Fortune

by Ian Hamilton

  “Cho isn’t the immediate problem right now. Surely we have to expect that Yin will raise the stakes again. I can’t believe he won’t strike back.”

  “I’ll talk to Yin.”

  “Good luck with that,” Tse said.

  “This can’t continue.”

  “I agree, but there’s no point in my going to Macau. What’s done is done,” Tse said. “Our best chance to stop this stupidity is for you to convince Yin to declare a truce.”

  Uncle put down the phone and walked into the kitchen. He took a beer from the fridge and then retreated to the comfort of his chair. He reclined it, took a swig of beer, and thought about how complicated relationships among Mountain Masters could be. Theoretically they were all part of the same organization, but that was like saying they were all members of the same political party. There was still fierce competition, rivalries, conspiracies, backstabbing, and questionable ultimate loyalties. One large difference was that a political party had a leader who could pull together all those different personalities and positions and maintain a semblance of unity. Beyond the rank of Mountain Master there was no senior leadership role, and Uncle knew they all suffered because of it.

  His phone rang. Thinking it might be Tse, he leapt for it. “This is Uncle,” he said.

  “Ng here.”

  “Are you calling about the shootout in Kowloon?”

  “Partially. What are the Hong Kong police going to do?”

  “Nothing for now, so we still have a chance to calm things,” Uncle replied. “Tse won’t go to Macau tomorrow to talk to Cho, but I’m going to try to convince Yin to back off.”

  “I’m not sure talking to Yin will do any good. That’s the other reason I’m calling,” Ng said carefully. “From what I’ve been told, what happened in Macau was planned and deliberate. Yin went there looking for trouble, and he has no intention of stopping until he’s taken control of that sector.”

  “What are you talking about?” Uncle asked. “What I heard was that he went to Macau to support the local Sun Yee On gang.”

  “He’ll support them until he doesn’t need them, and then he’ll take them over as well.”

  “Who told you this?” Uncle asked.

  “I can’t say.”

  “Zhao?”

  “I gave my word that I wouldn’t mention my source,” Ng said. “Besides, what I heard was an opinion, not something backed by hard facts.”

  “If it isn’t based on facts, what is it based on?”

  “Things he heard and the conclusions he drew from them.”

  Uncle felt his patience slipping and caught himself. “Ng, you and I have been colleagues and friends for a very long time. Have you ever known me to betray a confidence, no matter how large or small?”

  “No, Uncle, I haven’t.”

  “Then could we please stop dancing around what’s obvious? I know you spoke to Zhao and that everything you’re telling me came from him.”

  “I won’t dispute that,” Ng said after a slight hesitation.

  “That’s a good start,” Uncle said. “Now please tell me why Zhao thinks Yin’s aggression in Macau was planned.”

  Ng paused again, then said, “You were correct about Man having meetings with various Mountain Masters, but so far it’s only been with the ones who control Hong Kong Island and Kowloon — and one from the Territories.”

  “Who from the Territories?”

  “Wu.”

  It was Uncle’s turn to pause. Wu ran Tai Wai New Village and had tried several times to infiltrate Fanling’s operations. “What was the purpose of these meetings?” he asked, putting aside for the moment his concerns about Wu.

  “Man believes that when the Chinese Communists take over Hong Kong, one of the first things they’ll do is go after us. He has been trying to convince the Mountain Masters in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island to form an alliance.”

  “Tse said something similar. Is Man trying to pull the gangs together?”

  “I think it started that way, but the idea fell apart because the Hong Kong Island gangs don’t trust the Kowloon gangs,” Ng said. “So then Man suggested that the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon gangs each form their own alliance but pledge to stay out of each other’s way.”

  “What did Man mean by forming an alliance?”

  “Zhao was vague.”

  “Did Zhao commit to join?”

  “He said no, but I interpreted that as not yet. He may not trust Man, but he’s nervous that the other three gangs will get together and come after him.”

  “Putting three of those gangs together would create a small army,” Uncle said. “It would be tempting to use that kind of firepower — and not just for defence.”

  “Kowloon’s main rivals are the Hong Kong Island gangs, who are as strong as they are. I can’t imagine they’d risk taking them on directly,” Ng said.

  “I don’t care about Hong Kong Island,” Uncle said. “I’m more concerned about the New Territories. Does Man’s master plan include us in any way?”

  Ng hesitated and then said, “Uncle, this is still in confidence, yes?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Zhao has heard rumours.”

  “That alarms me, because Zhao isn’t a man who repeats rumours unless he thinks there’s validity to them.”

  “I share that opinion.”

  Uncle took a deep breath. “Go ahead. Tell me what he had to say.”

  “Man has been trying to convince the other Kowloon triad leaders that they need to expand their bases, but as it stands, the four gangs are crowded together in a small territory with no room to grow. He’s saying that the easiest and most logical way for them to expand is by taking over smaller, more vulnerable gangs.”

  “And given that the smaller gangs are not in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island,” Uncle said, “it doesn’t take much imagination to conclude they’ll be looking at the New Territories.”

  “And Macau,” Ng added quickly. “Zhao says that Yin has bought into Man’s ideas and is making a play to take control of Macau. The others are watching to see how the other gangs and the police react. If Yin is successful, it might embolden them to try it themselves.”

  “Try it where, specifically? Including Tai Wai, the New Territories have ten gangs.”

  “Zhao doesn’t know. He was cut out of further conversations after he expressed reservations about the alliance.”

  Uncle drained his beer and sat forward in the chair. “How concerned are you by all this?”

  “I’m trying to stay calm. I keep telling myself that, despite Zhao’s usual reliability, these are only rumours and I shouldn’t take them to heart.”

  “Macau isn’t a rumour.”

  “No, but that story hasn’t played itself out yet. Maybe Cho will be able to fend off Yin. Maybe the Macau police and the OCTB will get involved and bring it to an end.”

  Uncle sighed. “I don’t share your optimism, or I should say I think it’s dangerous to be optimistic,” he said. “Can you excuse me for a minute while I get another beer?”

  “Sure. I’ll do the same thing,” Ng said.

  Uncle slid from his chair and went to the kitchen. If what Ng had told him was true, the consequences could be devastating. He took a San Miguel from the fridge and returned to the chair. “I’m back,” he said into the phone as he sat down.

  The other end of the line was silent. A moment later Ng said, “Are you there?”

  “Yes.”

  “You haven’t mentioned Wu yet. The moment I spoke his name I expected you to react more strongly,” Ng said. “How many years ago was it that Tai Wai New Village and Fanling were going at it?”

  “It was ten years ago, and it never got to the point of open war. Wu tried to sell drugs in our territory and made an effort to poach some of our gamblers. We put a stop to it. Now and
then he tests us, but our response is always the same and he backs off,” Uncle said. “In terms of my reaction to his meeting with Man, I was waiting until I had a better understanding of what Man is up to. But now that you’ve brought Wu’s name into the conversation, I have to say I don’t like it being linked with this. I didn’t realize Wu and Man are close.”

  “Man’s wife died two years ago. He began going with Wu’s sister last year. They were married three weeks ago.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “I didn’t either, until Zhao told me,” Ng said.

  “So Wu and Man have family ties. That doesn’t sit well with me, if everything you’re telling me about Man’s intentions is accurate,” Uncle said. “Did you ask Zhao about Wu’s role in all this?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t have any detailed knowledge.”

  “Did he at least guess at it?”

  “He thought Man and the others in Kowloon might use Wu to rattle some cages up here, and if one of us overreacts they’ll have an excuse to move in and support Wu,” Ng said. “If Wu does start to agitate, the most important thing we can do is not overreact.”

  “Most of us react in direct proportion to the level of provocation brought against us, but that’s all hypothetical right now,” Uncle said.

  “I’m afraid the possibility of their trying something isn’t just hypothetical.”

  “No, I agree with you. But now we have an idea what Man has been plotting and we have time to come up with a plan to counter it before it actually starts.”

  “How do you propose we proceed?”

  “I need to sleep on this,” Uncle said abruptly. “I want to think it through and talk to some of my people. When that’s done, I’ll get back to you.”

  “You won’t mention Zhao when you talk to your people?”

  “No. I also won’t talk to any other Mountain Master in the Territories until you and I have had a chance to speak again.”

  “Uncle, do you have any idea how we can resolve this?”

  “Not yet, but one thing I’m certain of is that we won’t do it by being passive.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  When his conversation with Ng was over, Uncle slumped in his chair and stared out the window at the street below. It was raining, and the street was deserted except for an occasional taxi. He saw a streak of lightning cross the sky, and seconds later heard the rumble of thunder. Given his mood, it sounded particularly ominous.

  Uncle knew that sleep wasn’t going to come easily. Ng had turned the unease he was feeling about Man’s meetings and Yin’s foray into Macau into something deep and disturbing — a sense that the world was beginning to shift beneath his feet, and that if he didn’t move quickly and decisively, it would tear apart and swallow him. But move how, and against whom?

  He looked at the phone, but when he did, the names of everyone he wanted to speak to became a jumble in his mind. Slow down, he thought. I need to gather more facts. Even if everything Ng told me is true, I can’t believe that Wu or any of the Kowloon gangs will move against their brothers in the Territories until the issue in Macau is resolved. Still, there were things he could do, and it was time to act.

  Uncle picked up the phone and called Wang again. When the restaurant owner answered, he said, “This is Uncle. I need to speak to Wang.”

  “Yes, boss?” Wang said a moment later. “Have you heard something about the OCTB?”

  “No, but I’ve been told that Wu has his eye on us again,” Uncle said. “Tell all the men to be alert for any kind of intrusion.”

  “I will. And what are they to do if they encounter Wu’s men?”

  “I want them removed from Fanling, but with as little disturbance and violence as possible.”

  “I’ll deliver those instructions,” said Wang. “How did you hear about Wu?”

  “Ng told me, and right now that’s all I want to say about it,” Uncle said, then paused. “How many forty-niners do we have who are fit for a fight if it comes to that? I don’t think it will, but we can’t take anything for granted.”

  “I’d say we have about sixty men.”

  “How many Blue Lanterns would you feel comfortable adding to that number?”

  “Another twenty.”

  “How well armed are we? If some extra money were available, could you make good use of it?”

  “When it comes to weapons, we always need updating, especially if we’re going to use Blue Lanterns. Most of them just have basic guns. I’d buy semi-automatics for them.”

  “I’m going to call another executive committee meeting tomorrow. I’ll request the money then. I don’t imagine there will be any opposition.”

  “Boss, we can match Tai Wai man for man. Do you really think Wu is crazy enough to take a run at us?”

  “I don’t know, but even if it is unlikely, I still want to be prepared,” Uncle said. “I’ll have Fong call you as soon as I decide on a meeting time.”

  As he put down the phone, lightning lit the sky again and thunder rolled over Fanling. Uncle shuddered. What is going on in Kowloon? Is Yin planning revenge? If so, will it be tit-for-tat or a full-out assault designed to take over Macau? he thought. Well, why not ask the man himself?

  For a third time, the woman answered.

  “This is Uncle. Is Yin there?” he said.

  “Just a moment,” she replied.

  It sounds as if he’s at home, Uncle thought, hopeful that Yin would come to the phone.

  “Uncle, this is Chang,” a man’s voice said a moment later. “The boss says he knows why you’re calling, but he doesn’t want to talk to you.”

  “Ask him to give me just five minutes,” Uncle said to Yin’s Straw Sandal.

  “It’s pointless,” Chang said. “But the boss does have a message he wants me to deliver to you.”

  “Which is?”

  “Tend to your business in Fanling. Stay out of his.”

  “And I have a message for him,” said Uncle. “What he’s doing is affecting us all. Even if he’s successful in Macau, there could be a price to pay that surpasses any gains he makes there.”

  “That sounds like a threat,” Chang said. “My boss respects you. I’d like to see that respect maintained, so I won’t pass along that message. It would only damage your relationship.”

  “Shit,” Uncle said as the line went dead. He slid from his chair, went to the kitchen, and returned with another San Miguel. He sipped the beer while he ran through the list of names in his head. Two were prominent. He picked up the phone.

  “This is Fong,” a voice answered groggily.

  “Were you sleeping?”

  “Yes. It takes a good night’s sleep to recover from Macau.”

  “Before you went to bed, did you get a chance to call any of your Straw Sandal colleagues about Man and his meetings?”

  “I did. And I talked to Kan. He’d made some calls as well,” Fong said. “A few of the guys in the Territories had heard about the meetings, but they knew nothing about their substance.”

  “Were they concerned that their bosses were being left out?”

  “Not particularly,” said Fong. “But strangely, Kan and I encountered more concern from the Straw Sandals in Central and Causeway Bay. Although maybe concern isn’t the right word.”

  “What is?”

  “I talked to Yeung’s Straw Sandal in Central East. I’ve known him forever, and I can’t remember a time when he was so skittish and evasive with me. Kan spoke to the Sandal in Causeway Bay and got the same reaction.”

  Uncle took a swig of beer. “I want to call an executive committee meeting for tomorrow at three. Phone everyone tonight,” he said. “I’ll explain everything when we’re all together.”

  “In other words, don’t ask you now.”

  “Exactly,” said Uncle. “And first thing in the morning, I wan
t you to scout the area for a place where we can hold a meeting of between forty and sixty people. It should be private and secure. I would prefer not to use a hotel, unless we have no other options.”

  “You do know that’s a rather strange request?” Fong said hesitantly.

  “I’ll explain tomorrow,” said Uncle, and ended the conversation.

  He checked the time and saw it was past midnight. Beijing and Hong Kong were in the same time zone, and he knew it was late to be calling, but the Fanling gang’s well-being was almost as important to his contact in Beijing as it was to him.

  When Uncle began investing in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone more than ten years earlier, he had encountered Colonel Liu Leji, the zone’s director of Customs. Whatever hierarchy there was in the Communist Party, Liu’s family was firmly ensconced in it. Liu Leji’s father had died when he was young and he’d been raised by his uncle, Liu Huning. Huning had been on the Long March and was a close associate of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. Liu Huning and Deng were virtually joined at the hip, and Huning’s career had fallen and risen in lockstep with Deng’s. By the time Uncle had met Liu Leji, Deng was premier and Liu Huning was the sixth-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, which made him one of the most powerful men in China.

  Liu Leji had convinced Uncle to go into business with him in Shenzhen. Their arrangement was secret and included Leji’s wife and his aunt — Gao Lan, Liu Huning’s wife — as active partners. They started with warehouses to which the customs department helpfully directed customers, then added cold storage facilities and eventually formed their own trucking company. The business was enormously profitable, and Uncle was its public face. He also managed the money, and did it so well and discreetly that he had earned the absolute trust of the Liu family.

  Liu Leji was no longer in Shenzhen. He had been promoted to the second-highest position in the customs department in Beijing, and there were rumours he might be elected to the Politburo Standing Committee after his uncle died. He went to Shenzhen once or twice a year to make sure his officials understood that Uncle was to have their continuing support, and his wife and aunt were still hands-on involved in running the business. Given all the upheavals in Liu Huning’s life, his was a family that valued stability and disliked nothing more than being blindsided by a problem.