Chapter 115

He Xin's office.

He Xin's office.

Liu Bo was reporting the situation to him: "Master, A Xin's gambling hall has had a shootout; the other side are people from Wanwan's Triad Society; should we go out to mediate?"

Liu Bo was reporting the situation to him: "Master, A Xin's gambling hall has had a shootout; the other side are people from Wanwan's Triad Society; should we go out to mediate?"

No need—if you get the meat into your mouth, you have to be able to digest it; whichever faction seizes the gambling hall, it won't be without bloodshed; he's had it too easy! A little training wouldn't hurt.

Translation: "No need, once the meat is in your mouth, you have to be able to digest it; which faction taking over the gambling hall isn't a bloody storm? He's had it too easy! A little tempering would do him good." Keep natural. So: "【3】 'No need, once the meat is in your mouth, you have to be able to digest it; which faction taking over the gambling hall isn't a bloody storm? He's had it too easy! A little tempering would do him good.'"

This is how you go far—without facing some obstacles, you can't endure wind and rain; as long as he can get through this, future cooperation with him can involve appropriate concessions; to accomplish big things, you can't be too smooth.

Translation: "That's how you go far; without some obstacles, you can't withstand wind and rain; as long as he can get through this, future cooperation with him can allow appropriate concessions; to do big things, you can't be too smooth." So: "【4】 'That's how you go far; without some obstacles, you can't withstand wind and rain; as long as he can get through this, future cooperation with him can allow appropriate concessions; to do big things, you can't be too smooth.'"

Liu Bo didn't speak, turned and left the office; he still had a lot of business to attend to.

Translation: "Liu Bo didn't speak, turned and left the office; he still had many things to attend to." So: "【5】 Liu Bo didn't speak, turned and left the office; he still had many things to attend to."

Just as he reached the door, he heard He Xin's order: "Go say hello to the police, tell them not to meddle, go home and sleep—that's a good choice."

Translation: "Just as he reached the door, he heard He Xin's order: 'Go say hello to the police station, tell them not to meddle, going home to sleep is a good choice.'" So: "【6】 Just as he reached the door, he heard He Xin's order: 'Go say hello to the police station, tell them not to meddle, going home to sleep is a good choice.'"

"Understood, Master!"

Translation: "'Understood, Master!'" So: "【7】 'Understood, Master!'"

Liu Bo directly left the office, went out by car to the police station.

Translation: "Liu Bo directly left the office, went out and took a car to the police station." So: "【8】 Liu Bo directly left the office, went out and took a car to the police station."

Li Xin returned to the gambling hall office, picked up the phone and called Chen Chao; after the call connected,

Translation: "Li Xin returned to the gambling hall office, picked up the phone and called Chen Chao; after the call connected." So: "【9】 Li Xin returned to the gambling hall office, picked up the phone and called Chen Chao; after the call connected."

Without pleasantries, he said directly: "A Chao, take your men to Wanwan, meet up with their brothers, find out the exact locations of all the Triad Society's halls, wait for my call—if we go to war, I'll have them kill half of them; any problem?"

Translation: "Without pleasantries, he said directly: 'A Chao, take your people to Wanwan, meet up with the brothers there, scout out the locations of all the Triad Society's hall headquarters, wait for my call; if we go to war, I'll have them kill half first—any problem?'" So: "【10】 Without pleasantries, he said directly: 'A Chao, take your people to Wanwan, meet up with the brothers there, scout out the locations of all the Triad Society's hall headquarters, wait for my call; if we go to war, I'll have them kill half first—any problem?'"

Chen Chao replied firmly: "Boss, you can rest assured; their brothers have already adapted to the situation; if we're short on manpower, I can still contact people—not just half, we can wipe them all out."

Translation: "Chen Chao replied firmly: 'Boss, rest assured, the brothers there have already adapted to the situation; if we lack manpower, I can still contact more people—let alone half, we can wipe them out completely.'" So: "【11】 Chen Chao replied firmly: 'Boss, rest assured, the brothers there have already adapted to the situation; if we lack manpower, I can still contact more people—let alone half, we can wipe them out completely.'"

"A bunch of trash, daring to oppose the boss—they're useless even alive."

Translation: "'A bunch of trash, daring to oppose the boss—they're useless even alive.'" So: "【12】 'A bunch of trash, daring to oppose the boss—they're useless even alive.'"

Li Xin hung up, then called Tianhong; after connecting, he immediately said: "Tianhong, borrow troops from Taizi and Taige; we need elite fighters—get together a thousand of your men and charter a ship to Aodao."

Translation: "Li Xin hung up, then called Tianhong; after connecting, he immediately said: 'Tianhong, borrow troops from the Prince and Tai Ge; need elite fighters, plus your own men to make a thousand, charter a ship to Ao Island.'" So: "【13】 Li Xin hung up, then called Tianhong; after connecting, he immediately said: 'Tianhong, borrow troops from the Prince and Tai Ge; need elite fighters, plus your own men to make a thousand, charter a ship to Ao Island.'"

Tianhong was straightforward: "Boss, rest assured; I'll go over tonight, I'll have Grey Dog watch Point Causeway Bay, and I'll lead the team myself."

Translation: "Tianhong readily replied: 'Boss, rest assured, I'll go overnight tonight; I'll have Grey Dog watch over Tung Choi Wan, and I'll lead the team myself.'" So: "【14】 Tianhong readily replied: 'Boss, rest assured, I'll go overnight tonight; I'll have Grey Dog watch over Tung Choi Wan, and I'll lead the team myself.'"

Immediately I called Chiang Tiansheng: "Mr. Chiang, the Triad Society is looking for trouble with our Thus line: Prosperity gambling hall; it seems they want to go to war; I've had Tianhong bring his team over—what do you think the scale of this firefight should be?"

Translation: "Immediately he called Jiang Tian Sheng: 'Mr. Jiang, the Triad Society is looking for trouble with our Prosperity gambling hall; it seems they want to go to war; I'm letting Tianhong bring his team over—what level of control do you want for this firefight?'" So: "【15】 Immediately he called Jiang Tian Sheng: 'Mr. Jiang, the Triad Society is looking for trouble with our Prosperity gambling hall; it seems they want to go to war; I'm letting Tianhong bring his team over—what level of control do you want for this firefight?'"

Chiang Tiansheng instantly exploded in anger: "That old immortal Lei Gong came to see me today in broad daylight, demanding I hand over the gambling hall to his Triad Society."

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng immediately exploded in anger, cursing: 'Lei Gong that old immortal, he came to see me this afternoon, demanding I hand over the gambling hall to his Triad Society.'" So: "【16】 Jiang Tian Sheng immediately exploded in anger, cursing: 'Lei Gong that old immortal, he came to see me this afternoon, demanding I hand over the gambling hall to his Triad Society.'"

"I never expected him to strike tonight—A Xin, you're fully in charge of this; open fire, start shooting now, you can kill them all."

Translation: "'I never expected him to strike tonight; A Xin, you're fully in charge of this—open fire, start shooting now, you can kill them all.'" So: "【17】 'I never expected him to strike tonight; A Xin, you're fully in charge of this—open fire, start shooting now, you can kill them all.'"

"I'll handle the aftermath; I'm sending the punishment hall's people to you—damn, I don't think Lei Gong wants to live to see next year's big birthday; find a chance and take him out for me."

Translation: "'I'll handle the aftermath; I'm sending the Hall of Punishment's people over to you, damn it—I think Lei Gong doesn't want to live to see next year's birthday; find a chance and have me take him out.'" So: "【18】 'I'll handle the aftermath; I'm sending the Hall of Punishment's people over to you, damn it—I think Lei Gong doesn't want to live to see next year's birthday; find a chance and have me take him out.'"

"He actually dared to point a gun at me today—let him see whether Thus line: Prosperity is just mud; I'll smash all his teeth, truly thinking I have no temper?"

Translation: "'Today he actually dares to point a gun at me; let him see whether Prosperity is just a mud pie—I'll shatter all his teeth, does he really think I have no temper?'" So: "【19】 'Today he actually dares to point a gun at me; let him see whether Prosperity is just a mud pie—I'll shatter all his teeth, does he really think I have no temper?'"

"Do we have enough people? Should we transfer fighters from other halls to you? Damn, wipe them out in one go—they're after the gambling hall, so let's seize theirs too; we don't even want their gambling hall."

Translation: "'Do we have enough people? Should I transfer fighters from other halls to you, damn it? One strike to cripple them—they want a gambling hall, so I'll seize theirs too; let them not even want it.'" So: "【20】 'Do we have enough people? Should I transfer fighters from other halls to you, damn it? One strike to cripple them—they want a gambling hall, so I'll seize theirs too; let them not even want it.'"

Li Xin hadn't expected Chiang Tiangsheng to be even more hot‑tempered than him—he can even light a cigarette!

Translation: "Li Xin hadn't expected Jiang Tian Sheng to be even more hot‑tempered than him—he could light a cigarette!" So: "【21】 Li Xin hadn't expected Jiang Tian Sheng to be even more hot‑tempered than him—he could light a cigarette!"

That old Lei Gong must be suffering from senility, daring to threaten Chiang Tiangsheng on Hong Kong Island—it's really hard to judge!

Translation: "This Lei Gong probably has senile dementia, daring to go to Gangdao to threaten Jiang Tian Sheng—it's really hard to judge!" So: "【22】 This Lei Gong probably has senile dementia, daring to go to Gangdao to threaten Jiang Tian Sheng—it's really hard to judge!"

With that IQ, even being alive is useless!

Translation: "With that IQ, even being alive is useless!" So: "【23】 With that IQ, even being alive is useless!"

After hanging up with Chiang Tiangsheng, he called Chai Shu.

Translation: "After hanging up with Jiang Tian Sheng, he called Chai Shu." So: "【24】 After hanging up with Jiang Tian Sheng, he called Chai Shu."

"Who's there?" Chai Shu's voice came over the phone.

Translation: "'Who is it?' Chai Shu's voice came over the phone." So: "【25】 'Who is it?' Chai Shu's voice came over the phone."

Li Xin said directly: "Chai Shu, are you in contact with the Yingjiang Hongmen?"

Translation: "Li Xin directly said: 'Chai Shu, are you connected with the Yingjiang Hongmen?'" So: "【26】 Li Xin directly said: 'Chai Shu, are you connected with the Yingjiang Hongmen?'"

"Yes, tell me what you need; I can handle general matters—you still have this bit of face, Chai Shu." Chai Shu said.

Translation: "'Yes, tell me what you need; I can handle ordinary matters, this bit of face you still have, Chai Shu.' Chai Shu said." So: "【27】 'Yes, tell me what you need; I can handle ordinary matters, this bit of face you still have, Chai Shu.' Chai Shu said."

Li Tongdao said: "Then good; please have the Hongmen people help me find someone—this person is Lei Fu Hong, son of the Triad Society's Lei Gong."

Li Tongdao said: "Then good; please have the Hongmen people help me find someone—this person is Lei Fu Hong, son of the Triad Society's Lei Gong."

"Damn, that old bastard has his eye on my gambling hall; if we go to war, I'll send his whole family to sell salted duck eggs—dare to provoke me?"

Translation: "'Damn it, this old bastard has set his sights on my gambling hall; once we go to war, I'll send his whole family to sell salted duck eggs—does he dare provoke me?'" So: "【29】 'Damn it, this old bastard has set his sights on my gambling hall; once we go to war, I'll send his whole family to sell salted duck eggs—does he dare provoke me?'"

"The Hongmen just need to find the person; I'll send people over to handle things—thanks, Chai Shu."

Translation: "'The Hongmen just need to find the person; I'll send people over to handle things, thanks, Chai Shu.'" So: "【30】 'The Hongmen just need to find the person; I'll send people over to handle things, thanks, Chai Shu.'"

Chai Shu hung up the phone, very pleased with A Xin's frankness, his methodical approach, his belief that to eradicate weeds you must pull out the roots—his style really suits Chai Shu's taste.

Translation: "Chai Shu hung up the phone, very pleased with A Xin's frankness, his methodical way of doing things—cutting the grass must be done by removing the roots; his style really suits Chai Shu's taste." So: "【31】 Chai Shu hung up the phone, very pleased with A Xin's frankness, his methodical way of doing things—cutting the grass must be done by removing the roots; his style really suits Chai Shu's taste."

He then turned to Gen Shu nearby and said: "Is Lei Gong brain‑dead? Doesn't he investigate before provoking others? Is this kid A Xin really that easy to mess with?"

Translation: "He also turned to Gen Shu beside him and said: 'Is Lei Gong brain‑dead? Didn't he investigate before provoking others? Is this A Xin kid really that easy to mess with?'" So: "【32】 He also turned to Gen Shu beside him and said: 'Is Lei Gong brain‑dead? Didn't he investigate before provoking others? Is this A Xin kid really that easy to mess with?'"

Gen Shu snorted, laughed, and said mockingly: "What's there to investigate? The Triad Society is one of Wanwan's top three big gangs; do we need to investigate a youngster? No way!"

Translation: "Gen Shu snorted, laughed derisively, and said mockingly: 'Investigate what? The Triad Society is one of Wanwan's top three big gangs; do we need to investigate a little youngster? No!'" So: "【33】 Gen Shu snorted, laughed derisively, and said mockingly: 'Investigate what? The Triad Society is one of Wanwan's top three big gangs; do we need to investigate a little youngster? No!'"

Chai Shu handles things efficiently.

Translation: "Chai Shu handles things efficiently." So: "【34】 Chai Shu handles things efficiently."

The next morning, he sent over Lei Fu Hong's school and home address in great detail.

Translation: "The next morning, he sent over Lei Fu Hong's school and residence, very detailed." So: "【35】 The next morning, he sent over Lei Fu Hong's school and residence, very detailed."

After receiving the information, Li Xin placed a call; after several attempts to get through, he said without preamble: "I'll give you the address—write it down."

Translation: "After receiving the information, Li Xin placed a call; after several tries it connected, with no small talk: 'I'll give you the address, write it down.'" So: "【36】 After receiving the information, Li Xin placed a call; after several tries it connected, with no small talk: 'I'll give you the address, write it down.'"

"Okay!"

Translation: "'Okay!'" So: "【37】 'Okay!'"

"Yingjiang…Stan…did you remember that clearly?"

Translation: "'Yingjiang…Stan…did you remember that clearly?'" So: "【38】 'Yingjiang…Stan…did you remember that clearly?'"

"Very clear."

Translation: "'Very clear.'" So: "【39】 'Very clear.'"

"Fly to Yingjiang right away; once there, contact me once within half a day—just make this call, and someone will be on guard."

Translation: "'Fly to Yingjiang right away; once there, contact me once within half a day—just call this number, someone will be on guard.'" So: "【40】 'Fly to Yingjiang right away; once there, contact me once within half a day—just call this number, someone will be on guard.'"

"Okay, boss, I'm going to get it done!"

Translation: "'Okay, Boss, I'm off to do it!'" So: "【41】 'Okay, Boss, I'm off to do it!'"

Li Xin hung up the phone, considered the matter, wondered if anything had been missed, thought it over for a while, felt it was about right—any oversight would be minor.

Translation: "Li Xin hung up the phone, considered the matter for any omissions, thought for half a day, felt it was about right; any leftover would be minor." So: "【42】 Li Xin hung up the phone, considered the matter for any omissions, thought for half a day, felt it was about right; any leftover would be minor."

Tianhong finished breakfast, came to see him, and upon meeting said: "Boss, everyone's in place; we can go to war anytime—any other instructions?"

Translation: "Tianhong came after breakfast, met him and said: 'Boss, everyone's in place, we can fight anytime; any other instructions?'" So: "【43】 Tianhong came after breakfast, met him and said: 'Boss, everyone's in place, we can fight anytime; any other instructions?'"

After Tianhong sat down.

Translation: "After Tianhong sat down." So: "【44】 After Tianhong sat down."

Then he said: "Tianhong, don't hold back this time—hit hard; this is Mr. Chiang's order; if anything happens, Thus line: Prosperity will take responsibility."

Translation: "Then he said: 'Tianhong, don't hold back this time, strike hard—this is Mr. Jiang's order; if anything happens, Prosperity will take responsibility.'" So: "【45】 Then he said: 'Tianhong, don't hold back this time, strike hard—this is Mr. Jiang's order; if anything happens, Prosperity will take responsibility.'"

"Also watch out for sniper fire from the other side—wear a bulletproof vest; I've prepared them for you."

Translation: "'Also watch out for sniper fire from the other side; wear a bullet‑proof vest—I've prepared them for you.'" So: "【46】 'Also watch out for sniper fire from the other side; wear a bullet‑proof vest—I've prepared them for you.'"

He pointed to a few boxes on the carpet and said: "There are twenty bulletproof vests in here; give three to Jianjun's three men, and distribute the rest among those who came with you."

Translation: "He pointed with his finger at a few boxes on the carpet and said: 'There are twenty bullet‑proof vests here; give three to Jianjun and his two companions, the rest distribute to the veterans who came with you.'" So: "【47】 He pointed with his finger at a few boxes on the carpet and said: 'There are twenty bullet‑proof vests here; give three to Jianjun and his two companions, the rest distribute to the veterans who came with you.'"

"If the squad leader gets taken out by a sniper, then with no one to lead, it'll just be a joke."

Translation: "'If the squad leader gets taken out by a sniper, then with no one to lead, it'll become a joke.'" So: "【48】 'If the squad leader gets taken out by a sniper, then with no one to lead, it'll become a joke.'"

Tianhong went out, called in a few people, grabbed the boxes, and hurried off to handle business.

Translation: "Tianhong went out, called in a few people, grabbed the boxes and left, hurrying to get things done." So: "【49】 Tianhong went out, called in a few people, grabbed the boxes and left, hurrying to get things done."

Li Xin also changed clothes, wearing a bulletproof vest underneath and a windbreaker on top.

Translation: "Li Xin also changed clothes, wearing a bullet‑proof vest underneath and a windbreaker on top." So: "【50】 Li Xin also changed clothes, wearing a bullet‑proof vest underneath and a windbreaker on top."

It looks fine—not too bulky; he moved his body, stretched his muscles and bones, can't be careless.

Translation: "It looked fine, not too bulky; he moved his body, stretched his muscles and bones, couldn't be careless." So: "【51】 It looked fine, not too bulky; he moved his body, stretched his muscles and bones, couldn't be careless."

Yesterday he had already equipped Jianjun and his men with P226 pistols—two each—this gun can't be shown in Hong Kong, but on Aodao it doesn't matter.

Translation: "Yesterday he had equipped Jianjun and his men with P226 pistols, two each; this gun can't be shown in Gangdao, but on Ao Island it doesn't matter." So: "【52】 Yesterday he had equipped Jianjun and his men with P226 pistols, two each; this gun can't be shown in Gangdao, but on Ao Island it doesn't matter."

In his stash he also has over a hundred AKs and a huge amount of pineapples, plus five rocket‑launchers—damn, Old Biden, if we go to war we'll leave him there to eliminate any future trouble.

Translation: "In his stash he also had over a hundred AKs and a large amount of pineapples, even five rocket launchers—damn it, Old Biden, if we go to war we'll leave him there to eliminate future trouble." So: "【53】 In his stash he also had over a hundred AKs and a large amount of pineapples, even five rocket launchers—damn it, Old Biden, if we go to war we'll leave him there to eliminate future trouble."

I'll rapid‑fire you to death!

I'll rapid‑fire you to death!

Thanks for the gift from Zunini Wang!

Translation: "Thanks for the gift from Zunni Wang!" So: "【55】 Thanks for the gift from Zunni Wang!"

He didn't take it for nothing—he left Zunini Wang a big gold bull as a token!

Translation: "He didn't take it for nothing—he left Zunni Wang a Big Gold Bull as a token!" So: "【56】 He didn't take it for nothing—he left Zunni Wang a Big Gold Bull as a token!"

Everything is ready; all we need is the east wind.

Translation: "Everything is ready, only missing the east wind." So: "【57】 Everything is ready, only missing the east wind."

Lei Gong, you need to toughen up—otherwise I'll have a hard time finishing you off. If you give compensation, how am I supposed to take action against you?

Translation: "Lei Gong, you'd better toughen up, or I'll have a hard time finishing you off. If you give compensation, how am I supposed to move against you?" So: "【58】 Lei Gong, you'd better toughen up, or I'll have a hard time finishing you off. If you give compensation, how am I supposed to move against you?"

In the jianghu, good words are hard to hear!

Translation: "In the jianghu, nice words are hard to hear!" So: "【59】 In the jianghu, nice words are hard to hear!"

His reputation was already bad; after this, his reputation will truly stink up the whole street!

Three days later.

Time: 6 p. m.

Location: Pu Jing Duchang.

The room was full of people, all brought by Li Xin and Lei Gong.

The two sat on opposite sides of the table, Lei Gong holding a cigar carved like a sculpture.

Li Xin smoked Red Wan, occasionally sipping tea, tapping ash, but said nothing.

Everyone waited for the other to speak first.

Li Xin thought, "Old bastard, I'll outlast you until you're urinating urgently, frequently, and incompletely!"