Chapter 462: Opinion War! Fat Peng: Haha, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu has made a mistake!

With Fat Peng's instructions, the police force moved with great speed.

A new day,

at 10:00 AM, the Police Public Relations Branch held a press conference.

A row of tables was set up on the stage,

with three seats.

One was for Bob, the Senior Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Operations Department; one for the head of the Public Relations Branch (Chief Superintendent); and one for Ji Shaoqun, the person on the front line of the operation.

For a Senior Inspector like Ji Shaoqun to appear on such an occasion could be considered—a sudden ascent to immortality.

The reason for placing Ji Shaoqun here was for the higher-ups to increase credibility: a frontline officer, personally handling the case, absolutely no problems.

As for the Senior Assistant Commissioner personally taking the field, it was partly to increase the gravity of the matter, and partly because this Commissioner Bob himself wanted to curry favor with Fat Peng.

"Friends from the media, thank you all for coming."

The Chief Superintendent of the Public Relations Branch gave the opening remarks, introducing Senior Assistant Commissioner Bob and Ji Shaoqun.

"We are holding this press conference today to inform you of a major drug-trafficking case."

"Now, I invite Commissioner Bob to introduce the details of the case to everyone."

Bob was dressed in a white police uniform, with a double-baton golden grain flower and a military star on his shoulder.

"Just yesterday, the Police Operations Department received a reliable tip-off claiming that someone was engaged in drug-trafficking activities inside the Golden Palace Nightclub in Mong Kok."

"The Operations Department quickly organized police forces and deployed them tightly."

"After meticulous investigation, we locked onto the criminal suspect—Hongxing Branch Leader Tai Lo B. After obtaining sufficient evidence, we launched the arrest operation at 22:00, during the nightclub's peak business hours."

"During the operation, we successfully seized 1 kilogram of high-purity heroin in a private room of the nightclub."

Below the stage, camera flashes went off continuously.

"This is the main executor of this operation, Senior Inspector Ji Shaoqun. He is an elite officer of the police force, having cracked four major cases in two years, with outstanding ability."

"Next, he will provide you with a detailed introduction to the operation's details."

Ji Shaoqun stood up: "Reporters, I am Senior Inspector Ji Shaoqun of the Narcotics Bureau... During the operation, when we entered the private room, the criminal suspect Tai Lo B was with Chan Ho Nam and a group of others. Upon seeing us, they showed strong resistance and defiance... We quickly brought the situation under control and discovered that bag of heroin in a certain location."

He spoke vividly, like a brave and fearless law enforcer.

He spoke for 3 minutes, then finished.

"Alright... now it is time for questions..."

"May I ask Commissioner Bob, are you certain that this 1 kilogram of heroin belongs to Tai Lo B? Is there a possibility of a misunderstanding?" a reporter asked loudly.

Bob replied sternly: "We found the packaging bag with Tai Lo B's fingerprints at the scene; the evidence is conclusive, there is absolutely no misunderstanding."

"Moreover, after bringing that bag of drugs back, we conducted a forensic analysis on the heroin, and it had Tai Lo B's fingerprints on it, so the evidence is conclusive."

Next, reporters kept asking about details, and Bob kept talking...

But...

Bob started to feel a bit impatient.

Why weren't these reporters mentioning Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu?

Mention him, hey!

After waiting in vain, Bob had no choice but to take the initiative himself.

"I know you must be very curious now, as Councilman Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu has a close relationship with Tai Lo B, and was even the boss of Tai Lo B back when Councilman Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan was a Hongxing hoodlum... I know you are very eager to know if this matter will have any impact on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu? Will the police launch an investigation into Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu?"

Once this question was asked, the scene instantly fell silent.

The reporters even leaned back.

Don't, we aren't curious at all and don't want to ask at all!

You're forcing shit on us, hey.

As the most well-informed media reporters, everyone knew this was a battle of wits between the Governor and Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu. Moreover, they had heard long ago that Hongxing didn't touch drugs, and it was even less likely for Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's boss to touch drugs, so framing was also possible.

You fight your fight, don't drag us into it.

"Rest assured!"

Bob swept his gaze across the room with determination and responded righteously:

"Before the law, everyone is equal. Our duty as police is to uphold social fairness and justice, and to strike at all illegal and criminal acts. Even if this Tai Lo B has Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu behind him, even if Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is a Legislative Councilman and the boss of the Five Star Group with great power, we will never tolerate it, never go soft, and will definitely investigate to the end and hold them accountable to the end!"

His voice was resonant, echoing throughout the press conference venue.

Ji Shaoqun chimed in from the side, full of righteousness:

"That's right, this operation is the best proof. No matter who is involved, we will not be interfered with by any external factors. The dignity of the law cannot be trampled upon!"

The Chief Superintendent of the Public Relations Branch also stood up: "Justice will prevail!"

The reporters below: "............"

Fine, fine, fine~~

As long as you aren't embarrassed, the ones who are embarrassed are us, right?

Damn you!

Soon, the press conference ended in a strange atmosphere.

On the other side,

at the Chief Secretary's office,

the publishers of several newspapers were summoned by Chief Secretary Ford.

They were: the *Hong Kong United Daily*, *Hong Kong Times*, *People's Livelihood Daily*, and *Hong Kong World Daily*.

Why choose these four newspapers?

Among them, the *Hong Kong United Daily* (under the Taiwan United Daily group), *Hong Kong Times* (a KMT orthodox newspaper), and *People's Livelihood Daily* (under the Taiwan United Daily group) belonged to the Taiwan camp.

The *Hong Kong World Daily* was American.

So, if one wanted to win them over, these newspaper offices were the easiest to win over.

In the spacious and bright Chief Secretary's office, Chief Secretary Ford sat behind his desk, his gaze sweeping over the four publishers in front of him.

He smiled.

"Gentlemen, I called you here today to chat about media matters..."

"Everyone relax, we are just having a simple chat..."

The several publishers sat upright, straightened their backs, and revealed awkward smiles.

"Regarding today's news reports, I noticed that your reports on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu seem to have reservations. Why is that?"

The publishers all fell silent.

Chief Secretary Ford smiled: "What? Is there some hidden difficulty?"

He scanned the four of them, finally fixing his gaze on Publisher Zhang of the *Hong Kong United Daily*.

"Publisher Zhang, you tell us..."

Publisher Zhang made a bitter face: "Chief Secretary, we have our difficulties too. It's not that we don't want to report it, but if we over-report or exaggerate, we fear we will invite trouble."

Ford: "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

Under Ford's questioning, Publisher Zhang had no choice but to tell the truth.

"What?"

"Our Hong Kong is a society ruled by law, yet such things can actually happen?!"

There was a hint of anger in the Chief Secretary's tone,

"Outrageous! If they dare to do this, that is illegal and criminal!"

"You don't need to worry. As long as you report truthfully, I will back you up!"

The publisher of the *Economic Daily* said cautiously: "Chief Secretary, we certainly believe in your support. But Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's influence in Hong Kong is very large, so we still have concerns. Moreover, we have always upheld the principle of journalistic truth; without conclusive evidence, we really dare not exaggerate reports at will."

The Chief Secretary waved his hand impatiently: "You are being overly cautious! You should know in your hearts what kind of person Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is. He is a leftist, and some of his actions in Hong Kong have already caused a lot of controversy. As media, you have a responsibility to expose these things and let the public know the truth. Your reports should be bolder; don't be timid!"

The publisher of the *People's Livelihood Daily* said miserably: "Chief Secretary, we also want to speak up for social justice, but if the reports lead to certain consequences, our newspaper office will likely be unable to bear it."

"I have already said, I will support you! I can arrange for the police force to help you fish, and catch those people who beat you." The Chief Secretary raised his volume, "Besides, isn't targeting the leftists the mission of your newspaper office too?!"

The several publishers looked at each other.

That may be what is said, and we do indeed have a camp.

But... we can't be that stubborn... Our bosses aren't in Hong Kong, so they can talk big about camps, but we are physically in Hong Kong!

Also, fishing?

Can catching a few hoodlums affect Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu?

And wouldn't we fear even greater retaliation from Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu when the time comes?

Seeing that it still wasn't working, Chief Secretary Ford slammed the table and issued a threat.

"You don't want to help, right?!"

"If you don't help, then I will have people investigate you every single day!"

"You fear Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, but do you not fear us?"

The publishers: "............"

Internally cursing.

You fight your battle, why the hell are you dragging us into the water?

Things having reached this point,

the publisher of the *Hong Kong United Daily* was the first to grit his teeth.

"Since the Chief Secretary has said so, then we will naturally do our utmost!"

The other publishers spoke up one after another:

"Our *Economic Daily* will also definitely cooperate fully."

"Then our *Livelihood Daily* will rely on the Secretary for your guidance!"

"We will certainly support..."

However, deep down they knew that while the scale of the reporting could be a bit large, it could not be too large; they had to grasp this degree well and not offend Gao Jin, otherwise, they would truly be facing a catastrophe.

"Very good!"

Secretary Luo Si finally nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good, I believe you will certainly not disappoint me. Remember, the justice of Xiangdao requires media like you with a sense of social responsibility to lead the way."

The four publishers: Justice my foot!

Luo Si: "Today's newspapers, how to write, you all understand now, right? You must include Gao Jin, do you understand?"

The four publishers: "Yes! Secretary!"

After the four publishers left, Secretary Luo Si met with another person—Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi.

Two hours ago, when Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi received the call that Chief Secretary Luo Si wanted to meet her, she was so excited at home that she almost jumped up.

Her "letter of intent" had finally seen a harvest!

She knew deeply that this was a rare opportunity, and it might change her current predicament.

Walking into the solemn and elegant office of the Secretary, Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi's heartbeat became increasingly rapid.

"Secretary Luo Si!" She bowed respectfully to Luo Si.

"Miss Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang, I have long admired your name." Luo Si wore a perfectly appropriate, cordial smile on his face.

"Secretary, you are too kind. Being able to receive your audience is my honor." Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi responded hurriedly.

Luo Si nodded slightly and got straight to the point: "Miss Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang, I asked you here because there is an important matter I want to discuss with you. You have been struggling in the news industry for many years and have accumulated quite a lot of connections and influence. I hope you can use these advantages to found a new newspaper."

Hearing this, Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi understood in an instant and was immediately overjoyed!

As expected!

My opportunity has arrived!

She had just been dismissed by TVB and had lost her foundation in the media industry. Now, Luo Si had brought a pillow just as she was getting sleepy!

Luo Si: "I will give you strong support; whether it is in terms of funding or connections, it will not be a problem."

Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi was incredibly excited: "Secretary, please rest assured! I will definitely accomplish this matter, and I will not shirk from it!"

"By the way, Secretary Luo Si, if this newspaper is established, do you have any suggestions for a name?"

Flattery!

Fierce flattery!

"Naming it?"

Luo Si thought for a moment and said: "How about 'apple'... *Apple Daily*. An apple is a common fruit known to the masses, which easily creates a sense of closeness and a memory point, which is conducive to the promotion and dissemination of the newspaper."

"Secretary Luo Si, your insight is brilliant!"

"By the way, besides the daily newspaper, there should also be a weekly magazine... Let's name the weekly magazine *Next Magazine*."

Thus...

*Apple Daily* and *Next Magazine* were born ahead of time!

"That's wonderful, the name Secretary Luo Si chose is truly excellent! Secretary, I would like to invite you to become the advisor of the newspaper and guide it in the right direction!"

Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi flattered him fiercely!

Luo Si looked deeply at Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi and laughed out loud: "Haha~~ No problem!"

Luo Si reached out his hand and shook Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi's: "I look forward to you running the new newspaper well and setting off a new wave in the news industry of Hong Kong."

Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi bowed: "I will go through fire and water!"

Secretary Luo Si, loyalty!!

Ten minutes later, Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Uncle Uncle Liang Liang Shuyi left the Chief Secretary's building with a light step.

She looked up at the sky, her heart filled with longing for the future, and secretly vowed to seize this opportunity and rake in a lot of money.

Yes, just rake in money.

She had lived long enough to understand that politics and such were all tools for raking in money.

At noon and in the evening, both TVB and ATV reported the news about Tai Lo B, and neither mentioned Gao Jin.

The reaction in Causeway Bay was the greatest; many citizens were very shocked, not expecting that because the entire Causeway Bay knew that Tai Lo B was Gao Jin's boss.

However, the neighbors in Causeway Bay did not think for a second that Gao Jin would deal drugs.

A new day,

*Hong Kong United Daily*, *Hong Kong Times*, *Livelihood Daily*, and *Hong Kong World Daily* updated their content one after another, linking Tai Lo B and Gao Jin together.

"Speaking of this Tai Lo B, he actually has an even more shocking identity: he is the boss of Five Star Group and the famous Legislative Councilor Gao Jin's boss... That's right, the boss..."

"When Gao Jin was still a street thug, he followed Tai Lo B..."

"Why does Gao Jin earn billions every year and do countless good deeds? Yet his boss deals drugs?"

"Exposing Tai Lo B's underworld career..."

Of course, the sentences involving Gao Jin were only one or two, stopping at the point.

Once these reports were published, many citizens across Hong Kong were very surprised, and it became one of the topics of conversation over tea and meals. Some citizens questioned Gao Jin, wondering if he was Tai Lo B's umbrella, while others believed Gao Jin could not be the umbrella because there was no need and it was too stupid.

Moreover, at least half of them trusted Mr. Gao and believed he would not do such a thing.

Five Star Group building.

Gao Jin's office,

Gao Jin stood in front of the window, his eyes calmly gazing at the bustling traffic outside.

Fang Ting walked into the office holding a newspaper.

"Brother Zu, there are finally newspapers reporting it. Can we start taking action?"

"We can start taking action."

The corners of Gao Jin's mouth lifted slightly.

He had been waiting for the Governor's side to use the power of the media; otherwise, he could not proceed to the next step of action for many things, as Gao Jin feared alerting the other party.

Now, the time had come.

"Ah Ting, help me call the people from ATV over. I want to give an interview."

"Okay."

One hour later,

Le Le Huizhen conducted an exclusive interview with Gao Jin.

The camera was aimed at Gao Jin and the four characters "Law-Abiding Citizen" behind him.

Gao Jin sat upright and spoke righteously: "First of all, I want to state that I have always been a law-abiding person and have absolutely never done anything illegal."

"Secondly, I also admit that the suspect Tai Lo B arrested by the police this time was my former boss, and he took care of me quite a bit."

"Also, I have never denied my former identity as a street thug, but I must state: no one is born liking to be a street thug. In '81, I had no money to study, and when I wanted to earn some money, I was blackmailed by the triad, so I had no choice but to join the triad..."

Gao Jin deliberately said some controversial topics so that the other party could grab a "handle."

"Finally, I solemnly declare: I firmly oppose any illegal and criminal behavior. If Tai Lo B has truly crossed the unforgivable red line of drug trafficking, then I will support the law in giving him the most severe punishment without any reservation and with utmost firmness!"

In the evening, ATV News broadcast this interview with Gao Jin.

The public opinion heat across Hong Kong rose again.

Governor's House.

"Hahaha~~~ This Gao Jin has made a fatal mistake!"

After seeing the news, Fatty Peng laughed happily.

Secretary Kane echoed from the side: "Yes, his best method was not to stand out but to handle it coldly, so that the matter would cool down quickly. Now that he has stood out to issue a statement, it is simply adding fuel to the fire, giving the news even more heat."

"And I thought Gao Jin was so impressive!"

"Still too young. When suddenly encountering a crisis, he panicked and made the wrong move!"

"This time, let's see how he cleans up this mess!"

The two looked at each other and laughed out loud.