Chapter 383

At this moment,

in an abandoned house in the New Territories.

Young Master Guo had been captured and brought here, then locked inside a cage.

A masked thug, one of the kidnappers, handed him a phone: "Young Master Guo, make a call... We only want 500 million USD. For your Guo family, that shouldn't be too much."

Young Master Guo turned his head away, ignoring him.

"Oh? Not calling? Do you want to die?"

The kidnappers all laughed.

"Brothers, keep beating him!"

Soon, the clubs and sticks rained down, yet Young Master Guo didn't let out a single miserable cry.

"Damn it, he's actually a tough nut to crack!"

The kidnappers were all stunned.

There was actually such a tough nut?

In truth, they didn't know Young Master Guo's history; Young Master Guo was indeed a real man.

In his early years, Young Master Guo studied abroad in the UK, where he met a woman named Ms. Li. They were a perfect match and fell deeply in love.

However, Boss Guo had selected a satisfactory daughter-in-law for Young Master Guo: Ms. Gu. She came from a wealthy background, graduated from a prestigious university, worked at HSBC, and was highly intelligent—one of the most capable talents at HSBC.

At Boss Guo's insistence, Young Master Guo and Ms. Gu were married.

Yet, after only half a year, he divorced Ms. Gu.

He then left home to find Ms. Li, married her abroad, and had children. This infuriated Boss Guo to the point of exploding. Even when his financial support was cut off, Young Master Guo did not compromise.

The Guo family was, of course, very unhappy with Ms. Li, but in the end, they had no choice but to acknowledge her status as the eldest daughter-in-law.

"Since he refuses to make the call..."

"Record a video. Once recorded, send it over directly."

The kidnappers had no choice but to adopt the second plan.

They didn't dare to actually beat Young Master Guo to death; they were after money, not his life.

23:12,

New Territories.

Song Zihao was driving his red taxi, having dropped off his last passenger, and was now returning home.

At this moment, the radio station suddenly interrupted its music broadcast.

"Citizens listening late at night... we are now interrupting with an emergency news bulletin!"

"Just an hour ago, a major kidnapping occurred on Repulse Bay Road. The helmsman of the Guo family, one of the Four Great Families, Young Master Guo, has been confirmed kidnapped..."

"The police state that police presence on Clear Water Bay Road has been increased by three shifts, but tonight they received alarm calls to handle other cases, resulting in an inability to discover the kidnappers' actions in the first instance..."

Song Zihao was shocked.

Again?

This is the third time!

It hasn't even been two months. These kidnappers are too rampant.

Just as he was passing through a remote area,

a person wearing a mask and holding an AK pointed it at the taxi.

Song Zihao was startled.

Ultimately, being a man of great courage, he still stopped the car.

"Hello~~"

"Hey, Mr. Driver, help me deliver something to the Guo family of the Four Great Families... When the time comes, asking the Guo family for 10,000 or 100,000 won't be a problem..." The kidnapper shoved a videotape into Song Zihao's arms.

Song Zihao looked at the videotape in his arms and raised his eyes to look at the masked kidnapper holding the AK in front of him.

He understood: this guy was the kidnapper who had abducted Young Master Guo.

"If you don't deliver it, I'll send you to your death... If you deliver it, the Guo family has plenty of money; 10,000 or 100,000 is yours to name..."

"Fine, I'll deliver it."

Having said that, he drove away, heading toward Repulse Bay.

At this time, the Guo family mansion was brightly lit.

The whole family was waiting for the kidnappers' call.

Young Master Guo's mother, Old Lady Kuang, was pacing back and forth in the hall, filled with worry.

Mrs. Li had cried until her eyes were swollen.

Young Master Guo's second and third brothers stood to the side, each harboring their own hidden agendas. They were secretly calculating that with their eldest brother kidnapped, the family business would inevitably be in turmoil in the short term, and they wondered if they should take the opportunity to seize more say in certain projects.

The police force had also left people behind: Qiu Gangao from the O-Unit, and Ma Haotian from the Criminal Intelligence Bureau.

The two were currently discussing the matter.

"Every time, the kidnappers choose these remote sections with few people and cars... To curb this, it would be best to install surveillance along the entire route."

"What about the funding?"

"There are so many wealthy people in Repulse Bay; is the mere cost of surveillance even considered money?"

"That's true."

This time, it was very difficult for the police to find effective clues; this group of kidnappers was simply too clean and efficient, clearly a well-organized group.

Around midnight, Song Zihao arrived with the videotape.

Ma Haotian was just about to interrogate Song Zihao.

Qiu Gangao was surprised: "Mr. Song!"

Song Zihao saw Qiu Gangao and nodded: "Officer Qiu!"

Ma Haotian was stunned: "You know him?"

Qiu Gangao nodded: "An acquaintance. His younger brother is Song Zijie, a Senior Inspector in the Major Crimes Unit of the Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters."

Upon hearing this, Ma Haotian thought, 'Oh, he's one of our own.'

Then there was no need to be so strict; just getting a rough understanding of the situation would suffice.

Song Zihao explained the sequence of events, and Ma Haotian registered it.

Soon, the video began to play.

Young Master Guo was stripped of his clothes and beaten until covered in wounds, yet his eyes remained stubborn.

The kidnapper, using a voice changer, said: "500 million USD. Before 5:00 PM the day after tomorrow, be prepared to transfer the funds at any time."

In a flash,

a night had passed.

The sun rose, and more and more citizens got out of bed, starting a new day.

Today's newspapers were exceptionally lively.

"Shocking! For the Third Time, Young Master Guo Kidnapped!"

"Kidnappers Strike Again, Rumored Ransom of 1 Billion USD from the Guo Family!"

As for the television stations,

at 7:00,

ATV News also broadcasted.

Although they had obtained first-hand news material last night, it was already 23:00, and broadcasting news late at night was clearly inappropriate, so they could only report it today.

"Fellow citizens, we are now broadcasting a major piece of news. Last night, another shocking incident occurred in Hong Kong. The helmsman of the Guo family, one of the Four Great Families, Young Master Guo, was kidnapped on Repulse Bay Road. Currently, the police have launched a full-scale rescue operation..."

The television screen showed the lonely luxury car on Repulse Bay Road late at night, the police cordon swaying in the wind, the busy figures of police officers moving about, followed by photos of Young Master Guo in his usual high-spirited demeanor attending various commercial events...

"This is already the kidnappers' third abduction..."

The scene shifted, and the camera cut to an interview with Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu:

"Today, we specifically interviewed Mr. Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, the party involved in the previous attempted kidnapping. Upon learning of this incident, he specifically pointed out that the recurring kidnappings expose the shortcoming of insufficient surveillance in remote areas of Hong Kong, giving kidnappers an opportunity. If surveillance cameras could be installed on these roads, it would greatly improve police efficiency and prevent such vicious incidents from happening again."

"At the same time, Mr. Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu also emphasized that as kidnappers become increasingly rampant, accelerating the amendment of police regulations is imminent. He believes that a more scientific and reasonable police promotion mechanism must be built as soon as possible so that frontline police officers with rich combat experience can fully display their talents... and effectively safeguard the peace of Hong Kong."

This piece of news was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

In every household...

In every tea restaurant...

On buses and in subways...

Everywhere, people were shocked and discussing it fervently.

"The third time?!"

"These kidnappers are simply too lawless!"

"500 million USD... I'm afraid other kidnappers won't be able to sit still after seeing this."

The whole of Hong Kong was shocked.

It's chaotic!

It's chaotic! Now, won't other kidnappers follow suit?

There were also some citizens who realized,

"Damn, so what if these kidnappers are fierce?"

"I'm poor, what does it have to do with me!"

"Poverty keeps me safe!"

However, most citizens still hoped for a safe city, rather than having people kidnapped every day.

If they could kidnap for 500 million USD every time, I'm afraid kidnappers from all over the world would come.

By then, Hong Kong would surely be in great chaos!

At the same time,

in the complex and gloomy alleys of the New Territories border area, a group of kidnappers was hiding.

Tiger, Leopard, and Jackal! — ("Long Arm of the Law 2")

"Brothers, have you all seen the news?"

Tiger sat on the sofa, taking a fierce drag of his cigarette, exhaling thick smoke.

"This kidnapper is kidnapping a tycoon!"

"Remember the second young lady of the Li family last time? 500 million USD. They asked for 500 million USD right off the bat. That's 500 million USD! Even if we worked for 100 years, we might not have such a harvest!"

Jackal's eyes flashed with fanaticism: "Boss, we can't just watch the fat meat be swallowed by others! If they dare to kidnap, why can't we? With our skills, picking a target to strike would absolutely be as easy as pie."

Leopard was also excited: "That's right! Bring enough explosives; as long as our plan is thorough, we can definitely succeed."

The two spoke one after another, discussing it heatedly, the fire of greed in their eyes burning brighter and brighter, their minds already intoxicated by that huge ransom.

However, Tiger pacified them: "Don't get excited yet. Our biggest problem now is that we don't know how to launder this money... 500 million USD, even this house couldn't hold it. How do we take it? Swiss Bank? Once it's in the Swiss Bank, how do we get it out?"

"We'd better find that group of kidnappers and ask for advice..."

On the other side,

a group of kidnappers led by Hong Jipeng had secretly arrived in Hong Kong with the help of snakeheads. ("Shock Wave")

Hong Jipeng brought a brother back to their rented room after buying breakfast.

Then he saw several brothers watching television.

"Boss, look at the news!"

"Big news, a tycoon has been kidnapped."

Hong Jipeng slapped the newspaper he bought onto the table.

"I've seen the news. A tycoon was kidnapped; the newspaper says they demanded 500 million USD."

"Hiss~~ 500 million?"

All the subordinates gasped.

Greed shone in their eyes.

"Boss, perhaps we should change our target. Look at them getting 500 million at once. Even if we get a few tens of millions, we won't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of our lives."

A young, hot-headed kidnapper said eagerly.

"That's right, we should do something big."

Other subordinates began to get restless one after another.

Originally, back in the mainland, the "senior news" they heard was about robbing gold shops or watch shops; earning a few hundred thousand or a million in one go was already incredibly awesome.

Being even more awesome meant robbing bank cash trucks to earn a few tens of millions.

But after coming to Hong Kong,

Damn,

The seniors lied to me!

Robbing gold shops and watch shops is outdated; kidnapping tycoons is the real way to play.

A few million? Who are you trying to insult!

Sure enough, Hong Kong is a land of heroes, a land of wind and clouds!

Hong Jipeng was also filled with excitement: "Everyone? We can't just act blindly; we need to figure out the situation first."

"First, the most important question: how do we take the 500 million USD?"

"Naturally, they hand over the ransom, and we just carry it and run..." a subordinate shouted.

*Slap~~~*

Hong Jipeng gave him a flick on the forehead: "Are you a damn idiot? Do you know how much 500 million USD is? That's at least several tons! You're going to carry it?!"

"In short, figure this out first before talking..."

With the news reports,

for a time, the underground world of Hong Kong was surging with undercurrents, and many kidnapper teams, tempted by the huge ransom, all started having crooked ideas.

A more chaotic era had arrived!

Government House,

Governor Wei Dewei was eating breakfast, listening to the English news.

He had pondered all night last night, and seeing Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's statement on the news this morning, his attitude wavered even more.

He gradually leaned toward reforming police regulations.

Finally... he thought about the 500 million USD ransom the kidnappers demanded.

Fuck you!

I can't even embezzle that much in several years, and you kidnappers earn 500 million USD just like that?

Wouldn't I be letting you off too easily?

He was so angry he didn't even want to eat breakfast!

"Someone come here!"

The secretary walked in: "Your Excellency!"

Governor: "Tell the police force, in 10 days, I want to see the reform plan for police regulations!!"

At the Commissioner's home, a villa.

Johns soon received a call from Government House.

"Understood!"

"10 days, I will definitely come up with a plan!"

"Yes!"

After hanging up, Johns immediately called his secretary over: "Notify all Assistant Commissioners of Police and above immediately; there will be a police department meeting at 10:00!"

"At the same time, notify the Legislative Council that the police force will refer to Councilor Guan's suggestions to amend police regulations..."

Secretary: "Yes!"

Johns: "Wait... tell ATV about this; I hope it can be broadcast at noon to inform all Hong Kong citizens of our police force's attitude."

Secretary: "Not tell TVB?"

Johns: "No need."

Secretary: "Yes!"

ATV,

Chairman's office,

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, who had just arrived at the office, began to look at the two variety show planning proposals submitted to him by the variety department.

"Super Trainee"

After Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu finished reading the content.

It was basically a revised version of "Super Girl" + "CHUANG".

First, use the selection method of "Super Girl" to select handsome men and beautiful women from over a million households in Hong Kong. Doing this is to expand influence, let this program gain the curiosity of the general public, and increase ratings.

Then, use the "CHUANG" method to train the newcomers selected, but not for dancing or singing, because Hong Kong is too small, and ATV won't be able to make much money doing that.

Where should these newcomers be trained?

Put them into ATV's production crews.

Isn't ATV going to film TV dramas? Then throw the newcomers into the dramas to audition, train, act, and then debut, giving them contracts for important roles.

And the television department?

They can increase the ratings of the TV dramas through this exposure.

In short, it's a collaboration between the variety department and the television department, killing multiple birds with one stone!

"Interesting!"

"It seems this ATV still has talent!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu added some elements from later generations to the details of the plan and then asked his second secretary, Wu Lianqian, to send it back to the variety department to redo a new one.

At this time, Fang Ting came in again to report the police news—the reform of police regulations, the Governor had agreed.

"Good!"

"Haha~~"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu slapped the table and laughed.

Thanks to the kidnappers for the assist!

Governor, even if you are as steady as an old dog, you have now fallen into the pit I dug!

*Hehehe~~*

From now on, I call the shots in the police force!

(End of chapter)