Original subtitles

Shanghai, 1930

A city of dreams for all Chinese people

If you are willing to work hard, you can raise your family

But if you are willing to sacrifice, a piece of paradise awaits you

There is only one principle here

Only the strong survives

They give up their blood, sweat and tears here

For a future of wealth and prosperity

Yet many people try to take the easy way out

And become gangsters

The temptation of money and power

Left behind countless dead bodies by Huangpu Jiang.

Yet

Young lads are still rushing in by the thousands

To chase their dreams

Finish him.

Brother Ma.

My son, this village is no longer a place for you.

You and Fritter bring Flora to Shanghai to find her father.

Your right fist is way too strong.

It will cause immense damage to those around you.

From now on, before you hit with your fist,

look at this bracelet and remember what Mom said.

We arrived in Shanghai.

Support us with money if you have. If not, please still support our performers.

Thank you.

Punks.

We've arrived!

Dad, Dad...

So this is what Brother Niu calls a grand mansion in Shanghai Bund?

What a dump!

Much better than our hometown though.

Little punk, who are you looking for?

Brother Niu.

What Brother Niu?

Niu Sanguang, Brother Niu.

Niu Sanguang, I should have known you punks were from the same slum.

Dinner's ready.

Excuse me...Oh Uncle, you're so early? Hi, Master Tie.

Buddies from your hometown?

Yes, buddies from my hometown.

They look up to me.

As their brother,

I have to feed them, right?

Stop running your business

and get a job as a labourer

with your buddies.

Oh.

You can't owe your rent for too long.

Fine.

I will give you two more days, ok?

Fine, fine, fine...

Brothers, let's dig in.

Let's dig in.

Gals with this quality

are everywhere in Shanghai Bund.

Well, I think Master Tie is a good man.

Good man?

Good men in Shanghai Bund

always finish last.

As your big brother,

I should welcome you to this place

and show you the real Shanghai night life.

Are you that hungry?

Brother Niu,

everyone says Shanghai is so prosperous.

But how come there is no one around?

This is the current situation of Shanghai.

The weak are the prey for the strong,

only the fittest will survive here;

That was the old Shanghai,

prosperous, vibrant,

with everything you desire.

It's just like a piece of fatty meat.

Everyone wants a bite,

even the Japanese is waiting for their opportunity.

Don't worry.

The Japanese cannot claim this place yet.

Shanghai Bund is dominated

by the four bosses in Axe Fraternity.

Each with his own territory.

Laughing Buddha, Scruffy Chou, Baldy Bai

and Chen Mou oversee the entire Shanghai.

But, something happened this year.

Someone called Long Qi has risen through the ranks.

He has completely changed

the power distribution of Shanghai Bund.

Nowadays people walking on the street

are either triad members or Japanese officials.

When Long Qi first arrived in Shanghai,

he was even less fortunate than we are right now.

But now, he has everything.

How did he do it?

With his fists,

and conquered

the territories one street at a time

If you can survive

before the cigarette burns out,

I will let you carry on being the boss of Peony Night Club.

You are here to negotiate with Long Qi today.

I am here to enjoy the performance.

I can't help if you guys want to fight.

Soldiers die because they are cowards.

I was born in Shanghai. This is my only way...

That's why, everyone should enjoy the here and now,

especially in Shanghai.

From now on, this place belongs to me, Long Qi.

Peony Night Club was gone. We will name this, the Paradise Club.

Any objection?

Any objection?

You won't object, right?

Scruffy Chou, why are you still here?

Well, please bring my message back,

I now own half of Shanghai Bund;

you three men will own the other half.

With this street as our boundary,

the side near the Bund is mine.

You three can decide the rest.

Agreed?

That's it. I was told you are a great songstress.

Sing me a song.

Can you think of me?

Can I still stay with you

since you said nothing kept you

The road back seemed more gloomy

I am worried to let you go by yourself

I think it was because I was not gentle enough

I could not share your sorrow

If it is hard to say it out

Then just leave the regret in my heart...

Brother Niu.

The powerful Chen Mou that you just mentioned,

is he the old man lying on the floor?

That's what I want to tell you guys.

This is Shanghai Bund.

It's unpredictable. Things change every minute.

Despite the power of the four gang leaders,

they can't overthrow Long Qi, he came out of nowhere and now has a hold of Shanghai

He is Long Qi?

Right, he is Long Qi.

Look at him. His figure is flawless.

His is wealthy beyond our means.

With his fighting skills,

no one can stand to take ten hits from him.

Shanghai Bund needs him.

He belongs to Shanghai Bund.

Mr. Long, congratulations.

Even with Chen Mou's two decades of Kung Fu practice,

Long Qi took him outwith just a few strikes.

That old bag died instantly. It was too easy on him.

From now on,

North Gate, and Pudong belong to us.

He will own the rest.

Setting Chen's Peony Night Club as boundary, trespassing will result in further conflict.

We still dominate half of Shanghai

while Long Qi possesses the other half.

Why still count?

It's half of the revenue we earn.

Just have someone send Long Qi the money on the floor.

We three have tried to get rid of Chen Mou for three years,

resulting in over a hundred deaths.

He could still alive until today.

But Long Qi finished him once he stepped foot in Shanghai.

We should be more than happy about his existence.

You think you have exploited Long Qi.

But don't forget,

if you feed the beast,

the beast will one day bite your hand.

Throughout these years, so many young lads have come here

and finally ended up at the bottom of the river, right?

Bai, do you think

we will be just like Chen Mou one day?

Remember to cut it this way next time,

otherwise your hand is useless.

Wait till that kid conquers and expands his territories.

Then we will harvest what his hard work has sown.

How does that sound?

Excited?

Come on...line up.

Wait for me here.

Brother Liu.

I am Guang.

Wow, you can drink with the best of them.

It tastes like water!

Brother Liu, trust me,

the guy that I introduced to you

is no ordinary man.

He is really strong.

He alone can do the work of several men,

Who could be this strong?

He is from my hometown, his name is Ma Yongzhen.

One, Two, Three! Wow, unbelievable!

Once more, good, let's go.

One, Two, Three!

Once more,

One, Two, Three!

Brother Ma, you are amazing.

One, Two, Three!

Keep it UP!

Great, You are amazing.

Damn, you scum.

Kid, if you can hold on for one minute.

I'll hire you.

Let's go.

Sir, I have two more friends.

If I can hold for three minutes,

can you hire us all?

Sure.

Come on...

Sir, this pocket watch is very expensive. Don't break it.

Interesting!

Alright, 80 cents a day,

with meals, no housing.

Thank you, sir.

Generous. Isn't Brother Hei Mao just generous?

Write it here! Write nicer.

Does it look better now?

Little Flora, Little Flora.

What, Dad?

See what dad bought you.

Fireworks!

Let's play after dinner.

Sister Ju, look,

Dad just bought me fireworks.

Sister Ju, Sister Ju...

Brother Ma, come.

Have a seat,

my brother.

What is this?

Brother Ma, you know what?

The Japanese tea in the godown today

is actually opium.

Brother Ma, this is worth about six to seven hundred silver dollars.

Put that back.

Brother Ma, you're still young.

But look at me, I am useless.

I can work all my life in Shanghai and gain nothing

Dad, Dad, let's go, let's light up the fireworks.

I'll be with you in a second. Go down first.

Brother Ma, I know you are a nice guy.

Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!

Little Flora, we won't separate ever after.

Our lives will get better.

Come, let's have dinner.

Let's eat.

Little Flora, you are on your own to Shanghai.

You are so young. You're just super.

Before Mom left,

she said she could no long take care of you.

It must be hard to make a living away from home.

I will take care of you

from now on.

Dad, it's ok.

Our lives will get better.

Little Flora, Dad brings you to study in Hong Kong?

Great, let's bring Mom too.

Of course.

Dad, I saved this big piece for you

You can have it. I have some here. Let's eat.

It's alright. You can eat it later.

OK, let's eat.

Ma Yongzhen, listen. I apologize.

You...

Well, I was wrong.

I thought you were a punk like Niu Sanguang.

Yet you are just the opposite.

You even found jobs for your friends.

I had you all wrong, sorry.

No need to apologize.

I must.

Don't be such a lame. Are you a man?

Fine. You can apologize.

Didn't I just apologize?

I accept it then.

I will treat you better from now on.

How much better?

I won't scold you anymore.

That's better.

What are you thinking? It's only an apology.

You bunch of godown workers,

show yourself.

Some stock went missing today.

Can't believe you bastards would dare

to steal from the Axe Fraternity.

My dad is a good man. He doesn't steal.

I count to three.

Show yourself.

Otherwise, I will wipe out your entire complex.

One, Two...

Damn it!

Bullying women and kids?

Are you a man?

I don't care. I must get my stock back tonight.

We are all peasants.

We don't understand your violent world.

When we say we didn't steal it, we mean it.

Now, leave.

I will be back. I will be back.

Dad!

Drunken Shun.

Does this little packet worth a person's life?

Way more than one life.

More than the lives of the entire village.

Inspector Wong, how will you handle the opium?

Yes, how will you handle them? Inspector Wong...

Inspector, look at this.

Mr. Tong, please relate the message to Mr. Shinji Tsutsumi :

our police office will not return the stock to him.

Sorry, Shinji-san,

Inspector said the stock cannot be reclaimed.

What if we have to take it back?

Let's go.

You interfered with the trafficking between the Japanese and Axe Fraternity.

They will come back for you.

What's all these?

Smuggling opium, disregarding human lives.

I am not scared of them

Shanghai is not a place for

you simple-minded labourers.

It is a prosperous yet complicated place, with people coming from all walks of life.

Young people can easily go astray in a place like this...

I promised my mom before coming to Shanghai that

I will never become a gangster.

I have heard that too many times.

And every time I have to host the funeral.

The only person who still survives,

is only Long Qi.

I am different from Long Qi.

Of course you are different from him.

He is the man of the town,

and he knows the rules of the game.

Yet, how long can he survive?

Lights are up for the night,

Everything is ready for us at the ball.

Come, look at me in the eyes.

They'll open your heart.

A kiss is not enough for me,

I want to fly high with you.

We can fly to the edge of the world together.

Let's do it tonight!

Brother Long.

When will the Japanese's stock be taken out?

Tonight.

You beat up all those guys at the back?

Yes.

You want a cut of the stock, I assume?

Yes.

And you are?

Ma Yongzhen.

Ma Yongzhen.

Ma Yongzhen, do you know whom you are talking to?

I've seen you before.

You're Long Qi. I heard that no one can stand ten hits from you,

but I think I could.

I don't know what you mean by ten hits.

Put it this way, if you don't lose

before the cigarette burns out, the stock is yours.

Someone's gonna get hurt over this.

The cigarette is almost out.

Hurry up, it's burning out!

Why did you stop?

I am afraid I will kill you by accident.

Didn't you hear your people screaming?

The cigarette burned out. The stock is mine.

Ma Yongzhen.

Do you have matches?

You can't destroy opium by burning. Use limewater next time.

Long Qi, lighter.

Keep it. Find me if anything happens.

Who said the cigarette went out just now?

Come on.

Damn it.

The whole lot got wrecked.

I am the one left here to explain when they come for their stock.

You're lucky you are still survivesurvive.

Just leave and be the hero.

Don't get me into trouble. Leave.

Brother Ma, if you are going to hit somebody next time,

think of your mother.

The bracelet that your mother gave you is not for decoration.

Brother Ma. We will quit as well.

From now on, let us work for you.

Yes. Let us work for you.

Brother Ma, we are quitting too.

We will be your followers.

Ma Yongzhen.

I am not here to fight.

You're not here to fight?

You want to have a drink? You should have told me earlier...

Long Qi, are you hiring?

What else do you know other than fighting?

Sweeping, dish washing, heavy lifting...anything,

except hitting others for you.

These are your followers?

Yes.

Wow, very ilmpressive.

You have followers already?

How many of them?

Six, including myself.

Who's the one with a hat?

He is a business man, not a labourerlabourer.

Oh.

We can work for eighty cents a day, does this work for you?

I will give you guys two dollars. Come on.

From now on, Ma Yongzhen is my friend.

Let's welcome Ma Yongzhen and his buddies to join Paradise Club.

Great!

From now on,

no male here can light cigarettes for this lady,

except me.

Music!

Does it hurt?

When I first came to Shanghai,

I fought every day and got injured every day.

I am used to the pain to an extent that I couldn't feel it anymore.

Then why do you have to be like this?

I gained everything I own today through fighting..

So what?

Even if you own the entire Shanghai.

You are still here in your lonesome

Don't tell a lonely person

how lonesome he is.

I don't flirt, I don't sweet talk people,

and I don't play tricks either.

What do you like about me?

Your arrogance.

Dirty Triad Boss Long Qi & Clean Ma Yongzhen Collaborate

The girl dances very well.

Not bad.

But doesn't she look a little like you?

What are you doing here?

We are starving.

Starving.

You haven't eaten yet?

Excuse me, soy milk for everyone.

Let's play a bit.

Ma Yongzhen

Take it. Have it when you feel hungry

What is this?

Hot dog.

You are sick.

Don't you know anything?

Try it. It's good.

I'll tell you a story. In 1904,

a German immigrant came to St. Louis in the United States,

selling wieners...

are you listening?

You want one?

But they were hot and salty

and not easy to hold, so...

Is it good? Really?

Haha

Cool.

Ma Yongzhen, why did you come to Shanghai?

I am penniless.

Everyone says Shanghai is a land of opportunities.

That's why I am here, to get a piece of paradise.

Ma Yongzhen, you shouldn't be like this.

You are living in

a shabby complex.

You know what, if you know Kung Fu

but refuse to follow a gangg,

you will just become their enemy.

Join me under my wing.

My dream is to defeat the three wolves of Axe Fraternity

and drive away the Japanese.

Sometimes people just need to be taught a lesson.

I can't do that.

I can't join the Triad.

But don't worry,

we are brothers forever and ever.

Why are you wearing a jade bracelet?

I can kill a cow with one strike from my fist.

That's why my mom gave me this bracelet.

Punching cows is meaningless.

Do you know how many people I have killed?

Old men, I have killed countless.

Do you know how old Chen Mou was?

He was older than my dad.

You've killed lots of people, but have you killed a cow before?

Of course I have.

I eat steak every day.

I slaughter them myself.

I have even eaten a tiger. I tell you...

Do you know what time is it? Why are you back so late?

That's me.

Low-life.

I think it was because I was not gentle enough

I could not share your sorrow

If it is hard to say aloud

Then I will just keep the regret in my heart

Leave my sorrow to myself

You can bring your beauty with you

Will you think of me occasionally?

Will you? Will you?

I want to see you. I will wait for you at the fountain.

Don't stay out too late.

Yes.

What are you looking at?

How's it taste?

Is it good?

Not bad. What is it?

It's a hot dog.

What?

You're sick and cruel.

Just listen.

In 1904, there was a German immigrant in the United States...

Fine. Fine. Fine.

Who told you all these?

Long Qi.

Long Qi, the one who always fights and kills...

He isn't a fighter or a killer.

He just likes challenging others.

I think Long Qi is quite a righteous man.

Challenge? What challenge? You guys like fighting around.

Sometimes, people just got to be taught a lesson.

What are you talking about?

Just stop fighting, will you?

My dad hates people who fight.

Alright.

You look pretty today.

Punk!

What's on your mind?

I promised Hashimoto

to sing at the annual dinner for the Chamber of Commerce of Japan.

Are you scared of them?

I am only a lowly songstress.

I don't know much.

My voice is my life.

I am lucky enough to earn a living by singing.

You are here with me. You need not scare of anybody.

Why do you keep a tiger at home?

'Cause I am also a beast myself.

You were a beast,

because you need a beast's instinct to sense danger

but after you met Ma Yongzhen,

your human side appeared.

Somehow I didn't feel as secure

as before to be with you.

I want to be your woman forever

but you can't be the king of Shanghai Bund forever.

Let's leave Shanghai together, shall we?

I am the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Japan,

Hashimoto Hiroichi. Nice to meet you.

Chairman of Chamber of Commerce?

So you are the head of the secret agents, right?

Are you engaging in a war or in a business?

We always admire Chinese culture.

Of course, we hope we could collaborate with China in business.

So that's why you rob when you can't get it, right?

Speaking of robbery, Mr. Long Qi,

you have robbed our Japanese tea leaves.

If that was really tea leaves,

I would not have taken them from you.

Yes, that was tens of cartons of opium, it's priceless.

Why did you burn them?

Well, I didn't know why.

I felt good doing it.

Just like you Japanese massacred our Chinese in the North-Eastern part of China.

Mr. Long Qi, that is war.

Once there is war, it is inevitable to cause injury to the innocent.

That's not war. That's blatant invasion.

Mr. Long Qi, we deeply admire your character.

I sincerely hope that we can collaborate closely one day.

You have to read between lines

when negotiating with the Japanese.

Admire my character

and look forward to close collaboration...

Can these be translated as:

I am an influential man.

Bribe me so that I would betray my country?

Chinese are no longer "Sick Men of East Asia".

Please get out of here.

Mr. Long Qi, if you have to say it this way,

then there will only be one way for this to end.

By the way.

Sheng Xiangjun won't be singing

at your Chamber's annual dinner

because Paradise Club

will be celebrating our 100th day that same evening.

Long Qi, you really think you are the king of Shanghai.

He is almost the king of Shanghai.

So, who will be the king of Shanghai?

All of us sitting here today are friends.

That is, we share the same enemy.

That's why we should work together...

How?

Finish Long Qi.

Find Ma Yongzhen.

We can make good use of this guy.

I found him already.

He is with Tie at North Gate.

I knew this would happen one day. Get in the car.

Brother Tie, how have you been all these years?

Could be better.

That's not good then.

Are you planning an uprising again?

It is not my intention.

Tie,

Ma Yongzhen from North Gate robbed our shipment

and formed a secret alliance

with Long Qi. Their alliance is obvious.

I am only a lowly acrobat.

I won't be able to get involved in any of your deals.

Brother Tie,

you have trained Ma Yongzhen so well

and his relationship with Long Qi is good.

He has nothing to do with Long Qi. He only works for him.

Tie, I will be honest with you then.

We would like to use him to get rid of Long Qi for us.

Other than that, we will leave it to our friend, Ma.

There is an old Chinese saying: smart people do the right thing at the right time.

The power of Great Japan is expanding in Shanghai.

We shouldn't disregard them.

We should work with them to gain some advantage.

What do you think, my friend?

You collude with the Japanese to invade your own country;

you betray our people's dignity to your own advantages.

I will be a bastard if I work for you.

I will be a traitor if I collude with you.

But I am neither of those.

You know, what you have just said

will put many people's lives in danger?

Ruining others' families is your way of life.

I am by myself.

I will not be threatened by that.

So you decided to take it all up by yourself?

His problem is my problem.

Tie, we have given you much face today.

Don't think that you are still our big brother.

You have been hiding for over ten years

after your wife's death.

You silly old bag,

you are going to get killed for guarding this young chap.

Ma Yongzhen is my son-in-law.

He is my youngest daughter's fianc?.

He is here to marry her.

He will leave Shanghai before the last ferry tonight

and will not get involved in your business ever after.

I apologize for

what he has done.

Please forgive him.

Does it mean we won't see him ever again?

I guarantee he will not get involved in your business ever again.

Master Tie, why do we need to be scared of them?

It's no longer your problem now.

You have to leave Shanghai straight away!

What's wrong?

Brother Long, Brother Long, please sign here.

Let's go...Let's pack up and hurry.

Long Q“.!

Long Q“.!

Get rid of him.

Dad...sis.

Dad...

Mr. Hashimoto had wasted money on you.

Yes. I regret what I have done

Why?

You will never understand

Long Qi.

Leave Shanghai quickly. Live long, my brother.

Long Q“.!

Long Qi, Long Qi.

Long Q“.!

Long Q“.!

Long Q“.!

Long Q“.!

Long Qi.

Long Qi.

We can be brothers again in our next life.

Long Qi, Long Qi.

Long Qi...l...admire you.

I fear being an ordinary man,

being forced to live under the ruling of westerners and Japanese.

Long Qi.

Master Tie...

Stop fighting. Just stand by your beloved.

And let her live peacefully.

That's a man's responsibility.

No more fighting...

From now on, Long Qi has ceased to exist in Shanghai!

It's our world now.

No, Shanghai,

and the Great East Asia as well, will be under Japanese rule.

It will be our world.

From now on,

the territories occupied by the Axe Fraternity will fall

under the Chamber of Commerce of Japan.

The annual levy is 80%.

We will guarantee the prosperity and security of your businesses.

You have no other options.

Though you have great manpower,

you are totally disorganised.

I will finish off anyone that

you can't handle anyway.

Is this yours?

Ma Yongzhen...

Ma Yongzhen...

Some people just need to get beaten up!

Ma Yongzhen, as you can see,

my plan has brought us this far...

Get the hell out of China!

Ma Yongzhen, listen.

I want you to come back in one piece.

You are my only family member from now on.

I will wait for you no matter how long it takes.