Chapter Summaries

Zhou Quan kept Operation Sharp Sword secret, placed Chow Sing Sing in command, and moved Police Force senior officers to the National Security Department’s command centre. There, Kong Chi Lap reported that investigators had located Hung Jipang’s associates and intercepted explosives, while SDU support was being requested.

• Zhou Quan ordered ACP Ko to keep the Police Force’s increased alert level confidential and prepare press support for Operation Sharp Sword.
• Zhou Quan established the operation’s command centre at the National Security Department and handed operational command to Chow Sing Sing.
• Chow Sing Sing went to the command centre and asked Sergeant Kwong for an update on the investigation into Hung Jipang.
• Kong Chi Lap reported that investigators traced Hung Jipang through his phone, then identified a mass text linking twelve devices to his criminal plot.
• Kong Chi Lap said T Group intercepted two box trucks carrying C4 at an abandoned factory in rural Yuen Long and requested support from SDU.

Kong Chi Lap reported that the C4 explosives had been intercepted and the factory was surrounded, but the Police Force feared an assault could trigger a massive explosion. Zhou Quan ordered tactical support from Shek Kong Camp.

• Kong Chi Lap reported that police units were arresting suspects, Hung Jipang remained missing, and two trucks carrying C4 explosives were surrounded by T Group.
• Kong Chi Lap confirmed there were no hostages at the abandoned factory, only twelve terrorists.
• Chow Sing Sing ordered a negotiator to try to secure the terrorists’ peaceful surrender, while leaving the front line authority to eliminate them if necessary.
• Zhou Quan recognized the Police Force could not safely assault the factory and told Chow Sing Sing to contact Shek Kong Camp for tactical support.

Zhou Quan decided to request tactical support from Shek Kong Camp to handle the terrorists and their two truckloads of C4 explosives. New intelligence confirmed that Hung Jipang was among the attackers, leaving the Police Force ready to capture or eliminate him while pursuing the case against Yan Guorong.

• Zhou Quan argued that the Police Force could not safely neutralize the C4 threat alone and proposed asking Shek Kong Camp to take over the assault.
• The officers accepted the request, and Chow Sing Sing began calling Central Barracks to arrange military support.
• Kong Chi Lap reported that Ah Zhan had confirmed Hung Jipang was inside the abandoned factory with thirteen terrorists in total.
• Zhou Quan welcomed the discovery and prepared to capture Hung Jipang or destroy the group if they resisted.
• Zhou Quan concluded that Yan Guorong could still face severe punishment for helping transport the C4 explosives, even without Hung Jipang's testimony.

Zhou Quan secured military support for Operation Sharp Sword and led senior Police Force officials to the Yuen Long factory where Hung Jipang and the C4 explosives were surrounded. The police and military commanders met at the scene as their forces prepared to act.

• Zhou Quan requested tactical support from Central Barracks, and the military's third-ranking officer issued operational orders.
• Zhou Quan invited Lee Man-bun, He Lingyun, Yin Xiaofeng, and Chow Sing Sing to accompany him to the front line while Luo Danian stayed at the command centre.
• Zhou Quan's convoy joined military vehicles and travelled to the abandoned factory in rural Yuen Long.
• Police units and soldiers from Shek Kong Camp had already surrounded the factory, trapping Hung Jipang and the C4 explosives.
• Zhou Quan and Staff Officer Chan greeted each other warmly after their respective teams arrived at the scene.

Senior Colonel Chen and Zhou Quan established that the military would support the Police Force in Operation Sharp Sword while the police retained command. He Wenzhan then briefed them on the thirteen mercenaries trapped inside the abandoned factory, where two truckloads of C4 had stalled the operation.

• Senior Colonel Chen and Zhou Quan exchanged greetings and agreed that the military would fully support the Police Force while following its instructions.
• He Wenzhan and a lieutenant colonel saluted their respective superiors and then formally greeted the other side's commander.
• At Zhou Quan's request, He Wenzhan reported that the Flying Tigers Sniper Team had identified thirteen terrorists inside the abandoned factory, including wanted criminal Hung Jipang.
• He Wenzhan said the factory was surrounded, but the threat from two truckloads of C4 had left the police unable to launch an effective assault.

Military reinforcements brought heavy firepower to the standoff at the abandoned factory, allowing Zhou Quan to begin Operation Sharp Sword’s assault against Hung Jipang and the other terrorists. Chow Sing Sing issued a final ultimatum, and Company Commander Li’s troops fired a rocket in front of the factory entrance.

• Company Commander Li described the military contingent’s equipment, including five armored personnel carriers, sniper teams, and five PF-98 rocket launchers.
• Staff Officer Chan handed operational initiative to Zhou Quan, who appointed Chow Sing Sing to command at the scene and ordered him to give the terrorists a final ultimatum.
• Chow Sing Sing warned Hung Jipang and the other terrorists to surrender within one minute or face an assault, and ordered a rocket prepared as a deterrent.
• Company Commander Li ordered his troops to load and fire a rocket, which struck the ground in front of the factory entrance.

Chow Sing Sing’s forces used 120 mm rocket launchers to pressure the terrorists in the abandoned factory into surrendering. The terrorists came out with Hothead Hung Jipang and two bodies, and Battalion Commander Li volunteered his men to lead the arrest.

• Battalion Commander Li ordered the rocket crews to reload and prepare while Chow Sing Sing kept the forces alert.
• After brief gunfire inside the factory, the terrorists shouted that they surrendered and began coming out.
• The terrorists raised a makeshift white flag, then emerged with their hands up, carrying two bodies and guarding Hung Jipang.
• Chow Sing Sing ordered the terrorists to approach slowly, raise their hands, and lie flat at a safe distance.
• After the surrendering group reached the designated position, Battalion Commander Li interrupted Chow Sing Sing and offered to lead his men in arresting them.

Chow Sing Sing’s forces secured the terrorists’ surrender and began clearing the explosives at the abandoned factory. Hung Jipang was arrested and recognized Cheung Choi Shan as he was escorted away.

• Chow Sing Sing ordered snipers to shoot any terrorist who made a suspicious move, and Company Commander Li relayed the order to the brother unit’s snipers.
• The terrorists surrendered, handed over the C4 detonator, and dropped the two bodies they had been carrying; Hung Jipang eventually lay down as well.
• The Flying Tigers searched the terrorists, secured the detonator, and escorted the unarmed group away.
• Chow Sing Sing called in EOD, and Superintendent Cheung Choi Shan led bomb disposal personnel toward the explosives.
• Hung Jipang struggled when he recognized Cheung Choi Shan, who told him that evil would never triumph over justice.

After Hung Jipang was subdued and taken into custody, the police and military began clearing the factory and wrapping up Operation Sharp Sword. Zhou Quan thanked the supporting unit and planned to seek official commendations for its members before returning to Tai Kwun headquarters.

• Cheung Choi Shan left Hung Jipang behind to lead the bomb disposal officers toward the factory, while Flying Tigers member Chicken Biscuit struck Hung Jipang and stopped his resistance.
• The T Group took Hung Jipang and the ten other terrorists into custody for interrogation, while the two bodies were sent to Church Hospital.
• Chow Sing Sing reported that the EOD team had begun the final cleanup, and Battalion Commander Li reported the special mixed company’s mission complete to Zhou Quan and Staff Officer Chan.
• Staff Officer Chan ordered the military unit to re-form and return to Shek Kong Camp, and Battalion Commander Li responded to Sir Kwan with “Serve the people.”
• Chow Sing Sing answered with the Police Force slogan, “Loyal and courageous, with Hong Kong Island at heart!”
• Zhou Quan thanked Staff Officer Chan and said he would return to Tai Kwun headquarters, then visit Central Barracks to request official recognition for the supporting troops.

Zhou Quan arranged an official visit to Central Barracks and returned to Tai Kwun to begin questioning terrorist leader Hung Jipang. He suspected the explosives and mercenaries had entered Hong Kong Island with help from compromised police, customs, or immigration officials.

• Staff Officer Chan welcomed Zhou Quan’s offer to visit Central Barracks and accepted the prospect of an official letter of thanks.
• Zhou Quan and Staff Officer Chan parted ways on Harcourt Road, with the military vehicles returning to Central Barracks and Zhou Quan leading his team to Tai Kwun.
• Zhou Quan ordered the terrorists held separately and directed Chow Sing Sing to begin questioning Hung Jipang.
• Zhou Quan told Luo Danian and the other National Security Department officers to watch Hung Jipang closely and uncover the conspiracy behind the attack.
• Pang Yik-hang and Guan Zu escorted Hung Jipang into Interrogation Room No. 1 as Zhou Quan and the senior officers watched from the observation room.

Pang Yik-hang and Guan Zu pressured Hung Jipang to reveal his dealings with Yan Guorong, while Hung Jipang demanded to speak with Cheung Choi Shan. Pang Yik-hang threatened that Hung could be transferred to the Mainland for trial and gave him sixty seconds to decide whether to talk.

• Pang Yik-hang and Guan Zu acted indifferent to make Hung Jipang feel the Police Force did not take him seriously.
• Pang Yik-hang urged Hung Jipang to cooperate, saying his underlings could testify and Yan Guorong was being held upstairs.
• Hung Jipang demanded to see Cheung Choi Shan and said he would speak only to him.
• Pang Yik-hang warned Hung Jipang that the National Security Law could allow his transfer to the Mainland for trial.
• Pang Yik-hang gave Hung Jipang sixty seconds to reconsider, leaving fifty seconds on the clock.

Pang Yik-hang and Guan Zu pressured Hung Jipang into confessing that Yan Guorong hired his group to seize the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. His account revealed suspicious failures in several agencies’ checks, and Zhou Quan ordered the investigation to follow the evidence all the way through.

• Pang Yik-hang and Guan Zu threatened Hung Jipang with transfer to the Mainland, and Hung Jipang agreed to cooperate.
• Hung Jipang confessed that Yan Guorong of Wanzhong Group paid him to seize the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and force the Hong Kong Government to revoke the Western Harbour Crossing’s operating rights.
• Hung Jipang described how his men, weapons, and explosives entered Hong Kong Island through smuggling routes, ordinary channels, and Wanzhong Group’s shipping channels.
• Pang Yik-hang questioned how the weapons and explosives had passed inspections and how Hung Jipang’s men had entered through normal channels, but Hung Jipang said he did not know.
• Zhou Quan ordered Ah Sing to organize Hung Jipang’s statement and told Ah Kwan to make Yan Guorong talk, directing the officers to investigate the suspected agency failures all the way through.

After Hung Jipang’s testimony suggested a wider conspiracy involving the Marine Police, Customs, and Immigration Department, Zhou Quan ordered the National Security Department to investigate while he focused on the Police Force as a whole. Chow Sing Sing and Luo Danian organized the inquiry, which left the chapter with the department reviewing senior personnel across all three agencies.

• Zhou Quan ordered his officers to report new information immediately, then left the observation room to oversee the wider Police Force response.
• Chow Sing Sing assigned Sergeant Kwong to organize Hung Jipang’s statement and take over his interrogation.
• Chow Sing Sing directed Luo Danian to form a task force and review inspector- and officer-grade personnel in the Marine Police, Customs, and Immigration Department.
• The National Security Department continued interrogating Yan Guorong while its Political Investigation Department focused on the cross-department personnel review.
• Chow Sing Sing coordinated the investigation, and Luo Danian managed its implementation.

Zhou Quan heard that Chow Sing Sing and Luo Danian had uncovered senior officials tied to the people behind Hung Jipang. Their investigation pointed to compromised figures in the Marine Police, Customs, and Immigration Department, and left Zhou Quan facing a much wider conspiracy.

• Zhou Quan continued the Police Force's level-two alert and used an anti-gang crackdown to cover Luo Danian's investigation.
• Chow Sing Sing told Zhou Quan that Customs Superintendent Kwan Ka-wai had helped arrange Wanzhong Group's transport channels and commanded the task force when Yan Guorong moved weapons and explosives for Hung Jipang.
• Chow Sing Sing identified Kwan Ka-wai's uncle, the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, as a representative of the foreign-backed faction.
• Luo Danian reported that his team had identified a Senior Superintendent of Marine Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, and an Assistant Commissioner of the Immigration Department as major suspects.
• Luo Danian revealed that the three senior officials had close private ties to the targets Wing had previously been investigating.

Zhou Quan assessed the evidence linking Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee to turncoats across three departments, then ordered their surveillance and arrests once the evidence was complete. He scheduled the arrests for the following day while he visited Central Barracks.

• Luo Danian told Zhou Quan that investigators had found no conclusive evidence against Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee, but confirmed that the exposed turncoats were closely connected to their clique.
• Zhou Quan ordered the investigation team expanded and directed it to monitor Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee.
• Zhou Quan ordered arrests in the Marine Police, Customs, and Immigration Department as soon as the evidence chain was complete, so the existing case could proceed to trial.
• Chow Sing Sing agreed to arrange the operation, but Zhou Quan set it for the following day while he visited Central Barracks.
• Chow Sing Sing and Luo Danian understood that the arrests would take place publicly during the turncoats' workday.

After Operation Sharp Sword, Zhou Quan led a Police Force delegation to thank the troops and then returned to headquarters to meet Security Bureau official Lok Ming-wah. Lok questioned Zhou about National Security Department arrests at Customs and the Immigration Department, which had prompted both departments to complain to the Secretary for Security.

• Zhou Quan and senior Police Force officials visited Central Barracks to thank the troops and observe their training.
• Zhou Quan declined the troops’ invitation to try their food and returned to headquarters because Lok Ming-wah was waiting for him.
• Choi Yuen-kei tactfully left Zhou Quan to meet his guest and agreed to discuss several matters with him over lunch.
• Lok Ming-wah complained that Zhou’s Police Force had raised its alert level and made arrests at Customs and the Immigration Department.
• Lok Ming-wah explained that the heads of both departments had called the Secretary for Security to protest the arrests.

Zhou Quan gave Lok Ming-wah the Police Force’s reports on its recent operations, revealing foreign involvement in a plot that implicated senior Customs and Immigration Department officials. Lok Ming-wah backed the continuing investigation and promised to answer for any pressure it brought.

• Zhou Quan received Lok Ming-wah’s complaints about the Police Force taking senior Customs and Immigration Department officials from their departments and asked him to be patient.
• Chow Sing Sing delivered reports on the Police Force’s operations over the previous two days, and Zhou Quan handed them to Lok Ming-wah.
• Lok Ming-wah read that foreign forces had links to a plot targeting Hong Kong Island’s transport facilities and that the investigation had implicated important officials.
• Lok Ming-wah slammed the folder onto the table and condemned the foreign forces’ attempts to undermine Hong Kong Island’s stability.
• Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan to continue the investigation, promised to take responsibility for any pressure, and said he would report the matter at the next executive meeting.

After Operation Sharp Sword, Zhou Quan and Lok Ming-wah discussed how the exposed foreign-backed network could be targeted and how their success benefited the Security Bureau. Lok Ming-wah left to report to his commissioner, while investigations continued and he began reviewing the other disciplined services to remove turncoats and appoint trusted aides.

• Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan that his report would silence complaints from Customs and the Immigration Department, and the two acknowledged the gains from Operation Sharp Sword.
• Lok Ming-wah sought to benefit from the vacancies left by the fallen deputy head of Customs and senior Immigration Department official.
• Zhou Quan continued investigations into Lydia, Ma Cheuk-yin, and Gilbert Lee while avoiding personally leading interrogations or using hypnosis as evidence.
• Lok Ming-wah left Tai Kwun to report to the commissioner, and Zhou Quan escorted him to the parking lot.
• Lok Ming-wah launched a review of every disciplined service except the Police Force to uncover turncoats and install trusted aides.

Wong Bing Yiu praised Zhou Quan’s handling of Operation Sharp Sword and explained how he was preparing his nephew to lead the Police Force. He then turned the closed-door meeting toward another matter, leaving its subject undisclosed.

• Kwan Man Chin and Mok Kam-chuen decided how to deal with the turncoat Senior Superintendent, with formal government procedures still required.
• Wong Bing Yiu convened Zhou Quan, Tsang Yuk-ming, Choi Yuen-kei, and Chow Sing Sing for a closed-door meeting at Tai Kwun.
• Wong Bing Yiu praised Zhou Quan’s successful Operation Sharp Sword and affirmed his confidence in Zhou’s leadership.
• Wong Bing Yiu said the Police Force’s priority was maintaining law and order and stability on Hong Kong Island.
• Wong Bing Yiu turned serious and announced that the group would discuss another matter behind closed doors.

Wong Bing Yiu convened senior Police Force officials to discuss implementing the Third-generation Communications Command System and whether it should include a secret contingency measure. Zhou Quan and Deputy Commissioner Tsang supported Choi Yuen-kei’s proposal, leaving the decision with the remaining senior officials.

• Wong Bing Yiu briefly mentioned Operation Sharp Sword before turning the meeting to the Police Force’s communications system.
• Wong Bing Yiu explained that the five hundred and fifty million budget could fund a cutting-edge command system integrating communications, computers, and vehicle tracking.
• Wong Bing Yiu asked whether officers’ equipment should also be tracked and introduced Choi Yuen-kei’s proposal for a secret weapon.
• Choi Yuen-kei argued that the Police Force should prepare a contingency in case someone breached or exploited the new system.
• Zhou Quan agreed with Choi Yuen-kei’s proposal, and Deputy Commissioner Tsang said he had no objections.