HongKong1960

Chapter 7: Fast Money, High Life

Uncle Man smiled and insisted I didn't need to be so polite, reminding me that my cousin was his military subordinate. "Tiu Keng Leng hasn't produced such a fierce young man in ten years. I have high hopes for you, but remember, don't mess up the rules again!"

I quickly nodded and promised never to repeat the mistake. It was then that I truly understood how vital the Code was to a triad society.

Uncle Man continued, saying the Lei Yue Mun incident had already become jianghu gossip. Wong Yuen-Ban had Green Gang ties, and his father wouldn’t let us off the hook, especially you, Ah Man.

“You boys need to disappear for a while. The Society will arrange a place. We’ll handle the talks. Once it’s settled, you’ll come back. Then we’ll hold a big meeting and formally induct you.”

“Uncle Man, what if they can’t settle it?” I asked.

“If they refuse to back down, then we fight. And according to the rules, if it comes to that, you’ll have to lead the charge again,” Uncle Man said, asking if I was scared.

I told him I wasn't, that I was always ready.

Uncle Man smiled, patted my shoulder, and told us not to worry. He said once the matter was resolved, we'd be notified to return, and the powder dens in Lei Yue Mun would be ours to manage! He then had Brother Seven make arrangements for us to lay low.

Brother Seven took us to get rid of Wong Yuen-Ban’s car first. The plan was to burn it, but Brother Seven hated wasting it. So, we found a guy from the Luen Kung Lok Triad in Sai Kung and sold it.

Back then, the Luen Kung Lok controlled almost all the docks in Hong Kong. In Sai Kung, all the smuggling was their business. Brother Seven met with a Big Boss named Sharp-Head Sang (Zim Tau Saang) to move the car. The guy looked us over, then the car. He admitted the car was nice but, by his rules, could only offer a thousand dollars.

Brother Seven was stunned: "Brother Sang, seriously? It's an MG B! A thousand bucks? Are you buying scrap metal?"

"The owner was Wong Yuen-Ban. You killed him. This car is cursed and hard to flip. Plus, our Society only does business; we don't get involved in Triad beef. Take it or leave it!" Brother Sang stated. He couldn't resist mocking us, too: "These kids are truly fierce! The 14-K really breeds talent. Most people panic after cutting someone; this is the first time I’ve seen anyone calmly drive back and chase people down!" Then he pointed out the flaws: the back seat was dented from hitting people, and the body was slashed with knives.

“Fine, fine, a thousand dollars it is!” Brother Seven reluctantly sold the car at a loss. He gave us two hundred dollars each.

“Take this money and find somewhere safe in Tai Wan Shan. Don’t come back until we tell you,” Brother Seven instructed.