The dust settled

Before long, Chiang Tin-sang came in and sat down. He exchanged a few casual words with everyone, then set his teacup on the table.

"All twelve bosses are here. Let's begin."

Chan Yiu spoke next. "Last week, some of our brothers went to Macau on a job. Unfortunately, we suffered casualties."

Big B followed up. "Mr. Jiang, I need to explain this. When a boss gives an order, his men will put their lives on the line, but..."

"But... they failed. Nothing you say changes that," Teem-Kwan cut in from the side, his voice raspy.

"Why all the hemming and hawing? Afraid someone will hear?"

"If someone else had handled it, Hongxing's reputation wouldn't have suffered. At the end of the day, if you can't get the job done, don't pass the buck."

"Teem-Kwan, stop targeting me all the time!" Big B snapped.

"Let me tell you something. In this life, you own your mistakes and take your punishment standing straight. How have you been teaching your men?" Teem-Kwan tapped the table with a sneer, then acted as though something had just dawned on him.

"Actually, that's not right. You had someone capable. You just wouldn't use him."

"Silly Keung's your man. Of course he'll say whatever you want him to!" Chan Ho-nam's underling Foreskin stood and walked over angrily.

"What gives you the right to speak here?" Teem-Kwan sneered.

"Before Lord Guan, we're all equal."

Teem-Kwan stood and slapped him across the face. "Equal, sure. But you still need to respect your elders."

"The boss doesn't know what he's doing, and his men don't know their place. Who the hell taught them?"

"Have you finished arguing?" The smile vanished from Chiang Tin-sang's face, and his voice turned cold.

"Fair enough. We're all in the same boat, so we should pull together. Brother B, feel free to fail a few more times," Teem-Kwan said with a hollow smile.

"The Funeral Biu matter isn't settled. What should we do next?" Chan Yiu interrupted him.

"If we failed, send someone else to do it. I said from the start that Chan Ho-nam wasn't up to it..." Teem-Kwan spread his hands.

"My opinion hasn't changed. LS can fight and kill. He should have no trouble," Uncle Hing said.

"I've heard his name even in North Point. He's been making quite a splash lately. Let him try," Fatso Lai, the North Point boss, suddenly said after glancing at Big B.

Fatso Lai also had a grudge against Big B. He was in the magazine business.

Then Chan Ho-nam had burned down his printing plant.

Several bosses with no stake in the matter watched the show with interest. Both Teem-Kwan and Fatso Lai had grudges against Big B, yet both were recommending one of Big B's men. Even those who hadn't known Big B and GS were at odds had figured it out by now.

And this LS had actually persuaded several bosses to speak up for him. He knew how to work people, and he had no shortage of ambition.

Some whispered among themselves, then looked toward GS in the corner. Smiling, GS met their eyes one by one.

"LS? I think he'll do fine," said Brother Kei, the fence-sitting Sai Wan boss, adding his support.

Four of the twelve bosses supported GS.

Big B's face turned livid, his anger trapped inside with nowhere to go.

"Anyone else?" Chiang Tin-sang surveyed them without a change in expression. His gaze paused briefly on GS before moving to the others.

"I think LS can do it," Dinosaur, the Tuen Mun boss, suddenly said, tapping the table.

Even his older brother Hon Ping, the Kwai Tsing District boss, turned to look at him in surprise. Clearly, Hon Ping hadn't known about this either.

Dinosaur spread his hands. His turf in Tuen Mun was almost as poor as Yuen Long. After expenses, he had less than a million left each year.

When that million had been placed in front of him, he had wanted to refuse, but his hands had had ideas of their own.

Only five bosses supported GS, but unless someone nominated another candidate and six of the remaining bosses backed that person, the matter was settled.

Chiang Tin-sang tapped the table. "Since so many of you favor him, let him handle it."

"Is he here?"

"Right here!" GS stood.

"If I give you the job, you can handle it?" Chiang Tin-sang asked with a smile.

"You should've given it to me ages ago. Let whoever's capable do the job. If you keep choosing useless people, how's the organization supposed to grow? How's Hongxing supposed to get stronger?" GS looked utterly brash.

Several bosses studied the young man, who was only about twenty. Handsome and bold, he carried himself with unrestrained confidence, making no attempt to hide his ambition or arrogance.

"Well said." Teem-Kwan applauded.

"A boss sends his men out to work and rewards them according to their achievements. Of course the capable ones should get the jobs. And no matter how high your position, you have to answer for your mistakes."

"Kwan, if you have something to say, say it." Chiang Tin-sang's expression remained unchanged, a smile still on his lips.

"You're the one sitting in that seat every year, Brother Sang..." Teem-Kwan shrugged.

GS sat back down and watched Teem-Kwan perform.

Teem-Kwan had already been planning to make his move, but GS hadn't expected him to use his remark as an opening.

Still, it had nothing to do with him. It wasn't his turn to sit in that seat yet. Becoming the Causeway Bay Boss was enough.

Besides, having Teem-Kwan in charge would benefit him more.

"I think we should hold another election this year," Teem-Kwan said outright.

"To be fair, Kwan has made the organization a lot of money over the years. Even without his achievements, his hard work deserves recognition," Pretty Ma suddenly said, having watched silently until now.

Rumor had it that Pretty Ma had been a great beauty in her youth, and even Chiang Tin-sang had fallen for her. There was no sign of that now, though. She was impressively hefty.

"Do you really want this seat?" Chiang Tin-sang asked.

"By the rules, we vote once every three years. Aren't we due this year? Brother Yiu, you tell us." Teem-Kwan tapped the table.

"Yes." Chan Yiu nodded.

"Everyone should know how much I've done for the company these past few years.

You all remember how I made my name fighting the Cheung Hing Gang in Lam Tin, right?

The chairman ordered Shar Pei killed and the fish stalls taken back. I handled it.

I stormed into Tsim Sha Tsui East and killed Chan Kei. I took the fall for Hongxing and spent three years in prison."

"If we're rewarding achievements, I've more than earned the right to sit there, haven't I?" Teem-Kwan asked, pointing at Chiang Tin-sang's seat.

"Yes." Chiang Tin-sang nodded.

"And whenever a brother in the company has asked for my help, when have I ever failed to sort things out properly?"

The bosses nodded one after another. Teem-Kwan really had done a great deal over the years.

And whenever anyone asked him for help, he always handled it properly.

"Hong Kong people like voting, and I'm a democratic man myself. If everyone has someone else in mind, I can step aside," Chiang Tin-sang said plainly.

"Teem-Kwan, scheming against me is one thing, but you're even scheming against Mr. Jiang! Are you even human?" Big B slammed the table in fury.

"I haven't settled the Macau business with you yet!" Teem-Kwan sneered.

"I'll take full responsibility for Macau. It has nothing to do with Brother B or Mr. Jiang," Chan Ho-nam declared, springing to his feet.

"You'll certainly be held responsible, kid," Teem-Kwan said.

"Sit down," Chiang Tin-sang reprimanded Chan Ho-nam.

"Brother Yiu, you take charge." Teem-Kwan pulled over a chair and sat down too.

"Mr. Jiang, every brother here today has a vote, correct?" Chan Yiu asked.

"Correct."

"Let's give everyone two minutes to think it over."

A little later, Chan Yiu spoke. "Brothers, raise your hands if you vote for Teem-Kwan."

With that, he raised his own hand first. "I support Teem-Kwan taking this seat. He's right. The most capable person should hold it."

Several bosses were startled by the sight. Teem-Kwan had even bought off Chan Yiu?

Chan Yiu was Chiang Tin-sang's trusted confidant, with a standing even higher than Big B's.

Then almost everyone except Big B and Ah Chiu raised their hands.

"You bastards! Have you forgotten how Mr. Jiang's always treated you? Put your hands down!"

Shocked and furious, Big B pointed at Chan Yiu and cursed, "You bastard! You'll be the first one I beat to death!"

"Brother B, think carefully before you speak," Chan Yiu said calmly.

"B." Chiang Tin-sang stopped him. The smile disappeared from his face as he said, "I'm willing to accept reality. Kwan will take this seat."

With that, Chiang Tin-sang stood.

"Brother Sang, I respect you a great deal. At least for today, you're still the boss. You should tie up the loose ends."

Teem-Kwan stood and tossed out a videotape. "One of our Hongxing boys has really made a name for himself."

"Getting involved with a brother's woman is taboo in our world. Shouldn't someone answer for this?"

Chan Ho-nam stood, his face livid. "I, Chan Ho-nam, have let Hongxing down. I'll bear the consequences alone."

"You said it yourself. Brother Sang, what do you say?" Teem-Kwan turned toward Chiang Tin-sang.

"Enforce our code," Chiang Tin-sang said directly.

The organization's punishment was carried out, and after enduring it, Chan Ho-nam was expelled from Hongxing.

When the meeting ended, GS took the videotape and walked out, casually tossing it in his hand.

"Hey, LS." One of Ah Chiu's men pointed at the tape in GS's hand.

"I'm curious. I'll take it home, give it a thorough critical viewing, and learn from his mistakes!" GS laughed loudly.

"You want to watch too? Want me to make you a copy? We're all brothers here. Don't be shy."

The man's face darkened, but he said nothing.

He could only watch GS swagger away with Silly Fook.

Clearly, as long as GS handled the Macau job, he would become one of the twelve bosses.

Calling out to him had already been as far as the man dared go. There was no way he would offend GS over Chan Ho-nam.

"Big-Eyed Hua, find out where Stammering Girl is. Yes, Chan Ho-nam's girl. I've got something I'd like to watch with her. Tell her it's about Chan Ho-nam."

GS made the call as soon as he got into the car.

After hanging up, GS thought it over. Teem-Kwan had picked a good moment.

Not only had he made Chiang Tin-sang punish Chan Ho-nam, but once GS finished the job, Teem-Kwan would promote him to Causeway Bay Boss, leaving GS owing him a favor.

Back in Yuen Long, he took his men straight onto a speedboat and set off. The boat belonged to a people smuggler who knew the route well, so there was no need to worry about being intercepted.

He certainly wouldn't take a ferry like Chan Ho-nam had, unable even to bring weapons and going in without intelligence. Chan Ho-nam had relied on the people in Macau to supply his route and weapons, only to be played straight into disaster.