Expansion

That day, news came from the mainland that there were matters his subordinates could not handle and that required the big boss himself to step in. Thus, he boarded a flight to the capital.

What Wang Yan did not know was that after receiving Wang Yan's money, the translator he had hired in Russia had treated the matter as an amusing bit of gossip and told his friend about it. After all, in those days, anyone who could make a living working as a translator was no amateur. And that friend happened to be a member of the People's Police.

There was no need to say anything about a policeman's sense of duty. He reported it straight up the chain. Although it was not part of his job, he treated it as a major matter—and it truly was one.

After being reported level by level, the matter finally landed before the senior leaders. For people of that standing, investigating someone was far too easy. In less than an hour, Wang Yan's detailed information was placed on the leaders' desks.

In fact, they had been keeping an eye on Wang Yan. He had entered the senior leadership's sights as early as when he turned a prison into a casino. If Wang Yan had not done something, they believed he would eventually be brought down. In truth, it was Wang Yan's way of operating in his territory, along with the series of companies he had established, that changed the senior leaders' attitude toward him.

After all, Hong Kong would be returning in only a few years, and stability outweighed everything. And Wang Yan could provide stability.

After Wang Yan got off the plane, before he had even left the airport, five or six people surrounded him, while more than twenty others were spread out around the area. They had Wang Yan's detailed information and naturally knew about his combat ability. There were also dozens of people outside, just in case Wang Yan tried to run.

Wang Yan neither panicked nor lost his composure. He had anticipated a situation like this long ago. Although he did not know that the translator had sold him out, he knew this was the capital, and a dangerous figure like him would naturally be on record. What made Wang Yan feel especially honored was that dozens of people had been dispatched to arrest him. It could be considered recognition of his strength. In truth, Wang Yan was not quite that formidable. If seven or eight of these men surrounded and ganged up on him, he would still end up on the ground. After all, they were all elite soldiers.

Wang Yan was taken to a car, a hood was pulled over his head, and the vehicle made a series of turns.

After the hood was removed, he looked around and found himself locked in a small room, with someone standing guard outside.

After Wang Yan waited patiently for a while, footsteps sounded, and a middle-aged man in his forties walked in.

The man shook Wang Yan's hand and was just about to speak when Wang Yan interrupted him. "No need to introduce yourself. I have a general idea of what's going on."

Then he asked, "How should I address you?"

The man paused before answering, "My surname is Zhang."

"Then I'll call you Old Zhang. I wonder, did you bring me here because of Hong Kong or the Soviet Union?" Wang Yan asked.

Somewhat surprised by Wang Yan's familiarity, sense of timing, and command of Mandarin, Old Zhang replied, "Both."

Wang Yan thought for a moment before saying firmly, "I can maintain stability in Hong Kong." His tone was full of confidence and left no room for doubt. Wang Yan did not want to say too much about it, because it would be useless. A country would not trust someone because of a few words.

"The guns I bought from the Soviet Union were cheap and good, Old Zhang. I want to expand outward, and Hong Kong is too small." Wang Yan spoke frankly. As for whether Old Zhang believed him, he had no idea.

Old Zhang pondered for a long while before asking Wang Yan, "Is there anything you need our help with?" His main purpose in coming this time was to see Wang Yan's attitude, which was very important. Old Zhang did not care whether what Wang Yan said was true. Words were useless; he had to see what Wang Yan did. It was precisely because Wang Yan understood the general situation, knew how to adapt, and did not harm others that Old Zhang was being so agreeable.

"Of course there is. You know what I've been doing lately. I've been running around Hong Kong for more than twenty years without killing anyone. After killing someone this time, I'm sure you can feel that my state is very unstable. You should understand this sort of thing. Is there any way to solve it?"

Old Zhang pondered for a moment before saying, "This is a psychological problem. It can also be called a philosophical problem, or a problem of one's state of attainment."

"You understand what I mean?"

After hearing Old Zhang's words, Wang Yan understood. He had not known before and had never thought in that direction, but after someone pointed it out to him, many things suddenly became clear.

Our culture had been passed down for so many years that it had already seeped into our bones. Confucianism emphasized the Doctrine of the Mean, while Taoism emphasized non-action. Although Wang Yan had never studied such things, he had still received nine years of compulsory education and knew a little about them.

The moment he thought of the Doctrine of the Mean and non-action, Wang Yan understood everything.

Once fighting reached a certain level, what one cultivated was a state of attainment. This was the "three threes" theory Guo Yunshen had spoken of, as well as one aspect of Bruce Lee's philosophy of intercepting. That was why fighting masters were all so damn mystical. Their state of attainment was simply too high. Even if they had not studied a shred of culture, the things they said could make you ponder for half a day.

Of course, there was the saying that the poor studied literature while the rich practiced martial arts. How could martial artists lack culture? Hadn't all of Wang Yan's skills been built up by throwing money at them?

In the end, Wang Yan had instantly maxed out four points of physique, but he lacked the matching cultivation and state of attainment. It could also be said that he lacked the spiritual will forged by constantly breaking through the limits of the body.

A line from The Grandmaster could also explain Wang Yan's current condition.

"The true meaning of the saber lies not in killing, but in concealment."

"An old ape hangs its seal and looks back; the key is not hanging the seal, but looking back."

Setting aside the context of the time, this was exactly Wang Yan's situation: he could release, but he could not restrain.

The solution had been found. Once he returned, he only needed to read more books. In the past, Wang Yan had mostly read professional texts and had never delved into Chinese classics or anything of the sort.

Otherwise, Wang Yan was genuinely worried about what he would do after returning to the real world. He would feel too embarrassed to go outside. After all, making children cry was not a pleasant feeling.

Afterward, Wang Yan and Old Zhang exchanged contact information. Old Zhang told him to contact him if anything happened in Hong Kong, and then Wang Yan was sent away.

Wang Yan dealt with the matters on the mainland and made some plans. After that, there was nothing particularly important.

During this period, it took some time to ship the Russian guns and artillery to Hong Kong. After all, these were contraband goods, and getting them inside was difficult. Of course, any problem that could be solved with money was no problem. After spending a considerable amount, the goods were successfully delivered to his territory.

Time passed until May 1992.

Wang Yan's forces developed at lightning speed, changing every day. He now had more than a thousand men under him, all carefully selected fighters, each one willing and able to fight. The logistics company and Shoe Factory were also thriving. The families of Wang Yan's men alone numbered five or six thousand. It could be said that when one person joined Longteng, the whole family gained honor.

To Wang Yan's delight, the MPEG technology he had acquired had also been fully developed. The VCD was nearly complete, and it would be finalized and ready for mass production in another two months. A golden road gleaming with promise was slowly spreading out before Wang Yan.

Wang Yan immediately had his lawyers register all kinds of companies, including Dragon Ascending Technology, Dragon Ascending Film, Dragon Ascending VCD, and a series of related trademarks, registering them worldwide at a frantic pace.

He sent several men to the mainland, where they began investing in factories in Shenzhen, setting up production lines, recruiting workers, and so on. The reason for opening them in the mainland was simple: low costs, favorable policies, regional economic development, foreign-exchange earnings, and many other benefits. Most importantly, he had to stand on the right side and show the right attitude. After all, Old Zhang and the others knew exactly where his money came from. A junior had to know how to handle things.

Wang Yan's strength was now more than sufficient, and he no longer wanted to bother with pointless matters.

He found an empty lot nearby and gathered his thousand-plus men. Looking at them in suits, vigorous and powerful, Wang Yan delivered an impassioned speech.

Although most of his men's families already worked for Longteng, Wang Yan still had to indoctrinate them a little. An organization without goals or faith could not last.

Wang Yan said a great deal, but it could all be summed up in one sentence: "Just follow me and work."

After an impassioned speech, Wang Yan stood imposingly on the stage and said, "Brothers, Tuen Mun belongs to Longteng, and it can belong only to Longteng."

The men below exploded with a roar. They had long wanted to make a move. Other gangs might have tens of thousands of members, but whether they could gather even several thousand capable fighters was still unknown.

Wang Yan's men were all elite Guhuozi, and they understood these things perfectly. They had long been itching for action. If they did not fight, how could they show themselves? Without a chance to perform, how could they rise?

Wang Yan did not waste time with useless talk. He issued the order directly: sweep through Tuen Mun overnight.

The news that Tuen Mun had changed hands overnight spread, shaking the Hong Kong underworld three times over.

There was nothing to be done. In the past, those who entered the underworld joined traditional organizations. Few dared to establish their own, and even fewer could rise. Thus, the same few gangs had been playing among themselves in Hong Kong over and over.

Although the generous treatment Wang Yan had previously given his men had forced them to surrender a portion of their profits, they had never taken him seriously. He was merely a fighter who could fight. Even if he was good, what use was it? Wouldn't a burst from a submachine gun finish him all the same? They had simply assumed Wang Yan was a fool with too much money and paid him no attention.

This time was different. They had all received the news. Wang Yan had mobilized more than a thousand fighters in one go, and this immediately made the various bosses see him in a new light.

Guhuozi only fought when they had the advantage. It was nothing more than a matter of numbers—how many were truly willing to risk their lives? Wang Yan's men were fighters who were desperate to rise. They were fearless and ruthless. Every time they rose a level, their treatment improved rapidly, and their families benefited as well.

Their families worked at the logistics company, Shoe Factory, and other companies, where they were surrounded by the families of other men. When everyone chatted, those of lower rank found that even their families lacked confidence when speaking. Wherever people gathered, comparison was inevitable, and so was the existence of social circles.

This time, the bosses who had enjoyed peaceful days for too long finally felt the crisis. This was the underworld, yet they no longer dared to fight hard or risk their lives to rise. They had begun indulging in pleasure and enjoying life. After living in comfort for too long, they were nearly dead already.

The various bosses all gathered information, wanting to know Wang Yan's exact attitude so they could decide how to respond to him.

Ni Yongxiao called Wang Yan to congratulate him the moment he received the news. He knew exactly how vicious Wang Yan was. When Wang Yan had still been repaying his money, he had already sent people to secretly follow and investigate him, so he knew how ruthlessly Wang Yan operated outside. That was why he was exceptionally polite on the phone. He knew things were no longer as they had been. Back then, he could still pressure Wang Yan a little. Now, to put it bluntly, if Wang Yan wanted him dead, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Wang Yan received a round of flattery over the phone, which need not be mentioned. He was busy conducting his post-battle statistics.

The injured would receive company funds and be placed in hospitals. He also tallied the men who had distinguished themselves in battle, promoting those who deserved promotion and rewarding those who deserved rewards.

Wang Yan had already established a law firm, staffed with elite lawyers who could get things done. Uninjured men escorted the lawyers from street to street to sign contracts. The income and other figures would not be calculated until some time later.

The main task was to establish rewards and punishments. As a boss, he had to give his men opportunities to rise. Who would follow him if they could see their entire future at a glance?

They also had to prepare for the counterattack and retaliation that were about to come.

Tuen Mun was not ownerless land. It had previously belonged to Tung Sing, and now Wang Yan had taken it without a sound. He was bound to face Tung Sing's retaliation.

With this move, Wang Yan naturally had to consider the police force's reaction.

After receiving word that Wang Yan had taken more than a thousand men into the streets, the police force was thrown into chaos and had been busy all night.

Before the police could come looking for trouble, Wang Yan directly led a group of men in more than ten cars and made a grand procession to Tuen Mun Police Station.

When the police saw Wang Yan's group arrive, their anger surged. He had caused such a huge incident and now dared to come to the police station to flaunt himself. This was damn near impossible to tolerate.

Led by a Senior Inspector, dozens of police officers swarmed forward, nervously raising their guns and confronting Wang Yan's men.

Wang Yan stepped forward and separated the crowd.

"Gentlemen, put your guns down. There's no need to be so tense."

"We're all part of the same community, aren't we? The officers risk their lives to protect the safety of us residents. I've come to pay my respects to all of you."

As he spoke, he turned his head and said to the men behind him, "Why haven't you brought everything up yet?"

Seeing this, the Senior Inspector waved his hand. After the police lowered their guns, they all looked curiously at what Wang Yan had brought.

Soon, two trucks rumbled over. Wang Yan's men opened the doors, and Wang Yan said to the inspector, "Officer, there's some milk tea, cold drinks, and packed food from various restaurants in here. You officers have been busy all night and surely haven't had time to eat. Consider this my, Wang Yan's, thanks to all of you."

After speaking, he instructed his men, "Come on, brothers. Go give some to the officers here, as well as everyone working inside."

The men immediately sprang into action. Working in pairs, one carried stacks of food while the other carried a bag filled with various cold drinks. They headed straight into the police station.

The men did not care about anything else. The boss had said that every police officer had to receive something—every single one. Therefore, they did not care about anyone's rank or identity. Whether they were inspectors or Superintendents, whether they worked in the main hall or in an office, whatever their job, if they saw someone empty-handed, they stuffed a serving of food and cold drinks into that person's hands.

The police in the station were completely dumbfounded. A group of suited, burly men was charging through the police station.

The police had no idea what was happening and did not move rashly. They simply watched as the group distributed food floor by floor.

Wang Yan, meanwhile, carried a serving of food and was led by the inspector directly to the Police Chief's office.