Volume 1: Thunder over the Pass
Episode 1: Cut the Water, Cut the Lifeblood
Midsummer, 2003. Yamaguchi Town, Beihai.
The sun was a killer. It was hot enough to turn a dead fish on the beach into a crisp in seconds. At 3:00 PM, Old Chen—shirtless and slick with sweat—slammed his last empty plastic bucket onto the concrete floor.
Drip.
The faucet wheezed, squeezing out a single drop of rust-colored liquid. Chen cursed and twisted the handle with all his might, but it only emitted a hollow hiss, like a dying man's last breath.
"It's the Qi-Shi Group again," muttered his neighbor, Ah Qiang. He was slumped in a doorway, waving a tattered straw fan, his eyes fixed hopelessly on the construction site nearby. "Word is, Big Boss Qi decided the town's water plant was 'obsolete.' He took it over two days ago, and now every drop of water is flowing straight into his construction site."
Following Qiang's gaze, Chen saw the massive expansion site of the Wholesale Market. Several water trucks were driving arrogantly across the dirt, spraying tons of water just to keep the dust down.
In Yamaguchi Town, Big Boss Qi's name carried more weight than any government seal.
1. The Business of Corruption
At the same time, inside the town's most exclusive "Seaview" VIP suite, the air conditioning was humming.
Big Boss Qi, dressed in a sharp linen shirt, peered through gold-rimmed glasses with half-closed eyes. He was meticulously trimming a cigar for the man sitting across from him: Director Liao.
"Liao, the old guard at the water plant is too rigid," Qi said with a refined smile. He pushed a thick, bulging brown envelope across the revolving table. "Without control over the utilities, developing this town is just a pipe dream."
The envelope spun slowly, stopping right in front of the Director.
Liao's eyes flickered as he weighed the thickness of the bribe. He took a slow sip of chilled cognac. "Qi, water is a public necessity. My office phone is ringing off the hook with complaints. The pressure is immense."
"Pressure is just fuel for progress," Qi replied, patting Liao's hand. He lowered his voice. "I've already sent my 'security team' to talk to the troublemakers. In two days, we'll adjust the water rates and split the extra profit fifty-fifty. As for the city officials? They've already told me that supporting 'local flagship enterprises' is the priority this year."
Liao nodded in silent agreement and slid the envelope into his briefcase.
2. Ruin Under the Treads
Midnight. The Old Bus Station.
This place was the heart of Yamaguchi, filled with generations of memories. To Big Boss Qi, it was merely an "obstacle."
At twelve sharp, a dozen heavy excavators roared to life and breached the station gates.
"What are you doing! Who gave you permission!" an old night watchman screamed, running out in his undershirt. Before he could see their faces, several thugs grabbed him and threw him into an unmarked van.
The sound of crashing walls tore through the silent night.
Big Boss Qi sat in a black sedan nearby, his window rolled down halfway. He watched the dust rise from the ruins and lit the cigar Liao had given him.
"Boss, the site is cleared," his henchman, 'Moray,' whispered. "There are still a few holdouts refusing to sign the demolition papers. Should we cut their power tomorrow?"
"Be professional," Qi said, exhaling a plume of smoke. His eyes were ice-cold. "Cut the water first. Then 'repair' the road. Dig up the main entrance to the station and call it 'Urban Renewal.' When they realize they can't get in or out, they'll come crawling to sign."
3. The Rising Tide
By morning, the people of Yamaguchi woke to a nightmare. Not only were the taps dry, but the main road to the highway had been gouged with trenches several meters deep.
Old Chen stood by the roadside, watching his delivery truck trapped at the dead-end. He was drenched in sweat. He knew this wasn't a road repair.
This was a wall. A wall named "Qi-Shi" was rising to encircle the town.
In this remote corner of the world, Big Boss Qi was completing his evolution from businessman to "Lord of the Town." Behind him, a massive "umbrella" of corruption was unfurling, blocking out the blue sky of the Beihai coast.