Head of The Table

The Tang Dynasty

Who in the world is born a billionaire? Well Ben wasn’t infact, before being a wealthy and filthy rich man he is now, he was nothing but a low life peasant being choked by the daily increased budget. He had the idea, he had the strategies but he lacked the core element money, capital. Ben needed money for his dream to be a reality.

So wondering where the Tang family came in in this mix-up? Well they were the number 2 richest family in Korea at the time. And were willing to finance any business that brought profit and had less taxation rates. “Drug smuggling? Mhhh! Never invested in such a venture before.” Mr. Tang sounded amazed, he was instantly admired by Ben’s imagination. “And are you certain that you will prosper in this?, because I don’t invest in illusions.” Tang questioned, he maintained eye contact with him.

If he fledges he isn’t confident. Ben knew this psychology and straight in Tang’s eyes, he nodded confidently. Mr. Tang admired this quality “Hope we will enjoy this business journey” he chuckled, “As well!” Ben retorted and there, that association gave birth to one of the present drug turfs globally.

But as it goes the devil never likes good news. A millennia down the line the business bond between these two was undamaged, until one fatal Sunday when Tang was on his way home from the shrine, boom! He collapsed. “Clear!’’ the head nurse ushered, he had no pulse until…there it was Tang was alive thank God! Everyone exclaimed gladden that Tang hadn’t succumbed to death’s clutches.

Too early, they were rejoicing way too early and that’s when the devil chuckled, fools they haven’t known yet!. “Wait why isn’t he talking?” Li asked anonymously, “Father!” He called again. What the hell! Why isn’t he speaking? He has a pulse he should be okay unless…No it can’t be! But it was.

Yes, their nightmare had dawned, Mr. Tang had a stroke, 85% of his neural system was paralyzed and only his pinky fingers could move. What next? He can’t manage the business in such a condition. Everyone wondered. There was a leadership vacuum, very risky so they had to find a substitute fast.

Li and Wu were chosen, they were the only sons of Mr. Tang so it made sense that they were to lead. What a bad idea, they just sparked the beginning of a feud that would go down in history books. On the fatal day, when trouble fell on Mr. Tang, and since the business bond was in question, hell was about to break loose!.

Ben got the news a day later, he was saddened he was connected closely with Mr. Tang. But even worse he was worried, afraid, Ben wasn’t comfortable with what he heard next when he cut the line. Li and Wu, Tang only sons, were in control of the family business including the one they had.

The brothers weren’t like their father, they were not listeners, wise, worse they were just in their early youth, still full of teenager crap!. The two were tyrants in the making, nothing less of heartless, they were born savages full of the lust off power. They were greedy, thirsty for more and more wealth. Simply, they were just amateur, dim witted, merciless twats given power and access to wealth capable of governing a country for five electoral years. Bad idea! A really bad idea!

Ben knew this, he sensed they were full of lust and greed, a threat that was a possible damage to this business cooperation. Be on alert, these dim wits may try something fishy! Eyes open his instincts cautioned him.

“Can’t we manage our business, why do we have to depend on some black baboons selling us goods instead of the other way round?” Li asked Wu full of aggression. Li was hot headed, easily pissed off, once he stabbed his dog because he called it and it didn’t answer, talk of being heartless.

“I know what you mean but think…Li think…if we are going to stab these blacks out of the market, we have to be ready.” Wu retorted back in a calm relaxed way. Wu was the opposite of Li he was calm, a man who thought before doing things, a character that made him his dad’s right hand.

“Know who we are up against, if we seal Ben off, we lack goods so we have to stock our warehouses full.” Wu continued. Then following the next months they order double or even triple shipments than usual. Ben smelt something was cooking and it wasn’t good, yap! They are definitely crafting Ben assured himself.

Warehouses full, they were good time for phase 2 getting rid of the source in this case making Ben disappear. So on the next payment they planned to bomb Ben and his companions, all set Li had the detonator in his pocket, just has to wait for Ben to pick it up and, boom goes the cannon!

It worked they are dead, the brothers fist bumped each other as they drove off looking back at the chaotic warzone behind them. “War is beautiful isn’t it brother?” Li asked Wu with a smirk, “Yes, very beautiful” he uttered back returning the smirk. Confident of their success, they planned on how they would remake the family name from the core upwards. But oh dear for them, they had no idea.

Ever heard of a saying never count your chicks before they hatch? Well apparently the Tang brothers didn’t , and clearly, they were to learn of it soon enough.

Panting, a bullet in his knee, a fractured hand and an almost blind eye, Yun Jin, the lead henchman, dragged himself into the Tang’s mansion. Trembling, afraid, anxious Yun Jin said while on his knees,” they escaped… they survived”. These words brought silence in the mansion.

“Pardon you…did you say they survived, Ben survived that freakish explosion!” Wu exclaimed. He sounded tensed, he was afraid, no one ever saw Wu in such a condition. He had to, he had one shot and he missed the target, now he just sparked the beginning of the war. Ben survived and his pissed off, big time!