Chapter Summaries

After Wai Yiu-ting clashed with the National Security Department, Commissioner Fan reassured Kwan Man Chin that the ICAC’s Z Fund investigation would not interfere with the department’s operation. Zhou Quan then prepared to move against Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing if Wai met with them.

• Wai Yiu-ting complained about Sir Kwan, but Commissioner Fan stayed silent and decided to proceed with the ICAC’s investigation into the Z Fund.
• Kwan Man Chin ordered Wai to leave; Wai erupted in anger but backed down under Kwan’s intimidating stare and departed.
• Commissioner Fan thanked Kwan Man Chin and promised the ICAC investigation would not affect the National Security Department’s operation.
• Kwan Man Chin escorted the ICAC team downstairs, and a female inspector reported what had happened to Zhou Quan.
• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to arrest Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing as soon as they met, anticipating that Wai would sound them out.

The National Security Department moved to arrest Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing at the Deep Water Bay Golf Club, using their meeting with Wai Yiu-ting to make an example of him. The arrests stunned Luk Chi-lim, who had only just begun the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s investigation.

• Zhou Quan issued arrest warrants for the Z Fund suspects, and Chow Sing Sing’s team prepared to act.
• Wai Yiu-ting met Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing at the Deep Water Bay Golf Club, where the Intelligence Group tracked them.
• Chow Sing Sing led senior National Security Department officers to the club and entered the Lounge.
• Luk Chi-lim learned the National Security Department had arrived and rushed into the Lounge to discover its target.
• Chow Sing Sing arrested Xu Huaijing and Wu Chi-yung under the Hong Kong Island National Security Law while Wai Yiu-ting watched.

Chow Sing Sing arrested Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing for crimes connected to the Z Fund, warning them that they would face trial under the National Security Law. Wai Yiu-ting realized his role in promoting the fund had put his political future at risk, though he believed he had not crossed a legal line.

• Chow Sing Sing told Wu Chi-yung that he and Xu Huaijing would not be released on bail and would be sent to court within twenty-four hours.
• Xu Huaijing and Wu Chi-yung realized the evidence against them could lead to lengthy prison sentences and collapsed in despair.
• Chow Sing Sing ordered Luo Danian and Kwan Man Chin to escort the two men, and officers handcuffed and removed them.
• Chow Sing Sing exchanged a brief look with Wai Yiu-ting before leaving, signaling that Wai Yiu-ting would also face consequences.
• Wai Yiu-ting concluded that Sir Kwan had used the arrests to undermine his political standing and regretted intervening at the Three-Party Meeting.

After Xu Huaijing and Wu Chi-yung were taken into custody, Luk Chi-lim accepted the National Security Department’s actions and approached Chow Sing Sing and his colleagues. The two sides exchanged friendly remarks, and Chow Sing Sing suggested they meet for tea at Sir Kwan’s office.

• Xu Huaijing and Wu Chi-yung were taken into custody, leaving Wai Yiu-ting worried on the sofa.
• Luk Chi-lim reflected that the National Security Department had acted forcefully but within regulations, and he stayed unmoved by Wai Yiu-ting’s predicament.
• Luk Chi-lim greeted Chow Sing Sing, Luo Danian, and Kwan Man Chin and praised the National Security Department’s swift action.
• Chow Sing Sing complimented the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s quick attention to the Z Fund case, and Luk Chi-lim said an early resolution would protect Hong Kong Island from losses.
• Luk Chi-lim invited the three officers for coffee, and Chow Sing Sing proposed they have tea at Sir Kwan’s office another day.

Chow Sing Sing interrogated Wu Chi-yung to uncover the foreign criminal Zorro’s role in the Z Fund affair. Wu initially believed the police were bluffing, but Chow revealed they had evidence of his bribery, attempted murder, and other crimes, leaving Wu shaken.

• Chow Sing Sing escorted Wu Chi-yung and Xu Huaijing to National Security Department headquarters after briefly visiting the Golf Club.
• Chow Sing Sing, Luo Danian, and Kwan Man Chin questioned Wu Chi-yung about his crimes and the Z Fund affair.
• Wu Chi-yung asserted his right to remain silent and mistakenly concluded that the police lacked conclusive evidence against him.
• Chow Sing Sing angrily listed evidence linking Wu Chi-yung to bribery, the attempted silencing of Chan Chi-choi, and the Z Fund scam.
• Chow Sing Sing revealed that Wong Man-bun and Leung On-ying had been under police control for a week, and Wu Chi-yung turned pale.

Chow Sing Sing pressured Wu Chi-yung into revealing that Zorro, the Z Fund shareholders’ representative, was flying to Hong Kong Island that night. Zhou Quan ordered a coordinated airport arrest, and Zorro was already on a direct flight into the operation.

• Chow Sing Sing warned Wu Chi-yung that the Z Fund’s criminal masterminds might target him if he refused to cooperate.
• Wu Chi-yung confessed that the Z Fund’s shareholders were drug cartels or Mafia groups and said Zorro would arrive at ten that night.
• Chow Sing Sing left the interrogation room to seek instructions from Zhou Quan.
• Zhou Quan ordered Immigration, Customs, and the Airport Special Duties Unit to arrest Zorro using his photograph.
• Zorro’s direct flight had already departed, leaving him on course to land at Hong Kong Island’s airport and face the arrest operation.

After Z Storm Operations ended in success, Mr. Dong praised Zhou Quan for protecting the Community Care Welfare Fund and Hong Kong Island’s stability. Mr. Dong urged him to keep proving himself and visit his superior often, while noting that Zhou Quan was still too junior to contend for the next Police Commissioner post.

• Mr. Dong praised Zhou Quan’s handling of Z Storm Operations, which had led to the rejection of the Z Fund’s listing plan and the conviction of its mastermind, Zorro.
• Zhou Quan explained that protecting the Community Care Welfare Fund and maintaining Hong Kong Island’s stability were duties of the Police Force and National Security Department.
• Mr. Dong recognized Zhou Quan’s loyalty and said he trusted him to keep the Police Force secure.
• Mr. Dong said Zhou Quan lacked the seniority to compete for the next Commissioner of Police post, but urged him to keep performing well for the Police Force, Hong Kong Island, and those above.
• Mr. Dong advised Zhou Quan to visit his superior more often, then sent him home to rest with his young children.

After Mr. Dong hinted that Zhou Quan was unlikely to become the Police Force's next Number One, Zhou Quan accepted the limits on his prospects and returned to work without changing his commitment to duty. His routine was interrupted when He Lingyun called a joint meeting between the Criminal Operations Department and the National Security Department about a major operation.

• Mr. Dong's guidance led Zhou Quan to realize that his seniority made becoming the next Police Force Number One unlikely, and Zhou Quan accepted the possibility of aiming for the third instead.
• Zhou Quan kept his private conversation with Mr. Dong confidential, though he indirectly reminded Wong Bing Yiu and Lee Man-bun of the current Number One's age.
• Wong Bing Yiu continued to focus on his duties as DCP Operations, while Zhou Quan and his National Security Department team managed their work steadily.
• He Lingyun called Zhou Quan to request a joint meeting about a major Criminal Operations Department operation that might require National Security Department support.
• Zhou Quan agreed to meet immediately and summoned Chow Sing Sing, Luo Danian, and Lok Kai-cheung to his office.

Zhou Quan joined a meeting called by He Lingyun after learning that a drug trafficker known as Black Chai had connected with Golden Triangle figure Wei Xingguang. The meeting began with Zhou urging everyone to get straight to the point.

• Zhou Quan summoned Chow Sing Sing, Luo Danian, and Lok Kai-cheung to attend He Lingyun's joint meeting.
• Wong Man Tak escorted Zhou Quan's group to the Conference Room and explained that the Narcotics Investigation Division wanted to discuss a lead linking a tracked drug trafficker to Wei Xingguang.
• Zhou Quan recognized the trafficker as Black Chai and recalled that the National Security Department already monitored his movements through an undercover TUI Brother.
• He Lingyun, Hon Hau-chung, and Deng Xuanwei greeted Zhou Quan and his team, then took their seats.
• Zhou Quan opened the meeting by telling He Lingyun to get straight to the point.

Wong Man Tak briefed the officers on Eight-Faced Buddha’s drug syndicate and the plan to use Black Chai to draw out its leaders. Zhou Quan took charge of the international anti-narcotics operation, and He Lingyun agreed to cooperate.

• Wong Man Tak explained that intelligence from Thai authorities connected Black Chai to Bobby and Eight-Faced Buddha, Wei Xingguang.
• Wong Man Tak described Wei Xingguang’s rise in the United Wa State Army and the syndicate’s reach across the Golden Triangle.
• He Lingyun backed the Narcotics Investigation Division’s plan to use Black Chai to lure Wei Xingguang or one of his adopted children into a trap.
• Zhou Quan proposed transferring leadership of the international operation to the National Security Department.
• He Lingyun accepted Zhou Quan’s offer and promised full cooperation.

Zhou Quan took charge of preparations for a multinational anti-drug operation targeting Eight-Faced Buddha and directed Ma Hiu Tin’s team to keep Black Chai free during an imminent drug deal. He then gathered his staff and went to consult the Commissioner before personally leading the operation abroad.

• Zhou Quan questioned Wong Man Tak about Ma Hiu Tin’s surveillance of Black Chai and learned that Black Chai was preparing to meet an Indonesian drug seller.
• Wong Man Tak reported that Ma Hiu Tin’s team had identified the likely transaction location and was planning arrests.
• Zhou Quan ordered the team to arrest the Indonesian seller but let Black Chai escape so they could follow the larger trail, and he asked Ma Hiu Tin to visit his office afterward.
• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to gather the management staff and Representative Yang in the Conference Room to coordinate the multinational operation.
• Zhou Quan told He Lingyun he would consult Number One, then headed to the Commissioner’s office because he intended to lead the operation abroad himself.

Zhou Quan sought Number One’s approval for a cross-border operation to target Wei Xingguang and his drug-trafficking network, and Number One backed the plan. When Zhou Quan said he would lead the team personally, Number One warned that the risk could cost him a promotion to National Security DCP.

• Zhou Quan reported that he and Sir He had found a way to draw out Eight-Faced Buddha and proposed a cross-border anti-drug operation.
• Number One cautioned Zhou Quan that Wei Xingguang commanded a large armed force and would be difficult to take down.
• Zhou Quan declared that capturing Wei Xingguang could depress Hong Kong Island’s drug market for at least five years.
• Number One gave Zhou Quan broad authority to coordinate the operation and promised to handle any serious obstacles.
• Zhou Quan said he intended to lead the team across the border himself.
• Number One revealed that he planned to promote Zhou Quan to National Security DCP before retiring, and warned that the operation could jeopardize the appointment.

Number One and Mr. Dong weighed how to advance Zhou Quan’s succession to lead the Police Force while avoiding favoritism and protecting his reputation. Zhou Quan chose to personally lead the cross-border anti-drug operation despite the risk to his career, and Number One pledged his support.

• Number One and Mr. Dong considered Zhou Quan the ideal future Police Force commissioner and sought to create a deputy commissioner position for him before Number One retired.
• Number One worried that Wong Bing Yiu’s family relationship with Zhou Quan would make any promotion arranged by Wong look like favoritism, while normal procedures could delay Zhou Quan’s succession for years.
• Zhou Quan recognized the risks of personally commanding the cross-border anti-drug operation but decided to lead it rather than direct it from Hong Kong Island.
• Zhou Quan said he wanted to repay the trust of his senior supporters and protect the Canglan River by taking precautions against Eight-Faced Buddha.
• Number One approved Zhou Quan’s decision and promised to back him through any difficulties.

Zhou Quan prepared a cross-border anti-drug operation against Eight-Faced Buddha in the Golden Triangle and assigned his department to seek Mainland intelligence support, assemble elite operatives, and contact Thailand. The operation remained in planning as Yang Jianhua, Chow Sing Sing, and Lok Kai-cheung began their respective assignments.

• Zhou Quan met with Yang Jianhua and his trusted officers to organize a cross-border anti-drug operation targeting the Golden Triangle.
• Zhou Quan asked Yang Jianhua to contact the Mainland and request intelligence support, and she accepted the assignment.
• Zhou Quan ordered Chow Sing Sing to assemble T Group, select two elite Action Groups for special training, and temporarily transfer Ling Jing.
• Zhou Quan directed Lok Kai-cheung to formally notify the Thai authorities of the planned operation and discuss its details if they agreed.

Zhou Quan decided to lead the cross-border anti-drug operation in the Golden Triangle himself, despite his subordinates’ objections. He assigned Luo Danian to act in charge of the National Security Department and ordered preparations for his mission.

• Zhou Quan appointed Luo Danian to take charge of the National Security Department while he was away.
• Chow Sing Sing and Luo Danian urged Zhou Quan to stay in Hong Kong and offered to lead the operation instead.
• Zhou Quan insisted on leading the mission, explaining that he had already reported his decision to Number One.
• Zhou Quan chose Chow Sing Sing, He Wenzhan, Chan Wing Yan, and Lau Bo-keung to accompany him to the Golden Triangle, while the others stayed in Hong Kong.
• Zhou Quan told He Wenzhan to notify 43526 and asked Yang Jianhua to inform the Mainland that he would lead the team personally.

Sir Kwan met with Su Kin-chiu and the others aboard a yacht, where Su reported that Black Chai had lost HK$10 million and planned to travel to the Golden Triangle to buy drugs. Sir Kwan promised Su that he could return to active police duty after the operation and be promoted after training.

• Sir Kwan hosted He Wenzhan, Ma Hiu Tin, Su Kin-chiu, and Cheung Tsz-wai aboard a yacht to discuss the coming anti-narcotics operation.
• Su Kin-chiu reported that Black Chai had lost HK$10 million and urgently needed a new supplier after failing to obtain drugs.
• Su said Black Chai planned to meet Eight-Faced Buddha through Thai trafficker Bobby in the Golden Triangle, bringing at least US$20 million.
• Su complained that Ma Hiu Tin had nearly exposed him during an operation and asked Sir Kwan to transfer him afterward.
• Sir Kwan told Su to return to active police duty after the operation, promised to send him for training at Wong Chuk Hang, and said he would be promoted within six months of completing it.
• Sir Kwan congratulated Su on his wife’s impending childbirth, and Su stood to salute him.

He Wenzhan and Chan Wing Yan assembled three operational squads and three Narcotics Investigation Division officers for an international anti-narcotics mission to Bangkok. The team boarded their chartered aircraft with equipment and clothing, while Zhou Quan planned to secure permission for weapons after they arrived.

• Chan Wing Yan called roll, and Lau Bo-keung, Yeung Kam Wing, and Ling Jing confirmed that T Squad, A Squad, and S Squad were present.
• Chan Wing Yan called the names of Ma Hiu Tin, Cheung Tsz-wai, and Wong Shun-yik and told them that combat uniforms in their sizes were aboard the aircraft.
• He Wenzhan ordered the assembled personnel to board the chartered aircraft for Bangkok.
• The team departed with clothing and precision equipment, while Zhou Quan remained confident he could obtain authorization to use weapons in Bangkok.

Zhou Quan arrived in Bangkok and met Police Major General Phongsaphat to plan the joint operation against Eight-Faced Buddha, Wei Xingguang. When Phongsaphat restricted Hong Kong officers to handguns and rubber bullets, Zhou invoked Phongsaphat’s private fruit-distribution business and proposed secretly buying weapons locally.

• Zhou Quan and Chow Sing Sing arrived in Bangkok, where Phongsaphat welcomed the Hong Kong delegation.
• Zhou and Phongsaphat convened a joint meeting to plan the operation against Eight-Faced Buddha, with Phongsaphat retaining command but granting Hong Kong officers limited discretion.
• Phongsaphat allowed the Hong Kong officers only self-defense handguns and nonlethal rubber bullets, prompting Zhou to argue that his men needed adequate weapons.
• Zhou alluded to the fruit shops that represented Phongsaphat’s private trade channel between Hong Kong and Thailand.
• Zhou told Phongsaphat he had brought funds to purchase weapons locally, opening an under-the-table deal before the trusted Thai attendees.

Zhou Quan persuaded Police Major General Phongsaphat to support the joint operation by arranging a weapons purchase that would benefit Phongsaphat and his superiors. Phongsaphat agreed to sell the Hong Kong Island Police Force weapons and named Colonel Withaya as the Thai personnel’s field commander.

• Zhou Quan used Phongsaphat’s business ties in Hong Kong Island and the prospect of a profitable weapons deal to secure his cooperation.
• Phongsaphat agreed to sell weapons, insisting that payment go to Thai Police Headquarters’ account.
• Zhou Quan and Phongsaphat shook hands and wished each other success in the operation.
• Phongsaphat introduced Colonel Withaya, the Chiang Rai Provincial Police Chief, as the operational commander of the Thai personnel.

Zhou Quan and Police Major General Phongsaphat finalized preparations for the joint anti-drug operation, with Phongsaphat giving the Hong Kong team practical command in the field. After traveling upriver to Chiang Rai Province, Zhou Quan and Police Colonel Withaya headed to a secret Safe House to keep the operation from being compromised.

• Police Colonel Withaya saluted Zhou Quan and pledged his support as Phongsaphat confirmed the Hong Kong team would lead in the field.
• Zhou Quan's team selected weapons and ammunition at Thai Police Headquarters, and Phongsaphat authorized their transfer after the funds arrived.
• Phongsaphat arranged a disguised freighter to carry Zhou Quan's team, Withaya, and Thai special operations personnel from Bangkok Port to Chiang Saen Port.
• Withaya took the group directly to a Safe House instead of the Chiang Rai Province Police Station because he feared leaks from corrupt officers and border troops.
• Withaya told Zhou Quan that trusted personnel from headquarters had secretly prepared and equipped the Safe House.