Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Wild Bloom]

[Episode 34]

We are the China Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau in Luzhou.

My name is Li Zhuo.

They're my colleagues from

the Economic Investigation Bureau of Jiangdong Provincial Department.

According to the newly revised customs law

and the Fourth Amendment to Criminal Law,

you're suspected of smuggling

with the fact that you've applied for false quotas,

by registering several shell companies,

importing steel scrap from overseas

since 1996 until now.

We'll have to investigate and question you according to the law.

The procedure will be recorded on audio and video.

We hope you can cooperate.

First of all, we need you

to provide all the information on the entry and exit customs since 1996

in as much detail as possible.

We went to the north in 1996.

As soon as we got on the train, it started snowing heavily.

It was snowy.

Mr. Wu,

you have always been my boss.

You've been taking care of me since I started my career.

I've been in business with you for so many years.

Mr. Wu, it's a deal.

Take me on board.

I can take 15,000 tons.

When the sun came out,

the snow was dazzling.

But what I saw

was all gold.

I kind of felt like

a great man of the time.

The journey there

lasted for two weeks.

It was just after the New Year

in the north,

and in time for

a festival called “Chris" or something.

This is the way they treat the guests here.

One bite of bread, one bite of salt.

But I know

this should be the highest courtesy

of hospitality.

You have to break it up and eat it.

I've prepared all the rooms upstairs too.

I'll prepare the food and wine for you downstairs.

When you're done unpacking, come downstairs and let's eat.

I thought people there in the north were kind and warm.

I didn't expect

we could be fooled by them.

It cost less than 90 US dollars

altogether,

which is equivalent to

750 yuan,

to ship the steel scrap from the north to China.

While the price of imported steel scrap in China

was 1,300 yuan.

That's a big price difference.

Except for the difficulty to get the import quota,

it was a steady profit

as long as we got the goods.

These are not steel scrap.

These are quality steel coils.

It's chaotic here in the North.

They mix these with scrap steel

and sell them together.

After you've checked out the contract,

sign it,

and the goods can be shipped out tomorrow.

50,000 tons it is.

When we arrived at the steel mill,

we were shocked.

That wasn't scrapped steel.

It was all good steel coils.

It was a heavy-industrial country.

They were developed in that way.

From a distance,

it was a mountain of steel.

Spectacular.

After being cheated,

me, Wu Jianshe, Qiu Bizheng, Feng Yu,

the four of us

all wanted to go back to China

for the New Year.

But Xu Banxia didn't want to.

She had a lot of debts at that time.

She couldn't solve the problem even if she came back.

So she was ready to risk everything.

Mr. Guo,

forget about the investment.

I don't accept it.

It'll still be my loan from you.

Interest will be paid as usual.

I can take it.

And then the four of us

went back to China first,

while Xu Banxia

stayed there alone.

You know we won't agree upon

the conditions you proposed.

As for the 50,000 tons you ask for,

that's off the table.

She was really lucky.

She met Nina again.

Nina took her

to a port on the Black Sea.

In the mist and smoke,

some big trucks came up to her.

What was on them

were scrap tanks.

What I mean is

let's make money together.

I've placed an order for the second shipment.

It's 100,000 tons.

I hope we can

chip in

and try to consume the shipment.

In those years, there were large quantities of scrap

coming in and out of her yard every month.

And the price of steel was going up all the time.

She made a complete fortune

by this

among us.

Xu Banxia led us to do this.

Miss Xu, Mr. Wu.

It seems that our last explanation

haven't been accepted.

The prosecutor's office has officially filed a complaint.

It's such a big

and crowded world.

Tell me.

I just want to retire to the countryside.

How do I get into such big trouble?

I was hoping that this would pass,

so the company could still come into the market.

Now it's good.

Instead of coming into the market,

we have to go to court.

We have carefully studied the relevant laws and regulations.

As long as all of you,

including Guo Qidong,

can unify your voices

and resolutely not admit guilt.

You can't be found guilty of intentional smuggling.

The court will likely find you not guilty.

But if all four of you plead not guilty

while Guo Qidong does,

and the court finds us guilty of smuggling,

then we will face a heavier punishment and sentence

because of the plea of not guilty.

I have extremely bad luck.

Some time ago,

I was accidentally involved in

the tax evasion.

And now,

smuggling too.

I've been careful

most of my life.

Why should I end up like this?

Who do you blame for this?

You have to thank

the trusted subordinate you've promoted.

From the time he embezzled money from you,

I told you he had a problem with his character.

Why do you still keep working with him?

I should never have taken him abroad.

I'm to blame for this?

If you say so,

I have something to say too.

I tried hard to persuade you

to accept Dong, didn't I?

You wouldn't listen.

I said he's talented.

He has ideals, he has ambitions.

He even read books and newspapers

and watched news broadcasts in prison.

He also made a plan for the steel mill.

You just wouldn't believe me.

You refused to take him on board.

And you even kicked him out of the car.

Who can you blame for that?

Now here comes the trouble.

You're still explaining

and saying kind words for him

at this time?

Okay, quit arguing.

In fact, I asked Guo Qidong to come today.

But he hasn't shown up so far.

I think he won't come.

[Are you asleep?]

Hello?

You haven't gone to bed now?

Do you miss me?

You've gone glib out there.

If you miss me, call me.

Just tell me.

If bad things happen, you should tell me more.

Don't keep it inside.

I suspect you're spying on me.

When is the trial?

Count all the boxes.

Don't make a mistake.

Yes, Mr. Zhao.

Zhao Lei.

Zhao Lei.

Why are you back all of a sudden?

Come with me.

Let me take you to a place.

[New Century Grand Hotel Binhai]

Hello, welcome.

Hello, Miss Xu.

Hello, Miss Xu.

You're coming back to work?

After China joined the WTO,

many foreign companies have come in.

They have fierce competition.

Our company is taking precautions,

on our way to transforming into

a service company for Chinese exports.

Now we have absorbed domestic capital

and formally become

a Sino-foreign joint venture financing company.

So my workload has doubled.

So you bring a mobile office

from Shanghai?

I just want to be with you.

Mr. Zhao never disappoints

when it comes to surprises.

Mr. Qiu.

We can't drink that much.

Besides,

you can't drink.

The friendship and even the grudge between us

has been the past for me.

I don't hate you anymore.

I mean it.

Mr. Qiu.

you can be straightforward

if you have anything to say.

Dong.

You've come today.

It means we're still friends.

I solemnly apologize to you

by the first glass of drink.

If it wasn't for me,

you might not have gone to jail.

It's been a hard time for you

all these years.

I'm sorry.

Don't ever, ever hold a grudge against me.

Don't.

As for the second glass,

it's such a vast universe.

It's a small planet.

On the small planet,

among the vast sea of people,

it's fate

if two people can just see each other.

It's a great destiny.

Not to mention Wu Jianshe, you and I,

Xu Banxia, Feng Yu,

we knew each other, met each other and made friends.

I'd like to make a toast to destiny

by the second glass.

And the third glass

is a toast to you.

I hope you can ignore the past.

Let's work together

and overcome the smuggling case.

The company is going public.

If the smuggling case is confirmed,

not only will we not be listed,

we'll all lose our money.

To you.

Dong.

Consider it a personal favor.

I'm begging you.

If you promise not to confess

and stay in line

with us,

we have no intention to commit a crime.

Otherwise, it's all over.

Dong.

If you promise me,

I'll go to Xu Banxia.

I'll tell her.

All that you have lost,

I... I...

I'll take…

I...

Hey, we're here.

Where are you?

Qiu Bizheng is in the resuscitation room.

I've left the hospital.

This guy...

He's sick. Let's go.

[Resuscitation Room]

Madam.

-Madam. -Miss Xu.

How is he?

I don't know.

He's in the resuscitation room.

Doctor.

Who is the patient's family?

I'm... I'm his lover.

Depending on the patient's condition,

we have two options.

One is to open the skull,

and remove the blood clot.

But there is a risk of loss of speech

and paraplegia.

The other option is conservative treatment.

The clot may be absorbed.

But there is a chance that it will come back.

Once it comes back,

it'll be too late to open the skull again.

You'll lose him.

So, you have to make a decision soon.

So, doctor.

What should we do?

Well, it's up to the family to decide.

Miss Xu.

Miss Xu, please help me make a decision.

I... I... I'm so confused right now.

I'm...

Madam.

I know it's a hard decision to make.

But

the doctor said

you are the family.

You have to decide this.

Yes.

We need to hurry up.

Doctor.

Please open the skull.

Okay, please sign it.

You have to do your best.

Don't worry.

[2002 Summer]

[Yuzhou Steel Plant]

Miss Xu.

The next trial will be held soon.

Mr. Qiu currently

can't make it to the court.

So we need to determine

who his client is as soon as possible.

Vice President Guo.

Miss Xu.

Is something wrong?

Mr. Qiu may have to spend the rest of his life

in a hospital bed.

The tax evasion was hard enough for him.

Now he can serve the sentence out of prison.

It's a blessing in disguise.

I know this is not what you want.

When in prison,

I got to know a fellow prisoner

who was very knowledgeable.

He used to teach us about Buddhism, the Heart Sutra, and the Vajra.

There was a saying that impressed me a lot,

“All laws can go invalid. But the karma is real.”

Tell Qiu Bizheng for me.

I'm sure

it will help him too.

Back then

when Wu Jianshe, Xu Banxia, Qiu Bizheng,

Feng Yu and Guo Qidong

went to the north and imported steel from the Black Sea,

Wu Jianshe and Feng Yu

had no quota permit.

Their quotas

were put together by many small companies.

Later, Xu Banxia also registered many subsidiaries

to apply for quotas,

importing raw materials for Wu Jianshe and the others.

Xu Banxia even privately

bought quotas from other companies.

[Defendant]

Defendants: Wu Jianshe, Feng Yu,

Guo Qidong, Qiu Bizheng, Xu Banxia.

[Trial judge]

Is it true what the public prosecutor said?

True.

True.

True.

True.

Therefore,

we believe that

the fact that the defendants, Xu Banxia, Wu Jianshe, Qiu Bizheng,

Feng Yu and Guo Qidong

have used national quota

imported steel scrap on a large scale,

and resold it,

taking the advantage of the steel price difference

between domestic and overseas

from the winter of 1996

has violated national laws and regulations,

complying with the elements of smuggling under criminal law.

My client has not imported a single kilogram of steel

not under the national quota.

This cannot be considered smuggling.

As for reselling,

there were no legal provisions at that time,

ruling that resale was not allowed.

Although the Customs Law of the People's Republic of China

and the Criminal Law Amendment IV

of People's Republic of China

were later revised,

according to the principle that if the law does not prohibit, it is feasible,

this can't be considered smuggling.

Each company does have

import quota standards.

But

under the name of Xu Banxia's Company,

there are still a lot of subsidiaries registered.

She's still claiming more national quotas

and then reselling

bonded high-quality scrap

through the subsidiaries.

After the new customs law and

Criminal Law Amendment IV came into effect,

the quantity of steel imported by the party concerned, Xu Banxia,

was far from

the quantity and extent of suspected smuggling.

Therefore, there is no such thing as dumping

bonded high-quality scrap steel.

From the beginning of 1996 till now,

during the six years,

have you been

fraudulently obtaining and selling national quotas

by registering subsidiaries?

I object.

Your Honor.

The prosecutor used the word “fraudulently".

This is a bait-and-switch way of asking.

The defendant may not answer

the prosecutor's question.

Prosecutor, please continue.

Xu Banxia.

According to the statement of the Customs Smuggling Investigation Bureau to you,

we've found

that after the newly revised Customs Law and

Amendment IV to the Criminal Law came into force,

your company has been still importing scrap steel overseas.

Therefore,

you and your company

are intentionally engaged in smuggling activities,

is that right?

I object.

Your Honor.

The prosecutor has used self-affirmation

by the word “intentionally”.

It's an inducing way of asking.

The defendant may not answer

the prosecutor's question.

I can answer the prosecutor's question.

We never knowingly

smuggled a kilogram of steel.

Your Honor.

Your Honorable Judges.

I plead guilty.

I also admit a basic fact.

We did engage in smuggling.

We did intend to take advantage of the national quota

and the huge price difference

between the domestic and overseas

and import steel on a large scale and resell it.

I believe that the law

will make a fair decision.

According to the statements and arguments

of the prosecution and the defense,

there are still many facts that need to be clearly identified

for the first trial.

The court is now closed.

The trial will continue at a later date.

This is the end of the first trial of

the smuggling case

involving Yuzhou Steel Plant

that we've all been concerned about.

At the trial scene,

the prosecutor and the defender

started a heated discussion…

Things in this world are unpredictable.

How did I go

from being a leisurely countryman

into the main culprit of a case overnight?

The situation is not good.

In my opinion,

there is at least a half chance

we can lose in the case.

Gentlemen.

Why?

Do you really think

you haven't committed a crime?

At least I don't think so.

Miss Xu.

The prosecutor's office wants to see you.

Prosecutor's office?

Hello?

Stop crying.

Stop crying.

Stop crying, okay?

Stop crying.

Look, who is this?

Mom and Dad, right?

Stop crying.

Stop crying!

It's so annoying.

I can't even fix you.

Xinyi.

Any news yet?

I've asked around. No one knows.

What about Sister and Zhao Lei?

They're also asking about it.

No news yet either.

Don't cry, don't cry.

Be good.

Don't be anxious.

Mom must be fine.

I can't help but be anxious.

My mom has been taken away.

Okay.

I will call Boss tomorrow and ask again.

Good girl.

Don't cry, don't cry.

Don't cry.

Good girl.

[Binhai Prosecutor]

Xu Banxia.

We asked you here today

because when the Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing

your company's listing information,

someone reported your misappropriation of state assets.

We've initially found

that your company's assets used for the listing

includes part of the State No.2 Steel assets

that you purchased from Wu Jianshe.

At the same time, when operating the State No.2 Steel,

you and Wu Jianshe failed to fulfill your responsibilities

with a lack of management.

You also improperly disposed

the production equipment

by reselling, dismantling and abandoning it, etc.

This is suspected of illegal disposal of state-owned assets.

The province is going on a reform

to contract out the State No.2 Steel.

50 million yuan.

It's a deal.

Take over my factory.

I'll merge the new mill,

Yuzhou Steel Plant and your Jian She Steel Mill.

Some of the equipment in your steel plant should be demolished,

sold or kept.

No, Xu Banxia.

This is the State No.2 Steel.

Even if its name is changed,

it was a state-run factory.

No one can afford to take responsibility for

your disposal like this.

What's the situation?

I now know

why Gao Yuejin was taken away.

I've told you everything I need to

about Wu Jianshe contracting the provincial steel plant

which was later subcontracted to Xu Banxia.

I will not conceal anything from the Party.

I will not evade the responsibility that I should bear.

This is the government's open tender to the whole society.

This is the first time since the founding of our country

to contract a steel mill.

But I also have to

express my thoughts and demands to the Party.

I will not admit responsibility that is not mine to bear.

I believe

the truth will be found out.

Contracting out the steel mill

was an experimental reform program of the government.

It didn't clearly indicate the ownership of property rights.

It was the newly revised law

that stated the property rights still belonged to the state.

You didn't know that at that time, did you?

Of course.

I didn't mean to embezzle the state's property.

Who would dare to get involved in such big trouble?

If

you convert the cost of Wu Jianshe's contract

to today,

it'd be a huge sum of money.

Then if the charge of embezzlement of state assets

is proved…

The consequences will be dire.

In fact, I'm more worried about

President Gao Yuejin.

She's been suspended.

She has to be interviewed and investigated at any time.

The authorities said whether she'd stay or go

should be decided after it's all settled.

The reform of state-owned enterprises was so vigorous,

some people did exploit an advantage,

putting the public property into their own pockets

and becoming fattened

by the people's hard-earned money.

But not everyone did that.

There are still good leaders and cadres

like President Gao

who doesn't play favorites,

use power for personal gain,

and accepts no corruption and bribery.

Whether it's when she contracted the steel mill to you

or when she came up with the idea of

subcontracting it to me,

as far as I know,

she never received any money from you.

I never gave her any money either.

She meant to

revitalize the steel mill

completely according to the reform policy at that time,

for the sake of

those who had devoted most of their lives to the steel mill

could make a living.

President Gao

is a good person.

Then who is the bad guy?

Me?

Of course I don't mean that.

Xu.

I've lived half my life.

There are not many women that I admire.

You're one of them.

So is President Gao.

I want to go back to the beginning.

If I could go back in time,

I wouldn't have sold the equipment to save myself

at the worst time

of my steel mill,

nor would I have subcontracted it to you.

Now it's good.

It may become

the evidence of my embezzlement of state assets.

Since I've incorporated Jian She Steel Mill

into your Yuzhou Steel Plant,

We have been in the same boat.

No one can escape.

Mr. Wu.

When you contracted for the State No.2 Steel,

did you own the property rights?

When your steel mill was merged into mine,

did the property rights change?

We need to find out

the definition of property rights.

Gao Yuejin.

Did you, Xu Banxia, and Wu Jianshe

intentionally embezzle the state assets?

I believe you've read the interview record

between Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission and me.

I still want to reiterate my point.

I, Xu Banxia, and Wu Jianshe

never intended to embezzle state-owned assets.

When the state tried to get rid of the burden

and contract the heavy industry factory,

it was at an experimental stage.

There were no clear legal provisions.

What represented

the property rights of the provincial steel plant

is a question to be determined.

The property right is first reflected in

the ownership of equipment of the steel mill.

If so,

Xu Banxia and Wu Jianshe's

modification of the machine

could be considered embezzlement.

But the fact that they had been paying the contract fee

gave them the right to dispose of their machines.

If the property rights of the state

is reflected in the reputation of the steel mill

and the allocation of resources of state enterprises,

then Xu Banxia

meant to make

her Yuzhou Steel Co. to come into the market,

[Stop]

not the provincial steel plant.

So why would that be embezzlement?

That's another very controversial issue.

[Outpatient]

The first trial for embezzlement of state assets is over.

The second trial of the smuggling case is about to start.

The smuggling case still has a chance

for mild treatment.

But once the embezzlement of state assets case

is affirmed,

it's very likely

we don't even have the opportunity to fight for mild treatment

due to the huge amount.

So we should be prepared for the worst.

Guo…

Okay.

Got it, got it.

You don't have to think about it.

It's no use.

We don't have the chance to convince Guo Qidong.

I didn't expect you to come.

Why did you confess?

I didn't confess for revenge

any one of you.

I just

want to sleep peacefully.

Can you sleep peacefully?

I should say,

since Qiu Bizheng asked me

to check his books,

I've never had any good intentions toward you.

But after all these years,

I don't know how our grudge

can be resolved.

But I'll do my best.

We didn't break any rules.

We've been working for most of our lives.

Are we finally going to admit

that we're sinners?

That's not true.

Leave it to the court to decide

whether we're guilty or not.

Guo Qidong.

Is this how you want to destroy us?

What's in it for you

to destroy us?

Isn't it the same as destroying yourself?

What else do I have to be destroyed?

Conscience.

Conscience can also be destroyed.

Qiu Bizheng is now lying in the hospital.

Have you visited him once?

Do you want to

remain powerless to face him?

I miss Shuang.

Mom.

I've forgotten

what it's like to hold you.

Mom is fine.

Don't worry.

Where's Shuang?

Mom, take your time.

Shuang.

Tong Xiaoqi.

Shuang.

Are you hungry?

Be good.

Mom, you're back.

Come on, let Grandma hold you.

My baby.

Is she hungry?

Come on, let mom sit down and take a break.

-You go do it. -I'll make something to eat.

Okay.

Why are you crying, baby?

Mom, sit down.

Mom, sit down.

Mom, how are you?

What's with

Shengli Steel Mill's indictment against us?

We've always helped import

the raw materials for their company.

Now they can't get the raw materials.

So they are pissed.

Lawyer Hua.

What's with

Qianlang company's lawsuit against us

with other companies again?

We've cut off the supply to their company

for a long time.

We've received several reminders.

Mr. Jia.

These are the faxed documents of demand for payment

from suppliers around the world

and that of the bank demanding interest

and repayment.

I need you to sign them.

President Gao.