Chapter Summaries

Zhou Quan’s heavily armed team recovered the Ice Queen’s four-ton meth shipment and detected Rick’s approaching attackers. He spotted a Navy SEAL assault boat carrying an Mk19 grenade launcher and prepared to stop it before it could fire.

• Zhou Quan ordered the salvage crew to recover the meth while he monitored nearby radio signals.
• After the crates were raised, Zhou Quan ordered snipers to watch the surrounding waters as the operation neared completion.
• The monitoring equipment detected an unfamiliar signal, and Ling Jing reported unidentified vessels approaching rapidly.
• Zhou Quan activated his concealed boat and combat diver teams, then took position with a Barrett sniper rifle.
• Zhou Quan identified an Mk19 grenade launcher mounted on one of the approaching boats and resolved not to let it open fire.

Zhou Quan ambushed the American Navy SEALs trying to steal the meth, and his team killed the entire group. After identifying the dead men as SEALs, Zhou ordered his forces back to headquarters, leaving the drugs and any report of the incident to be dealt with later.

• Zhou Quan destroyed the assault boats’ MK19 grenade launcher with an armor-piercing shot, then killed Rick and the boats’ drivers.
• Zhou ordered the salvage ship to close in while his men used the hull for cover and prepared rifle grenades and sniper rifles.
• The SEALs tried to flee, then jumped into the sea and used their boats as cover, but Zhou’s team killed them as the salvage ship approached.
• The small-boat and combat-diver teams recovered the bodies and identified the dead men as American Navy SEALs.
• Zhou ordered Chow Sing Sing to contact headquarters and turn the ship back, while planning to pursue the drugs hidden by the Asian Ice Queen as the real basis for a promotion and pay raise.

Zhou Quan read a report praising his capture of the Asian Ice Queen and the destruction of a Navy SEALs group, but his promotion and the team’s commendations were postponed as the Police Force began dismantling the Political Department. His document had helped bring the dismantling forward by two years, and the department’s removal and transfer of its personnel and responsibilities continued into late 1993.

• A newspaper reported that Zhou Quan had led the operation that captured the Asian Ice Queen, seized US$250 million in crystal meth, and arrested her accomplices.
• Zhou Quan learned that commendations for him and the other officers were on hold because senior police leadership had begun dismantling the Political Department.
• Zhou Quan’s document had helped the Motherland force the dismantling forward, and the foreign Governor issued an official announcement as the department began to leave Hong Kong Island.
• Foreign Political Department officers, including Richard, began clearing out, while officials struggled to handle the department’s MI5 intelligence files and secret informants.
• The dismantling continued until late 1993, when the Political Department entered its closing stages.

After the Political Department was disbanded, Lok Ming-wah took charge of the newly established Security Department, and Zhou Quan became a leading candidate for promotion because of his record. On the last working day of 1993, Zhou received an urgent summons to Tai Kwun and met with three senior Police Force officers.

• The Police Force began a major reshuffle, placing Chinese officers in leadership roles and appointing Lok Ming-wah head of the Security Department.
• Zhou Quan entered the promotion process on the strength of his major investigations and successful operations.
• On December 31, 1993, Zhou received a telephone summons and hurried to Tai Kwun.
• Choi Yuen-kei, Tsang Heung-wing, and Lok Ming-wah welcomed Zhou into a conference room and prepared to begin their meeting.

Zhou Quan was offered promotion into the Police Force's Commissioned Rank and asked whether he wanted to remain in West Kowloon or transfer to Tai Kwun. He left the decision to his superiors as Tsang Heung-wing and Lok Ming-wah competed to recruit him.

• Choi Yuen-kei told Zhou Quan that Tai Kwun had decided to promote him into the Commissioned Rank and asked where he wanted to serve.
• Zhou Quan accepted the Police Force's assignment but avoided choosing between West Kowloon and a post at Tai Kwun.
• Choi Yuen-kei told Tsang Heung-wing and Lok Ming-wah to negotiate with Sir Wong if they wanted Zhou Quan transferred.
• Tsang Heung-wing sought Zhou Quan for the Narcotics Investigation Division, while Lok Ming-wah wanted him in the Security Department.

On New Year's Day, Zhou Quan visited Old Master Zhou with modest gifts and shared news of his promotion to the Police Force's commissioned ranks. The two bonded over family, hometown food, and Zhou Quan's future, while Zhou Quan learned more about the bodyguard protecting Old Master Zhou.

• Zhou Quan drove alone to the Xinhua News Agency Building to visit Old Master Zhou and brought milk, tea, and pork belly.
• Old Master Zhou welcomed Zhou Quan warmly, admired his thoughtful gifts, and invited him to stay for a hometown-style lunch.
• Zhou Quan told Old Master Zhou that his promotion to the commissioned ranks had been confirmed and would be announced after the holiday.
• Old Master Zhou congratulated Zhou Quan and urged him to serve the people while remembering his family roots.
• Old Master Zhou, Zhou Quan, and the guard prepared and ate two large basins of hometown dishes together.
• Zhou Quan learned that the guard was Xu Zhengyang, an elite operative sent by the motherland's central authorities to protect Old Master Zhou.

At Lee Shu-tong's home, Zhou Quan weighed offers to join the Anti-Narcotics Squad or the Security Department against his elders' advice to build experience in West Kowloon. The family agreed he should become deputy head of West Kowloon's Operations Department and lead its Anti-Triad Department, leaving his future move to Tai Kwun or higher office for later.

• Lee Shu-tong told Zhou Quan that Tsang Heung-wing wanted him in the Anti-Narcotics Squad and Lok Ming-wah valued him for the Security Department.
• Zhou Quan rejected the Anti-Narcotics Squad offer as an unrealistic promise and worried he would remain behind Lau Kit-fai if he joined the Security Department.
• Wong Bing Yiu proposed making Zhou Quan deputy head of West Kowloon's Operations Department and giving him command of the Anti-Triad Department after his appointment was gazetted.
• Lee Man-bun supported Wong Bing Yiu, arguing that Zhou Quan should gain experience across grassroots departments before seeking a senior post or a move to Tai Kwun.
• Lee Man-bun said Zhou Quan would have a place in the structure fostered by the Motherland once his rank was high enough.

On January 3, 1994, Zhou Quan was promoted to Superintendent and appointed deputy head of the West Kowloon Operations Department, becoming a leading figure at West Kowloon Headquarters. During the ceremony, Earth Online granted him the Breaking Bad achievement, giving him unmatched ability to manufacture drugs, which he resolved to treat as a tool for fighting drug crime.

• Commissioner Wong replaced Zhou Quan's epaulettes with crowns, promoting him to Superintendent.
• Sir Mok announced that Zhou Quan had been specially appointed deputy head of the West Kowloon Operations Department.
• Zhou Quan delivered a confident speech pledging to uphold public safety and Hong Kong Island's rule of law.
• Zhou Quan took his place among West Kowloon's senior leadership as its number-five figure.
• Earth Online awarded Zhou Quan the Breaking Bad achievement, granting him the world's highest level of skill in using chemistry to manufacture drugs.
• Zhou Quan considered the ability useful for combating drug crime and accepted the reward without disappointment.

Zhou Quan met with Commissioner Wong and Cheng Chung-yan to present a secret plan to infiltrate Hong Kong Island's Triads. He named the operation Crouching Tiger and sought their support for a crackdown on organized crime.

• After the meeting, Zhou Quan caught up with Cheng Chung-yan and asked to discuss a major move in Commissioner Wong's office.
• Mok Kam-chuen teased Zhou Quan about making a major move, while Zhou kept the plan's details private.
• Commissioner Wong invited Zhou Quan and Cheng Chung-yan into his office to hear what he had in mind.
• Zhou Quan described how foreign authorities had allowed Hong Kong Island's Triads to expand and said he wanted to stamp out organized crime.
• Zhou Quan proposed sending young officers undercover into major gangs to gather evidence and undermine their trust in one another.
• Zhou Quan named the secret operation Crouching Tiger and presented the plan to Commissioner Wong and Cheng Chung-yan.

Zhou Quan proposed Operation Crouching Tiger, a long-term effort to infiltrate Hong Kong Island’s Triads, and secured approval from Wong Bing Yiu and Cheng Chung-yan. He left with full command of the operation and commitments to obtain the legal protection and resources his undercover officers would need.

• Zhou Quan explained that Operation Crouching Tiger would use undercover officers and that he would provide them with substantial support, especially for their material needs.
• Zhou Quan proposed an initial deployment of twenty to fifty newcomers, with staffing adjusted each year as the long-term operation continued.
• Cheng Chung-yan supported the plan, and Wong Bing Yiu officially approved it, placing Zhou Quan in charge and warning him to protect his men.
• Zhou Quan requested immunity-from-prosecution orders for undercover officers involved in criminal activities, and Wong Bing Yiu agreed to provide the Police Force’s approvals.
• Wong Bing Yiu told Zhou Quan to speak with Director Lai at the Department of Justice to secure the required joint authorization.

Zhou Quan celebrated his new authority by promoting three trusted officers and hosting a gathering for the Anti-Triad Unit. He prepared his office for the incoming Deputy Commander, while Chow Sing Sing moved to take over the deputy commander position Zhou Quan had previously held.

• Zhou Quan visited the Anti-Triad Unit and invited its officers to dinner at Bone and Guts.
• Zhou Quan presented promotion boxes to Pang Yik-hang, Chan Chi-kit, and Ying Cheung-sam for their service.
• Zhou Quan told the three newly promoted officers to prepare his office for the arriving Deputy Commander.
• Chow Sing Sing transferred to the Regional Headquarters Anti-Triad Unit to take over Zhou Quan's former Deputy Commander position, while Ghost King Keung prepared to succeed him in Yau Tsim.

Zhou Quan selected and gathered seven promising young officers as the core of Phase One of Operation Crouching Tiger, a plan to infiltrate Hong Kong Island’s gangs. He prepared to brief them and promised strong support and protection for their families as he built his own hidden power base.

• Zhou Quan reviewed West Kowloon personnel and academy records, narrowing his Crouching Tiger candidates to forty-nine young officers and singling out seven.
• Chow Sing Sing told Zhou Quan that the junior officers he had requested were waiting in the small conference room.
• Zhou Quan locked away the officers’ paper files and explained his plans to keep their identities secret, support their families, and expose anyone who betrayed the operation.
• Zhou Quan entered the conference room and recognized the seven officers he had chosen: Cheng Tao, Ye Zhifan, Jing Jinxian, Tan Huanxi, Xue Jiaqiang, Cheung Tak Biu, and Leung Siu-tong.

Zhou Quan explained the purpose of Operation Crouching Tiger to seven young officers and assigned them to carry it out undercover. After reviewing the plan and its protections and rewards, they pledged to serve.

• Zhou Quan welcomed the Crouching Tiger Seven Heroes and explained that Operation Crouching Tiger aimed to frighten young people away from joining Hong Kong Island’s underworld.
• Zhou Quan told the officers that exposed undercover members should reveal their identities immediately and promised to handle any resulting threat.
• Zhou Quan gave the seven officers the operation plan, which Cheng Tao read first and then passed around.
• The Crouching Tiger Seven Heroes reviewed the plan’s pay, promotion prospects, pardon order, and protections for their families.
• The seven officers declared their readiness to serve under Zhou Quan and take on the undercover assignment.

Zhou Quan advanced Operation Crouching Tiger by sending out its first undercover members and spent his day off considering how to establish a lawful foundation to support them and their families. He left the chapter focused on the need to structure the foundation carefully to avoid suspicion from the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

• Zhou Quan used the Political Department's dissolution as cover to transfer the first batch of Crouching Tiger members out of the Police Force and into undercover work.
• On his day off, Zhou Quan watched Guan Zu, Pang Yik-hang, Chan Chi-kit, Ying Cheung-sam, and Zhuang Ziwei practice shooting at West Kowloon Headquarters.
• Zhou Quan considered how to support Crouching Tiger members and their families without raising concerns about unexplained private payments.
• Zhou Quan concluded that a lawful foundation was necessary because direct transfers could prompt the Independent Commission Against Corruption to suspect him of building a corrupt network.
• Zhou Quan recognized that operating the foundation through Hong Kong Island's tax system would distinguish lawful support from illegal payments.

Zhou Quan worried about finding a trustworthy financial expert to lead the foundation he planned to establish. Au Wing-yan recommended her fellow student Guan Youbo, whose record and background made him an ideal candidate.

• Zhou Quan considered using his family dividends to establish a foundation that could invest money and improve benefits for rank-and-file Police Officers.
• Au Wing-yan noticed Zhou Quan was troubled, and he explained that he could not find a suitable, trustworthy person to run the foundation.
• Au Wing-yan offered to recommend a capable fellow student from CUHK with a clean background.
• Au Wing-yan told Zhou Quan that Guan Youbo had excelled in the certificate examinations and was praised by economics professors.
• Zhou Quan recognized Guan Youbo as the future financial talent he had been seeking.

Zhou Quan decided to recruit Guan Youbo, a gifted but impoverished CUHK student, to manage long-term investments for his foundation. After learning more about Guan’s background, Zhou set out with Au Wing-yan to meet him at his weekend café job.

• Zhou Quan explained that Guan Youbo’s investment instincts and long-term outlook made him an ideal person to cultivate for his foundation.
• Au Wing-yan contacted her psychology teacher and learned that Guan worked weekends at a café at Sha Tin Racecourse, while Zhou asked Chow Sing Sing to investigate him.
• Chow Sing Sing brought Zhou Guan’s background: Guan had grown up poor, earned top marks in the 1992 certificate examination, and attended CUHK on a full scholarship.
• Zhou admired Guan for avoiding the triads and succeeding through hard work, then left with Au Wing-yan to meet him.
• Au Wing-yan gave Chow Sing Sing money for lunch, and he thanked her as Zhou told him to include the other officers on duty.

Zhou Quan and Au Wing-yan visited Guan Youbo at his work-study job at a café near Sha Tin Racecourse. After recognizing Zhou Quan as the famed Police Sergeant, Guan Youbo declined an unearned drink but agreed to hear his advice.

• Zhou Quan and Au Wing-yan went to the café near the Sha Tin Jockey Club to meet Guan Youbo.
• Au Wing-yan pointed Guan Youbo out, and Zhou Quan ordered three iced lemon teas and asked the waitress to call him over.
• Guan Youbo brought the drinks outside and was surprised to see Au Wing-yan smiling warmly beside Zhou Quan.
• Zhou Quan offered Guan Youbo an iced lemon tea and asked to chat, but Guan Youbo refused the drink because he had not earned it.
• Guan Youbo recognized Zhou Quan as the renowned Police Sergeant and said he was willing to listen to his advice.

Zhou Quan offered Guan Youbo the chance to lead a foundation supporting rank-and-file police officers, along with financial support and generous future compensation. After weighing his inexperience against the opportunity, Guan Youbo accepted and promised to repay Zhou Quan’s trust.

• Zhou Quan told Guan Youbo that Bella had recommended him to lead a foundation for rank-and-file police officers.
• Guan Youbo initially declined because he believed he lacked the experience to take responsibility for the foundation.
• Zhou Quan offered to cover Guan Youbo’s expenses while he studied, provide a monthly allowance, and give him a well-paid position with a share of the foundation’s investment returns.
• Guan Youbo accepted Zhou Quan’s offer, bowed to him, and pledged to repay his trust.
• Zhou Quan told Guan Youbo to visit West Kowloon Headquarters the next day to discuss a contract.

Zhou Quan established the Zhou Foundation to secure lawful support for the families of Operation Crouching Tiger’s members and continued overseeing the operation as its recruits gained notice in Hong Kong’s underworld. The chapter ended with Interpol asking for his help regarding Malaysian drug lord Kwan Chai-ba, and Zhou Quan questioning why they had come to Hong Kong.

• Guan Youbo built the Zhou Foundation’s basic framework, and Zhou Quan had the foundation formalize benefits for all forty-nine Crouching Tiger members and their families.
• Crouching Tiger recruits attracted the attention of Hong Kong’s criminal societies, whose leaders mistook their arrival for a sign of their own growing strength.
• Zhou Quan let West Kowloon’s units handle ordinary cases until two major matters brought representatives from Xinhua News Agency, the Security Department, Kowloon City’s Operations Department, and Interpol to meet him.
• George told Zhou Quan that Interpol wanted to discuss Malaysian drug lord Kwan Chai-ba, and Zhou Quan asked whether they had evidence to arrest him or whether he planned to enter Hong Kong Island.

Zhou Quan learned that Interpol and the mainland authorities planned to send Chan Ka-kui undercover to help Bao Qiang escape and draw Kwan Chai-ba into Hong Kong Island. He agreed to support the operation, which he believed could lead to the arrests of Ching Wing-si and Kwan Chai-ba.

• George told Zhou Quan that Kwan Chai-ba planned to enter Hong Kong Island and that his wife, Ching Wing-si, had arrived ahead of him.
• George explained that Interpol and mainland authorities would send undercover officers to help Bao Qiang escape, after which Bao Qiang would enter Hong Kong Island.
• Zhou Quan realized that Superintendent Pang intended to assign Chan Ka-kui to the operation and confirmed this with Tung Biu.
• Zhou Quan concluded that Ching Wing-si could be used to lure Kwan Chai-ba into Hong Kong Island because she held the details to his Swiss bank account.
• Zhou Quan promised Deputy Director Ju that he would make arrangements and support the operation.