Chapter 258 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 03:05:18 08/19/12 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-98-107.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.98.107
Subject: Chapter 258
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued ..." on 08:17:25 08/11/12 Sat

Chapter 258

Meanwhile back in Hong Kong �

Samuel Li, the leader of the Black Panthers, had called a secret meeting of the other triad fractions to meet together to forge a plan to overthrow Sun Yee Lok and made his way to the rendezvous. Nearing Bei Fung Tong Typhoon Shelter, he lazily cast his eyes around Aberdeen�s unique, vibrant waterfront harbour where hundreds of junks, sampans and old-fashioned boats served as floating homes for thousands of people. As his luxury water vessel weaved its way between the many fishing junks anchored on the water crowding the narrow harbour, he noticed that it was abuzz as numerous boats and sampans shuttled back and forth.

Having resided in America for some years he missed the vibrancy of the Aberdeen area, where despite modernization, the traditional conventional fishing lifestyle still prevailed. He�d holidayed in Aberdeen as a child and this journey brought back those memories of the intriguing characters that still lived here. For generations Aberdeen had been home to the Tanka and Hoklo clans, recognisable by their large-brimmed hats, who originated from the mainland coastal areas of Guangdong and Fujian. These boat-dwellers were once forbidden to live on land or marry land people and were born, married and died aboard their sampans and junks. He�d love hearing his grandfather tell him stories about these people and his thoughts meandered to the tales he�d heard as a child. It was said that the fishermen must live their entire lives on the water, as they would be unfruitful or their boats would sink if they were to go ashore. Their history was colourful but progress was progress. Nevertheless these days many chose to live on land in the high-rise apartment blocks for the benefit of their children�s education perhaps due to expediency rather than necessity. However, judging by the amount of boat dwellers that still remained on houseboats in the harbour, this old prophecy obviously still abounded for some of the inhabitants of Aberdeen, he thought.

The sleek vessel conspicuous in this surrounding, meandered through the city of boats where washing lines, pot plants and fishing nets being repaired adorning the decks could be seen. Carefree children played while their parents went about their daily chores, busily arranging for their bread and butter. Salted fish, one of their staple foods, hung out to dry at the top of many of the boats. Planks of wood adjoined several of the boats, creating the base for a 'community on water,' one harmonious with the environment. Samuel witnessed neighbours chatting away and a group playing mah-jong on their boats oblivious to their surroundings or who may be passing by. Warm hearted fishers waved to all who sailed past, including his vessel, happy to invite the curious visitors and tourists that cruised around onto their dwellings to glimpse the life of the boat-people. However, they were unaware that the Black Panther chairman was amongst them.

Samuel tried to imagine the feeling of raising a family in this type of environment. It never failed to amaze him how a reasonably large family unit could live comfortably and function normally on a tiny boat. He saw several folks with their pet dogs and birds staring at back at him. To them this was a normal, albeit simple life. Despite their humble home, there was also the display of comforts of modern life such as satellite TV, washing machines and refrigerators which some of the boats were equipped with. As he watched the children, Samuel thought of his own family. His wife Maggie would never be able to deal with such a lifestyle having been born into a wealthy Chinese politician�s family � but his son Jacky would surely relish the discovery of such an existence if only for a short while as he had done as a child. Through the eyes of an innocent child such an existence would be an adventure every day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Although he�d been living in America and absent from Hong Kong for a while he had not been unaware of what had been occurring in the brotherhood. His father, Chow Li, had been in communication with him whilst he�d consolidated their interests in the States and had only recently returned due to his premature death, a death Samuel vowed he would avenge. As the son of the past chairman of the Black Panthers he was duty bound to uphold his father�s memory and honour. He would expect nothing less from his own son when the time came in the future. Being born into wealth and privilege had its responsibilities and none more so than being the heir to a triad group. However, his return for his father�s funeral had been a double edged sword. Samuel couldn�t deny that tensions had risen with his homecoming. As the number one son he�d returned to Hong Kong to accept the mantle of leadership of the Black Panthers and to find his father�s killer or killers. He had his suspicions as to who was responsible and calling this meeting of the other triad fractions of the brotherhood may shed some light on the culprit. Seeking retribution for the death of his father was the least he could do to protect his father�s honour and at the same time elevate him in the eyes of the other members of the triad societies.

Returning to Hong Kong had also brought with it a window of opportunity that was too good to pass up. Up until now, this area had been the territory of the Rising Dragons however, regardless of this, Samuel knew that Aberdeen may just be the place where the Black Panthers could finally usurp the stranglehold that the Rising Dragons had on triad society in Hong Kong. If all the whispers had been true � now might be the time to issue a confrontation for a bigger slice of the pie � if not all of it �for the Black Panthers and at the same time initiate the decline of the Rising Dragons and Sun Yee Lok.

Apparently things had been relatively quiet in the Aberdeen area since Tony Wong had been killed by unknown assassins and his headquarters destroyed and blown into obliteration. Extortion, fear and intimidation of the local fishermen had been his modus operandi, but since his death and the explosion, business for the Rising Dragons would now no doubt be in a tenuous transition. Consequently it would have left the lucrative fishing market area wide open for a takeover. The Rising Dragons had previously held the monopoly in Aberdeen but the destruction of Tony Wong�s operations here would have severely handicapped the triad. The gaping need left by his death may have left Sun Yee Lok with difficulty in finding a replacement especially if the rumours he�d heard were true about other catastrophes befalling the triad. There was every possibility that the Black Panthers could take over the lucrative market in Aberdeen before any of the other triad groups tried to flex their muscle. He needed to be expedient and pounce first and given his expertise he had no qualms in stepping over rivals in gaining the upper hand.

He was convinced that the Aberdeen fishermen would be feeling more at ease now that the overlording practise of the Rising Dragons� henchman had ceased. However, the wiser heads amongst their group would not have a false sense of security because, as of yet, no one had stepped up to take over his turf. Those past recipients of Tony Wong�s methods had no doubt breathed a sigh of relief, but others would know that their freedom would be short lived. It was only a matter of time until their life would be turned upside down again. If not the Rising Dragons then another triad group would soon exert their authority on the hapless, defenceless fishermen who were enjoying their freedom for perhaps the first time in their lives. Extortion, corruption and violence were a way of life on triad turf � when one group failed then another took its place, so the fishermen of Aberdeen merely had a slight reprieve for now. They should enjoy their liberty while they could because things could only get worse for them in the future.

Journeying along the way to the meeting destination, Samuel� Li�s yacht passed many junks, sampans, trawlers and houseboats crammed together as it motored down the river. His vessel was less conspicuous now as many luxury pleasure craft moored in Aberdeen Marina at Sham Wan and yachts being built at the shipyards lining both sides of the harbour were to be seen on the water. Fishing was not the only industry in Aberdeen. The town also had shipyards, light manufacturing businesses, engineering works, textile factories and warehouses � and after having learnt a thing or two in America � Samuel could see the dollar signs with the entrepreneurial opportunities for a complete take over here in Aberdeen by his triad.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The vessel soon passed under the Ap Lei Chau Bridge towards the floating restaurants where the triad gathering was to take place in one of the private dining rooms.

Dramatically juxtaposed against modern high-rise buildings that spread up the nearby hillsides decked with woodlands, Aberdeen was a popular tourist attraction with a lucrative tourist trade mainly because of the attraction of the unique harbour and its floating restaurants. He smiled when he noticed the eagle-eyed old Tanka and Hoklo ladies that patrolled the bridges touting for customers and anybody remotely resembling a tourist. He saw them approaching these people before they even reached the promenade where one could catch a thirty minute sampan ride to where the iconic restaurants were located. As he watched, the picture presented was indeed food for thought. This area was a gold mine and would be the jewel in the crown for the triad group that controlled its region. Aberdeen was certainly a possibility for more cash revenue in the future and Samuel Li intended that to be for the Black Panthers. It was something that was seriously worth thinking about before another triad group jumped the gun or the Rising Dragons regrouped their stronghold in this area.

However, as his destination came into sight, the antics of everyday life here in the Aberdeen area paled into insignificance. Samuel was more concerned with the meeting that was to take place shortly � a meeting that may very well change his destiny and that of Sun Yee Lok and his triad group.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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