That day, Jiang Hao had just returned to the manor when a servant came over to report, "Sir, there's a call from Hong Kong. A Mr. Chen says he has an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Chen Youde? What could he want?
When the call was returned, it was quickly answered. Upon hearing Jiang Hao's voice, Chen Mingde immediately said anxiously, "Boss, this is bad. Our factory has been sealed off by the Health Department. They say we're producing prohibited drugs without approval and operating illegally. They forcibly shut us down."
Jiang Hao frowned slightly. Then he remembered that this was Hong Kong in the 1960s and understood. It was an era when triads were everywhere, the Four Detectives ran rampant, and Lui Lok, the Chief Inspector, dominated both the underworld and the legitimate world, covering the sky with one hand.
The other departments were no better. Even putting out fires required tribute payments. It was hardly unusual for the Health Department to investigate pharmaceutical factories.
"Have all the payments been made on time?" Jiang Hao asked.
"They have."
"What's their attitude?"
"I'm not sure. I tried offering them money too, but they refused it. Their attitude was extremely firm. If they were after money, they wouldn't be acting like this," Chen Mingde said.
It seemed things were not so simple after all.
"Mingde, find out exactly what's going on. Don't worry about spending money. Get the full story, then tell me," Jiang Hao said.
After hanging up, Chen Mingde thought for a moment and made a call. After exchanging a few words with the person on the other end, he arranged to meet at a teahouse. Once he hung up, he opened the safe in his office and took out a stack of banknotes, placing them in his