Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1165 The Shadow of the Famous Tree of Man

In an ancient incense hall in Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the smell of sandalwood curls up. The atmosphere is more solemn than usual.

Dozens of gang leaders from Hong Kong City gathered together, and everyone had a trace of uneasiness on their faces. Sitting on the armchair in the center of the incense hall was Chen Zhiming, the leader of Hutchison, known as the "white-headed man". He had a gloomy face and kept tapping the armrests with his fingers.

"Everyone has heard about what happened last night, right?" Chen Zhiming said in a hoarse and low voice.

Zheng Guoxiong "Ah Xie", the leader of the Heliansheng Hall, who was sitting on his right, nodded and said, "The Chinese army rushed directly into the Kowloon Walled City and destroyed Luo Bing's lair overnight. It is said that even the body was taken away to be displayed to the public."

"Luo Bing deserves it," said Aqiang, who was collecting protection fees, with a sneer, "You still dare to sell opium at this time, aren't you courting death?"

"The problem is not Luo Bing," Chen Zhiming interrupted, "but China's attitude. They are telling us that Hong Kong is no longer the Hong Kong city it used to be."

Li, a loan shark, said nervously, "What should we do now? I'm in the gambling den in Mong Kok..."

"Shut up!" Chen Zhiming shouted, "It's too late to say this now. The Chinese army busted Luo Bing's den on the first day they entered the city. How long do you think your gambling dens can continue to operate?"

There was silence in the incense hall, and everyone felt unprecedented pressure.

Huang Shijie, who specializes in smuggling, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "White-haired man, you asked us to come here, so I guess you have a plan?"

Chen Zhiming looked around at everyone and said, "There is only one solution - whitewash! Whitewash all the businesses that can be whitewashed, and stop the ones that cannot be whitewashed immediately!"

&34;But...&34; the loan shark wanted to say something else.

"No buts!" Chen Zhiming slapped the handrail fiercely, "You have also seen how cruel China's methods are. Luo Bing was the bully of the city yesterday, and today his body will be displayed to the public. Do you want to end up like him?"

Ah Xie put out the cigarette in his hand and said: "White-headed man is right. I have already started to deal with the arms inventory and prepare to switch to a legitimate trade business."

"My thugs are also planning to resign," Aqiang said, "and are preparing to open several security companies."

"What the white-haired guy said is right," a tall and thin man in a suit stood up and said, "I plan to turn the nightclub into a regular teahouse and do legitimate business in the future."

"Pah!" The big-eyed guy sitting in the corner suddenly spat, "What do you mean by a serious business? I, A Guang, have been in the business for 34 years, and I have more than 34 brothers under me. Do you think I should let them sell vegetables on the street?"

"That's right," a tattooed man next to him stood up and said, "We are living on the edge of life. Now we want our brothers to sell newspapers? Who will feed their wives and children?"

There was a sudden noise in the incense hall.

&34;If you don’t transform, you will die! &34;

&34;It's not that easy to do the right thing! &34;

&34;If you can do it, go for it!&34;

&34;If you don't want to die, you have to change! &34;

Ah Xie threw his cigarette butt to the ground and said, "Shut the fuck up!"

The scene became a little quieter, but some people were still whispering.

"I want to ask you something," Ah Xie looked around at everyone, "You all saw what happened to Luo Bing. The Chinese army is not like those soldiers from England. They kill people at will and even display their bodies to the public!"

&34;But...&34; Big Eyes wanted to say something else.

"But that's bullshit!" Huang Shijie, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, "Do you think this is still the same port city as before? Let me tell you, I have friends in the mainland. The Chinese army acts decisively and shows no mercy!"

"Then what do you say we should do?" someone asked unconvincedly.

"I'm already arranging connections," Huang Shijie said, "and preparing to do import and export trade. The guys at the dock can switch to being porters, which is better than going to jail."

"Humph, you rich guys are easy to talk to," a middle-aged man sneered, "but what about us small brothers?"

Chen Zhiming coughed heavily, and the scene became quiet again.

"I know your difficulties," he said slowly, "but now is not the time to bargain. Either change or die. You make your own choice!"

&34;But brothers...&34;

"What happened to you brothers?" Chen Zhiming suddenly raised his voice, "Do you want your brothers to die, or do you want them to live? If you don't transform now, you won't even have a chance to regret it when the Chinese army clears out the area!"

The incense hall fell silent again, but this time the silence was full of entanglement and helplessness. Everyone knew that what Chen Zhiming said was true, but no one was willing to give up the territory and business they had run for many years.

While everyone was arguing, the door of the incense hall was suddenly pushed open. A bald man in a white suit swaggered in, followed by seven or eight ferocious thugs.

"Hahaha!" the bald man laughed, "What? Are you all here discussing how to turn over a new leaf?"

"Awei!" someone exclaimed in a low voice.

The person who came was none other than Ah Wei, the boss of Lianxing Society who was gaining popularity recently. He had several thousand men under his command and was a very popular figure in the underground world of Hong Kong City.

"Awei, you've come at the right time," Chen Zhiming said solemnly, "This is an extraordinary period, and everyone is discussing..."

"What are you discussing?" Ah Wei interrupted him disdainfully before he could finish, "Are you discussing how to be a coward?"

He strode into the hall, pulled over a chair and sat down, crossing his legs: "I tell you, we can continue singing and dancing! We can continue doing business!"

"Ah Wei, you are looking for death!" Ah Xie frowned.

"Looking for death?" Ah Wei sneered, "I have thousands of subordinates, all over Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Do they dare to kill them all?"

He looked around with contempt in his eyes: "Besides, if all the opium dens in Hong Kong are closed, have you ever thought about the consequences? If those drug addicts cause trouble, who will be responsible for it?"

&34;You...&34;

"What do you mean by 'I'?" Ah Wei stood up and said, "I tell you, none of the business of Lianxing Society will stop! If anyone dares to touch my place, I will fight him to the death!"

"Awei," Chen Zhiming's voice suddenly turned cold, "Don't forget what happened to Luo Bing."

"Luo Bing?" Ah Wei curled his lips in disdain, "He deserves it! How can he not get into trouble if he doesn't know how to restrain himself? My place has its rules. I never sell to minors and I don't open a stall near schools."

As he said this, he turned around and was about to leave: "If you are afraid, just close down. Then my Lianxing Society will take over your territory, so that outsiders won't get the advantage!"

"Awei!" Chen Zhiming shouted, "You are looking for death!"

"Haha," Ah Wei waved his hand without looking back, "Just wait and see who is looking for death!"

Ah Wei had just walked out of the incense hall with his men when there was a sudden commotion outside the door. Then, several screams pierced the night sky.

Everyone in the incense hall stood up and walked quickly to the door, only to see several men in military uniforms knocking Awei's men to the ground neatly. Those thugs who were usually arrogant and domineering were now powerless to fight back.

The leading soldier was agile and his movements were as smooth as flowing water. He rushed to Awei in one step, raised his hand and stabbed Awei's shoulder with a military dagger.

"Ah——" Ah Wei screamed in pain, staggered back, holding his shoulder, and his face turned pale in an instant.

At this time, a young man in a black Zhongshan suit walked out of the crowd with a stern expression and sharp eyes.

"Who are you?" Ah Wei endured the pain and cursed loudly, "You dare to touch me, Ah Wei, do you know who I am?"

The young man did not answer, but just glanced at him indifferently, as if he was looking at an insignificant person.

"Are you fucking deaf?" Ah Wei roared, "I'm the boss of Lianxing Society!"

The young man finally spoke, his voice was not loud, but it was full of unquestionable authority: "Lianxing Society? From today on, there will be no Lianxing Society in Hong Kong."

"You..." Awei wanted to say something, but was silenced by the young man's look.

"Take them away." The young man waved his hand, and several soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged Awei and his men away.

Everyone in the incense hall looked at each other, no one dared to speak. Ah Wei, who was so arrogant just now, was like a lamb to be slaughtered, without any power to resist.

The young man turned and walked into the incense hall, his eyes sweeping over everyone present. Everyone lowered their heads involuntarily, fearing that he would stare at them.

"From today on," the young man said slowly, "everything in Hong Kong will return to normal. Anyone who dares to challenge the laws of China will pay the price."

Chen Zhiming couldn't help but ask: "Sir, I wonder who you are..."

The young man stopped, turned around, and looked at Chen Zhiming indifferently, as if he was looking at an insignificant stranger.

&34;My name is Su Zhengyang,&34; he said lightly.

As soon as the words fell, the air in the incense hall seemed to freeze. Everyone's face turned pale instantly, as if they had heard something incredible.

"Su...Su Zhengyang?" Ah Xie repeated stutteringly, with unbelievable horror in his voice.

"That's right," Su Zhengyang nodded slightly, "It's me."

The bosses present were all terrified. The name Su Zhengyang was well-known in the underground world of Hong Kong City. He was not only the president of China, but also the symbol of the new government, representing the country's authority and determination.

"President Su," Chen Zhiming said calmly, "We...we are all law-abiding businessmen and have never done anything illegal."