Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Filming of "Taken" went very smoothly, with no gangs interfering.

Li Jiangbo is still somewhat unaccustomed to this, as he had a deep connection with the community during his first filming after transmigrating.

People like Fat Bo from Yi Sheng and the various heads of Hutchison Whampoa all met while filming.

Most people realized how formidable Li Sheng was and stopped provoking him.

Another reason is that, starting on March 29, 1980, Hong Kong police launched the largest anti-gang operation in their history.

The most seriously injured in this operation were members of the Xinji organization, with more than fifty leaders and key members, including the Xinji's chief members, Red Sticks, and White Paper Fans, being arrested.

The underworld was suddenly gripped by fear, with everyone worried that the Hong Kong police would launch another crackdown on organized crime.

Secondly, since Xinji lacked a leader and its territory was vacant, the Number Gang seized Xinji's territory.

A nightclub in Mong Kok.

Kui Lao is the leader of the Xiao Zi Tui faction of the Number Gang, and he is active in the Mong Kok area.

His main businesses included nightclubs, gambling dens, and drug trafficking. He also ran the largest waste paper collection gang in Hong Kong.

"Hey, Kui, the waste paper business has been getting worse lately."

Kui Lao squinted and snorted coldly without raising his head.

The younger brother who had just spoken suddenly became trembling and didn't know what to say.

After a moment, Kui Lao opened his eyes. "Have you figured out where the problem lies?"

"We've found out. It's that Mr. Li who's been making headlines lately. He opened up a shipping route from Australia directly to the mainland. Our waste paper sales to the mainland have decreased by 80%."

Kui Lao looked at his underling with suspicion, "Isn't this Mr. Li in the glass business? How come he's started dealing in waste paper too?"

"Then what the hell are you doing? You even let people interfere in our business..."

As Kui Lao grew angrier, he swept all the wine bottles and plates off the table and onto the floor.

No one could answer him, mainly because Li Jiangbo is now rich and showing off.

It's easy to destroy the leader of the number gang; you can just bury him in money.

After a long while, one of the henchmen spoke up: "Mainly because the brothers were all laying low for a while, we didn't pay attention."

"Snapped!"

A wine glass was smashed at the henchman who had spoken, and the henchman was unable to dodge in time, and was hit on the head and bled profusely.

"Bullshit! You let someone plant their flag without you noticing? You've lost such a big deal, are you going to starve?!"

In fact, the money that Kui Lao earns from his nightclubs, gambling dens, and drug business is enough to support his men.

The waste paper business was Kui Lao's private business, and he could make two or three hundred thousand yuan a month just from this business.

With such a source of income suddenly cut off, how could Kui Lao not be anxious?

Several henchmen stood aside, not daring to breathe.

"Speak up! Are you all mute?"

One of the underlings forced a smile and said, "Boss, that Mr. Li... is no ordinary person. I heard that his bodyguards are all from the mainland, and they've all been on the battlefield."

Another henchman added, "I also heard that Hutchison suffered losses and was almost ruined."

Kui Lao snorted coldly, "Bodyguards? My Number Gang has thousands of brothers, why would I be afraid of his dozens of bodyguards?"

After these words were spoken, no one dared to respond.

Kui Lao stood up and paced back and forth in the private room.

A moment later, he stopped, turned around, and said with a cold look in his eyes, "When you ask Big Circle Boys for a favor, remember to do it cleanly."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the private room was pushed open.

"Brother Kui, this won't do."

Kui Lao stared coldly at the newcomer; he didn't recognize the person in front of him.

The man was in his thirties, wearing a dark gray suit, his hair was slicked back with beeswax, and he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

The visitor was Chen Tianfang, who casually sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette.

Kui Lao was a bit confused. Where did this nobody come from, showing off here? Does he have some kind of backing?

The henchman beside him had no such reservations and simply cursed, "You bastard, who the hell are you?"

Chen Tianfang took off his gold-rimmed glasses, breathed on them twice, and took out a cleaning cloth to carefully wipe them, completely ignoring his rude underling.

Seeing Chen Tianfang's extraordinary demeanor, Kui Lao waved his hand to stop his underlings who were about to make a move.

"Who are you?"

Chen Tianfang put his glasses back on, looked up, and met Kui Lao's gaze.

"Brother Kui just mentioned finding a gunman; I advise you to abandon that idea."

Why?

Chen Tianfang said calmly, "I know Li Jiangbo's bodyguards better than you do. They're all retired from the mainland, they've been on the battlefield and seen blood."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Even if you find a few gunmen, getting close to him is a problem. And even if you manage to succeed by chance, do you think the police will let you go? Kui Lao knows the current situation better than I do, right?"

Kui Lao's expression changed, but he was unwilling to give up. After all, cutting off someone's source of income was like killing their parents.

"So what? At worst, we'll both go down together."

Chen Tianfang smiled upon hearing this, "Then I'm afraid Kui Lao will follow in Xin Ji's footsteps. Li Jiangbo is still fine."

Upon hearing this, Kui Lao's eyes darted around, and he thought to himself: "That's right! Those fifty-odd people from the New Bureau are still locked up in Stanley. Everyone in the underworld is living in fear. If something like this happens now..."

Thinking about this, he dared not think any further; the matter was far too serious.

"Then what do you suggest we do? He stole 80% of my business, and you're just going to let it go like this?"

Chen Tianfang smiled.

That smile was chilling and sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Chen Tianfang, and I am the deputy manager of Shaw Brothers Studio."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Brother Kui, I have two plans that will guarantee you can handle him."

"Oh? Those two plans?"

"First, Li Jiangbo's film needs to go through the Film Censorship Office before it can be released. I have some connections there. If we can hold him back for a few months, his film will just be gathering dust in the warehouse."

"Second, Li Jiangbo imports goods from Australia, transports them by sea and land to Hong Kong, and then from Hong Kong to the mainland. This involves customs, which is precisely Kui Lao's forte."

"This time, we'll take a two-pronged approach. That way, Brother Kui can also seize the opportunity to steal our business."

Kui Lao's eyes grew brighter, and there was something more in them.

"Mr. Chen, do you have a grudge against Li Jiangbo?"

Chen Tianfang remained silent for a few seconds, and the smile on his face slowly disappeared.

"Let's not talk about these things. Anyway, I'm here to help Kui Lao. We have a common enemy—Li Jiangbo."

The private room was silent for a few seconds, then Kui Lao suddenly laughed and stretched out his hand.

"I've decided to befriend Mr. Chen."

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

After a moment, Kui Lao poured a glass of wine and handed it to Chen Tianfang, "Come on, cheers, wishing Li Jiangbo a prosperous business."

Chen Tianfang took the wine glass and gently clinked it against his.

The two drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Tianfang put down his wine glass, stood up to take his leave, and as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.

"Brother Kui, I'm planning to make my move in a couple of days. When are you going to do it?"

Kui lowered his head and thought for a moment, "I only have a couple of days here."

Chen Tianfang nodded upon hearing this and strode towards the nightclub.

After Chen Tianfang walked away, one of Kui Lao's henchmen approached him and asked, "Kui Lao, who should we talk to at customs?"

Kui Lao picked up his coat. "Find Lao Zheng. He's taken enough money from me over the years."

Outside the nightclub, Chen Tianfang got into the car.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and a slow smile appeared on his lips.