Original subtitles

In the 1930s, China was unified after

the new Government was set up in Nanjing.

Despite trouble from remnant warlords

and the on-going Japanese aggression,

the Republic enjoyed relative peace and stability

until the full scale Japanese invasion of China in 1937.

China experienced huge progress in terms of politics, economy, industries,

construction and culture

during this Golden Decade.

(1930s)

(Chinese Territory)

You're good, Mr. Kiu!

You're now the head of the 3 tycoons of Shanghai.

You're a resourceful man indeed.

How can I help you?

Chief Lui, without your help, resourcefulness is nothing.

About the gaming licence...

Several months have gone by, is there any progress?

Don't worry, I'm working on it.

We have formalities to go through

and it's not my decision alone.

Without the Chairman's consent,

I can't really do much.

Sounds like I'll have to wait.

Be patient! I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Thank you for your trouble, Chief Lui!

I'd better be going.

Let me walk him out.

Let's have a drink up here,

and then go downstairs for dinner.

How convenient!

I like it here. It's quiet.

You can still speak your mind even after a few drinks

and need not worry about the wall having ears.

You can still speak your mind even if the walls have ears.

Depending on who you wish to talk to.

Get my wine!

Yes, Mr. Hon!

Sit down! Please sit...

Your wine, Mr. Hon!

Cheuk Man-kwan used to come here for a drink.

Really? I do miss him!

Thank you! He had a broad mind and style.

He was more humanised than Master Lui,

who's more bureaucratic.

Bureaucratic is not a problem.

But the gaming licence is a simple matter,

why so many obstacles in the way?

It's not the one at the top who's in your way.

The Government is too busy with other policies to get in your way.

I see...Yama is easy to handle, but not his imps.

The troublemaker is often the one in between

You're right! The middle man often affects the decision.

The more you want something, the more he strings you along.

You'll be wasting your time running around.

In the end, it's not worth it.

That's why, friends are so important.

You make the right friends, you save a lot of trouble. Thank you!

I'm just shooting off my mouth!

What does a lieutenant know?

Do they serve good food here?

How long will you stay in Shanghai?

When will you go on stage?

I'd love to see you acting.

That's a great idea!

You must be kidding! We should stick to mahjong.

Don't worry! We'll practise together!

The children are abroad,

and Tin is always so busy.

I'm bored all by myself.

Let's do that...we'll go back on stage and have some fun!

What do you think, Tin?

I'd like to hear Master Koo!

Tin used to be a huge fan.

He loves Beijing opera.

If you go back on stage, you'll have his full support.

It won't be easy to get a ticket.

Not even if you rob somebody.

No tickets? Just add more performances.

I'm afraid no one would watch me.

I'll watch 10 shows.

Miss...

Excuse me!

I'm sorry. I must go now!

Mr. Kiu, thank you for taking me to the hospital.

You're welcome!

Maybe you should not see old Mr. Sheung.

He's the father of my shifu.

If he wanted to see me, I must go in.

Ski-bu!

Shouldn't you be in Beiping?

I was the one who wanted to see you, not my Father.

Let go of me!

Siu-lau, I missed you so much.

Come back to Beiping with me after Father gets well.

Don't leave me again!

We can’t go on like this!

I came back to Shanghai, because I want to free myself from you.

I know you feel aggrieved.

I know I promised to get a divorce, but Ngan-hing wouldn't back down.

You know how she is...

I have heard this too many times.

I never asked you to divorce your wife.

It's just that she won't accept me.

Do you know how many fights we had over you?

I know she harassed you in Shanghai.

I meant to give her an ultimatum, but Father became ill...

Then don't make things difficult for you.

All these years, I have never asked you to do anything for me.

But I can't live without you! Give me more time...

Say no more! Let's give each other a chance to start a new life, alright?

No! Have you forgotten what I have done for you?

I know, without you, Koo Siu-lau would never be who she is today.

I can never repay you for that.

Don't lie to yourself!

When you followed me to Beiping,

you were willing to give up everything.

Including your chance to go on stage.

You know how much you love me.

You want to break up with me now? Can you really forget me?

Don't say it!

Trust me! I'll let people know you're mine.

I will give you the status soon, as Sheung Man-bun's wife.

Trust me, don't leave me!

Brother Tin, these are the books for this year.

Look at that...these numbers are wrong!

Hon-lam, should we start an opera troupe?

Opera troupe?

I know you like the opera. This is a good time.

Master Koo is in Shanghai, and you're old friends.

Anytime you have an itch for the opera,

invite Master Koo over to your house and let her sing for you.

It's the more the merrier with the opera.

That's true!

Find out for me, what it takes to set up an opera troupe!

Yes!

Yuet-lan?

Look at you! You look haggard!

I didn’t sleep well last night.

Siu-yuk told me everything.

You're indecisive again because Master Sheung came to Shanghai.

You were so cheerful when we met in Beiping.

I can't believe being with Master Sheung would make you so unhappy.

Perhaps I made the wrong decision.

I shouldn't have thrown caution to the wind just to be with him.

He promised me he'd get a divorce, but he never...

It seems like I've come between them.

Don't say that, silly!

Just like when I married Tin,

I knew he was in love with 2 other women.

There's a woman whom he loved very much, but somehow they drifted apart.

The other one was his ex-wife.

They say she ran off with someone.

Anyway, I'm his wife now.

I hope I could be more like you and carry no baggage.

Baggage is something you give yourself.

You haven't changed a bit since Beiping.

You never seem to have a care in the world.

Mr. Kiu is lucky to have married you.

Whoever marries you is the lucky one.

He can hear you sing every day.

Good! You're smiling again!

You're right! I should forget all the unhappy things.

I want to be the old Koo Siu-lau again.

Good thinking!

Come...get dressed, we're going out!

Where are we going?

We talked about going back on stage last night.

It was just talk, on the spur of the moment.

You can’t be serious!

I'm meeting with the musicians to work out the details.

What? I have retired from the stage for so long,

the fans won't remember me.

Who would put up the money to start an opera troupe?

Don't worry about the money!

Tin said he'd give me the money and let me be the owner.

Owner? What if you lose all your money?

So? I can afford it.

The point is for us to put on a good show.

More importantly, we're all happy if you're happy.

Ting-ting wrote this story

about the Japanese paying above market price for cotton,

and controlling the price of cotton through the futures market.

It's a means of economic invasion.

So what if it's true?

Now the Japanese control the market.

Back then we could just run our business being honest.

Now you must have money and power to stay in business.

The Japs won't stop until they hound us to death.

Uncle Hon, tell the workers not to worry!

We still have some cash.

Everyone will get severance pay.

You're closing down the cotton mill, Father?

It took decades for you to build Gat Li into this scale.

You put your whole life into it.

I didn't want to either.

But running it like this will only mean losing more money.

The workers will be worse off.

Practising calligraphy?

Why not? I have the time.

Nice!

I think so too!

Are you going to the Refuge House or playing mahjong today?

To the Kiu Mansion.

Something happened between you and Tin.

I intend to go patch things up. Is that a good idea?

Why not! Whatever makes you happy!

You don't blame him?

A woman should stay out of a man's business.

You really can’t blame Tin.

Neither of you had anything to lose.

With Tin in charge, the Chief let you off the hook.

If you're not so ambitious,

I wouldn't have to worry about you and Hok-yiu.

You have worked so hard for so long, it's time you took a break.

What's wrong with enjoying life?

Alright...just get going!

I'll be home soon.

Since Shankeng stopped selling opium,

we only have income from the casino.

We're making a lot less than before.

We thought the gaming licence would bring in money,

but there's still no word.

We really can't count on it.

It's alright. Patience is everything!

Things will happen if you're patient.

But how?

Brother Tin said he'd get the gaming licence.

He thinks he'll get perks from kissing up to the new Government.

But he has to wait just the same.

I can do whatever Kiu Ngo-tin can do.

I won't be so impulsive anymore.

Everything requires planning.

Brother Shan, Master Lui finally accepted the cigars!

He wants to meet with us.

Good! It wasn't easy to get those cigars.

Go set it up!

Right, Brother Shan!

Last time Master Lui lent his troops to Brother 'I'm.

Why should we kiss up to him?

Master Lui controls the army.

He's very important to me.

If he can be bought, that means I can bribe him.

Everyone has a price.

It's a matter of how much.

If I can bribe him,

I'll have whatever Kiu Ngo-tin has.

Bravo...you're such a crack shot!

You have the demeanour of a true leader.

Cigars? Not bad...

Cuban cigars are something money can't buy.

But I know you enjoy the fine things in life.

So I tried everything in my power to bring you some.

I hope you'll like them.

Then do you know what I don't like?

What?

I don't like gangsters who resort to unscrupulous means.

Speaking of gangsters, you're more of a gangster than Kiu Ngo-tin.

Gangster or not, you wouldn't mind.

The point is I truly wish to work for you.

Work for me?

Good! I have a job for you, we'll see how well you can handle it.

Whatever you say, Master Lui!

Some French merchant imported a shipment of fine red wine lately.

Red wine is the latest fad in Shanghai.

But this shipment is reserved for the French.

I was thinking it'd be a good idea to give some to my friends as a gift.

How thoughtful of you!

No problems! You can count on me!

Brother Tin, you asked for me and Siu-hong, did you have something important to discuss?

No...just a casual chat over a cup of tea.

I wish it was that simple.

I want to pick your brains

about what business we should go into in Shanghai.

Banking can make a lot of money.

People will worship us like gods.

A bank?

Good idea, but the threshold is very high.

Banking is highly regulated by the new Government.

Seeking other banks' initial support is not easy.

Without the connection, you won't be able to start.

Mr. Kiu, you have friends in the banking business.

Getting their help should not be a problem.

King-chuen, have a chat with Mr. Hung.

Sure!

There are other options.

Industrial enterprises such as flour mills, and cotton mills.

There's a huge demand.

Mr. Lai, they say your Father's cotton mill is closing down, why?

The Japanese is monopolising the market with predatory pricing.

There's no point in keeping it running.

That bad? It's your Father's whole life!

He's tried everything he could.

He doesn't have the money.

He had no choice but to let it go.

I want to take a look. Can you make the arrangements?

Will do!

I didn't realise there are so many procedures in making cotton yarn.

And all those machines! So complicated!

Mr. Lai, you have quite an operation here.

It's a shame to close it down.

I built everything from the ground.

It took me decades to build this.

But times are unfavourable to me now. What can I do?

Brother Tin, I didn't know you're here!

I came to look around. How are you doing?

Pretty good! The boss takes good care of us.

Little rascal, you can now speak loudly!

I don't want you to scold me again.

Boss, please re-consider.

I've spoken to the workers.

They'd rather take a pay cut than let the mill go.

Will you re-consider?

Mrs. Kiu! Master Koo!

You're late, Tin!

The cotton mill took longer than I thought.

Why are you here, Mr. Kiu?

I invited him.

I'm only good with lining up the cast.

I'm not good at running a business.

I'd better let him be the owner of the troupe.

It's probably best to put a man in charge.

Yes...he'd scold me if I spent too much money

You make me seem so stingy!

Thank you for your help and support.

This is nothing...

I'm a fan, I'm happy to do it.

Oh no, look at the time!

What is it?

I'm meeting with the headgear designer at the Arch.

It's almost time, but Uncle Chak-fung is not here yet.

What should I do?

Can you postpone?

The designer is rather arrogant.

How about...you know Uncle Chak-fung, right?

You stay and talk to him. And I'll go over there.

We'll meet up later at the Eight Point Guild.

Alright...go! Don't keep people waiting!

See you later!

What's going on? Go take a look!

Boss, the car broke down!

It's alright!

It's not far from the Eight Points Guild.

Mind if we walked?

Sure!

Hon-lam!

When you were talking to Uncle Chak-fung,

you seem to have misgivings about the performance.

What exactly are you worried about?

It has been so long, I'm afraid I'm a bit rusty.

Besides, someone close to me may not approve

If he cares about you, he should be happy for you.

There's nothing to worry about.

I used to come here for a walk whenever I was unhappy.

I haven't been back for many years.

Nothing has changed.

Look! They have fruits!

They are really good!

Genuine Laiyang pears? Thin peel and juicy.

Hon-lam, try it.

Laiyang pears are juicy and good for the voice.

Thanks!

You're Siu-lau, right? I'm Tin!

It's very sweet!

Want some? Come here...

I want some...

Master Sheung is here!

You may go!

Yes!

What are you doing here?

I still have time, so I came to see you.

I'd been waiting for a long time. Where were you?

I was with Yuet-lan the whole day.

I'd like to ask you something.

Yuet-lan wants me to go back on stage.

Her husband will be owner of the troupe.

What do you think?

Sure! Whatever makes you happy!

Really?

I heard Yuet-lan's husband is Kiu Ngo-tin.

You know there's a lot of work in setting up a troupe.

They're laymen after all. They don't know what to do.

Why don't you arrange for me to have dinner with them?

I can give them some pointers.

Sure! I'll set it up.

I have heard so much about you, Mr. Kiu!

You're too kind...

Master Sheung, you're the North Star of Beijing opera,

I have always wanted to make your acquaintance.

It's an honour to finally meet you.

Please have a seat!

Long time no see, Master Sheung! Do you remember me?

Of course I remember you, Yuet-lan!

We had fun doing the Peony Pavilion.

Feels like it was only yesterday.

I only had a bit part.

I thought you would have forgotten me.

You have an incredible memory, Master Sheung

Mr. Kiu, I'm grateful for your help with Siu-lau's performance.

But Siu-lau has not performed for so long.

As her mentor, I'm naturally worried.

That's why I asked for this meeting so I could share my thoughts with you.

I hope you don't mind.

That's quite alright!

This is our first time as owner of a troupe. We're only amateurs.

We couldn't be happier to have your advice.

It's our good fortune to have your help.

Sir, dinner is ready!

Please be seated, Master Sheung!

Thank you!

It appears you've hit a snag in setting things up?

Pretty much everything is settled.

But for some reason, no matter how much money I offer,

the good musicians seem reluctant to come on board.

Beijing opera is full of eccentrics.

Money is often not a consideration for them.

They care more about who they work with, especially the owner of the troupe.

You mean...they don't want to work with me?

Since word got out about Siu-lau's upcoming performance,

gossips have started to circulate.

Some question the business you were in,

and wonder why you'd show a sudden interest in Beijing opera.

Some comments were rather unpleasant to the ears.

I see, I'm the reason!

I've been in Shanghai for years.

I seldom care about what people say or think about me.

If they won't work with me,

I can find people from elsewhere.

I don't care for them either.

They're short sighted and petty.

But as Siu-lau's mentor,

I can't help but worry how this will affect Siu-lau.

What are you worried about?

Our business is full of gossips.

Reputation is most important to an artist.

If people start to gossip about Siu-lau,

it's not worth having her reputation compromised.

I feel rather awkward about this.

You have every reason to worry.

But Siu-lau is the person performing.

If she's willing to go back on stage,

I will continue to support her.

I never expected him to support my comeback.

Maybe I was thinking too much.

If he loves you, he should understand.

I'm happy for you he cares about you.

Siu-lau, we should go!

I have to go!

I'll walk you!

Goodbye!

Goodbye! Do come again!

Goodbye, Mr. Kiu!

Watch your step!

Goodbye! Watch your step!

Well? How did it go?

Good!

How so?

This Sheung Man-bun is a better actor off stage than on.

He plays the angel and the devil.

He doesn't want Siu-lau to work with me.

What?

Rascal!

You said nothing in the car.

What happened?

What if word got out?

Why didn't you show any discretion?

Luckily I looked into Kiu Ngo-tin's past.

He used to sell opium. He's a gangster.

Imagine the damage to your reputation if you associate with him!

That was in the past!

Setting up a troupe is a proper business.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing wrong? We have our reputations to upkeep.

Working with him will tarnish your name.

I can't control what people say.

And I don't care either.

How can you be so selfish?

What about me?

Everyone in the circle knows you're with me.

You want to drag my name through the mud too?

You wanted to meet him because you wanted to turn him down for me?

It's all for your own good.

Even if Kiu Ngo-tin was not the owner, you still should not perform.

You have been off the stage for so long, you must be rusty.

You think you can still perform your repertoire?

You'll only embarrass yourself.

I don't like Kiu Ngo-tin.

I want you to turn him down tomorrow.

His bad influence will rub off.

Yuet-lan is his wife.

I don't want you to be friends with her anymore.

Why? She's my good friend.

You won't listen to me?

You'd refuse to disassociate with people I don't like?

You're mine and you must do as I say.

I forbid you to see either one of them.

I spoke to the bankers.

They all seem cordial at first,

but when I mentioned you have an interest in opening a bank,

except for Mr. Hung,

everyone made up excuses.

They give us the cold shoulder because we're gangsters.

The bank is out of the question.

Brother Tin, Master Koo is here.

Master Koo, what is it?

Mr. Kiu, I'm grateful to you and Yuet-lan.

I don't think I can handle the performance.

Please do not proceed.

Why?

Shifu said...it's not appropriate for you to be the owner.

I see. What do you think?

I'm sorry I let you and Yuet-lan down!

I hope you'll understand. Goodbye!

What's going on? No bank, no opera troupe.

People shouldn't look down on us.

Brother Tin is now a tycoon in Shanghai

and he has done so much charity work.

People don't look down you.

You look down on yourself.

Call Mr. Lai for me.

Right!

You really want to invest in my cotton mill?

It's your lifetime effort.

It's a shame to close it down.

If you don't mind, I'd like to be the major shareholder.

Why would I mind? You're willing to help us out is the best news to us.

Great! We don't need to close down the mill!

I'll tell the others.

Wait!

Mr. Kiu, you know we're losing money and struggling to keep it running.

Do you need to reconsider?

Everything has two sides,

I noticed the workers work well together. It's a shame to close it down.

I think it's doable. Go tell the others.

The Japanese has monopolised the market.

Yet I'm sure there are other solutions.

We must not let the Japanese bully us.

I have the money to fight them.

I want to show the people in Shanghai,

We're better businessmen than the Japanese.

Tin, the gaming licence thing has dragged on for so long.

Why haven't we heard any word?

You were tight with the new Government.

How much longer will this take?

I don't think the Government will give us the licence.

I invited you here to discuss the future of Shankeng.

You said you'd get it done. What's this? A kid's game?

You should have told us you couldn't handle Master Lui and let me do it.

Now we can't sell opium and don't have a gaming licence.

We've lost our biggest revenue streams.

We're as good as dead.

I'd say shut down Shankeng

and tell everyone to pick cow dung in the countryside.

There's no need to get worked up.

The new Government will not legalise prostitution, opium or gambling.

You want to make money? It doesn't have to be an illegal business.

A proper business can also make money.

Like what? What proper business?

Selling fruit and duck eggs can make you rich?

I'm thinking of a cotton mill.

Cotton mill? The Japanese are monopolising the market.

They've monopolised the raw materials.

We can order from Europa. No problems.

So what? It's small change.

It's not enough for me to gamble!

I'm not interested. Count me out.

It's alright. I won't force you!

What about you, Boss?

I'm not interested either.

If I can’t make money from gambling, I still have Paramount.

With the cotton mill...

count me out.

Mr. Chin...

Brother Tin, the money I borrowed from you,

can I pay you back later?

Yes...

What money?

Chief! I didn't know you're here.

Why did you borrow money?

It's not my money!

Last month I didn't have enough to pay everyone at Paramount.

I had no choice but had to come to Brother 'I'm.

And I thought Paramount was such a big deal.

You might as well shut it down!

Tin, it'll take you forever to get the money back.

Make sure you charge him interest.

Don't forget I reminded you.

If you wish to discuss legitimate business,

that's none of my business! Bye!

Rascal!

You have completely humiliated me!

I'm sorry, Chief!

Since Miss Kwai-seng left, we've lost our most capable staff.

Business is bad.

I tried talking to you but you wouldn't listen.

I had no choice but come to Brother Tin for help.

Don't talk to me about that woman!

You have said enough...

Stop it! Go...close the door!

Boss, don't take it out on him!

He was only telling the truth.

You drove Kwai-seng away.

If you drive away someone loyal like Chin,

who would work for you?

Say no more!

I'm not interested in a legitimate business.

Tell me if you think of something that makes big money.

Alright...watch your step!

Any news on Fook?

No! We've checked his hometown, he didn't go there.

I told him to find Kwai-seng

and he disappeared on me.

Nobody understands loyalty anymore.

They split when I'm down on my luck.

He's dead if I see him.

Don't get so upset, Chief!

If I get the money from Kwai-seng,

I'll be able to recruit more men and launch my comeback.

Then I don't have to take any crap from anyone.

Search Shanghai and all of China.

Find that woman!

Right, Chief!

You're not attending the meeting at the FCP?

What's the point?

To see that smug look on Tung Ting-heng's face?

You're welcome to go!

Right! I'd better go!

You're home, Mrs. Kung.

I'll fetch you some tea.

No thanks!

Shan...

You're late! Did you play mahjong?

Yes, I played with Yuet-lan!

She said Tin is letting you invest in a cotton mill.

When I heard you'd be running a legitimate business, I couldn't be happier

Why? I already said no.

Why did you do that?

You know who and what I am.

A cotton mill is not for me.

A woman should not butt into a man's business.

Haven't you had enough of underworld business?

When you do your dirty work,

have you given any thoughts to me and Hok-yiu?

You used to rob people for a living.

As much as I disapproved, I accepted it.

But now that you have made enough,

isn't it time you quit?

You can run a legitimate business.

Everyone likes money.

And you can make it via legitimate means.

Maybe I feel guilty

or maybe I want to build virtue for you,

that's why I do volunteer work at the Refuge House.

I come from a proper family

and I've been craving for a normal life.

Why not take this opportunity to start a proper business?

You must listen to me and work with Tin.

Shut up! I don't take orders from a woman.

If you won't listen, I'll take Hok-yin with me to Hangzhou.

I don't want to live my life in fear.

Are you threatening me?

Say anything you like, you must promise me.

Enough! Don't piss me off!

I show no mercy to anyone who pisses me off!

Fine! I'm leaving if you won't promise me.

Go...don't come back! I won't ask you to stay.

Remember what you said!

I'm moving out now!

Get out!