Li Yong

"The Hop Wei are stepping up their recruitment. If we're going to war... We should probably do the same."

—Li Yong to Mai Ling^[src]

Li Yong is Mai Ling's lover and lieutenant within the Long Zii tong. He has followed her rise to the top of the tong and stood by her faithfully as she claimed her role as head of the Long Zii, having proven that he is both willing to die and kill for her, as seen when he nearly killed Ah Sahm at her command,^[1] though he has been known to also question her decisions, such as allying with the Fung Hai.

Biography[]

Fighting and saving Ah Sahm[]

Upon learning that Ah Sahm is going around Chinatown asking for Mai Ling, Li Yong challenges him to a fight when Ah Sahm refuses to explain why he's searching for her. Li Yong controls the fight for the most part, until Mai Ling intervenes and asks to speak to Ah Sahm in private.^[2]

Li Yong and Mai Ling have sex behind Long Zii's back, and it appears they've been doing so for quite some time. Afterward, Li Yong tells Mai Ling that no one can know about Ah Sahm, but she isn't too worried, certain that Ah Sahm won't stay. Li Yong remarks that Ah Sahm is a skilled fighter, better trained than the average Hop Wei, meaning they're stepping up their recruitment, and the Long Zii should be doing the same.

After his men are attacked and his shipment of opium is destroyed by the Hop Wei, Li Yong approaches the officer that double-crossed his men. He is accompanied by Chao, who translates for him. When the officer draws his gun, Li Yong redirects the weapon and shoots the officer in the head, then instructing Chao to get rid of the body.^[3]

After learning that Ah Sahm has been arrested for attacking a couple of Irish men, Li Yong and Mai Ling pay Paul and Seamus O'Shea a home visit and warn them not show up to court tomorrow, and in return, his family will be unharmed. When Mai Ling pulls a knife on one of his daughters, he reluctantly agrees.^[4]

Recruiting for the Long Zii[]

Li Yong and Mai Ling begin recruitment to build their ranks, but Li Yong is not impressed with the so-called warriors that arrive, making quick work of them. So, Mai Ling out sources and has Chao arrange a meeting with the Fung Hai. After she poisons and kills their current leader, she forges an alliance with his lieutenant, Zing.^[5]

After learning that Long Zii has been killed due to his and Mai Ling's move against the Hop Wei, Li Yong blames himself for not being there to protect him, but Mai Ling reveals that she killed Long Zii, as it was finally their time to take control of the tong. Mai Ling and Li Yong share a kiss before heading downstairs for the funeral.^[6]

The tournament[]

SE1-E08-They-Don't-Pay-Us-Enough-to-Think-03-Mai-Ling-Li-Yong — Mai Ling and Li Yong discuss their options

To settle their differences once and for all, a meeting is arranged between the Long Zii and the Hop Wei. Father Jun is willing to end the war, but only if the opium treaty is upheld. When Mai Ling refuses, Lao Ting proposes that both tongs select their best fighter for a duel. If the Hop Wei win, the treaty stands for five more years. If the Long Zii win, they carve out an area in which they can distribute molasses independently. In this duel, Li Yong is selected to represent the Long Zii against Ah Sahm.^[7]

Li Yong goes head-to-head with Ah Sahm to determine if the Long Zill will be allowed to distribute molasses independently. The fight begins, and the two of them exchange blows. However, the fight turns in Ah Sahm's favor when he lands a single blow to Li Yong's chest and proceeds to knock him unconscious, but before he can take Li Yong's sash from around his waist and claim victory, Li Yong awakens and somehow manages to regain control of the fight. Li Yong delivers a heavy blow, breaking Ah Sahm's nose and grabs Ah Sahm from behind, prepared to snap his neck when Mai Ling gives the signal. But Bill shoots into the sky, bringing the fight to an end and scaring off the crowd. However, before leaving, Li Yong manages to take the sash from around Ah Sahm's waist.^[1]

Li Yong informs Mai Ling that they've been raided again. The cops are out for blood after Officer Lee was put in the hospital by Zing and the Fung Hai.^[8]

Killing the Suey Sing[]

SE2-E02-The-Chinese-Connection-14-Li-Yong — Li Yong warns Loa Che

The Long Zii get word of the Suey Sing tong selling opium in back alleys and brothels. While they're not a threat, Mai Ling sees this as an opportunity to send a message, which Li Yong isn't in agreement with. The leader of the Suey Sing, Loa Che, is young and reckless, but he's not stupid. Li Yong suggests simply talking to him. Mai Ling agrees, but tells Li Yong to bring Zing with him. And in doing so, the Suey Sing ultimately ends up being slaughtered by Zing and the Fung Hai, against Li Yong's wishes, which he realizes may have been Mai Ling's plan all along.^[9]

Questioning Mai Ling's leadership[]

After paying Zing a visit and informing him that his payment is short, Li Yong and Mai Ling receive a visit from Chao, who doesn't seek to work with Zing and tells them to keep him far away, as he's bad for business, which Li Yong agrees, but Mai Ling is determined to make this alliance work. So, Li Yong meets with Chao behind Mai Ling's back to discuss the growing problem that is the Fung Hai. Li Yong could kill Zing, but that would start another war, which would ultimately end with the Hop Wei ending them both. Chao has a better idea, a solution that doesn't require starting a war.^[10]

Li Yong brings Mai Ling to hear out the proposal of a $300 loan to a local merchant for a laundry business. However, she is so impressed that she's willing to give him $1,000 investment, in exchange for 40% of their monthly revenue. Li Yong isn't pleased and confronts Mai Ling, as he offered Li Wei a loan, not a buyout. However, Mai Ling argues that the more legitimate businesses they own, the less they expose themselves to. One day, the government may decide to take out the tongs, and when that happens, Mai Ling wants to have a back-up plan.^[11]

Framing Zing[]

While Li Yong may not approve of their alliance with the Fung Hai, Mai Ling argues that it's necessary. Though, Li Yong would beg to differ and enacts his plan with Chao, which consists of him infiltrating the Fung Hai den as one of Chao's helpers and planting a sword in Zing's room to frame him as the swordsman that been killing people. However, he is discovered, which results in an all out brawl and Li Yong facing off with Zing, who is an inferior fighter. So much so, that he resorts to grabbing the same sword Li Yong had just planted in his room. Sergeant O'Hara arrives and catches Zing with the sword in hand. While Bill is distracted with Zing, Li Yong flees out a window and returns to the Long Zii den, where he reveals to Mai Ling that Zing was apprehended, as he was out of control and ordered the death of a police sergeant and his family. The cops have their killer, and the raids will end now, Li Yong hopes.^[12]

Li Yong reveals to Mai Ling that in accordance to Fung Hai tradition, the top three guys will fight for power until only one is left to replace Zing. Li Yong believes that they can still make this work in their favor, just not with Zing, who was out of control. Later, while having sex, she grabs a rope from underneath the pillow and ties it around Li Yong's neck. He's cautious, but she tells him to let go of her arm and trust her, or don't and leave. Li Yong chooses to trust Mai Ling and releases his grip as she tightens the rope around his neck.^[13]

The riot in Chinatown[]

Li Yong and the Long Zii fight alongside Ah Sahm and the Hop Wei when Chinatown is attacked by an angry mob of Irish men.^[14]

After having defeated the invaders, Li Yong accompanies Mai Ling to meet with Ah Sahm and Young Jun, to whom she reveals that she and Ah Sahm are siblings, in an attempt to drive a wedge between them.^[15]

Questioning Mai Ling's leadership[]

After welcoming his mentor Kong Pak into the Long Zii, the two of them discuss their long-standing relationship and how Li Yong was supposed to take over the tong after Long Zii died, but Li Yong claims that Mai Ling has done more for the tong that he ever has and that he's not a leader.^[16]

Li Yong is concerned about the amount of time Mai Ling has been spending in the pond, but she assures him that she's fine and instructs him to meet with Muchen, the leader of the Three Brothers. Despite Li Yong not trusting them, he does as commanded, though it would seem his distrust of the Three Brothers was warranted, as they attempt to assassinate Li Yong during the meeting. With help from Kong Pak, they kill Muchen and incapacitate his hatchet men.^[17]^[18]

Significant kills[]

Police officer — Li Yong killed a police officer who doubled crossed his men and gave the location of their opium pick-up to the Hop Wei.^[3]
Fung Hai hatchet men — Li Yong killed members from the Fung Hai after sneaking inside their base to frame Zing for the murders of several white men.^[12]

Skills and abilities[]

Li Yong is an incredibly skilled martial artist, arguably the most skilled in all of Chinatown, having defeated both Ah Sahm and Zing in fair combat.

Li Yong seems to be a practitioner of the Hung Gar Kung Fu style, which focuses more on long and short hand techniques, and shows himself to practice more grounded stances than Ah Sahm or Zing. However Li Yong does not lack for agility and is extremely athletic and quick, casually overwhelming lesser opponents with his speed and strength. Li Yong is frequently seen doing forms in his spare time and ending these sessions with breathing exercises. Li Yong also displays excellent endurance and stamina, capable of fighting for long periods and enduring intense punishment.

Li Yong casually dominates most opponent’s due to his immense training and developed skill. Young Jun was casually bested by Li Yong’s strong defensive skills. Ah Sahm, Zing and Kong Pak are the only opponents he has faced that came close to defeating him due to their abilities.