Hong Kong News: Police Talker

Chapter 1124 New Territory 'Ding Quan'

MacLehose turned his attention to Watson.

Faced with this situation, Watson was not panicked at all. This was a manifestation of his inner confidence. All the tension was caused by his lack of inner confidence.

"Governor, it's not long until 97. It's extremely irrational for you to go against the mainland at this time. You can protect the Landlord Association now, but can you still do it in two years?"

"As long as you, Governor, don't make any mistakes during these two years and even actively cooperate with the mainland's actions, it's not impossible for them to let you continue to take over the position of Governor after two years. After all, they also need someone who understands Hong Kong Island to continue to govern it."

Faced with Watson's carrot and stick approach, MacLehose's expression eased a little and he began to think internally.

What the other party said seems to make sense. I can protect the Landlord Association now, but how can I protect it two years later?

Just because of these two years, is it necessary for me to go against the mainland? Huang Bingyao clearly wants to stand on the side of the mainland. If I remove his position now, the mainland will definitely target me.

Thinking of this, MacLehose's face turned ugly again. He had been the governor for so long, and he knew best whether there was shit on his ass.

If you look closely, you will find that it is definitely not clean!

After Watson finished speaking, he sat down again and gave Huang Bingyao a reassuring look. He did not expect the other party to be so brave today. He was completely confronting the Governor. He was worthy of being the boss!

There are only wrong names, but no wrong nicknames!

After comforting Huang Bingyao, he watched Murray MacLehose's expression change back and forth, as if he was actually changing his face. He also understood that the other party was weighing the gains and losses.

"Governor, why don't we have the mainland send some people over to discuss and see how they can help us? After all, this is just verbal talk. It's better to talk about this kind of thing in person."

MacLehose thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "You're right!" Then he looked at Wong Bing-yiu and said, "Contact the mainland and ask them to send someone over to discuss this."

At this moment, he forgot that his goal was to save the Landlords' Association, not to negotiate with the mainland, but under the influence of Watson, he still made this decision.

Huang Bingyao looked at MacLehose in disbelief. When he noticed the impatience in his eyes, he came to his senses and said, "Oh, okay, Governor. I'll contact the mainland later!"

Murray MacLehose waved his hand and said in a bad tone: "Okay, you guys go out!"

Huang Bingyao wanted to say something, but Watson pulled him away.

After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Huang Bingyao couldn't help but say, "This MacLehose is a bitch. If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll think I, the top cop, am kidding him. Humph!"

Looking at the proud Huang Bingyao, Watson couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay, okay, I know you are very powerful. The governor doesn't even take you seriously."

Huang Bingyao suddenly said, "Oh, you've been the one contacting the mainland. Contact them later and ask them to send someone over for a detailed discussion. Only after we've communicated with MacLehose can we convict the Landlords' Association. Before that, don't make it public, and don't leak any information about the Landlords' Association."

"Yeah, I understand!" Watson nodded. It was not his first day doing this, and he knew very well that this time the commotion was very big, and if it was leaked, it would easily cause panic.

After returning to the office, Li Wenbin walked in and handed over a report.

"Mr. Hua, this is the report you requested. It's about the demolition in the New Territories." Li Wenbin said solemnly, "Although I haven't examined it in detail, I feel that there is something very complicated going on here."

"Oh, tell me about it!" Watson said with interest. He had already opened the report. When he saw the familiar name of the Lu family, he understood what he had encountered.

Li Wenbin nodded: "This case is very complicated. I checked and found that the conflict between them was caused by one thing, that is - Ding Quan!"

"The concept of Ding rights originated only in the New Territories. The British originally leased the New Territories for 99 years, but encountered strong resistance from the indigenous people. To reduce governance costs, they recognized the traditional land rights of the New Territories gentry in exchange for political cooperation."

"The British government stipulated that land in the New Territories belonged to the state, but indigenous residents could inherit and use the land. In the 1970s, Hong Kong's population surged, and illegal squatters spread. The government needed to regulate rural housing, allowing male descendants of villages established before 1898 (aged 18 and above) to apply once in their lifetime to build a three-storey house (a small house) with each floor not exceeding 700 square feet."

"The purpose of this policy is to exchange the agricultural land held by indigenous residents for the right to build houses for urban development."

"But gradually, some real estate developers discovered the business opportunity in this right to build houses, also known as Ding rights. These developers acquired Ding rights and concentrated the land to build luxury houses."

"The Lu family, the largest gentry in the New Territories, is now collaborating with real estate developers to buy out the land rights held by New Territories residents at low prices, and then working together to build high-rise buildings."

"Yesterday's confrontation involved the Lu family and the real estate developer's construction team, while the New Territories residents united in resistance. The conflict arose over the Ding Quan incident."

After listening to this, Watson couldn't help but look up at Li Wenbin. He could only say, Li Wenbin is worthy of his name. In just one day, he actually figured out the general situation of this matter.

"Well, Sir Li, the Landlords' Association case needs to wait. The Hong Kong Island high-level officials are discussing it, so you can allocate some manpower to investigate the New Territories case. I also feel that this case is not simple. There may be some tricks involved in the Ding rights transaction. You can take your people to investigate it thoroughly."

Seeing that Li Wenbin was about to speak, Watson continued, "Don't worry, this doesn't mean you're kicked out of the Landlords' Association case. Once the higher-ups have negotiated, you can still continue to participate in the investigation. This doesn't mean you're completely abandoning the Landlords' Association case. I'm just asking you to allocate some people to investigate the New Territories case."

"And I will ask the Serious Crime Unit, Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, and Criminal Intelligence Bureau to assist you."

Hearing this, Li Wenbin was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, Mr. Hua, I'll go check the New Territories case first."

Watson nodded with satisfaction. The reason for doing this was very simple. It was to prepare for his future promotion to Commissioner of Police.

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