Chapter Summaries

Chu Xiaozhong and Chan Ah-sap accused Song Tianyao of using the Chu Family’s name and secretly steering Likang Trading Company’s business toward Fuyixing. Chu Yaozong called Song in to hear Chan’s account, then asked Chu Xiaoxin whether he knew about the alleged fourteen-gold-bar deal.

• Chu Yaozong warned Chu Xiaoxin that Song Tianyao was clever and potentially dangerous.
• Chu Xiaozhong arrived with Chan Ah-sap and accused Song Tianyao of abusing the Chu Family’s influence.
• Chu Xiaozhong challenged Chu Xiaoxin over money he had taken for Likang Trading Company and suggested replacing him as its manager.
• Chu Yaozong had Song Tianyao summoned so he could hear Chan Ah-sap’s account of the previous night at Taibai Seafood Restaurant.
• Chan Ah-sap claimed Song Tianyao had contacted Fuyixing and offered Likang Trading Company’s business to the highest bidder after refusing to give Chan fourteen gold bars.
• Chu Yaozong questioned Chu Xiaoxin about whether he knew of Song Tianyao’s alleged deal.

Chu Xiaoxin admitted he knew about Song Tianyao’s dealings, then defended Song’s right to explain himself before their father. Song began presenting his case, but Chu Xiaozhong accused him of greed and secretly taking extra benefits.

• Chu Xiaozhong pressured Chu Xiaoxin to deny knowing about the fourteen gold bars or risk their father’s anger.
• Chu Xiaoxin admitted he had known, and Chan Ah-sap knelt before Chu Yaozong to ask him to decide the matter.
• Chu Xiaoxin stopped Chu Xiaozhong from silencing Song Tianyao and insisted that Song be allowed to speak.
• Song Tianyao asked Chu Yaozong for a chance to explain, then argued that he had taken the gold to repay Fuyixing for helping Chu Xiaoxin.
• Chu Xiaozhong accused Song Tianyao of using the Chu Family’s name, acting out of greed, and possibly taking additional benefits in secret.

Song Tianyao defended his settlement with Fuyixing and explained that he planned to use the fourteen gold bars to fund a boat for Likang Trading Company’s smuggling business. His proposal exposed Chu Xiaozhong’s efforts to keep Likang unprofitable and under his control.

• Song Tianyao revealed that Fuyixing had nearly kidnapped his younger sister, and Chu Xiaoxin was shocked that he had not been told.
• Song Tianyao explained that Golden-Tooth Lei had apologized and offered the gold bars, while he settled the dispute because Chu Xiaoxin needed Fuyixing’s support.
• Chu Xiaoxin insisted that Fuyixing’s attack on Song Tianyao’s family deserved a response, but Song Tianyao gave him a subtle signal to hold back.
• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaozhong that Chu Xiaoxin planned to use the gold bars to buy a boat and start smuggling embargoed goods to Shenzhen for Likang Trading Company.
• Chu Xiaozhong realized that Song Tianyao’s plan would make Likang profitable and undermine his scheme to keep the company under his own control.

Song Tianyao exposed Chan Ah-sap’s failure to support Chu Xiaoxin and forced a decision over who would manage Likang Trading Company’s dock business. Chu Yaozong reassigned the business to Chu Xiaoxin’s people, leaving Chu Xiaozhong defeated but sparing his face, while Chan Ah-sap was dismissed with a warning.

• Song Tianyao challenged Chan Ah-sap to explain whether he had been short of men or had another motive for failing Chu Xiaoxin at Lichi.
• Chu Yaozong ended the stalemate by ordering Chu Xiaoxin to arrange his own people for Likang’s dock business, costing Chao Yong Yi territory and Chu Xiaozhong control of the docks.
• Chu Xiaoxin asked to take Song Tianyao to the shipyard to order a cargo ship, and Chu Yaozong agreed to speak to Uncle Dong for them.
• Chu Xiaoxin and Song Tianyao left the Chu Family mansion with the banknotes, while Chu Xiaozhong remained behind looking defeated.
• Chu Yaozong told Chan Ah-sap he had done nothing wrong, dismissed him, and warned him to focus on his work instead of scheming against Chu Xiaoxin.

Chu Yaozong explained to Chu Xiaozhong how Song Tianyao had outmaneuvered him and why he had allowed him to lose the Likang Trading Company. Chu Xiaozhong regained his composure and recognized the strategy behind Song Tianyao’s actions.

• Chu Yaozong comforted Chu Xiaozhong and said he did not blame him for scheming against Ah Sin.
• Chu Yaozong explained that he had wanted Chu Xiaozhong to suffer setbacks and learn from losing the Likang Trading Company.
• Chu Xiaozhong asked whether Chu Yaozong had known what would happen, and Chu Yaozong said he understood the affair after Ah Sin brought home fourteen gold bars.
• Chu Yaozong described how Song Tianyao had used Ah Sin and the gold to secure Chu Yaozong’s support while taking back the Likang Trading Company’s dock business for Ah Sin.
• Chu Xiaozhong admired Song Tianyao’s strategy, and Chu Yaozong acknowledged his sharpness.

Chu Yaozong explained to Chu Xiaozhong why he trusted Song Tianyao’s business judgment and warned him not to provoke Song or Chu Xiaoxin. After leaving the Chu Family mansion, Chu Xiaoxin asked Song Tianyao whether his father had been protecting Chu Xiaozhong, then learned that bringing the gold home had prevented serious trouble for them both.

• Chu Yaozong showed Chu Xiaozhong documents about Malado Trading Company and explained how Song Tianyao had correctly identified its fraudulent business practices.
• Chu Yaozong argued that Song Tianyao would benefit more from building ties with Chu Xiaoxin than from swindling him, and predicted Likang Trading Company would grow.
• Chu Xiaozhong said he would transfer his uncle back to Li Heng, and Chu Yaozong warned him to keep the uncle from competing with Chu Xiaoxin and Song Tianyao.
• After the Ford 49 left the Chu Family mansion, Chu Xiaoxin asked Song Tianyao whether Chu Yaozong’s final remark had been meant to spare Chu Xiaozhong’s feelings, and Song confirmed it.
• Chu Xiaoxin wondered whether leaving the gold at home would have helped him, but Song Tianyao explained that they would have faced the worst consequences if he had not returned it.

After exposing Chan Ah-sap and Chu Xiaozhong, Song Tianyao kept Chu Xiaoxin amused while they waited for Chairman Chu to arrange a shipyard introduction. Chu Xiaoxin proposed spending some of his cash on a movie fan gathering and lunch with actresses.

• Chu Xiaoxin complained that Chan Ah-sap and Chu Xiaozhong had kept Likang Trading Company's smuggling profits from him, then said seeing them humiliated had made him feel better.
• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaoxin to wait for Chairman Chu to speak with the shipyard owners and to delay visiting the trading company until later.
• Song Tianyao joked about quitting to become a nightclub dancer unless Chu Xiaoxin advanced his salary, and Chu Xiaoxin laughed and reached for his wallet.
• Chu Xiaoxin suggested taking twenty thousand dollars to arrange a movie fan gathering and invite actresses to lunch.

Song Tianyao explained why he chose Fuyixing to protect Likang’s dock business, recounting the Chiu Chow gangs’ bloody origins. He then told Chu Xiaoxin that smuggling required corrupting officials and sending cargo in a convoy of registered ships.

• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaoxin that Fuyixing’s lack of powerful backing made it more willing to risk its lives protecting Likang’s dock business.
• Song Tianyao recounted how Chan Ah-sap and other Chiu Chow youths fought pirates to deliver merchants’ silver to Hong Kong, establishing the gangs’ ties to the dock trade.
• Song Tianyao said Fuyixing hoped to stake its lives for wealth and status, as the Chiu Chow youths had done before them.
• Chu Xiaoxin asked how smuggling embargoed goods worked, and Song Tianyao explained that they had to secure the Commerce and Industry Department’s cooperation.
• Song Tianyao said smugglers should register ships under a shipping company and send several vessels together to avoid becoming easy targets for the Big Twos.

Song Tianyao chose to smuggle embargoed goods under a British company’s flag so he could make money without risking conflict with the British Hong Kong Government or the Chu family. He learned that he would have to escort the ship himself, where pirates posed a deadly threat.

• The chapter contrasted Lei Yingdong’s independent smuggling fleet with merchants who operated under British companies, which took a share of the profits in exchange for protection.
• Song Tianyao favored the British-company method because he needed to make money safely and did not want to endanger Chu Xiaoxin or himself.
• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaoxin that someone from Likang Trading Company had to sail with the ship, handle the delivery and cash, and bring the money back.
• Song Tianyao explained that pirates raided returning cargo ships near Macau and Shenzhen, taking cash and killing anyone who resisted.
• The chapter established that each ship’s trusted escort had to lead the crew through both the blockade and the pirate threat.

Song Tianyao volunteered to escort Chu Family shipments by sea to earn money and trust, then coached Chu Xiaoxin on how to handle Golden-Tooth Lei’s expected gift. Golden-Tooth Lei arrived at Lu Yu Teahouse carrying gifts, while Song and Chu waited to meet him.

• Song Tianyao decided to escort shipments by sea, explaining that preparations would take at least half a month.
• Song Tianyao and Chu Xiaoxin went to Lu Yu Teahouse and summoned Golden-Tooth Lei.
• Song Tianyao told Chu Xiaoxin he was no longer angry at Golden-Tooth Lei because the men who attacked his sister had been punished.
• Song Tianyao suggested Golden-Tooth Lei would bring Chu Xiaoxin a gift and that Chu could pass it on to him afterward.
• Song Tianyao and Chu Xiaoxin joked about women while waiting, then composed themselves when Golden-Tooth Lei arrived carrying several packages.

Chu Xiaoxin confronted Golden-Tooth Lei over the harassment of Song Tianyao’s sister, then accepted his apology and let Fuyixing take over the dock business. Golden-Tooth Lei offered a key to a flat with six women as a gift, and Chu Xiaoxin passed it to Song Tianyao, who helped explain the gesture.

• Chu Xiaoxin accused Golden-Tooth Lei of nearly sending Song Tianyao’s sister to Kowloon Walled City and threatened to block his society from the dock business.
• Golden-Tooth Lei admitted fault and asked Chu Xiaoxin to mediate an apology to Song Tianyao.
• Chu Xiaoxin told Golden-Tooth Lei to hold a banquet and apologize, while Golden-Tooth Lei concluded that Chu Xiaoxin had received the gold Song Tianyao handed over.
• Golden-Tooth Lei presented Chu Xiaoxin with gifts and a key to a Tong Sai flat where six women were waiting.
• Chu Xiaoxin tossed the key to Song Tianyao, and Song Tianyao explained that Chu Xiaoxin was devoted to Chen Judy and framed the flat as an apology for himself.

Song Tianyao secured Fuyixing’s help with Likang Trading Company’s docks and began taking over the company, while considering how to make its business viable. He left the story assessing Likang’s dependence on wartime demand and the threat posed by Roche and Bayer opening their own branches in Hong Kong.

• After Chu Xiaoxin left, Song Tianyao asked Golden-Tooth Lei to quietly investigate a Chinese interviewer at Wong Chuk Hang Police Training School.
• Song Tianyao arranged for Golden-Tooth Lei to provide fifteen obedient, capable men for Likang’s ships and gave Fuyixing room to build its presence at the docks.
• Song Tianyao left Golden-Tooth Lei the tonics and key, then formally took over Likang Trading Company’s business over the following days.
• Song Tianyao reviewed Likang’s accounts and planned to build an independent enterprise rather than have Chu Xiaoxin fight Chu Xiaozhong for the Chu Family’s fortune.
• Song Tianyao concluded that Likang’s profits depended on wartime demand for medicine and that Roche and Bayer could drive the company out of business by opening Hong Kong branches.

Song Tianyao assessed Likang Trading Company’s outdated staff and told Chu Xiaoxin he wanted to replace them, but needed the Chu family’s approval. The chapter left Chu Xiaoxin weighing Song’s proposal as Song prepared to raise another company decision.

• Song Tianyao questioned market analyst Fang Zhihua and learned that Likang’s staff knew little about its competitors and lacked the skills to support the business.
• Song Tianyao concluded that the company’s longtime employees were loyal but ineffective, and that Likang’s old-fashioned operations were headed for failure.
• Song Tianyao visited Chu Xiaoxin at the Dulles Hotel and asked him to help decide the trading company’s future.
• Song Tianyao proposed dismissing the existing staff and hiring replacements, while Chu Xiaoxin objected that the employees had served the Chu family for years.
• Song Tianyao argued that the legitimate business needed capable workers rather than loyalty alone, noting that no one at Likang knew English.

Song Tianyao secured Chu Xiaoxin’s remaining thirty thousand dollars to rent and refit a boat, then returned to his family’s home after a week away. He found the neighbors avoiding him and his crowded home full of goods and unfamiliar visitors, while Zhao Meizhen demanded to know where he had been.

• Song Tianyao agreed to use Chu Xiaoxin’s thirty thousand dollars to rent and refit a boat and asked him not to take money from Likang for two months.
• Song Tianyao left Chu Xiaoxin and rode toward his home in the Squatter Area on Jialin Road.
• Song Tianyao noticed the neighbors avoiding him and met several men sent by Golden-Tooth Lei to help his family.
• Song Tianyao entered his crowded home, where his parents sat with a nervous, shabbily dressed couple and piles of food and other goods.
• Zhao Meizhen greeted Song Tianyao and asked where he had stayed during the week he was away.

Song Tianyao agreed to help his mother’s distant relatives get Chen Tai released from the Sai Kung Police Station after a fight with Wo Two Ping. He then told Zhao Meizhen to return the gifts from neighbors and relatives who had been asking for favors, leaving her to reconsider how she helped them.

• Zhao Meizhen introduced Third Uncle and Third Aunt, who asked Song Tianyao to help free their son, Chen Tai, from custody after a fight with Wo Two Ping.
• Song Tianyao agreed to help, asked where Chen Tai was held, and learned he was at the Sai Kung Police Station.
• A Fuyixing underling explained Wo Two Ping’s history, and Song Tianyao gave him money to bring food and gifts to the police on duty and keep Chen Tai from being mistreated.
• Song Tianyao learned Chen Tai was eighteen and sent the underling to handle the matter.
• Song Tianyao told Zhao Meizhen to return the gifts she had collected from neighbors and relatives, reminding her that none had helped when Wenwen was nearly sold to the Walled City.

Song Tianyao rejected his mother's attempts to connect the family with opportunistic neighbors and to arrange Song Wenwen's marriage. After leaving home, he was approached by Scribe Hui, who asked him to visit the Huayun Mahjong Den on behalf of Sister Yun.

• Zhao Meizhen scolded Song Tianyao for refusing to help neighbors and relatives who had recently sought favors from him.
• Song Wenwen showed Song Tianyao the dress Ah Lun had given her, and Zhao Meizhen explained that Ah Lun's father had proposed a match.
• Song Tianyao rejected the proposed marriage, told Song Wenwen to return the gifts, and ordered her to stop seeing Ah Lun.
• Song Tianyao announced that he would move his family and would no longer solve the neighbors' problems before leaving home.
• Scribe Hui caught up with Song Tianyao and explained that Sister Yun wanted him to visit the Huayun Mahjong Den.

Song Tianyao went with Lou Fengyun to Black-Hearted Wah’s gambling den after she admitted she would have ordered him killed if she had known who he was. He agreed to hear her story over dinner, and they entered a den where the staff ignored their injured boss.

• Scribe Hui told Song Tianyao that Lou Fengyun had been beaten with the encircling rods for breaking the Hung Mun Thirty-Six Oaths and could barely move.
• Lou Fengyun arrived on a stretcher and asked Song Tianyao to let her and Black-Hearted Wah’s family live, but he challenged her about what she would have done if she had recognized him before he stabbed her husband.
• Lou Fengyun said she would have had her men kill Song Tianyao before Rotten-Life Ju arrived, and Song Tianyao decided to go to her gambling den and hear her story.
• Lou Fengyun ordered dinner delivered and had the Wealth and Treasure Pai Gow room prepared while Song Tianyao walked alongside the men carrying her.
• Song Tianyao entered the gambling den, noticed its workers ignored Lou Fengyun, and tipped a worker to bring him State Express 555 cigarettes.

Song Tianyao offered Lou Fengyun a way to leave Fuyixing safely if she surrendered her gambling den and most of its earnings. After weighing her options, Lou Fengyun accepted his terms.

• Song Tianyao visited the injured Lou Fengyun in the Fortune and Treasure private room and heard her explain how Fuyixing's bosses were trying to seize the gambling den.
• Lou Fengyun asked Song Tianyao to help her escape the society's demands, but he offered her only one-fifth of the money and required her to hand the den over to Fuyixing.
• Lou Fengyun protested that she could not support a household with so little, and Song Tianyao asked whether she or Brother Hua had actually run the den.
• Song Tianyao gave Lou Fengyun until he finished dinner to decide whether she would accept his offer to leave Fuyixing safely.
• Lou Fengyun watched Song Tianyao eat and told him she was willing to accept.

Lou Fengyun told Song Tianyao why she wanted to protect Black-Hearted Wah’s family and negotiated for half of his assets, offering Song a share. Song hinted that he might open a socialite teahouse within two years, but questioned whether Lou had the qualifications to manage one.

• Song Tianyao told Lou Fengyun he had considered having her and Black-Hearted Wah sold to a Macau brothel and a Malaysian mine in revenge for trying to kidnap his sister.
• Lou Fengyun recounted how Black-Hearted Wah had helped her and her mother, and explained that she wanted to care for his family after his death.
• Lou Fengyun asked to take half of Black-Hearted Wah’s assets and offered Song Tianyao twenty percent of her share; Song agreed that she had made the offer herself.
• Song Tianyao said he might open a socialite teahouse within two years and explained the qualifications its managers needed.
• Lou Fengyun asked Song Tianyao whether he wanted her to work as a teahouse girl.

Song Tianyao secured Lou Fengyun’s expulsion from Fuyixing and negotiated her share of the gambling den’s money, but then demanded that she give him the other half and the two tenths she had promised. Lou Fengyun was left stunned by his claim.

• Song Tianyao asked Gao Lao Cheng whether he knew Lou Fengyun’s situation and whether he had consulted Golden-Tooth Lei.
• Gao Lao Cheng said Golden-Tooth Lei would let Lou Fengyun keep her savings and offered to expel her from Fuyixing.
• Song Tianyao decided Lou Fengyun could take all the gambling den’s money while Fuyixing kept the den.
• Gao Lao Cheng formally expelled Lou Fengyun from Fuyixing and gave her half a month to move out of the den.
• Song Tianyao told Lou Fengyun that the remaining half of the money and the two tenths she had promised belonged to him, leaving her speechless.