Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 226 Sending You On Your Way

In a guest room at Government House, the curtains were completely drawn.

Henry Keswick was no longer the elegant and composed man he once was; he paced restlessly on the thick carpet like an old lion trapped in a cage.

"Useless! A bunch of useless people! You can't even keep an eye on one person!" He roared into the phone, his voice hoarse, his bloodshot eyes filled with exhaustion and unease. "I don't care what methods you use! Investigate! Mobilize all resources! Find those missing people! Alive or dead!"

The subordinate's hesitant and fearful voice came from the other end of the phone.

Keswick slammed the phone down, his chest heaving violently.

The fact that his five most trusted and influential executives, who held the most sordid secrets of Jardine Matheson, vanished in a single day is no coincidence! It must be that He Gan's doing!
Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, coiled around his heart.

He knew that since the other party was able to kidnap these people so accurately, his next target must be him!

The "ghost theft" at Wharf Holdings caused him heavy losses, his stock price collapsed, cargo owners sued him, banks demanded repayment, and now he can't even protect his most trusted confidant... That "water seller's" methods were ruthless, precise, and completely disregarded the rules!
"No, I have to leave! Immediately!" Keswick stood up abruptly, then went to the mirror to straighten his clothes before leaving his room.

No one stopped him after he came out; he was clearly a regular here. Then he knocked on the governor’s study door.

"Please come in."

"Big Master Keswick, what do you want?"

“Your Excellency, I wish to leave Hong Kong.”

"Is there anyone in Hong Kong who can stop you from leaving?" the governor quipped. He had been suppressed for too long and had never seen Keswick so disheveled.

"Your Excellency! Hong Kong is no longer safe! That Ho, he's a madman! He's a lawless thug! Your Excellency must immediately send your most elite guards to escort me away! To Kai Tak Airport, I need the fastest flight back to London!"

"Hong Kong hasn't gotten that chaotic yet, has it?"

"How do you explain the disappearance of my men? What are your police officers doing? They have no clue whatsoever. I suggest the Hong Kong government use the army to wipe out these criminals."

“Keswick, the army belongs to the state, and in fact I don’t have the authority to directly mobilize it.”

"I will tell headquarters to bring it up in parliament."

"Please."

"Now I need you to arrange for someone to escort me to the airport; I'm flying to London."

"I will make arrangements. Please go back and wait."

"I need to hurry. Also, I need to use your dedicated line to contact people back home."

The governor did not reply but simply gestured for him to proceed. He disliked Keswick's attitude; even at this point, he was asking for a favor and yet he was still acting like he was giving an order.

Keswick slammed the door and stormed out, heading straight for the communications room.

After the telegraph operator tuned the channel, Keswick kicked him out of the telegraph room. Keswick stayed inside for half an hour before coming out.

During his half-hour visit to the Governor's House Telegraph Room, Keswick painted a horrific picture of Hong Kong being overthrown by a "lawless Eastern mob," emphasizing that Jardine Matheson, as the "cornerstone of the empire," was suffering a devastating blow.

On the other end of the phone, the family elder's voice went from initial shock and doubt to later solemnity, and finally, amid Keswick's almost hysterical shout of "I'm next!", he reluctantly agreed that Keswick should return to London immediately "after properly arranging Hong Kong affairs" to report on his duties, and promised to put pressure on the Foreign Office to require the Hong Kong government to "take all necessary measures to protect the core interests of British capital".

After hanging up the phone, Keswick's back was soaked with cold sweat.

He knew that "making proper arrangements" was just empty talk; all he wanted now was to escape.

He immediately dialed several of his trusted confidants, his voice hoarse but carrying an undeniable command: "Arrange the company's private jet! I'm leaving Hong Kong! Kai Tak Airport! Yes, right now! Get it ready immediately, make sure they guarantee it can take off at any time! Also, notify our people in Kai Tak to prepare everything for our arrival; I need to board and take off as quickly as possible! Any delays will have consequences!"

Back in the room, which felt like a prison, shrouded in heavy curtains, Keswick ordered a bottle of whiskey. The amber liquid slid down his throat, bringing a brief burning sensation, but it couldn't suppress the fear spreading in his heart.

"Who exactly is this He?"

"The 'ghost theft' of Wharf Holdings, the mysterious disappearance of its core senior executives... This is not a business competition, this is war!"

A war he had never imagined and could not understand at all!
The opponent's methods were precise, ruthless, and silent, like a top predator in the dark.

"Is the Governor's mansion really safe?" For the first time, Keswick began to doubt this idea.

He paced anxiously, his gaze sweeping over the closed door and heavy curtains, feeling as if a deadly threat lurked in the shadows.

Meanwhile, at the West Kowloon Police Headquarters Command Center.

Orion hung up the phone with He Yuzhu, a fleeting look of excitement on his face.

Keswick hid in the governor's mansion, his core subordinates were precisely "beheaded" by He Yuzhu, and Jardine Matheson's stock price collapsed... This situation came faster and more violently than he had expected! He Yuzhu's power and methods once again refreshed his understanding.

He immediately dialed the internal secure line: "Madam Wang, bring your most capable and reliable team to my office immediately! Top secret mission!"

Wang Cuiping quickly arrived with two trusted lieutenants.

Without wasting words, Orion pushed a pre-prepared encrypted file in front of her: "Target: Luo Hui, the current 'advisor' of Heshenghe; Li Zhao of Hengzhao; and Guo Sheng of Xinji. I need irrefutable evidence of all their illegal transactions, bribery, collusion with gangs, market manipulation, and money laundering over the past five years, especially concrete evidence of their recent collusion with Jardine Matheson and Keswick! Utilize all informants, activate the highest-level database, and if necessary, use 'unconventional' methods to obtain evidence. Remember, I don't want clues, I want ironclad evidence! Ironclad evidence enough to nail them down!"

Wang Cuiping's eyes were sharp as knives. She took the file folder without any hesitation: "Yes, Sir! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

She wasn't trying to help Orion; firstly, she disliked those people, and secondly, she wanted to help He Yuzhu, since these people had also attacked the He family last time.

Of course, there are many benefits if Orion comes to power. She now hopes that the Ho family can become stronger and bigger in Hong Kong, and even try to change the status of Chinese people in Hong Kong.

She hadn't really felt it before, but after entering West Kowloon, she truly experienced discrimination firsthand—blatant discrimination.

Orion then dialed another encrypted number, his voice low and urgent: "'Nightingale,' I need you to monitor a dedicated line at the Governor's residence... yes, the one Keswick uses. Also, keep a close eye on the Kai Tak Airport control tower and all private jet dispatch information, especially those related to Jardine Matheson. Report any suspicious activity to me immediately!" Only a short confirmation tone came from the other end of the line.

After arranging everything, Orion took a deep breath, changed out of his police uniform, quickly went downstairs, left the command center, and got into his car.

He wanted to see He Yuzhu in person. The storm had already formed, and they were standing at its eye.

The meeting place designated by He Yuzhu was a small shipyard warehouse in a remote fishing village on an outlying island.

The salty sea breeze, mixed with the smell of engine oil, poured in through the open warehouse door. In the dim light, He Yuzhu stood with his back to the door, while Bai Yifeng stood solemnly to the side.

Orion's footsteps echoed in the empty warehouse.

He walked up to He Yuzhu and, without exchanging pleasantries, went straight to the point: "He, Keswick is in a panic. Before I arrived, he contacted London through the Governor's Office's private line, requesting to return immediately for a duty report. He's using Jardine Matheson's last remaining resources to arrange a private jet, likely heading to Kai Tak Airport. The timing... is tonight or tomorrow morning, but we're still confirming the exact time."

He Yuzhu turned around and laughed, "Does he really think he's safe just because he's hiding in a turtle shell?"

“The Governor’s residence is heavily guarded, and he definitely has bodyguards with him. Taking action against him directly is too risky and could cause a diplomatic incident,” Orion warned, glancing at the map on the whiteboard. “Kai Tak Airport is his only option and our only chance. But it’s a transportation hub with a high volume of people and a very high level of security. We must act quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly, leaving no trace.”

He Yuzhu sneered, "Does he think he'll be safe once he's in the sky?" A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Bai Yifeng."

"Boss!" Bai Yifeng immediately stepped forward.

"I need the most detailed information on Keswick's private jet model, flight application, estimated departure time, crew background, security arrangements, and who is meeting him at the airport. Also, find out what he might have taken with him during this hasty escape, besides his bodyguards? Documents? Gold? Or... his 'souvenirs' accumulated over the years?"

"Superintendent Orion will provide you with the necessary official information channels."

"Understood!" A glint flashed in Bai Yifeng's eyes, and he immediately turned around to make arrangements.

“As for Luo Hui, Li Zhao, Guo Sheng…” He Yuzhu looked at Orian.

"Madam Wang is already taking action. I'll ask for your help if necessary. Taking down William and eliminating these cancerous growths hinges on this! The Hong Kong Police Force needs a complete overhaul!"

He Yuzhu nodded, his gaze returning to the location of Kai Tak Airport on the map, his voice low and deep: "In that case, let this storm rage even more fiercely. Keswick wants to fly to the sky? I'll make him... crash into hell!"

Outside the warehouse, waves crashed against the rocks with a deep, rumbling roar, as if beating the war drums for the impending final showdown. In the eye of the storm, the killing intent had solidified into a tangible force.

The night was deep, and the Governor's House stood like a silent fortress. Keswick paced anxiously in his room, repeatedly opening and closing his old silver pocket watch.

Finally, the encrypted phone rang; it was his trusted confidant who had arranged his schedule calling.

"Boss! Everything's arranged! The captain of 'Silver Wing' is one of ours, absolutely reliable! It will take off from Kai Tak Airport's private tarmac and fly directly to London Heathrow! The pick-up vehicle and special passage have been arranged. You can go directly through the VIP channel after arriving at the airport and board the plane within ten minutes!"

"Good! Very good! Have them on standby. I'll go find the governor right now!" He hung up the phone and immediately began packing his alligator-skin briefcase, which he never parted with. It was filled with the most confidential documents and some easily portable high-value items—several gold bars, several top-quality diamonds, and a large bearer Swiss bank draft. This was his last line of defense.

He then knocked on the door of the governor's study. After a brief conversation, he returned to his room, placed the alligator-skin briefcase beside him, and sat down to wait.

Two hours later, several cars with ordinary license plates drove into the back gate of the Governor's Mansion.

Keswick, escorted by two stern-faced, tall bodyguards, quickly climbed into one of the vehicles.

The motorcade left the Governor's House silently and merged into the traffic on Hong Kong Island.

Keswick huddled in the back row, his expensive suit soaked with cold sweat, clutching the cold crocodile-skin briefcase tightly, his knuckles white from gripping it.

He felt threatened by every car and person that sped past the window, as if a gun might suddenly stick out of one of those cars and shoot him, or that one of those people might pull out a gun and blow his head off.

"Faster! Faster!" he growled hoarsely.

Marcus, the head of the bodyguards in the passenger seat, a stern-looking man with Eastern European features, picked up the walkie-talkie and said a few words.

The car suddenly accelerated, the engine roared, and the car shot off like an arrow across the empty street.

The other vehicles tacitly changed formation, one in front and one behind, like iron clamps protecting the core.

“There’s a tail behind it, two cars.” The driver’s voice was tense.

Marcus's eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he scanned the rearview mirror: "'Cleanup Team,' intercept it. Target unchanged, Qide."

The moment the order was given, a car at the back of the convoy suddenly slowed down and changed lanes, blocking the pursuing vehicle.

A screeching sound of brakes ripped through the night! The pursuing vehicle, caught off guard, crashed into it! Amidst the deafening clang of twisting metal and the shattering of glass, the road was instantly blocked.

Keswick's team didn't stop for a moment, accelerating and disappearing at the end of the bend.

“We’ve shaken them off.” Marcus’s voice was completely flat.

Keswick's tense nerves did not relax after shaking off his pursuers; on the contrary, they became even more nervous. He was unsure who was following him, because they had more than just He Yuzhu as an enemy in Hong Kong. At this moment, the Chinese business gangs that they had bullied and exploited might also come up and take a bite out of them.

At the same time, in the warehouse on the outlying island, filled with the smell of the sea and engine oil, the shrill sound of a telephone ringing shattered the deathly silence.

Bai Yifeng grabbed the microphone: "Speak!"

"The target convoy left the Governor's House, five vehicles with Hong Kong Island license plates KJ789, KJ832, KJ901, KJ651, and KJ476! They shook off our group on Queen's Road East in Central five minutes ago and are now speeding towards Star Ferry!"

"Don't bite too hard! Keep your distance!" Bai Yifeng spoke rapidly, his eyes fixed on the large-scale map of Hong Kong that had been spread out.

"Understood! Groups E, F, and G are in position on the other side!"

Bai Yifeng put down the phone and turned to He Yuzhu and Orian: "Boss, Superintendent, Keswick has made a move and will be crossing Tianxingdu soon."

"Let's go, it's time for us to set off. Have all the goods been loaded onto the truck?"

"It's all packed and we're on our way to the airport."

Orian Ho Yu-chu: "Superintendent, the following drama has nothing to do with police-community cooperation. The Governor's House to Kai Tak Airport is your stage. Keswick can 'smoothly' board the plane, but those 'tainted witnesses' who testify against him must be 'accidentally' exposed to the media and the police after he takes off."

Orion understood immediately: "Don't worry, I know what to do. I'll make Keswick's 'fleeing from justice' story perfect. Everyone at Jardine Matheson will be under investigation, and none of them will be able to leave Hong Kong."

“Very good.” He Yuzhu nodded.

"Then I'll go back to West Kowloon."

"it is good."

After Orian left, He Yuzhu and his companion also got into the car and headed to Kai Tak Airport.

"Old Bai, can the goods be delivered upstairs?"

“Boss, five ‘special shipments,’ packed in specially made air cargo containers, will be transported through the airport’s dedicated cargo lane. We have ‘Jardine Matheson’s’ clearance documents and ‘airport ground staff’ uniforms.”

"Very good, what about the aircraft?" He Yuzhu continued to ask.

"As per your instructions, the most 'artistic' option has been chosen," Bai Yifeng said.

"The 'old ghost' from the maintenance team personally took action, using a corrosion inhibitor. He used to work at flight school and is familiar with the DC-6's structure. The point of failure was inside a secondary pipe joint in the rudder hydraulic system, in an extremely concealed location. The specially applied corrosion inhibitor, under the conditions of high altitude, low temperature, and continuous erosion by hydraulic oil, would slowly corrode through the pipe wall after about 1.5 to 2 hours, causing a slow leak of hydraulic oil, ultimately leading to the rudder suddenly jamming or failing at cruising altitude. Subsequent inspection would only find a single cascading failure caused by a leak due to 'metal fatigue' or 'inferior sealing rings,' perfectly consistent with the characteristics of an accident on an old aircraft. Even if the wreckage is salvaged, the high pressure and corrosion of the deep sea would be enough to erase all traces of human intervention. As for the explosion... the noise was too great, the traces would be difficult to remove, and it doesn't meet your requirements."

A hint of approval flashed in He Yuzhu's eyes: "Hmm, corrosion inhibitor... I trust Old Gui's skills. Can you time it accurately?"

“It’s all calculated, boss,” Bai Yifeng replied confidently. “It takes about 30 minutes to climb to cruising altitude from Kai Tak. The corrosion inhibitor is set to expire 90-110 minutes after takeoff, by which time the aircraft should be deep in the South China Sea, far from any shipping lanes or islands. Even if the crew discovers the anomaly, losing directional control on the vast ocean is almost impossible to save. Moreover, the DC-6 has piston engines, and hydraulic system failures are a fatal and common ‘accident’.”

“Then let’s proceed as planned. Let’s see this Jardine Matheson tycoon off, after all, he is about to say goodbye to Hong Kong forever.”

"Yes, boss."

Kai Tak Airport, private helipad.

The airport was brightly lit under the night sky, with huge searchlights piercing the night.

Keswick's convoy darted into the VIP passage like a group of startled mice, heading straight for the streamlined Douglas DC-6 "Silver Wing," its navigation lights flashing and its engines already warmed up.

As soon as the car came to a stop, the back door was suddenly pushed open, and Keswick practically stumbled out, clutching the crocodile-skin briefcase tightly to his chest.

The salty sea breeze and the smell of aviation fuel mixed together, which, instead of calming him down, exacerbated his panic.

He glanced back at the brightly lit Hong Kong Island, his eyes filled with complex emotions—resentment, anger, but mostly relief at the danger he was about to escape.

"Quick! Board!" Marcus, the head of the bodyguards, growled, half-supporting, half-carrying Keswick toward the gangway.

The other bodyguards quickly dispersed, scanning their surroundings warily, their weapons (pistols) barely concealed beneath their trench coats.

An hour ago, several maintenance personnel conducted the final pre-flight checks on the "Silver Wing".

Then ground staff led the people outside the plane away, and an airport cargo truck drove up. Subsequently, the rear cabin of the "Silver Wing" was opened, and five boxes were loaded into the rear cabin.

After unloading the cargo, they drove away quickly; the maintenance personnel left 30 minutes earlier.

Keswick took one last look back at Hong Kong from the top of the gangway. He really didn't want to leave, but he was afraid of dying.

Guided by the flight attendant, he rushed into the cabin, slumped into the most comfortable leather chair, and gasped for breath.

Marcus followed closely behind, sitting next to him, his wary gaze sweeping over the few "reliable" crew members in the cabin.

The hatch closed, and the engine roar suddenly increased.

The Silver Wing began to slowly taxi out of its parking position.

(End of this chapter)