Original subtitles

Business

can make a nation

as well as break a nation.

The essence of great business

is to manage the household,

govern the nation,

and bring peace to the world.

Fu, quickly!

Go down there and check.

- Fine, I saw him just now. - Look around nearby again.

Why do they want to beat you?

We need to find him.

We'll be in trouble if we can't find him.

Did you steal something?

How is that stealing?

They bullied me, so I took something from them.

- How is that wrong? - Is he there?

No, he's not here.

Did he go there?

No, I don't see him.

However,

the fact that you took something is wrong.

Since the stuff is with me, it's mine.

How is that wrong?

He's good at running. Where did he go?

Fine, let's go!

We'll check over there instead!

Come on, go!

How strange, where did he go?

Fu, faster!

Hurry! Go and catch him!

Let's go. Hurry up, look over there!

I'm not talking to you anymore.

Hey.

Where are you going?

Hey.

It's not a problem.

Master Chuang and I will take care of your family.

Don't worry.

My daughter is only 13 years old.

Don't worry.

I will take good care of her.

Tell my wife

that I'm really sorry.

Of course.

Write it down yourself.

Don't worry.

If Master Chuang says he'll take care of them, he will.

Time for you to go.

Mr. Huang!

Please, save me!

I don't want to die like this!

Please!

Save me!

Mr. Huang!

Chief.

Here.

Think about it.

If General Ma gets the military police to arrest you,

will it be better?

You know how bad it'll be

once you're arrested, right?

Get up there.

At least save your dignity.

Thank you.

Don't misunderstand me.

This doesn't mean I forgive you for staying out last night.

It also doesn't mean I like that Japanese woman.

It's my bad.

By doing that…

was I able to help you?

You’re not just helping me out.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Everything has been arranged.

Send Mrs. Chou to the Shanhua's Chuang family as a maid.

For the young girl,

sell her to the Drunken Moon Club in Taichung.

Mother, what did he say?

I don't want to go to a club.

I don't want to.

I don't want to go. Mother, save me.

I… I don't want to go.

I'm sorry.

Mother, save me!

- I really don't want to go! - Quiet!

I want to go with you.

Mother.

Do you want a beating?

What's the matter?

We

can finally be together.

He got you your identity card.

A warehouse manager?

Asshole.

What do you mean by this?

It's good enough.

You seem to have forgotten who I used to be.

My Japanese cigarettes

can be sold to whomever I wanted.

And now you've given me this shitty job.

What do you mean by it?

You Japanese

are either in hiding

or have already escaped back to Japan.

If you want to stay,

stay hidden.

If you want a job,

the excuse of "continued employment"

for you lot

is the best there is.

Besides, Chunghua Cement is our own people,

everything will remain the same.

At least we

don't need to be sneaking around.

Mr. Fukuyama.

This way, please.

Mr. Fukuyama.

Hi.

I am Lin Teng.

Masami is here, isn't she?

Ms. Masami told me everything.

That's why

I am here to speak with you.

What is there to speak about?

I'm not speaking with you.

Bring Masami out.

Mr. Fukuyama.

I'm helping you.

Masami is my wife.

Bring her out.

I'm taking her back to Japan.

Mr. Fukuyama.

Under my roof,

please watch yourself.

You want to talk?

Fine.

I'm a businessman.

I'll hear what you want to talk about.

Perfect.

I'm a businessman too.

I know you represent Sugita Company.

I also know that you are buying

illegally hoarded cement in Taiwan.

I also know you plan to illegally

smuggle gold back to Japan in the cement.

No one told me buying cement is illegal.

Besides,

the gold is my private property in Taiwan.

Why can't I bring them back when I return to Japan after the war?

The cement you're buying

belongs to the Taiwan military.

Resource Provision Bureau Chief Chou Kuo-hui accepted bribes

and issued excessive permits,

allowing illegal operators to hoard cement,

leading to a cement shortage within the country

and increased activity on the black market.

Because of this,

we've reported Chou Kuo-hui.

So?

You want to report me too?

There is no record about me

that links me to the gold.

You don't have evidence either.

I know where your gold is hidden.

Someone wants me to report you.

However,

I didn't do it.

Who?

Go back to Japan.

We'll pretend nothing happened.

The cement,

Masami,

and the gold,

don't even think of taking any of them.

The cement that was nearly bought by the Japanese

is 3,300 tons.

And Mr. Lin Teng

provided 3,500 tons of cement himself.

That makes 6,800 tons,

filling the Central Cross-Island Highway's 6,500-ton deficit.

The mission has been accomplished.

CHIEF CHOU KUO-HUI ACCEPTED BRIBES FOR PERSONAL GAIN

I invited everyone to join me here today

to have an honest chat,

so we're here to dine at my residence,

which means I see you all as my friends.

On the dinner table,

don't mention

any bullshit.

When men dine,

we drink before we eat.

This is not some refined drink.

Erguotou.

Some of you may not be used to it.

Let me know in advance next time, General Ma,

and I'll bring some fine alcohol.

Actually, alcohol

is like people.

If you're not used to it,

you must drink more of it.

Once you've had a lot,

you become familiar.

General Ma, finish what you want to say.

Please be frank.

The black market cement incident a few days ago

made the superiors very unhappy.

The privatization

only occurred a couple of years ago

and there's already such a scandal.

Tell me.

How can I face people?

Didn't Chou Kuo-hui admit to everything?

We have a confession too.

Besides, the telegram from Sugita Company

also proves that they did not buy the cement.

It was…

something those two Japanese did on their own.

Yesterday,

a boat sailing towards Japan

had two passengers missing.

I was thinking

if they didn't run away,

they may have been thrown into the sea.

What's that got to do with me?

The black market incident was a scheme to pull me down from my position.

Chou Kuo-hui

is but a scapegoat.

Everyone.

The black market incident signifies

that the Chunghua Cement and Resource Provision Bureau

have not been attentive enough when issuing permits.

Our storage system,

warehouse control,

and material management

all have issues.

However, we can take this chance

to identify the problems.

- That way-- - Lin Teng.

By saying there are problems everywhere,

are you questioning Fifth Master's management skills?

That's right.

Your Yilan Corp

is the largest asbestos company in the country.

You're so aggrieved to be at Chunghua Cement.

Mr. Chien-fung believes

that since the country is finally stable now,

everyone should put aside differences

and serve the country and its people.

Go inside.

Steady!

1956, CENTRAL CROSS-ISLAND HIGHWAY TACHIEN DAM

When do you plan to finish that?

Watch it!

I'm sorry.

Move it!

You must be tired.

I've made you travel a long way.

I'm all right.

I'm not like Lin Teng,

who secretly visited you while you're on vacation in Taipei.

Just a call

and I'll go to wherever you are.

Of course you're different.

If you're the same,

would I let you be the assistant vice president?

But I feel like

you've forgotten who you work for.

Right?

I have not forgotten.

Hsinchu's Huang family has always served you.

You still know you're from Hsinchu's Huang family?

I thought Hsinchu's Huang family changed their surname to Chuang!

Are you afraid?

The Japanese and commies' artillery during the war

hit harder than this.

But I think you and Master Chuang

are more vicious than the commies.

Master Chuang

gave me much advice at Chunghua Cement.

I'm saving you.

Fifth Master had a long chat with Mr. Chiang.

He thinks someone's playing tricks at Chunghua Cement.

Do you know who that is?

Lin Teng.

Hung-ta.

On the battlefield,

don't just try to kill people.

You must strategize.

Or you'll hurt yourself.

Mr. Chiang has keen eyes

and a sharp mind.

Understood.

I apologize.

When a newbie wants to shine,

don't keep letting old farts

stand above you.

Yes.

I got it.

You just need to get used to vibrations like these.

You

must control yourself.

Sister

Virtuous sister

Though you remain

True and faithful

Xu Xian is no longer

The old him

All disloyal people in the world

Will be stabbed

By my sword

Bravo!

Qing'er!

Too bad.

I couldn't sing

the last few lines right.

You sang very well.

The last few lines were all right.

That's how opera is.

If you mess up one line,

everyone only remembers that.

All your efforts go to waste.

The opera becomes dull too.

Why do you think you didn't sing the final lines well?

I misjudged the situation.

I thought my breath was enough to support that part,

but it wasn't.

I also misjudged the situation.

The privately hoarded cement alone

wasn't enough for the military.

But I did not expect Mr. Lin

could provide 1,500 tons of cement.

That's because he has Yilan Corp,

friends who are distributors, developers,

and Provincial Cement Union members

supporting him.

So you don't have friends?

The so-called friendship

is actually just an exchange of benefits.

When the benefits conflict,

they may no longer be friends.

It seems that you've got some ideas.

I'm counting on you this time.

The opera is set up.

Now, we await the star to take the stage.

1956, CHUNGHUA CEMENT BEITOU WAREHOUSE

The stocks in this warehouse

must be checked in the morning and evening.

Anything that comes in or goes out must be signed.

The person's name, from where, and how much.

Everything must be recorded.

Understood?

Well,

that'll be all.

Are you Japanese?

I'm Tu.

I'm Mu.

Sorry.

Your job

was personally arranged by Mr. Huang.

You're quite something.

Is that guy incredible?

Of course he is. He's the assistant vice president!

He rarely comes to the company.

We don't normally see him.

What's so incredible about him?

I used to manage all the cigarettes in all of Hsinchu.

His wife

is sleeping with me.

How incredible!

You two, listen well.

Follow me and you'll live well.

Stop playing.

Sheng-mei, come eat!

- Sheng-mei, I'm getting angry. - I don't want to eat.

Hurry.

Sheng-mei!

Sit.

Eat.

Sit down.

Sit.

Have some breakfast.

Thank you.

Shall we serve you

some pickled vegetables?

It's all right.

Thank you.

Or some miso soup?

Ma'am, make a bowl of miso soup.

It's okay.

This is fine.

Why have you never asked me

whether I want miso soup or not?

You're Taiwanese, why would you have miso soup?

This is not about being Taiwanese.

Don't you see she eats so little?

So I eat a lot?

There's no need for the trouble.

Thank you.

You speak Taiwanese?

I forgot…

I forgot to get soy sauce.

Soy sauce.

The soy sauce.

This is the fast spin.

What?

How long will she be staying with us?

She's injured.

I sympathize with her injury,

so I'm letting her stay with us.

But my heart isn't so generous,

I cannot share a husband with her.

Weren't we fine yesterday?

Why are you acting this way today?

Are you unable to say it?

Then I'll do it.

Hsueh-yu.

Ms. Masami.

Yes,

Mrs. Lin.

I want to ask you…

Do you need help at the suit shop? I want to work there.

What?

I want to do business in the future too.

Can't I go and learn there?

No, Mrs. Lin.

The business expert is here,

why would you need to learn at the suit shop?

Why must I learn from him?

Can't I learn on my own?

With my face now,

I can't receive customers.

The bruises

can't be covered by powder.

Originally, I planned to recover first

before reopening.

If you're willing to help,

that would be great.

Okay.

All right.

Let's eat.

Suits are categorized

as full dress tailcoats,

dinner jackets,

morning coats, and regular suits.

The regular suit's fabric is very important.

Fabrics are made

of wool,

worsted,

woolen,

Merino wool,

cashmere,

mohair,

coarse wool,

flannel,

velvet,

linen,

silk,

and alpaca wool.

There are so many.

I didn't know there were so many fabrics.

Those that you know

already make you more well-informed than ordinary people.

This requires studying.

Let's go again.

After cashmere, it's…

velvet.

Welcome.

We have customers.

You go.

Hi.

Hi.

Do you want to make suits?

No.

I want to make Eastern clothing.

- Then what fabric would you like? - What do you mean?

What fabric do you like?

The most expensive one!

Right. The most expensive one!

Give me the most expensive one.

The most expensive one…

Give me a moment.

It should be there.

Hi.

If you want better fabrics,

there's this one.

You can try touching it.

We can touch it?

How kind of you.

This is called Scabal.

Both the company and the factory are overseas.

Their fabrics' thread count is at least 80

and soft to the touch.

Indeed.

It is very soft.

I want to touch it too.

Is there more?

There's also this.

Can we touch this too?

This is not bad either.

If you want to feel the fabric, take it. Hold it.

It's all right.

Here.

Come with me.

Don't act this way.

Those two….

were very annoying.

They were so rude.

They didn't intend to buy suits at all.

That's how business is.

There are all sorts of people.

However,

a customer is a customer.

You must treat them nicely.

Customers like that make me so mad.

How do I treat them nicely?

You hold it in.

By that logic,

if someone touches your wife's hand,

you can hold that in as well?

Who touched your hand?

Explain it clearly.

They touched your hand?

Not mine.

However,

they kept harassing Masami.

I asked her why she didn't get angry.

She said

she learned it while working at the club.

Perhaps

I should go work at a club too.

I can probably learn a lot.

Hey.

What nonsense are you saying?

A club?

What happened to holding it in?

If I work at a club,

you can't hold it in?

Hold it in.

I'll go and make tea.

Eighteen!

Give me the money!

Take it!

How long must my construction wait?

Why aren't you shipping?

Who's in charge?

Why the fuck are you yelling?

Cement! My cement!

- How long have I been waiting? - Sure, you want to yell?

What?

Why are you so fierce?

I cannot start my project without cement.

That's your business!

Will you pay me if we get delayed?

- It's none of my business. - You want to fight?

- You want to fight? Ship the goods! - Come on!

- You want to get physical? - You want to fight?

Just ship the goods!

Hey, what's going on?

Sir.

He's Japanese.

Beat it!

Go away!

We paid

for the cement.

We filled out the application too.

Why won't you ship them?

Which company is he from?

Hsu Development.

Hsu Development.

Your cement is there.

Go see what's in front of your cement.

All of that is waiting to be shipped.

If their cement isn't shipped,

how will yours ship?

Over there is Fuhsing Development's.

Theirs will be shipped this afternoon.

Chienkuo Construction's are from here to there, to be shipped tomorrow.

Before yours is Dasheng Construction,

for tomorrow afternoon's shipping.

My construction is unable to start then.

No.

Hsu Development.

I'll make it clear.

You did not pay the fee.

Fee?

What fee?

Come here.

Put this on.

What is this?

So beautiful.

Why give me this?

I'm now Chunghua Cement's warehouse coordination director.

All the clients are begging me to ship their cement first.

Getting red packets from them

is only logical.

Why take red packets?

Warehouse coordination

is quite an interesting job.

I control the goods coming in and going out.

If they give me a red packet,

I ship immediately.

If they didn't give it,

their cement will be in the innermost part of the warehouse.

They can wait forever.

I didn't expect him

to give you a good job.

It's not a good job.

It all depends on your intelligence.

Watch me use this network.

You fools deserve to be toyed with.

You won't even know how you meet your end.

What's up?

What's with Chunghua Cement now?

You even added a fee.

A fee?

What fee?

Don't you know?

Your warehouse shipments

now require a fee

to be released!

They didn't inform us. Our work was on hold for three days--

Wait.

What fee are you talking about?

Who charged you a fee?

Your warehouse director!

A Japanese.

- Eighteen! - Ten!

Keep drinking, it's your second glass!

Your second glass, come on!

- Ten! - Eighteen!

What are you doing?

Is this how you run a warehouse?

No…

We're just on a break.

Who are you?

I am Chunghua Cement's Executive Director, Lin Teng.

Someone reported to me that you have been taking red packets.

Moreover,

you've been withholding cement shipments.

Even if I accepted red packets,

so what?

You dare to be so cocky?

Mr. Lin.

Is there any place who don't take red packets?

Government entities,

big hospitals,

and small clinics,

they all take red packets.

It'd be strange not to accept them.

Be honest.

Haven't you ever given red packets?

Have you never accepted them?

The company has its rules.

You call yourself Japanese when you don't even understand that?

People like you

get a salary from the company

and disregard rules,

damaging the company's image and reputation.

I manage this warehouse

and let my men live well

and wear nice suit

and ride a nice car to work like you.

Your so-called company's salary is a little over NTD 100.

How do they make a life out of it?

Replace him right now.

All these people

who took the money,

replace them too.

Do you know who I am?

I am Mr. Huang's man.

That has nothing to do with this.

Even if you're the chairman's man,

- I'll-- - You can't touch me.

We shall see.

There are eight warehouses here,

holding 60,000 tons of cement.

Developers all over Taiwan

as well as material distributors

add up to 60 or 70 in total.

I

may not be skilled,

but I have a terrific memory.

Stop!

You can't do anything about it!

Even if the chairman is here, he can't touch me.

Eight warehouses,

60,000 tons of cement.

Which company ordered,

where and when to ship,

it's all only in my head now.

Replace me

and try to explain to the clients.

Call the police.

Mr. Lin.

You must treat me well.

If something were to happen to me,

what I hold in my brain may disappear.