Chapter 19: The Foundation Established

"Zhihui is right; we can go look for those bankrupt big bosses," Lin Tiansheng said, feeling truly inspired as he looked at Zhong Zhihui with admiration.

The entire network of power had collapsed back then. Although the big bosses held low status among the corrupt police, they were deeply implicated, and their fates were far more wretched. While the corrupt officers could flee or secure amnesty, those who acted as their fronts either ended up in prison, were hunted down by creditors to be hacked to death, or went bankrupt and jumped to their deaths. Moreover, they were isolated and lacked the ability to split off and form their own factions like the triad societies or the New Territories gentry.

Dawang Company was merely a financial firm used to launder money for Brother Le. The licensee, Li Zhongying, was a man in his forties from Shanghai who had once worked at Standard Chartered Bank. He was generally soft-spoken and maintained a good relationship with Lin Tiansheng and his group.

"Look into his address. In a few days, when I have time, I'll go pay him a visit and have a chat," Lin Tiansheng said. He believed that someone who had run a financial company would easily be able to manage a real estate agency.

Zhong Zhihui smiled. "Whether Mr. Li agrees or not is secondary. There are so many bankrupt bosses that we aren't limited to him. If Brother Sheng is willing to give him a hand, he should be kowtowing in gratitude."

"What we need to be careful about is Deng Yuchang from the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk. Don't worry about him playing dirty; during the police reforms, many detectives who were investigated either joined the triads or became depressed alcoholics. Now that you, Brother Sheng, have returned to the scene, these people are actually a force to be reckoned with."

"If you are willing to employ them, they will surely pledge their loyalty. It’s a pity we don't have a suitable place for them yet, but as long as they are around, Deng Yuchang and the Chiu Chow gangs won't dare to act rashly."

"Nobody wants to be shot in the back every single day!"

"However, you must be careful that he doesn't sabotage your business and political interests."

Lin Tiansheng nodded slowly, sitting on the sofa while pinching his cigarette. "I understand. Everyone, be cautious and take extra precautions."

Based on his experience, the remnants of the former chief detectives still held significant influence. However, after the fragmentation and turmoil, mobilizing them had become extremely difficult. By using a sum of money to buy the lives of the "low-level pawns," he had secured his first group of deployable men. After accepting the "oaths of allegiance" from the "Four Sergeants," he finally had his own core team. With the addition of a licensee for his future business ventures, his foundation was slowly solidifying, allowing him to gradually extend his reach and leverage the power of the remnants.

Once he ascended to a position of power, he would be able to command a massive following. But for now, starting from scratch was a long and arduous road; he would have to hack through thorns and brambles, competing for every inch of ground.

"Let’s have a drink."

"Cheers."

"Bottoms up!"

Lin Tiansheng raised his glass, and amidst the laughter of his brothers, the glasses clinked. They enjoyed themselves all night, sleeping wherever they could—on the sofa, the bed, or straw mats. The next day happened to be a Saturday, and all five of them slept until the sun was high.

When they woke up, they crowded around the tiny bathroom door, taking turns to wash up and use the toilet. Zhang Jinrong, the oldest, rubbed his neck and tilted his head, complaining, "Damn it, and he’s supposed to be a Senior Inspector—can't even afford two beds in his own home."

"Back when the foreigners were Senior Inspectors, they all lived in seaside villas."

Deng Gengyun, who had slept on the floor all night, felt refreshed and laughed, "Drink less, Brother Rong, watch out for osteoporosis."

"Show some respect for your elders, you hear?" Zhang Jinrong grumbled.

Lin Tiansheng crushed the empty cigarette pack in his palm and tossed it into the trash can. "I'm heading back. Ah Rong, remember to withdraw the money from the underground bank and get it to me by Monday."

Zhang Jinrong nodded. "Understood, Boss."

"Should I count this as an equity investment or a loan?"

Zhang Jinrong laughed. "If it’s a loss, count it as capital; if it makes money, count it as a loan from me."

"I'll pay you back double when the time comes," Lin Tiansheng said, patting Zhang Jinrong on the shoulder.

Zhong Zhihui chased after him and called out, "Boss, take my car."

After taking a minibus from Mount Davis to Central and transferring to the Kwun Tong Line MTR to Mong Kok, he returned to the apartment on Shanghai Street. He noticed that the room had been cleaned once again. The mop and rag in the bathroom were still damp; it seemed she came every Saturday morning to clean. Ah Feng really was a devoted student, and the former "Five-Poison Detective" had certainly been living well.

Lin Tiansheng pursed his lips. How could he chase away a girl who wouldn't even leave when the previous owner beat her?

He changed his clothes and, finding some free time, went to the government-run Queen Elizabeth School to sign up for night classes. He decided to work and study simultaneously to earn a "pre-university" qualification, intending to obtain a university degree in two years. The previous owner had only finished high school, which was definitely enough for the seventies. However, after the police reforms, the selection process for officials began to impose educational requirements. To ascend smoothly, he needed a credible degree.

The fact that he had been transferred to the rank of Police Sergeant years ago was due to his high school education; detectives and inspectors without even a high school certificate were all dismissed.

Three years.

Three years of "guarding the reservoir" was the time he had to accumulate enough merit to be promoted to Senior Inspector.

That would be enough time to build momentum and gain the full support of his old brothers.

Saturday evening.

Lin Tiansheng put on a white shirt, strapped his .38 service pistol to his waist, and slung a bag over his shoulder. He walked into the Peninsula Hotel and met Li Zhongying, the former boss of Dawang Company, in the second-floor tea lounge.

In his memory, Li had been a wealthy tycoon, covered in designer brands and spending money like water. Now, his temples were gray, and he looked incredibly haggard. Five years in prison and heavy fines had aged him by more than a decade.

Yet, upon hearing that a former detective wanted to talk business, Li Zhongying had dug out an old suit, put on leather shoes that were growing mold on the soles, and borrowed a month's wages from his car wash boss just to choose the most famous, high-end venue for the meeting.

As an old-school "Shanghai-style" businessman, he believed in the "Business Creed": when doing business, one must maintain style, gimmick, and foresight.

If you don't even have style, who would want to do business with you?

The less strength you have, the more you must appear to have it! It was a facade, but also a desperate gamble. If the deal went through, it was an opportunity; if not, there was no shame in it.

To be honest, when Lin Tiansheng saw Li Zhongying—unable to hide his loss of status yet remaining perfectly polite and well-dressed after ordering a table full of tea and snacks—he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

"He's a man with ambition, dignity, and resilience."

Lin Tiansheng ordered a coffee, then picked up his bag, placed it on the table, and got straight to the point. "Mr. Li, there is 350,000 Hong Kong dollars in this bag. When the stock market opens on Monday, I can withdraw another 350,000. That’s a total of 700,000 in capital. I want to ask you to manage a real estate agency for me."

"You will be the licensee, and based on my inside information, you will have full authority over management. No equity, a monthly salary of 3,000, plus a ten percent year-end bonus."

"Help me as you helped Brother Le in the past. Are you interested?"

Li Zhongying’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped down his coffee. He used his fingers to pry open the zipper, caught a glimpse of the banknotes inside, and took a deep breath. "I am honored that Young Master Sheng thinks highly enough of me not to have forgotten my surname. When Brother Le had his trouble, there were things I shouldn't have said, but I didn't say a single word, just hoping that someone would come and pull me out of the gutter after getting out of prison."

"To be saved by Young Master Sheng is my good fortune. I will definitely do a beautiful job."

Having once been a wealthy boss who threw money around with infinite glory, how could he be content with washing cars and tires, groveling and waiting? All he had been waiting for was a chance.