Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 236 The Third and Fourth Brothers as Substitutes

In the early summer of 1971, under the watchful eyes of countless people, the first phase of the Kwai Chung Container Terminal, built by the Yellow River Industrial Group, finally opened to the public after many twists and turns.

"Boss, today is such an important day, are you really not coming to the front to cut the ribbon and give a speech?" Ah Lang asked on the phone.

"Ah Lang, you are the general manager of Yellow River Industry, so this arduous task is entrusted to you." He Yuzhu, wearing a safety helmet, sat in the cab of the gantry crane, overlooking the entire dock.

Below, on the makeshift stage, Ah Lang, dressed in a suit and tie, stood at the very front, with Chen Sheng, Xian Xingyao, Gu Yuanheng, and others standing behind him, their faces beaming with undisguised pride and excitement.

The "building block" strategy of the Tseung Kwan O prefabrication yard has finally yielded fruitful results after overcoming countless technical difficulties and Jardine Matheson's open and covert attacks.

"Distinguished guests and friends," Ah Lang's voice rang out clearly through the loudspeaker across the dock, "Today, the Yellow River Industrial Kwai Chung Terminal officially opens! This is not only a milestone in our group's development history, but also marks a new chapter in the construction of Hong Kong's ports! We promise to provide efficient, safe, and highly competitive port services, contributing Yellow River's strength to the prosperity of Hong Kong and the smooth flow of goods for our customers worldwide!"

There was thunderous applause.

The Chinese business leaders who came to observe the ceremony, including Mr. Huo and Mr. Bao, were all smiles and applauded vigorously, but their eyes were searching for He Yuzhu's figure everywhere.

Li Ka-shing also stood in the crowd, wearing his signature humble smile, but his eyes behind his glasses sharply scanned the entire dock layout, as if he were calculating something.

The British consortium representatives had complicated expressions, especially the Jardine Matheson representatives, who wore dark faces almost the entire time.

After the ceremony, the real competition has just begun.

The Yellow River Wharf displayed an aggressive offensive as soon as it opened to traffic.

"Boss, this is our opening port promotion plan." Ah Lang handed a document to He Yuzhu. "Loading and unloading fees are 15% lower than Wharf Holdings, and transit storage fees are 20% off! Long-term clients who sign contracts for the first three months will also receive an additional 10% handling volume bonus!"

“Not ruthless enough.” He Yuzhu tapped the table with his finger without even looking at it. “Lower it by another 5 points! Also, notify all the ship owners and freight forwarders we cooperate with that any containers transferred from Kowloon Wharf or Taikoo Wharf to Kwai Chung will have their storage fees waived for the first month! Ah Lang, go and contact Mr. Huo and Mr. Bao, and have their fleets give priority to berthing at Kwai Chung! We need to boost the volume as quickly as possible!”

"Yes, boss!" A glint flashed in Ah Lang's eyes.

He knew that his boss was going to spare no expense, using price wars and speed to tear a piece of fat meat out of Jardine Matheson's mouth!
The price war had an immediate effect.

The low fees, the brand-new and highly efficient equipment (especially the "Yellow River Giant Arm" gantry cranes, which far exceeded the efficiency of the old dock equipment), and He Yuzhu's cost-no-expense-spared automated management system (absolutely leading in this era) immediately attracted a large number of cost-sensitive small and medium-sized ship owners and cargo owners.

Some customers who were previously tormented by the high costs and bureaucracy of the Jardine Matheson Group's terminals have also tentatively shifted some of their routes or cargo to them.

The throughput of Wharf Port saw a significant decline in the first month after Kwai Chung Port opened.

Henry Keswick has broken countless coffee cups in his office.

"He Fei! That damned robber! He's using our land and stealing our business!" Henry roared. "Pass the word down: all fees at Wharf Holdings will be reduced by another 5%, matching those at Kwai Chung! I'll take a loss to crush him!"

Jardine Matheson's financial strength is indeed formidable, and a price war is raging.

However, Huanghe Industrial Group, backed by its own steel, automobile (special vehicles), and prefabricated component industrial chains, has a cost control capability far exceeding that of Jardine Matheson, which relies on external procurement and equipment leasing.

He Yuzhu then issued an order to develop the cold chain. This time, even Xu Damao's factory joined in to help the car factory produce refrigerated trucks and cold storage facilities.

He Yuzhu, who had just given the order, disappeared in Hong Kong. Even when he was seen driving, it was either He Yuxin or He Yuyao pretending to be his older brother. And it has to be said that as these two brothers grew up, they really looked like He Yuzhu.

The reason was that some of the people from Taishan Security who had previously evacuated Hong Kong were stranded in Southeast Asia. They discovered five locations with traces of activity in Myanmar. Knowing their own limitations, they risked sending the information back to Hong Kong to Bai Yifeng.

Upon receiving the message, Bai Yifeng immediately located He Yuzhu.

"Boss, we have news from our brothers that they've found people in five locations in Myanmar."

"Hmm, how did they recognize those people?"

Bai Yifeng's face showed a hint of embarrassment, then he straightened his back: "Boss, this... is actually my fault. Before, when the brothers withdrew, many of them were holding back their energy, having all the skills they could but not having a chance to use, feeling like useless people. I... so I had someone secretly compile a batch of photos and some identification information of the key figures in the Fifth Division, and sent them to a few capable brothers, thinking... in case something really happens, it could remind you, boss, and also give the brothers something worthwhile to do, so they don't really go astray."

His voice trailed off as he spoke, finally turning to He Yuzhu with trepidation: "Boss, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have shared the photos privately; the risk was too great! If any of my colleagues were exposed, and the trail went back, it could very well implicate you and the company..."

He Yuzhu's expression didn't change much. He looked at Bai Yifeng with calm eyes for more than ten seconds, making Bai Yifeng's scalp tingle and his palms sweat.

That invisible sense of oppression far surpasses the wrath of thunder.

Finally, He Yuzhu let out a deep breath, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "Heh, Bai Yifeng, should I praise you for thinking of your brothers and being quick-witted, or should I scold you for being reckless, ignorant, and unaware of the consequences?"

"Of course you know the consequences. Once they are discovered, it's not just a matter of their personal lives. More importantly, Taishan Security will be firmly implicated in the crime of obtaining and disseminating classified information from 'friendly' agents through certain 'channels'! This is tantamount to handing a knife to others, giving all the forces that are eyeing us—whether it's British Hong Kong, Jardine Matheson, or other forces in London—the perfect excuse to join forces against us! A diplomatic crisis would be the least of our worries! Have you considered that the foundation we've painstakingly built in Hong Kong, and the brothers we've settled overseas, could be destroyed because of your 'cunning'!"

"I..." Bai Yifeng's face turned ashen, and cold sweat soaked his back.

He was only thinking about making a name for himself and finding things for his brothers to do, and he seriously underestimated the chain reaction that this matter might cause once it was exposed.

“However,” He Yuzhu changed the subject, “it’s pointless to dwell on your mistakes now that things have come to this. We can only pray that Lynx and his men are careful enough, lucky enough, or… that the people in the Fifth Division have other big goals and their attention is not on these ‘small fry’ at all.”

He paused, then said solemnly, "Immediately! Through the highest-security backup channel, issue a final secret order to Lynx and all the brothers you've provided information to and who are capable of getting involved in this: Lie dormant! Observe! Except in extreme circumstances, absolutely! Do! Not! Approach! The! Target! Their! Mission: Survival, understand?!"

"Yes, boss! I'll get right away!" Bai Yifeng replied immediately, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, and got up to make the arrangements.

"Wait, what's the rush!" He Yuzhu called out to him. "Did Lynx say how he broke into the Fifth Division, and in what specific place?"

Bai Yifeng thought for a moment and quickly replied, "It was in the upper reaches of the Salween River (known as the Nu River in China) near Wa State in northern Myanmar. The terrain there is complex, and it's one of the areas where the Communist Party of Burma operates. There are also many local armed groups and scattered remnants. Lynx and a few brothers were carrying a batch of 'goods' and wanted to cross the border to Thailand from there. When they were resupplying in a border town called Mengpaya, they inadvertently noticed a small group of foreigners in town. They were well-equipped but deliberately made to look old, and they were wearing local clothes, but the details were out of place, which is why Lynx and his men noticed them."

“Upper reaches of the Salween River… Mongpaya…” He Yuzhu repeated the place name softly, his brow furrowed. Wa State, an area active with the Burmese Communist Party, deep in the mountains and dense forests, where the British troops withdrew almost thirty years ago… What were they doing there?”

"Didn't you ask 'Lynx' what kind of goods he was smuggling in the heart of Myanmar? It's a chaotic place there!"

"Well, they've gone to deal in gold, boss!" Bai Yifeng said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Didn't we give them money? Is it not enough? Are they risking their lives for money?"

"They're probably just bored. You know those guys, it's hard to keep them sitting around doing nothing."

“Boss, the brothers aren’t after that little bit of gold… it’s mainly because the profits over there are really huge, and the connections are really ‘shady.’ The ‘goods’ they’re getting are a small portion of high-purity placer gold illegally mined in the Shan State. The quantity isn’t large, but the profits are astonishing. More importantly… there are still a lot of equipment left behind by the Expeditionary Force and maps showing the locations of ammunition depots that weren’t destroyed in time scattered in those mountains. Relying on the skills they’ve honed here and the methods you taught them, Boss, they’ve gotten some information and plan to sell it to people with connections after finding the locations, or find a way to get it out themselves…”

"Flour? Did they touch it?!" He Yuzhu's eyes suddenly turned sharp as knives.

That area is close to the Golden Triangle; once you get involved with drugs, you're doomed.

"No! Absolutely not!" Bai Yifeng immediately assured him. "The brothers have a red line in their hearts! I specifically instructed Wang Hu (Shanmao's real name) before he set off, and also told the other brothers in the group to keep an eye on each other. They themselves have relatives who have been ruined by heroin, and they hate it to death! They carry guns and knives for self-defense, but they themselves avoid heroin, let alone get involved with it! They just deal in some hard goods, placer gold, intelligence, and occasionally escort some 'mountain goods' (referring to local specialties that are not traded through formal channels, such as jade rough and rare medicinal materials) from the mountains for certain special channels from the mainland, to earn a little hard-earned money."

He Yuzhu's expression softened slightly.

He believed that Bai Yifeng wouldn't dare lie about this matter, and he also knew that the soldiers he had trained, at least the core group, still had a bottom line.

"Okay, it's good to know this line. The group of 'foreigners' that Lynx and his crew ran into in Mumpaia, tell me in detail their characteristics, equipment details, and what they seemed to be looking for or doing?"

"According to Lynx's telegram, the description was fragmented, but we pieced it together: there were about six or seven people. The leader was a tall, white man in his forties with a hooked nose and a noticeable old scar on the corner of his left eye; that should be Colin Sterling. The others were a mix of white and Asian faces, all seemingly of European descent. They were all using folding AKs with modified portable radios, and wearing very common, distressed camouflage uniforms; at first glance, they looked like some third-rate mercenaries or international gold miners." Bai Yifeng tried hard to recall the fragments of information Lynx had sent back.

"The key question is, they seem to be looking for something in the valley? The Lynx men didn't dare get too close, afraid of being exposed. They only observed that they were carrying some seemingly professional-looking detection equipment, not the kind of metal detectors used for prospecting, but more like... mapping or positioning equipment? They also lingered suspiciously near several cliffs and abandoned tunnel entrances for a long time, as if marking or sampling? The specifics are unclear. But the Lynx said that when they overheard one of them talking in hushed tones while looking at a map, they occasionally heard a word that sounded very much like... the local dialect pronunciation of 'warehouse' or 'cellar'?"

"The opposite bank of the Nu River... the upper reaches of the Salween River valley... a warehouse or cellar?" Several fragmented pieces of information instantly pieced together in He Yuzhu's mind!
"When the Expeditionary Force retreated, it left behind a large number of strategic material warehouses on the Yunnan-Burma border! Some of the most important ones are located in the deep mountain valleys on the east bank of the Salween River! Some were not destroyed in time, and some were deliberately hidden for future generations! Decades have passed, and most of their locations have been submerged in the jungle... Are the people from the Fifth Division crazy to go looking for this?" He Yuzhu asked doubtfully.

"Boss, what... what do they need those old weapons and ammunition for? They've been rusted for almost thirty years, haven't they?" Bai Yifeng asked, puzzled.

“Weapons aren’t important! What’s more important is…” A thought flashed through He Yuzhu’s mind, “A map, a detailed military map that can cross that jungle! What can the Fifth Division do with this?”

Bai Yifeng gasped, "Damn it! These foreigners are going to..." "Send people across the border!"

Where are the Lynxes now?

"After they sent back the message, they went to a nearby city, so they should be safe for now," Bai Yifeng replied quickly.

“Tell them to evacuate immediately! Leave the Salween River basin! The farther the better! Go to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai in Thailand, cut off all external contact, and wait for my next instructions. Those gold dust and worthless intelligence are nothing to lose! Life is the most important thing!” He Yuzhu said.

"Understood! I'll arrange it right away!" Bai Yifeng replied immediately.

After Bai Yifeng left, He Yuzhu called A Lang and asked him to notify all the senior executives to hold a meeting. Then he sent someone to pick up He Yuxin and He Yuyao, who were in school.

The old villa of the He family, He Yuzhu's study.

"Brother, is this really going to work?" He Yuxin changed into the dark custom-made suit that He Yuzhu often wore. The figure reflected in the mirror had an eyebrow and eye contour that were indeed 80% similar to his older brother's, but his temperament was still somewhat immature.

He Yuyao, while tidying up her accessories, said, "What are you afraid of, Third Brother? Lang Ge has already made all the arrangements. You're only needed for occasions where Big Brother has to show up. Just show up occasionally at the company to prove that Big Brother is still in Hong Kong. Big Brother has already arranged everything, so what are you afraid of? Besides, I'm here. We can just be human standees."

He Yuxin took a deep breath and mimicked He Yuzhu's calm yet slightly authoritative gaze: "Understood."

"Third Brother, you should get a beard, your face looks too young!" He Yuyao laughed.

"We look exactly alike, are you talking about yourself?"

"hey-hey!"

"Alright, I've told you everything I needed to. Don't you dare spread any rumors when we get home!"

"Understood, Big Brother!" the two said in unison. In fact, besides being nervous, they were also very excited.

"By the way, brother, you probably can't keep it from your wife, right?" He Yuyao added.

"You're so smart, I'll tell her."

"Big brother, where are you going? How long will it take?" He Yuxin asked.

"Don't ask where I'm going or how long I'll be gone. You'll be my support while I'm gone. If anything happens, you can talk to your sister-in-law."

"understood."

"You can have a few more sets of clothes made; I don't have any extra to give you."

"Brother, you're a big boss, isn't it too shabby to have only two sets of clothes?"

"I rarely appear in public, do I need to?"

"Fine, you're always right!" He Yuyao retorted in defeat.

"You can drive my car, but you're not allowed to show off or race, understand?"

"Understood, understood!" The two boys were delighted. Those were modified jeeps and sedans. He Yuzhu used to never let them touch his cars; they could only drive his personal vehicles at most.

"Don't be too happy yet, I'll have Old Bai keep an eye on you."

"Oh!" The two boys' enthusiasm was dampened by half.

"Alright, you can stay here. The school has given you leave. If you need anything, just let us know. Although university coursework isn't as demanding as high school, you can't fall behind, understand?"

“I understand, brother. You’re so long-winded, just like our mother,” He Yuyao said.

"What did you say?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Big brother is wise and mighty. You're right, you're right!" He Yuyao immediately changed her tune.

"Humph!"

After kicking the two boys out of the study, He Yuzhu made a phone call.

"Orion."

"What is it?"

"I'm going on a long trip, and I need you to look after the house."

"Does it really have to be you who goes?"

"Yes, I must go myself."

"what's up?"

"can not say."

"You're always so mysterious. Fine, I won't ask. It's definitely not something good!" Orian said irritably.

"The Chief Superintendent's curiosity remains as strong as ever."

"Alright, stop teasing me. You can go without worry. I'll take care of things at home. I don't know anything about the business world, so you can arrange things yourself. Leave the rest to me."

"Then please!"

"Here we go again. Remember, you owe me a big meal, and I'll also drink some good wine."

"No problem, a big meal, plenty of Moutai."

"That's more like it. By the way, I heard something. It seems like the Fifth Bureau is making some moves, but I don't know the specifics yet. When you make the arrangements, tell the staff to be careful."

"You're becoming more and more incredibly capable."

"My family is paying more attention to me now, and I'm planning to bring my mother to stay with us for a while."

"Congratulations, you've finally made it through."

"Are you praising yourself? Well, that's a good thing."

"Hahahaha!" The two burst into laughter at the same time.

"You'll have to come and show off your skills then."

"Just give me a call, and I'll be right there."

"Then I won't hold back!"

"You are welcome!"

(End of this chapter)