Chapter Summaries

Wong Bing Yiu convened the Police Force’s senior management to discuss replacing its outdated communications system. Zhou Quan and Tsang Yuk-ming supported a third-generation system with integrated command and control functions, leaving the proposal poised to move forward.

• Wong Bing Yiu opened the management meeting by citing reports that criminals had infiltrated the Police Force’s radio communications and argued that the system needed attention.
• Wong Bing Yiu asked Zhou Quan to assess the problem and recommend a course of action.
• Zhou Quan explained that the second-generation radio system had become outdated and insecure, and proposed launching a third-generation communications project with an integrated command and control system.
• Tsang Yuk-ming agreed with Zhou Quan and said the current system was vulnerable and that a new project was imperative.

Tsang Yuk-ming familiarized himself with his new Operations role while the Police Force’s core management agreed that it needed a Third-Generation Communications System. The proposal faced a major funding shortfall, leaving Wong Bing Yiu to consider how to secure the money without cutting operational budgets.

• Tsang Yuk-ming reviewed the state of Police Force operations and remained concerned that criminals could intercept frontline officers’ communications.
• Wong Bing Yiu asked Choi Yuen-kei for his view on the Third-Generation Communications System proposal, and Choi supported it while warning that the project would be expensive.
• Wong Bing Yiu asked Lau Kit-fai about the Police Force’s finances, and Lau said the existing budget and projected surpluses would not cover the project.
• Lau Kit-fai considered that funding the system might require cuts to the operations budget, but did not raise the idea because Wong Bing Yiu, Kwan, and Tsang Yuk-ming all backed Operations.

Wong Bing Yiu rejected cutting operational budgets and ordered an assessment of the funding needed for the Police Force's third-generation communications command system. When he proposed that Zhou Quan lead its working group, Zhou instead nominated Choi Yuen-kei to take charge while he oversaw the project from outside.

• Wong Bing Yiu told Lau Kit-fai to review the previous two years' budgets and estimate the cost of the new communications command system so he could seek additional government funding.
• Wong Bing Yiu asked Zhou Quan and Choi Yuen-kei to lead a dedicated group building the system, and the other senior figures supported his proposal.
• Zhou Quan declined to head the group and proposed that Choi Yuen-kei take charge because of his knowledge of the Police Force's existing communications system.
• Zhou Quan offered to review the project's progress from outside the group, citing the importance of confidentiality and the National Security Department's strengths.

Wong Bing Yiu approved the Police Force's Third Generation Communications Command System and appointed Choi Yuen-kei to lead its working group, with Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhan as deputy. Zhou Quan stayed out of direct leadership to avoid conflicts of interest and planned to review the project as it moved toward procurement and implementation.

• Zhou Quan explained that he would supervise and review the system's development rather than lead its working group, citing the need to avoid criticism if his communications company bid for the contract.
• Wong Bing Yiu accepted Zhou Quan's proposal and selected Choi Yuen-kei to lead the Special Working Group.
• Wong Bing Yiu appointed Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhan as Choi Yuen-kei's deputy, and both accepted their roles.
• Wong Bing Yiu formally announced that the Police Force's Third Generation Communications Command System was approved, and the core management saluted in agreement.
• Wong Bing Yiu adjourned the meeting and prepared to report the decision to Mr. Dong and seek funding from the Financial Secretary.

After the Police Force approved its Third-generation Communications Command System project, Zhou Quan summoned Choi Yuen-kei to discuss his responsibility for the special task force. He warned Choi that any security breach would bring grave blame, and Choi vowed loyalty to the Police Force, the Hong Kong Government, and the nation.

• After the meeting, Zhou Quan invited Choi Yuen-kei to his office, and Choi readily accepted.
• Zhou Quan served Choi fine tea and reminded him that their past connection included Choi's support.
• Zhou Quan stressed that the new communications system was vital to protecting confidential information and urged Choi to prioritize secrecy while leading the special task force.
• Zhou Quan warned that any breach within the Police Force would leave them both responsible, and Choi stood and pledged never to betray the Police Force, the Hong Kong Government, or the nation.

After Sir Kwan warned Choi Yuen-kei that national interests could not be compromised, Choi feared his dealings with foreign-linked figures had drawn National Security’s scrutiny. Zhou Quan had ordered the Political Investigation Department to monitor those figures, while the chapter left their suspected collusion under investigation.

• Sir Kwan stressed the importance of safeguarding national interests, prompting Choi Yuen-kei to worry that his recent contacts had attracted scrutiny.
• The Political Investigation Department identified Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee as figures cultivating government officials and maintaining foreign connections.
• Kwan Man Chin submitted the investigation files to Zhou Quan, who suspected the three were linked to the future Cold War incident.
• Zhou Quan contrasted the altered political loyalties of Lai Wing-lim with Choi Yuen-kei’s limited influence in the Police Force.
• Zhou Quan kept the Political Investigation Department focused on the three figures as he sought to prevent foreign influence from returning to Hong Kong Island.

Zhou Quan weighed Choi Yuen-kei’s ambitions and past choices, deciding to keep him under watch rather than move against him. He turned his attention to the Cold War Ambition Trio and planned to discuss Deputy Director Li with his senior fellow disciple.

• Choi Yuen-kei’s record and education had earned him the foreigners’ trust, though he had remained among the Chinese contingent and recognized Hong Kong’s return as inevitable.
• Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee had tried to cultivate Choi Yuen-kei, but he had kept his distance and never attended their private gatherings.
• Zhou Quan decided Choi Yuen-kei’s current actions mattered more than suspicions about his ambitions, and he would let him help develop the Police Force while keeping him in check.
• Zhou Quan identified the Cold War Ambition Trio and the five figures behind the future Cold War Incident as his real targets for attention.
• Zhou Quan planned to discuss Deputy Director Li with his senior fellow disciple, recognizing Li’s influence alongside Lai Wing-lim.

Zhou Quan brought Au Wing-yan and their children, Little Changle and Little Chang'an, to Oswald's villa for dinner with his fellow disciples. After the family shared a cheerful meal, Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim went upstairs to discuss important matters.

• Zhou Quan drove Au Wing-yan, Little Changle, and Little Chang'an to Oswald's villa, where Oswald and Lai Wing-lim welcomed them.
• Oswald and Lai Wing-lim eagerly greeted and hugged Little Changle and Little Chang'an, while Au Wing-yan joined them.
• Oswald served a carefully prepared Chinese dinner, and the family chatted together around the table.
• After dinner, Au Wing-yan and her senior female disciples cleared up while Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim headed to the study for a private discussion.

Zhou Quan asked Lai Wing-lim whether he had dealings with Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee, then heard Lai describe their approaches and his decision to decline them. Zhou Quan kept the National Security Department’s investigation confidential, while Lai and Oswald understood his concerns and did not press him.

• Zhou Quan asked Lai Wing-lim whether he had dealt with Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, or Gilbert Lee.
• Lai Wing-lim described Lydia and Ma Cheuk-yin’s government roles, said Gilbert Lee was close to them, and revealed that all three had approached him.
• Lai Wing-lim said he had politely declined their approaches and focused on his work at the Department of Justice.
• Oswald asked whether the three had divided loyalties or backing from someone with political ambitions.
• Zhou Quan said he had only asked casually and refused to discuss official business, leaving Oswald and Lai Wing-lim to accept his silence.

Zhou Quan ordered a focused National Security Department investigation into Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee after their complicated connections and confidential meetings raised suspicions. He put Chow Sing Sing in charge of the operation and set it to run until next year's review and assessment.

• Zhou Quan summoned Chow Sing Sing, Luo Danian, and the Political Investigation Department's senior staff to a meeting.
• Chow Sing Sing reported that Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee had no apparent irregularities but had complicated careers, cultivated influential contacts, and attended confidential gatherings.
• Zhou Quan ordered the Political Investigation Department to pay particular attention to the three and assigned Chow Sing Sing to arrange the operation.
• Zhou Quan tasked Luo Danian with forming a dedicated investigation team, with Sergeant Guan's help and technical support from the Intelligence Group.
• Zhou Quan directed the team to use elite officers without tying up excessive manpower and to continue the investigation until next year's review and assessment.

Zhou Quan’s special investigation into the Cold War Incident proceeded under the leadership of Yeung Kam Wing, Su Kin-chiu, and Jing Jinxian, while Zhou returned to his usual duties. Chow Sing Sing then alerted Zhou that something had happened to Ling Jing, leaving Zhou composed but concerned as Chow hurried to his office.

• Luo Danian, Kwan Man Chin, and senior officers oversaw the Cold War Incident investigation while Yeung Kam Wing led its fieldwork.
• Su Kin-chiu joined the temporary special investigation team, supported by Jing Jinxian’s Intelligence Group squad.
• Zhou Quan returned to routine Police Force business as the investigation progressed smoothly.
• Chow Sing Sing called Zhou Quan to report that something had happened to Ling Jing.
• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing to come to his office, and Chow hurried to the top floor of Tai Kwun.

Chow Sing Sing reported that Ling Jing had accidentally killed a hostage during an operation and was facing internal hearings. Zhou Quan ordered the case files gathered and prepared to review whether Ling Jing had been at fault.

• Chow Sing Sing told Zhou Quan that Ling Jing had shot and killed the heir to BNC Bank during a mission, and South New Territories and SDU had detained him pending hearings.
• Zhou Quan said the matter should be handled according to law and Police Force regulations, and that Ling Jing should not be blamed if he had performed his duties properly.
• Zhou Quan ordered the Political Investigation Department to compile the case files for his review.
• Chow Sing Sing told Zhou Quan that Sergeant Guan had already begun collecting the information and offered to drive him.

Zhou Quan traveled with a G4 convoy to Fanling Base to investigate Ling Jing’s role in a hostage’s death and decide whether he needed to defend him from pressure within the Police Force. As the convoy arrived, Zhou Quan was determined to judge Ling Jing’s responsibility for himself.

• Chow Sing Sing came alone to tell Zhou Quan that Ling Jing was caught up in a hearing, while National Security Department management monitored Zhou Quan’s movements.
• Ying Cheung-sam led a G4 convoy carrying Zhou Quan and Chow Sing Sing from Tai Kwun to Fanling Base.
• Zhou Quan considered whether Ling Jing had caused the hostage’s death through negligence or had acted properly in the line of duty.
• Zhou Quan recalled Ling Jing’s combat-focused career and his own plans to groom him for future Police Force leadership.
• Ying Cheung-sam told Zhou Quan that they had reached Fanling Base, where the Mobile Unit Deputy Head and SDU Commander were waiting.

Zhou Quan visited Fanling Base to see Ling Jing, who had been detained after accidentally killing a hostage. After Mobile Unit management welcomed him and arranged a private meeting, Zhou Quan entered the reception room, where Ling Jing greeted him looking haggard.

• Yang Zi'an and Mobile Unit management welcomed Zhou Quan's convoy at Fanling Base.
• Zhou Quan asked Yang Zi'an to arrange a room so he could see Ling Jing.
• Yang Zi'an arranged the meeting and guided Zhou Quan to the reception room where Ling Jing was waiting.
• Ling Jing saluted Zhou Quan and said he had let his boss down.

Zhou Quan questioned Ling Jing about the fatal hostage shooting during a bank robbery operation and concluded that Ling Jing had acted properly. He asked whether anyone else at the scene could corroborate Ling Jing’s account.

• Ling Jing told Zhou Quan that he shot Ye Tao when the robber appeared ready to pull a grenade’s pin, but the bullet also killed the bank heir after the hostage suddenly moved into its path.
• Ling Jing explained that the South New Territories commander had delayed the assault because of pressure from BNC Bank’s major shareholder.
• Zhou Quan condemned the commander’s handling of the operation and asked Ling Jing whether his account was entirely factual.
• Ling Jing swore that he had told the truth, and Zhou Quan believed that he had acted without negligence.
• Zhou Quan asked Ling Jing whether anyone else at the scene could confirm his account.

Ling Jing told Zhou Quan that Fang Keming may have witnessed the bank robber hook the grenade’s firing-pin ring, while Zhou Quan considered how the testimony might affect Ling Jing’s hearing. Zhou Quan released Ling Jing from detention and sent him home on leave while promising to follow the hearing personally.

• Ling Jing told Zhou Quan that Gao Wenshan had been spotting for him and that Fang Keming, positioned at the robber’s left hand, could have seen the robber hook the grenade’s firing-pin ring.
• Zhou Quan recalled that Fang Keming’s testimony had contributed to Ling Jing’s original four-year prison sentence, but decided not to rely on Fang Keming’s account to resolve the case.
• Zhou Quan said the bank robber’s own statement could provide more authoritative evidence and resolved that no one would pin the blame on Ling Jing.
• Zhou Quan left the reception room with Ling Jing and greeted Chow Sing Sing, Yang Zi'an, and the Mobile Unit Headquarters staff.
• Zhou Quan placed Ling Jing on leave, ordered him to go home and keep his phone on, and said he would personally follow the hearing.
• Ling Jing saluted Zhou Quan and agreed.

Zhou Quan left Mobile Unit Headquarters after stopping Yang Zi'an and the others from escorting his convoy, then arranged for Ling Jing to face a hearing over accidentally killing a hostage. Ling Jing accepted the coming proceedings without regret and resolved to act more cautiously in future operations while still believing his shot had been necessary.

• Zhou Quan told Yang Zi'an and the other managers not to escort his convoy and invited them to visit him at Tai Kwun.
• After Zhou Quan's convoy left, Yang Zi'an told Ling Jing to rest and prepare for the hearing team.
• Yang Zi'an expected the hearing team to come from Zhou Quan's departments at Tai Kwun and believed Ling Jing's case would be handled in his favor.
• Ling Jing accepted responsibility for the hostage's death, resolved to be more cautious, and said he would still have fired in the same circumstances.

The National Security Department prepared an internal hearing into Ling Jing’s accidental killing of a hostage during the BNC Bank robbery. The hearing began at Tai Kwun, where Ling was asked to explain why he fired the shot.

• Chow Sing Sing told Zhou Quan that Ling Jing likely faced no legal liability but would probably receive a demerit, and proposed hearing testimony from Gao Wenshan and Fang Keming while questioning Ye Tao.
• Zhou Quan approved Chow Sing Sing’s plan, assigned him to question Ye Tao, and decided to oversee Ling Jing’s hearing himself.
• Zhou Quan launched the hearing process at Tai Kwun, with Kwan Man Chin, Mok Kam-chuen, and Chung Kam-ming leading the investigation.
• Ling Jing, Gao Wenshan, and Fang Keming were summoned to separate conference rooms for the hearing.
• Chung Kam-ming opened Ling Jing’s hearing and asked him to explain why he fired the shot.

Ling Jing’s hearing examined whether his fatal shot during the BNC Bank robbery was justified, with Gao Wenshan testifying that he trusted Ling Jing’s judgment. Sir Kwan watched from the observation room as the hearing continued toward its evidence-based conclusion.

• Ling Jing completed his questioning and left the hearing room.
• Gao Wenshan testified that he had not seen Ye Tao move to pull the grenade’s firing-pin ring before Ling Jing fired.
• Gao Wenshan declined to judge the official finding but said he trusted Ling Jing’s judgment and record as the Flying Tigers’ First Sniper.
• The three hearing officers approved of Gao Wenshan’s testimony, while Sir Kwan watched from the observation room with Luo Danian and Kong Chi Lap.

Zhou Quan arranged for Kong Chi Lap to take the vacant senior superintendent post in the National Security Department, then observed Ling Jing’s hearing with him and Luo Danian. Fang Keming’s testimony unexpectedly undermined Ling Jing’s case, while Zhou Quan remained unsurprised.

• Zhou Quan chose Kong Chi Lap to head the Operations Security Department after promoting Chow Sing Sing and Luo Danian to senior National Security Department posts.
• Kong Chi Lap joined Zhou Quan and Luo Danian to watch Ling Jing’s hearing and said Gao Wenshan’s support should help Ling Jing get through it.
• Kong Chi Lap said Fang Keming could confirm whether Ling Jing’s account of the grenade incident was true.
• Fang Keming gave an unexpected answer during questioning, turning the expressions of those in both the hearing room and observation room cold.
• Zhou Quan stayed calm because he had anticipated Fang Keming might give that answer.