Original subtitles

You won't help me?

The Chairman gave the order last month,

to root out the gang influence in Shanghai.

He wants Shanghai to be the epitome of a new order.

Kiu Ngo-tin is the symbol of the old gangs

and he has a bad record.

Besides, only you knew what he has done.

The Chairman has always been skeptical.

How can I possibly help you?

Gang or no gang, the Chairman is well aware of what Kiu Ngo-tin has done.

It's not fair to use him and dump him.

You know best the situation you're in.

During the war, you secretly released members of the Axe Gang.

After the war, you defied his order and was easy on the opposition.

The Chairman has always doubted your allegiance.

He doesn't trust you anymore.

Honestly, you can barely save yourself.

Why stick your neck out for a gangster?

I don't care about my situation.

I promised Kiu Ngo-tin

I'll do my best to clear his name.

I doubt if I can arrange a meeting for you with the Chairman.

If possible, Ill try to put in a good word for Mr. Kiu.

Hopefully, he'll agree to clear Kiu Ngo-tin's name.

Thank you so much!

Can I help you?

I wish to see Mr. Lai.

Do you have an appointment?

Tell him Kiu Ngo-tin is here.

Thank you, Miss.

Mr. Lai is with a client.

Please wait over there.

Tai Fung Hong needs 100 catties of rice.

Ship it out once you're ready!

What about yesterday's order?

They're all set!

Hurry up!

Alright!

Congratulations! You'll soon be the director of the Central Bank.

Please look out for me.

You're too modest! You'll soon be the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai.

The Chairman has nothing but praise for you.

You're young and competent and have a promising future.

You should be looking out for me.

I owe my achievements to you.

If you hadn't tipped me off to leave Shanghai,

the Japanese would have killed me for sure.

I would never forget your benevolence.

Please don't say that!

I was just doing my job.

I know you'll see the Chairman in the next few days.

Is it possible to arrange a meeting for me?

Of course!

Thank you!

Don't mention it!

Thank you so much!

It's nothing! No need to walk me out.

Watch your step!

Director Hung! Long time no see. How are you?

You're back in Shanghai?

I arrived yesterday.

I have to go!

Brother Tin!

I'm sorry. Nobody knows you're back

and they don't know the truth.

That explains Mr. Hung's attitude.

Lai Siu-hong's resistance effort?

These display boards were used when we set up the National Founding Funds

They will publish my biography later.

That's why they've kept these here for reference.

You saved Ching Siu-dip?

Destroyed the bacteriological weapon factory?

Saved a rich businessman's life?

Helped rich businessmen break away from the East Asian Association for Peace?

Assassinated Genji Tojo?

You did all that?

Because people didn't know any better and gave me all the credit.

Don't worry! When my biography comes out,

I'll tell everyone the whole truth.

(War hero)

(Inscribed by Chung-cheng)

You saw the Chairman? Did you tell him about me?

Of course! But that was 6 months ago.

He promised me he'd personally handle your case.

Do you realise if you don't speak up,

no one will know the truth.

Don't worry! I will speak up!

Let's go sit down over there.

Come...

Have a seat, Brother Tin!

What did you come to see me about?

I wanted to discuss something with you.

What is it?

I was at Siu-lau's grave.

I wanted to give her, the Boss, Kwai-seng and the other members a grand burial.

Of course! I'm all for it.

I need money.

Money? The money you left behind,

I used it in the resistance effort like you wanted.

I kept some for cash flow for Hui Xing.

I'm afraid I won't be able to come up with any extra for now.

You don't have the money for me?

I've already told you, business is bad.

No really! I saw how well things are running.

You can't or you won't?

You can't really say that, Brother Tin!

You left Shanghai safely

while I stayed behind to fight and was almost killed.

I made a contribution to Hui Xing too.

Don't make it sound like I took everything from you.

You're saying Lai Siu-hong made Hui Xing what it is today?

Please don't say that.

Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do my best,

but about money...

Little rascal, I didn't come here to beg!

Let's not argue or else we'll hurt each other's feelings.

How about I have someone give you a cheque in a couple of days?

A couple of days? Two days?

Fine! I'll give you a couple of days!

Watch your step.

Brother Tin, let me drive you!

No need!

Did Brother Tin do anything to you?

Kiu Ngo-tin is such a fool!

He'll say I'm heartless if I ignore him.

Give him an inch, he asks for a yard.

He acts like he's still a gang leader.

I was giving him face. The International Settlement is history.

He thinks he's still a tycoon?

You mustn't openly cross him.

If you piss him off and he starts talking,

it may compromise your reputation.

I'm not scared of him.

He thinks Hon Lap will back him up.

But Hon Lap can't even fend for himself!

Without anyone to clear his name, he can't do anything.

Get out!

Ting-ting!

You're home!

What are you doing?

Packing my things so that we can move out of the Master bedroom

so Brother Tin can move back in.

Don't bother! I told him he could move back after the renovation.

Fung, get out! Yes!

They're back. It's not a good idea to renovate their house.

Why don't you cancel the job?

They don't even mind. Why do you care?

You'll soon be the wife of the Deputy Mayor.

You must be more open-minded.

Stop acting like a reporter all the time!

Very well! I'll listen to you.

Tomorrow I'm doing an interview with Brother Tin

so that he can talk about his experience these past few years.

Once the story goes to print,

everyone in Shanghai will know he's not a traitor.

What do you think?

Why didn't you discuss with me first?

Before the Government clears his name,

your story will only prompt people to challenge its accuracy.

You'll make Brother Tin feel worse.

Cancel it!

Precisely because we don't know when the Government will clear his name.

That's why I'm doing this.

We can't wait forever!

Alright...Let's wait and see.

You're a mother. Don't be so reckless.

You care so much about your work.

You can't cope with both ends.

You should quit your job. It's not like I can't support you.

I told you. I didn't take this job for money.

After the war, there're still chaos everywhere.

I'm doing this for our son, not for me.

I want him to have a better life.

Madam! Master!

Yin, come to Papa.

You're all dressed up! Where did you go today?

You mean Lai Siu-hong has become a different person?

War can often do that to a person.

I just don't know what else he's not telling me.

Excuse me! There's someone here who claims to know you.

I didn't know if he's a trespasser so I brought him up!

Hon-lam!

Thank you!

Hon-lam... Hon-lam!

Brother Tin, Mrs. Kiu, you're finally back!

Sit down!

Be careful! Sit down...

Your leg...

They said you had gone mad!

I did not! But Lai Siu-hong wanted me dead.

I had to stay alive until you came back.

I must tell me what this creep has done.

About a year or two after you left,

I began to sense something fishy going on.

He said the majority of the money you left him was spent.

That's not possible! I didn't buy it.

So I started to check on him until I found the evidence.

What are you doing here?

I've always suspected you didn't donate Brother Tin's money.

I didn't expect you to embezzle it.

Here's the evidence! What can you say for yourself?

Give that back or don't blame me...

Brother Tin entrusted the money to you to save the country.

How could you pocket it?

I will tell everyone what you did, including Ting-ting.

That's how I broke my leg.

Then I was thrown into the concentration camp,

and was only released after the war.

In the meantime, Lai Siu-hong has become famous and respectable

and I'm just a cripple.

So I acted like I'd lost my mind.

But I would put up signs outside Hui Xing to badmouth him.

(Lai Siu-hong is faithless and treacherous)

I acted like a lunatic so that he wouldn't come after me.

No wonder he told us you'd lost your mind because the Japanese were torturing you!

I'm so glad you're alive!

Or else we'd think he's a good man.

I had to stay alive till you came back.

I knew once you're back,

you'd visit Master Koo's grave.

So I waited for you out there.

But Yan was with you that day,

and I didn't dare show my face.

I followed Yan and found out where you were staying.

Brother Tin, you must find a way to tackle Lai Siu-hong.

Little rascal! Greed got the better of him!

Lai Siu-hong really fooled us!

He could persecute a brother like that! I can't let him get away with it.

What a shame I burnt his initiation paper back then!

That alone could stop him from becoming the Deputy Mayor.

Any news from the Chairman?

He's actually grooming Lai Siu-hong.

He's a lawyer and he's clean, not to mention he's been labelled a war hero.

Everything is working in his favour.

Looks like I must clear my name before I can do anything to him.

Even if the Chairman won't help you,

I still have the records.

I can call the foreign reporters

and ask them to print your story.

When the foreign press is involved, the Chairman can't ignore it.

Then Lai Siu-hong can no longer do as he pleases.

I'm sorry to trouble you! Thank you!

Don't worry!

I'll contact the reporters. Wait for my good news.

Thank you for your trouble!

Brother Hon...

I'm sorry. We couldn't save the victim.

Mr. Kiu, Counsellor Tsui wants to see you.

Mr. Kiu!

(Chairman)

Sir!

There you are! Sit down! Sure!

According to Hon Lap's report,

Kiu Ngo-tin did not surrender to the Japanese during the war.

He was carrying out subversion work for the country.

Is that true?

Hon Lap's death is the Chairman's doing?

Hon Lap didn't heed my advice.

He's been secretly meeting with the opposition after the war.

The Chairman is suspicious by nature.

I'm not surprised he wanted him dead.

Mr. Lai, they say you're a war hero against the Japanese.

I will believe your word.

Even if Hon Lap were alive and had those records,

the Chairman simply didn't trust him.

Kiu Ngo-tin and Hon Lap had everyone fooled.

Kiu Ngo-tin was a traitor inside and out.

Clearing your name simply won't happen.

As a friend, I urge you to leave Shanghai,

or else you'll be in serious trouble.

Now that Hon Lap is dead,

the Chairman obviously doesn't care for Brother Tin.

What should we do next?

One must have a conscience.

Considering Kiu Ngo-tin's current situation,

even if I don't do anything, he's finished.

What do you mean?

Call all the reporters we know.

Tell them where Kiu Ngo-tin is staying.

When the crowd gets out of control, someone will do the work tor us.

The Government will arrest Kin Ngo-tin for treason.

Let's see how he can stay in Shanghai and reclaim what I have.

I see! I'll go make the arrangements.

Come out, Kiu Ngo-tin...

Traitor...

(Traitor Kiu Ngo-tin!)

Mr. Kiu, when did you return to Shanghai?

Did you work for the Japanese?

That's what everyone is saying! Care to comment, Mr. Kiu?

Everyone calls you a traitor and running dog.

Your response please? Say a few words...

How did people find out you're back in Shanghai

and that you're staying here?

You suppose Lai Siu-hong let the word out?

Brother Tin, Brother Hong sent you this.

Two mane tickets to Hong Kong.

I don't think you can stay in Shanghai.

Brother Hong has clone all he could for you.

You should leave.

Brother Hong will soon become the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai.

If you won't leave, when the crowd gets out of hand,

even Brother Hong can't help you.

Lai Siu-hong wants to drive us out as soon as Hon Lap is dead.

The inauguration ceremony is the day after tomorrow.

Is everything ready?

Yes, don't worry!

Everyone you know have been invited.

Did Kiu Ngo-tin leave?

I gave him the tickets the other day.

But they didn't get on the plane.

Go find out!

If he's still here, call the Police.

Tell them to arrest Kiu Ngo-tin the traitor!

Yes !

What did you say?

Get to work! I'd better get going.

I just spoke to Yuet-lan on the phone.

Did you send someone after them?

She said it's Brother Tin who killed that Japanese and Kung Siu-shan, not you.

Why did you lie to me?

You even want to publish a book to fool everyone else?

Don't listen to what people say.

I heard you just now.

"Arrest Kiu Ngo-tin the traitor".

Brother Tin is your benefactor.

You owe him for everything you have today.

You took everything from him

and you're doing this to him?

I didn't take anything from him.

A hero is a product of his time.

It was the same for him.

Do you realise what you're saying?

You're twisting things around to fool everyone.

This ts not the truth!

Don't be so naive.

Even if I told the truth, who'd believe me?

If the Government clears his name, I'll give back everything.

But the Government doesn't want a gangster

and a traitor to be the people's hero.

You can't blame me. I'm just going along with the Government's wishes.

Since when did you become so scary?

I seized my opportunity.

This is how the world functions.

You can't blame me for this.

Remember what you promised me?

You said you'd never do anything against your conscience.

What are you doing now?

If we ever have any conflicts,

will you do the same to me and our son?

When you become the wife of the Deputy Mayor tn 2 days,

you'll think differently.

I don't even care about that!

If you don't stop while you still can,

give everything back to Brother Tin and help clear his name,

I will divorce you

and take our son with me.

Why do you always threaten to leave?

Go ahead! I don't care!

But you're not taking my son with you!

You're hopeless, Lai Siu-hong!

This is my classmate, Lai Siu-hong!

Hello, Mr. Kiu!

Shanghai is a piece of meat coveted by all.

Don't give up now that you have bitten into it,

or else someone else might eat you up.

Yuet-lan and I are safe because Siu-hong showed up just in time.

Get in.

Thank you!

Don't say that, I only did what I should.

I owe you a favour.

Find someone you trust to help you.

It's enough to have you operating from within.

After I leave Shanghai,

Siu-hong will look after my assets and property.

To me, you're not my protege. You're my brother!

You left Shanghai safely

while I stayed behind to fight and was almost killed.

You saw the Chairman?

Did you tell him about me?

If you don't speak up,

no one wii know the truth.

Kiu Ngo-tin and Hon Lap had everyone fooled.

Kiu Ngo-tin was a traitor inside and out.

Maybe you shouldn't go!

I have a feeling you'll be in danger.

Something bad may happen.

Let's leave. We can get out in time.

Mrs. Kiu! Hon-lam!

Brother Tin!

Hon-lam, I have house cleaning to do. Right!

Be careful!

(For revenge, there's no turning back)

(For revenge, there's no turning back)

Come out, Lai Siu-hong!

Did you hear me, Lai Siu-hong? Come out!

What are you babbling about, cripple?

Brother Hong will not see you.

I dare you to come closer!

Brother Tin wanted to see you, not me.

A red flare in the sky

and into battle we all shall ride!

Lai Siu-hong!

What's this?

Little rascal, do you know the word loyalty?

What day and age are we in?

The war is over, the International Settlement is gone.

The initiation paper is burnt, and I'm no longer your protege.

What loyalty is there? Times have changed.

This is for Hon-lam.

Lai Siu-hong, Brother Tin will give you another chance.

If you return everything and clear Brother Tin's name,

he'll let you live.

Then I'll have nothing!

I earned my reputation and position, not because of him.

I'm very important to the Chairman and the citizens of Shanghai.

So what if you outnumber me?

I'm not afraid of rogues like you.

What you're doing is illegal. No one would believe you.

You really don't think I'll kill you?

Go ahead! You'll be a murderer

and I'm a martyr killed by a traitor.

I'll always be the people's hero.

You'll go into hiding with your wife in everlasting shame.

Go ahead and shoot!

There's no such thing as a hero when you're dead.

You think you're really smart?

I have a surprise for you!

Go ahead and shoot!

I have a surprise for you!

Tin, don't!

Siu-hong!

Don't do it!

Brother Tin, he doesn't deserve forgiveness,

but I beg you, for me and my son, please spare him.

He's not worth it.

Because of your wife, I'll spare you.

But you must return what's rightfully mine.

I promise Siu-hong will give back everything.

I trust you!

Hon-lam...

Ting-ting, you're the best.

I'm doing it for our son.

I also didn't want Brother Tin to bear a murder charge.

I will divorce you just the same.

Listen, if you don't return everything,

there'll be stories about you in the papers.

You'll fall from grace and lose everything.

You can't do this to me! You can't!

Be sensible!

Thank you for your trust. You may go.

The Police is coming. Let's go!

Hurry!

Why should I run?

I have done nothing wrong. I'll go with them.

Brother Tin!

The defendant Kiu Ngo-tin,

is suspected of collusion with Japanese spy Genji Tojo between 1937 and 1939,

in persecuting his fellow countrymen and is charged with treason.

This court acknowledges the charge and is hereby in session.

Prosecutor, you may begin.

(Extra)

(Shameless tycoons selling themselves to the Japanese)

Mr. Kiu, you don't have a lawyer. Are you going to defend yourself?

Speak...Traitor...

Quiet...

Your Honour, ladies and gentlemen...

I have done my share of bad things in my life,

as well as many good things.

I'll let the others judge my merits and demerits.

But there's something I need to say today.

Nothing is ever exactly as it appears to be.

Is the Government always right?

Are gangsters always wrong?

I don't think so.

Everyone is fighting for power and personal gain.

Can this trial serve justice?

Find out what's right or wrong?

There was no justice when Shanghai was taken.

Even after the war, there's still no justice in Shanghai.

Nobody knows what I have done.

And nobody believes the good I have done.

But such is life.

People can't tell right from wrong.

Despite the heinous crimes they have committed,

evildoers are often hailed as patriots.

And me?

Feel free to judge me any way you like!

Do whatever you like.

Congratulations, Mr. Lai! You're now the new Deputy Mayor of Shanghai.

(Certificate of Appointment...)

Congratulations again to our new Deputy Mayor, Mr. Lai Siu-hong!

The defendant is hereby acquitted.

Whether he is a traitor or a true hero, we'll let the people decide.

The Court is adjourned!

We have such fond memories of this place.

I really don't want to leave.

There'll always be a place where we're more welcome.

We should leave this troubled place and go somewhere simple.

You have clone so much for the country and the people.

Yet you've ended up with nothing!

It's not fair!

That's not right. I have you!

I don't care if nobody believes me, as long as you believe me.

Brother Tin! Yuet-lan!

Ting-ting!

Are you really leaving?

I'm sorry, Siu-hong gave back everything

but we still can't clear your name.

I promise, even if I can't do it legally,

I'll do everything in my power, and use the voice of the people to do it.

It's nothing! I don't really care.

Goodbye, Ting-ting! Take care!

Two years later, Chor Ting-ting got in touch with Ching Siu-dip, the spy Kiu had saved.

Ting-ting jotted down Siu-clip's recount of the events

and published a best-selling book called The Unsung Hero.

When the truth finally came out,

there was nonstop outcry for Kiu Ngo-tin's redress.

After his divorce, Lai Siu-hong's career was on the rise.

After the War of Liberation,

he managed to hold high Government positions with his wheeling and dealing.

But he was publicly criticised and denounced by his own son,

and died alone in a cowshed.

After Kiu Ngo-tin left Shanghai,

he settled down in Hong Kong with his wife.

A year later, he died of a sudden illness with his wife and children around him.

The curtain came down on the No. 1 gangster in the 300 years of gangster history.