Chapter 463: Fat Peng is Stunned: Wait, Damn it, This Works Too?

At Mr. Li's residence.

Mr. Li, who was having dinner with Li Da, Li Da's wife, and Li Er, saw Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's statement on the news.

He paused slightly, then the corners of his mouth curled upward.

Li Da and Li Er also put down their bowls and chopsticks.

"Dad, this Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu has finally made a mistake."

"Dad, this is our chance!"

For the past two days, they had been closely following the matter of Tai Lo B, roughly guessing that it was a battle of wits between Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and the Viceroy.

"Dad, should we give it a push?"

"Right, fish in troubled waters!"

Mr. Li nodded: "I have the same thought."

He picked up his phone and dialed the new owner of the *Ming Pao*, Mr. Yu.

That's right, that Mr. Yu who had been fawning over Mr. Cha for several years finally succeeded last month, gaining Mr. Cha's final approval to acquire 400 million shares of *Ming Pao* for 130 million, with the remaining 600 million shares to be acquired in batches...

In other words, *Ming Pao* now belonged to the Yu family!

"Mr. Li!"

On the other end of the line, Mr. Yu was respectful and sycophantic.

"Mr. Yu, help me do something... I don't know if it's convenient."

"Mr. Li, please go ahead..."

"Then I'll get straight to the point. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's recent affairs have been making a huge stir, and I think there is a lot of news value here worth digging into."

A meaningful smile hung on Mr. Li's face.

"Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu?" Mr. Yu hesitated.

Mr. Li: "If it's reported well, I won't treat you unfairly. Believe in my reputation..."

Mr. Yu gritted his teeth: "No problem, Mr. Li!"

As the saying goes, wealth is sought in danger!

……

……

In another place,

The charity organization, Christ Holy Life Society.

"Hahaha, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, oh Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, you have today too."

After seeing Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's statement, Chairman Chen of the Holy Life Society couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He felt extreme hatred toward Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

Just because the Five-Star Charity Foundation was growing rapidly and a large amount of donations were continuously flowing there, other charity organizations were receiving significantly fewer donations, making their operations difficult.

Moreover, it also affected one of his plans:

The Holy Life Academy under the Holy Life Society was originally a private school that recruited marginalized youth. It even operated under the banner of "Anti-Drug Pioneer" and once received widespread attention and support from all sectors of society. Its sources of income were broad, including not only government subsidies, but also tuition fees of over ten thousand Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Tian Brother Brother Tian Brother Tian Yuan per student per month, as well as grants from government anti-drug agencies, citizen donations, and public fundraising.

Then, it opened travel companies, operated clubs, and purchased land in Japan. Although the Independent Commission Against Corruption opened a case for investigation, they ultimately found nothing. Since then, the Holy Life Society's business not only remained unaffected but grew even stronger, expanding to the United States and the United Kingdom. (ps: Not fabricated, based on real cases)

Then...

The Five-Star Charity Foundation appeared out of nowhere.

It directly caused a fault line in social donations.

And as for recruitment?

It was even harder because Five-Star Properties took such good care of the citizens that it was difficult to recruit students (marginalized youth).

With fewer students, government funding decreased.

And then the Holy Life Society suffered.

Therefore, Chairman Chen of the Holy Life Society was full of hatred for Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

"You have today too. You've cut off so many of my financial paths. Watch me kick you while you're down and stomp you to death, you loser."

He began to contact other charity organizations.

There wasn't a single other charity organization that didn't hate Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, and they all agreed with Chairman Chen's initiative.

Strike while the iron is hot and finish Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu off!

……

……

As various forces entered the fray, some delved into the media, using money and power to coerce and bribe them into publishing and broadcasting smears against Tai Lo B, while hinting at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

Others were active on the streets and alleys, moving through tea houses, taverns, and other crowded places. They would gather in groups of two or three, deliberately talking loudly about Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's so-called "black material," embellishing and fabricating all sorts of sensational stories, trying to provoke public anger and dissatisfaction.

Then, many of these people were beaten up by "fitness" uncles and aunties.

"How dare you slander Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan!"

"Who ordered you to do this?"

When the police arrived, these people with ulterior motives thought they would get protection, but unexpectedly, the police all sided with the neighbors and took them directly to the police station.

"??? No, we're the ones who got beaten up! You caught the wrong people!"

"We caught exactly who we meant to!"

This wave of smear campaigns was directly thwarted just like that.

And this situation was constantly detected by various Five-Star Property companies and societies across Hong Kong, and quickly summarized on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's desk.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu gave one instruction: "Don't worry about it! Let them keep spreading it!"

The livelier, the better.

Just like that, the discussions about Tai Lo B dealing drugs and the relationship between Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and Tai Lo B grew more and more frequent every day. The heat rose day by day. In streets, alleys, companies, buses, and subways, people couldn't stop talking about this matter when they met.

In the judicial field, the court's actions were unusually fast. The process that would normally take months to complete was finished in just a few days.

Soon, the court summons was issued, and Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er, and others were listed as defendants, with the trial date set for June 25th.

Major newspapers began reporting, hyping up the heat.

This news instantly ignited the curiosity of the public, and everyone was discussing the upcoming trial.

……

The Viceroy's Mansion.

Fat Peng was swimming in the pool, his fat body displaying a vigorous swimming style.

"Boss, something is not right..."

Secretary Kane walked to the edge of the pool with a chart and reported to Fat Peng.

Fat Peng stopped swimming and leaned his body against the edge of the pool: "What's not right?"

Kane: "We organized personnel to conduct a public opinion poll of citizens in the Hong Kong Island, West Kowloon, and East Kowloon districts, and found that the percentage of citizens who believe Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu has no problems is still as high as 72%, 63%, 51%... This data has hardly changed from the public opinion poll data before our operation."

Fat Peng frowned: "You mean our public opinion campaign is useless?"

Kane: "Based on the results of this poll: Yes!"

Fat Peng's expression turned serious.

They had been building momentum around "Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is a gangster" and "Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's boss deals drugs," yet it still had no impact on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's reputation?

That's a bit absurd!

Fat Peng: "What do you think is the reason?"

Kane hesitated: "Maybe it's because he has done too many good deeds."

Fat Peng said coldly: "Continue... I don't believe I can't destroy his reputation!"

Kane: "Yes!"

Fat Peng: "By the way, negotiate with TVB and let them enter the court to broadcast this trial live. I want all the citizens of Hong Kong to see Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's true face!"

……

……

Amidst the lively public opinion,

June 25th,

The Hong Kong Island Court building.

The area outside the court was already packed, with citizens and, even more so, numerous reporters, the noise rising one after another.

Soon,

A black Chevrolet stopped at the entrance of the court.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu got out of the car.

The reporters exploded.

"Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is here!"

"Why is he here?"

"Is this to put pressure on the court?"

"Or is he going to threaten that Tai Lo B, telling him not to talk nonsense and reveal that Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is actually the real mastermind?... Uh, that doesn't seem very likely. How much money is selling drugs worth anyway?"

The reporters swarmed toward Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, all trying to interview him.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said a few words like "I stand on the side of the law" and "If a crime is truly committed, I support severe punishment," then took Chicken into the court building.

Inside the courtroom.

The TVB live broadcast camera captured the entire courtroom in its lens.

Throughout Hong Kong, many citizens not at work turned on the TVB channel to watch this court trial.

9:00,

The British judge, dressed in judicial robes, walked into the courtroom with a solemn and dignified air.

In addition, there were 12 jurors, the prosecution, the defense...

When Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and Chicken walked in, everyone in the entire courtroom was in an uproar.

"Buzz~~~~~~"

Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, and Dai Tin Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Yee all looked toward Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and Chicken.

Although Chicken had received assurances from Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, he still looked at Chen Haonan, Dai Tin Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Yee, and Tai Lo B with a worried face... well, Tai Lo B was third in line.

And all the citizens across Hong Kong watching the TVB live broadcast were shocked upon seeing Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

They had not expected Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu to actually show up for an occasion like this.

This further confirmed that the relationship between the two sides was extraordinary.

"Bang, bang, bang~~~"

The judge spoke,

"The case of Tai Lo B and others suspected of drug trafficking is now in session."

The prosecutor stood up first: "Your Honor, members of the jury... I will now present the case... On the night of June 11th, at 22:23... at the Jin Dian Nightclub in Mong Kok... 1041 grams of heroin were seized..."

"There is evidence proving that the defendant Tai Lo B has long been engaged in heroin trafficking, and Chen Haonan and Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er, as members of his gang, participated in it, transporting and distributing heroin in many places on Hong Kong Island, seriously endangering social safety and undermining the stability and peace of Hong Kong Island."

As he spoke, the prosecutor displayed the bag of white crystalline powder used as material evidence before everyone, and also attached photos from the scene at the time.

The defense lawyer stood up and began to question: "Your Honor, this key evidence relied upon by the prosecution is full of doubts. According to my client's account, the heroin was placed directly on the table by Officer Ji Shaoqun in full view of everyone; this is clearly a frame-up."

Then a heated debate began.

Subsequently, the proceedings moved to the witness testimony stage, and the prosecution summoned a PTU officer who had participated in the operation that night.

The officer walked to the witness stand.

The prosecutor guided him to state: "Please describe the process of seizing the heroin in the private room at the Jin Dian Nightclub that night."

The officer was full of integrity: "After receiving a report, we entered the private room, conducted a search according to procedure, and then discovered this bag of heroin on the table."

Afterward, several more police witnesses were summoned to prove that it had been found during the search.

The defense lawyer then questioned Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, Dai Tin Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Cheung Yee, and others, all of whom insisted that Ji Shaoqun had framed them in full view of everyone.

The prosecution lawyer sneered: "You all say that Officer Ji took out a bag of heroin directly and threw it on the table... I find that very absurd. If one wanted to frame someone, why would they use such an arrogant and unintelligent method?"

"Also, just now you (Tai Lo B) said you never touched the heroin, so why are your fingerprints on the packaging bag?"

Tai Lo B said coldly: "I don't know, but I really never touched this bag of heroin!"

The prosecution asked Ji Shaoqun: "Officer Ji, please describe the search process in detail."

Ji Shaoqun was calm and composed, speaking righteously: "After entering the private room, we strictly followed law enforcement procedures to conduct the search, and right there on that table, we discovered this bag of drug powder. Afterward, we carefully inspected every corner and every item."

20 minutes later...

Finally, it reached the court debate stage.

The prosecutor was impassioned: "Even if the evidence is disputed, the fact that the heroin appeared in the private room where the defendants were located means they cannot escape responsibility. Drug crimes cause immense harm, and we cannot let these potential criminals go just because of a slight flaw in the evidence."

The defense lawyer did not back down: "The prosecution is being unreasonable. In the absence of conclusive evidence, attempting to convict my client based solely on a bag of heroin suspected of being a frame-up is a serious trampling on the fairness of the law. We have reason to suspect that there is an ulterior motive behind this, that someone is deliberately manipulating things, attempting to mislead judicial justice and frame my client."

Both sides went back and forth, engaging in a war of words.

3 minutes later,

Both sides had finished speaking.

Finally, the defendants Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er, and others made their statements: "I have never done anything illegal or criminal. That day at the nightclub, I was framed by police who suddenly broke in. All of this is a baseless charge, and I believe the law will return justice to me."

Then the next stage:

The judge explained the key points of the case and the applicable legal standards to the jury in detail. Afterward, the jury members stood up and headed to the deliberation room.

This jury had 11 citizens, including teachers, clerks, businessmen, and others.

After 20 minutes of discussion, the jury held a vote.

In the end, 6 votes supported that Tai Lo B was guilty, and 5 votes supported that he was not guilty.

Another 5 minutes,

The moment of sentencing arrived.

The courtroom instantly fell silent, and everyone stared at the judge.

"After deep weighing and careful deliberation, this court now makes the following judgment regarding the case of Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, and Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er suspected of drug trafficking..."

"On Hong Kong Island, the harm caused by drug powder crimes to social order and public safety is extremely severe..."

"Although the defendants insist that the drug powder was placed on the table on the spot by Officer Ji Shaoqun, they failed to provide conclusive and powerful counter-evidence, which is insufficient to overturn the prosecution's charges."

"This court rules that the defendants Tai Lo B, Chen Haonan, and Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er are guilty of the crime of drug powder trafficking; the charges are upheld."

"According to the relevant provisions of the 'Dangerous Drugs Ordinance' and other laws, defendant Tai Lo B is sentenced to fifteen years in prison, defendant Chen Haonan is sentenced to twelve years in prison, and defendant Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Liang Er is sentenced to ten years in prison..."

The solemn sentencing statement, word for word, spread clearly throughout the entire courtroom.

Then, through the TVB live broadcast, it spread to countless citizens across Hong Kong Island watching the TVB news broadcast.

And at this moment,

TVB pointed the camera directly at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

For the sake of his performance, a TVB reporter bit the bullet and walked up to Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, now that the verdict is out, is there anything you would like to say?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked directly into the camera with a firm gaze, his voice steady and powerful:

"I have always emphasized the four words: 'abide by the law'!"

"Although I have intricate ties with the defendants, I respect the authority of the law even more. I believe that the judge has already conducted a comprehensive and in-depth consideration when making the verdict."

"Drug crimes poison the happiness of countless families and destroy the foundation of the entire society. Zero tolerance toward them is our shared responsibility."

"I call on every citizen of Hong Kong Island to learn a lesson from this incident, consciously resist drugs, and actively participate in anti-drug actions. Let us work together to create a drug-free, harmonious, and beautiful Hong Kong Island."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's words were resonant and forceful, spreading to every corner of Hong Kong Island through the TVB live broadcast, moving countless citizens.

Grand and magnificent!

Positive energy!

Government House.

Fat Peng... was stunned!

No, buddy... at a time like this, you can still be positive?!

Shouldn't you be angry!

Sad!

Or something like that?

You actually managed to sublimate it!

Fat Peng had an urge to vomit blood.

If things go wrong, this "righteousness over family" move by Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu might even greatly boost his reputation!

Cheung Kong Group.

The cup in Boss Li's hand fell to the floor.

Stupefied!

People from the Sheng Sheng Society and various charitable organizations: "............"

They were rendered speechless.

Invincible!

After the court trial ended,

After answering a few questions outside the courthouse, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu took Chicken and got into the Chevrolet. Ah Xing drove the car, left the courthouse, and headed toward Causeway Bay.

Chicken finally couldn't hold it in: "Brother Zu, Ah Nam and the others..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu smiled: "Don't worry... everything is proceeding according to plan... this is just the first trial; there is still a second trial..."

Seeing Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's confident appearance, Chicken could only suppress his worry.

The so-called second trial is the re-trial procedure after the party dissatisfied with the first trial verdict files an appeal to a higher court, and the Court of Appeal of the High Court is responsible for the trial of second-instance cases.

Of course, the second trial requires submitting new things to prove one's innocence/or that the sentence can be reduced.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu checked his watch, 11:04.

He made a call to Ji Shaoqun: "You should take some time off first... I will start launching a new round of the plan tonight..."

Ji Shaoqun: "Yes, Brother Zu."

Then Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu made another call to Da Tou: "After noon, send that recording and the voice identification report to Man Wai-sum at ATV. I have already arranged it with her."

Da Tou's tone was excited: "Yes, Brother Zu!"

Noon,

Office workers across Hong Kong got off work one after another to eat lunch; some went to the canteen, and some went to the tea restaurant downstairs.

Because they were at work, they missed the court proceedings this morning.

"What was the result?"

"Not sure."

"Let's go, watch the noon news; there's bound to be a report."

Sure enough, TVB and ATV both reported the entire case in detail.

"Damn!"

"He actually trafficked drugs!"

"Outrageous!"

"Did Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu really traffic drugs?"

"Traffic your mom! Is your brain full of shit? Does he need to traffic drugs?"

"Beat him up!"

With the verdict out and the television stations broadcasting it repeatedly, the heat of the entire incident continued to rise and rise!

The newspapers couldn't print fast enough, and the major radio stations began broadcasting it incessantly.

Classmate Song Song Zihao drove a taxi for an afternoon and heard it no fewer than 20 times, with constant commentary on the case.