Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 257 Aftermath
Ah Lang's voice sounded weary: "Boss, we've investigated those two shops in North Point! The ones who did it were a few desperados from Tai Chung, who specialize in dirty work. They confessed that they received money from a leader of 'Fuk Yee Hing' called 'Brother Shui.' Brother Shui told us that we bought that old dock land in North Point, cutting off their smuggling revenue, and this was just some interest! They left the note too."

"Fu Yixing? Brother Shui?" He Yuzhu quickly filtered the information in his mind.

The plot of land in North Point was a small corner of Jardine Matheson's asset portfolio. There was indeed a dilapidated small dock there before. He asked Ah Lang to clean it up and prepare it for use as a warehouse, but unexpectedly it also involved a smuggling gang.

"What about people?"

“Brother Shui and several of his core members have been ‘invited’ back by our people. The evidence is conclusive, including their smuggling ledgers and channels.”

"Where are those bigwigs from China?"

"They've run off to the walled city. Boss, what should we do with Brother Shui and his gang? Sink them at sea or hand them over to the police?"

"Hand it over to the police." He Yuzhu didn't hesitate at all. "Pack up the ledgers, the people, and the confessions, and send them to Orian and Madam Wang so they can claim the credit."

"Understood!" Ah Lang replied. "Also, boss, I checked here too. The old dock handed over by Jardine Matheson does have records showing that there was 'protection money' income before, but the source wasn't specified. I guess it was from these people. After we took over, we cleared the area and cut off their hideout. No wonder they were desperate."

"Understood. Make sure to clean everything up properly and don't leave any loose ends. We're doing legitimate business."

"Yes."

Then He Yuzhu hung up on A Lang.

The study fell silent again, with only the ticking of the grandfather clock.

He Yuzhu leaned back in his chair, his knuckles tapping lightly on the table.

Three events, three groups of people, seemingly isolated, yet erupting in unison.

Lin Guozheng was attacked—the target was clear, a professional assassin, and the motive was unclear (pointing to which family's warning?).

The Wu family was attacked—a frame-up, involving rotten teeth and waterworks, and foreign funds (pointing to British capital sowing discord?).

North Point was vandalized – retaliation and financial ruin, Fuk Yee Hing Shui Ge, smuggling syndicate (pointing to those whose local interests have been harmed).

Coincidence? He Yuzhu never believed in coincidences.

He picked up the phone and dialed Wang Cuiping: "Aunt Ping, is Guozheng awake yet?"

“I went to see him this morning. He was awake and seemed to be in good spirits,” Wang Cuiping said.

"What cases is he currently handling, or has he offended any particular people? Especially those with overseas connections like Jardine Matheson, Swire, or Grosvenor?" He Yuzhu pointed out the direction directly.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of turning over papers, clearly indicating that Wang Cuiping was looking something up.

A moment later, Wang Cuiping's voice rang out again: "Zhu Zi! Before Guo Zheng was attacked, he was secretly investigating a case involving Jardine Matheson's illegal transfer of assets using gangsters! We've just found a clue in the chain of evidence, pointing to several Jardine Matheson executives who have already fled to Canada, and we're still tracing the flow of funds! Could it be them?"

Jardine Matheson! Overseas!
These two keywords instantly connected the clues about "overseas funds" that led to the attacks on Lin Guozheng and the Wu family!

A cold glint flashed in He Yuzhu's eyes.

“It should be. This is a typical case of hiring a hitman. You should investigate this case thoroughly. The Hong Kong triads are causing quite a stir!” He Yuzhu said this, but he didn’t really think so. Of course, he didn’t know the reason yet, so he didn’t say it.

"Did something else happen to you?"

"Hmm." He Yuzhu briefly explained the Wu family and North Point.

"Just hand over the people and evidence to us, don't worry! None of these bastards will get away!" Wang Cuiping said angrily.

"Ok!"

He Yuzhu put down the phone, but the doubts in his heart did not dissipate; on the contrary, they became even stronger.

“Jardine Matheson, overseas, illegal transfers, professional killers… these fragments of clues gradually piece together a highly indicative outline.”

Just as he was about to contact Bai Yifeng to ask him to investigate further, there was an urgent knock on the study door.

"Brother!" He Yushui's eyes were swollen like walnuts, but her gaze was unusually stubborn. "I'm going to the hospital! I'm going to take care of Guozheng! No one can stop me!"

Chen Lanxiang followed anxiously behind: "Yushui, it's a mess outside! Your brother said..."

"Mother!" He Yushui interrupted her mother, her voice trembling with tears yet unusually firm. "He's my boyfriend! He was almost beaten to death! How can I feel at ease here if I don't go to see him? Brother!" She turned to He Yuzhu, her expression resolute. "Let me go! Otherwise, I'll run away myself!"

He Yuzhu looked at his sister's red eyes and stubbornness, knowing he couldn't stop her. He was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice towards the door, "Ah Zhong!"

A young man dressed in casual clothes but with a burly build and sharp eyes immediately appeared at the door: "Boss!"

"You take two people and stay with Miss to the hospital at all times. Madam Wang's men will be in charge of the security inside the hospital, while you will be responsible for the security outside the hospital and on the road. You will be held solely responsible for any mishaps."

"Yes, boss!" Ah Zhong replied solemnly. He was one of Shi Bin's most elite squad leaders.

“Brother…” He Yushui didn’t expect her brother to agree, and even more so, she didn’t expect him to send such a capable person.

“Go ahead.” He Yuzhu waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Don’t cause trouble. Guozheng needs to rest. Don’t let your crying bother him.” He paused, his voice lowering slightly. “I will settle this score with them.”

He Yushui nodded vigorously, tears welling up again, this time a mixture of gratitude and grievance.

She left in a hurry, accompanied by Ah Zhong and two other security guards.

Chen Lanxiang watched her daughter's retreating figure with worry, then looked at her son: "Zhuzi, what exactly is going on..."

“Mom, it’s alright.” He Yuzhu interrupted his mother, forcing a reassuring smile. “It’s just a small problem, I can handle it. You, Dad, Madam, and Grandpa should rest well at home these few days and ignore the rumors outside. I’ve already increased security at home.”

The old lady and Mr. Chen, who had just followed upstairs, exchanged a glance and both saw solemnity in each other's eyes.

The old lady sighed: "Zhu Zi, we trust you because you know how to do things, but... be careful in everything you do."

"Understood, Madam." He Yuzhu nodded and turned to go back to his study.

As soon as the door closed, the gentleness on his face vanished, leaving only icy coldness.

There are some things you can't tell your family, as it will only cause them worry.

The next morning, a phone call came in.

"Boss, it's me, Lao Bai." Bai Yifeng's voice carried a hint of weariness, but was mostly cold and stern.

"Speak." He Yuzhu's spirits lifted.

"We've investigated and confirmed that Inspector Lin's attack was not simply a case of revenge." Bai Yifeng spoke quickly. "Following the clues about the assassin's weapon (Black Star) provided by Orian and the eyewitness accounts of the escaped assassin, combined with the recent unusual activities of the Vietnamese gang in Hong Kong, we've identified several targets. One of the henchmen couldn't hold out any longer and confessed."

He paused, his voice growing colder: "It's the Keswick family! Richard Keswick, a distant nephew of old Keswick at Jardine Matheson, is still in London. He's unwilling to see Jardine Matheson dismantled in Hong Kong, especially since his personal shady dealings with Jardine Matheson were completely wiped out, resulting in heavy losses. He spent a fortune trying to hire someone to take revenge on you or someone important to you, like Ah Lang, Chen Sheng, or Sister Xiaoman."

"Oh? Then why did he choose Lin Guozheng?" He Yuzhu's eyes flashed with a cold light. It really was them! They're like ghosts that won't leave!
“Because the local gangs in Hong Kong are bold enough to take on such ‘big jobs’ and are professional enough, no one dares to touch them!” Bai Yifeng said with a hint of sarcasm. “The Yellow River brand has a real deterrent effect on the underworld. Those Vietnamese guys are desperados who just smuggled themselves in not long ago. They took the job, but the local intermediary responsible for connecting them was afraid of death and dared not identify you or your confidants. He played a trick and changed the target to Inspector Lin, who was just exposed by the media for having a close relationship with Ms. He! They thought that taking down an inspector would both ‘get the job’ and serve as a warning, and the risk would be relatively small.”

"Fine, very well!" He Yuzhu laughed angrily, his knuckles turning white from clenching his fists.

The Keswick family is truly like a centipede that, though dead, still lingers! Even after they're gone, they still manage to unleash a venomous snake to bite back!
“Boss, the chain of evidence is complete. We’ve found out the details of the confessing henchman, the middleman’s communication records, the flow of some of the deposits (pointing to Richard Keswick’s overseas account), and the hideout of the Vietnamese gang. What should we do? Should we ‘deal with’ those Vietnamese gang members, or…” Bai Yifeng asked for instructions.

“No.” He Yuzhu said firmly, “Take all the witnesses and physical evidence, including the henchman’s recorded confession, communication records, and financial clues, pack them up, and deliver them intact to Madam Wang and Orion! Tell them that this is a vicious attempted murder case targeting a Hong Kong police inspector, and that the murderer and the person who hired him are both involved. We urge them to uphold the law impartially and give an explanation to the bravely wounded Inspector Lin and to the citizens of Hong Kong! We, Huanghe Industrial, will fully cooperate with the police investigation!”

"Understood!" Bai Yifeng understood immediately.

The boss is planning to do something similar in Britain and put the Keswick family out of the picture!

Through official channels, Richard Keswick was made an international fugitive!

This is far more ruthless than settling things privately, and it completely severed ties with Yellow River Industry, placing them on the moral high ground.

"Is there anything else you need, boss? If not, I'll take care of it."

"Wait, after this is done, you work with Ah Lang and Chen Sheng to clean up every nook and cranny of Jardine Matheson's operations in Hong Kong, sweeping them all out or sending them all in."

"clear."

"Furthermore, we must also use our methods in places overseas that we can reach. I want the Keswick family to understand that losing in Hong Kong is just the beginning. If they dare to extend their claws, they should be prepared to be uprooted! Let them remember that the price of provoking me is one they cannot afford!"

"Yes, boss!" Bai Yifeng's voice was filled with excitement.

This is truly ruthless action; the Keswick family's suffering has begun once again.

Bai Yifeng's execution ability is beyond doubt.

Within just 24 hours, a complete set of irrefutable evidence regarding Richard Keswick's hiring of an assassin to kill Lam Kwok-ching was meticulously compiled, anonymously packaged, and delivered directly to the desks of West Kowloon Regional Commander Orion and Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) head Wong Tsui-ping.

In the audiotape, the Vietnamese henchmen's terrified confessions, delivered with heavy accents, are clearly audible; in the communication records, several encrypted numbers pointing to London are precisely marked.

The bank statements, showing deposits flowing from offshore accounts and ultimately being transferred to middlemen and a Vietnamese hitman gang, point directly to Richard Keswick, the mastermind behind it all.

It even included the hiding place of those Vietnamese guys inside the walled city.

"boom!"

Orion slammed his fist on the desk, making the teacup vibrate. His face was ashen, and his eyes burned with the fury of someone who had been severely provoked.

"The Keswick family, why didn't they just leave peacefully? Why did they have to cause trouble!"

Although it was a twist of fate, this was the murder of his capable subordinate, which was also an open declaration of war against the entire Hong Kong police force!

“Madam Wang!” Orion grabbed the phone, his voice icy. “The evidence is conclusive! Act immediately, arrest him! At the same time, connect me to Scotland Yard’s Interpol liaison office! I need Richard Keswick’s arrest warrant! A global warrant!” Wang Cuiping’s voice was equally filled with barely suppressed rage: “Yes, Sir!”

The Hong Kong police force's machinery sprang into action under the fury of the highest levels.

The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) combined sharpshooters (upgraded to Special Task Force, also known as the Flying Tigers, in July 1974) swiftly captured the terrified Vietnamese assassins.

After receiving a detailed chain of evidence and a request for international cooperation from the Hong Kong police, Scotland Yard had no choice but to initiate procedures in the face of irrefutable evidence, despite the fact that the case involved a member of a fallen aristocracy. Richard Keswick's name was quickly placed on Interpol's red notice.

The news swept through the City of London and high society like a hurricane.

The Keswick family's already shaky reputation, damaged by their disastrous defeat in Hong Kong, plummeted into the abyss.

Scandals involving banks pressing for loans, business partners avoiding the issue, and internal family accusations have been exposed one after another.

When old Keswick received the news of the international arrest warrant in his luxurious London mansion, he nearly fainted.

His foolish and greedy nephew not only ruined the last shred of dignity of the family, but also dragged the entire Keswick family into an abyss of no return!
Hong Kong, headquarters of Yellow River Industrial Group.

A Lang placed a thick list of assets in front of He Yuzhu, a cold, smug look on his face.

"Boss, Lao Bai's side is cooperating very well. The last bit of Jardine Matheson's legacy in Hong Kong has been cleaned up."

The list includes:

Several small trading companies under Jardine Matheson have been arrested and their accounts frozen, and their operations have been suspended, as the heads of the companies have been taken away by the police for allegedly participating in illegal asset transfers and money laundering.

Several local conglomerates with close ties to Jardine Matheson and which facilitated its shady dealings have either been acquired at bargain prices by the Yellow River Group or have been exposed for financial scandals and are on the verge of bankruptcy.

After sensing the complete shift in the wind, some of Jardine Matheson's former key partners took the initiative to sever ties, handing over the business channels that originally belonged to Jardine Matheson to Yellow River Industries.

“All the scraps that might have been tainted by Jardine Matheson’s mark have either been swept into the trash or changed hands,” Chen Sheng added, his tone calm but with a resolute determination to eradicate any remaining influence. “The Keswick family has no influence in Hong Kong anymore, except for their pitiful amount of real estate.”

He Yuzhu's gaze swept over the list, but he didn't linger on it for long.

He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the bustling Victoria Harbour.

The gantry cranes at Kowloon Wharf gleam in the sunlight, and the massive outlines of the Tseung Kwan O oil depot's storage tanks are clearly visible.

"What about overseas?" He Yuzhu's voice was calm and even, as if he were asking about a trivial matter.

Bai Yifeng appeared at the office door at some point, bowing slightly: "Boss, it's already begun. Richard Keswick being on the Interpol Red Notice is just the first step. Through some 'friends,' we are collecting evidence of potential irregularities and tax evasion in the Keswick family's remaining mining and real estate transactions in North America and South Africa. In addition, several European conglomerates that have long coveted the Keswick family's core businesses are happy to receive some key information that we 'inadvertently' reveal from the past... which could significantly reduce their valuations."

His words were brief and to the point, but everyone in the office understood their weight.

This is to gradually shatter and erode the foundations that the Keswick family still has to survive on a global scale!
"Very good." He Yuzhu turned around, his face devoid of any triumphant joy, only a deep, icy coldness. "Let them remember that admitting defeat in Hong Kong is merely paying their first lesson. Anyone who dares to reach out must be prepared to be uprooted and completely wiped out. Keep a close eye on them; I want to see them utterly...disappear."

"Yes, boss!" the three replied in unison, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and excitement.

Princess Margaret Hospital, VIP ward.

Sunlight streamed in through the window.

Lin Guozheng's face was still a little pale, and his left shoulder was wrapped in a thick bandage, but his spirits had improved a lot.

He Yushui carefully peeled the apple, her eyes still a little red and swollen, but when she looked at Lin Guozheng, they were full of heartache and dependence.

"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?" He Yushui cut the peeled apple into small pieces and held them to his mouth.

Lin Guozheng smiled and took the toothpick with his uninjured right hand: "I'm much better, but it's uncomfortable lying down. I'm sorry to have worried you."

"I'm glad you're alright," He Yushui said softly. After hesitating for a moment, she still asked, "Brother...did he say whether he found out who it was...?"

Lin Guozheng's expression instantly became complicated.

This morning, he learned from Wang Cuiping, who came to visit him, the chilling truth behind the case and the news of the international arrest warrant.

He never imagined that the case he handled, the bullet he took, would involve such a massive capital game and transnational revenge!
"We've found out." Lin Guozheng's voice deepened. "It was Yihe... the Keswick family who hired the hitman. Your brother... he's already taken care of it."

He didn't say what "cleaning up" meant, but He Yushui sensed a cold, undeniable sense of finality in his eyes and tone. A chill mixed with an indescribable sense of security welled up in her heart.

"In the future... will it be..." He Yushui's voice trembled with lingering fear.

“No more.” Lin Guozheng held her hand firmly and steadily, his eyes resolute. “Your brother, in his own way, drew a red line that no one dares to cross. From now on… it will be safer.”

He paused for a moment, looked at He Yushui, and said earnestly, "Yushui, thank you, brother."

These words come from the bottom of my heart.

He Yushui nodded vigorously, tears welling up again, but this time, it was more of a sense of relief that everything had finally settled.

A few days later, at the Wu family mansion in Deep Water Bay.

Shi Bin personally visited, bringing beautifully packaged, expensive tonics and medicinal herbs.

Wu Shichang, still shaken, received him. His son, Wu Yongjian, with bruises on his face, sat beside him on crutches, his eyes filled with fear.

"Mr. Wu, you are deeply regretful and angry about your son's matter." Shi Bin's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. "The gang of Rotten Tooth, who attacked your residence and committed the crime under the name of Huang He, along with the clues and evidence of their mastermind, have all been handed over to the police. The police are making every effort to track down that anonymous overseas employer."

He paused, looking directly into Wu Shichang's eyes: "The boss asked me to tell you that Huanghe Industrial operates according to its own rules and regulations. We only have the sincerity of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation with our partners and clients, and we never engage in bullying or oppressive behavior. This matter is a deliberate frame-up, an attempt to sow discord and disrupt the order of the Hong Kong business community. If the Wu family suffers any loss or trouble as a result, Huanghe Industrial is willing to provide necessary assistance within reasonable limits."

As Wu Shichang listened to these words, looking at the two silent yet imposing security guards behind Shi Bin, who were like iron towers, and recalling the terrifying rumors circulating in Hong Kong's upper circles in recent days about the complete collapse of the Keswick family and Richard Keswick becoming an international fugitive...

His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

"Mr. Shi...Mr. Shi, you flatter me!" Wu Shichang quickly waved his hand, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Mr. He, you are so righteous! We, the Wu family, know perfectly well what happened. It was all the malicious trickery of those petty villains! It has absolutely nothing to do with Yellow River Industry or Mr. He! Yongjian's incident...he just accidentally fell! Yes, he fell! Please rest assured, Mr. He, our Wu family has no complaints and will not be instigated by anyone! Thank you for your concern, Mr. He, and for troubling Mr. Shi to make this trip in person..."

His attitude was almost obsequious, eager to clear up any possible misunderstandings and only wanting to get rid of this important figure as soon as possible.

Wu Yongjian nodded frantically in agreement, not daring to utter a single word about the grievance of his "broken leg".

Shi Bin nodded: "It's good that Boss Wu is so understanding. Please accept the gifts and use them to nourish Young Master Wu. Farewell."

He put down his things and left with his men decisively.

The Wu father and son watched their departing figures, and breathed a long, lingering sigh of relief, as if they had sent away a deadly demon.

After this incident, everyone in Hong Kong who had ever harbored any improper thoughts or resentment towards the Ho family fell completely silent.

That red line, drawn with the blood of the Keswick family and the broken leg of the Wu family, is clearly imprinted in everyone's heart.

In the study of the He family villa.

He Yuzhu stood alone by the window, the Victoria Harbour still dazzling under the night sky.

In the distance, the lights of the Wharf Pier stretched out into the depths of the sea like a ribbon of light.

He held in his hand a newly delivered briefing on the progress of crude oil procurement for the second phase of the Tseung Kwan O oil depot.

There was a gentle knock on the study door, and then the door was pushed open, and Xiaoman walked in.

“Brother Zhu, the last positions in the futures market have been closed. Adding the previous gains from Jardine Matheson, Swire, and Wheelock, and this counterattack using Grosvenor’s support... after deducting all costs and reserved development funds, the cash we can use has exceeded this amount.”

She gently placed a printed sheet of paper on the desk, listing the company's metrics and a long list of astronomical figures for cash flow.

He Yuzhu didn't turn around, glanced at it, and then asked, "What's the Hang Seng Index now?"

“398 points,” Xiaoman replied.

"With such ample funds, have you chosen your next target?"

Xiaoman nodded and said, "Brother Zhu, the stocks of those companies you mentioned before... Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hang Lung Properties, Great Eagle Holdings... have fallen to almost their listing price. Especially the Luo family of Great Eagle Holdings, I heard that the banks are calling them non-stop to collect their loans. Also... HSBC's stock price has also fallen to a very low level."

"Wait a little longer with HSBC, but it's time to buy the dip on other stocks."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

"By the way, how's it going over in Yushui?"

"I don't know either, I've been very busy these past few days."

"Okay, I'll ask Mom later."

Just as He Yuzhu was trying to obtain more funds from the stock market, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB), together with the Serious Crimes Unit and the uniformed patrol team, launched a thunderous operation codenamed "Purify Kowloon" under the authorization of Orion and the personal command of Wang Cuiping.

The operation was aimed directly at all triads in West Kowloon and bad apples within the police force.

The action was completely unexpected and swift as the wind.

The operation lasted for several weeks and yielded remarkable results.

Several long-established triad gangs were dismantled, and several police officers suspected of accepting bribes, protecting criminals, and leaking police secrets were suspended from duty pending investigation and the ICAC's intervention.

The hostility on the streets of Kowloon was instantly dispelled, and the citizens applauded.

Citizens in other places eagerly awaited action, but nothing happened.

　I'm having a bit of writer's block!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)