REDPEAFOWL, Chapter 3: Red Peafowl
It’s been thirty years since the rumors started spreading that the Red Peafowl is a mysterious organization, operating outside the law, with its leader Hong Kongque being enigmatic…
But in reality… What kind of person is Hong Kongque?
The clock tower bells rang loudly throughout the neighborhood at six o’clock in the morning. Hong Kongque rolled out of bed, his large silk robe trailing behind him. He rubbed his head and exchanged greetings with Paechikchik, who came in with the family patriarch. Then he began to get ready, taking about five minutes in total. Afterwards, the family patriarch would give him the daily schedule.
“Mister Shen arranged for a morning meeting? Is the schedule still the same?” Hong Kongque asked, glancing at the day’s agenda that had already been announced. The family butler nodded.
“All right. I’ll head to Tunnel Eight and tell them to prepare the cars. Two should be enough. I’ll go as Zi Cui.”
“Understood.” The family butler acknowledged, then exited the room.
…
At eight o’clock sharp… The grand building of the Shen family.
“Mister Zi, always on time.” Shen Bao greeted the young man in his early twenties with slicked-back hair, who was entering the meeting room. Mister Zi, or Zi Cui, smiled politely in response.
“I am always punctual, sir. Are the other meeting participants here yet?”
“They haven’t arrived yet. Please have a seat.” Shen Bao gestured for Zi Cui to sit down.
“Actually, I asked you to come a bit earlier than the others. I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately.” Shen Bao continued. After Zi Cui sat down, the young man looked at him intently and asked, smiling, “What is it about, sir?”
“I know that what I am about to say may cause you distress. Many of our shareholders are questioning the status of the Red Peafowl. We want to know the source of your funding. No need to go into detail, just assure us that these funds will not disappear out of thin air.”
Zi Cui raised a smile on his face, then replied, “Hong Kongque is reputable, sir. He has never misled us before. As for where he gets his money from, I am not sure.”
“Please, Mister Chu. We have consulted with each other, but do not want to pressure you, so let me speak privately first. When conducting business with other shareholders. We are open with each other, but you… Hong Kongque is not one of us. You do not have any company. No financial reports. This investment is risky. If you were to disappear…”
“Mister Shen Bao.” Zi Cui replied, “Our company has been in partnership with yours since your father’s time. We have never been deceitful, so is someone making you force us out?”
Shen Bao looked embarrassed, “Mister Zi, let’s talk directly. The managers in our fathers era have all passed away or retired. Now, the current management is the same generation as me and all of you. Nowadays, they do not believe in old reputation. On top of that, we have never seen the Red Peafowl himself. No one knows what business he is involved in. You must understand this dilemma.”
Zi Cui looked troubled, “Shen Bao… I do understand. Let’s do it this way. I will call him and ask how much we can disclose about our business. Hopefully, we can both have peace of mind.”
The young man spoke, and got up and left the room before returning.
“I can tell you a few things, Mister Shen.” Zi Cui paused for a moment before continuing, “Our boss has businesses in the oil industry with Company F from America, as well as pharmaceuticals in Germany. You can check all this under the name Hong Kongque.”
Shen Bao raised an eyebrow, “So Hong Kongque is your boss’s real name?”
Zi Cui replied with a smile, “We hold shares on behalf of the company. We are registered in America.”
“Oh…” Shenbao exclaimed, and made a phone call. Zi Cui waited until he finished the call before speaking seriously, “This is confidential, Shen Bao.
Besides you, do not tell anyone else.”
“Got it.” Shen Bao replied with a smile, “If the information is accurate, I will confirm at the meeting that the Red Peafowl has a strong financial standing.
You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Thank you, sir.” Zi Cui replied with a wide smile.
Because Shen Bao was there to help confirm the argument, the meeting ended smoothly. Zi Cui walked out of the meeting room, taking the documents with him, and thanked Shen Bao sincerely. As he walked out for a bit, someone called out, “Mister Zi.”
Zi Cui turned around and saw a tall young man named Qi Chengen, one of the partners in this deal.
“Is there something, sir?” Sue asked politely, stopping in his tracks.
“Hong Kongque, what exactly is his business?” Qi Chengen asked.
“I can’t tell you, but you have already confirmed. You shouldn’t doubt anymore.” Zi Cui replied. Qi Chengen nodded. Then he asked, “Mister Zi, can I have a private conversation with you for a moment? It’s about a secret matter.”
Zi Cui furrowed his brow before nodding to the person waiting and stepping back, “Is there anything else?”
“If you don’t mind. I apologize, but I want to know… are you and Hong
Kongque relatives, siblings, father and son, or just underling?”
“I’m just his underling.” Zi Cui answered. Qin Chengen nodded, “So he must trust you a lot. I heard you’ve been working with him for six years.”
“Yes, to replace the old employee who left.”
The questioner nodded again, “Then… you and his former underling must be related.”
Zi Cui chuckled, “No, I don’t know him at all.”
“But you do resemble him.” Qi Chengen said, taking out an old photo,
“Jimmy, was this your name before? Zi Cui?”
Zi Cui looked at the photo before chuckling, “What a coincidence. I must have looked like him enough for him to hire me. Well, I was really lucky.”
“Stop playing around, Hong Kongque. How many lives do you think you can hide behind?” Qin Chengen said sternly, his face serious. Hong Kongque immediately got on guard. This time, Zi Cui just smiled and looked straight into the eyes of the man in front of him.
“Chengen. Has anyone ever told you what Red Peafowl is?”
“No one has told me, but I will tell others now.”
Before Zi Cui could move, a gun was already pointed at his waist.
“This is the Red Peafowl in the legend. You are just a weak, insignificant man.”
Zi Cui pursed his lips for a moment before a sly smile appeared, “Chengen. Let me ask you something. Are you the person who suggested that others check my financial status?”
“Yes.” Chengen nodded, “Even if I did not say it, everyone is already suspicious of you. Let’s not waste time and talk about something constructive. What kind of business are you in now?”
“Has Shen Bao not told you yet?”
Qin Chengen just smiled, “Even though he may be a coward, he does not reveal secrets. His father has been doing business with you for over ten years.
He trusts you more than me. If you don’t want to get hurt, just tell me. I know that if something were to happen to you, the Red Peafowl’s reputation would be tarnished.”
Zi Cui smiled and continued, “Why do you want to know about Red
Peafowl’s business?”
“To see what I can do in place of you.” Chengen replied, “If you give up a few businesses to me, I will keep your secret safe.”
“I somewhat disagree with this method of keeping secrets.” Zi Cui said as he noticed Qin Chengen tightening his grip on the gun in his hand.
…
The smell of burning iron made Qin Chengen feel more awake, and he found himself tied up with ropes on a boat. After struggling to move for a moment, the voice of someone became louder.
“Well, Young Master Qin, nice to meet you officially.”
Qin Chengen raised his head and saw a man sitting on a big leather chair, his shoulders covered with a white fur shawl. The light shining down reflected on a sharp face displayed on the glowing screen.
“Oh! Zi Cui… In short, you are actually Hong Kongque.”
Hong Kongque smiled in the light, “You’re smart enough, Chengen, but not smart enough. I know many have wondered if Zi Cui and my old assistant are the same person, or even if Zi Cui is me. Just like you, but why didn’t they do as you, do you know?” With a pause, Hong Kongque continued, “Because they are smarter than you. They are smart enough to know that they should be nosy in the name Hong Kongque.”
Qin Chengen looked at the person sitting in front of him before speaking,
“So, what are you going to do, kill me or what? Do you think the Qin family will stay quiet?”
“Calm down, Young Master Qin. I haven’t said anything about killing you yet. No need to rush to die now.” Hong Kongque said with a smile, “I have a good offer for you. Has anyone ever told you what to do when meeting Hong
Kongque?”
“Stop beating around the bush and just say it.” Qin Chengen spoke with a harsh voice, making Hong Kongque sigh heavily, “Darn, should parents stop teaching their children about Hong Kongque?” When he finished speaking he sighed before looking down at the person who was sitting in front of him.
“Young Master Qin. Let’s come to an agreement and do business together. If you pass my test, I will join your business and give you a share in mine. I’ll tell you right now that I have shares in oil, satellites, telephones… Let’s see if you pass the test first. I think it’s too much time wasted to explain now. In short, all the businesses of the Qin family will be combined. I still don’t want to get blindsided, so this is your best opportunity.”
“All right, what do I need to do?” Qin Chengen asked with a hint of impatience. Hong Kongque pointed to a container with red hot charcoal, with three iron rods inserted inside, before continuing, “You must show respect to me… Take those irons and write the words ‘Hong Kongque’ on your left calf beautifully. I have a template to show you.”
The man stood with a picture frame hanging on the wall with the words Red
Peafowl in Chinese, which had been placed in front of Qin Chengen’s. The young man’s eyes widened in shock. He grabbed a piece of steel and held it in his hand, moving it close to his lower leg with a trembling motion before exclaiming, “Hong Kongque you vile scum!!!”
…
“Mister Zi.” Qin Nan immediately greeted when he saw a young man in his twenties stepping out of the black limousine. Zi Cui nodded. He was dressed in a black suit, looking stern, “Hong Kongque would like to express his condolences for the accident involving your son.”
Qin Nan nodded quietly, “It’s okay. Mister Zi, your employer…”
Zi Cui raised his head to look at him before speaking calmly, “Let’s consider the matter closed between Hong Kongque and the parties involved. Mister Qin, you don’t have to worry anymore. Whatever Hong Kongque says, let it be.”
Qin Nan just nodded again, letting tears fall down. As Zi Cui walked away to pay respects to the deceased.
…
“Kongque.”
Zi Cui, who had just walked away from the funeral, turned to look at the person calling him. He then dragged him to a corner away from prying eyes before frowning and asking, “Who told you to address me like that?”
The person being scolded frowned in response, “Uh… I really can’t get used to your dressing style.”
Zi Cui lowered his head to look at his outfit and then smiled, “I think I dress appropriately.”
“Uh… I really wonder if you secretly put needles to pull your rooster’s hair under that wig.” The person provoked, trying to pull out Zi Cui’s hair and could hear a loud clapping sound.
“You! Pengpeng! You should know best that my face doesn’t have any wrinkles at all.”
“I’m not stupid enough to forget about it.” Lu Yipeng retorted to Zi Cui or Hong Kongque, and then continued speaking.
“And what is inspector Lu doing here? Are you friends with Qin Chengen or something?” The man in the black suit who was questioned, shook his head, “Do you think I dress like this for funerals or something?”
Hong Kongque glanced at the young police officer from head to toe, Lu Yipeng, who was wearing a white t-shirt, dark colored jeans, and a pair of old sneakers. Hong Kongque paused and then continued, “You look okay enough, but you still don’t look old enough.”
Lu Yipeng shrugged casually before immediately speaking, “Alright. You’re involved in this accident, aren’t you? Qin Chengen wouldn’t drive straight into the sea without reason.”
“Uh…” Hong Kongque cried out and made a pitiful face, “What do you see me as, Zhuge Liang? How will I know who will die and when?”
“I don’t know about others, but I think it’s you. You’re definitely involved.”
Hong Kongque made a doubting face, looking at Lu Yipeng as if seeing something strange, “Evidence? An alibi? Nowadays, do police officers need to accuse people without evidence?”
Lu Yipeng gritted his teeth before speaking through clenched teeth, “One day
I have to find out for sure. You watch out.”
Hong Kongque stared at the young police officer for a moment before raising his hand to grab the chin of the other person, “Come live with me, will you? You stay with me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I guarantee you’ll have solid evidence.”
Lu Yipeng brushed Hong Kongque’s hand away, looking disgusted, “I have other things to do, than being your sex slave.”
Hearing this, Hong Kongque chuckled, “Well, do you need me to escort you?”
“No need. I came with a friend.” replied Lu Yipeng immediately. Hong Kongque’s face showed a hint of disappointment, “Pengpeng, visit me at the office tomorrow. I want to see the peafowl on your thigh.”
“I’m not free.” Lu Yipeng answered bluntly. Hong Kongque nodded,
“Alright, then Sunday. I’ll have someone pick you up at work.”
The young police officer turned to him immediately, “No need. I’ll go myself at five in the evening, a little late. No need to send anyone to pick me up.”
Hong Kongque chuckled before waving goodbye, “See you later, Pengpeng.”
Lu Yipeng walked away without even looking back, leaving Kongque behind to stare after him.
…
“Kongque…” a voice called out from the old butler of the house, causing Hong Kongque, who had just come out of the bathroom, to smile.
“Sorry for the delay.” Hong Kongque continued, as the butler nodded his head, “No problem at all, everyone is working hard together. And this situation isn’t too serious.”
“Um.” Hong Kongque nodded, “Go rest, I’ll close the door myself.”
“Alright…” The seventy-year-old man said, before walking out of the room.
Hong Kongque walked to the door, locked it, and then sat on the bed.
Sunday…
…
Note: Let’s not think about Hong Kongque’s age, forget about it hahaha
Leave a Reply