radicalducati Chapter 24: Climbing the Ranks Through a Career
Chapter 24: Climbing the Ranks Through a Career
The few notes at the door were just a minor incident.
A formation was set up in the open space in front of the main hall of the ancestral hall.
It's rare for Zhengxing to have all its personnel present.
Several armchairs were placed under the eaves, and in the middle sat a row of uncles, including Grandpa Fu, Uncle Xiang, Big Guang, and Uncle Yuan, all with gray hair.
Beside them stood a man in his early forties with a sinister look, wearing a floral shirt; Lai Tin-yat was the head of the Kwun Tong triad.
Further down, there were gangsters and thugs, standing in a dark mass.
Of course, B, a big shot from Hung Hing, was also there to watch.
Zhengxing and Hongxing are both five branches that split off from the Hong family.
Big Brother B has planted his flag in Tsz Wan Shan again. They are all brothers in the underworld. It's been so many years since Zhengxing opened its doors. Moreover, Song Zhaowen is an acquaintance of his. Of course, he has to give face to an acquaintance who is taking office.
Song Zhaowen, Xiao Zhuoxiao, and Wu Zhaoyong knelt in the middle in front of the statue of Guan Yu.
Wu Zhaoyong was redeemed from his servitude at the water house by Song Zhaowen, who spent a full 200,000 yuan to transfer him to Song Zhaowen's household.
Wu Zhaoyong was a notorious troublemaker. Other gangs wouldn't release him for 500,000, but he was a notorious troublemaker with a strange temper. He was hated by everyone in the gang. When someone offered to ransom him, the gang leader, Blind Heng, was happy to release him.
As for Wu Zhaoyong's personal opinion? Under Song Zhaowen's fists, he had no choice but to swallow his opinions.
It was the first time that Fei Ji had attended such a lively event, and he kept excitedly talking: "Ah Hua, back in the day, there were five major branches in Zhengxing, almost all of them were from Tsz Wan Shan and Kwun Tong."
But since Inspector Lei Luo was expelled, our Zhengxing's power has declined significantly.
Only two large temples remain, and it has been many years since anyone has been able to hold a gathering together.
Even Uncle Yuan from the previous generation made an appearance this time. He's a veteran of three reigns, highly respected and virtuous. Today, he personally presided over the ceremony to inaugurate Brother Wen's position—truly giving him a great deal of face!
Ahua pointed his chin at Li Tianyi, who had a sour face, and said, "Why is that guy so arrogant? He acts like someone owes him money."
"Keep your voice down, that's Lai Tin-yat, the boss of Kwun Tong. He's a tough guy. He carved his way up from Kowloon Walled City with just a knife back in the day. He built all his territory from scratch. He's close to Big Kwong, and it's said..." Airplane lowered his voice even further, "He also has some shady dealings with the Wo Luen Shing side. This time, Master Fuk suggested that Man Gor get a position as a head clerk, but Lai Tin-yat seems to have some objections, thinking that Man Gor is too inexperienced."
Li Tianyi is of the same generation as Song Zhaowen's old, dead, and foolish Kui who is in jail. It would be strange if he didn't object to a junior of the same generation taking over.
Chicken, who was behind Boss B, patted Chan Ho-nam on the shoulder: "Brother Nam, I never expected that Ah Man, who used to be so quiet, would suddenly rise to the top."
Chan Ho-nam stared at Song Zhaowen in the arena with envy in his eyes.
We're all from public housing estates in Tsz Wan Shan; we played together when we were kids.
Chan Ho-nam and Sung Siu-man even trained at the same boxing gym for a period of time.
However, they joined different clubs after they grew up.
Chan Ho-nam even declared that once he became the boss, he would ask Sung Siu-man to switch sides and protect him.
After not seeing them for a while, I'm still a nobody, while they're becoming big shots. It would be a lie to say I'm not envious, jealous, or resentful.
"Hey, Pheasant, did you bring the big gold Rolex I asked you to prepare?"
The pheasant rolled his eyes: "A gold Rolex worth 80,000 coins, you're being generous. We'll be starving for the next few months."
"They're all family friends, there's no need to be so fussy."
"Tch, now that he's trying to become a big shot, you and I are still '49ers' (illegible characters). We haven't seen each other for years, he might not even remember you."
"Based on my understanding of Song Zhaowen, he would never be that snobbish."
"I wonder when my brother and I will have a chance to rise to power."
Boss B turned his head and glanced at Chicken: "Damn, does Chicken think that the boss isn't giving you a chance?"
Chan Ho-nam quickly explained, "Brother B and Chicken absolutely did not mean that."
Boss B patted Chan Ho-nam on the shoulder: "Ah-nam, don't envy others; with your skills, you'll rise to the top sooner or later. By the way, there's a guy in the Tung Ying Society named Ba Bi who offended Chiang's girlfriend. I'll talk to Chiang later and give you a chance to stand out."
"Thanks, Brother B!"
Chan Ho-nam believed his skills were about the same as Sung Siu-man's. He thought it was unreasonable for Sung to be a big boss while he was still a lowly underling. He just needed an opportunity.
"Quiet down, the auspicious time has arrived!"
Uncle Yuan slowly stood up, and the previously noisy scene instantly fell silent.
"Today, the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, is an auspicious day." Uncle Yuan's voice, full of vigor, clearly resounded in every corner in front of the ancestral hall: "We, the descendants of the Hongmen, gather here for two reasons: first, to pay homage to our ancestor, Guan Sheng Di Jun, and to bless our society with flourishing incense; and second, to add new blood to our society, enhance our prestige, and allow it to expand and flourish."
His cloudy yet sharp gaze fell upon Song Zhaowen, who was kneeling before the statue of Guan Yu: "Song Zhaowen, you have been a member of my Zhengxing gang for three years. Recently, you have served the gang diligently and been loyal to your brothers. Recommended by Uncle Xiang, the head of the Ciyunshan branch, and after discussion among the gang's elders, we are holding an inauguration ceremony today to promote you to '426' Red Stick! Xiao Zhuoxiao is promoted to '415' White Paper Fan! Wu Zhaoyong is promoted to 'Straw Sandal'."
Red Stick (426) is a military position, responsible for charging into battle, expanding territory, and establishing one's own branch; White Paper Fan (415) is a civil position, responsible for strategizing, managing finances and documents; Straw Sandal (432) is a middle-level position responsible for liaison, errands, and managing specific administrative affairs. Song Zhaowen skipped several ranks to become a Red Stick, which is already an exceptional promotion.
"Song Zhaowen, step forward!"
Song Zhaowen stood up and walked to the incense table. Uncle Yuan took a long, strip-shaped object wrapped in red cloth from Uncle Xiang's hand, and solemnly untied the red cloth. Inside was a short, hardwood stick about a foot long and two fingers thick, dark red in color and polished smooth. This was the "stick" that symbolized the status of a red stick, also called the "majestic stick".
"This staff shall be used to expand the gang's territory, protect the brothers, enforce family rules, and uphold the gang's dignity!" Uncle Yuan's voice boomed as he handed the red staff to Song Zhaowen with both hands: "Song Zhaowen, take this staff!"
Song Zhaowen knelt on one knee, raised both hands high, and steadily received the heavy red stick. It was cold to the touch and the wood was hard.
At the same time, he thought to himself, "Damn it, it cost Uncle Yuan a full 80,000 coins to have him perform this opera."
"Get up!" Uncle Yuan shouted.
Song Zhaowen stood up, holding a red stick, and turned to face all the Zhengxing brothers; at this moment, he officially became a "red stick" with a position in Zhengxing, and truly entered the core power level of the gang.
"Congratulations, Man Gor!" "Congratulations, Man Gor!" On the Tsz Wan Shan side, led by Siu Cheuk-hau, Ah Wah, and Airi, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted. Many 49ers also joined in the shouts, creating quite a stir.
Song Zhaowen's actions these past few days, especially his generosity in distributing money and his ruthless decisiveness in handling affairs, have already earned him a great deal of prestige among the lower-ranking brothers.