The Yellow River System's Deadly Strike

Hong Kong at four in the morning.

The bustling city that never sleeps has shed its daytime hustle and bustle.

The sea breeze from Victoria Harbour, carrying a salty, icy chill, slowly swept across the coastline.

Most of the neon lights along the street were turned off, leaving only a few streetlights casting a dim yellow glow in the thin mist.

The main building of the Governor's Mansion was completely silent, and the vast Western-style courtyard was quiet and still.

Layers of security forces guarded the surrounding area, maintaining the strict order of the highest colonial authority.

The governor's private bedroom on the top floor of the main building is completely blocked out by heavy velvet curtains.

On the soft European-style bed, the Governor of Hong Kong had just finished a series of busy official duties.

I managed to get a light sleep for a rare night, trying to relieve the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days.

It was in this extremely tranquil atmosphere.

A series of hurried, chaotic, and disorderly footsteps suddenly came from the end of the corridor.

It shattered the solemnity and tranquility that should have been present at the Governor's Palace in the early hours of the morning.

"Sir! Something terrible has happened! A matter of utmost urgency!"

The personal secretary, pale and breathing erratically, rushed to the bedroom door.

He pounded heavily on the thick wooden door with both hands, his voice trembling with barely suppressed fear.

An urgent knock at four in the morning means that something is absolutely serious.

In the bedroom, the governor, who had just fallen into a light sleep, was instantly awakened by urgent shouts.

His brows furrowed suddenly, and an ominous premonition rose in his heart.

As a core port of British colonization in the Far East, Hong Kong has always had an extremely tight security system.

The fact that a secretary was able to break into the room to report at four in the morning must mean something extraordinary had happened.

The governor slowly propped himself up, wearing a loose bathrobe, his tone carrying the deep, cold authority of someone just awakened.

"Come in."

The wooden door was pushed open, and a cold wind carrying chilly air rushed into the warm bedroom.

The secretary staggered in, her forehead covered in cold sweat, her eyes filled with extreme fear.

She had completely lost her usual calm and capable professional demeanor.

The governor raised his hand to rub his throbbing temples, his tone tinged with impatience and languor.

"What kind of behavior is this, all this panic? Hong Kong is peaceful every night, what kind of major trouble could possibly happen?"

"Could it be another business dispute involving the Jardine Matheson Group, or a disturbance by dockworkers?"

Having been based in Hong Kong for many years, he has long been accustomed to all kinds of business frictions and labor disputes.

These mundane matters were not enough to wake him up in the middle of the night.

The secretary struggled to calm her trembling breathing, shaking her head, her voice almost cracking.

"No! It wasn't Jardine Matheson! Nor was it a workers' riot!"

"It's MI5! Sterling's entire team is in trouble!"

"They have just been formally arrested by the Hong Kong police and are all being held at the West Kowloon Police Station!"

"Everyone! Not a single one left!"

"What?!"

These words struck the silent bedroom like a thunderclap.

The Governor of Hong Kong's pupils suddenly contracted sharply, and his whole body tensed instantly.

He suddenly sat up straight on the soft bed, all sleepiness instantly vanishing.

His eyes were filled with utter shock, bewilderment, and a sudden surge of overwhelming rage.

The body even tensed and trembled slightly due to the extreme unexpectedness.

"Say it again! Explain the whole story clearly, from beginning to end, word for word!"

The secretary dared not hesitate for a moment and quickly reported the whole story.

"Reporting to Sir! Tonight at midnight, Colin Sterling of MI5 will personally lead the team."

"An elite special operations team infiltrated the private villa of He Fei, a wealthy Chinese businessman."

"They thought their plan was meticulous and stealthy, but in reality, they had fallen into a trap laid by the enemy!"

"The villa was already under control, and security personnel were on standby in complete concealment."

"The moment the five agents entered the villa grounds, they were instantly surrounded and killed, with no chance of escape!"

"Ultimately, all members surrendered and were brought under control at the scene, then directly handed over to the West Kowloon Police Station!"

"The police have officially opened a case, and all charges have been finalized!"

"Illegal trespassing into a private residence, illegal possession of weapons at night, intentional assault, and disturbing public order by breaking and entering a private home!"

Every charge precisely strikes at the very core of the rule of law and colonial dignity.

After hearing the full report, the air around the governor instantly turned to freezing point.

His face was ashen and dark, frighteningly gloomy, with suppressed rage surging in his eyes.

Hong Kong in 1970 was at a critical juncture where the situation was most delicate and sensitive.

The city's economy is booming, trade is thriving, and capital is flocking in like crazy.

Chinese national consciousness has been fully awakened, and anti-colonial and anti-fairness sentiments have quietly spread.

The entire colonial government was always cautious and treaded on thin ice to maintain a semblance of dignity.

This was to stabilize the foundation of rule in the Far East and prevent any public opinion crisis from erupting.

However, this reckless and brainless night raid by MI5 was a complete disaster.

This was tantamount to tearing off the hypocritical legal facade of the colonial government.

It exposes the ugliest and most domineering acts of power to the public.

This is no secret operation; it's a devastating, top-level scandal!

A massive disaster capable of igniting public opinion throughout the city and shaking the credibility of colonial rule!

The governor's chest heaved violently, and his knuckles turned white from clenching his fists so tightly.

His composure and restraint, cultivated over many years in a high position, almost completely collapsed at this moment.

He gritted his teeth and, speaking slowly and deliberately, gave the order in a deep voice filled with thunderous rage.

"Immediately! Right now! Connect to the emergency hotline at London headquarters!"

"Simultaneously call the Commissioner of Police of Hong Kong!"

"An order was issued in the name of the Governor's Office, demanding that the West Kowloon Police Station release the detainee immediately and unconditionally!"

"This matter must be completely suppressed before dawn; not a single word is allowed to leak out!"

He knew very well that once the news spread at dawn, the consequences would be unimaginable.

……

The Governor-General's urgent orders were issued and transmitted rapidly through the ranks overnight.

After several hours of emergency mediation, pressure, and communication.

British special forces stationed in Hong Kong made a special trip to the West Kowloon Police Station.

Under the pretext of the military taking over personnel with access to classified information, all five agents who had been arrested were forcibly taken away.

This temporarily preserved the last shred of dignity for MI5, avoiding the humiliation of a public trial for all its members.

Even if the person is successfully rescued, the ending is still incredibly ugly.

The five task forces brought all the standard firearms, special agent equipment, and communication devices into the villa.

All operational supplies and intelligence tools were seized and confiscated by the West Kowloon Command Center in accordance with the law.

They couldn't take a single item with them; they all became physical evidence kept by the police for record-keeping.

The operation was a complete failure, resulting in a loss of face, resources, and nothing gained.

On the streets of Hong Kong late at night, the thin mist had not yet dissipated, and the streetlights flickered dimly.

Two black sedans were discreetly parked at a quiet, deserted street corner.

The headlights were all turned off, and the car body disappeared into the deep shadows of the night.

The atmosphere inside the car was quiet and eerie, as a secret meeting that absolutely could not be exposed was taking place.

Sitting in one of the cars was Orian, who was exhausted from mediating the entire process.

His brows furrowed with weariness and helplessness as he looked at He Fei, who sat opposite him.

His tone was full of helpless guilt and apology.

"He, I really have tried my best."

"I worked through the night, lobbying at every level and exerting pressure from all sides, trying every possible way to protect the overall situation."

"But this arrest order was a top-level command issued by the Commissioner of Police himself, bypassing his directives."

"The entire process was closed and confidential, leaving me absolutely no room to intervene, change, or negotiate."

"All the people in the five locations can be taken away by the military, but all their equipment and supplies will be taken away."

"It has been officially seized and filed by the police, and according to Hong Kong's legal procedures, it cannot be retrieved."

He Fei leaned back quietly in the car seat, his posture relaxed and his expression indifferent.

His dark, deep eyes were completely still, calm to the point of being indifferent.

He gently raised his hand, his fingertips slowly tracing the cold edge of the car window.

A faint, composed smile played at the corners of her lips.

"It's okay."

These three simple words, spoken with a light touch, perfectly encapsulate the breathtaking game they were playing.

To him, it was nothing more than a trivial farce.

Looking at his calm demeanor, Orion felt an increasing sense of admiration and apprehension.

The man before me remains unmoved even when Mount Tai collapses before me.

They can always maintain control of the entire game and master the rhythm in the most dangerous matches.

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice and continued speaking with genuine concern.

"Tell me, in tonight's surprise attack, were any of your men injured or killed?"

"Are you injured? Have you been in danger? Don't hide even a scratch from me."

He Fei tilted his head slightly, his gaze gentle, his tone firm and composed.

"Don't worry, everyone is unharmed. At most, a few people have minor abrasions, nothing to worry about."

"These pampered veteran agents from the Fifth Bureau may look intimidating, but they've long been out of touch with real combat."

"Individual soldier skills, tactical coordination, and on-the-spot adaptability are completely out of sync with the pace of a real battlefield."

Upon hearing this, Orion let out a long sigh of relief, his heart finally at ease.

But what follows is a deeper sense of solemnity and concern.

"No casualties are the best outcome."

"But you must remember, never let your guard down or become careless because of this."

"Colin Sterling is a narrow-minded, paranoid, vengeful, and extremely vengeful person."

"He was extremely arrogant and never admitted his failures."

"Tonight, the entire army was wiped out, captured in public, and all equipment was lost—a humiliating disgrace."

"He will absolutely not swallow this insult easily, and he will absolutely not let this go."

"From now on, he will definitely target you relentlessly, seek revenge on you, and never let you go."

"For the next period of time, you must be cautious in every step and in every matter, and be on guard against any attempts to harm you."

He Fei remained calm and composed despite hearing this reminder.

Instead, a faint hint of mockery and disdain flashed in his eyes.

"I know it in my heart."

"After tonight's battle, it's not just Colin who holds a grudge against me."

"The entire MI5 in London, and even the Hong Kong colonial system, will be keeping a close eye on me."

"I will inevitably become their primary target, the one they monitor closely and target with all their might."

Orion frowned, his tone growing increasingly serious.

"Since you understand this, then you should know what to do from now on."

"They will be under comprehensive surveillance and spying by intelligence agencies, the police system, and the colonial high command."

"Your business strategy, personnel interactions, and project operations will be scrutinized under intense scrutiny."

"The slightest disturbance will bring endless trouble and difficulties."

He Fei slowly raised his eyes, gazing at the deep night outside the window, his tone filled with absolute confidence.

"So what?"

"I have acted uprightly and honestly, and all my plans are legal, compliant, and aboveboard."

"All my businesses have steadily grown by relying on Hong Kong's rule of law and business system."

"Let them investigate, monitor, and spy; let them come at me."

"No matter what methods they use, how deeply they investigate, or how thoroughly they search, they cannot stop them."

"In the end, they couldn't find a single flaw in me, nor could they find any fault with me."

Orion looked at him with a confident and assured expression.

Most of the worries in my heart inexplicably dissipated.

He gave a helpless, bitter smile and urged softly.

"Alright, we shouldn't stay here any longer. Our secret meeting must not be discovered by anyone."

"You should leave as soon as possible and return to your residence discreetly to avoid being watched and recorded by sentries."

"I will slowly maneuver and cover up the remaining mess."

He Fei nodded slightly, his tone calm and indifferent.

"it is good."

With a single, brief word, He Fei pushed open the door and got out of the car, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

His steps were unhurried, his posture upright and steady, without the slightest panic or evasion.

It was as if the person who had just crushed Britain's top intelligence agency was not him at all.

……

The Governor's Office was determined to suppress the scandal overnight and quietly smooth things over.

They attempted to use their power to suppress information, completely block out news, and quell all unrest.

But they never expected that a storm of public opinion had already been quietly brewing.

The sense of smell in the media is always a hundred times more acute than anyone imagines.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking and the first light of day was breaking, the sky began to brighten.

All major newspapers in Hong Kong published their special morning editions, which swept through the streets and alleys of the city.

The Oriental Daily News' front page headline dropped a bombshell exclusive story that shocked the entire city!

The bold, oversized title is eye-catching and instantly grabs everyone's attention.

[Shocking! British intelligence agents broke into a private residence late at night! Hong Kong's legal system faces an unprecedented challenge!]

The news photos are high-definition, intuitive, and impactful.

This is the actual footage from last night showing Colin Sterling and his team of Fifth Bureau agents being dragged into a police car in a disheveled state.

The scene shows a once arrogant and overbearing top agent.

At this moment, his hands were under control, his body was disheveled, and he was dejected, completely lacking his former sharpness.

The stark contrast instantly ignited heated discussions among the city's residents.

Immediately following, Hong Kong's TVB morning news began on time.

They released exclusive on-site interviews and in-depth analysis, completely igniting public opinion.

The anchor's voice was clear and bright, and the report was objective, with each word ringing out and each sentence hitting the nail on the head.

"This station has exclusively obtained breaking news, in the early hours of last night."

"Several foreign intelligence personnel claiming to be from MI5 violated regulations and overstepped their authority in law enforcement."

"Without any legal search warrant or any official reporting procedures."

"Breaking into the private villa of Mr. He Fei, a well-known patriotic Chinese businessman in Hong Kong, late at night."

"Suspected of multiple illegal acts including illegal intrusion, illegal possession of weapons, violent provocation, and intentional injury."

"He was eventually subdued by the villa's security personnel and handed over to the West Kowloon Police Station for investigation."

The news, once broadcast publicly, instantly swept across Hong Kong, causing a huge uproar in public opinion.

Street corners, teahouses and taverns, factories and docks, office buildings and business districts.

Hong Kong residents discussed it enthusiastically, shared it widely, and spread the word.

Years of pent-up colonial resentment erupted completely during this incident.

All Chinese members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council immediately issued a joint statement.

They issued a formal public statement, which was sharp in its wording and tough in its attitude.

We strongly condemn the hegemonic actions of British intelligence personnel who wantonly trampled on the rule of law in Hong Kong and disregarded human rights.

The group demanded that the colonial government conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, severely punish the agents who violated the rules, and issue a public apology and compensation.

Chinese chambers of commerce, trade unions, celebrities from all walks of life, and representatives of community organizations followed suit and responded.

An unprecedented amount of public pressure was directed at the Governor's Mansion from all directions.

……

It was exactly 8:00 AM.

A high-level meeting was held on time in the top-level emergency conference room of the Governor's Mansion, behind closed doors.

The spacious European-style conference room is luxuriously decorated, with a long mahogany table as smooth as a mirror.

The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows was bright, but the atmosphere inside was heavy and oppressive.

No one dared to make a sound or take any unnecessary action.

The Governor of Hong Kong sat in the main seat, his face ashen and his aura terrifyingly low.

His sharp gaze slowly swept over all the high-ranking military and political officials, police chiefs, and colonial officials present.

Everyone who was glanced at instinctively lowered their head, held their breath, and tensed up.

After a long silence, the governor finally spoke in a deep, hoarse voice, filled with thunderous anger.

"Gentlemen."

"We are currently facing the most serious and intractable dual crisis of diplomacy and public opinion since the founding of our nation."

"A top-level disaster caused by MI5's brainless, reckless, and arbitrary actions."

The entire room fell silent; no one dared to speak or argue.

The Commissioner of Police sat upright to one side, his expression indifferent, expressionless, and neither humble nor arrogant.

As the highest-ranking law enforcement official in Hong Kong, he maintained an extremely fair and firm stance.

They laid out the facts and explained the legal principles directly in front of all the high-ranking colonial officials.

"Reporting to the Governor, the facts are clear, the evidence is conclusive, and there is no room for argument."

"MI5 field personnel operated without any legal procedures or official authorization throughout last night's operation."

"Carrying standard-issue weapons without authorization and illegally trespassing on the private property of ordinary citizens at night."

"This is an irrefutable illegal act, and it would be a serious crime in any civilized society governed by the rule of law."

"The police made arrests, seized evidence, and filed cases in accordance with the law, which was completely compliant and legal."

The high-ranking military representative stationed in Hong Kong frowned and retorted on the spot, speaking in a strong and forceful tone.

"The Commissioner of Police's statement is far too one-sided!"

"The personnel of the Fifth Bureau are officially employed intelligence agents of the British Empire!"

"This operation is a classified official action and is therefore not subject to ordinary civil procedures!"

Orian Trench, seated in his seat, let out a cold laugh upon hearing this.

The smile was chilling, carrying undisguised sarcasm and skepticism.

"Classified official business?"

"The internal briefing I received stated that this was the purpose of their trip."

"It's just to investigate a simple business dispute!"

"When would a private commercial dispute necessitate the deployment of state-level intelligence agents for a late-night armed raid?"

"When is it necessary to resort to classified field operations and disregard Hong Kong's local legal system?"

"The military's so-called official explanation is far-fetched and perfunctory!"

In short, this effectively shut down all possible excuses from the military.

The meeting room instantly fell into a complete stalemate, with both sides sticking to their own arguments and unable to reach an agreement.

Legal principles, human sentiments, public opinion, power, and face—multiple contradictions are in complete opposition.

Just when the situation was completely deadlocked and no one could break the deadlock.

The confidential secretary walked hurriedly into the conference room.

He leaned close to the governor's ear and whispered the latest instructions quickly.

After receiving the final instructions from headquarters in London.

The governor's already ashen face grew even more grim and somber.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage in his heart, and announced in a deep voice.

"We have just received urgent instructions from the highest levels of headquarters in London."

"Immediately and unconditionally repatriate all personnel from the five field teams involved in this incident."

"Keep a low profile and handle the whole process quietly, without escalating the situation or publicly holding anyone accountable."

As soon as this order was issued, everyone present instantly understood headquarters' stance.

The British Empire chose to settle the matter peacefully, abandon the pursuit of accountability, and preserve the overall situation.

Upon hearing this, Orion abruptly stood up, his posture ramrod straight and his gaze sharp.

His tone was forceful and resolute, filled with utmost righteousness and indignation, as he spoke frankly and directly to offer his advice in public.

"Excuse my bluntness, sir! This order from headquarters is a blatant trampling on Hong Kong's judicial independence!"

"This is a blatant attack on the rule of law and fair order upon which Hong Kong depends for its survival!"

"If even royal intelligence agents can disregard local laws and act recklessly..."

"After making a mistake, all you need is a deportation order, no accountability, and no consequences."

"Then how will we gain the respect of the people? How will we maintain the rule of law and order in the colony?"

"What can convince the entire city that true fairness and justice exist here?"

Every word was like a hammer blow, every sentence like thunderclap, striking the hearts of every colonist present.

These words were nothing short of a resounding slap in the face.

It ruthlessly shattered the hypocritical facade of the British Empire's self-proclaimed civilization, rule of law, and gentlemanly conduct.

The executives in the room were utterly humiliated, speechless, and unable to refute the criticism.

The entire room fell silent; no one responded, only extreme awkwardness and embarrassment remained.

……

That afternoon.

Under immense and escalating pressure from the city's overwhelming public opinion.

The Governor of Hong Kong had no choice but to personally convene a press conference open to all staff.

Numerous media reporters, photographers, and newspaper editors gathered at the Governor's Palace for the press conference.

Flashes of light went off one after another, recording this forced compromise.

The governor remained stiff, spoke vaguely, and acted perfunctorily throughout.

The relevant departments will conduct a thorough review of this violation of the law enforcement procedures, rather than merely making a vague statement.

At the same time, it was promised that the colonial government would provide reasonable economic compensation to the victim, He Fei.

However, this addresses the core issues that are of utmost concern to all members of the public, members of parliament, and the media.

The final handling, accountability, and disciplinary results regarding the five special agents who violated regulations.

He remained completely silent, refusing to mention a word, and deliberately avoided the topic.

This official statement is extremely perfunctory and avoids the important issues.

Instead of calming public opinion, it added fuel to the fire, completely igniting the anger of the entire city.

Chinese members of the Legislative Council, major Chinese business associations, trade unions, and academic groups.

They all issued a joint statement immediately, publicly questioning the British colonial government.

We strongly condemn its ugly behavior of double standards, power politics, and disregard for the rule of law.

They openly questioned the British Empire's so-called commitments to the rule of law and human rights in Hong Kong.

Public opinion throughout the city was in an uproar, and the credibility of the colonial government collapsed precipitously.

……

Hong Kong International Airport: clear blue skies and a gentle sea breeze.

A private business flight returning to London was quietly parked next to the boarding stairs.

Colin Sterling was dressed in a sharp suit, his face was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot.

His aura was gloomy and oppressive, filled with surging resentment, and he exuded extreme humiliation and rage.

Tonight, he is experiencing the culmination of his decades-long career as a secret agent and in the military.

The darkest, most humiliating, and most unacceptable moment.

Last night, the entire army was wiped out, all soldiers were captured, all equipment was lost, and the army lost face.

Today, they were forced to return in humiliation, left Hong Kong in disgrace, returned empty-handed, and became a laughing stock.

This utter humiliation nearly destroyed his reason.

Just before boarding, a subordinate quietly handed me an unsigned white envelope.

It was an anonymous letter delivered by the Orientos, leaving no trace and unknown to anyone.

Colin, his face grim, walked alone to a quiet corner of the gangway and opened the envelope.

Inside was only a thin sheet of white paper with a few lines of sharp, incisive handwriting.

There was no signature, no source, and no traceable evidence.

But just a few lines of text instantly froze Colin's blood and caused his pupils to shrink!

Do you remember that late spring night at the nameless crossroads on the south bank of the Zhaoyang River during the Korean Peninsula battlefield?

You led an entire battalion of fully armed elite troops.

[You were routed by a reconnaissance company of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which was far smaller than yours, suffering heavy casualties and fleeing in disarray.]

In just a few words, he accurately hit the worst nightmare that had been buried deep in his heart for twenty years.

It precisely exposes the deepest, most hidden, and most untouchable shameful scars of his life!

Colin's hands suddenly stiffened, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

His originally pale face instantly lost all color, turning ashen white as a dead person.

A thick layer of cold sweat seeped from his forehead, soaking the hair in front of his forehead.

His eyes were fixed on the words on the paper, his mind blank and reeling.

A tremendous upheaval surged within me, leaving me utterly shocked and incredulous.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

That fierce night battle at an unnamed intersection on the peninsula.

It was a top-secret, niche battle, and very few people knew the complete details.

Most of those who participated in the war were killed, lost contact, or disappeared, and very few people knew the details.

Moreover, twenty years have passed, and it has long been buried in outdated archives.

The man before us is He Fei, who is far away in Hong Kong and seems to be just an ordinary Chinese businessman.

How could they know every detail of this secret war so precisely?

How could he clearly remember all the humiliating past when he led a battalion to flee?

Colin was deeply shaken, his breathing became disordered, and his mind was racing.

The young subordinate accompanying him noticed the team leader's unusual state.

With a face full of doubt and a heart full of curiosity, he subconsciously peeked forward.

"Team leader? What peninsula battlefield? What battle at the nameless intersection?"

"What happened? Why are you suddenly like this?"

He reached out to take the note and read its contents.

"Get away! Don't touch it!"

Colin let out a near-mad growl, his eyes filled with ferocity and malice.

Without a second thought, he snatched the note with lightning speed.

They stuffed it directly into their mouths, chewed it vigorously, and swallowed it forcefully.

In the blink of an eye, he chewed up the entire page of white paper and swallowed it whole.

Completely destroy all traces and eliminate any possibility of leakage.

The paper went down his throat, cold and dry, but it couldn't suppress the raging storm in his chest.

That blood-red night in the late spring of the peninsula twenty years ago.

Scenes of tragedy, despair, and terror flooded my mind uncontrollably.

Gunfire roared, flames soared into the sky, smoke filled the air, and bullets whistled through the air.

The screams, wails, and cries for help of his hundreds of elite soldiers echoed in his ears.

The troops collapsed across the board, the defenses were torn apart, they scattered and fled, and countless people were killed or wounded.

That was the Volunteer Army reconnaissance company, which was elusive, tactically ingenious, and whose individual combat capabilities were overwhelming.

Like the Grim Reaper's scythe, it reaped the lives of its own men and tore apart the entire battalion's fighting force.

That battle was a complete stain on his military career, a nightmare he could never erase for the rest of his life.

It is an extreme humiliation that he never wants to recall and never dares to touch!

Twenty years have passed, and he thought this past event would be forever buried and unknown to anyone.

But to everyone's surprise, it was exposed in public in Hong Kong, by a Chinese person!

The subordinates looked at their team leader, who was covered in cold sweat, pale-faced, and breathing rapidly.

Each of them looked terrified, not daring to say a word or ask any more questions.

They could only stand anxiously to the side, filled with worry.

"Team leader! Are you alright? You look terrible! Are you feeling unwell?"

"Should we rest for a while and postpone boarding?"

Colin gasped for breath, his chest heaving as he forcefully suppressed the fear and panic in his heart.

He knew very well that he had completely lost.

The root cause of the two crushing defeats was his own arrogance, underestimation of his opponents, and disregard for others.

Twenty years ago, during the Korean War, he underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, resulting in a crushing defeat against the elite Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

The only turning point was the rapid arrival of external reinforcements, which barely saved their lives and allowed them to retreat.

If the enemy had had enough time to finish off the enemy, he would have been buried on the battlefield long ago, his body never to be found.

In last night's battle in Hong Kong, the opposing side adhered to the rule of law throughout, setting up a trap step by step and laying out a series of plans.

Completely within the legal framework, a bloodless, flawless, and utterly crushing victory.

If the other side had been unscrupulous and reckless, the entire team would have perished last night.

He Fei, from beginning to end, was playing with and crushing himself like a cat playing with a mouse.

Colin's eyes flashed with extreme regret, fear, madness, and resentment.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"I'm fine!"

He roared almost violently, shoving aside all his subordinates.

Ignoring the astonished and fearful looks of the crowd, he turned around and strode up the boarding stairs.

He was the first to rush onto the private jet, his back stiff, his steps heavy, and his aura fierce.

He knew perfectly well what was going on in his heart.

During the Korean War, he was the only officer who was captured, survived by chance, and knew all the details.

The He Fei before me is either a survivor of that battle.

Either they are powerful figures with top-secret battlefield files and unfathomable backgrounds!

He desperately wanted to turn back immediately, return to Hong Kong, and confront them about the truth.

They wanted to thoroughly investigate He Fei's true identity, origins, and background.

However, the military had already issued a strict order, and the repatriation order could not be changed; he had to return to China immediately.

The enormous roar of the aircraft engines suddenly erupted, reverberating throughout the entire airport.

The plane shook violently, but it couldn't stop Colin's heart from pounding like a drum in his chest.

Sitting in his cabin seat, his eyes were obsessive and ferocious, his expression crazed and cold.

There was only one thought in my mind: return to London immediately! Access the highest-level files!

A thorough investigation is needed into the battle fought twenty years ago at an unnamed intersection on the south bank of the Zhaoyang River on the Korean Peninsula!

Thoroughly investigate the list of all personnel who participated in the battle in the reconnaissance company of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army!

The true cards He Fei has hidden for twenty years have been completely exposed!

He is determined to find out the truth, avenge himself, and exact revenge!

……

A few days later, in London, England.

The Thames River is a tranquil place, with flowing water and wisps of mist.

Beside the river stands a Georgian-style building with a low-key and simple appearance, devoid of any ostentatious air.

The exterior walls are simple and sturdy, surrounded by greenery, making it look like an ordinary residential house.

In reality, the interior is heavily guarded, with numerous sentry posts, full surveillance coverage, and hierarchical access control.

This is the core, top-secret office area of ​​MI5, the British military's intelligence service.

The atmosphere in the top-floor chief's private office was oppressive and filled with rage.

Sir Humphrey, Deputy Director of the Fifth Division, held a thick stack of investigation reports.

He gripped the paper tightly in his hand, his fingertips turning white and deformed from the force.

His entire aged and dignified face was filled with extreme anger and disappointment.

The furious roars echoed throughout the luxurious office time and time again.

"A disgrace!! This is the biggest scandal and the greatest disgrace since the establishment of MI5!"

"Colin! Tell me! Your elite field team!"

"A whole team of top-tier agents, selected through rigorous screening and special training!"

"In Hong Kong! By the private security of an ordinary Chinese businessman!"

Like catching mice, corner them in the study, surround them completely, and capture them all alive!

"In the end, they were directly handed over to the police, publicly detained, and all of them were deported!"

"We lost all our equipment, all our face, gained nothing, and became the laughingstock of the whole city!"

"My God! Now The Times and The Guardian are giving it full coverage!"

"The entire European media is laughing at us! Laughing at MI5!"

"They called us a bunch of street robbers in suits, on paychecks, who only know how to make a fool of themselves!"

Sir Humphrey was so angry that he trembled, his breathing became rapid, and his blood pressure soared.

His eyes were filled with extreme anger and disappointment at the students' lack of progress.

Colin Sterling stood ramrod straight in front of his desk.

His back was stiff, his face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly dejected and haggard.

The humiliation, fear, repression, and resentment of the past few days completely crushed his spirit.

Faced with his superior's furious rage, he offered no explanation and showed no sign of backing down.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with a stubborn, determined, and sharp gaze.

His tone was extremely solemn, serious, and earnest.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, revealing the earth-shattering judgment he had arrived at after exhausting all his thoughts.

"Sir! This operation's disastrous failure was no accident!"

"The target is He Fei, codenamed 'Water Seller,' whose real identity is a grassroots Chinese businessman in Hong Kong."

"Starting from selling water on the street, it rose to prominence in just a few years and built a huge business empire."

"But all of this is just a facade, a carefully crafted pretense!"

"His true background is absolutely not simple!"

"I highly suspect that he may have personally participated in the Korean War!"

"And they were the most elite in terms of combat strength and tactical sophistication on the Eastern Front back then!"

"Core combat personnel of the elite reconnaissance unit of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the office fell into a deathly silence.

Sir Humphrey was stunned, staring at his subordinate with disbelief.

His gaze was as if he were looking at a completely irrational, insane fool.

He frowned and sneered, his tone filled with utter absurdity and impatience.

"The Korean Peninsula War? An old battlefield from twenty years ago? Chinese People's Volunteer Army reconnaissance soldiers?"

"Sterling, are you sure you suffered a crushing defeat in an ambush in Hong Kong?"

"Did you damage your brain, become delirious, and start talking nonsense?"

"We are now discussing the tragic deaths of the Keswick family and the massive theft from Wharf Holdings!"

"It represents a loss of tens of millions of dollars in assets, and the foundation of the Far East's long-established brand has been shaken!"

"This major accident was caused by your recklessness, stupidity, incompetence, and negligence!"

"I'm not asking you to dredge up old grievances from twenty years ago or indulge in absurd fantasies!"

Colin did not back down in the face of his superiors' doubts and ridicule.

He speaks very quickly, with clear logic, presenting evidence layer by layer, and deducing step by step.

List all the suspicious points, all the traces, and all the abnormalities.

"Sir! All the clues point to the same truth!"

"First, the Wharf theft was carried out cleanly, efficiently, and without leaving a trace."

"Avoid all security, monitoring, patrol, and early warning systems throughout the entire process."

"Precisely target core warehouses, core secrets, and core valuable assets."

"After completing a top-tier heist, make a clean getaway without leaving a trace."

"This level of tactical skill is characterized by extreme professionalism, precision, and composure."

"Far exceeding the capabilities of any ordinary commercial crime organization or underworld force in the world!"

"Secondly, He Fei's rise to power was too bizarre and too defied the heavens!"

"In just a few years, I started from scratch."

"Building a vast business empire spanning industry, trade, automobiles, beverages, real estate, and security."

"Integrate resources, cultivate connections, establish a comprehensive online presence, execute precise steps, and deliver devastating blows!"

"Third, all personnel under his command at Taishan Security."

"Tactical awareness, teamwork, on-the-spot reaction, combat skills, and deployment ability."

"Completely comparable to elite regular field troops, far superior to ordinary private security!"

"Fourth, last night's ambush at the villa was a textbook example of battlefield countermeasures!"

"Accurate prediction, meticulous planning, luring the enemy deep into our territory, encircling the enemy and attacking their reinforcements, a perfect final strike!"

"That kind of calm, strategic planning, and commanding presence in the face of danger."

"It's an instinctive quality possessed only by top-tier battlefield commanders who have fought countless battles and bled on the front lines!"

"This level of vision, perspective, and ability is far beyond what an ordinary grassroots businessman could possess!"

Colin became more and more excited as he spoke, his tone becoming increasingly firm and resolute.

"All the unusual details combined lead to only one plausible answer!"

"He Fei possesses a top-tier, highly professional, and rigorous formal military background!"

"Looking across all of Hong Kong, he's the only one!"

"They have the motivation, the ability, the courage, and the strength!"

"Simultaneously shaking the foundations of Jardine Matheson, assassinating Keswick, and looting Wharf's core assets!"

Sir Humphrey frowned, his expression grave, and pressed for an answer in a deep voice.

"Evidence! I need concrete, verifiable, and verifiable evidence!"

Colin's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkened, and he finally responded in a low voice.

"Currently... there is no direct empirical evidence."

"No evidence?" Humphrey's anger flared up again, and he questioned sharply.

"Why did you initiate this high-risk field operation without evidence?"

"Why wasn't the Hong Kong government or the garrison notified beforehand?"

"Unauthorized actions, overstepping authority, reckless actions, and causing a major disaster!"

"Do you even know that you almost ruined all our plans in Hong Kong!"

Colin looked up, his tone cold and confident.

"Reporting, Sir, we are MI5."

"Our job is to uncover secrets, anticipate risks, and strike first."

"There is no need to wait for irrefutable evidence to emerge before reacting or defending passively."

Humphrey's chest heaved violently with rage, and he growled in a low, fierce voice.

"But this is Hong Kong! It's our colonial territory! Not an uncontrolled overseas battlefield!"

Then, his gaze deepened, and he voiced his deepest question.

"Also, it was highlighted in your report."

"Former Army officer, one of our own, Orian Trench."

Why would someone be so devoted, so reckless, and so willing to serve Hefei?

"Did they even repeatedly intervene, cover for him, protect him, and oppose headquarters?"

"This is completely illogical, contrary to human nature, and defies the logic of self-interest!"

Colin spoke at lightning speed, his eyes sharp as knives, instantly seeing through the core essence.

"This is precisely the most terrifying and deadly part!"

"He Fei is definitely more than just a retired elite soldier!"

"He is a strategist with exceptional vision and strategic thinking!"

"He has a deep understanding of human nature, is an expert in rules, excels at strategizing, and knows how to weigh the pros and cons!"

"He made perfect use of Hong Kong's complex political, business, media, and legal environment."

"Using legitimate business rules as a perfect cover, and bound by monetary interests."

"A complex network of connections, power, information, and protection is being woven layer upon layer!"

"Orion has a history of being captured on the Korean Peninsula, he is cowardly, and has weaknesses."

"He Fei precisely grasped her weaknesses, offered her substantial rewards, completely won her over, and turned her into his trusted confidant and protector!"

"There's also Wang Cuiping, who came to Hong Kong from the mainland. She has deep roots in the police system, extensive connections, and a solid foundation."

"He was also a key pawn he planted within Hong Kong's law enforcement system!"

"Sir! This is not a simple business competition or a game of capital!"

"This was a meticulously planned, step-by-step operation, years in the making!"

"A covert, unrestricted war targeting the core interests of the British Empire in the Far East!"

"He Fei is the highest-ranking frontline commander in this silent war!"

"If we don't suppress and destroy it decisively and completely in time!"

"It won't be long before Jardine Matheson is completely out of control, and its foundation in the Far East collapses!"

"Our decades of business planning will be completely destroyed!"

The office fell completely silent.

Sir Humphrey stared intently at the obsessive and serious Colin before him.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, suppressing all his anger and impatience.

An extreme sense of apprehension, solemnity, and seriousness flashed in his eyes.

He finally realized that the matter was far more complicated than it appeared.

After a few seconds of silence, he slowly spoke, making the highest-level decision.

"I will reserve the right to accept all your conjectures and inferences for the time being."

"I have granted the highest level of confidentiality to conduct a full background investigation into He Fei."

"You will be fully responsible, lead the entire process, and drive it independently."

"Immediately activate all of our dormant intelligence resources throughout the Eastern region."

"At the same time... you are allowed to try to connect with official channels on the other side to verify information indirectly."

As he finished speaking, his gaze turned cold and his tone became extremely authoritative as he continued to issue important instructions.

"At the same time, I immediately submitted a top-secret application to the London Cabinet."

"The top-secret contingency plan, sealed for many years, is officially being activated—the [Scepter Plan]!"

"The Cabinet authorizes the appointment of Colin Sterling as the sole Commander-in-Chief of Operation Scepter!"

"Fully responsible for targeting He Fei and all his associated forces, industries, and networks!"

"To implement comprehensive, all-encompassing, non-contact strategic suppression, precise containment, and ultimate competition!"

"The ultimate goal of this operation: at all costs and regardless of the consequences!"

"Stop them from further encroaching upon and swallowing up Eclat's core assets in the Far East!"

"Force them to return all their illegal gains, misappropriated profits, and stolen resources!"

"If necessary...all unconventional means may be used to execute the final elimination plan!"

With a single command, all privileges are granted, danger lurks in the shadows, and the game escalates.

Colin's previously dejected and gloomy eyes suddenly burst forth with an extremely sharp light.

It's like being instantly injected with adrenaline, reborn, and regaining all fighting spirit.

He suddenly stood up straight, raised his hand in a standard salute, and spoke with a strong and firm tone.

"Yes, sir!"

"Your subordinate will never betray your trust! We will utterly thwart their scheme and avenge our humiliation!"

Humphrey slightly raised his hand, his tone cold and serious as he gave his instructions.

"You and the entire field team are temporarily prohibited from setting foot in Hong Kong."

"All personnel should rest and recuperate, review and summarize, and await further orders."

Colin's eyes were stubborn and unwilling to back down, and he immediately volunteered to fight.

"Sir! I can head to the Southeast Asia region immediately!"

"Being adjacent to Hong Kong, with smooth intelligence flow and convenient deployment, makes it even more conducive to advancing Operation Scepter!"

Humphrey shook his head slightly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"No, you are not allowed to act alone. Wait for unified notification and dispatch from headquarters."

"Yes, sir!"

Colin could only agree in a low voice, his obsession with revenge growing stronger in his eyes.

……

London is rife with undercurrents, lurking dangers, and a high-level power struggle is quietly unfolding.

He Fei, far away in Hong Kong, was either completely unaware of this or utterly indifferent.

Given his current size and influence, he is not yet able to directly access the top-secret power struggles at the top of London's power structure.

Even if he knew at this moment about the so-called Scepter Plan and the top-level blockade and containment.

He would only give a faint smile and a sneer, exuding extreme composure and domineering aura.

Across thousands of miles of ocean, he lightly beckoned to all his rivals in London.

Come.

I'll continue.

Regardless of the conspiracy, the means, the censorship, or the game.

He accepted everything without fear, calmly crushed the competition, and broke through all the obstacles.

……

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and the situation in Hong Kong temporarily returned to a state of apparent calm.

He Fei's office is located in the top-floor president's office of the Yellow River Group.

The entire office is decorated in a simple yet elegant style, with understated luxury and a wide view.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer unparalleled views of Victoria Harbour, providing abundant natural light and an excellent vista.

The interior is clean and tidy, spotless, with a calm and sophisticated layout.

He Fei leaned back lazily in the leather executive chair.

Holding a cup of tea between his fingers, he was relaxed, calm, and composed.

His aura was calm and composed, as steady as a mountain, exuding the demeanor of a top-tier leader.

The capable and composed Ah Lang pushed open the door and entered, his posture respectful and his expression solemn.

He strode quickly to his desk, bowed deeply, and gave a precise report on the latest developments.

"Boss, breaking news! Jardine Matheson headquarters has officially sent representatives to Hong Kong!"

"The Keswick family sent a core member of their family, the nephew of Sir William Keswick the Elder."

Henry Keswick personally led the team to Hong Kong and took full charge of the overall situation!

"The accompanying team was of extremely high caliber, boasting a luxurious lineup, and the level of importance attached to it was unprecedented!"

"All three core executive directors and top-level senior managers of the group are in place!"

"They are Andrew Davis, the group's chief financial officer, and Richard Burns, the chief operating officer!"

"The core executives did not rest or make any adjustments as soon as they got off the plane."

"Move all staff to the top floor of Jardine House and convene a closed-door, highest-level emergency board meeting!"

"The entire process was closed off, kept completely confidential, and under immense pressure; the atmosphere was extremely tense!"

Upon hearing this, He Fei smiled faintly and calmly.

There was no surprise in his eyes, only a calm and confident sense of complete control.

He gently raised his hand, slowly sipped his tea, and spoke in a lazy and indifferent tone.

"It was an expected situation."

"A series of misfortunes followed, including a private jet crash, the tragic death of a key heir, and a massive theft from Wharf Holdings."

"A series of public opinion collapses, a loss of credibility, stock price fluctuations, and loss of partnerships."

"Having suffered devastating blows one after another, it has already been severely damaged and its foundation shaken."

"These stray dogs naturally want to huddle together for warmth and lick their wounds."

"While we were at it, we discussed counterattack strategies, devised ways to turn the tide, and attempted to turn the tide against all odds."

He looked up at Ah Lang, his tone calm and composed, and asked in a low voice.

"Have all the 'gifts' we prepared in advance been ready and arranged?"

Ah Lang's eyes sharpened, and he immediately straightened up, giving a precise and detailed report on the entire plan.

"Boss, everything is ready, flawless, and a perfect launch!"

"First, all the details and hidden evidence in the Wharf theft case."

"And the suspicious clues and hidden traces of the Keswick family's 'Silver Wing' plane crash."

"We have already used three absolutely secure, completely anonymous, and untraceable overseas dedicated line channels."

"Precisely delivered to multiple international mainstream media outlets with neutral stances and high credibility."

"At the same time, it was precisely delivered to several long-established European conglomerates that have long been core competitors of Jardine Matheson."

"The content is explosive enough, the details are detailed enough, and the doubts are fatal enough."

"This is enough to make outsiders completely question Jardine Matheson's management capabilities, risk control capabilities, and security capabilities."

"Enough to cause chaos, complete disarray, and utter division within Jardine Matheson's board of directors!"

"Secondly, we have been secretly accumulating and positioning ourselves to acquire the scattered shares of Jardine Matheson."

"This is compounded by our covert connections, deep ties, and the presence of minority shareholders who have long harbored resentment towards the Keswick family."

"We currently control a precise 11.7% of the voting shares!"

"Although it is not possible to shake the Keswick family's absolute controlling stake of 38% for the time being."

"Unable to directly seize power or directly control Jardine Matheson's core decision-making authority."

"But this shareholding weight is sufficient for all shareholder meetings and major decision-making votes."

"It creates enormous variables, absolute resistance, endless troubles, and intense uncertainty!"

"Completely disrupt their entire strategy, all their decisions, and all their counterattack plans!"

After listening to the detailed report, He Fei nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

His tone was calm and composed as he slowly revealed the core truth of top-level game theory.

"very good."

"A fortress always begins to crumble from within and completely disintegrates from the inside."

"Driving nails in little by little, creating cracks layer by layer, and amplifying the conflict step by step."

"Like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, it gradually erodes the body, disintegrates it step by step, and slowly devours it."

"No need for a one-hit kill, just continuous bleeding, continuous attrition, and continuous internal depletion."

"Over time, even the most fortified capital will crumble and collapse on its own."

His gaze darkened slightly, and his tone was calm and decisive as he immediately issued a new round of instructions.

"Now that Henry Keswick has personally arrived in Hong Kong to oversee the situation, he wants to reorganize the situation and launch a strong counterattack."

"Then let's play along with him and see what this direct descendant is really capable of."

"Immediately notify Xu Damao and Gu Yuanheng, the two responsible persons."

"Qingquan Beverage and Yellow River Automobile Factory have fully implemented the highest risk control and quality inspection standards."

"From today onwards, all supply, service, and cooperation projects involving Jardine Matheson's affiliated companies will be subject to this agreement."

"Fix all contract terms, quality standards, and process specifications!"

"All the minor flaws and minor issues that were previously overlooked or tolerated."

"From now on, zero tolerance, full accountability, strict control, and no compromise!"

"We will strictly adhere to the highest standards and requirements of the contract, verifying and accepting each item meticulously!"

Ah Lang instantly grasped the boss's top-level strategic thinking and quickly accepted the order.

"Understood! Completely cut off all their cooperation channels and all their convenient opportunities!"

He then frowned slightly, a hint of apprehension in his eyes, and cautiously asked the question.

"Boss, we're tightening our standards and rigorously scrutinizing all our collaborative projects."

"The other party is very likely to become enraged and take risks, directly announcing the suspension of supplies and termination of cooperation."

"Should we prepare contingency plans in advance?"

He Fei's smile deepened, his eyes were profound and his plans were far-reaching, he had already calculated everything.

"Cut off the supply? Let them do what they want."

"You should immediately begin registering a completely new, independent trading company."

"Completely sever all equity, personal connections, and industry ties."

"Completely sever ties with Yellow River Group, Taishan Security, Qinquan Beverage, and Yellow River Automobile."

"All of its subsidiaries have been completely separated, with no connection whatsoever."

"To create a completely new, independent, clean, and secretive trading platform where no one knows what's going on."

Ah Lang immediately responded, "Understood! A completely new, independent trading company, with a thoroughly covert operation!"

He Fei spoke at a steady pace and continued to issue layout instructions in an orderly manner.

"The new company's main business comprehensively covers the core materials that are essential for industrial needs."

"Electrical equipment, precision bearings, special steel, industrial precious metals, and hardware accessories."

"Essential materials for all Jardine Matheson's subsidiaries, Hong Kong's industrial and commercial system, and foreign-invested factories."

"We will include everything in our business scope, precisely target essential needs, and monopolize distribution channels."

Ah Lang was slightly taken aback and asked in confusion.

"Boss, we're expanding our trading of essential goods on a large scale."

"Do we have a sufficient and stable supply of goods in our possession?"

He Fei raised his eyes calmly, his tone confident, domineering, and leaving no room for doubt.

Remove the character "吗".

"Abundant supply, massive reserves, stable channels, and top-quality products."

"We can supply goods stably in large quantities, around the clock, at all times."

Ah Lang's eyes lit up instantly, and he suddenly understood, unable to help but exclaim in amazement.

"So, does that mean we've already achieved complete self-sufficiency and monopolized distribution channels?"

He Fei rolled his eyes at him, his tone tinged with a hint of helpless teasing.

"What a pipe dream."

"Huanghe Real Estate's main business, building materials, still needs external channels to supplement its operations."

"It is impossible to achieve 100% self-sufficiency and we will still leave room for reasonable external cooperation."

Ah Lang was instantly at a loss for words, feigning grievance and sighing.

"It's the building materials sector, which is the most troublesome, prone to problems, and tiring and complicated."

"I still have to oversee everything, worry about everything, and be there to cover for you the whole time!"

He Fei waved his hand dismissively, his tone crisp and decisive.

Stop being so cheeky.

"We need to expedite the implementation and complete company registration, channel establishment, and sourcing as soon as possible."

"Any developments, meetings, or decisions at Jardine Matheson headquarters must be reported to me immediately."

"No detail may be overlooked, and no time may be wasted."

"Yes! I'll take care of it immediately!"

Ah Lang bowed and accepted the order, then turned and quickly left, efficiently implementing all the plans.

The office returned to silence, and He Fei gazed quietly at the Victoria Harbour view outside the window.

His eyes hold a hidden sharpness, his mind is full of wisdom, he has a long-term vision, and he waits patiently for the right moment to strike.

A comprehensive crackdown and commercial annihilation against a top capital giant in the Far East.

They have already quietly laid out a large net, waiting to close it in, just waiting for the collapse.

……

Meanwhile, on the top floor of Jardine House, in the highest-level emergency boardroom.

The closed-door, high-pressure meeting, which lasted for several hours, has just barely ended.

The atmosphere in the luxurious conference room was extremely oppressive, stagnant, and heavy.

The smooth, cold mahogany table reflected the somber and gloomy expressions on everyone's faces.

Henry Keswick sat in the main seat, his aura surging with rage and fury.

Just now at the meeting, he severely reprimanded all the local management in Hong Kong.

They were denounced as incompetent, lazy, stupid, slow-witted, and unable to control the situation.

They angrily denounced them for sitting idly by as He Fei rose step by step, eroding Yihe's foundation, and being powerless to stop him.

They were furiously denounced for their dereliction of duty, negligence, and mistakes at every level, which led to this terrible disaster.

The series of devastating news over the past few days has completely overwhelmed the Keswick family's morale.

Sir William was devastated by the double blow of learning of his son's tragic death and the massive theft from Wharf Holdings.

Advanced age, mental and physical exhaustion, and sudden illness led to serious illness and bedridden condition.

They are completely incapable of managing group affairs, presiding over the overall situation, or stabilizing the situation.

Henry Keswick, barely in his thirties, was appointed to a critical mission and took on a heavy responsibility during a time of crisis.

They bear the heavy responsibility of reorganizing Jardine Matheson's situation, avenging their defeat, recovering their losses, and crushing their opponents.

But it wasn't until he actually took over that he truly understood.

The current situation is far worse and more deadly than I imagined.

The CFO, Andrew Davis, has gray hair, sharp eyes, and a meticulous mind.

As a veteran top executive of the group, he knows best the true problems within the group.

Seeing Henry's outburst of rage and impulsiveness, he spoke softly to soothe him.

"Henry, you must remain calm and composed."

"Extreme anger can neither resolve any crisis nor turn the tide of any situation."

Henry Keswick's chest heaved violently, his tone still filled with rage and resentment.

"Calm down? How can I calm down?"

"These local Hong Kong managers have been in high positions and living a life of luxury for years!"

"Arrogance, complacency, disregard for others, and underestimation of opponents!"

"We've allowed a grassroots Chinese businessman from the mainland to gradually erode our territory!"

"Step by step, they are undermining our foundations, shaking our industries, and crushing our profits!"

"We've reached this point, completely passive, constantly on the defensive, and powerless to retaliate!"

Chief Operating Officer Richard Burns spoke calmly, offering a rational and objective analysis of the situation.

"Henry cannot be entirely blamed on the local management."

"Our opponents are far more than just ordinary nouveau riche from humble backgrounds."

"He Fei's shrewdness, vision, patience, planning, methods, and courage."

"It far exceeded all of our prior estimates and judgments."

Henry's face was full of disdain, his eyes were full of contempt, and his tone was extremely arrogant.

"So what if he's amazing? In the end, he's just an ordinary Chinese from mainland China!"

"He was just a nobody who sold water on the street a few years ago!"

"Without roots, without foundation, without a path, without background, and without support, what is there to fear?"

Davis shook his head slightly, his tone serious, and slowly recounted the key details.

"Henry, you underestimate him and overestimate ourselves."

"His first formal commercial order came from an official procurement by the Kowloon Police Department."

"Subsequently, we secured control of all material supplies and vehicle procurement for the entire Hong Kong police system."

"Huanghe Automobile's rapid rise is entirely due to the support of stable large orders from the official authorities."

"From the very beginning, he had a precise grasp of official connections and resources."

"This level of vision and skill is far beyond what an ordinary grassroots businessman could possess."

Burns continued to add, each word hitting the core of the crisis.

"We must admit that this time we have encountered a precise attack that is comprehensive and leaves no blind spots."

"In terms of public opinion, all Chinese-language media outlets are biased towards the other side, and we have been completely reduced to the villains and clowns."

"The Kowloon Tong urban renewal project suffered from poor decision-making, mishandling, and a collapse in reputation in its early stages."

"This led to the Lands Department's sudden coldness towards us, extreme dissatisfaction, and stringent scrutiny throughout the entire process."

"They even openly hinted that all collaborative projects and all qualifications for cooperation would be reassessed!"

"The group's cash flow is rapidly drying up, its turnover is difficult, and its capital chain is on the verge of breaking down."

"Major partner banks are tightening their lending policies, adopting ambiguous attitudes, continuing to observe the market, and are hesitant to extend loans."

Davis took over the conversation, his expression growing increasingly grave, and revealed the most deadly hidden crisis.

"In addition, there are anonymous clues and revelations that have been circulating quietly recently."

"Analysis of suspicious points and hidden details regarding the theft at Wharf Holdings and the crash of the Silver Wing private jet."

"Although there is no direct evidence, no way to publicly convict, and no way to hold anyone accountable."

"But it is highly targeted, highly persuasive, and spreads extremely quickly."

"It has already spread to a small extent within European capital circles and international financial groups."

"Several long-established conglomerates that have been our competitors for a long time are taking this opportunity to create a huge uproar and deliberately smear us."

"There are serious doubts about Jardine Matheson's management capabilities, risk control system, and asset security."

"They're taking the opportunity to seize our overseas projects, orders, and collaborative resources."

"Within the group's board of directors, non-family shareholders are in a state of unease and extreme panic."

"Questions, opposition, calls for withdrawal of investment, and calls for a change of leadership are rising one after another and intensifying."

"The internal rifts have been completely exposed, and the team is demoralized and on the verge of collapse."

After hearing the full summary of the crisis, Henry Keswick finally managed to suppress his rage.

He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, restrain himself, and become rational.

His eyes gleamed with a fierce glint, concealing a murderous intent, and he spoke in a deep, cold voice.

"Therefore, you all agree."

"This whole thing was a collapse-like chain of crises, a series of blows, and a complete passive situation."

"Was all of this the result of a meticulously planned scheme by that nouveau riche from humble beginnings named He Fei?"

Burns nodded solemnly, his tone utterly certain.

"It was him who accurately identified every loophole, every mistake, and every weakness we made."

"Precise targeting, layer-by-layer disintegration, gradual attrition, and deadly strikes."

"Once the Kowloon Tong project is fully completed, implemented, and put into operation..."

"It will completely reshape Hong Kong's real estate, commercial, and capital landscape."

"It will squeeze our core survival space in real estate, commerce, and warehousing from all aspects."

"This will completely shake our century-long commercial dominance in Hong Kong."

Davis, looking grave, continued to recount the most pressing financial crisis.

"We urgently contacted several core partner banks, including HSBC and Standard Chartered."

"We are trying to apply for short-term liquidity loans and emergency funding to stabilize our cash flow."

"But all the banks' attitudes were ambiguous, vague, and extremely conservative."

"They either demand that we provide additional collateral or pledge core assets."

"Either they directly make excuses that it requires special approval from senior management at headquarters and delay it indefinitely."

"It's clear that all banks are watching the situation, weighing the pros and cons, and are hesitant to take sides."

Henry's eyes darkened, and he pressed on in a cold voice.

"Wait and see? Why wait and see? Is someone putting pressure on us?"

Davis nodded slightly, revealing the cruelest truth in the world of capital.

"We strongly suspect that He Fei's network of connections and financial strength far exceed our estimates."

"He has secretly infiltrated and made contact with senior executives and capital decision-making circles of major banks."

"They either bind us with shared interests, exert pressure by leveraging the current situation, or lure us with promises of future prospects."

"He completely swayed all bankers in their risk assessments to his side."

He let out a long sigh, his tone filled with helplessness and desolation.

"Hong Kong bankers are best at adding flowers to brocade, but even better at kicking someone when they're down."

"Once they determine that our situation is unstable, our chances of winning are slim, and the risks are too high."

"It will be extremely difficult for us to obtain any further funding or capital support."

"It could even lead to a fatal blow from collective loan withdrawals, loan cutoffs, and capital withdrawals."

"At that time, Jardine Matheson will be completely plunged into an abyss of no return."

"There is no chance of turning things around, and there is no place for us to stand."

These words were like the last straw, completely breaking Henry's reason.

He suddenly raised his hand and slammed his fist heavily onto the thick, hard mahogany conference table!

boom!

A dull, loud bang echoed throughout the conference room, causing the tabletop to tremble slightly.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he was filled with murderous intent, furious and roaring madly.

"Since he wants a business war, then we'll fight him to the very end!"

"We will launch a complete counterattack using the methods we are best at, the most domineering, and the most overwhelming!"

"Isn't he trying to cripple us by controlling our supply, service, channels, and supply chain?"

"Then we'll completely cut off all of his logistics, warehousing, transportation, and overseas distribution channels!"

"Immediately issue the order! All Jardine Matheson's docks, ports, warehouses, and logistics fleets!"

"Starting immediately! This applies to Yellow River Industry, Taishan Security, Yellow River Automobile, and Qinquan Beverage!"

"and all its affiliated, subsidiary, holding, and joint venture companies!"

"Initiate an indefinite, highest-level, comprehensive, and thorough security review!"

"Every ship, every container, every piece of cargo, every document!"

"Investigate, verify, register, and thoroughly review each item!"

"I want to control all of his logistics, transportation, import and export of goods, and overseas trade!"

"Completely halted, utterly paralyzed, unable to move an inch!"

Let him experience firsthand what it's like to have everything collapse, be left with no way out, and be on the verge of bankruptcy!

Davis's expression changed drastically, and he quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Henry! Absolutely not!"

"Such extreme actions are tantamount to openly tearing off the mask of civility and declaring all-out war!"

"This will completely erode Jardine Matheson's century-long accumulated business reputation and industry standing!"

"This will severely reduce the operational efficiency and business reputation of our port's logistics!"

"All international cargo owners, overseas clients, and partner merchants will be extremely dissatisfied!"

"This will result in a significant loss of partnerships, orders, and customers!"

The cost is too high, the gains outweigh the losses, and the risks are extremely high!

Henry was completely overwhelmed by anger and resentment.

His mind was filled with nothing but the obsession to crush his opponent, to avenge his defeat, and to wipe away his shame.

He roared furiously, completely disregarding everything and the consequences.

"At this critical juncture of life and death! Do you think I care about mere business reputation?"

"A century-old company like Jardine Matheson! Are they really going to be trampled underfoot by a nobody selling water on the street?"

"Should we just let him devour, crush, plunder, and trample at will?"

"As long as we can completely crush him, defeat him, and destroy him!"

"A temporary loss of reputation, a few customers, and some profit!"

"It's not even worth mentioning!"