming. Who would ever have thought that the British handing Hong Kong back to the Chinese would lead to the strengthening of the Heaven and Earth Society.”
“Not Man, that’s for sure,” Fong said.
Uncle looked around the restaurant for Dong. “I should get going. Leji will be calling me soon.”
“Go ahead. I’m going to stay and have one more beer. My wife won’t let me bring it into the house,” Tian said.
“I’ll keep you company,” said Fong.
“Don’t drink too much. I need you both fresh and alert tomorrow,” said Uncle, and then he headed for the exit, where Sonny was waiting.
Once again Uncle had invited Sonny to join them for dinner, and once again he’d declined. Uncle was starting to realize that, in addition to being fearlessly loyal, Sonny had his own idea of what his job should be and was sticking to it.
“I’m going home,” Uncle said as he slid into the back seat of the Mercedes.
“Yes, boss,” said Sonny.
Sonny waited until they were halfway to the apartment before he spoke. “I hope you don’t mind me saying, boss, but there’s a lot of excitement among the men.”
“Are they still talking about Tsuen Wan?”
“A bit, but more about the meeting tomorrow. A couple of forty-niners told me that all the leaders of the gangs from Hong Kong Island are going to be there. They think you’re going to unite those gangs with ours in the Territories and take down Kowloon.”
“That’s the last thing I would think of doing. There’s zero truth to any of it.” Uncle said. “How do rumours like that get started?”
“So the Hong Kong gangs aren’t coming to the meeting?”
“They’ll be there, but for a different reason,” he said. “Listen Sonny, after you drop me off, call those forty-niners you were talking to and tell them I want them to stop spreading rumours. The last thing we need is for something like that to reach Kowloon ears.”
“I’ll do that.”
The night bodyguard was already in place when the car arrived at the apartment. He waved at Sonny and then stood at attention to one side as Uncle approached the door leading to the stairs. Uncle turned back before he opened it. “I have a visitor from China arriving tomorrow morning,” he said to Sonny. “I think it might be a good idea to have an extra bodyguard in the car while he’s here.”
“I’ll tell Wang. He’ll assign someone.”
“Fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As he climbed the stairs, Uncle checked his watch and saw he had fifteen minutes to spare before his call with Liu Leji. He hung up his jacket, lit a cigarette, and went to his chair. The message light on the phone was blinking. He pressed the button and seconds later heard Man’s voice.
“I don’t know what game you think you’re playing by getting Zhao to invite me to your meeting tomorrow,” Man said. “He probably expected me to tell him to fuck off, and I bet you thought that as well. But I may surprise you and show up. And if I do, I’ll speak my mind — unless you try to silence me. I wouldn’t if I were you, because that would look like you’re afraid of what I have to say. I know you think you’re a smart little fucker, but I warn you, we aren’t stupid in Kowloon. So I’ll see you tomorrow — or maybe I won’t. And maybe I’ll come alone — or maybe I won’t.”
What did he mean by that last remark? Uncle thought as he reached for the phone.
“Wei,” Zhao answered.
“This is Uncle. Man left a message on my phone. I take it you spoke to him.”
“I spoke to him, Yin, and Weng.”
“How did it go?”
“Weng actually listened to me, and I think there’s a chance he’ll come tomorrow,” Zhao said. “The other two heard me out but were equal parts dismissive, insulting, and threatening.”
Uncle butted out his cigarette and lit another. “Frankly, I’m a bit concerned about something Man said in his message. He mentioned that he might come tomorrow, and that if he did, he might not come alone. Do you think it’s possible he’ll try to disrupt the meeting?”
Zhao hesitated. “I don’t know . . .”
Uncle was starting to ask another question when he saw that Leji was on the other line. “Zhao, I have another call I have to take. I’ll phone you back when I’m finished.”
“I’ll be here.”
“Leji, you’re right on time as usual,” Uncle said after he’d switched lines.
“It’s a trait you and I share, though I’m not quite so fanatical as my aunt and uncle. They’re completely unforgiving if someone is more than a minute late for anything.”
“Which is why Fong worries about trains and traffic every time he has to meet with her,” Uncle said, laughing.
“You sound like you’re in an excellent mood. Was the remainder of your day successful?”
“It wasn’t bad, but hardly perfect,” Uncle said, his concerns about Man resurfacing. “How was yours? Has a decision been made about tomorrow?”
“For the most part we’re set, although there has been a change since we talked earlier.”
“What kind of change?” Uncle asked warily.
“I had assumed I would be coming alone to your meeting, but that’s not the case. One of Tao Siju’s assistants and a senior officer attached to the Ministry of Public Security will join me. My uncle told me I should have expected it. They’ll be observers only, so they won’t disrupt your agenda.”
“Observers of what?” Uncle asked.
“I’m sure Beijing wants to hear from another source what I had to say and how well I said it,” Leji said. “And undoubtedly they will also be interested in the reactions of your colleagues to my message.”
“They sound like spies.”
“I prefer to think of them as professional companions. Truthfully, it won’t change my approach or my message.”
“Are your travel plans the same?” Uncle asked.
“No. We will be crossing the border together in a government car. We’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
“That’s too bad. We’ll miss the opportunity for a last-minute talk.”
“I don’t think anything will change between now and then.”
“But if it does . . .”
“You will hear from me.”
“Then safe travels, and we’ll see you at the White Jade around noon,” said Uncle, and put down the phone.
He sat completely still, staring blankly out at the street below, until he felt the heat of the burned-down cigarette on his fingers. He dropped the butt into the ashtray and fought back the feeling of foreboding that had crept into his mind. This wasn’t a time to overreact, he told himself, but neither should he take anything for granted. He called Zhao again.
“Sorry I had to cut short our call earlier,” Uncle said when Zhao answered. “I had to speak to Liu Leji about tomorrow.”
“Is everything set?”
“Yes, but I keep thinking about Man,” said Uncle. “Leji won’t be alone; there will be two government functionaries with him. They’ll be there to observe and report on the meeting. We can’t let things get chaotic or out of control. Have you thought more about the possibility that Man will try to disrupt things?”<
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“I have, and I think it would be careless to discount that possibility,” Zhao said. “He could do it in the meeting or stay outside and try to prevent people from attending. I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“I won’t allow that.”
“How will you stop him?”
“I don’t know yet, but I have to come up with something,” said Uncle. “I’ll speak to Wang.”
“Are you sure that involving your Red Pole is the right approach? The last thing you want is a physical confrontation. As successful as you were in Tsuen Wan, a repeat of what went on there wouldn’t reflect well on us in front of our guests.”
“Wang is one of my most reliable sounding boards. Besides, he has always preferred avoiding confrontation over seeking it.”
“I’m not being critical of Wang, but if Man shows up with a horde of men tomorrow looking for trouble, how will Wang or anyone else avoid it?”
“I understand the challenges we might face. Let me think about it,” said Uncle.
“If you need to talk further, I’m here,” Zhao said, and hung up.
Uncle slumped in his chair. He had resolved not to drink after leaving Dong’s, but this situation called for a San Miguel. He took a deep swig as soon as he opened the beer. Then he stood rooted in the kitchen as he calculated what had to be done next.
It all began with the assumption that Man would try to disrupt the meeting. To believe anything else would be irresponsible. So the first question was, how could Man be prevented? And if he did make an attempt, how could he be stopped with the least amount of fracas?
Uncle needed to speak to Wang. When it came to Man, he knew that half-measures wouldn’t work. That meant he and Wang had to come up with a plan and mobilize a team that could block any disruption. Was there enough time?
Uncle left the kitchen and went back to his phone. He had an idea. The first call he was going to make was to Zhang Delun.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Uncle finally fell asleep around three and was up again at six-thirty. He drank three cups of instant coffee as he made some final phone calls, then left his apartment at eight-thirty.
“The congee place?” Sonny asked.
“Not today. I’m going straight to the office.”
Uncle closed his eyes as soon as he got into the car, and rested his head against the back of the seat. He knew he wouldn’t nap, but he thought ten minutes of quiet might recharge his mental batteries. Somehow, though, he did nod off. He woke with a shock when he felt Sonny gently pushing his knee. “Boss, we’re here.”
Sonny held the car door open for him and Uncle slid out. “When will we be picking up your Chinese guest?” Sonny asked.
“There’s been a change of plan. We won’t be meeting him at the station after all,” Uncle said. “I want to leave here at eleven to go directly to the White Jade.”
Sonny nodded; no explanation was necessary.
Uncle walked towards the office entrance, where four men were standing guard. “Has Wang arrived?” he asked one of them.
“He got here ten minutes ago, boss.”
Uncle climbed the stairs to the office. When he entered, he saw Fong and Wang standing together in front of Wang’s office and went over to them. “Good morning. Did anyone get any sleep?” he asked.
“A bit,” Fong said.
“Maybe two hours,” said Wang.
“How many Red Poles have you heard from?” Uncle asked Wang.
“Everyone from the Territories except Wu’s. And Tse’s called half an hour ago.”
“Tse told me they would be joining us,” Uncle said.
“They are.”
“That was a good night’s work,” Uncle said.
“What time are you heading to the White Jade?” Fong asked.
“Around eleven. Leji is driving across the border with two Chinese officials, and I want to make sure I’m there to greet them when they arrive at the restaurant.”
“Yes. Seeing that crowd could be a shock to them.”
“You can ride with me.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that,” said Fong.
“Have you worked on your presentation yet?”
“I’m about to do that now,” Fong said. “I have to admit it’s making me nervous.”
“Keep it simple. Just repeat what you said to me in Shenzhen.”
“How about what you’re going to say? Have you prepared anything?”
“No. I’m going to my office to do that now,” Uncle said, then checked his watch. “But first I have to make a phone call.”
Wang had been hovering in the background as Fong and Uncle spoke. When it appeared they were finished, he said, “I want to leave about nine to go to the restaurant. There’s still some organizing to do. I want everything mapped out by the time people start to arrive.”
“Wait until I make that one phone call,” Uncle said. “It could have a bearing on how things proceed today.”
Wang looked questioningly at Uncle.
“Just wait,” Uncle repeated, and headed for his office. He sat down behind his desk, stared at the phone, and wondered if he’d gone too far this time. Then he dialled Zhang Delun’s home number.
His wife answered and said, “Just a minute. He’s been waiting for your call.” Uncle felt a touch of apprehension.
Seconds later, Zhang was on the line. “Uncle, did you accomplish what you set out to do last night?”
“Yes, but I’m more interested in whether you had any success.”
“Before I get into that, I would like to confirm how you did.”
“There will be more than a hundred — actually, several hundreds — of triads at the White Jade Restaurant. I don’t have an exact number, but I can guarantee it will be the largest gathering ever seen in the New Territories.”
“Did your colleagues agree that the men would be unarmed?”
“They did.”
“In that case, I’m pleased to tell you I’ve been authorized to deploy a substantial force, including armoured vehicles. I’m still working on the final numbers, but we will have at least sixty officers at the restaurant.”
“The armoured vehicles shouldn’t be obvious. Can you keep them on a side street unless they’re absolutely needed?” Uncle asked.
“Yes, we can do that. They’ll be there for backup only. We don’t want to provoke an unnecessary response.”
“And your men will not be in riot gear?”
“That’s correct, but they will be well armed.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything else,” said Uncle.
“Then we are, as usual, in accord. Hopefully it will all go as you anticipate and my officers will be nothing more than spectators at a large, peaceful gathering of triads.”
“Did you have any difficulty selling this to your side?”
“I have kept the OCTB aware that an attempt is being made within the triad communities in the Territories to broker a lasting peace, and that meetings are being held,” Zhang said. “When I told them about your meeting today, they didn’t understand why we needed to get involved, until I mentioned the possibility of trouble. I stressed that for once we are in a position to prevent an armed conflict from occurring in a public place, rather than cleaning up afterwards and having to explain why we weren’t on top of it.”
“Did you tell them that I requested your presence?”
“Not precisely, but I did say I’d been advised of the meeting by a senior triad leader, and that he’d expressed concerns about the meeting being crashed by people opposed to it.”
“All of which is perfectly true.”
“But Uncle, given that we’re going to be present, do you still need to have so many triads there?”
“We worked for hours last night to get commitments from the other gangs, because we could
n’t risk the chance that your superiors would say no. We can’t go back to them now and tell them they’re not needed. Besides, if the meeting goes as I hope, they’ll have a chance to be part of history.”
“What do you mean?”
Uncle hadn’t mentioned that Liu Leji would be at the meeting and saw no need to now. “For the first time — at least, the first time in memory — the Hong Kong triads will be more than a collection of individual gangs.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing,” Zhang said.
“It will most definitely be a good thing if it reduces friction between the gangs. Everyone, including the Hong Kong police, will benefit.”
“I hope you’re right,” Zhang said. “Now, let’s talk about what should happen at the restaurant. I’ve assigned Commander Choi, one of my deputies, to head up our detail. Who should he coordinate with at the White Jade?”
“Wang, my Red Pole. He’ll communicate with the other Red Poles. He’ll be going to the restaurant as soon as I have a chance to talk to him. He doesn’t know about your involvement yet.”
“Then talk to Wang. Choi will look for him there.”
Uncle put down the phone and smiled. The police presence would add a second layer of protection around the restaurant, and they would be the first to confront Man if he showed up. Uncle got up, went to the office door, and shouted to Wang.
The Red Pole hurried over to him. “You look pleased with yourself,” he said.
“Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me.”
“I’ll try to be more subdued when I address the Mountain Masters this afternoon,” Uncle said. “But we’ve just had some very good news. The Hong Kong police are sending a contingent of men to the White Jade.”
“What?” Wang exclaimed. “You’re confusing me. I thought you said you had good news.”
“I spoke to my police contact last night and requested that they send the men. Even though we have enough of our own men to repel Man, that isn’t an ideal situation. The best thing that can happen is nothing at all. Having the police at the restaurant will make that more likely. Man isn’t crazy enough to take them on, and if he does, we’ll be there to back them up.”