Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 232 Without Exception
Just an hour after the trial ended, Liang Sen was still reeling from the shock of the first trial when the second trial was even more intense.

Seated in the plaintiff's seat were Hung King-po, president of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild; Cheng Lung, vice president; Lin Ching-hsia, vice president; three popular celebrities; Lee Chun-hin, director of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild; and assistant lawyers from Tianbo Law Firm.

The lawyer representing the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild in court was Owens, the founder and chief member of Tin Bo Solicitors, former honorary secretary of the Hong Kong Bar Association, a knight in the Order of the British Empire, a non-official member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and a Queen's Counsel.

There were thirty lawyers in the dock, all of whom were representatives of various media outlets and newspapers. Liang Sen was representing Banana Daily.

This case, which can be described as a century-long lawsuit in Hong Kong, started at 3 p.m. and lasted until the evening.

With conclusive evidence, all defendants lost their cases without exception. Among them, Banana Daily was ordered to pay HK$75 million in damages to the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild, including HK$175 million in punitive damages. The two cases directly and openly wiped out all the assets left by Fat Man Lai, leaving not a penny behind.

After the court hearing concluded, major Hong Kong media outlets interviewed the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild at the entrance.

President Hung King-po told the media with great enthusiasm: "Our Performing Artists Association was established under the initiative of Sir Chan Ka-Chun. First of all, we would like to thank Sir Chan for giving us this opportunity to speak out."

In an interview, Jackie Chan said, "Sir Chan Ka-Chun is a boss who truly loves the film industry..."

In an interview, Brigitte Lin said, "Brother Bao, Brother Long, and Ms. Zhao Yazhi, who was unable to attend today due to filming in Taiwan, have all been hurt by various rumors and gossip. I am grateful to Sir Chan..."

After the two court hearings, major media outlets in Hong Kong were relieved that Chan Ka-Chun had shown leniency. If Chan Ka-Chun had really fought them to the death, Fat Lai, who had been exonerated, would probably have ended up like them.

Therefore, everyone cautiously reported on the two lawsuits that could be described as trials of the century.

From then on, Hong Kong media have always been extremely cautious in their reporting on matters involving Kowloon Motor Bus, China Motor Bus, Tesla Group, Hung Hing Group, and especially Mr. Chan.

While these media outlets were celebrating their narrow escape, the very next day, a lawsuit that cemented Chen Jiajun's nickname "King of Hong Kong" began.

This time, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), touted as the Hong Kong government's last line of defense, stood in court.

At this hearing, Owens's barrister appeared completely different from yesterday, exuding confidence and radiance as he walked steadily towards former Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Commissioner, Ben Nai-shun.

"I would like to ask Mr. Ben Naixin, is it true that you have always maintained that you had no ill intentions towards Sir Chan Ka Chun when you visited the Chan Manor that day?"

Ban Naixin nodded: "Of course."

"What was your reason for going to the Chen family manor to arrest Sir Chen Jiajun?" Oyuns nodded, then continued to ask.

Ban Nai-xin stated frankly, "I suspect that Tesla Group and its chairman have used Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus to obtain huge profits. Therefore, I request that Sir Chan Ka-chun, as well as the general managers of Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus, return to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for questioning."

“Very well, then the whole matter is clear. This was a formal inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. So, why were there so many media outlets present?” Owens turned to the audience and asked.

"This... I don't know," Ban Naixin replied somewhat guiltily.

"You mean the media weren't invited by you or the Independent Commission Against Corruption, is that right or wrong?" Upon hearing Ban Naixin's answer, Oyuns immediately turned around, his eyes gleaming.

Ban Naixin shook his head and said, "I only invited Banana Daily to report on this to avoid any bad speculation from the outside world. As for other media outlets, I really don't know why so many of them have appeared."

"I understand. So do you admit that the presence of so many media outlets at the scene was an oversight by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)? And why wasn't my client wearing a mask? Was that also an oversight by the ICAC? Yes or no?"

Oyuns astutely seized upon Ban Naixin's weakness and spoke with righteous indignation.

"Yes."

Ban Naixin was immediately dejected.

“Very well, then may I ask, what is the matter that you asked my client to return to the ICAC for questioning?” Owens pressed.

Pan Nai-xin replied, "We suspect that the loan of 30 billion yuan for the purchase of 3000 Tesla double-decker buses by China Motor Corporation and Kowloon Motor Bus Group involves serious transfer of benefits."

"On what basis do you conclude that this case involves the transfer of benefits?" Oyuns put on an attentive expression.

Ban Naixin's face darkened slightly as he said, "First of all, there is an interest-free loan of up to 30 billion."

Secondly, Tesla was a relatively unknown automaker before this, and we didn't believe Tesla's double-decker bus could sell for a million dollars.

“Your Honor, please allow our witness, the legal representative of HSBC, to appear in court,” Oyuns said immediately upon hearing Ban Naixin’s reply.

"The request is permitted," the judge said.

The legal representative of HSBC stepped forward to the witness stand, and the judge asked, "On what basis did HSBC grant the two groups an interest-free loan of 30 billion?"

"First of all, Kowloon Motor Bus Group and China Bus Group are the only two franchised bus companies in Hong Kong, with a very long operating history and a good reputation. Sir Tang Shiu-kin of Kowloon Motor Bus and Sir Pau Yuk-kong, the newly appointed chairman of the board of directors of China Bus Group, are both well-known public figures in Hong Kong."

"Secondly, KMB Group and China Motor Corporation represent the travel interests of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens."

"Third, we have analyzed the finances of KMB Group and China Motor Bus Group. The average annual profit of KMB and China Motor Bus over the years is about HK$7000 million. However, the annual profit of Sun Bus Company, which was jointly established by the two companies, and 1000 bus stops is expected to be HK$3 million. This shows that KMB Group and China Motor Bus Group have the ability to repay their debts."

"Fourth, we have conducted research on Tesla Group's double-decker buses. Tesla Group is now an internationally renowned bus group, and their products have international recognition and are widely purchased by Taiwan, Singapore and other places."

"Therefore, we estimate the value of these 3000 double-decker buses to be 30 billion."

"Based on the fact that KMB and China Motor Corporation represent the travel interests of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens and the image of Hong Kong, and that KMB and China Motor Corporation have profit limits, we made an interest-free loan of 30 billion HKD."

HSBC's legal representative offered a righteous and dignified explanation.

"Does the defendant need to question the witnesses?" the judge asked, looking at Ban Naixin.

Ban Naixin shook his head, his face ashen.

"Does the plaintiff need to question the witnesses?" The judge looked at Owens.

Oyuns stood up: "Your Honor, the witness's testimony was clear enough. We have no further questions. Thank you."

"Does the witness have any further testimony?"

“No, Your Honor,” the HSBC legal representative said. “The witness may leave.” The judge nodded.

After the witness left, Oyuns continued, "The witness's testimony just now proves that this was not a transaction involving the transfer of benefits. Mr. Ban Naixin, did you conduct a thorough investigation before deciding to question Sir Chen Jiajun?"

“We all agreed at the time that this was beyond common sense, given that the Tesla Group had only been established recently,” Ban Naixin explained.

“Your Honor,” said He Shouji, the barrister representing the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), “I believe this was Mr. Ban Naixin’s personal behavior and does not represent the overall image of the ICAC. Moreover, the ICAC has apologized to the three groups and the three individuals involved afterward.”

"I object, Your Honor. Ben Nai-shun is the ICAC's Special Commissioner and had applied for the relevant procedures with the Department of Justice before initiating the inquiry into Sir Chan Ka-chun."

Furthermore, the ICAC is not an individual agency; as a government disciplined force, anyone who joins the ICAC can represent it. Mr. Bennett also identified himself as the ICAC Special Commissioner to my client,” Owens said loudly.

"Your Honor, this was merely Mr. Bennet's personal behavior during his time as a Special Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)..."

Both sides loudly expressed their views, completely disregarding whether the other could hear them, and instead caring more about whether their own voice could drown out the other's.

The judge slammed his gavel down: "Order! Order!"

After silencing the heated debate between the two sides, the judge spoke again: "Please remain silent and await the verdict from this panel of judges and the jury."

After the lead juror presented the jury's opinion to the judge, the judge looked at the crowd:

"This court hereby declares that the plaintiff's charges against the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for dereliction of duty are not established, the plaintiff's charges against the ICAC for intentional fraud are not established, the charges against the ICAC for negligence in supervision are established, and the charges against the ICAC for abuse of power are established. Considering that the plaintiff did not bring charges against a single individual, it is impossible to impose specific criminal penalties. Therefore, this court finds the defendant, the ICAC, to be without punishment but to pay the plaintiff damages for emotional distress, reputational damage, and other losses totaling HK$15 million. The court is adjourned."

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) awarded HK$1500 million in compensation but did not impose any further criminal penalties on Ben Nai-shun. This was the result of pressure exerted by the Hong Kong government on the law firm of Tianbo, and Chan Ka-chun had no complaints about it.

What he wanted was a result, a result that would make Hong Kong's disciplined forces wary of his power at any time.

After the judge delivered the verdict, cheers erupted from the gallery from representatives of Kowloon Motor Bus, China Motor Bus, and Tesla. Sir Tang Shiu-kin even clung to a group of long-time Kowloon Motor Bus employees.

Chen Jiajun did not join in the celebrations after winning the case. He stood up, straightened his suit, and walked out of the courtroom escorted by several bodyguards.

As he walked out of the courtroom, he saw a distraught Ban Naixin emerge from inside, surrounded by a dozen reporters.

Despite being surrounded by reporters, Ban Naixin remained silent as he slowly walked down the steps toward the parking lot.

Standing on the steps, Chen Jiajun called out to Ban Naixin, who was descending the steps, "Mr. Ban Naixin, do you remember what I told you back then?"

Ban Naixin turned to look at Chen Jiajun, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

"How does it taste?" Chen Jiajun strode up to Ban Naixin.

“Sir Chen, you have already won. If you want to continue humiliating me, please do so.” Ban Naixin’s mouth was filled with bitterness.

Chen Jiajun handed over his business card and said, "This is my business card. I highly value your personal abilities. If you have nowhere else to go, you can consider working for my group."

My group has grown to a point where it needs an internal disciplinary inspection organization, and I would like to invite you to be its head. Also, remember, you didn't lose to me; you lost to a combination of favorable timing, location, and people. Think it over, goodbye.”

After speaking, Chen Jiajun brushed past Ban Naixin, and He Guorong, who had already left the Political Department, respectfully opened the car door.

Before getting into the car, He Guorong gave Ban Naixin a meaningful look, which seemed to be a declaration of victory, but also seemed to contain pity.

At this moment, Ban Naixin felt even more like a dog.

Even if He Guorong is forced to resign from the Political Department, he still has a good place to go. What about himself?

Thinking about this, Ban Naixin felt even more lost.

The next day.

Chen Jiajun opened his eyes in bed and sat up, shaking his still aching head.

Last night, to celebrate Chen Jiajun's great victory, a group of people including Du Mu, Liang Kun, and Tian Yangsheng took him to a bar for drinks and revelry. Chen Jiajun forgot how much he drank, and when he opened his eyes again, he was already lying in a guest room at the Chen Family Manor.

Chen Jiajun got up, walked over, picked up a glass, and took a big gulp of water to moisten his dry throat.

At breakfast, Ho Kwok-wing, flipping through documents, reported: "Brother, the compensation has been received. After deducting everything, there's a surplus of 3.05 million yuan. In addition, there's a surplus of 25 billion yuan in illicit funds from the Hong Kong Jockey Club..."

"Brother, could I borrow some money from you?"

“A loan? Ah Rong, when you submitted that list of political department personnel to Han Yili, weren’t there some who weren’t registered?” Chen Jiajun quickly realized something and asked.

He Guorong forced a smile and said, "Yes, that's right. I've already disbanded this group of brothers. I'm borrowing money from you for the sake of these brothers."

"Give me a reason."

He Guorong replied, "Brother, I want to tell you my story."

I participated in the Korean War. It was the first time I left my hometown and saw what the world was really like. I originally thought it was a glorious mission, but reality taught me a painful lesson.

After being released from the prisoner-of-war camp, I joined MI5 and volunteered to come to Hong Kong to find work. I originally thought it would be a position that would allow me to better understand the Chinese community, and this was my only interest in coming to Hong Kong.

"I lived through the money-driven era, and I don't agree with Lei Luo's corrupt system, but I strongly agree with his idea that 'as long as you wear a military uniform, you're a cop, one of us, and there's no distinction between us.'"

I served in the military, and I understand the meaning of camaraderie better than the average special agent or police officer. If, and I mean if…

Seeing the uneasy He Guorong, Chen Jiajun waved his hand and said, "No need for 'what ifs,' I won't lend you this money, but I need these people to work for me."

Regarding the specifics, I will soon draft a plan. Once successful, they will be officially recognized and promoted.

"Yes, thank you, brother." He Guorong was overjoyed.

(End of this chapter)