Volume One, Chapter Forty: Subduing the Former Subordinates

Not only did the four people beside him nod repeatedly in agreement, even Yu Wen’er smiled and nodded, endorsing his words. Only the man standing behind her kept his gaze fixed on the five of them, his face devoid of any expression.

Yu Wen’er nodded in approval. “Of course, revenge must be taken, but business comes first, doesn’t it?”

The man with the dark skin replied coldly, “Don’t let revenge delay our business.”

Yu Wen’er said, “You don’t need to worry about that. If we don’t take our revenge, it will delay business even more, won’t it? Are we, the Tai family, to be bullied by anyone?”

Tan Xiaoming spoke up, his tone impassioned. “Even if you hadn’t summoned us today, Miss Yu, we wouldn’t have dared to leave, nor would we want to. The drug trade is our only livelihood. We can all see that now you’re the one at the helm, and we’d like to clarify the direction of future operations. I’ve heard a little—the attacker comes from a very special and powerful department, but this department isn’t responsible for combating drugs. I don’t know why they’re meddling in an unrelated field. Nevertheless, though we’ve suffered an unprecedented blow, I still hope to continue and expand our business as before, especially the range of products we offer. We must also, under Boss Yan’s guidance, strive for longer transport routes. This requires us to be united; mutual suspicion will only destroy our thriving enterprise, leading to division and infighting. Although what we do is considered heinous by others, it still requires two things: rules and fairness. Boss Yan has always been the rule-maker, ensuring fairness through means everyone can accept. Now that Boss Yan has met with misfortune, as elders, we have the right to make a request: please, take on this responsibility. Place your trust in the organization members carefully selected and nurtured by Boss Yan over the years, continue his work, and secure a path for our survival and growth.”

His words were measured and his tone grew increasingly resolute. Everyone could tell there was a deeper meaning—he was testing this inexperienced young woman’s courage by asking her to become the new master of the underworld.

He puffed one “Panda” cigarette after another, completely indifferent to the way Yu Wen’er kept coughing from the smoke. Half of these cigarettes were filtered; it was said they were specially supplied to the central leadership to greatly reduce the risk of cancer.

The man standing behind Yu Wen’er finally spoke. “Miss Yu has already said she will accept this position without hesitation. There’s no need to discuss it further. Let’s talk business. Yesterday, Boss Yan told you all that we’d transition gradually into legitimate trade. One goal is to launder the drug money, moving everyone from the shadows into the light, bringing yourselves and your families into civilized society—a goal you’ve all long desired. On the other hand, the whole country is now promoting economic development. When the Great Deng toured the South, he said, ‘Development is the hard truth.’ That phrase is even lit up in neon atop the provincial government building. It means that opportunities are everywhere, money is everywhere. Even without the drug trade, there are plenty of ways to make a fortune! You’ve all accumulated immense wealth from drugs, you’re all men of means, and your capital needs an outlet. Now, even blind investments will yield huge returns.”

This time, everyone present nodded repeatedly, feeling that this man was not only well-connected but also highly capable.

He continued, “Boss Yan led by example in exploring the path to legitimacy, and he encouraged you all to try it for yourselves. Even so, Boss Yan never said to give up the drug business, because it’s the foundation of your livelihood. What power could possibly shake our industry’s standing? None! Can a single assassin change our position along the Southwest border? Impossible! Still, I must say, times have changed, and some old business methods must adapt.”

Before the next steps in business were discussed, Yu Wen’er stood up to introduce the man. The five drug lords also rose. “He’s Han Chinese; you may call him Brother Tiger. He’s my new partner—skilled in both strategy and combat—and the brother I trust most.”

The men greeted him respectfully, hoping Yu Wen’er would reveal more about him. Unexpectedly, she only said, “In our circle, only Brother Tiger can deal with the Flying Squirrel.” With that, she sat down again.

Tan Xiaoming asked, “Right now, we don’t even know where that man is hiding. He could’ve fled Mang City already.”

Brother Tiger shook his head, speaking with conviction, “No. He’s still in Mang City—he has someone to meet. I’ll find where he’s hiding, and we’ll kill him.”

The group understood: this was Yu Wen’er’s strong response to the Flying Squirrel’s assassination attempt on Yan Nuo. Of course, if she wanted to quickly subdue them all and secure her position as the top drug lord in the Southwest, killing someone as a show of power was her only and best chance.

What they hadn’t anticipated was that Yu Wen’er, calm and poised, had already secured powerful outside support and didn’t need their backing. The drug lords genuinely admired her decisive, ruthless style.

Yu Wen’er went on making tea. The man sat beside her, and the five drug lords, slightly awkward, resumed their seats.

Once everyone’s cups were filled with the freshly brewed tea, Yu Wen’er said, “I am just a young woman, lacking experience in the underworld, and I will need you uncles to guide me and support me. The Tai family tradition is to take our blood vengeance into our own hands. Brother Tiger and I will take care of the Flying Squirrel—you need not worry about that. As for our business, it will continue as usual. Everyone will carry on with their responsibilities, just like before. The uncles in Myanmar, grateful for my father’s loyalty and support over the past years, have already made contingency plans for this misfortune. Our supply remains stable, and I guarantee there will be no change in quality or price. I hope you’ll rest assured—the transport from Myanmar to Yadu will not be affected by what happened to my father.”

She paused, glanced at Brother Tiger, who nodded for her to continue. “Let me also inform you: my father is not dead; he’s just gravely injured. Revenge will be taken, and tonight we will act. You need not worry about me. Just return to your posts and keep business running. Now, my father asked me to pass on a message to you all.”

Facing the stunned drug lords, Yu Wen’er gestured toward their freshly filled teacups, speaking word by word, “Carry on as before.”

This was the final message left by the Great Man on September 9, 1976, before his passing.

Yu Wen’er did not invite the drug lords to stay for dinner. Everyone found it understandable; after all, Yan Nuo was gravely wounded, and as his only beloved daughter, she must be heartbroken. The fact that she could sit through an afternoon’s meeting was already remarkable.

She and Brother Tiger escorted the men to the parking lot, where they exchanged respectful farewells with palms pressed together. As she watched the luxury vehicles drive out through the gates, and gazed at the fortress-like mansion, her thoughts turned to Yan Nuo, secretly recovering from his wounds.

Her father had earned the respect and awe of these hardened men through both force and cunning. This was the precious legacy Yan Nuo had left her, but she had to admit, with a tinge of sorrow, that he had paid a terrible price for that respect.