Chapter 11: Spending Money to Save a Life

“Bodyguard?” Butler Hu was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood and replied earnestly, “If you mean bodyguards, I’ve seen quite a few. You know what kind of place Diaoyutai is—I have some experience in this area.”

Zhuang Chen invited him to sit again, personally poured a fresh cup of tea, and listened intently. Expertise comes from specialization—serving national leaders at Diaoyutai is no small feat and certainly not just an empty reputation.

He sincerely sought advice, “I’d like to find a driver, someone who can get in and out conveniently. Do you have any good recommendations?”

Butler Hu accepted the tea with both hands, saw that Zhuang Chen was not joking, and spoke seriously, “Since you value my opinion, I’ll share some personal suggestions. Ultimately, how you choose depends on your own judgment.”

Zhuang Chen nodded, ready to listen. Butler Hu took a sip of tea and explained, “Having worked at the State Guesthouse for so many years, I’ve seen many bodyguards. Foreign leaders, of course, use government agents. Wealthy businessmen prefer Israeli security firms—small countries with frequent unrest breed high real-world skills, like Blackwater.”

“As for domestic figures, I’ve seen a fair number. Take Jack Ma, for instance—his security is simple, with just one true bodyguard. Li Tianjin’s official role is security assistant, always at his side.”

“Jack Ma is a martial arts enthusiast, practices Tai Chi himself, and his bodyguard was once the national Tai Chi champion. Not only is he skilled in combat, but he excels in defeating opponents with a single move. It’s said that more than twenty people couldn’t get close to him.”

“In terms of genuine security protocols, the minimum bodyguard team size should be three, since a person’s field of vision is only 120 degrees. Three people can cover a full 360-degree surveillance.”

“For super-rich individuals like Jack Ma, a normal bodyguard team should have at least five members, plus a professional security assessment team to regularly evaluate his safety.”

“For example, are there recent disputes in business collaborations? Has anyone issued threats? Or has there been unusual criminal activity in the city where he currently lives?”

Once Butler Hu began discussing his expertise, he spoke at length, “If a notorious criminal, like the one who kidnapped Li Chao-ren’s son, is reported to be in Jack Ma’s city or might appear in his future travel itinerary, security must be heightened.”

“A bodyguard who can’t fight is definitely unqualified, but someone who only knows how to fight is far from sufficient. Bodyguards require much more complex skills, such as emergency medical care and specialized driving.”

“Years ago, Victor Li was kidnapped after his car was stopped by the Cheung Tsz-keung gang. The most vulnerable moments are when the vehicle is in transit; without superb driving skills, it’s hard to ensure the employer’s safety.”

“Training also includes firearms proficiency and handling explosives. In 2004, billionaire Ge Jun-ming was killed in his office by a homemade bomb.”

“That’s why professional bodyguards must inspect for explosives every time they drive or enter an office. Even the employer’s residence requires periodic spot checks.”

“In summary, a truly good bodyguard needs not only professional training, but also extensive experience and a keen sense of security. Only robust state agencies and specialized bodyguard schools can produce such talent.”

Zhuang Chen nodded silently. He realized that mastering any profession was far from easy. Butler Hu, sensing the atmosphere had grown heavy, joked, “For example, Bill Gates’s security team is one of the highest commercial secrets in the security world. No one knows how many bodyguards there are or who his close protection officers are.”

“His security strategy is so-called ‘invisible security.’ Besides the driver and secretary, the bodyguards must stay inconspicuous, wearing different attire depending on the occasion, blending into the surroundings. Unless the employer is in danger, they don’t reveal themselves.”

“After the embarrassing incident of someone throwing a cake at him, Gates invested directly in the world’s largest security company, G4S in the UK. This company not only has a global security network, but also provides security for the Olympics and other major events.”

“As a significant shareholder, his security naturally comes from this top-tier firm. The super-rich not only choose the right people, but also the right companies—sometimes buying the company outright. That’s the privilege of wealth!”

“There’s also Li Chao-ren from Hong Kong Island. His close friend was the first Commissioner of Police. Before the 1960s, he served in the Police Political Department, which was essentially an intelligence agency under MI5.”

“After retirement, he founded a company providing high-end bodyguard services. All members came from the VIP protection unit of the police—commonly known as the G4 agent bodyguard team.”

“He also hired retired Gurkha soldiers at high salaries. The Gurkhas are a mountain people near the Himalayas, known for their industriousness, bravery, and physical strength. Even after the British withdrew from the region, thousands of young men were recruited annually to join the British Army as renowned Gurkha mercenaries.”

“A team made up of retired G4 agents and Gurkha mercenaries became Li Chao-ren’s security detail. Last time at the State Guesthouse, he was accompanied by four close protection officers, all Gurkha mercenaries.”

“They’re extremely loyal, and importantly, they don’t understand Cantonese or Teochew, making it hard for them to overhear business secrets during daily conversations or phone calls.”

“The richest man, Wang Jianlin, has served in the military. His entourage consists of retired special forces soldiers—a team of twenty-five. Wherever he goes, he travels with great pomp and circumstance.”

Butler Hu saw Zhuang Chen deep in thought and concluded, “It mainly depends on your needs and connections. If it’s just for simple outings, three to five people are more than enough. Take the capital, for example—there are fifty billionaires per hundred thousand residents, and public security is excellent, so…”

Zhuang Chen nodded. He had no enemies; hiring a bodyguard was just for peace of mind. Since he needed a driver, he might as well hire both at once and save trouble.

“If you want a recommendation…” Butler Hu pondered for a moment and offered sincerely, “Personally, I recommend Dewei International Group. Their headquarters is at 179 Longtang Road, staffed by seasoned security professionals.”

“They have former police leaders, high-ranking officers who participated in international peacekeeping missions, most of whom directly commanded the core security work during the 2008 Olympics. They also employ British and French security experts from internationally renowned security companies.”

“Especially with an overseas headquarters in Hong Kong Island, and offices in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, plus a base in Phuket. Their partners are all top international security firms, with operations in over sixty countries and regions. If you enjoy traveling abroad, you can feel secure.”

Zhuang Chen made a mental note. What had started as a casual conversation now left him genuinely interested. One should never intend harm, but must always guard against it—being alone, it was wise to have some protection.

Now that he knew the address, he decided to visit. The next morning, he went to 179 Longtang Road and found the company housed in a traditional courtyard. After telling the receptionist he wanted to hire a bodyguard, he was led to the VIP lounge and began filling out a form.

“Mr. Zhuang, here is the information sheet. Please fill it out truthfully. We will recommend suitable candidates based on your specific needs.”