The renowned Hei Bai Qie (sliced meats) stall at the Pingtung Night Market in Taiwan, which was just recently honored as one of the “Pingtung 100 Bowls” last year, has been rocked by a shocking underworld vendetta. The 30-year-old young boss, surnamed Xu, was attacked after standing up for his younger brother—allegedly kidnapped and tortured in public by an enemy surnamed Chen. Xu's four limbs were smashed with a hammer, resulting in comminuted fractures, and tendons in his hands and feet were reportedly severed. While he is not currently in life-threatening condition, it is possible he could suffer permanent disability in the future.
According to reports, the 30-year-old Xu is the young boss of this famous night market eatery, known for its Hei Bai Qie. The stall was recognized among the “Pingtung 100 Bowls” last year, and the owner (Xu’s father) is known for being kind. The family’s business enjoys a solid reputation locally. At the time of the incident, Xu’s parents were happily traveling in Turkey. Unexpectedly, just after landing and turning on their phones, they were bombarded with calls and received dreadful news that their youngest son was critically injured.
Police investigation revealed that the violent conflict stemmed from a financial dispute. Xu got involved after standing up for his younger brother, who had become entangled with a fraud syndicate as an unlicensed taxi driver, leading to a grudge with 27-year-old Chen’s group. On the 17th of this month, Xu reportedly led others to hack Chen's friend in the leg and, after being released on bail, even taunted online with “Just you wait!” This infuriated the opposing side.
Chen soon launched a “gangster-movie-style” retaliation. On the 19th, he and his associates rammed Xu’s scooter with a car and abducted him. Xu was tortured for two hours, then, bloody and near collapse, dragged from the trunk of a BMW and violently dumped at the entrance of a hospital emergency room before the attackers fled.
Dr. Xie Yu-Min, ICU director of Baojian Hospital, said Xu’s body was covered in knife and blunt-force injuries, with particularly severe wounds concentrated on his limbs—his kneecaps and elbows were broken, with large open wounds bleeding excessively, causing low blood pressure and anemia due to blood loss. Xu is believed to have been struck repeatedly with hammers or other blunt instruments, with bones in all four limbs nearly shattered and tendons almost severed, leaving only partial connection. Though extensive cleaning and surgery have been completed, nerve and tendon damage is severe and permanent disability is possible, showing the attackers' extreme brutality.
The main suspect Chen has surrendered to police. Last night (20th), prosecutors requested the court to hold him incommunicado on charges including attempted murder, causing serious injury, and unlawful detention. Police are also pursuing three other accomplices who remain at large.