“Yihai is originally from the Hongmen, after passing five barriers, he is granted the Hong Ying, for sixty years he stands equal to the heavens, conquering the world and turning it all red (Hong)!”

……

“The auspicious hour has arrived! Brothers, please bring your horses into the city!”

……

Prince Ben, Big Howard, and Ethan Foster from Dongguan raised the incense sticks above their heads.

“Do you love your brothers and sisters, or do you love gold?”

“We love our brothers and sisters!”

“Do you seek high official rank and great wealth, or do you seek loyalty and righteousness?”

“We seek loyalty and righteousness!”

This time, the hall leader Black Charlie personally performed the ceremony, dressed in a black long gown. He turned to the altar, took down a Hongmen knife, raised it above his head, and used the back of the blade to tap the backs of Robert Bolton, Howard Thompson, and Ethan Scott, asking in a stern voice.

After completing the ceremony, Robert Bolton, Howard Thompson, and Ethan Scott walked out of the inner hall, each holding a red wooden staff representing the triple success of the top scholar, straw-soled shoes, and a white paper fan.

“Yihai Hongmen Yau Ma Tei disciple Robert Bolton, officially appointed to the position of 426 Red Pole, promoted!”

“Yihai Hongmen Yau Ma Tei disciple Howard Thompson, officially appointed to the position of 415 White Paper Fan, promoted!”

“Yihai Hongmen Yau Ma Tei disciple Ethan Scott, officially appointed to the position of 432 Straw Sandals, promoted!”

The initiation ceremony was complete.

For the first time, three people were initiated as the triple top scholars. Although there were differences in rank, all were major figures in the society. The White Paper Fan and Straw Sandals assisted the Red Pole in managing the branch.

This time, Lawyer Clark was not initiated.

Chapter 004: Brotherhood

One week later.

At the top of Fanling Hill, after seven consecutive days of banquets at the Three Saints Temple, several brothers went to Temple Street for karaoke.

During these seven days, Robert Bolton had fully integrated into the era, gaining a clearer understanding and awareness of the people and things around him.

He discovered that he did not possess the “golden finger” cheat that is standard in reincarnation novels. If he had anything, it was the knowledge in his mind!

This knowledge was enough for him to turn his life around!

At this moment, he was sitting in the middle of the sofa, raising a glass of whiskey, inviting a toast: “Clark, you didn’t get to be initiated this time. You’re not upset, are you?”

Big Howard was sitting on the left, drinking, while Ethan Foster from Dongguan was holding a microphone, dancing and singing wildly. Lawyer Clark quickly raised his glass and said, “Brother Ben, I know you’re doing this for my own good.”

“I’m a practicing lawyer now, so it’s not suitable for me to have too strong a triad background.”

“As long as you understand.” Robert Bolton noticed that his three brothers each had their own strengths: Lawyer Clark was smart, Big Howard could fight, and Ethan Foster from Dongguan was a good shot. If possible, he hoped to help his brothers all get out of the mire.

“Clink.” The two clinked their glasses heavily, the liquor in the glass shaking. Robert Bolton raised his head and downed the drink in one gulp.

Actually, Lawyer Clark was fully qualified to be initiated as a Paper Fan. But simply having a triad identity and becoming a major figure in the society were two different things. If one day his status as a major figure was exposed and hyped up, the negative impact could be huge.

After seven days of planning, he had roughly sketched out a blueprint for future development.

First, it was best not to touch triad business, and even more so not to expand it. The more it developed, the worse it would be.

In business, he could start with the entertainment industry. As the saying goes, the 1980s were the best and worst years for Hong Kong cinema—even the triads were scrambling to get in and make money.

Right now, the second young master of Sun Yee On was still just running errands on set for fun, and it would be four years before he founded “Win’s Entertainment.” So, he could get into the film industry and make money.

That’s all money.

If others are making it,

Why not make it himself?

Within the Yau Ma Tei branch, there were seven bars, three nightclubs, over twenty underground gambling dens, more than eighty bathhouses and saunas, over a hundred horse stalls, three hundred brothels, more than two thousand junior members, and over three hundred enforcers.

There were also small businesses like construction sites, pirated goods stalls, and car repair and taxi services.

Monthly cash flow exceeded a million!

A million Hong Kong dollars in the 1980s!

However, after deducting payments to the society and the brothers’ expenses, the branch had about two hundred thousand left each month, which was divided among the branch bosses.

Currently, Robert Bolton’s personal account had more than seven hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars.

This was his starting capital. Not much, plus a three-story tong lau on Temple Street—not much either. But the influence of the society was even more valuable.

He could give up his boss status, but before escaping the bitter sea, perhaps he could make use of it. As for how to escape? He had a small idea: if he ruined the branch, wouldn’t he be out? The society wanted a boss who could make money and get things done.

If he just slacked off in the black business every day, kept making mistakes, had goods robbed and venues smashed, he’d go bankrupt sooner or later! By then, the society’s hall leader would have to call a meeting and force him to retire.

Maybe he could even get a retirement payout.

Then he could focus on legitimate business and transition smoothly. But he couldn’t do this too quickly—if he went bankrupt too fast, the hall leader and the brothers would come after him with knives.

The first pot of gold in legitimate business would be dug from the hottest stars.

……

At this moment, Big Howard pulled a hot girl into Robert Bolton’s arms, his face flushed as he raised his glass and said, “Brother Ben, let’s have a drink.”

“Sure.” Robert Bolton smiled, raised his glass, and took a hearty sip. Big Howard grinned and said, “Brother Ben, the managers of the Yau Ma Tei bars and nightclubs called this afternoon. They said they’re running low on goods.”