Chapter 549

Swire Taipan William's first stop was to find the police force's number one, Michael.

…

Shangri-La Hotel,

Inside the "La Reverie" French restaurant,

In a private room,

Crystal chandeliers, imitation silver tableware—it was truly authentic.

The massive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view overlooking the night scenery of Victoria Harbour.

Swire Taipan William and Michael took their seats.

On the table were seven or eight items, including Périgord black truffle foie gras terrine, appetizers, main courses, desserts, and fruit salad...

"I heard Commissioner Michael is a graduate of St. John's College, Cambridge?"

William raised his wine glass.

"My father once taught medieval history at Trinity College."

"What a coincidence!" Michael cut his Angus steak with a knife and fork on the porcelain plate and took over the conversation: "I often went to Trinity to attend lectures back then; perhaps I even attended your father's class..."

Both sides had their own demands, so the atmosphere of this first meeting was quite harmonious, as if old friends who hadn't met in years were catching up.

They chatted quite a bit about British customs and culture.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just about right.

William tapped his knuckles on the tablecloth, and the tone of the conversation shifted abruptly: "The Flying Tigers' mid-mission withdrawal led to Edward's tragic death. Doesn't the Commissioner feel he owes the Group an explanation?"

Very military style.

Michael's fork tip hovered over the steak, frozen for a moment, a wave of irritation rising in his heart.

Weren't we chatting quite well just now? Why suddenly ruin the atmosphere?

Also, in what capacity are you questioning me?

Michael put down his steak and said humbly: "I'm truly sorry, but the Flying Tigers are under the control of Huang Bingyao, so I really have no way to handle this."

William suddenly laughed: "Commissioner Michael, it seems we British are losing control of the police force... How about we cooperate?"

Michael: "Cooperate? How to cooperate?"

Is it finally time for the main event?

Hurry up and throw money at me...

William pushed over a checkbook, on which a string of numbers was written: 1,000,000.00.

"Swire is willing to fund police forces that are truly loyal to Great Britain."

Michael took a look.

1 million Hong Kong dollars?

Michael, who had never eaten a meal of the wealthy, felt his heart jump.

A big move!

Michael acted shy for a moment: "Mr. William, this isn't appropriate!"

William smiled: "Commissioner Michael, this isn't for you, but for the police force. The police force is in ruins and needs Commissioner Michael to work hard, and we at Swire can only do our small part!"

The atmosphere had reached this point; not taking it would be an insult to the police force!

Michael took the check: "I wonder what Mr. William has in mind?"

William smiled: "First, naturally, it is the hope that our British power becomes even stronger. Second, naturally, it is the hope that the police force will cooperate with Swire's actions in the future."

Michael put away the check: "No problem!"

William: "Also, that Flying Tigers team leader and the members must be dismissed for me."

Michael hesitated: "Instructor Councilor Jian is Huang Bingyao's man, and the Flying Tigers are the elite of the elite in the police force. Without a proper reason, it's very hard for me to move them!"

William: "Dereliction of duty during that escort mission is the best reason."

Michael shook his head: "No... that time, there wasn't even a mission; there is no record of it in the police force."

William: "????"

There isn't even a mission record?

In other words, Edward was purely tricked out of the building?

Isn't that death too unjust?

His expression almost collapsed.

Also, the power of the Chinese faction in the police force has actually reached this point?!

Unbelievable!

William felt a sense of "hatred for iron not becoming steel": "You are the number one!"

Since it had come to this, Michael stopped hiding: "Now Mr. William, you understand my situation, right... So, I need support. This 1 million of yours is simply not enough! If I want to regain support for the police force, I need more money to grease palms and win people over."

William: "How much do you want?"

Michael: "3 million!"

(Peng Peng Lizhi: Tsk tsk... is this the pathetic imagination of a poor person?)

William hesitated for a moment and finally nodded: "Good! I hope this 3 million can yield results!"

Michael: "Rest assured, give me three days, and you will hear the news of that Flying Tigers team being dismissed!"

William: "No, more importantly, I hope you can take control of the police force and reach a friendly cooperation with Swire Group."

Michael: "That goes without saying!"

Swish swish swish~~~

William wrote the check and handed it to Michael.

Michael smiled as he took it and tucked it into his inner pocket.

"Happy cooperation!"

He raised his wine glass.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Cheers!

……

An hour later, the two sides parted ways.

William breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this Michael was actually quite decent; at the very least, the cooperation had been reached.

……

The next day,

Michael arrived at the Police Headquarters.

He didn't dare to punish the Flying Tigers, because that Flying Tigers team was working for Director Guan Zu and His Excellency the Governor; did he dare to sing a different tune?

Do you want to become an accomplice to that group of mercenary bandits?

However, having taken the money, he had to get things done, otherwise, who would dare give him money in the future?

Thus, he thought of a compromise.

After arriving at his office, he called Huang Bingyao over.

"You looking for me?!"

Huang Bingyao walked into the Commissioner's office with a swaggering gait. That kind of walk made Michael want to hit someone.

"Sit."

Michael pointed to the sofa next to where he was sitting.

Then the secretary brought coffee, and the two began to drink.

One minute later,

"Huang Sir... the situation between us is right here."

"You can't be the Commissioner for the time being, and I can't do anything to you."

"How about we show some mutual understanding? You do your thing, I do mine, and we don't affect each other. How about that?"

Open and honest.

Huang Bingyao smiled upon hearing this: "Sure!"

Agree first, and see what Michael has to say.

Michael: "Good, now I want to discuss something with you... about the last time the Flying Tigers protected Edward, which ultimately led to Edward's death... The Swire Taipan of Swire Group has very strong opinions about this..."

Huang Bingyao chuckled: "And then?"

"Yesterday, the Swire Taipan of Swire Group invited me to dinner." Michael explained simply, "He made a request, asking me to dismiss that small team of Flying Tigers."

"Who does he think he is? Whatever he says goes?" Huang Bingyao chuckled.

Michael: "I just said, let's show some mutual understanding... I can tell you frankly, he wants to win me over and even said he's willing to donate a sum of money to the police force, which the police force (I) cannot refuse."

Huang Bingyao's heart stirred: "And then?"

Michael: "How about this: I'll dismiss that bunch of Flying Tigers, and then you publicly defy me and recruit them into the Operations Department... On one hand, I can demonstrate my authority; and on the other, you can demonstrate your authority, and I can't do anything to you... How about that?"

Huang Bingyao shook his head: "Not enough!"

"They are all brothers in the police force!"

Michael wrote a number on the table—500,000!

Huang Bingyao shook his head: "There are 10 of them!"

Michael looked at Huang Bingyao in surprise and whispered: "You're planning to give it to them?"

Huang Bingyao looked on with contempt: "How much is this? I don't think much of it."

Michael leaned back.

Wow~~~

Why does it feel like you're putting on an act?

Damn, did you get fat from following Director Guan Zu?

Should I surrender too?

Michael hurriedly threw that thought away and wrote 10X10 on the table.

100,000 each.

Huang Bingyao made an "OK" gesture.

Michael breathed a sigh of relief.

He took out that 1 million check and pushed it in front of Huang Bingyao.

Michael appeared to have lost 1 million, but in reality, he had earned 2 million.

And he didn't offend anyone.

Michael: I've won big!

Huang Bingyao picked up the check and took a look; it was signed by Swire Swire Taipan William. It was too crude, and even hard to cash, but it wouldn't stump the Five Star Group.

He put it away.

Huang Bingyao: "There's one more problem: rank, salary, years of service, what about those?"

Michael was generous: "Salary remains the same... or I'll give direct compensation, I'll approve it."

Anyway, it was all the police force's money, not his own.

Huang Bingyao: "Then I have no problem."

"Come!"

Michael was in a great mood, raised his coffee cup, and clinked it with Huang Bingyao's.

The two looked at each other and smiled, having reached a tacit understanding.

Soon, an order, the "Dismissal Decision," was signed in the Commissioner's office, under the name of a "serious error in a secret operation," to dismiss the 10 Flying Tigers members.

When the news got out,

Everyone in the Police Headquarters was stunned.

Dismiss the Flying Tigers?

What kind of operation is this?

What is the secret operation?

Subsequently, Huang Bingyao rushed angrily into the Commissioner's office,

And then intense arguing sounds came out; not long after, Huang Bingyao slammed the door and left in a rage.

"Michael, you will regret this!"

"Huang Bingyao, I am the Commissioner!"

Soon, this news spread throughout the police station.

There was much discussion within the police station, everyone curious about what exactly had happened.

The "Dismissal Decision" soon reached the Flying Tigers base; the Flying Tigers, the Madam Butterflies, and the logistics staff were all stunned.

Just when Instructor Councilor Jian and the others were also stunned,

Huang Bingyao arrived at the training base, gathered the 10 Flying Tigers members, and held a closed-door meeting...

By the afternoon,

The entire police force was spreading the word: the Commissioner and Huang Bingyao were fighting for power; the Flying Tigers were first dismissed by the Commissioner, and then transferred to the Operations Department by Huang Bingyao, with their ranks and everything else unchanged.

The struggle between the British and Chinese factions was suddenly brought out into the open.

And "You will regret this!"

"I am the Commissioner!"

Directly became the focal point of the police force's heated discussions.

……

Commissioner's office,

Michael had his feet up on the desk, calling Swire Taipan William of Swire.

"Mr. William..."

"I have already joined forces with other Deputy Commissioners to dismiss those 10 people from the Flying Tigers."

"I have fulfilled my promise."

On the other end of the phone, William, with his world-shaking wisdom, was very satisfied after hearing this.

"Thank you, Mr. Michael."

"But Mr. William, I have discovered that the police force has been infiltrated too deeply by that Huang Bingyao; I need more support from you."

William: "??"

Still want money?

You, a police Commissioner, how can you be so righteous!

And, you're too greedy!

3 million and you still think it's not enough!

Michael: "Swire Taipan William, we are thousands of miles away from home, drifting in the Far East; naturally, we must unite."

"The British don't lie to the British!"

……

In the black Rolls-Royce,

William hung up Michael's phone, a wave of irritation in his heart!

Soon,

The Rolls-Royce arrived outside the gate of the Government House.

He got out of the car.

Walked into the Government House.

Secretary Lena, wearing a tight-fitting black OL outfit, led William into the Government House.

William looked at this Government House: lawn, garden, luxurious large villa, swimming pool...

Damn it!

Soon,

He arrived at the Governor's study.

"Boss... Mr. William is here."

"Come in."

William walked in and looked around the study.

The four walls were filled with tall bookshelves, displaying all kinds of books; a huge oak desk had documents, a fountain pen, and an exquisite desk lamp neatly placed on it.

Elegant!

Fatty Peng looked at William as if looking at prey.

He smiled,

"Sit!"

The two sat down on the sofa.

The secretary poured tea.

"I've been drinking too much coffee lately, so I switched to tea..."

"Thank you."

William took the teacup and took a light sip; he wasn't used to drinking it.

The two began to chat idly; William had done his homework before coming and kept flattering Fatty Peng.

After the atmosphere became harmonious,

William began to get to the point: "Your Excellency the Governor, we are all British; in this distant land of the East, we should support and help each other even more..."

The Governor's eyes revealed a hint of amusement: "Mr. William, if you have something to say, feel free to speak plainly..."

William said solemnly: "Your Excellency the Governor, you have also seen that Director Guan Zu and the Five Star Group behind him are growing stronger in Hong Kong every day, to the point where they are becoming impossible to control."

"Its existence has had many adverse effects on our management of Hong Kong and the development of British-funded enterprises. Swire Group is willing to join hands with you to jointly restrain it, to ensure that Hong Kong's economic landscape remains under our control."

The Governor toyed with the teacup in his hand: "Cooperation? How to cooperate?"

William said: "I hope Your Excellency the Governor can take care of us, your own people, in terms of some policies..."

He mentioned tax exemptions, land development rights, secret support, and the like...

"In addition..."

William said seriously: "The Five Star Group's slander against our Swire Group has had a great impact on our group's reputation. I hope Your Excellency the Governor can use your influence to help us suppress these negative events..."

The Governor smiled: "William's demands are not few... however, you should also understand that I don't help for free."

William hurriedly said solemnly: "Your Excellency the Governor, rest assured, we will absolutely not let Your Excellency the Governor work for nothing!"

"We at Swire can take out 2 million US dollars every year and transfer it to the Governor's anonymous Swiss bank account! In addition, for every matter, our Swire Group will not treat the Governor poorly."

2 million US dollars?

The Governor, who had originally had some expectations, was suddenly a bit disappointed.

Only 2 million a year? Are you looking down on me, a 25 million US dollar millionaire, you jerk!

I've only been in Hong Kong for 4 months and I've already earned 25 million US dollars; do I care about your 2 million US dollars a year?

Originally, he had been quite expectant,

Now,

Damn it, Director Guan Zu, hurry up and come pour concrete over this poor jerk!

Fatty Peng smiled and picked up the teacup: "We are all one family; Swire Group's business is my business!"

William breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the teacup: "Thank you, Your Excellency the Governor!"

Cheers!

Cooperation reached!

……

The next day,

William didn't stop, met with the highest official of the High Court, spent 1 million US dollars, and reached a deal.

"Cheers~~~"

Cooperation reached!

William was in a great mood, the corners of his mouth curling up in a checkmark!

Police force handled!

Governor handled!

Court handled!

Heh heh~~~ Five Star Group, now all the forces in Hong Kong are my people; what do you have to fight me with!

——————