A rich plum wine called “yellow wine,” served warm, was brought to the table between courses. Bond thought it tasted like sake.
A second course was an elaborate serving of sauteed filet of sole with green vegetables in a black bean sauce. The presentation was spectacular—several large carrots had been carved to resemble a dragon boat, the kind used in the famous Dragon Boat Festival that occurs every summer, and the food was placed inside the boat. The sole was quite tender and flavourful because in Hong Kong the sole can swim in both fresh and salt water.
The main course was called Beggar’s Chicken, which was Chef Lao’s creation of chicken baked in clay with black mushrooms, barbecued pork, ginger, and Chinese spices. This dish had to be ordered at least a day in advance, as it was cooked many hours before serving. The chicken was cleaned and stuffed with the various ingredients, then wrapped in lotus leaves. Then the package is packed in clay and baked until the clay was hard.
When the dish was brought to Bond and Woo, all the waiters and staff stood around and applauded as the diners took turns whacking and breaking the clay with a mallet. A waiter then picked out the large bones from the extremely tender chicken, mixed in a special sauce, and served it in shreds on small plates. Bond thought it was one of the tastiest meals he had ever had in his life.
Ho brought them tea after Bond and Woo had stuffed themselves and, joining them at the table, said, “There is a region in southeast China called Fook Tien Province, and there the largest variety of tea is produced. There is one leaf that is very intriguing. Its name is Monkey-Pick-Tea.
“According to legend,” Ho continued, “the tea leaves were collected by monkeys because they were positioned on high cliff-tops. But the monkeys were not very obedient, and needed to be disciplined. Whenever a monkey disobeyed, a part of his tail was cut off—a half-inch or so! This would continue until the monkey learned to do as he was instructed. Monkey-Pick-Tea is very highly regarded because it is difficult to come by, and also because it is rich in both aroma and taste. Therefore its qualities are compared to those of a fine wine. We drink it after a meal, not only because it is enjoyable, but because it also helps one to digest.”
After the meal, Bond and Woo were left alone to discuss business.
“So, T.Y., what’s going on? What do you know?” Bond asked.
“The solicitor who was killed—that bomb was not act of China, uh huh?” Woo said.
“That’s what M thinks, too,” Bond replied. “Who do you think is behind it?”
“There is a general in Guangzhou. His name is Wong. Very militant. He is violently opposed to any kind of democratic rule in Hong Kong after takeover. He has been in favour of taking over colony by force for years. He is biting his nails on other side of border, just waiting for chance to move in his troops and take control. Beijing keeps him on short leash. Someone trying to put blame on him. Not sure he is responsible.”
“Why do you say that?” Bond asked.
“It is stupid! Why would he do such a thing weeks before Hong Kong goes back to China? What would he gain by starting war between China and Britain? On second thought, he just might be that stupid. Not a rational man, uh huh?”
“Those are his troops lining the border?”
“Yes. Mostly his. He would march into New Territories tomorrow if Beijing gave him okay.” Woo shrugged. “It is possible that he is trying to provoke confrontation between Britain and China. He wants excuse to move in. And from looks of things, he is succeeding.”
“But surely he wouldn’t dare bring his troops across the border before the first of July. The whole world is watching.”
“General Wong does not care. He is madman. He considers himself national hero in China. He is hard, cruel man. I tell you something else about him. Wong spent most of 1980s in Beijing. He was one of high commanders responsible for Tienanmen Square tragedy. He enjoyed giving orders to shoot those people. After that, he was promoted and moved back to Guangzhou, where he was from.”
“All right, he’s a suspect. Who else is on your short list?”
“My personal opinion? I think it is someone local. Could be Triad. On other hand, it is not their method. Not many criminals have guns or bombs in Hong Kong. You would be surprised—Hong Kong is quite gun-free.”
“What about the two Chinese officials who were killed by a British officer?”
“That is big mystery,” Woo said. “Again, I do not think it was real British officer. Whole thing was staged. He was imposter.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Again—why would this officer want to cause trouble? Unless he has a personal grudge. And who is he to take on the government of China?”
“And the floating restaurant bomb?” Bond asked.
“Same thing. It was not China. It was not General Wong in Guangzhou, although that is rumour.”
“What do you know about EurAsia Enterprises?”
“Big company. Very respectable. The taipan, he is well-liked but very private man, uh huh?”
“Thackeray.”
“Yes. I have met him. I see him sometimes at casino in Macau. One of my few vices, I admit. I have played mahjong with him once or twice. Always lost a lot of money to him. EurAsia not as big as other major companies, like Jardine Matheson. But it does okay. Involved in shipping and trading. Their docks are at Kwai Chung.”
“Do you know what happened in England a few nights ago?”
“Yes, I got briefing. Heroin. That surprised me. I have no records that EurAsia is involved in anything illegal. My contacts with police have assured me that nothing out of ordinary is on record.”
“Yet that heroin came from one of their ships.”
“I think Triad is involved. They have their fingers in everything. It is quite possible that someone in EurAsia is being squeezed by Triad and Thackeray does not know anything about it.”
Bond ordered a brandy. “Are you familiar with the Dragon Wing Society?”
“Yes, I am. They are splinter group of San Yee On. Very powerful. Dragon Wing Society has interests in many nightclubs in Hong Kong. Most of their known activities involve prostitution and gambling. The police believe they are involved in heroin trade but have not acquired evidence. They put squeeze on entertainment industry, too. Movie sets are prime targets, uh huh?”
“Do you know anyone in the Triad?”
“A Triad leader is called the Cho Kun, or Dragon Head. Cho Kun of Dragon Wing is Li Xu Nan. Very powerful businessman. Owns several nightclubs and girlie bars. The identity of Cho Kun is supposed to be secret—no one outside of Triad knows.” Woo grinned. “But I know.”
“All Triads work that way?”
“Usually, yes. Only top men in Triad know. Their lodge is secret, too.”
“Lodge?”
“That is Triad’s headquarters, where they hold meetings.”
“Do you know where their Lodge is?”
Woo shook his head. “No, that is secret. I am working on it. They change locations often, so it is difficult.”
“How can I find this Li Xu Nan?”
“Hard to say.” Woo said. “He frequents a couple of his nightclubs. We maybe try later tonight or tomorrow.”
“Okay, tell me more about Thackeray?”
“He is in late-forties. Bachelor. Does not go out in public much. Lives on the Peak with all the rich gweilo.” Gweilo—a term meaning “ghost people”—was often used by ethnic Chinese with reference to westerners.
“Has there been any investigation since the drug bust in England?”
“Yes. My contact in police said they searched EurAsia’s warehouse at Kwai Chung. They found nothing. Official company line is that they are shocked and dismayed that something like that could have happened on one of their ships. EurAsia spokesman denied all responsibility and blamed act on criminal enterprise.”