by Ian Hamilton
“A meeting of Mountain Masters is scheduled for this Friday in Fanling. Only about half of them were going to attend, but I’m sure I can convince more to be there. Assuming that you and I have finalized a draft agreement by then, it would be the ideal opportunity to present it.”
“Are you suggesting that I attend the meeting?”
“I am.”
“That would be totally inappropriate. It isn’t possible,” said Tao.
“Then send a representative. My colleagues need to see for themselves that this is real.”
“And what would you expect this representative to do? Sell the proposal to your colleagues?”
“No, I would do that. I think it’s enough for whoever you appoint to confirm that you and I met and that the Chinese government has agreed in principle to an agreement that I will explain. The representative can leave after that’s done.”
Tao looked doubtful and turned to Leji. “What do you think of this idea?”
“If the representative didn’t work for the ministry, it wouldn’t compromise you. And if Uncle thinks it will give him the support he needs, then I think we should do it,” Leji said.
“We’ll have to talk to Beijing,” Tao said after a long pause. “I have to discuss the five-city proposal anyway, so let’s find a secure phone and make the call.”
“You should join my aunt and the others,” Leji said to Uncle. “I’ll come and get you when we’re done.”
Uncle nodded and left the room without speaking. He started across the main dining area but then pivoted and headed for the front door. Once outside, he lit a cigarette and leaned against a wall. He thought he had presented his case as well as he could; now it was up to Beijing. But who in Beijing would be making the decision? Uncle hoped it would be Liu Huning, who he was certain would be involved in the process. But what if they turned down his request or tried to alter it? How much wiggle room did he have? How much could he compromise and still have something worth presenting to the other Mountain Masters? This could turn out to be a complete disaster, he thought, and suddenly felt tense. What gave him some level of comfort was that, regardless of how it turned out, he was confident he’d still have the support of the Liu family.
Uncle went back into the restaurant and made his way to Ms. Ko’s room. She was sitting in a corner chatting with Meilin while Fong sat by himself on the opposite side of the room.
“Where’s Leji?” Ms. Ko asked.
“He’s making a call to Beijing.”
She frowned but didn’t say anything.
Uncle went to sit with Fong. “How did it go?” Fong asked softly.
“I presented our proposals and Tao decided he had to talk to Beijing.”
“I can’t stop thinking about it. And the more I do, the more I realize this is a really big deal,” Fong said. “If you can make it happen, you’ll secure our future for years.”
“If I can make it happen, and that’s a huge if.”
“I’ve also been thinking about how you could structure things in Hong Kong. Are you interested in listening or is this the wrong time?”
Uncle’s initial inclination was to tell Fong to wait, but when he saw how intensely focused his friend seemed, he said, “Sure, go ahead.”
“When I thought about it, I realized you had already started the process by pulling together the gangs in the New Territories, and that if you could persuade some gangs from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island to join with us, we’d have a fairly representative group. It has always frustrated me — and some other Straw Sandals — that there’s never been a mechanism to address problems we all share or to resolve disputes between gangs. Your coalition idea got me thinking that we could use it for other things, in addition to mutual defence.”
“What are you suggesting? That we create some kind of formal body?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to sound negative, but can you imagine twenty Mountain Masters sitting in one room trying to resolve disputes? It would be chaotic.”
“I know, but we could set it up the way the Communists do. The twenty Mountain Masters would be like their Central Committee. It has about two hundred members and meets only once a year, to set policies. Implementation of those policies is controlled by the Politburo Standing Committee, which usually has between seven and nine members.”
“We don’t have the equivalent of a Politburo Standing Committee. And if we did, I can’t believe the Mountain Masters would cede any control to it,” said Uncle.
“We could create one, and I’ve even come up with some possible names,” Fong said, becoming quite animated. “The twenty Mountain Masters would comprise something we could call the Triad Council of Hong Kong, and the smaller group could be the Executive Council.”
“And how small do you suggest this Executive Council should be?”
“Three Mountain Masters, one each from Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and the New Territories. The gangs in each of those districts could elect their own representative,” Fong said. “And if it were decided, as the Communists want, that one of them be designated leader, we could let all twenty Mountain Masters vote to see which of the three they choose.”
Uncle smiled. “That’s very clever of you, Fong. But given that there are more gangs in the New Territories than Kowloon and the Island combined, the leader would more than likely come from there. That wouldn’t go over well in Kowloon or Hong Kong.”
“I’m not saying my plan can’t be improved, but it is a start. And if the gangs agreed that disputes should be brought to the executive group to resolve, it would be a terrific start. Just think how many feuds have been dragging on for years.”
“You do make some good points. I’m not being dismissive, but I need time to think about this, and right now I have enough to worry about,” said Uncle.
The two men fell into silence. Fong had surprised Uncle with his idea, and though at first it had seemed overly ambitious, there was a thread of common sense running through it. Uncle’s attempt at forming a coalition had proven that the gangs were capable of working together, and if they could agree on one common objective, why not two or three? He pondered the possibilities, and as he did, one random thought came to him. He was about to express it when the door opened.
“Uncle, the Minister is waiting for you,” Leji said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
There had been times in Uncle’s life when, in the midst of confusion, he suddenly knew how things were going to end. It wasn’t a logical process. Clarity simply entered his mind and took hold, and that’s what he felt when he re-entered the meeting room with Leji and saw Tao’s blank expression.
Uncle poured a glass of water and sat back, waiting for Tao to speak.
“Your request caught our people in Beijing off guard,” Tao said.
“How so?”
“Your refusal to accept payment for your services surprised them.”
“I haven’t refused payment; what I’m declining is cash payments. There are other ways to provide compensation. Granting us access to more cities in China is one.”
Tao placed his fingertips together and touched his lips. “Beijing is reluctant to grant you that access.”
“Why? If we contribute to the economic well-being of those communities the way we’ve done in the SEZs, it’s to China’s benefit as much as ours.”
“Even so, there is a reluctance,” Tao said. “How firm are you about this request?”
Uncle said, “There’s no agreement we’d accept that didn’t include it.”
Tao looked at Leji with resignation. For a second Uncle’s confidence wavered, and he braced himself for a possible rejection.
“In that case, we are prepared to give you three cities,” Tao said.
“I asked for five.”
“Bend a little,” Tao said.
“I’ll accept four,
but give me a list of ten from which I can choose.”
“No, we’ll do the choosing,” said Tao. “This is a practical consideration, not one intended to inhibit your ability to conduct business. We know the abilities of the officials in the cities, and we need to ensure that your activities are properly supported. Neither party wants to risk failure.”
“In other words, you want to choose which officials are rewarded by our presence.”
Tao smiled. “Uncle, you won’t succeed unless you have strong local support. Let us guarantee it.”
“Then you choose the cities — four of them,” said Uncle.
“Four it is.”
“How soon can I have the names?”
“It will take a little time. People need to be consulted. We can’t rush into anything.”
“I would appreciate a time frame,” Uncle said.
“Within a month,” said Tao.
“We think that’s fair,” Leji added.
Uncle glanced at his friend, and he knew the interjection was meant to signal that Liu Huning had agreed to it. “I can live with that,” he said. “Now, what about adding cities further down the road? I suggested five more in five years.”
“We aren’t opposed to the idea. We will agree to consider it when the time comes, but we can’t commit. We hope you’re prepared to accept that in good faith.”
“Uncle, if you are successful in the four cities you’re being given now, Beijing would be foolish not to permit you to expand your presence,” Leji said. “But I think you would agree it’s prudent on our part to let the results dictate what comes next.”
“That is a reasonable position. As long as you can guarantee reconsideration in five years, I can live with that as well.”
“There will be no problem with a guarantee,” Tao said.
“Can I also assume that our current businesses in Shanghai and the SEZs will be allowed to continue operating without interference?”
“Those businesses and your activities in Hong Kong are one and the same in Beijing’s eyes. You are free to operate as you have been doing,” Tao said.
“Excellent.”
“Now, if I may, I’d like to change the subject. You asked me to give you a list of ten people we want repatriated. I’ll have it for you by Friday,” Tao said.
“And do we have a timetable?” Uncle asked.
“Why don’t we say a month as well. All I expect is for you to do the best you can, but I will be disappointed if you don’t get them all. We know they’re all in Hong Kong. The list will contain addresses and any other personal information we have,” said Tao.
“We’ll get on it right away. Where should we deliver them?”
“We don’t care, as long as they return to China, but Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai are close and might be easiest. Contact information for our office in Beijing will be included with the list. You should give us advance notice so our people can make arrangements to receive whoever you pick up.”
“That is agreeable,” said Uncle.
“Then all that’s left is to discuss your meeting on Friday,” said Tao. “After talking it over with Beijing, the decision has been made to send Liu Leji.”
“I’m pleased to hear that,” Uncle said, hiding his surprise. “What will he say?”
“That has yet to be finalized. By Friday you will know,” said Tao. “For now, be satisfied that he will be there to support you.”
“An additional point of clarification,” Leji said. “I won’t be there representing the General Administration of Customs or the Ministry of Public Security. I will be there as chief of staff to the third-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee. My uncle has wanted me to assume that position for several years, and we’ve agreed that the timing is finally right.”
“Are congratulations in order?” Uncle asked.
“Not until I’ve proven I can handle the position. Friday will be a test,” Leji said.
“The meeting is scheduled for noon at the White Jade Restaurant in Fanling. When can we expect to see you?”
“I’ll stay in Shenzhen until Friday morning. Can you meet me at the train station in Fanling?”
“Let me know your schedule. I’ll be there with my car and driver.”
“We’ll talk before then,” Leji said. “In the meantime, I think you and Fong should head back to Hong Kong. The Minister and I still have things to discuss with Beijing.”
“That’s fine, but I have one last question. Assuming we can pull everything together, who will be my contact moving forward?”
“Our requests will come directly from me to you,” Tao said.
“My group hasn’t agreed that I’ll be their representative,” Uncle said.
“They’ll need to. Beijing won’t work with anyone they don’t know and trust.”
“Making that point will be part of my mandate on Friday,” Leji said.
Uncle nodded and stood up. “Minister, it was a pleasure meeting you,” he said. “It appears that our paths may cross again, and when they do, I hope it’s after our plans have been successfully launched and we’re both happy men.”
“I am committed to making it work from our side, and I can’t stress enough how important it is, for your sake and ours, that you make it work in Hong Kong.”
“I’ll do everything I can. And with Leji’s help, I don’t see why it won’t be possible.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Leji said.
Uncle followed him into the main dining room. As they crossed the floor, Leji said, “There’s still a lot to be decided about what I can say on Friday. There’s an understandable reluctance to openly endorse triads, but I’m working on it, and my uncle is quietly supporting me. I’ve been making the point that if they want a deal they need to give you the tools you’re asking for, because you’re the only person who can make it happen.”
“Does this new position increase your influence?”
“In terms of prestige it’s a lateral move from the customs department, but it puts me right in the middle of the political mix. How much influence I have will depend on how well I can manoeuvre. My uncle thinks I’ve inherited some of his political genes. I hope he’s right.”
They reached Ms. Ko’s private room and stopped outside the door. “Will this affect our businesses in Shenzhen?”
“If anything it will make things easier, but what would make them easier still is getting a deal on Friday.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Fong started asking questions as soon as he and Uncle left the restaurant, but Uncle quieted him. “Let’s wait until we’re on the train.”
They rode in silence to the station and rushed to catch a train that was already at the platform. When they were seated, Fong looked expectantly at Uncle. “Now can you tell me what happened?”
Uncle nodded. “The Chinese have made an offer that seems acceptable on the surface, but I won’t be completely sure until I hear what Leji tells the Mountain Masters on Friday.”
“Why is Leji going to speak to the Mountain Masters?” Fong asked, his confusion evident.
“I asked that a representative from the Chinese government come to the meeting to confirm that they had met with me and made us an offer. I thought it would add credibility to the proposal. I was hoping it would be Tao. They gave us Leji, which isn’t a bad thing, because we don’t have to worry about him doing anything that would undermine me. In fact, I’m sure he’ll be as supportive as his government permits him to be.”
“I agree. We can count on Leji.”
“I know, but he will be operating under orders. We have to expect him to say only what has been authorized.”
“And if you like what he has to say, where does that leave us?”
“It doesn’t matter if I like it. It only matters that the other Mountain Masters believe him and are willi
ng to listen to me with open minds,” Uncle said. “To make this work, we need the support of a clear majority, and that support has to be broad-based. I want at least two Mountain Masters from Kowloon on board, and two or ideally three from Hong Kong Island.”
“You said Zhao is interested in the coalition, and I’m sure Tse will support you. That gives you a foothold in both places.”
“And I have some leverage that might bring a few others over to us.”
“Did Tao agree that we can expand our presence in China?” Fong asked.
“The agreement came from a higher source than Tao.”
“That’s even better. How many cities did they give us?”
“Four, but we don’t know which ones yet. They’ll tell us within a month, after they figure out who they want to reward on their end.”
Fong smiled and jabbed Uncle lightly in the arm. “So you’ve come around to the idea that you’ll decide which gang gets which city?”
“It does appear that the Chinese government thinks I should be the one making those decisions, and there’s no point fighting them on it,” Uncle said. “But Fong, it can’t be a blatant process. That would only alienate the other Mountain Masters. We’ll have to manage things subtly.”
“I understand.”
“Truthfully, the fact that the Chinese government has committed to let us operate in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the SEZs without interference is almost enough in itself to justify doing a deal with them. I don’t think the Mountain Masters would believe that if it was simply coming from me, but Leji’s presence should convince most of them. Being allowed to expand further into China is a huge bonus.”
“What are they expecting in return? What you told me earlier, or do they want more?”
“The same, but that doesn’t mean they won’t want us to do other things for them down the road. In fact, the more I think about it, it’s possible that Tao wants us to be a paramilitary extension of his ministry. If that’s how he views us, then god knows what we’ll be asked to do,” Uncle said. “But for now they’re going to give us a list of ten criminals they want rounded up and shipped back to China.”
