Yan Hung

Biodata

Police Career

History

Early career and the Chu family

Yan Hung had a dark past from the Japanese occupation. His patron Yiu Muk helped him enter the detective squad, but retired before arranging a further promotion for which Yan Hung had paid him HK$100,000. Unable to recover either the money or the promised post, Yan Hung sought Chiu Chow connections and joined Fuyixing as a 426 Red Pole 22 23.

When Chu Xiaoxin became embroiled in a dispute with Cheung Wing-kam’s godson, Song Tianyao asked Yan Hung for help. Seeing an opportunity to win the Chu family’s support, Yan Hung sent A Wai to protect Chu Xiaoxin and crossed the harbor with Song to seek Yiu Muk’s help. The decision angered his superiors and cost him his detective post, leaving him to guard reservoirs in Sha Tau Kok 21 22 23 36.

Before leaving, Yan Hung introduced Fuyixing chairman Golden-Tooth Lei to the prospect of dock business through Song and the Chu family. Yan Hung also asked Song to have his HK$40,000 debt to the society wiped clean 38 43.

Return to Kowloon

Cheung Wing-kam later recalled Yan Hung from Sha Tau Kok. Song sent him to find Meng Wanqing, whose disappearance led Yan Hung to raid Rat Xiang’s establishment. Yan Hung shot Rat Xiang, ordered officers to frame Chai Fa Chiu, and openly sided with Song against members of Fuyixing 266 270 271.

Yan Hung found Wanqing at the Fung Yu Restaurant, killed Wong Wan-chiu, and escorted her toward Song. At the pier he shot Fuyixing elder Tan Changshan; when officer A Yue shot Ngo Keng Ho, Yan Hung took the officer’s pistol and claimed responsibility. He ultimately brought Wanqing to Song at the Dulles Hotel 273 274 275.

The killings transformed Yan Hung’s reputation in both the police force and the underworld. After his promotion, Song placed him in charge of Likang’s dock affairs for Chu Xiaoxin. In Mong Kok, Yan Hung pressured resistant underworld figures and distributed the turf of those he drove out to men who submitted 277 282 315.

Later activities

At Sai Kung Pier, Yan Hung and Lui Lok drew guns on each other after Handkerchief Qing struck A Yue. Chen Tai intervened, and Yan Hung agreed to wait for Song Tianyao to settle the dispute 318 319.

During the conflict with the Lin family, Yan Hung advised Lam Kong not to accept the family’s approach and to tell Song about it. He later helped manage the recovery of Lin Xiaokang’s body and negotiated with Yin Guotao over the case’s expenses, rewards, and credit 511 580 585.

When rumors spread that Song had sided with Shanghai interests and the British, Yan Hung reported them to Chu Xiaoxin, who ordered him to find their source. Yan Hung subsequently conveyed Chu’s warning that the gangs must not attack Song, causing the assembled underworld leaders to hesitate 758 777.

Appearance

Yan Hung is a short, stocky, dark-skinned man with a round face. On his introduction, he wears a white striped undershirt with the top buttons undone 21 273.

• Age: He thinks of himself as thirty-three in 1951, although Song initially estimates him to be at least thirty-four or thirty-five 21.
• Height: Approximately half a head shorter than Song Tianyao 21.

Personality

Yan Hung is ambitious and acutely aware of the patrons and factional ties needed to advance. His decision to help Chu Xiaoxin combines a genuine willingness to take risks with the hope of winning Chu Yaozong’s support. He initially joins Fuyixing largely to build connections rather than out of a commitment to gang life 22 30.

He can be ingratiating toward powerful figures and ruthless toward obstacles. After his return from Sha Tau Kok, he embraces the idea that united police officers can dominate the underworld, including by planting evidence against gangs that refuse to submit 28 277 278.

Yan Hung also protects useful subordinates. He claimed responsibility for A Yue’s shooting of Ngo Keng Ho and later brought both A Yue and A Wai onto his investigation team. His determination to stand up for A Yue contributed to his armed confrontation with Lui Lok 274 278 318 319.

Abilities and Methods

Police and underworld influence

Yan Hung uses his positions in both the police force and Fuyixing to obtain assistance and exert pressure.

• Called on a fellow Fuyixing member for a boat across the harbor during rough weather 23.
• Directed raids and threatened to close Scribe Tan’s establishments unless Tan came to meet him personally 271 277.
• Envisioned uniting police across factional lines as the underworld’s most powerful “Official-prefix” gang 277.

Armed intimidation

• Shot Rat Xiang during the search for Wanqing and subsequently killed Tan Changshan at the pier 271 274.
• Drew on Lui Lok during the Handkerchief Qing dispute and was prepared to fire before Chen Tai intervened 318 319.
• Used threats of raids, planted evidence, and imprisonment to pressure underworld figures 277 278.

Relationships

• Chu Xiaoxin — Yan Hung risked his career to help him and later worked for him, handling Likang’s dock affairs and conveying his orders to the gangs 22 282 777.
• Song Tianyao — Song helped engineer Yan Hung’s return and rise, though Yan Hung remained wary of his schemes. Yan Hung later supported him against Fuyixing and the Lin family 31 271 277 511.
• Yiu Muk — Former patron who brought Yan Hung into the detective squad. Yan Hung paid him HK$100,000 for a promotion that never materialized, then used the outstanding favor to help Chu Xiaoxin 22 23.
• Golden-Tooth Lei — Fuyixing chairman and Yan Hung’s society Big Brother. Their relationship was initially transactional, though Yan Hung introduced him to the opportunity for dock business 30 43 46.
• A Wai — Trusted subordinate who helped protect Chu Xiaoxin and accompanied Yan Hung through later operations 22 38 278.
• A Yue — Officer Yan Hung protected after the shooting at the pier and later recruited into his team. He subsequently took the name Peng Yue 274 278 667.
• Meng Wanqing — Yan Hung rescued and escorted her to Song. He later cultivated ties with her parents, who occasionally put in a word for him with her 273 275 713.
• Lai Man-yau — Former superior who resented Yan Hung’s defiance over Chu Xiaoxin. Their dealings continued to alternate between cooperation and confrontation 28 370 619.
• Lam Kong — Fellow police officer whom Yan Hung advised to remain aligned with Song rather than cooperate with the Lin family 511.
• Lui Lok — Fellow Chiu Chow officer whose dispute with Yan Hung at the pier nearly ended in a shooting 22 318 319.
• Wife — Yan Hung considers depositing his business share in her account and regrets not accompanying her on a proposed holiday 361 667.