The next day, the events of last night's banquet spread throughout Hong Kong Island, even making headlines in major newspapers.
The entire population of Hong Kong Island was buzzing with discussion. Foreigners in Hong Kong had always held a superior position.
Not to mention the Governor. Everyone was shocked that a Chinese person would dare to scold him.
Upon learning of this, MacLehose smashed his office in a fit of rage.
He then ordered the newspapers to stop publishing the story. What was freedom of speech? It was only for those he favored.
This only fueled his hatred for Ye Hao Chen, who had become a laughingstock in Hong Kong.
He couldn't do anything to the Universal Group, as they were legitimate businessmen.
They were also major taxpayers, and the Universal Group employed over ten thousand people.
However, prompted by his secretary, he thought of the Number Gang.
If he couldn't target the Universal Group, then he'd go after the Number Gang.
He wanted to make Ye Hao Chen understand that even if he was the world's richest man, there would be consequences for defying him in Hong Kong.
It would also serve as a warning to others. Chinese people were becoming more powerful these past few years.
Soon, the Hong Kong government issued orders to several districts in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station!
All the police officers frowned. The government had ordered them to raid the Number Gang's territory.
Everyone present knew that Ye Hao Chen was behind the Number Gang.
Considering Ye Hao Chen's feud with the Governor, this was a fight between gods, leaving mortals to suffer the consequences.
If they targeted the Number Gang, they would be offending Ye Hao Chen.
They were just ordinary police officers; they didn't want to offend the world's richest man.
Besides, the Number Gang wasn't easy to deal with.
Most importantly, since the Number Gang had taken control of Tsim Sha Tsui, their jobs had become much easier.
The Number Gang didn't deal in drugs and was organized. They didn't cause trouble.
Thinking this, everyone turned to their leader.
Tsim Sha Tsui's Senior Superintendent, Li Ying, was also the head of the station.
"Don't look at me. I'm just a worker," Li Ying said, shrugging helplessly, as he met everyone's gaze.
He was a Senior Superintendent, but he was also just an employee.
He couldn't ignore the government's orders, but following them would mean offending Ye Hao Chen.
It wasn't just the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station; police officers in other districts were also in a difficult position.
After all the police stations received the order, the Number Gang soon got word as well.
Ye Hao Chen had warned them last night, so they were prepared.
…
Victoria Peak!
After arriving at the peak, Li Ying saw several familiar faces—his colleagues from different districts.
The lowest ranking among them was Senior Inspector, with the rest being Superintendents.
However, Li Ying held the highest position. He was about to become the Tsim Sha Tsui Chief Superintendent.
He would also be the first Chinese person to hold the position of Chief Superintendent in Hong Kong.
"Li sir…," greeted Zhao Gang, the Senior Inspector from Cheung Sha Wan, along with the others, smiling warmly.
"What a coincidence," Li Ying returned the smile, knowing their purpose was the same as his.
Soon, they saw Ye Hao Chen walking down from the building.
"Mr. Ye…," Li Ying and the others spoke in unison, as if they had rehearsed it.
"Have a seat…," Ye Hao Chen gestured towards the sofa opposite him with a smile.
He knew why they had come. MacLehose was only capable of petty tricks.
Li Ying and the others didn't waste any time. They explained the government's order to Ye Hao Chen.
After they finished speaking, everyone looked at Ye Hao Chen.
"I'll tell the Number Gang to cooperate. Just proceed as usual," Ye Hao Chen said nonchalantly, taking a cigar from Tian Yan and puffing out a thick plume of smoke.
These cigars were a New Year gift from Ni Yong Xiao.
After smoking these cigars, he couldn't bear to smoke cigarettes anymore.
"Thank you, Mr. Ye," Li Ying and the others said gratefully, relieved to hear Ye Hao Chen's words.
They didn't dare to get involved in the clash between the two bigwigs.
They were much more hesitant to offend Ye Hao Chen than MacLehose.
Most importantly, they were Chinese.
"Li sir, are you interested in becoming the Top Dog?" Ye Hao Chen suddenly asked, his gaze flickering.
The moment he spoke, everyone present trembled, and Li Ying's eyes widened.
The Top Dog… the highest position in the Governor's police force.
How was that possible? Those foreigners wouldn't allow a Chinese person to hold such a high position.
Chief Superintendent was already the limit, let alone the Top Dog.
"Nothing is impossible in this world," Ye Hao Chen chuckled, seeing their reactions.
He knew the situation of Chinese people in the police force, and not just there. It was the same everywhere else. The upper echelons were occupied by foreigners.
This wasn't about ability; it was about foreign suppression of Chinese people.
Chinese capital had only started to rise in recent years, otherwise the situation would be the same in business as well.
"Mr. Ye, this…," Li Ying gulped. He couldn't express his emotions. Ye Hao Chen wasn't just an individual; he represented the entire Chinese capital circle.
Ye Hao Chen was close with the shipping tycoon and others. If they joined forces, they would be a formidable force in Hong Kong.
With Ye Hao Chen's support, it might be possible.
He couldn't deny that he was tempted. After all, it was the Top Dog.
However, he knew that the greater the reward, the greater the cost.
Zhao Gang and the others also came to their senses. They looked at Li Ying with envy.
They understood the same principle, but if given the chance, they would seize it even if it cost them dearly.
"It's time for Chinese people to stand up. Otherwise, even their spirit will be crushed," Ye Hao Chen said, puffing out a cloud of smoke, his eyes hardening.
Li Ying and the others all felt their pupils constrict. They knew Ye Hao Chen was about to make a move.
"Mr. Ye, we are at your service…," Li Ying and the others looked at each other, then immediately stood up, speaking in unison.
They were long fed up with the foreigners. They were also unhappy with the status of Chinese people in Hong Kong.