Chapter Summaries

Cheng Feng and his crew were trapped in the vehicle elevator by Chow Sing Sing’s armed police team. Cheng Feng chose to surrender rather than risk his men’s lives, leaving Yang Jianhua relieved that he would survive to face trial.

• Pang Yik-hang fired a warning shot through the cash van’s windshield, and Chow Sing Sing ordered the criminals to surrender.
• Cheng Feng recognized that the men were trapped and outnumbered, and decided they should give up their weapons.
• Cheng Feng refused to alert He Ju, reasoning that the police were already watching him and a warning might put him in danger.
• Cheng Feng and his crew threw their weapons out of the van and agreed to surrender.
• Chow Sing Sing accepted their cooperation, while Yang Jianhua watched from the command room and felt relieved that Cheng Feng would live.

After Operation Catching Turtles in a Jar ended with the robbers surrendering, Zhou Quan arranged leave rotations before the Security Department’s upcoming handover security duties. A terrorist attack at the Japanese consulate then killed the consul and a police Chief Inspector, prompting the Security Department to respond to threats against Hong Kong Island.

• Cheng Feng and the robbers in Turtle No. 1 surrendered, while officers surrounded the remaining armored truck.
• Zhou Quan assigned Luo Danian to wrap up the operation and arrange leave rotations ahead of the handover security work.
• Terrorists attacked the Japanese consulate during a meeting about Yoshinaga Hideaki’s possible extradition to Japan.
• The terrorists killed the Japanese consul, took a West Kowloon Chief Inspector hostage, then shot him as they retreated in an elevator.
• The terrorists demanded Yoshinaga Hideaki’s release within twenty-four hours and threatened attacks that would endanger Hong Kong Island’s six million residents.

Zhou Quan convened the Security Department Action Group to respond to terrorists who had killed a Japanese consul and threatened Hong Kong Island. As Lau Bo-keung described the killing of Chief Inspector Lin and suspected Japanese complicity, he revealed a possible link between the terrorists’ aluminum chloride and a dangerous-driving case he handled that morning.

• Zhou Quan ordered the terrorists responsible for the Japanese consul’s killing to be dealt with within twenty-four hours.
• Lau Bo-keung recounted how four terrorists took Chief Inspector Lin hostage at the Japanese Consulate and shot him dead after a female Inspector failed to act.
• Lau Bo-keung suspected someone among the Japanese had helped the terrorists bring suppressed rifles into the consulate.
• Luo Danian identified Yoshinaga Hideaki as the leader of the Path of the Holy Multitudes, a Japanese terrorist organization that used stolen aluminum chloride to make sarin gas.
• Lau Bo-keung reported that a truck involved in a dangerous-driving incident he handled that morning had been carrying aluminum chloride.

Lau Bo-keung connected a fatal traffic collision and the disappearance of aluminum chloride to the Path of the Holy Multitudes’ terrorist activities. After confirming that Takizawa Ryūichi had killed Chief Inspector Lin, Zhou Quan ordered a high-level counterterrorism response and promised Lau a chance to avenge him.

• Lau Bo-keung forced a speeding container truck to stop, then discovered its aluminum chloride cargo had vanished and demanded a thorough investigation.
• Luo Danian reported that the Path of the Holy Multitudes stole aluminum chloride to make sarin and identified Takizawa Ryūichi as the likely leader of the consulate attackers.
• Lau Bo-keung recognized Takizawa in the photograph and confirmed that he had shot Chief Inspector Lin during the escape.
• Zhou Quan told Lau to stay calm and promised him the chance to avenge Chief Inspector Lin.
• Zhou Quan planned to classify the incident as terrorism requiring a high-level response and declared that the operation would pursue counterterrorism.

Zhou Quan organized a counterterrorism response, assigning T Group and police units to investigate the terrorists and scrutinize chemical factories. After rejecting Agent Takami, he ordered surveillance of the Japanese Consulate and made Vice Consul Narita the primary suspect in the attack.

• Zhou Quan ordered Chow Sing Sing to assemble T Group for the counterterrorism operation.
• Zhou Quan tasked Luo Danian with establishing the command center, investigating chemical factories, and arranging a reassessment of the female inspector from Hung Hom Police Station.
• Zhou Quan assigned Lok Kai-cheung to lead district investigations, take over Ah Sing's T Squad, and search for the Japanese suspects with Lam Wai Lok and Chiang Tin-yeung.
• Pang Yik-hang told Zhou Quan that Agent Takami wanted to see him, but Zhou Quan refused to meet the Japanese agent.
• Zhou Quan concluded that someone inside the Japanese Consulate had helped the terrorists and ordered Luo Danian to have the Paparazzi investigate everyone there, prioritizing Vice Consul Narita.

Zhou Quan’s team traced the Path of the Holy Multitudes’ sarin plot to chemical engineer Morimoto Ichirō and uncovered evidence linking acting Japanese consul Narita to the terrorists. With proof of Narita’s involvement in their entry and the consulate security changes, Zhou ordered his arrest and planned to seek diplomatic support.

• Jing Jinxian reported that Morimoto Ichirō had the expertise and resources to manufacture sarin, making him the terrorists’ likely choice.
• Luo Danian revealed that Narita had altered the Japanese Consulate’s security arrangements, allowing four terrorists to enter with concealed weapons.
• Luo Danian reported that records showed the terrorists had entered legally as consulate staff, with their permits signed by Narita.
• Zhou Quan asked whether the evidence against Narita was conclusive, and Luo Danian confirmed that records, staff statements, and video footage supported the case.
• Zhou Quan ordered Narita’s arrest and said he would seek help from Sergeant Lok, the Motherland, and the foreigners.

Zhou Quan rushed to Kowloon Bay after terrorists attacked a chemical industrial area, where he led an airborne counterterrorism response. He learned that the terrorists might have taken a Japanese chemical engineer and his young son hostage, leaving their rescue to the unfolding assault.

• Zhou Quan ordered Luo Danian to arrest Narita and told Jing Jinxian to check on the Japanese chemical engineer, Morimoto.
• Yeung Chi-lung reported that officers covering the Wang Hoi Road chemical industrial area were exchanging fire with suspected Path of the Holy Multitudes terrorists.
• Zhou Quan ordered Ah Nin to inform Lok Ming-wah, then took Chow Sing Sing and the Flying Tigers to the firefight.
• Zhou Quan arrived to find terrorists pinned down by police officers, but they remained protected by heavy weapons and vehicle cover.
• Jing Jinxian reported that Morimoto and his ten-year-old son were missing and might have been taken by the terrorists.
• Zhou Quan ordered T Group and the SDU assault team to rappel down and the snipers to provide aerial fire support, warning them that the enemy might have hostages.

Zhou Quan’s forces overwhelmed the terrorists, but Takizawa Ryūichi turned the operation into a hostage standoff by threatening a Japanese chemical engineer and his son. Zhou stayed aboard the helicopter to seek a sniper’s opening while Chow Sing Sing approached to negotiate.

• Zhou Quan ordered the helicopter snipers to open fire as Chow Sing Sing led the assault teams down to the ground.
• The Police Force’s overwhelming firepower killed terrorists and drove several survivors to surrender.
• Takizawa Ryūichi shot terrorists who tried to surrender, then used the Japanese chemical engineer and his son as hostages behind two vehicles.
• Takizawa Ryūichi demanded to see the operation’s commander, but Zhou Quan refused to give him control of the situation.
• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to handle the negotiation while he watched for a chance to shoot Takizawa Ryūichi.
• Chow Sing Sing used the riot van’s loudspeaker to identify himself as the operation’s commander and invite Takizawa Ryūichi to state his demands.

Chow Sing Sing rejected Takizawa Ryūichi’s demand for a helicopter, while Zhou Quan used Yoshinaga Hideaki to provoke him and create a chance to disarm him. The chapter left Takizawa with both arms broken as T Group and the Flying Tigers moved in to capture him alive.

• Takizawa Ryūichi demanded a helicopter and threatened to kill his two hostages, but Chow Sing Sing refused to negotiate.
• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to threaten Yoshinaga Hideaki, Takizawa’s spiritual leader and weakness.
• Chow Sing Sing threatened to break Yoshinaga’s bones, and He Wenzhan pretended to arrange for Yoshinaga to be brought to the scene.
• Takizawa Ryūichi became agitated, giving Zhou Quan an opening to shoot and break his gun arm.
• Takizawa Ryūichi lunged for his fallen handgun while holding the boy hostage, so Zhou Quan shot and broke his other arm.
• Zhou Quan ordered the assault officers to take Takizawa Ryūichi alive as T Group and the Flying Tigers rushed toward him.

Zhou Quan arrived after the firefight and took Takizawa Ryūichi alive, then handed the scene over to Lam Ke-shing’s East Kowloon Mobile Unit. Zhou Quan arranged to take Takizawa to a Police Force-affiliated hospital while his team withdrew.

• Zhou Quan confronted the wounded Takizawa Ryūichi and confirmed that he had shot through both of his arms.
• Zhou Quan mocked Takizawa, promised to deal with him and Yoshinaga Hideaki in Stanley, then knocked him unconscious.
• Lam Ke-shing arrived with East Kowloon reinforcements and exchanged greetings with Zhou Quan and the officers.
• Zhou Quan left the cleanup to Lam Ke-shing’s D Company and borrowed a riot van and an ambulance.
• Zhou Quan ordered He Wenzhan, Pang Yik-hang, and Chan Chi-kit to escort Takizawa to a Police Force-affiliated hospital, then withdrew with the rest of T Group.

Zhou Quan used scopolamine and hypnosis to interrogate the wounded Takizawa Ryūichi, learning that the Path of the Holy Multitudes planned a sarin gas attack and had help from deputy consul Narita. Takizawa Ryūichi confirmed that all the group’s other members on Hong Kong Island were dead, and Zhou Quan sent him to surgery before his eventual imprisonment at Stanley.

• Zhou Quan ordered Chow Sing Sing to arrange a scopolamine injection and had Luo Danian record Takizawa Ryūichi’s interrogation.
• After the drug took effect, Zhou Quan used rhythmic speech and finger-snapping to hypnotize Takizawa Ryūichi.
• Takizawa Ryūichi revealed that the Path of the Holy Multitudes planned to make five kilograms of sarin gas and threaten Hong Kong Island’s government with the lives of six million people.
• Takizawa Ryūichi identified deputy consul Narita as the man who helped the group enter Hong Kong Island and planned to flee with them afterward.
• Takizawa Ryūichi confirmed that all the other Path of the Holy Multitudes members on Hong Kong Island had been killed by the police.
• Zhou Quan broke Takizawa Ryūichi’s hypnotic state with a slap and sent Chow Sing Sing to call the doctors for surgery.

Zhou Quan reported the Path of the Holy Multitudes case to Lok Ming-wah, who praised his work and agreed to pass along his request to keep the two captured terrorists imprisoned on Hong Kong Island. Lok Ming-wah then called Kit-fai to join them for a meeting about a more important matter.

• Zhou Quan brought the completed case files to Lok Ming-wah and reported on the operation.
• Lok Ming-wah praised Zhou Quan and said he would submit the report to Number One for discussions with the Motherland.
• Lok Ming-wah reminded Zhou Quan to guard Narita, Yoshinaga Hideaki, and Takizawa Ryūichi securely.
• Zhou Quan asked for Yoshinaga Hideaki and Takizawa Ryūichi to serve their sentences on Hong Kong Island, and Lok Ming-wah agreed to convey the request to Number One.
• Lok Ming-wah called Kit-fai to join him and Zhou Quan for a meeting about a more important matter.

Lok Ming-wah met with Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai to assign the Security Department’s preparations for the September 27 handover agreement signing and a sweeping investigation of the Police Force. Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai pledged to carry out their duties as the chapter ended.

• Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai that security at the Hong Kong Island Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 27 had to be flawless.
• Zhou Quan reported that his Action Group was prepared to secure the signing, though the Path of the Holy Multitudes’ threats had disrupted his deployment plans.
• Lok Ming-wah warned Zhou Quan that a security failure could undermine the Motherland’s plans, and Zhou Quan pledged to guarantee the assignment with his life.
• Lok Ming-wah ordered Lau Kit-fai’s Administration Group to launch an internal investigation and root out corrupt officers and foreign operatives from the Police Force.
• Lau Kit-fai promised to contact the Internal Investigations Branch and begin the purge.

Zhou Quan guarded the Hong Kong Island handover ceremony negotiations while the Motherland and the foreigners contested the terms. After the talks concluded in the Motherland’s favor, Old Mr. Zhou invited Zhou Quan to ride with him and Old Mr. Wang in the Red Flag ceremonial car.

• The Motherland’s South Sea Fleet stood off against a foreign task force as the two sides negotiated the handover ceremony.
• Zhou Quan guarded the Convention and Exhibition Centre and oversaw security preparations across Hong Kong Island.
• The delegations concluded their talks, and Zhou Quan saw the Motherland’s delegation off as they prepared to return to the Xinhua News Agency Building.
• Zhou Quan helped Old Mr. Zhou and Old Mr. Wang into the Red Flag CA772.
• Old Mr. Zhou invited Zhou Quan to ride with them.

Zhou Quan met with Old Mr. Zhou and Old Mr. Wang after the negotiations, and they praised his contribution to the Motherland’s success. Old Mr. Zhou explained that Zhou Quan’s leverage over the foreign garrison helped secure a sweeping victory, including the Hong Kong Garrison taking over defense six hours before the handover.

• Old Mr. Zhou and Old Mr. Wang invited Zhou Quan into their ceremonial car and put him at ease.
• Old Mr. Wang praised Zhou Quan’s contributions, including his role in the Political Department’s dissolution and gaining leverage over the foreign garrison.
• Zhou Quan humbly credited the negotiations’ success to the Motherland’s strength and the delegation’s work.
• Old Mr. Wang affirmed that Hong Kong Island and its people were part of the Motherland and insisted Zhou Quan deserved credit.
• Old Mr. Zhou explained that Zhou Quan’s leverage over the foreign garrison helped the delegation win the dispute over the Hong Kong Garrison’s handover.
• Old Mr. Zhou said the Hong Kong Garrison would take over Hong Kong Island’s defense six hours before its return.

Zhou Quan learned that the negotiations had secured permission for the Motherland’s garrison to take over Hong Kong Island’s defenses six hours early, avoiding a defense vacuum. Old Mr. Zhou prepared to return to the capital and introduced Zhou Quan to Old Mr. Wang, who would take charge of Hong Kong Island’s work.

• Zhou Quan reflected that the Motherland’s growing strength and the South Sea Fleet’s pressure had helped secure the garrison’s early entry into Hong Kong Island.
• Zhou Quan credited the successful negotiations to the Motherland’s strength and the delegation’s efforts rather than his own contribution.
• Old Mr. Zhou and Old Mr. Wang praised Zhou Quan’s humility and said it reassured them about his character.
• Old Mr. Zhou told Zhou Quan he would return to the capital and that Brother Hanbin would take over the work concerning Hong Kong Island.
• Old Mr. Zhou warned Zhou Quan that Hong Kong Island’s return allowed no mishaps and encouraged him to consult Brother Hanbin when needed.

Zhou Quan met Old Mr. Wang, who offered him support so long as he remained loyal to the Motherland and obeyed the law. Zhou Quan chose not to reveal his plan for a Hong Kong Island National Security Law, while both old gentlemen privately anticipated that he might accomplish something unexpected.

• Old Mr. Zhou introduced his grandson Zhou Quan to Old Mr. Wang, who praised Zhou Quan’s service and invited him to visit with good news.
• Zhou Quan promised both old gentlemen that he would act without hesitation for the Motherland’s benefit.
• Zhou Quan considered telling them about the National Security Law he was preparing, but decided that doing so might draw unwanted attention and invite resistance.
• Zhou Quan resolved that the law should be proposed and enacted by Hong Kong Island through a bottom-up process.
• Old Mr. Zhou and Old Mr. Wang sensed that Zhou Quan might have another surprise in store, but kept their anticipation hidden.

Lau Kit-fai asked Zhou Quan to help investigate Richard Rivers, a former Political Department deputy head suspected of colluding with Sun Luen Shing’s Lam Yiu-cheung. Zhou Quan agreed to pursue evidence through his Action Group, but the investigation had not yet begun.

• Lau Kit-fai visited Zhou Quan and asked for his support with the Administration Group’s purge investigation.
• Lau Kit-fai explained that Richard Rivers, a former Political Department deputy head now serving in the Monitoring Department, was suspected of having an improper relationship with Lam Yiu-cheung of Sun Luen Shing.
• Lau Kit-fai said his group had no evidence and suspected Richard and Lam might be part of a wider illicit interest group.
• Lau Kit-fai asked Zhou Quan to investigate Sun Luen Shing and take charge of finding evidence against Richard or exposing the group behind him.
• Zhou Quan welcomed Lau Kit-fai’s request and agreed to help.

Zhou Quan told Lau Kit-fai that his Action Group was already investigating Wo On Lok and Senior Superintendent Richard over their drug trafficking and illicit network. The two chiefs agreed to coordinate their efforts while respecting each other’s jurisdiction.

• Zhou Quan recalled how Lam Yiu-cheung had united Wo On Lok’s factions and made Sun Luen Shing the largest faction on Hong Kong Island.
• Zhou Quan explained that Wo On Lok was trafficking drugs and that Richard was backing Lam Yiu-cheung as part of a wider illicit network.
• Zhou Quan told Lau Kit-fai that his Action Group was gathering evidence against Richard and promised to share news with him first.
• Lau Kit-fai welcomed Zhou Quan’s cooperation, and the two men agreed to keep working together within their respective roles.

Zhou Quan summoned Kowloon City District Operations supervisor Law Chung-lun and former subordinate Miu Chi-shun to discuss the investigation into Lam Yiu-cheung and Wo On Lok. Law Chung-lun reported suspicions of serious crimes and senior police corruption, but said the investigation had not yet produced concrete evidence.

• After Lau Kit-fai left, Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to bring Kowloon City District's Operations supervisor and Anti-Triad Unit commander to Tai Kwun.
• Chow Sing Sing arrived with Law Chung-lun and Miu Chi-shun, whom Zhou Quan welcomed into his office.
• Zhou Quan asked whether Kowloon City District was monitoring Lam Yiu-cheung and Wo On Lok.
• Law Chung-lun reported suspected drug trafficking, official-business collusion, forced demolitions, and possible corruption among senior police officers.
• Law Chung-lun said Miu Chi-shun was directly responsible for the ongoing case and that they had not yet obtained concrete evidence.