Chapter 7: Enlightenment by the Pond?

Lin Tiansheng spent six hundred dollars at a camera accessories shop on six second-hand lenses with scratched glass. In the electronics district, lenses were prohibitively expensive, often costing thousands, but those with scratches were heavily discounted—and a sight didn't require a high-quality lens anyway.

After picking out suitable plastic piping at a stall to serve as a barrel, he only needed three more components: a light source, a reticle, and a circuit. The core principle of a red dot sight is to use a beam splitter and a power source to project a visible, point-like light source. The essential technology was an LED (light-emitting diode). The beam splitter and housing were already century-old technologies, widely used in various consumer electronics.

Once he had the reticle, he set his sights on laser pointers. At the time, a laser pointer was the most compact device that integrated both a light source and power, offering enough precision to ensure effective shooting within fifteen meters. However, in the 1980s, laser pointers had limited applications, appearing only in laboratory equipment or engineering tools. When he couldn't find any in the electronics shops, Lin Tiansheng wasn't discouraged. He turned his attention to shops selling industrial tools and managed to buy second-hand laser pointers from a welding supply store.

Unlike the finger-sized micro laser pointers of the future, the civilian ones available then were as thick as a wrist. Each cost six hundred Hong Kong dollars; six of them cost three thousand six hundred. After some haggling, he secured a three-hundred-dollar discount, but even after emptying his pockets, he still owed the owner one thousand. Buying expensive items on credit was common in those days, and after flashing his police badge, the owner begrudgingly agreed and even let him use the workshop.

In just half an hour, six jet-black, solder-jointed, hand-crafted red dot sights sat on the table. They resembled rifle scopes and looked quite intimidating.

The shop owner clicked his tongue in wonder. "Nice craftsmanship, Officer. Were you in the military?"

Lin Tiansheng tucked the items into a bag and glanced back, joking, "Don't ask too many questions about the police, or you might end up in jail."

"Damn, I actually liked you better when you were asking for credit," the owner laughed and cursed. His eyes lingered on the bag as he muttered, "Why stay on the force? Work for me, you could make ten thousand a month."

"I'll come back to pay my debt when I get my paycheck next month. I'm off." Lin Tiansheng picked up the bag and scanned the shelves. "Clean this place up. Next time, don't let me catch you with contraband—you'd save yourself a thousand dollars."

"Is that how you thank me?" the owner grumbled loudly. Still, he did have illegal detonators and gun parts in his warehouse, occasionally making some money on the side. Lin Tiansheng had only chosen to enter the shop after spotting some rifle parts in the pile at the entrance; having secured his goods, he couldn't be bothered to pursue the matter.

Hong Kong had many such underground "gun dens" that provided basic weaponry to gang members. The real armories, however, were never located in the bustling electronics district.

Lin Tiansheng returned to the West Kowloon headquarters and summoned Zhang Jinrong, Ma Delong, and the other three men. Their requisition report for weapons, submitted that morning, had been approved. Each was authorized to carry an M16 assault rifle with four magazines of 5.56mm ammunition.

The British colonial authorities imposed strict firepower restrictions on the police force. Departments like the Regional Crime Unit and the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) were generally limited to carrying .38 revolvers. Only paramilitary units like the Police Tactical Unit, the Special Duties Unit (SDU), and the Airport Security Unit were permitted to carry assault rifles and shotguns. However, when handling high-risk missions, officers from the Regional Crime Unit could submit a report to temporarily requisition assault rifles and bulletproof vests.

*Click-clack.*

After pulling the charging handles, checking the rifling, and personally inspecting the weapons, Lin Tiansheng put on his bulletproof vest and slung his rifle over his shoulder. He waved his hand and commanded, "Move out."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Jinrong, Ma Delong, and the others stood to attention, saluted, and followed their sergeant out to two temporarily assigned unmarked police cars.

"Rong, take the lead car. Old Ma, take the rear. We're heading to Tuen Mun first," Lin Tiansheng said as he opened the passenger door. Ma Delong nodded, then asked, "Boss, aren't we supposed to meet them at Lung Kwu Tan?"

"There's still time. Let's test the guns and grab some dinner first," Lin Tiansheng smiled.

Watching the two cars speed away, Pi Zhibang stood in the third-floor office of the Operations Bureau Chief, smiling broadly as he held a lighter to help the British Chief Inspector, Henry, light his cigar. "Sir, it's done. I didn't tell them that the thug landing on the shore is Li Xudong."

Henry exhaled a long plume of smoke, looking satisfied. "Well done. The Superintendent will remember you."

"It is my honor to serve you, sir!" Pi Zhibang tucked away the lighter, bowed, and saluted. Huang Ye, a Senior Inspector from the West Kowloon OCTB, cast a look of contempt, silently cursing, "Fat pig, bootlicker."

Pi Zhibang turned around. "Inspector Huang, what do you think?"

Huang Ye’s square face remained cold, his thick eyebrows knit together. He cleared his throat and said in a rasping voice, "I think Inspector Pi is quite skilled at doing the dirty work. Just kidding. Those poor bastards are rushing to die at the crack of dawn to get a head start on reincarnation—very clever of them."

Pi Zhibang’s smile remained slick, though his eyes were dark and his tone carried a chill. "Indeed. If they dare to offend the big bosses, they're dead meat."

"Stop the car," Lin Tiansheng commanded as they passed through a wooded area. Zhang Jinrong braked immediately, puzzled. "Boss, what’s up?"

"Everyone out, come here. Let's test the gear." Lin Tiansheng used the radio to call the men from both cars over. He took the hand-crafted red dots out of his bag and distributed them.

Ma Delong asked, "Boss, what are these?"

"Follow my lead and mount them." Lin Tiansheng took out some wire and fastened the sights, though he didn't tie them down completely, leaving room for later adjustments.

When Lin Tiansheng stepped into the woods, switched on the sight, and aimed the light at a leaf, the officers finally realized what it was, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Young officer He Li widened his eyes, his throat bobbing as he stammered, "Lin... Inspector Lin, is this military-grade gear?"

Gao Zucong didn't hesitate; he fired a test shot. Although it was slightly off, his expression remained one of pure surprise. Precision aside, with a red dot, even just the pointing capability was a massive threat.

Zhang Jinrong unscrewed a flask and took a swig of whiskey, cursing, "Damn it, are you stupid? This crude-looking thing is clearly something the boss built himself."

"Boss, did you learn all this during your three years at the reservoir?"

Ma Delong and Liu Yida, usually men of few words, quietly tested their guns. After just three rounds, they adjusted the sights, and the precision improved dramatically.

"Incredible, truly incredible! With this, we'll take down every one of those mainland thugs tonight!"

The upgrade in equipment immediately gave the anxious squad a massive sense of security. They felt their odds had increased significantly, and victory was within reach. The boost in morale made the men—formerly "shrimp soldiers and crab generals" transferred from the reservoir—much more obedient.

Lin Tiansheng's authority as a commander was slowly being built, piece by piece, through these actions. Because ammunition was limited—each person only had five rounds for calibration—Lin Tiansheng adjusted his own gun first and then helped his subordinates with theirs.

Once that was done, the group went to a street stall in Tuen Mun for dinner. After sunset, they arrived at Lung Kwu Beach in the New Territories.