Hong Kong Film: Short mules have no future, I am in charge of Hong Kong

Chapter 351 A major incident has occurred at the dock!

Saigon's market was a chaotic mix, with jade stalls, fishmongers, and general stores crammed together, the air thick with the mingled smells of fish and spices. Su Hanze mingled in the crowd, pretending to browse, but his eyes scanned every stall. Boss Chen's men were nowhere to be seen, but several unfamiliar faces had appeared in the market, dressed in grey short-sleeved shirts, their eyes darting around as if watching something.

He stopped in front of a jade stall. The stall owner was a short, stout Vietnamese man with a greasy smile: "Boss, take a look at this jade. It has good clarity and is from Hong Kong!"

"From Hong Kong?" Su Hanze raised an eyebrow, picked up a piece of bright green jade, and weighed it in his hand. "Whose goods are they?"

"Hey, don't ask that." The stall owner smiled a little awkwardly. "For a businessman, good goods are all that matter, right?"

Su Hanze didn't speak, his gaze sweeping over the back of the stall. The stall owner's wooden crates were piled up haphazardly, with a piece of oilcloth peeking out from the corner, as if covering something. He put down the jade and casually asked, "This is nice, how much?"

"Boss, you're easygoing!" The stall owner rubbed his hands together. "How about this one, three hundred Hong Kong dollars?"

"Three hundred?" Su Hanze sneered. "Brother, at that price, I can only afford to buy ten yuan worth."

The stall owner's expression changed, and he was about to speak when a loud thud came from behind the stall, as if something had fallen over. Su Hanze glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw a small, thin figure emerge from behind the tarpaulin and quickly run into the crowd. He frowned, dropped the jade, and chased after the figure.

The market was packed with people, and the figure moved quickly, weaving in and out like a fish. Su Hanze followed closely, skirting several stalls before chasing the figure into a small alley at the edge of the market. The figure suddenly stopped, turned, and disappeared into a dilapidated wooden shack. Su Hanze slowed his pace, pressed himself against the wall, and breathed heavily.

The door to the wooden cabin was ajar, and low voices could be heard from inside. He held his breath and leaned closer to the crack in the door, hearing a familiar Vietnamese accent: "...The goods have arrived in Ca Mau. James's men are watching them; nothing can go wrong."

“James?” Another voice sounded impatient. “Anan, don’t mention that name. The dock incident almost ruined everything.”

Su Hanze's heart skipped a beat. It was Anan! He moved closer and heard Anan whisper, "I had no choice. There were too many of Boss Chen's men yesterday, so I had to leave first. That Su Hanze guy was keeping a close eye on things."

"Su Hanze?" another voice sneered. "Who does he think he is? A jade seller, daring to meddle in James's business?"

“Don’t underestimate him.” Ah Nan lowered his voice even further. “He’s been in Hong Kong for over a decade, and he’s not exactly clean. He was definitely there when things happened at the pier yesterday.”

Su Hanze narrowed his eyes, his fingers reaching for the dagger at his waist. Anan knew he was at the docks and knew about his dealings with the goods; James was definitely behind this man. Just as he was about to listen further, the cabin suddenly fell silent, followed by a low shout: "Who's outside?"

Su Hanze paused, then turned and walked away, his steps as light as a cat's. The alleyway was deserted. He circled back into the market, blending into the crowd, his heart pounding. Anan, James, the docks… this trail was getting longer and longer; he needed to find a breakthrough.

Back at the teahouse, Lao Liang and Ah Hua were already back, sitting in a corner drinking tea. When Lao Liang saw him coming over, he whispered, "Master Su, they checked some things at the dock. Mr. Li isn't from Guangdong, he's from Chaozhou. His surname is Li and his given name is Guangsheng. Ten years ago, he did jade business in Hong Kong Island, and then somehow he ended up in Sai Kung."

“Li Guangsheng?” Su Hanze frowned. “What’s his relationship with James?”

"It's hard to say," Old Liang shook his head. "The people at the dock mentioned that the name James sounds like a foreigner, but no one has ever seen him in person. As for the cargo ship, no one dares to ask too many questions."

Ah Hua waved his fan and interjected, "Master Su, I've also heard that James' mines aren't just near Hong Kong Island, but also in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The jade in his possession is most likely mined by himself, transported to Saigon to be laundered, and then resold."

"Clean up?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes. "What about the opium? What did the people at the docks say?"

“Nobody dares to mention it,” Ahua said in a low voice. “But I heard a rumor that the people who caused trouble at the docks yesterday seemed to be after opium. Boss Chen suffered a loss and was so angry that he cursed in the market all morning.”

Su Hanze tapped the table, his mind racing. James's mines, jade, opium, Li Guangsheng, Boss Chen… these people were like pieces on a chessboard, scattered haphazardly, but there was always a hand pushing them from behind. He whispered, “Old Liang, go investigate Li Guangsheng’s background. There’s always a reason why a Chaozhou person goes to Saigon. Ahua, keep an eye on the market and see who else Boss Chen has under his command.”

The two nodded and left in different directions. Su Hanze sat alone in the teahouse, lit a cigarette, and glanced at the market. The sun was setting, the stalls were closing up shop, and the noise was gradually subsiding. Just as he was about to get up, a man walked in from outside the teahouse. He was wearing a long black robe, sunglasses, and a cane, and slowly walked towards him.

"Mr. Su?" The man stopped, his voice deep and slightly foreign-accented. "What a pleasant experience, having tea here?"

Su Hanze looked up and recognized the man as Smith, the foreigner he had seen in the warehouse last night. He sneered, "Mr. Smith? Saigon tea suits your taste?"

"Not bad." Smith sat down, took off his sunglasses to reveal a pair of deep blue eyes. "Mr. Su, I heard you're investigating the shipment?"

"Goods?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes and tapped the yellow jade bead with his finger. "Mr. Shi's information network is quite good."

“Very insightful.” Smith smiled and lit a cigarette. “Mr. Su, Saigon is not Hong Kong. Interfering will only lead to trouble.”

"Something happened?" Su Hanze sneered. "Mr. Shi, what's your relationship with James?"

“James?” Smith paused, then his smile deepened. “Mr. Su, you’re asking too many questions. There are some people you’d better stay away from.”

“Like you?” Su Hanze stared into his eyes, his tone calm.

Smith laughed and stood up: "Mr. Su, smart people live long. James asked me to pass on a message: the matter of the goods ends here. If you continue, I'm afraid you'll lose your business in Hong Kong."

After saying that, Smith put on his sunglasses, leaned on his cane, and left. Su Hanze stared at his retreating figure, his fingers tapping faster on the yellow jade beads. James, Smith, Li Guangsheng… these guys, each one more slippery than the last. He stubbed out his cigarette, got up, and left the teahouse, deciding to go to the other end of the market to ask Old Huang for some information.

The market had quieted down; most vendors had packed up, leaving only a few selling late-night snacks. Old Huang's teahouse was still open, and he was wiping the tables when he saw Su Hanze approaching. He quickly put on a smile and said, "Mr. Su, you haven't left yet?"

"No." Su Hanze sat down and casually tossed a Hong Kong dollar coin to his hand. "Old Huang, are you familiar with Smith?"

"Smith?" Old Huang's expression changed, and he lowered his voice. "Mr. Su, why are you asking him? That foreigner hasn't been in Saigon for long, but he's got connections. I heard he has business dealings with James, but nobody dares to say what."

“James.” Su Hanze narrowed his eyes. “Old Huang, how long have you heard this name?”

"Not long," Old Huang shook his head, "just in the last two years, people in the market started talking about it. They said it was a big boss from Hong Kong who owned more than ten mines, with jade, rubies, sapphires, everything." "Mines?" Su Hanze frowned. "Where are his people? Someone has to show up, right?"

“Never seen him before.” Old Huang lowered his voice. “James is like a ghost; nobody knows what he looks like. Smith and Li Guangsheng handle all the goods, and even Boss Chen has to listen to them.”

Su Hanze remained silent, Old Huang's words echoing in his mind. More than a dozen mines, jade laundering, opium trading… James's image grew clearer, yet he remained shrouded in mist. Just as he was about to ask again, a shout suddenly came from outside the market: "Su Hanze! Come out!"

Su Hanze was taken aback, then got up and walked outside the teahouse. Several burly men in gray short-sleeved shirts stood by the market. The leader had a buzz cut and carried an iron rod, his eyes fierce. Su Hanze recognized the man as Ah Xiong, one of Boss Chen's men, whom he had seen at the docks the previous night.

"Ah Xiong?" Su Hanze sneered, lighting a cigarette. "Did Boss Chen send you?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Ah Xiong spat. "Su Hanze, don't push your luck! If you keep getting involved in this mess, you won't have a place in Hong Kong!"

"Goods?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes. "Ah Xiong, your boss is quite daring, daring to handle opium?"

"Bullshit!" Ah Xiong's face flushed red, and he brandished the iron rod. "Su Hanze, stop spouting nonsense! If you don't get out of here, Saigon will be your burial ground!"

Su Hanze didn't move, his gaze sweeping over Ah Xiong's back. Several burly men were itching to act, each clutching a weapon. He exhaled a puff of smoke, his tone calm: "Ah Xiong, go back and tell Boss Chen that I've investigated the goods. I also need to find out who James is."

"You!" Ah Xiong's face turned green with rage, and he raised the iron rod to smash it down. Su Hanze dodged to the side, the dagger already in his hand, a flash of cold light, and the iron rod fell to the ground with a thud. Ah Xiong clutched his wrist, cursing in pain.

"Get out," Su Hanze said coldly. "If you come again, it won't just be your hand that gets broken."

Ah Xiong gritted his teeth and slunk away with his men. Su Hanze sheathed his dagger and turned back to the teahouse. Old Huang stood at the door, his face pale with fright: "Mr. Su, who...who have you offended?"

“Nobody.” Su Hanze sat down and lit a cigarette. “Old Huang, who else in the market has connections with James?”

Old Huang swallowed hard and lowered his voice: "Mr. Su, are you really going to investigate? James's men are ruthless. I heard they were the ones who did what happened at the dock last night."

"The dock?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes. "Explain clearly."

"It was that commotion last night." Old Huang wiped his sweat. "A few masked men, armed with guns, robbed Boss Chen of half his goods. Smith arrived later, and that's how things were calmed down."

"Robbery?" Su Hanze frowned. "What did you steal?"

"I don't know." Old Huang shook his head. "Some people say it's jade, some say it's opium. Anyway, it was a chaotic night, and no one at the dock dared to mention it."

Su Hanze remained silent, his mind racing. Robbery, masked men, James… this was getting more and more interesting. Just as he was about to ask another question, Ah Hua's voice came from outside the teahouse: "Master Su! Something's happened!"

Su Hanze looked up and saw that Ahua was covered in sweat, having even dropped his fan. He frowned: "What's wrong?"

Su Hanze abruptly stood up, his gaze fixed on Ahua's face. Ahua was panting, his shirt stained with mud, his eyes filled with panic as if he'd seen a ghost. He grabbed Su Hanze and whispered, "Master Su, something terrible has happened at the docks! Old Liang... Old Liang's been arrested!"

"Arrested?" Su Hanze frowned, stubbing out his cigarette on the table. "Who did it? Where?"

“South of the dock, near the warehouse.” Ahua swallowed, lowering his voice even further. “I just came back from the market and passed by there when I heard Lao Liang shouting. Several guys in black, their faces covered, dragged him into a car. I wanted to follow them, but there were too many of them, and I… I didn’t dare.”

"Black clothes? Masked?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes, the memory of Lao Huang's recent mention of the cargo robbery at the dock flashing through his mind. "Where did the truck go?"

“The road outside Saigon, the one leading into the mountains.” Ah Hua wiped his sweat. “Master Su, something’s not right. Old Liang just went to investigate Li Guangsheng, and he’s already being watched. It must be James’s men!”

“James…” Su Hanze sneered, tapping his finger on Huang Yuzhu’s hand. “Fine, they’ve come to arrest me.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over Old Huang. “Old Huang, whose territory is that warehouse area south of the dock?”

Old Huang shuddered in fright and hurriedly waved his hands: "Mr. Su, I... I really don't know! That warehouse is usually unmanaged and very messy. Boss Chen's men have been there, Smith has been there too, and there are some shady thugs who often hang around there."

"Thugs?" Su Hanze frowned. "Explain clearly, who are they?"

"They're just...just those protection collectors. They even have informants among the dockworkers." Old Huang's voice trembled. "Mr. Su, please don't ask me. I'm just a tea seller, how would I know about these things!"

Su Hanze didn't press him any further. He stood up and patted Ahua on the shoulder: "Let's go to the dock."

"Master Su, now?" Ahua was taken aback. "It's already dark. The dock area is very chaotic at night!"

"Chaos is good." Su Hanze sneered, touching the dagger at his waist. "The people have just been captured, there's no time to move them. If we're too late, Old Liang might be dead."

Ahua gritted her teeth, nodded, and followed. The two left the teahouse; the market was completely deserted, with only a few dim streetlights swaying. Su Hanze walked ahead, his steps quick and steady, while Ahua followed behind, clutching a folding fan, her eyes darting around, afraid someone might be lying in ambush.

The night wind in Saigon carried the briny scent of the sea, and the faint sound of ship horns drifted from the direction of the pier. Su Hanze navigated several narrow alleys, avoiding crowded areas, and soon arrived at the south side of the pier. The warehouse district was dilapidated, moss climbing the wooden walls, and the air reeked of damp decay. Several warehouses, dark and shrouded in darkness, resembled gaping monsters.

“Master Su, this is it.” Ahua lowered his voice and pointed to a warehouse in the distance. “I saw them drag Lao Liang inside, and the car was parked in the back.”

Su Hanze nodded, signaling Ahua to be quiet. He crouched low, crept along the wall, and pressed his ear close to the wooden planks of the warehouse. There were faint sounds coming from inside, low and muffled, like an argument. He narrowed his eyes, his dagger sliding into his hand, and gently tapped the planks to test the reaction.

(End of this chapter)