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

Chapter 372 Taking this opportunity to turn things around

“He’s stalling on the ship.” Su Hanze looked up at the cargo ship. “We need to hurry. Old Li won’t let Ajiu stay there for too long.”

The two paddled their rubber boat away from the dock and back to the alleyway on the shore. Su Hanze hid the waterproof bag in his clothes and whispered, "Xia Xue, find a place to hide this so no one finds it. I'm going to pick up Ajiu."

"Be careful." Xia Xue nodded, then turned and disappeared into the night.

Su Hanze returned to the dock and found a secluded corner to watch the cargo ship's movements. Not long after, Ajiu disembarked, followed by Lao Li and two henchmen. Lao Li's face was ashen, and he never lowered his gun.

"Sangze, where are you?" Ajiu whispered, as if she knew Su Hanze was nearby.

Su Hanze remained silent, quietly approaching and hiding behind a pile of wooden crates by the dock. Old Li led Ajiu deeper into the dock, cursing under his breath: "Ajiu, you better not try anything funny, or I'll make sure you don't see the sun tomorrow."

"Don't worry, Lao Li." Ajiu smiled. "I don't want to die so young."

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance at the dock, and several figures rushed out of the darkness, wielding sticks and machetes, heading straight for Old Li and his group. Old Li turned his head sharply and cursed, "Damn it, who?!"

"Tang's men!" one of the henchmen shouted, drawing his gun and firing a shot at the group.

Gunshots ripped through the night sky, plunging the dock into chaos. Taking advantage of the confusion, Ah Jiu sidestepped and hid behind a wooden crate. Su Hanze seized the opportunity, bursting out from behind the crate, kicking one of the henchmen to the ground and snatching the machete from his hand.

"Ajiu, let's go!" Su Hanze shouted in a low voice, pulling Ajiu towards the alley.

Old Li reacted quickly, raised his gun and fired, but the bullet struck the wooden crate, sending sparks flying. Su Hanze and Ajiu disappeared into the alley and into the night.

Once they reached a safe spot, Ah Jiu, panting, cursed, "Damn it, weren't those people from the Fujian gang? How did they get involved?"

"Who cares who he is?" Su Hanze sneered. "Tonight's show will keep Tang Jingshan busy for a while."

"What's next?" Ajiu asked.

"Let's go back first," Su Hanze said in a low voice. "We need to deal with those bags of opium properly, and then find an opportunity to have a good talk with Tang Jingshan."

Su Hanze and Ajiu emerged from the alleyway beside the dock. The night wind, carrying the salty smell of the sea, rushed towards them, and the air still smelled of gunpowder from the recent shootout. They didn't dare linger, weaving through narrow alleys to avoid anyone who might be following them, until they finally stopped at the back door of an inconspicuous tea restaurant. The tea restaurant was dimly lit, and several workers returning home late were engrossed in eating fried noodles. Behind the counter, a plump proprietress was doing accounts, and a radio played Teresa Teng's songs, her voice so low it sounded like a whisper.

Su Hanze found a booth against the wall and ordered two bowls of beef brisket noodles and a pot of Pu'er tea. Ajiu sat opposite him, toying with the thin knife in her hand, her eyes occasionally glancing towards the door. Su Hanze took out a waterproof bag from his pocket, gently patted it on the table, and said in a low voice, "These packages need to be hidden somewhere. I can't keep carrying them around."

Ajiu glanced at the waterproof bag and frowned: "Opium stuff is a hot potato if you keep it. Are you sure you don't want to just throw it into the sea?"

"Throw it away?" Su Hanze sneered, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "This is Tang Jingshan's lifeline. It would be such a waste to throw it away. Keeping it will allow us to give him a few more whacks."

"Knock?" Ajiu stopped playing with the knife and looked up at Su Hanze. "You really intend to go head-to-head with Tang Jingshan? His influence in Macau didn't come overnight. The cops, the underworld, even the dockworkers—who doesn't give him some face?"

"Face?" Su Hanze put down his teacup, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Face is for the living. If Tang Jingshan really had that much power, he wouldn't have had that shipment stolen last night. Ajiu, do you believe me? The chaos at the dock tonight was most likely caused by Tang Jingshan's own people."

Ajiu paused for a moment, then frowned: "You mean, those Fujian gang members are Tang Jingshan's men?"

“Not necessarily.” Su Hanze shook his head, his gaze darkening. “But someone definitely wants to use this opportunity to disrupt Tang Jingshan’s plans. You saw Old Li’s state tonight, he was terrified. If he were truly that loyal, he wouldn’t have been so easily fooled by you just now.”

Ajiu lowered her head and thought for a moment, then nodded: "You're right. Old Li is stubborn but guilty inside. Just now, when I mentioned that photo, his face turned pale. But what do you plan to do with these packets of opium? Sell them directly?"

“Sell?” Su Hanze snorted coldly. “Selling it would only cause trouble for ourselves. Let’s keep it and let Tang Jingshan know that we have the goods. Let’s see how he reacts.”

Just then, the door to the tea restaurant opened, and Xia Xue walked in. She was heavily made up and wearing a flashy cheongsam, looking like a female customer who had just come from a dance hall. She went straight to a booth, sat down, snatched Su Hanze's teacup, gulped down a few mouthfuls, and said breathlessly, "You two really know how to pick a place. The tea in this lousy tea restaurant is as weak as plain water."

"Have you hidden the things well?" Su Hanze ignored her complaints and asked directly.

"It's well hidden." Xia Xue put down her teacup, took a key out of her bag, and threw it on the table. "I found an old warehouse and locked it inside. No one will go through it. Here's the key, keep it."

Su Hanze took the keys, put them in his pocket, and glanced at her: "What's going on at the dock?"

"It's a complete mess." Xia Xue pouted. "Those guys from the Fujian gang ran away, and Lao Li is chasing them all over the docks. I doubt they'll be able to sleep tonight. But I heard from them that Tang Jingshan already knows about the missing goods and was so angry that he smashed several vases in his villa."

"Smashing a vase?" Ajiu sneered. "He certainly knows how to throw a tantrum."

“Losing your temper is a small matter.” Xia Xue lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I also heard that Tang Jingshan called a few of his confidants over for a meeting tonight, probably to find out who leaked the information. Old Li is now the prime suspect.”

"Old Li?" Su Hanze narrowed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. "This is a good opportunity."

"A good opportunity?" Xia Xue frowned. "What trick are you planning this time?"

"Don't rush." ​​Su Hanze waved his hand, picked up his teacup and took another sip. "Xia Xue, go to the vicinity of Tang Jingshan's villa first thing tomorrow morning, find a teahouse or stall, keep an eye on who goes in and out. Ajiu, go contact your second uncle's former subordinates and see if you can dig up some dirt on Lao Li."

"Digging up dirt?" Ajiu frowned. "Old Li is as slippery as an eel. What kind of incriminating evidence do you think he would leave behind?"

“Everyone has something to hide in this world,” Su Hanze sneered. “He’s been with Tang Jingshan for so many years, doing a lot of dirty work. There must be a few things he can’t show for himself. Go and look for them, especially his deal with the Fujian gang. Maybe you can dig something out.”

"Okay." A-Jiu nodded, putting the knife back in her pocket. "But what about you? What are you going to do?"

“Me?” Su Hanze smiled, his gaze falling on the waterproof bags on the table. “I’ll find someone to deliver these packages to Tang Jingshan.” “Who?” Xia Xue asked curiously.

“Old Huang.” Su Hanze uttered two words, his tone calm but with a hint of coldness.

"Old Huang? That fishmonger?" Xia Xue's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? He's in cahoots with Old Li. Going to him is like walking into a trap!"

"Walking into a trap?" Su Hanze sneered. "Old Huang is all talk and no action, but deep down he only cares about money. If he knew we had Tang Jingshan's goods, he'd probably come to us to negotiate."

"Are you so sure?" Xia Xue was still uneasy. "What if he goes and tells on us?"

“Then let him sue.” Su Hanze shrugged. “If he informs, Tang Jingshan will suspect Lao Li first. We can sit back and watch them fight like dogs.”

After hearing this, Ajiu couldn't help but laugh: "Sangze, your mind is as cunning as an old fox."

"Stop talking nonsense." Su Hanze glared at him. "Finish your noodles and get to work. We'll meet at the roast meat shop in Yau Ma Tei at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

After finishing their noodles, the three went their separate ways. Su Hanze walked alone through the streets of Macau. The hustle and bustle of the night market gradually faded away, leaving only the dim glow of the streetlights in the alleyways. He lit a cigarette, slowly exhaling smoke, his mind calculating his next move. Tang Jingshan's influence in Macau was deeply entrenched, making it difficult to take him down. However, this batch of opium was a potential breakthrough. If used well, it could throw Tang Jingshan into disarray.

The next morning, Su Hanze arrived at the fish stall near the dock. Old Huang was still chopping fish, his knife work swift and precise, splattering fish blood everywhere. Seeing Su Hanze, he paused, his knife moving slightly, then grinned: "Hey, Su Hanze, buying fish again? How were those two sea bass from last night?"

"It tastes good." Su Hanze leaned against the stall, lit a cigarette, and handed one to Lao Huang. "Brother Huang, I'm not buying fish today. I want to talk to you about something else."

Old Huang took the cigarette, lit it, and squinted at Su Hanze: "Other things? Sangze, don't tell me you got into any trouble at the dock last night."

"Trouble?" Su Hanze chuckled and lowered his voice. "Brother Huang, you've heard about the commotion at the docks last night, haven't you?"

Old Huang's expression changed slightly. He lowered his head and wiped the fish blood off his hands: "I heard that those bastards from the Fujian gang robbed Master Tang's goods, causing Old Li to be searching for him all over the world."

"Really?" Su Hanze exhaled a puff of smoke, his tone casual. "Then do you know where the goods they stole are now?"

Old Huang's hand trembled, and he almost cut his own finger with the knife. He looked up sharply, staring at Su Hanze: "Sangze, what do you mean by that?"

"It's nothing special." Su Hanze took out a small packet of opium from his pocket and waved it lightly in front of Lao Huang. "Brother Huang, you've been with Lao Li for so many years, you've seen this stuff before, right?"

Old Huang's face turned pale instantly, and he lowered his voice, "Where...where did you get this?"

"Never mind where it came from." Su Hanze stuffed the opium back into his pocket and smiled. "Brother Huang, I know you and Lao Li are close, but you have to think about yourself too. Tang Jingshan is as anxious as an ant on a hot pan right now. Do you think he'll believe Lao Li or you?"

"What do you want to do?" Old Huang frowned, his eyes showing a hint of wariness.

“It’s very simple.” Su Hanze flicked his cigarette ash. “You can pass on a message to Tang Jingshan for me. Tell him that this batch of goods is in my hands and I want to take it back. Meet me at the roast meat shop in Yau Ma Tei at nine o’clock tonight.”

"Are you crazy?" Old Huang's eyes widened. "You dare to challenge Master Tang? Do you know how many men he has under his command?"

"How many people?" Su Hanze sneered. "Brother Huang, do you think Tang Jingshan still has the mind to care about me? He lost his own goods, and his confidants are causing trouble. It's good enough that he doesn't deal with Lao Li first."

Old Huang lowered his head and remained silent for a while, his eyes flickering. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll pass on your message. But Sang Ze, I'm warning you, if anything goes wrong, don't drag me down with you."

"Don't worry." Su Hanze patted Lao Huang on the shoulder. "Brother Huang, just pass on the message, and I'll handle the rest."

Old Huang didn't say anything more, just kept chopping fish with his head down, the knife falling quickly and fiercely, as if venting something. Su Hanze turned and left, a slight smile playing on his lips. He knew that Old Huang was greedy and cowardly; give him a little something sweet, and then threaten him a couple of times, and he'd most likely obey.

Around noon, Su Hanze arrived at the roast meat shop in Yau Ma Tei. Ah Jiu and Xia Xue were already waiting inside, with a plate of char siu and a pot of tea on the table. As soon as Xia Xue saw him, she immediately asked, "How did it go? Did Old Huang agree?"

"I agree." Su Hanze sat down, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Tang Jingshan will be here at nine o'clock tonight."

"He really dares to come?" Xia Xue frowned. "Isn't he afraid you've set him up?"

"A setup?" Su Hanze sneered. "He's in a hurry to find the goods; he doesn't have time to worry about these things. Xia Xue, how's your investigation going?"

"Several groups of people arrived near Tang Jingshan's villa early this morning," Xia Xue said in a low voice. "Some of them are Lao Li's men, and there are a few I don't recognize, probably transferred from Hong Kong by Tang Jingshan. It seems he's really in a hurry."

"It's good that you're in a hurry." Su Hanze nodded and looked at Ajiu, "What about your end?"

“I dug up something.” Ah Jiu took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Su Hanze. “I found one of my second uncle’s old subordinates and dug up some old accounts. Two years ago, Old Li made a deal with the Fujian gang in Kowloon Walled City and embezzled 300,000 yuan of the payment, and then blamed it on my second uncle. Tang Jingshan didn’t know about this, but the Fujian gang has always held a grudge.”

"Three hundred thousand?" Su Hanze took the paper, glanced at it, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. "Old Li has quite the nerve."

“That’s not all,” Ajiu continued. “I also heard that Lao Li has been getting quite close to a guy named Abiao lately. Abiao is the second-in-command of the Fujian gang, and the trouble at the dock last night was probably related to him.”

“Ah Biao?” Su Hanze frowned. “That name sounds familiar.”

“You should have heard of him.” Ah Jiu sneered. “He used to run a gambling den in Yau Ma Tei, but he was beaten up by Tang Jingshan and then went to join the Fujian gang. He’s quick-witted and ruthless, and he probably wants to use this opportunity to turn his life around.”

(End of this chapter)