Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 293

Trying to keep it low key I carefully unfolded the envelope, revealing the message inside. Containing a note, it said:
Well done infiltrating the Union. As you may have figured out we have eyes everywhere, you’re not operating alone.
Your first task is to keep tabs on a certain few individuals within the Union. First, the newly appointed secretary Lee Yu.
Suspected of aiding the communists to overthrow the city. The second, is a seasoned commanding officer who goes by the
name of Xin Jiao. Through the decades of his time in the Union, his morals have always been hung quite loosely, highly
suspected of coordinating communist attacks. The final and most important target, the Chairwoman of the Union Chen
Hua. One of the most powerful people in the Old City. However, ever since the loss of her father she has become awry
a loose cannon. Getting involved with various unorthodox corporations alongside communist supporting parties.
Collect any relevant information regarding these individ uals, understand their plans, infiltrate their ranks. That is all you
need to accomplish.
---
I began my first day of work at the Union, addressing my role meticulously. After finishing with the work assigned to me,
I couldn’t help but notice the secretary glancing at his watch constantly, almost as if he was waiting for something to
happen. After a few minutes, the secretary collected a newly printed piece of paper and handed it to a commanding officer.
As I edged closer to see who it was, I immediately recognised the officer as Xin Jiao. I caught him reading what was
written on the paper intently, then he whispered something into Lee Yu’s ear. With that, Lee proceeded to rush off into his
office, with a smile full of malice. The message was then torn to shreds and tossed into a bin, while Xin Jiao entered Chen
Hua’s office to discuss the matter.
Slinking into his office, I carefully slipped my hand into the bin, taking out the shreds of paper. Sliding them into my
pocket, I walked out casually. It was when I had arrived at my desk I started to reconstruct the message. The message
seemed to spiral and build into more and more dangerous territory, with each word carrying a venomous intent. A few
sentences stood out from the paper, snaking into my eyes. The Communists plan to launch an attack on the Old City. They
plan to attack as soon as the Nationalist troops relocate and that meant it would be tomorrow. I rushed out of the Union
building, message scrunched in my pocket, determined to forewarn the triad.
Skidding past the alleyways I reached a restaurant, a triad front tucked in a small alley, panting as I knocked on the door.
“I have here an important message to bring to you!” I shouted through the wooden door. The door opened quickly,
allowing me to rush inside, handing the piece of paper that contained the plans of the communists.
---
“Soldiers! Get into formation, the Union has cleared the defenses of the Old City. Now’s our time to seize the area!” The
Communist General ordered. The ruffling of footsteps meant the soldiers were starting to line up, preparing for the battle
that would allow them to take over the Old City. To their surprise, through the gates of the Old City hundreds of
Nationalist troops rushed through, pushing back the soldiers. The soldiers from within the Old City started to flood
through, turning the battle in favor of the Nationalists. The final three to arrive through the gates were all handcuffed, a
scowl etched onto their faces. They were Lee Yu, Xin Jiao and Chen Hua. “Surrender while you can, your leaders are in
our hands.” The Nationalist General commanded. One by one weapons were dropped, hands were in the air as the
Communist soldiers surrendered. The general turned to a young man, saying “You did well for delivering the communists’
plans. How may I call you?”
“Yuesheng. Du Yuesheng.” The young man replied, his eyes glowing intently as he gazed upon the communist soldiers.
His name became famous in the Old City as he rose up to the top ranks of the Green Gang. Later to be known as the city’s
Triad King.