Original subtitles

Mr. Ma

"Inn"

Get up, up

Get up

Yes, yes

Get up

You shouldn't be in my way

You shouldn't sleep in the stairway, damn it!

You've already kicked me once

I think that's enough

What are you talking about?

He paid you, but there's no space to sleep

And you're beating him up?

He has paid? How much?

If you can afford it

You can go sleep in Xi Hui Fang brothel

There you can pick girls to sleep with you

Don't look down on others

What if I do?

Do you know this is Shanghai?

You country bumpkins from Shantung...

hoping to earn a living here?

Forget it

Never mind, let's go

Ma Yongzhen, watch your back

If you bother me again

I'll make your life miserable here in Shanghai

Damn it!

I heard Shanghai is full of opportunities

What is needed is just the strength and ability

Brother Ma, you haven't had your chance yet

When you have the chance

Your life will pick up

"Xi Hui Fang Brothel"

"Tan"

Hey

Leave! Who told you to wash the horses?

Mister, I'm Xiao Jiangbei. Me and Brother Ma

...have been cleaning up the carriages here

Xiao Jiangbei, there's no need to explain to him

Who does he think he is?

He is but a mere coachman

So? You're just a bum

Looking down upon us?

I'm not doing as great as you are now

But I'm sure my good days will come

I doubt it

Stay and wash my carriage, I'll pay you

We don't want your money

You want us to beat you up?

You beat me?

I suggest you cut that out

But if you insist, I can't stop you

Cheeky, are we!

You've got quite a fist

I might be a bum, I can fight

Leave!

Enjoying yourself?

Lt's tough for us to get the carriage cleaning job

What now?

We can find another job

That's easy for you to say

Hey, wait up

Master Tan Si

Good morning

What's your name?

Ma Yongzhen

Fellow man from Shantung?

You sure have a bad temper

To make a living in Shanghai

You can offend anything and anyone...

except money

Clean up my carriage now

You've the strength

Clean it up and this dollar is yours

Ma Yongzhen, I'm disappointed in you

You planned on picking up the dollar?

If you want to make money

Look right in front of you

This costs quite a bit

Why don't you take this?

That would be robbing

Who doesn't rob in Shanghai?

Back off

Master Tan Si, I've heard of your reputation

You live up to your reputation

If I'm no good, I wouldn't have my reputation

But I'm almost as good as you

You've still got a lot to learn, brother

The coin is still yours

Wait, Master Tan Si

Stop

I don't care for this dollar

Very well, I'm impressed

Brother Ma, are you mad?

Why did you throw away the dollar?

If only I could be like him one day

I've got 20 cents, Brother Ma

Let's go to Pot of Spring teahouse for some ballads

"Pot of Spring Teahouse"

Go! Beat them up!

So that they will disappear from Shanghai

Beat them

Hey, did he kidnap your sister? What's that for?

You...

What?

Look

Life's getting tougher everyday

Even such a vagrant is complaining to me

Are you a vegetarian today?

Move over! Let me deal with him

No? Don't you know why I'm here?

You don't know?

I can't imagine why

This is our turf now

Sing your songs well

Did you see me getting rid of Tan Si's men?

They're dying outside

That's between you and Tan

You better serve me well

Brother Fan...

Still haven't taken care of them?

We were about to wrap up

A man appeared out of no where

Brother Li got hurt too

Who's he? Tan Si's man?

No, a newcomer. Never seen him before

Hey, Li. You broke your arm?

Tell him who I am

Hey you, listen carefully

This is Fan Agen, Head of the 'Four Champions'

I didn't want to fight you

He killed a man

And pushed him on me

Are you working for Tan Si?

I work for myself

I'm sure you've heard...

of 'Four Champions' before?

Yes, I have

And I've just fought with you

The one with the knife isn't that good

You want to get yourself killed?

I bear no grudge against you

But if you insist, I won't stop you

What's your name? Where do you live?

Ma Yongzhen. I live in an inn when...

I can afford it, otherwise I live on the streets

Fine, I'll be looking for you. Let's go

Let's go

Got outdone by him

Never mind, let's go

That kid has got fists like iron

He's got to have practiced for at least 10 years

Where is he from?

No idea

Xiao Jiangbei, the one who's with Ma

I know him, he's just a hillbilly

No wonder Li got his arm broken

Ma Yongzhen won't be easy to deal with

Let's go and report to the boss

Let's go

Brother Ma, you're still in the mood for music?

Of course

We've got nothing better to do

You beat two of the 'Four Champions'

Three of them

That was brief with their leader

He'll hurt for a few days

Jin Lingzi, come here

Yes

What do you want to listen?

I have no money for tunes

You helped us kick out the 'Four Champions'

It's the least we could do

We could do with friends like you

I didn't do that for you

I don't need you to treat me

Here's a few dollars, keep it

After I've reported to Master Tan Si...

I'm Ma Yongzhen, Master Tan Si knows me

Tell him that

I didn't do this for him

I did this for myself

I don't want your money, or his money

I'll see him again

Wait till we are equals

Yes, yes

Goodbye then

The 'Four Champions' work for Boss Yang

Better stay away from them

I didn't provoke them

But I am involved now

You work for me

What's this? Asking me for help?

No, boss

We could have nailed him

Only that...

What? You're afraid of Tan Si?

I sent you to compete for his territory

What are you afraid of?

Boss

Ma Yongzhen doesn't work for Tan Si

I fear that he will lean onto his side

That won't do any damage to Tan Si

You've been working for me a long time

Don't you get this?

Boss, I've an idea

We'll use Ma as a pawn against Tan Si

That will save us lots of trouble

Now that you've got status

You don't want to do the dirty work?

Boss, we'll go and deal with Tan Si now

You think Tan Si would be so easy to handle?

Send a dinner invitation to Tan Si

Inviting him for dinner?

You must all attend

And apologize to him

Trust me, it's the right thing to do

You've got so much to learn

Any special business going on?

Wrestling tournament, we've a foreign boxer

Each challenger has to pay 20 cents

Whoever knocks him down

Can get 20 dollars

That should be profitable

Buy wine for the men with the profit

Maintain a low profile these few days

Tan Si is competing with us for the opium deal

There might be bloodshed

Yes, yes

Wait, that Ma Yongzhen...

Ma Yongzhen

One of you pays him a visit

You met him through a fight

It’s better to have a friend

...than a foe

Yes

Lu Pu, you heard them

A bloody mere cipher...

broke Li Caichun's arm

And is responsible for Agen's swollen fist

Boss, let me take care of him

Not yet

Not yet

I'm off

Bye

Bye

Let's have something to eat. I'm treating

Afterwards we'll go to find some girls

You're thinking about hookers?

You'd be lucky to get past the Four Champions

You could have asked for Master Tan's help

You don't get it. I envy him

I want to be like him, I don't want his help

Yes, that day will come soon

He's eating expensive dishes, you're having noodles

He's sleeping with the high class courtesans

And you with the lowest of sluts

He has his own carriage

You can't even afford a trishaw ride

I'll make a name of my own one day

Let's drink to Master Tan Si

Cheers

Boss Yang

These men who work for me

...are blessed by their ancestors

Someone took care of the situation

There was a savior

I've asked them to

...apologize to you

So I hope this will be over

Sure

About the shipment arriving next month...

Boss Yang...

this is no time for business

It’s late

Where's your friend now?

Soliciting a female company

I don't know where he is

I'll go look for him

Hatchet Zhang Jinfa of the Four Champions

...is waiting for you with seven men

You better stay away

Don't worry, I've seen them before

Xiao Jiangbei told me, but...

Don't worry, I'll be fine

We see each other everyday

We've helped each other out

When my life turns better

I won't forget my poor fellow-men

Brother Ma

Ma Yongzhen

We came here to see you

Move away, Xiao Jiangbei

You don't believe us? Look

What do you want?

Boss Yang sent me here to tell you

He's got a job offer for you

He's got a job offer

What kind of job?

You should know that Boss Yang and Tan Si

They've been rivals

Men working for Tan Si are all useless

If you can take over his jurisdiction

Boss Yang won't bother you

What's this about?

Boss Yang's handout?

Think it over

If you don't have enough men

Boss Yang can help you

Never mind

Go tell Boss Yang

I've met with Master Tan Si once

He's a man of influence

And I'm a poor man who sleeps here

But I think of him as a friend

You're going up against us?

What are you scared of?

You've got men, knives, hatchets

You control half of Shanghai

You don't have to worry about me

I don't think you'd dare to do anything

Brother Ma

Go

Ma Yongzhen, I think your luck begins

There's an empty room upstairs, go sleep

Don't hang around in the attic

I can't afford the rent upstairs

Just pay when you have the money

Unbelievable

You are never that generous

Please go

Brother Ma is going up the ladder

Brother Ma

Xiao Jiangbei

Brother Ma, there's a foreign wrestler

Think you can tackle him?

What?

There's a wrestling contest against a foreign strong man

20 cents for a challenge

You can have a challenge on stage

If you can knock him down

You stand to win 20 bucks

20 dollars? Let's go

"Russian Muscle Man's Wrestling Tournament"

That's unfair

Do you know how to?

Calm down, everyone

Anyone else up to the challenge?

If you can knock him down

You get 20 dollars

I'll have a go

Try hard

In the past week, we've made an average...

profit of 20, 30 dollars a day

So many people are hoping to strike it rich

Beat him

More power

Get up and fight

Go! Yes!

Ma Yongzhen's here

I just recovered, he's here again?

Ma Yongzhen? He's here for the wrestling, eh?

That's the word

Tan Si has given his territory...

nearby the Pot of Spring teahouse to him

Ma didn't take the protection fees

He just told them to keep the money

He hasn't shown up in more than ten days

If he's here to challenge, he's not in it for the cash

How could you do that?

That's unfair

Are you up to it, Brother Ma?

This guy knows kung fu, it should be fun

Gentlemen, please sit down

Please know your limits before your challenge

This Russian has gone everywhere

He is matchless

I'll try

Please

Go! Go! Go!

Great!

Go, Brother Ma!

Well done, Brother Ma!

Excellent!

You've got guts

Brother Ma

You deserve this, muscle man

Well done

Can I go now?

Leave...

Ma Yongzhen

Look what you've done to my business

That's your rules

The Russian bum is a laugh, and you too?

Look down

What do you have to say now?

Hear my fists

How's your arm?

Go, Brother Ma!

20 dollars is yours

I can’t just leave like this

You told me to say something

What do you want to say?

I want to tell you to go to the doctor again

I only dislocated your joint

If you can't even bear the pain

You don't live up to your name

Haven't been to Pot of Spring Teahouse for a while

Right

You three

Get all our poor friends from the inn

I'll be waiting in the teahouse

Sure, let's go

Great!

You may order whatever you like to eat, sir

The cashier will be coming soon

The cashier? Do I owe you money?

Stop kidding, Boss Ma

Boss Ma... Boss Ma!

Here comes the cashier

Brother Ma, we've been awaiting you a long time

You've been busy

The protection fees we've collected, please count

Protection fees?

Yes

The money...

After the turf war against the Four Champions

Master Tan Si said he couldn't collect

The protection fees...

of the hawkers in the area

in the vicinity of the teahouse

For you kicked the Four Champions out

This territory is yours from now on

Brother Ma, this is only a small turf

Five, six dollars a day

Mater Tan Si said...

If Brother Ma has enough men

Then we don't need to interfere

But if there's anything we can do

We would treat you like Master Tan Si

Brother Ma

It’s 67 dollars 80 cents in total, count it

There're lots of people working for you

Master Tan Si asked for a low rate

If you want to raise the amount

No one will oppose

We just want to do business peacefully

That's enough

Xiao Jiangbei, I'm now in charge of the

...territory around this teahouse

Let's have a feast

Don't hesitate

It’s my treat

Miss Jin, it's Brother Ma's first day here

Something cheerful would be in order

Yes, yes

What would you like to listen, boss Ma?

Whatever

I won't take it. Spare us the protection fee for 10 days

What's your problem, Jin Lingzi?

What's your attitude about?

Master Tan Si, Brother Ma

or Jin Laoqi from earlier days

or whoever is in charge next

We must pay protection fees to him

What's wrong with that?

If you don't pay...

what do we live on?

Sing

Yes

What's with the face?

Be cheerful

Forget it if you don't wish to sing

Brother Ma, drag her back in

No, she...

Let's drink some more

Come on, cheers

Don't be mad

It’s business, we've to deal with it

It’s back into place

You've embarrassed me

Boss Yang

Ma Yongzhen has got his ways

Tan Si handed over to him Pot of Spring's turf

He's difficult to handle, now that he has power

There's no point to rush

This might be Tan Si's strategy

I'll think of something. Let's deal with Tan Si first

Boss

How is it?

The weapons will arrive in 2 months

Two men will bring in a load of gunpowder

They'll arrive in 20 days

Tan Si's gang is dealing with them

When will they meet?

Don't know yet

But I've bribed one of his men

He'll keep me informed

What's the matter with you?

There's a new boss from time to time

It’s nothing new

You've never cried because of that

Leave me alone

Fine, then tell me

The other day you said Ma Yongzhen's a good man with skills.

You smiled when mentioning him

Why the change?

Look at him today

What's the difference between him and the rest?

He's just a gangster

But I think he's nice to you

If that's someone else

You couldn't have got away today

I don't need him to be nice to me

Lingzi,

you have a lady's temper but a mains destiny

Uncle, let's head back for our home town

What's going on?

What are you doing?

Brother Ma said 3 dollars each

Who wants it?

"Xingcheng Carriage Company"

"Ma"

Look

This is the same model as Master Tan's

Who's the owner?

Ma Yongzhen, Brother Ma

Brother Ma... haven't heard of

You'll know when you go to Pot of Spring

In Shanghai,

Some rise, some fall everyday

Mister... mister

You owe three days' money

Don't you want to keep your business?

Business has been slow

Please be reasonable

If business isn't good, then go some place else

Here at least I'm able to earn a little

If I go else where...

This man owes three days' money

Should we punch him?

Nonsense

So he owes three days' money

He will settle when he has

We all started out poor

We all had our penniless days

Don't press them

Yes, yes

Please

Jin Lingzi is still not here?

No, she isn't

Since you've been in charge

She hasn't been working here

Should I check out where she's singing now?

So that we can teach her a lesson?

No, if she doesn't want to be here

Let her be

Brother Ma, that Jin Lingzi

...is quite a pretty girl

She's a good match for you

Stop this

I can have any woman I want

We're earning very little lately

Brother Ma

We didn't beat up the candy vendor

I'm afraid we won't get a single buck tomorrow

Don't go bothering them

They are poor, they've got nothing to give you

How does Master Tan Si make his living?

Master Tan Si runs several casinos

That's where the main income is from

Brother Ma, how could you get your share?

I won't touch Master Tan's territory

And I can't take others

If we don't get our hands on a casino

Others will

It’s Master Tan's turf from here eastwards

Westwards belong to the Four Champions

The Qunfu Lane nearby

The casinos and brothels there

They make thirty, forty a day

That's profitable

How come no one's interested?

Of course there are

Two months ago, Tian Bibo, Chen Xingrong

...tried and died in front of the lane

Any of you volunteer to go with me?

Fine, I'll go alone

Call all the men, wait for me at the entrance

Enter the lane only when I'm done

If I fail...

Then you'll go back to your poor days at the inn

Brother Ma, you...

I know how to play this game

If you're satisfied with your turf

You won't be able to keep it

Xiao Jiangbei, to Qunfu Lane

Sure

He's got guts

Master Tan Si was the same then

We have a great leader

Stop here

"Qunfu Lane"

Xiao Jiangbei, I'm hoping to take over here

Drive the carriage back

If I fail

Sell the carriage and go back to your village

Brother Ma, you're doing this on your own?

I... I'll go with you

You're an honest man, not a gangster

Just listen

"Hongfu Casino"

Win

Come

Place your bets

Mister, inside

Have a seat please

Mister

Need to exchange some chips?

I want to see your boss

Sure

That's him

Call them

Yes

We've won again

Today is our lucky day

I can meet Mr. Zhang right away

Don't have to go through others

Ma Yongzhen, you've struck gold

To tell you the truth

Scraping off from the poor

...isn't what I intend to do

Then what is it that you're after?

Boss Yang has plenty of income

The casinos and brothels in Qunfu Lane

Let me take over

Ma Yongzhen

Some nerve you've got there!

I mean it

You've got guts

Um, I wouldn't want to disturb the customers

Otherwise there's no use even you take over

Let's speak outside

Whatever you say

Fight, go in

Go in

Come on

Ma Yongzhen

Today you walked in here

But you will be carried out

Someone will be

Go

Go on

Hurry

What's going on?

Boss Yang, Ma Yongzhen has brought...

some men to take over Qunfu Lane's turf

They're about to succeed

Let me go

No

Fetch Zhang Jinfa back

We'll take care of Tan Si first

And then we'll take care of

...Ma Yongzhen later

Boss, when Zhang Jinfa comes back,

the area round Qunfu Lane...

We'll get it back later

Go on, hurry

Yes

You head out too

Just do this for now

Tan Si would think that I'm losing power

Stop it, Boss Yang has his orders

Bullshit. He should send some men here

Ma Yongzhen, Boss Yang said you've got guts

You can control this lane

Fan, this...

The Boss said so, let's go

All of you here, c'mon move

Please thank Boss Yang for me

Bullshit!

Go, move

How could this be?

Get all those in charge here

I want to meet with them

Yes

Boss Ma, welcome

You sure are cool, Boss. Please!

Please come in, Boss Ma

Boss, come

Please

Come

Boss Yang, I'm telling you the truth

Tell me again

Tan Si will meet them tomorrow morning

Then they will pass him the opium shipment

They'll set the price after checking

They've planned to meet near Dacheng

It’s quiet there

What if something happens to Tan Si?

They'll need to find another buyer

Then Boss Yang could get the deal

Well done, leave now

Tan Si is smart. Don't let him find out

I'll leave first

Go

You know what to do?

Tan Si won't bring a lot of men

You wait half way...

Too easy

Let's just allow Ma Yongzhen...

enjoy a few more days in Qunfu Lane

Come, eat and drink some more

Hey, have some more

This is our sixth meal of the day

This is the last one in the lane

I can't eat anymore

Then have something to drink

Come

Boss Ma, take a look

Which girl do you like?

Brother Ma

Should we go pick elsewhere?

You don't know Brother Ma

I know he likes someone

Nonsense

Brother Ma

I know there's a girl at Xi Hui Fang

...who looks exactly like Jin Lingzi

Watery big eyes, slim waist

and has a good voice

See, I know Brother Ma

Shut up, but Xi Hui Fang...

was a place I used to know

I'll get Xiao Jiangbei to get the carriage ready

Go!

Move over

Master Tan Si

This carriage belongs to...

Brother Ma. He had particularly requested that

he wanted the same model as yours

Brother Ma...

Ma Yongzhen?

That's right

Good day

Master Tan Si

You tell him that

Boss Yang's turf won't be easy to take over

Although he's done a good job at Qunfu Lane

He must watch out

Master Tan Si's here, come on out

Thank you, Master Tan

Boss Ma

Have a drink

No, I've had enough

Why don't you come to Pot of Spring?

To Dacheng, hurry

What the!

Excellent plan of Boss Yang

Tan will die this time for sure

Don't fight him, go

I was sold out by my own man

I've got nothing to say

Brother Ma, Master Tan has just left

Follow him, I want to see him now

That's easy. He told his coachman

...to head for Dacheng

Brother Ma, look!

Brother Ma, Master Tan was ambushed

We better leave before others get here

Go quick

Great, six...

Let's drink to you, boss

It was a job well done

Now we've got the opium deal

Come

Agen

What about Tan Si's territory?

All under our control now

But those who worked for him

most of them are now working for Ma Yongzhen

I worry that...

Might as well butter Ma up a bit

Send someone to tell him that

I will personally meet with him

at Green Lotus Pavilion teahouse tomorrow

I want to talk to him alone

I will only bring Lu Pu

Boss, that...

I'm only taking Lu

But you can enter the teahouse if you want

Boss, I can fight with Ma Yongzhen

We'll see then

They've all been beaten by Ma

I know you want your revenge

Brother Ma, Boss Yang's appointment...

Of course I'll be there. In order to secure my

...status in Shanghai, I'll go

But...

Yang is a well-known person here

A promise is a promise

He wants to see me alone

Green Lotus Teahouse is a crowded place

What can he do to me?

It might be an ambush

With him besides me, should anything happen

He'll be the one in trouble

Send Xiao Jiangbei here, guard outside

Yes

This is the only way...

for me to get close to Yang

My only chance for Master Tan Si's revenge

Xiao Jiangbei, borrow 100 dollars from Zhang Huan

Head back to your village tomorrow morning

Brother Ma

Xiao Jiangbei, the way we lead our lives now

This isn't for an honest man like you

I'm doing well as your coachman

What if something happens?

Lt's not worth it

Look what happened to Master Tan's coachman

Take the money, buy some land

Get married and settle down

Go on!

You want more than 100 dollars?

No, not that

You must leave tomorrow

Fine, if Brother Ma wants me to

I'll leave

"Green Lotus Teahouse"

Hello, Boss Yang

Boss Yang

Please

Boss Yang

Sorry

Hello, Boss Yang

Hello, Boss Yang

Boss Yang

I'm meeting someone today

A gang will show up soon

Don't worry about that

Yes

Don't worry, we won't damage anything

I'm glad to hear that

I won't worry

Go

Listen, all the waiters and the...

peanut vendors must go

Our men will take over

We've enough men here

Yes

Don't worry, boss

We'll pay for all the damages

Yes

Please

Sorry, please leave

Sorry, sorry

Sorry, please leave

Sorry, please leave

Let's Go

Boss

Everyone in position; act normal

Remember. The water must be boiling

Yes

"Green Lotus Teahouse"

He is here

Boss Yang has been waiting for you

Boss Yang

Hi, sit down

My bodyguard, he follows me around

Lu Pu, one of the Four Champions

Yes, he won't say much

Just ignore him

But I don't want to hurt bystander in a fight

Don't you worry, young man

To be honest regarding your skills

You are as good as Tan Si

I won't be so sure

Very confident, good! Tea

Yes

I'll be frank with you

Go ahead

I don't want Qunfu Lane's turf anymore

Qunfu Lane's turf...

I'm not interested in it now

I want something else from you

What?

I want you dead; You're the public enemy

You're over, Ma Yongzhen

I'm not over yet

Brother Ma...

Ma Yongzhen, this time you're really over

Hurry

Go

Don't worry, boss. He's dying!

He won't have the strength

Boss Yang, now we could...

really have a personal chat!