Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 201 Ghost Festival Wanderings
Two days later, on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month.

Chen Jiajun arrived at the Hung Hing headquarters tenement building opposite Victoria Park in a Mercedes-Benz Pullman armored vehicle.

A long red carpet has been laid out outside the tenement building, and the inner altar for the Hungry Ghost Festival has been set up on the central lawn of Victoria Park.

The Hungry Ghost Festival is divided into an inner altar and an outer altar. The inner altar is presided over by Master Sheng Yi, while the outer altar features a procession of deities through the streets. The event has already been reported to the Government House by the Hong Kong Island Chaozhou Overseas Chinese Leaders and Business Association.

At this moment, outside the Little Tang Building, the young demon slaves and Hung Hing members, wearing red headscarves, golden Tang suits and theatrical costumes, had two long dragons, one white and one black, laid out on the ground.

Several Hung Hing veterans, including Po Wah and Uncle Hing, changed into gray Tang suits, their hair neatly combed, and stood at the entrance of the tenement building, smiling as they watched the dragon dance and chatting with several elderly men from the Hong Kong Island Chaozhou Overseas Chinese Business Association.

When the iconic 6.2-meter-long Pullman armored car arrived at the tenement building, everyone paid their respects.

Dum opened the car door, and Chen Jiajun, dressed in a gray Tang suit, stepped out. He had his hair slicked back, was handsome, and his dignified gaze swept across the room.

"Ada."

"Big brother."

"Chen Sheng."

Wherever his gaze swept, those unruly Hung Hing boys and young demon slaves all wore obedient expressions.

Upon entering the Hung Hing headquarters, a shrine had already been set up at the entrance.

Brother Ji brought over the incense burner and other items, saying, "Ah Da, everything is ready, we're just waiting for you."

"Okay, I see."

Chen Jiajun washed his hands in a basin of water and dried them. Then, he used a rosewood stick to stir the incense in the incense burner and added five-colored beans, symbolizing good fortune.

Each procession of deities stops three times during its journey to receive incense burners for people to worship. These three incense burners are kept in three households, or three organizations, communities, or companies.

As for which three entities the money will be stored in, that naturally depends on who donated the most.

After setting up the incense burner, Chen Jiajun placed it on the altar and led the Hung Hing gang leaders and Red Pole members in bowing three times before inserting the incense into the burner.

Next, Chen Jiajun arrived at Victoria Park, at the inner altar of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Master Shengyi led the novice monks here to make final adjustments.

"Uncle Nan, Mr. Li."

Chen Jiajun greeted the members of the Hong Kong Island Chaozhou Overseas Chinese Leaders Chamber of Commerce.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce is Chen Weinan, and Li Jiacheng, chairman of Pingshan Group, and a group of Teochew business representatives also attended the Hungry Ghost Festival.

After the young monks finished sharpening the inkstone, they brought over several brushes and said, "Esteemed benefactors, please dot the eyes of the dragon dance."

"Uncle Nan, please."

Chen Jiajun looked at Chen Weinan, the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Chen Weinan looked at Li Jiacheng: "Mr. Li, why don't you go first?"

"Of course, Mr. Chen will dot the eyes of the dragon first."

Li Jiacheng waved his hand, very humbly letting Chen Jiajun go first.

"Fellow benefactors, the inner altar is ready, and we can proceed with the welcoming ceremony."

After examining him, Master Shengyi came over and put his palms together in prayer.

"Master Shengyi, then we'll have to trouble you." Everyone clasped their hands together in greeting.

Two-thirty, the timing is just right.

The welcoming ceremony was conducted by Venerable Sheng Yi, dressed in red monastic trousers, and two highly virtuous monks at a prayer platform on the central lawn of Victoria Park. The three entered into meditation before the platform and silently recited:
"Hong Kong Island residents participating in the Hungry Ghost Festival...and other auspicious locations for residence..."

After a long recitation, they began to offer incense.

"Boom."

The waking bell rang.

"Amitabha."

The novice monks stood in two rows, striking wooden fish and chanting Buddhist scriptures.

The atmosphere was grand and solemn.

Master Shengyi lit a dozen paper ingots in front of the altar, kowtowed three times, and two other monks took the ingots, raised them above their heads and circled them three times, then dissolved the ashes into the sacred water.

At the altar, Master Shengyi used sacred talismans and holy water to purify the four directions of the inner altar, praying for the arrival of gods and immortals to benefit the souls of the deceased through their merits.

Three bows and nine kowtows, offering incense and candles.

The opening ceremony begins.

After a series of meaningful and complex opening ceremonies, gongs and drums sounded, and the young demon slaves and Hung Hing members dressed in theatrical costumes danced with a long dragon, followed by men and women arranged by the Chaozhou community leaders, and set off from Victoria Park to begin the procession ceremony.

The procession begins at Victoria Park, circles the Hong Kong Island city area, and then returns to Victoria Park.

At the inner altar, many Teochew people came to worship. After the worship, Teochew business leaders such as Chen Jiajun, Chen Weinan, and Li Jiacheng distributed blessed rice, which was printed with the words "Hong Kong Island Teochew Overseas Chinese Leaders Chamber of Commerce, Hung Hing Group" and had Arabic numeral numbers.

Each person is limited to one of these lucky rice bags, which will continue for three generations.

Receiving a lucky rice bag is believed to bring good fortune in the coming year, and Hong Kong's trendy people are scrambling to get theirs.

After the rice offering, dozens of round tables were set up in the altar area for the Teochew people to hold a banquet.

After the banquet, a stage was set up in the altar area, with a dozen or so chairs in front of it. A Cantonese opera troupe would perform religious operas there, but the stage was not full; the extra seats were for the dead.

As soon as the opera begins, people from all directions come to listen.

One side is human, three sides are ghosts, and four sides are gods.

Once you start singing, you must finish the song, regardless of whether there are people in the audience.

Just because mortals don't listen doesn't mean that ghosts and gods don't listen.

The inner altar of the Sha Tin Hungry Ghost Festival.

In front of the stage, Zhang Renlong sat in the first row, with Xinji Siyanlong sitting next to him, along with several Heung Yee Kuk councilors and Heung Yee Committee members.

Zhang Renlong glanced at his watch and said to Chen Guoshan with a slightly annoyed expression, "Hasn't Hung Hing boss Jun arrived yet?"

“Godfather, Mr. Chen told me that he will definitely come.”

Chen Guoshan wore a form-fitting cheongsam, which perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure.

“If he doesn’t come in fifteen minutes, tell him he doesn’t need to come anymore.”

In the future, Sunshine Bus will operate at bus stops in Sha Tin. This is what I, Cheung Yan-lung, said.

Even the arrival of Lu Hantao, Lu Huangfa, and the anti-gang task force was of no use.

Zhang Renlong's tone was filled with anger and domineering.

Just then, the stage suddenly shook, and Axe Jun ran in and whispered in Xinji Siyanlong's ear, "Ah Ding, Boss Jun is here."

“Father-in-law, speak of the devil and he appears.” Four-eyed Dragon said to Zhang Renlong.

Zhang Renlong's angry expression lessened slightly, and he smiled and said, "Father-in-law, why don't you go and entertain him?"

"of course."

Four-Eyed Dragon followed Axe-Hand Jun out of the inner altar, where a convoy of luxury cars, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Bentley, slowly drove towards them.

After the convoy stopped in front of them, Hung Hing's second-in-command, Dom, Yuen Long's FIT leader, Ya-Chi, Tuen Mun's FIT leader, Wrench-hand En, Tsim Sha Tsui's FIT leader, Tin Yeung-sang... and a group of Hung Hing's top executives got out of the cars.

Dozens of young demon slaves, averaging about 1.9 meters tall, dressed in suits and ties, got out of the car and stared at the New Reporter boss, whose numbers were several times their own.

Then, Chen Jiajun, dressed in a gray Tang suit, stepped out of the extended Mercedes-Benz armored vehicle.

Wow, Brother Long, you've put on such a grand welcome for me!

"Brother Jun, you know that most of us from Xinji are from the countryside and have never seen the world."

Four-eyed Dragon returned the smile.

Times have changed. A year ago, the New Triad Society was far less powerful than it is now. Chan Ka-Chun wiped out a group of big-time gangsters who had lost their fans and started multi-field cooperation with the New Triad Society. Today, the New Triad Society is the largest triad society in Hong Kong.

Although Sun Kee and Hung Hing have many collaborations in casinos and gaming machines, it does not mean that their relationship is harmonious.

"Please." Four-eyed Dragon gestured for him to enter.

"Please." Chen Jiajun cupped his hands in greeting to the four-eyed dragon and entered the inner altar.

“Father-in-law, this is Jun, the leader of Hung Hing.”

Upon entering the film industry, Four-Eyed Dragon introduced Chen Jiajun to Zhang Renlong.

"Oh? I thought it was someone else."

Zhang Renlong slightly raised his buttocks and shook hands with Chen Jiajun.

"I'm sorry, Sir Zhang, I'm late."

Seeing Zhang Renlong's barely perfunctory welcome, Chen Jiajun wasn't angry. "It's alright, you've arrived just in time. Everyone, please sit down." Zhang Renlong pointed to a seat and then sat down first.

Chen Jiajun sat beside him.

After the Cantonese opera troupe began their performance, Zhang Renlong looked ahead and said softly, "I, Zhang Renlong, have no objection to Sunshine Bus entering Sha Tin to operate bus routes."

"Then thank you, Sir Zhang."

"However, your Sunshine Bus needs to increase the number of trips to provide convenience for the residents of Sha Tin Township."

"At the same time, Xinji's buses will reduce their frequency accordingly," Zhang Renlong continued softly.

"Oh?" Chen Jiajun was slightly surprised. He asked in return, "Sir Zhang, let's be frank. What are your conditions?"

Zhang Renlong said domineeringly, "I want 20% of Sunshine Bus's shares."

Furthermore, Sunshine Bus does not need to establish a depot in Sha Tin; the depot will be handled by Sun Kee. Half of the bus stops you build will be operated by Sun Kee.

What is the current market capitalization of Sunshine Bus?
Since it's not publicly listed, let's calculate the fixed assets: 1000 Tesla T1 double-decker buses, worth one billion.

After taking over Kowloon Motor Bus and China Bus Group, Chan Ka-Chun made strict divisions of bus routes: Kowloon Motor Bus was responsible for Kowloon, China Bus was responsible for Hong Kong Island, and the New Territories were handed over to Sun Bus. The entire New Territories had 200 bus stops.

Let's say these 200 bus stops cost 100 million.

In other words, Sunshine Bus has fixed assets of HK$11 billion.

Zhang Renlong made an outrageous demand, asking for 20% of the shares, equivalent to HK$2.2 million.

In addition, the depot was handed over to Sun Kee for operation, and half of the bus stops were also operated by Sun Kee.

Just how charming does Zhang Renlong think he is that Chen Jiajun treats him like this?
There are always some local tyrants who, relying on their numbers and power, make exorbitant demands on investors. A 20% stake is, to put it mildly, an understatement.

Even worse, some have directly and illegally seized assets, driving away the rightful owner.

This phenomenon is common throughout China, including Hong Kong Island.

Zhang Renlong is a bastard; he can't change his ways. He offended quite a few people a few years ago.

On one occasion in 74, when Zhang Renlong was returning home from a banquet, he was robbed of cash and a Rolex gold watch by a group of bandits. He was also slashed by the bandits and almost killed.

On another occasion, a group of thugs disguised themselves as traffic police, kidnapped his wife, and ransacked his mansion. Zhang Renlong was also slashed in the hand, but fortunately the police arrived in time.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, he still can't shake his bad habit.

If it were any other gang, they might have agreed to Zhang Renlong's conditions, since getting on Zhang Renlong's good side would be like having a protective umbrella.

but……

Chen Jiajun has been the leader of Hung Hing for so long, and he has always been respected by others, extorted by others, and targeted others. No one has ever dared to speak to him like that.

When Chen Jiajun was afraid of a mere local tyrant in the New Territories?

"How about it? I know that Hung Hing has been on the right track these past two years. In the future, when you come to Sha Tin to make money, our Cheung family will provide you with many conveniences."

Faced with Chen Jiajun's silence, Zhang Renlong spoke again.

“Brother Jun, don’t be stubborn and refuse to listen to reason. Doing business in Sha Tin without the Zhang family’s help will make things very difficult. If you don’t believe me, you can try it.”

With his father's backing, Zhang Liangsheng, one of the four tigers of the new gang, became extremely arrogant.

Chen Jiajun took a puff of his cigar and smiled, saying, "Sir Zhang, the shares behind Sunshine Bus include Sir Deng Zhaojian, Boss Lei, Uncle Hengji, and many other shareholders..."

I need to speak to these people first; otherwise, I'll have a hard time explaining myself to them.

Times have changed, and Boss Jun has become even more cunning.

But in the eyes of Zhang Renlong, Siyanlong, and others, it was a sign of cowardice.

Zhang Renlong said with a smile, "Li Zhaoji of Hengji also asked me about starting construction on Shatin First City in Shatin. I'll give him a call. As for Sir Deng, Boss Lei, and others, they are just minor shareholders. The biggest shareholder isn't you..."

After a pause, Zhang Renlong said, "Here's what we'll do. I'll give you time. You must give me an explanation before the Ghost Festival."

Sha Tin was Zhang Renlong's territory, and he believed that Chen Jiajun, who was involved in all sorts of shady dealings, knew exactly what it meant to be subservient under someone's roof.

Zhang Renlong knew about Boss Jun's past, including how Boss Jun had driven the entire Yue Nan Gang out of Hong Kong.

However, any community or organization that wants to survive in the long run must come from the masses and go back to the masses.

In Sha Tin, Boss Jun needed the approval of this local bigwig to do business there; otherwise, if Zhang Renlong raised his arm and called on the locals, they would be willing to risk their lives for him.

"I understand, Sir Zhang. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

Chen Jiajun extended his hand to Zhang Renlong.

“I’m a very fair person. I don’t object to you coming to Sha Tin to make money, but you must follow my rules.” Zhang Renlong grasped Chen Jiajun’s hand.

"Okay, see you later."

"See you later."

Under the watchful eyes of a group of new reporters, Chen Jiajun led the young demon slaves back to the car.

After starting the car, Chen Jiajun made a phone call to Lao Yu.

……

"Dad, do you think Boss Jun will back down?"

After Chen Jiajun and the others left, Zhang Liangsheng couldn't wait to ask his father, "I've already chosen the location for my car factory, and we'll start construction soon."

"He's a smart man; he knows how to choose."

Zhang Renlong spoke slowly, displaying boundless confidence in his judgment.

With a loud "boom!"
A bolt of lightning cleaved the sky, followed by a torrential downpour.

Chen Guoshan opened an umbrella for Zhang Renlong, who said, "Alright, it's getting late, I'll be going now. Ah Sheng, go back and visit more often when you have time, don't just hang out outside all the time."

A group of lackeys opened more umbrellas and escorted Zhang Renlong into the carriage.

The Rolls-Royce started up and disappeared from sight, vanishing without a trace in no time.

It was a dark, rainy night.

Upon reaching the Lion Rock Tunnel, the traffic lights came on.

The Rolls-Royce slowly came to a stop, and a Mercedes-Benz with a forked head also slowly stopped next to the Rolls-Royce. Old Yu rolled down the window.

Inside the Rolls-Royce, Zhang Renlong and Chen Guoshan were whispering sweet nothings to each other...

When the green light turns on.

The Rolls-Royce couldn't wait to drive off.

That's when.

"boom."

A dump truck came hurtling in and crashed into the Rolls-Royce with a loud bang.

Crunch, crunch, snap...

The ear-piercing noise continued as the Rolls-Royce drove forward until it reached the Lion Rock mountainside.

"boom."

Finally, the dump truck could no longer move, stopped, opened the door, and a tall, burly man with a full beard and a weathered appearance jumped out.

The burly man lowered his head, took out a lighter, cupped his right hand together, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a smoke ring.

Old Yu, driving a Mercedes-Benz W14, brushed past the burly man.

The burly man finished his cigarette in a few puffs, threw the butt away, and pulled out his mobile phone to report the incident.

Hello, is that you?

"I hit a car..."

"Is it serious? Let me take a look... It's not that serious, but there seem to be a few people in the car."

"Hello? Hello? The signal is bad."

Blood was spreading and gushing along the lower edge of the deformed car door.

Zhang Renlong struggled to open his eyes and pleaded with the weathered man, "Help, help me..."

"Where? How would I know where?" The weathered, burly man looked at him and shouted into the microphone.

"Oh, there seems to be a tunnel here."

After hanging up the cell phone, the burly man lit another cigarette, knelt down at the entrance of the Lion Mountain Tunnel, and puffed on and on.

Blood stained the entrance to Lion Rock Tunnel, turning it into a glaring red.

(End of this chapter)