Chapter 89: Wong Bing-Yiu, I didn't want to, he gave too much.
After the funeral of Sai B, Hung Hing resumed normal activities.
Killing and fighting in the Jianghu was too common, but Sai B's death this time was too tragic—his whole family was buried alive.
Additionally, Sai B was one of the Twelve Hall Masters of Hung Hing, so the commotion was a bit big.
Lin Feng directly handed over the matters of Causeway Bay to Li Fu, and also assigned Lok Tin-hung to Li Fu as an assistant.
Li Fu, like him, had not taken on any underlings.
Lin Feng was too lazy to take them on.
Li Fu had always maintained the traditions of his Mainland, subconsciously feeling that his current job was not very glorious, and he still felt a bit awkward.
Awkwardness aside, he was often the first to jump into a fight.
This was also a common problem for all people involved in Triads: when they were in a foreign land, they always considered fewer things and had fewer concerns than locals.
Lin Feng was very relieved about Li Fu, because he had once come across a piece of intelligence—Li Fu was especially grateful to him, the kind that was utterly devoted.
Habitually acting as a hands-off boss, Lin Feng picked up a book in his office.
He had only read two pages when the doorbell rang, and it turned out to be Wong Bing-Yiu.
"Huang Sir, why are you here at my place?"
"This is the Causeway Bay Headquarters of Hung Hing."
Lin Feng teased.
Wong Bing-Yiu was also good at playing dumb:
"Oh, isn't this a Security Company?"
"It's perfectly normal for me, a police officer, to come and investigate a Security Company, isn't it?"
Lin Feng laughed heartily:
"It's even normal for you to chat and talk about life with Chiang Tin-Sung."
Wong Bing-Yiu asked curiously:
"Why did you choose such a company?"
Lin Feng said naturally:
"I really am going to open a Security Company."
Wong Bing-Yiu frowned:
"Why?"
Lin Feng said bluntly:
"To evade police pursuit, of course."
Wong Bing-Yiu was half-choked:
"Mr. Lin really knows how to joke."
Lin Feng shook his head:
"I'm not joking."
"As you know, protection fees account for a large part of a Triad's income."
"Other traditional side businesses, like brothels, gambling dens, fruit stalls, parking, squatter camps... these miscellaneous things all carry risks."
"Firstly, from police inspections; secondly, from competition from peers; and thirdly, some people simply don't know how to operate them."
"Only protection fees are guaranteed income, come rain or shine."
"As long as the location is good and there are many businesses, just collecting protection fees can keep you busy."
Wong Bing-Yiu's expression changed:
"Mr. Lin, discussing such things with me, a police officer, aren't you afraid I'll drag you to the Police Station?"
Lin Feng shrugged:
"If you have evidence, then drag me. I am a law-abiding businessman."
Wong Bing-Yiu was so angry his liver hurt:
"Aren't you afraid I'll unleash the Police Force to stop you from collecting protection fees?"
Lin Feng chuckled, pulling out a cigar and tossing one to Wong Bing-Yiu:
"If you have the ability, go for it."
"Anyway, I don't plan to collect protection fees in Causeway Bay."
Wong Bing-Yiu was dumbfounded:
"No, didn't you just talk about protection fees?"
Lin Feng asked curiously:
"What does our Security Company have to do with Triad protection fees?"
Wong Bing-Yiu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Lin Feng in horror:
"Mr. Lin, are you planning to sign security agreements with the businesses in your territory under the name of a Security Company?"
Snap!
Lin Feng snapped his fingers.
"Huang Sir is indeed Huang Sir, his mind works fast."
"That's right, we've always been a legitimate security department, and we've never had any talk of forced buying or selling."
"Security contracts are voluntary; sign if you want, don't sign if you don't."
"As long as a contract is signed, we will act according to the contract. Once the money is received, we guarantee that no one will disturb your normal business."
Wong Bing-Yiu felt a chill in his heart:
"Will those who haven't signed a security agreement be harassed every now and then?"
Lin Feng shrugged:
"We are a Security Company, not the Hong Kong Government, much less the police."
"Such matters are not within our purview."
Wong Bing-Yiu smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"Mr. Lin, oh Mr. Lin, you've really given me a big problem."
Lin Feng said amusedly:
"What's so difficult about it?"
"We are a legitimate company, and the commercial contracts we sign with various businesses are legitimate. The contract templates were drafted by Jiang Chengyu's law firm."
"I guarantee that any barrister who sees them will give a thumbs-up and praise them."
"We operate according to the rules."
"The accounts of this Security Company are audited by an accounting firm; everything is legitimate and legal, and we pay taxes to the Hong Kong Government every month."
"Companies that operate with such integrity as mine are rare in Hong Kong."
"Since I'm cooperating so much with your work, shouldn't I get a big reward?"
Wong Bing-Yiu's heart again felt a chill.
He finally saw what a legitimate Triad was.
Clearly collecting protection fees, yet they had to set up a Security Company.
And even drag the Hong Kong Government along to endorse him.
Wong Bing-Yiu could imagine with his toes what kind of harassment those residents who refused to sign a security agreement with the Causeway Bay Security Company would receive.
Those who signed the agreement would certainly not have such concerns.
This truly blocked the police's investigative path from a legal perspective.
Of course, if the police were willing to investigate thoroughly, investing a lot of manpower and resources, they could still find the connection between the Security Company and those Young and Dangerous.
Would the police investigate?
Certainly not.
Triads collecting protection fees was a traditional skill; all Triads did it this way.
This was also something tacitly approved by the black-and-white agreement of those years.
Tacit approval was one thing, but legally it was illegal.
It wasn't obvious usually, but when it was really necessary to act, an investigation would be spot on.
When Wong Bing-Yiu first came in, he thought Lin Feng was joking, but he didn't expect that he had actually circumvented police investigations through a Security Company.
This was clearly putting criminal activity in front of you and letting you investigate.
The key question was, could you investigate?
No!
It wasn't that they couldn't investigate, but that it wasn't worth it.
What kind of crime was collecting protection fees?
Investing so much manpower and resources, only to end up with this?
Don't be ridiculous!
Wong Bing-Yiu's face was very long.
Lin Feng was displeased:
"I knew I should have given you an old knife to smoke."
"Do you know where the cigar you're smoking comes from? Cuba!"
"A high-end item, a hundred US dollars a stick."
"It's really like casting pearls before swine."
Wong Bing-Yiu smiled bitterly, speechless.
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Huang Sir, you've come at the right time. If you hadn't come, I would have had to look for you in a couple of days."
Wong Bing-Yiu became highly vigilant,
"Mr. Lin, you are a prominent figure in Hong Kong, why would you look for me?"
Lin Feng pointed to the door:
"My Security Company is being listed, and I want to take it to the next level."
"Security qualifications are very important."
"I want to apply for a few gun licenses for my subordinates. Will you help me out?"
Wong Bing-Yiu's eyes widened. You, a Triad Security Company, want me, the Commissioner of the West Kowloon Police Headquarters, to help you get gun licenses?
Are you kidding me?
To ask the Commissioner of the West Kowloon Police Headquarters to get gun licenses for a Triad's Security Company, Lin Feng really dared to think it.
Wong Bing-Yiu sneered continuously.
Lin Feng asked:
"What do you say, Huang Sir?"
Wong Bing-Yiu said sternly:
"Of course!"
Wong Bing-Yiu was inwardly resistant, yet Lin Feng's file was as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
Not only that, he was also one of Hong Kong's invisible tycoons, a billionaire.
Wong Bing-Yiu didn't know Lin Feng's exact wealth, but he had accompanied Lin Feng to the Jockey Club to collect winnings, and in that one instance alone, Lin Feng's after-tax income was over ninety million!
It was simply speechless.
This was actually nothing; the key was that Lin Feng had a good working relationship with one of Hong Kong's largest law firms.
Even if Wong Bing-Yiu didn't help, the law firm could easily handle it.
Which professional bodyguard of a Hong Kong tycoon didn't have a few gun licenses?
Wong Bing-Yiu emphasized:
"However, if the background check is not up to standard, or if there are flaws in the documentation, it will not be approved."
Lin Feng laughed heartily:
"Straightforward!"
In Hong Kong, as long as you can pay enough money, anything can be obtained.
And for Lin Feng, any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem.
Wong Bing-Yiu smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"Mr. Lin, why did you think of establishing a Security Company?"
Lin Feng said bluntly:
"When you're in the Triads, you have to keep up with the times."
"Blocking businesses on the street to collect protection fees is the most low-end approach."
"Even if forcefully collected, people will be unwilling."
Wong Bing-Yiu retorted:
"Do you mean that if you create a security contract, others will be willing?"
Lin Feng shrugged:
"Of course!"
"Look, originally when we went out to collect protection fees, those businesses, whether they wanted to or not, had to pay; they couldn't resist."
"The emotions are just not right."
"If someone held a knife to me and forced me to hand over money from my pocket, I would definitely give him a big slap."
"I'd have to let them know how I feel about it."
"Those businesses don't have my fighting ability, nor my financial resources; they can't resist."
"As a result, our Triad's reputation would be ruined."
"What do people call us?"
"Black society!"
"Is this the way a proper Triad operates?"
"Wrong!"
"Switching to a security contract makes it different."
"If you sign a contract, do you have to pay on time?"
"If you don't pay, is the contract invalid?"
"Once the contract is signed and the obligations of both parties are clarified, a subtle connection is established between those businesses and us."
Wong Bing-Yiu felt an inexplicable unease:
"What connection?"
Lin Feng laughed heartily:
"A cooperative relationship!"
Hiss!
Wong Bing-Yiu was unwilling:
"Weren't they still forced by you?"
Lin Feng admitted:
"Yes, they were indeed forced by me at first."
"However, once the contract is signed, when they encounter trouble, they will actively ask our people for help."
"After all, there's a contract."
"This is a cooperative relationship."
"In just a couple of days, these people will convince themselves that they weren't forced, that they hired bodyguards with their money."
"A Security Company, what a grand term."
"Previously, only rich bosses and large companies were entitled to them, but now even their small shops and stalls can have them."
"Tell me, will they still hate us?"
"No!"
"Given enough time, they will spontaneously support us."
"They are our eyes and ears."
"If someone wants to cause trouble with us, who do you think they will side with?"
Wong Bing-Yiu looked at Lin Feng as if he had seen a ghost, and even subconsciously wanted to get up and move away from Lin Feng.
This guy was a criminal genius for the new era.
If he continues like this, the entire Causeway Bay will be in his hands within a month.
That guy, Sai B, has been in Causeway Bay for so many years, but he still hasn't fully taken control.
But what about Lin Feng?
Wong Bing-Yiu would bet that it wouldn't even take a month for him to change Causeway Bay's surname to Lin!
For a moment, Sir Huang was deeply shocked, with a thousand words in his heart, yet he didn't know what to say.
After a long while, Wong Bing-Yiu organized his thoughts and earnestly said,
"Mr. Lin, you are a famous big boss in Hong Kong. Is it really necessary to get involved with Triads?"
This sentence was as weak as could be, completely unbefitting Wong Bing-Yiu's status.
However, Sir Huang had already witnessed Lin Feng's methods. He discovered a terrifying truth—
Lin Feng's level was above that of the bosses of traditional, old-school Triads.
Those bosses, whether Hung Hing, Sun Yee On, Wo Luen Shing, Wo Hing Shing, Tung Sing, Hung Tai, Chung Yee Shun... no matter which Leader, their way of thinking was still the old one.
Wong Bing-Yiu wasn't exaggerating; he could tell what those bastards were up to just by the way they moved.
Lin Feng was an anomaly!
He operated the Triad in a legal manner.
Take the Security Company, for example.
How could the police investigate it?
All of their procedures were legal, they paid taxes according to regulations, they had their own legal team, and they even hired external auditing firms.
Everything they did followed the orders of the Hong Kong Government.
The entire framework was established under the Hong Kong Government's permission.
How could you investigate them?
If you want to investigate them, you can, but first, overthrow the Hong Kong Government.
Otherwise, according to current laws, this Security Company is a legal and compliant enterprise.
Not only can the police not investigate them, but they also have to protect them.
Is there any justice in this?
Wong Bing-Yiu was too shocked to speak.
Oh, right, Lin Feng just said that he wanted to equip the Security Company's security personnel with gun permits.
Ha!
With gun permits, would weapon permits be far behind?
Even if Lin Feng said he wanted to hire the Flying Tigers to train them to improve the Security Company's capabilities, he would believe it!
Could you refuse?
Wong Bing-Yiu was stunned for a long time, not knowing what to say.
Lin Feng smiled:
"Sir Huang is so supportive of our Security Company?
"As you know, our Security Company is a new company, and the individual combat quality is not strong..."
Wong Bing-Yiu flinched:
"I will absolutely not help you contact the Flying Tigers."
Lin Feng stroked his chin and said:
"Flying Tigers?"
Wong Bing-Yiu inwardly cried out, "Oh no!"
Lin Feng's eyes lit up:
"Sir Huang is indeed Sir Huang, he saw the problem at a glance."
"Before, I only wanted to hire a few retired police officers from the Police Force to help me improve the quality of the Security Company."
"Sir Huang, you've given me a big surprise."
"Retired police officers are nowhere near as effective as active Flying Tigers for training, are they?"
Slap.
Wong Bing-Yiu painfully clutched his forehead, "Why am I so cheap?"
Why did I open my mouth?
Lin Feng said seriously:
"Then let's not bother a second person with the same matter. Please, Sir Huang, help me contact the Flying Tigers!"
Wong Bing-Yiu immediately said:
"I refuse!"
He would absolutely, absolutely not provide training guidance to Lin Feng's Security Company, no matter what.
Absolutely, absolutely cannot let Lin Feng get connections with the Flying Tigers through me.
Wong Bing-Yiu knew that with Lin Feng's strength and status, it would be an easy matter to get the Flying Tigers to help train the Security Company's personnel.
Even if he just asked, it could be done.
However, not helping Lin Feng was Wong Bing-Yiu's only remaining stubbornness.
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Sir Huang, you reminded me of this idea. How about not bothering a second person with the same matter?"
"I know that the Headquarters Commissioner has the authority to make the Flying Tigers do things."
Wong Bing-Yiu quickly said:
"Mr. Lin, you are a person of status and position, how can you falsely accuse me?"
"It was absolutely not me who suggested having the Flying Tigers train your security personnel."
"Absolutely not!"
Lin Feng's expression suddenly changed, and he sneered coldly:
"Really not?"
Wong Bing-Yiu said righteously:
"No!"
Lin Feng sighed:
"After all, I've donated so much money to the West Kowloon Police Headquarters for three consecutive years, and I've never once asked you for anything."
"It's rare for me to make a request, and you refuse without even thinking!"
"Is it true that when a person leaves, the tea cools?"
Wong Bing-Yiu immediately hesitated. After all, Lin Feng was a big benefactor of the West Kowloon Police Headquarters.
If the benefactor made a request, wouldn't it be bad to refuse?
However, thinking of his responsibilities, Wong Bing-Yiu still gritted his teeth and insisted.
Lin Feng slowly reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a check, and pushed it towards Wong Bing-Yiu.
Wong Bing-Yiu said righteously:
"Mr. Lin, you cannot bribe me."
Lin Feng looked at Wong Bing-Yiu as if he were an idiot:
"If I bribed you, would you dare to take it?"
"Open it and see!"
Wong Bing-Yiu awkwardly picked up the check, his eyes wide.
"Twenty-five million?!"
Lin Feng nodded slightly:
"That's right, twenty-five million."
"I originally wanted to continue donating this to the West Kowloon Police Headquarters, after all, I've already donated for three consecutive years."
Wong Bing-Yiu subconsciously took the check in his hand, but then immediately felt it was wrong, and still, enduring the palpitation, put the check back.
This check, it's not easy to take!
Lin Feng sneered:
"Don't worry, it's not for you."
Wong Bing-Yiu suddenly felt an emptiness. The West Kowloon Police Headquarters seemed huge, but there were many places to spend money.
Just consider when Yuen Ho-Wan and his gang of rascals went out on cases, which gunfight didn't cost millions in compensation?
If there were casualties—for example, stray bullets accidentally injuring passers-by—the compensation would be even higher.
Otherwise, the Police Force would not be able to accept donations.
Everything they did cost money, and the Police Station was also terribly short of money.
Twenty-five million, how many things could be done with that?
Lin Feng sneered:
"This check is the reward money Tung Sing compensated me. I know what the guys from Tung Sing mean; it's nothing more than this money might not be entirely clean, and it might be a trap for me."
"To be honest, this trick is very childish. As long as I receive it through official channels, the Police Force has no way to investigate me."
"It's just that I'm used to being lazy and I hate trouble."
"I originally thought that since it's almost the end of the year, I'd just donate it to the Police Force. If there's any trouble, let the Police Force deal directly with Tung Sing."
"However, judging by your expression, you don't seem to want it, do you?"
"That's fine, if the threshold here is too high, I'll go to the Hong Kong Island Police Headquarters. I heard that Officer Chan Ka-Kui from the Hong Kong Island Police Headquarters always destroys countless vehicles every time he goes on patrol."
"I imagine they would welcome this donation."
"My Causeway Bay also falls under the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Island Police Headquarters. I imagine Commissioner Lin would welcome me, wouldn't he? He should be willing to help me, right?"
Wong Bing-Yiu could no longer sit still. He snatched the check, his chubby face full of smiles:
"Mr. Lin, you're being too formal."
"As long as your Security Company's qualifications are in order and your personnel files are in order, I will help you arrange their training."
"You are a Security Company. While the Flying Tigers' training has some effect on improving capabilities, it's not significant."
"The training from the Anti-Riot Unit is most suitable for you."
"Our West Kowloon Police Headquarters is on the front line of anti-riot operations and has extensive practical experience. I think it's exactly what your security personnel urgently need."
He said all this in one breath, his tongue practically flying.
It didn't seem like much when he was speaking, but after he finished, Wong Bing-Yiu felt like he had lost face!
Could I really have said such a thing?
Why couldn't I control myself?
But looking at the twenty-five million, it was truly tempting.
With this twenty-five million donation, the Police Station's expenses could be eased for a long time.
Wong Bing-Yiu sighed inwardly,
"Indeed, a penny can stump a hero."
Lin Feng unreservedly rolled his eyes at Wong Bing-Yiu:
"Don't you think it would have been better if you had been so straightforward earlier?"
"You had to make both of us uncomfortable."
Wong Bing-Yiu smiled bitterly repeatedly.
Lin Feng snorted coldly:
"I am a legitimate businessman, more innocent than anyone else."
"I will only do what a proper businessman should do."
Wong Bing-Yiu didn't believe a single word.
However, he was a police officer, and cases required evidence. Currently, Lin Feng's record was indeed clean, with no criminal evidence whatsoever, so whatever Lin Feng said, it had to be accepted.
Wong Bing-Yiu sighed:
"Mr. Lin, it's still the same thing. If your Security Company's qualifications are in order and your employee files are in order, I can help you apply for gun permits and weapon permits."
"The Police Force is going to conduct an anti-riot training recently, so have your personnel prepare."
"When the time comes, I will notify you."
Lin Feng smiled:
"Excellent!"
"It's not in vain that I've donated to the West Kowloon Police Headquarters for three consecutive years. See, isn't it being put to use now?"
Wong Bing-Yiu no longer had the strength to refute.
Whatever you say, goes, right?
Wong Bing-Yiu didn't even want to stay there anymore. He stood up and left.
Lin Feng kept shaking his head:
"You came and left in such a hurry, just to help me solve the Security Company's problem?"
That one sentence almost made Wong Bing-Yiu faint, but it also startled Sir Huang, who then turned back.
"You almost made me faint from anger."
"I came to see you about something."
Lin Feng said amusingly:
"What is it?"
Wong Bing-Yiu sighed:
"Recently, the Jianghu has been very chaotic."
"Sai B's death, Fatty Lai's disappearance, and Tung Sing Yiu Yeung is also causing trouble."
"Plus, the Wo Luen Shing election..."
"Mr. Lin, I know you hate The Ni Family, but please be patient. Our people have already started to deal with The Ni Family."
Lin Feng's expression subtly chilled:
"The intelligence has already been given to you, yet you've been dragging your feet for so many days without a word."
"We even told you the fishing method, and you still haven't acted?"
Wong Bing-Yiu looked sheepish. Compared to Triads, the Police Force was indeed a bit slow when doing such things.
But this absolutely didn't mean the Police Force didn't want to act; it was purely because there was a fundamental difference between the two.
The Police Force had to follow procedures and consider various strategies.
Unlike Triads, which relied on their own judgment.
Wong Bing-Yiu guaranteed:
"Mr. Lin, just give us a little time, and we guarantee we will bring The Ni Family to justice."
"The Jianghu cannot be chaotic any longer!"