Chapter 9: The Two-Sided Meeting

"Arrogant and overbearing! This guy is simply too arrogant and overbearing! Zhou Ming, Lin Dong, I want you to call the police immediately and arrest this person!" Guan Sheng exploded with anger, pointing towards the place where Liu Xiaotian had disappeared from view.

Zhou Ming could only shake his head in resignation at Guan Sheng's display of bravado. If you're so upset and have the guts, why not confront him directly? Or call the police? At least have the courage to say these things to his face. Now that the person is gone, showing off in front of me is pointless.

"Director Guan, he is the Chairman of Tianhua Group. Tianhua Group is a highly influential organization in Hong Kong. It's not wise to conflict with him," Lin Muqing said with a frown, clearly displeased with Guan Sheng's arrogant behavior.

Upon hearing Lin Muqing's words, Guan Sheng's secretary suddenly whispered something into his ear. Guan Sheng, taken aback at first, then became furious: "He's just a gangster boss, what's there to be so arrogant about? Not knowing his identity before was fine, but now that we do, as party members and cadres, we should fight against evil forces and eliminate this menace for the people of Hong Kong!"

Zhou Ming sighed inwardly. He had no thoughts on Guan Sheng's comments, but he understood that someone like Guan Sheng, who was overconfident in his own circle, would only become more arrogant. Zhou Ming decided to try a different approach: "Director Guan, we have a more important meeting to attend. Let's put this matter aside for now."

Zhou Ming offered an opportunity for Guan Sheng to back down, and he did: "You're right. This meeting is the priority. However, Comrade Zhou Ming, this issue can't be ignored. After all, Hong Kong will eventually return to the mainland."

"Of course. Companies that rely on violence for their operations are not a long-term solution."

Zhou Ming's words were spoken from his own knowledge of future events. He was aware that after Hong Kong's return, the central government's first action to stabilize the region was to eliminate the criminal elements, with Liu Xiaotian being a primary target. Liu Xiaotian was eventually captured and sentenced to death, a matter that caused quite a stir at the time, leaving Zhou Ming with a deep impression.

With that, Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, and Guan Sheng entered the skyscraper. The meeting was scheduled on the 27th floor. They went through security checks and took the elevator directly to the 27th floor.

When they arrived, many people were already gathered, but most were unfamiliar to Zhou Ming. Lin Muqing helped by introducing some important individuals.

"I think it would be better to meet with some Hong Kong participants before the meeting starts and discuss the matters at hand," Guan Sheng directed Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing. This was a sensible idea, and Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing were already planning to find Zheng Haolong and Li Cheng. They proceeded to do so.

Soon, they found a VIP lounge where the butler for Zheng Haolong and Zheng Jiancheng was stationed at the door. Zhou Ming approached and asked, "Is Sir Zheng inside? I need to discuss something with him."

"Sorry, my father is resting inside and cannot be disturbed," Zheng Jiancheng replied haughtily, lifting his chin.

Zhou Ming knew Zheng Jiancheng was holding a grudge from the previous encounter and chose not to argue. He turned to Zheng Haolong's secretary, who gave a similar response: "I'm sorry, Mr. Lin and Mr. Zhou, but our master is indeed resting and currently cannot see visitors. Please understand."

After they left, Guan Sheng again criticized Zhou Ming: "Comrade Zhou Ming, why didn't you arrange these matters in advance? You're only making last-minute adjustments now. How can you be so careless with your arrangements?"

Zhou Ming frowned, both because of Guan Sheng's unreasonable complaints and because of Zheng Jiancheng and Zheng Haolong's behavior. Their actions suggested they were waiting for Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing to arrive, merely to show them they were unwelcome. This discovery gave Zhou Ming an uneasy feeling.

By 9:30 AM, Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, and Guan Sheng entered the meeting hall. The hall was arranged in a Western parliamentary style, with a podium at the front and all participants seated around it.

This setup was typical given Hong Kong's full Westernization; however, Zhou Ming was concerned that their seats were placed on the side rather than in the center.

Regardless of whether domestically or internationally, class differences always exist. Even though this wasn't a formal political meeting, the arrangement of seats typically reflects hierarchy. The closest seats to the podium were occupied by the current spokesperson for the Hong Kong British government, Zhang Zuo.

Zhou Ming realized that the seating arrangement, though not organized by the British government, was set by the skyscraper's organizers. This suggested a clear disregard from the Hong Kong side towards the mainland.

Given the long-standing political separation and the negative perception of the mainland fostered by Western propaganda, many in Hong Kong viewed the mainland with disdain. This attitude likely meant that the meeting might not achieve much.

Zhou Ming sighed inwardly, observing Guan Sheng, who previously was full of righteous indignation but now accepted the seating arrangement without complaint. Zhou Ming shook his head, unable to understand this bureaucrat's mindset.

Since Guan Sheng, representing the central government, had no objections, Zhou Ming had no choice but to accept it as well.

As everyone settled into their seats, Zhang Zuo, the spokesperson for the British government, stood up and walked to the podium. He began his speech: "Welcome everyone for taking the time to attend this two-sided meeting. Although this is not the first time we have held such a meeting, out of a sense of responsibility, I will still repeat some points."

"As you all know, the signing of the Joint Declaration four years ago marked the need for Hong Kong to transfer sovereignty in 1997. However, in the spirit of freedom and democracy, we believe that any transfer of sovereignty must have the consent of the people, which is the reason for this meeting."

Zhang Zuo continued: "Previously, our two-sided meetings have been held twice, but unfortunately, they did not yield any results. However, we are confident that we can reach an agreement this time."

"Now, with the arrival of Director Guan Sheng from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, we invite him to explain the mainland's policies. Let's give him a warm welcome."

Zhang Zuo led the applause, and the others followed. Amidst the clapping, Guan Sheng stood up and walked to the podium.

At the podium, Guan Sheng first nodded to Zhang Zuo and then spoke into the microphone: "Thank you all. I am very pleased to be in Hong Kong today, as Hong Kong has always been an inseparable part of our country. Over two thousand years ago, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China, Hong Kong was already part of our national and ethnic territory."

"Although due to historical reasons, Hong Kong is currently under British administration, this is only temporary. With the implementation of the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong will undoubtedly return to the embrace of our motherland!"

Guan Sheng spoke passionately, but his enthusiasm was met with only scattered applause. Even before he finished, someone raised a question: "Isn't Director Guan aware that the mainland is a ** government, whereas Hong Kong is a free land? How can a ** government take over a free land? Isn't this chaotic?"

"This is not chaos. The central government has proposed the 'one country, two systems' policy to ensure that Hong Kong is governed by Hong Kong people and to maintain its economic vitality," Guan Sheng responded.

This statement elicited boos from the audience. Someone said: "What 'one country, two systems,' and 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong'? It's just a political ploy. In the end, you'll just send as many officials as you want. Mainland officials are lawless and cannot govern Hong Kong properly."

"That's impossible! Our party members and cadres are selected from the people and are dedicated to serving the people. We think of what the people need and solve their problems, all with a high revolutionary spirit. What you are saying is simply impossible," Guan Sheng said.

At this point, someone else stood up and said: "Director Guan, what I understand doesn't match what you're saying!"

The speaker was close to the podium, and both Guan Sheng and Zhou Ming could see that it was Liu Xiaotian, the gangster boss they had encountered earlier.

Liu Xiaotian looked at Guan Sheng with a smirk and said to the others: "I've had a brief encounter with Director Guan before. I can responsibly tell everyone that he is lying to us. Mainland officials are very arrogant and lawless; they do whatever they want, completely disregarding the laws. This is completely contrary to our freedom and democratic spirit in Hong Kong."

Liu Xiaotian ended his statement by pulling out a small recorder: "I'm not just speaking; I have evidence."

Liu Xiaotian pressed the play button on the recorder.