HongKong1960

Chapter 6: On the Run

Uncle Man smiled and told me not to be so formal. “Your cousin was my subordinate in the military. Tiu Keng Leng hasn't produced such a fierce young man in ten years. I have high hopes for you, but you must remember: never break the rules again!”

I quickly nodded, promising that it would never happen again. That’s when I truly understood how crucial the Code was to a triad society.

Uncle Man continued, explaining that the Lei Yue Mun incident had already spread throughout the jianghu. Wong Yuen-Ban had Green Gang connections, and his father wouldn’t let this go—especially not against you, Ah Man.

“For now, you boys need to lay low and hide out. The Society will arrange a place. We’ll handle the negotiations. Once everything is settled, you can come back. We will then hold a ceremony and officially induct you.”

“Uncle Man, what if they don't settle?” I asked.

“If they refuse to budge, we’ll fight. And by the rules, if it comes to a fight, you’ll have to lead the charge again,” Uncle Man said, asking if I was scared.

I told him I wasn't afraid and that I was always ready.

Uncle Man smiled, patted my shoulder, and told us not to worry. He said once the matter was resolved, he’d notify us to return. And then, the Lei Yue Mun powder dens? They would be ours to manage!

He instructed Brother Seven to make the arrangements for us to disappear for a while.

Brother Seven took us to deal with Wong Yuen-Ban’s car first. They were going to torch it, but Brother Seven couldn't stand to waste it. So, he found a guy in Sai Kung who belonged to the Luen Kung Lok Triad to sell the car.

Back then, the Luen Kung Lok controlled almost all the docks and smuggling businesses in Hong Kong, especially around Sai Kung. Brother Seven approached a Big Boss named Sharp-Head Sang (*** - Zim Tau Saang) from the Luen Kung Lok to offload the car. The guy looked us over, then looked at the car.

He admitted the car was nice but insisted that by the rules, he could only pay a thousand dollars.

Brother Seven was shocked: "Brother Sang, seriously? This is an MG B! One thousand bucks? Are you buying scrap metal?"

"The owner of this car was Wong Yuen-Ban. You killed him; this car is bad luck and hard to move. Besides, we only handle business; we don't get involved in Triad feuds. Take it or leave it!" Brother Sang declared.

Brother Sang didn't forget to tease us: "These little cubs are really fierce! The 14-K is full of talent. Everyone else panics when they cut someone, but this is the first time I've seen anyone calmly drive back and chase people with a knife!"

He also pointed out flaws: the back seat was dented from hitting people, and the body had knife scratches.

“Alright, fine! A thousand dollars it is!” Brother Seven reluctantly sold the car at a massive loss. He then handed us two hundred dollars each.

“Take this money and go find a place to lay low in Tai Wan Shan. Don’t come back until you hear from us,” Brother Seven instructed.

That night, I rushed home, quickly packed a few things, and prepared to meet Ah Yi and Ah Ho. My mother held me, weeping uncontrollably, and my father just sighed sadly. I knew they must have figured out something had happened.

But my mind was made up about joining the Society. I could only tell them I was going away for a while and wouldn’t be back soon.

“You rotten little sui jai! You chose the wrong path! You joined the Black Society!” My father finally snapped and yelled at me.

“Sai-Man, don’t go! Your mother can’t bear it,” my mother cried out.

(Note: The MG B was a 1962 model, costing tens of thousands new. A house in Yau Tsim Mong at the time cost only about twenty thousand dollars!)

I hugged my mother. My cousin stepped in and reasoned, “Ah Man can’t turn back now. Let him go. If he stays in Tiu Keng Leng, in a few days he'll either be arrested by the cops or dismembered by the Green Gang!”

My father was still furious. He cursed me: “You little punk! Why did you have to be the hero? I only wanted you to live a peaceful life, and now you’ve gotten yourself involved in murder! How are you going to live now?”

“Enough! Stop talking!” I snapped, finally talking back to my father. “I’m sick of it! I don’t want to be stuck in Tiu Keng Leng my whole life, running around a teahouse, ordered around by everyone!”

“What did you want me to do? Sell dessert like you? I didn’t do anything wrong about Ah Fung. If I could choose again, I’d still chop him up!”

“What if it’s the Triad? At least the Triad can back me up when justice and the judicial system won’t!”

“I’m telling you, Dad, I’m committed to this path! If I, Chung Sai-Man, make it big, I’ll definitely come back for you. But if I die on the streets, just pretend you never had a son!” I told him.

Then, I urged my mother to take care of herself, gave her the two hundred dollars I had, asked my cousin to look after them, and walked out of Tiu Keng Leng, ignoring my father’s constant curses and my mother’s heartbroken tears.

It’s not that I was unfilial, but I had no choice. In 1960s Hong Kong, a man with no connections had only two ways to get ahead: become a police officer, or join a Triad. I chose the latter.

The next day, I met up with Ah Yi and Ah Ho. We took a ferry from the pier to Tai Wan Shan. On the boat, I told them, "I gave my getaway money to my family. I’m broke now. You guys will have to spot me for a bit."

Ah Yi laughed heartily, patting my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Ah Man! Once we get to Tai Wan Shan, just follow me. Think of it as a vacation! We’re brothers for life!”