Big-Eyed Hua

Biodata

Background / History

Service under Ah Sin

Big-Eyed Hua begins as a low-level Hongxing member in Yuen Long. Following Thunderclap Tiger’s threats against Ah Sin, he and Gu Sheng take their turn escorting Ah Sin’s wife. Hua drives her to the Hansa hair salon, where Gu Sheng sends him away with the money she provides for tea 1.

Gu Sheng later orders Hua to watch Ah Sin’s apartment building and page him if anything happens. After Ah Sin and Long-Haired Kit are killed, Hua repeatedly pages Gu Sheng and waits outside his home late into the night. He reports the deaths, King Boxer Yung’s hospitalization, and the disappearance of Ah Sin’s wife and the money from the safe, without knowing Gu Sheng is responsible 2 4 5.

Following Gu Sheng’s Rise

During Hongxing’s war with Tung Sing, Hua gathers Long-Haired Kit’s former followers and additional men for Gu Sheng’s operation. He becomes nervous when the larger enemy force arrives, but afterward enthusiastically tells Big B how Gu Sheng killed Flyboy Kun and Xu Fei. He also celebrates Gu Sheng’s subsequent killing of Piglet Ming and distributes money to the men when Gu Sheng’s promotion is announced 10 11 13 15.

Hua’s explanation that rental listings are posted on utility poles and in windows helps prompt Gu Sheng’s property-agency idea. He gathers men to help find Gu Sheng a larger flat, then secures storefronts for the new business. For Golden Harvest Properties’ flagship branch, he obtains premises worth at least sixty thousand a month for forty thousand, with payment deferred 15 16 17.

Mad Dog’s Murder and Hua’s Promotion

Hua investigates Mad Dog’s family circumstances and accompanies Gu Sheng on a visit to him. When the visit turns violent, Mad Dog’s underling drives Hua back with a cleaver before Gu Sheng disables him. Hua takes the weapon, then hesitates when ordered to kill its owner. Fearing he might also be killed if he refuses, he obeys and subsequently kills Mad Dog on Gu Sheng’s orders 18.

Gu Sheng immediately names Hua his right-hand man and gives him the few tens of thousands of dollars found in the apartment. Hua’s delight at the promotion and money quickly overrides his fear. Within the following days, Gu Sheng puts him in charge of a street near Long Ping Estate, strengthening his loyalty 18 19.

Campaign against Hung Lok

After Fai Chuen’s attack on Gu Sheng, Hua spends the night gathering information about Hung Lok. His report identifies its leadership, roughly one thousand members, protection-money income, and Gentleman Sing’s daily visits to the Mayflower Nightclub to pursue Ann. He also reports that Gu Sheng can mobilize fewer than three hundred men because some have been transferred to the shops 25 26.

With Gentleman Sing captured, Hua mobilizes the crew to drive Hung Lok out of Tin Shui Wai. He announces a fifty-percent monthly pay increase upon victory, coordinates attacks on Concrete’s businesses, and receives further orders to clear Tai Bo Ball’s territory. After the victory, Gu Sheng orders him to hospitalize the wounded, hold the captured turf, and guard against counterattacks 27 28 29.

Hua receives a hundred-thousand-dollar reward and promises to spread recruitment notices throughout Yuen Long. His men also publicize Gu Sheng’s generosity, helping attract attention to the expanding crew 29 30.

Remaining in Yuen Long

As Gu Sheng pursues the Causeway Bay district-boss position, Hua receives several supporting assignments: bringing Uncle Hing’s youngest son to safety, contacting Ann’s brother Bik Ham, investigating Funeral Biu in Macau, and finding Stammering Girl 33 34 39 40.

When Gu Sheng announces his move to Causeway Bay, Hua asks to accompany him, attracted by the district’s glamour. Gu Sheng refuses and leaves him in Yuen Long to retain control of the men and protect the property agency and conquered territory from Big B’s interference. Ah Yong and Mantis are assigned to assist him because Gu Sheng doubts Hua can hold everything together alone 41.

Appearance

• Youthful: Introduced as a young man 1.
• Large eyes: His most distinctive feature and the basis of his name; they widen further when he learns Gu Sheng is becoming Causeway Bay’s district boss 1 41.

Personality

Hua is talkative, curious, and prone to teasing. He questions Gu Sheng about the women around him, fails to recognize his affair with Ah Sin’s wife, and repeatedly calls Kong Sang “Sister-in-law.” He also turns up hoping to share her cooking and praises her congee 6 7 14 18.

He admires Gu Sheng’s fighting ability and loudly promotes his achievements, but is not especially brave or bright. He sweats when facing Tung Sing’s superior numbers and kills Mad Dog only after Gu Sheng’s intimidation overcomes his hesitation 10 11 13 18 19.

Money and authority strongly influence his loyalty. Becoming a right-hand man, receiving cash, and gaining control of a street make him increasingly devoted to Gu Sheng. His wish to follow Gu Sheng to Causeway Bay is explicitly attributed more to its glamour than to exceptional loyalty 18 19 41.

Abilities & Skills

Underworld Knowledge and Intelligence Gathering

Hua’s clearest strength is knowing his way around the underworld, despite his limited courage and intelligence 19.

• Identifies Shui Dong as a source of smuggled cars and Big Fool as a source of stolen vehicles, both in Sai Kung 19.
• Investigates Mad Dog’s relatives and girlfriend 18.
• Produces an overnight report on Hung Lok’s organization, income, territory, and its leader’s habits 25 26.
• Arranges investigations into Funeral Biu in Macau 39.

Recruitment and Field Coordination

Hua gathers followers, relays Gu Sheng’s orders, and directs men during territorial operations.

• Recognizes Long Ping Estate as a useful recruiting ground because of its large population of street punks 16.
• Helps organize recruits and publicizes Gu Sheng’s acceptance of Ah Dong, Mantis, Ah Yong, and Ah Bo 23.
• Coordinates attacks on Hung Lok and reports their progress by telephone 28 29.
• Requires support from Ah Yong and Mantis for his broader Yuen Long responsibilities 41.

Practical Logistics

• Drives Ah Sin’s wife during escort duty 1.
• Finds rental housing and obtains reduced-rent storefronts for Gu Sheng’s property business 15 16 17.
• Distributes money to followers and arranges men and vehicles for operations 15 26.

Relationships

• Gu Sheng — Initially his fellow escort, later his boss. Gu Sheng promotes him after Mad Dog’s murder, rewards him with money and territory, and entrusts him with the Yuen Long operation, while frequently scolding or striking him 1 6 16 18 19 41.
• Ah Sin — His original gang boss. Hua escorts his wife and reports his death to Gu Sheng 1 5.
• Kong Sang — Calls her “Sister-in-law” and enjoys her cooking; the address makes her smile 14 18.
• Mad Dog — A fellow Hongxing member whom Hua investigates and ultimately kills at Gu Sheng’s command 18.
• Ah Yong and Mantis — Assigned to help him manage Gu Sheng’s men and protect the Yuen Long businesses 41.