"That's right, for the police, this is nothing short of a war!" Robert Bolton felt a bone-chilling cold all over. What kind of bullshit "Operation One"? The name sounds simple but terrifying—might as well call it "Cold War," at least that would give people a sense of the gravity.

"And whether you look at the two meanings, or the level of supervision from the top, the code name 'Operation One' is definitely the highest-level action code."

"This war is very likely aimed at crushing the arrogance of the four major triads. The curtain is about to rise on the twilight of the underworld."

And just now, what the little brother at home said—

There was another line:

The Narcotics Squad is sending people.

The first targeted action of "Operation One" is very likely a crackdown on drugs in the major triads. No wonder O Division is doing surprise inspections at bars—probably checking the flour sales on each triad's turf. And O Division seems to have a special fondness for Prince Bin; even the newly appointed Chief Inspector came to Monica's for a drink.

Currently, the four major triads in Hong Kong—Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo, Big Circle, and the Numbers Gang—are all involved with powder.

The police crackdown on the triads is far from a one-off.

To put it bluntly, if the police teamed up with the garrison to sweep out the gangs, they could easily crush the triads. But the resulting social unrest would go against the authorities' anti-gang objectives. Besides, there are over a hundred thousand triad members in Hong Kong—can they arrest them all? And if they do, can Stanley Prison hold them all? If not, are the foreigners going to send them back to their ancestral homes?

From 1980 to 1997, the political motives behind the authorities' crackdown on triads in Hong Kong were different, but the core intention was always to improve public security, create a better social environment, and reduce obstacles to economic development...

Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish.

Robert Bolton felt like he was already in the pot.

And besides the four major triads, there are dozens of smaller gangs in Hong Kong—some in the countryside, some are sunset gangs. In short, it's easier to take down the small ones.

But the police have set their sights on toppling a major triad.

This operation could be a two- to three-year, or even five-year, strategic campaign...

Run! Run! Run!

Gotta get out of here!

After thinking it through, Robert Bolton smacked his lips. In the underworld, you can't control your own fate. There's not enough money yet, the gang can't break out now, and the little brothers still need to make a living and be looked after. Most businesses are hard to give up—at least they have to be let go step by step. But the powder business must be ditched!

It absolutely must go!

If I ditch it fast enough,

The police cars won't be able to catch me!

"Heh heh."

"I'm not stupid."

"Soon, you'll see what it means when a boss uses his brains, and the cops have to rack theirs." Robert Bolton grinned, everything under control.

The Mercedes with the tiger-head hood ornament stopped at the base of the tong lau.

"Brother Ben, I'll keep watch for you tonight." Big Howard opened the car door, smiling as he spoke.

Robert Bolton opened the tong lau's main door and shook his head. "You're a white fan now, a clean guy. What's the point of keeping watch for me every night? Just get a couple of the little brothers to do it. Go contact David the Friend for me—tell him I want to meet tomorrow to talk about the flour business at the Yau Ma Tei branch. If he's interested, have him set up a proper banquet and wait for me."

There really is a place called "You Gu Qi" in Hong Kong, run by an uncle from Wo Shing Wo. It's the favorite spot for Wo Shing Wo members to negotiate deals.

Big Howard nodded knowingly. "Leave it to me, Brother Ben."

He figured the boss was finally going to talk business with David the Friend. If they could negotiate a good price, the branch could make a killing.

Otherwise, if the Yau Ma Tei branch doesn't sell goods day after day, not only will the brothers complain, but the customers and even the triad elders will have something to say.

Robert Bolton waved his hand and went upstairs to rest. He didn't care at all about those damn customers, triad elders, or uncles—he only cared about his brothers!

The next day.

Early morning.

Robert Bolton had dim sum at Luk Yu Tea House: a pot of pu'er tea, a basket of red bean buns, a serving of shrimp dumplings, a tray of beef brisket, and a plate of choy sum—a balanced meal. Tea to refresh the mind, what a treat!

After tea, a Lucky Strike cigarette to clear his throat and moisten his lungs—feeling on top of the world!

"Howard."

"Let's go to You Gu Qi."

Drinking tea took him right up to eleven o'clock. By then, the dim sum was mostly digested, and it was time for lunch.

Robert Bolton straightened his back and walked out of the tea house, feeling refreshed. "Whew..."

He exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"Yes, Brother Ben." Snap—Big Howard closed the car door for the boss, and the Mercedes with the tiger-head hood ornament, along with two Crowns, headed for You Gu Qi.

At You Gu Qi, David the Friend was sitting at a window table on the second floor, with a pot and two cups of hot tea on the table. Six of his men sat at a nearby table.

As the red pole in charge of the powder business for the Yee Hoi Society, David the Friend managed two supply lines: one from the Golden Triangle into Hong Kong, and another from Colombia into Macau and then to Hong Kong. He was the most well-supplied powder dealer in Hong Kong, running a massive operation.

But he looked rosy-cheeked and fair-skinned, like a wealthy businessman, nothing like the gaunt look of a typical triad member. Only his brows carried a hint of menace, making him look a bit fierce and not easy to mess with.

Robert Bolton, along with Big Howard, Ethan Foster from Dongguan, and eight other men, went up to the second floor of You Gu Qi. Seeing David the Friend chewing on a toothpick, looking impatient, Robert Bolton's face broke into a smile as he cheerfully said, "Brother David, long time no see."