Original subtitles

♫ She makes her dream linger in memory ♫

♫ Her dream is faraway but it never ends ♫

♫ He realizes his promise through action ♫

♫ His life is bright and extraordinary ♫

♫ He sings and dances for his past ♫

♫ She sings and cries for her pain ♫

♫ He tells cowardice and kisses his bravery ♫

♫ She writes her dislike and plays her love ♫

♫ Walk in the light towards the dreamy distance ♫

♫ Live for brilliance towards the bright distance ♫

♫ The stars that sleep in the sunlight ♫

♫ hide themselves with ordinariness ♫

♫ They suddenly appear above the sea in the night ♫

♫ light and shine with brilliance ♫

♫ They close their eyes in the storm ♫

♫ to restrain themselves with ordinariness ♫

♫ They suddenly become dazzling in crowds ♫

♫ show that they are extraordinary ♫

[The Justice]

[Episode 01]

I am Cheng Yizhi,

which means a great order through the land.

Do you recognize the ingots here?

Suzhou Sycee, Hangzhou Silver Coin,

Zhenjiang Silver Coin.

Calculate as I dictate.

Please.

19,200 taels minus 3,004 taels

plus 672 taels, minus 2,100 taels.

The result is 14,768 taels.

What kind of jobs have you had before?

I've been working at Chu's Drysaltery as a shopboy on Sima Road. (Drysalters were dealers in a range of chemical products, including glue, varnish, dye, and paint.)

Is that the only job you have had?

Right. It is the only job I have had.

But the shop owner is keen on horse racing.

So I have to take care of all the business there.

From replenishing stock, checking the accounts,

to cleaning the site, to cashiering.

Walk me through.

What is the bestseller?

What sells the worst?

What's the most profitable?

And what's the scarcest good?

Most of our products go to the audience at Grand Stage.

Fried melon seeds, sunflower seeds, dried kumquat,

and haw flakes are the best sellers.

About fifteen jin are sold for each of them.

Betel nuts sell the worst.

Because newspapers have been promoting the disadvantages of betel nuts.

There is still four jin in storage.

I'm afraid they'd be dumped.

The most profitable snack are Salted Butter Almond Bars by a French firm.

Consigning some to the waiter for sale at balconies at Grand Stage,

the profit is three jiao per jin. (One jiao is equal to 1/10 of a yuan; jin is 500g, also known as "catty.")

The harvest at Hunan and Hubei is poor this year.

Louts seeds and grapefruit peels are hard to get.

Don't mention canned yellow peaches.

Knows silver well.

Familiar with the abacus.

Good with business.

That will make you a good apprentice.

Thanks.

It's just... I'm not here to be an apprentice.

Why are you here then?

- To borrow money. - Borrow money?

To save a life.

Xiao Lingdang. [One day ago]

Haw jelly. Newly bought.

Thanks, Brother Yizhi.

I'm finished with your suit.

So soon!

Let me take a look.

How is it?

Looks good. Try it on.

I know I can trust you.

You bastard.

Why are you back late?

Take it out! Now!

I'm telling you. It's about time!

Come on. Hurry up.

Going well!

As long as you're happy.

Mr. Chu.

Just take a look.

By the way, Mr. Chu,

don't waste money on the third horse. It runs slow!

I get it!

Who are you?

[Ya'en University]

Student ID, please.

Students only.

You're not allowed here.

Time to go!

Haven't you finished copying?

It's only been a few minutes.

You've been here for an hour! Patrols will be here soon. Come on!

Yes, sir.

Come on. One last sentence.

Just go!

If they catch you, I wil be fired.

No offense to you,

but why do you keep copying books?

After all this time, you're still a shopboy.

It gives you no title nor can it bring money.

That's not right.

A book holds a house of gold!

See you.

Got you!

You thief!

I'm not a thief.

The day before yesterday, you stole a wallet here.

And you tore the ID in it!

Yesterday, a leather case was gone.

Our monitor was scolded for that!

Last week, my classmates lost money.

Did you do it?

You're mistaken. I'm not a thief!

Stop right there.

I've been waiting to capture you.

You must be mistaken. I'm not a thief.

What are you doing?

Give it back!

I... I might have made a mistake.

If I was a thief, I'd be tough on you!

I'm sorry.

I love your handwriting.

Are you interested in economics?

I yearn for money.

Hold on.

So, you're here to study.

What did you copy from?

Not your business.

Without permission, you're not allowed to go into the library.

How did you do that?

- Actually... - Calm down.

I won't report you.

But I have a condition.

Here.

I love the scenery here!

I'm leaving.

Wait.

Economics is much more than making money.

If you do want to learn it,

listen to Professor Lu Caifu's class at the lecture hall.

This is the textbook.

You may take a look.

No need for that.

It's not for free!

Finish the assignment for me.

Assignment?

Two questions. 200 words of answer each.

Why don't you do it yourself?

I'm up to something else.

Tomorrow, 5:00 p.m.

Meet me at the school gate with my textbook and the assignment.

What's your name?

I need it for the assignment.

Lizi.

It stands for heroic posture.

Dad, what-what brings you here?

I tried to pick you up at school.

You weren't practicing piano.

I guessed that you would be here enjoying the movies.

You know me well!

They are from Mom.

You go first.

Mom told me that you did great at the piano solo.

But you weren't there! Business trip again.

It's my bad.

All these years, I often go on business trips for the bank.

I missed many moments of your life.

I feel bad for the loss.

Don't bring it up.

Watch the movie.

The movie.

Look! That's hilarious!

You bastard. Getting up earlier and earlier.

How I wish for a longer sleep!

Even the rooster is still asleep!

They've got someone to feed them.

But I don't.

Dressing up today?

What's it for? A blind date?

Mr. Chu,

it's not like that.

I want to talk to you, seriously.

What could it possibly be?

Spit it out.

The store next door has been idle for a month.

Don't you have any plan, Mr. Chu?

What plan?

To buy it.

No. No way.

If we do it, we could have a storefront twice the size now.

That's tiring.

Cheng,

making money shouldn't be everything.

Don't forget to have fun. Understand?

We seek joy in different matters.

You enjoy watching horse racing.

To do something good, that's what cheers me up.

To be honest, Mr. Chu, I've been working for you for years.

This is the best I could do.

If it keeps going on like this,

I will leave you with this shop.

Cheng! Dear Cheng!

Come on.

Don't do that to me. Besides,

Cheng, am I good to you?

I owe it to you.

So, you shouldn't leave.

What's more, if you're gone,

I'll be broke.

Fine. Answer this question.

Will you buy the shop next door or not?

I don't have money.

The shop next door will cost me at least 200 yuan.

- 200, right? - Right.

If you had the money, would you buy it?

Stop joking. I don't have it.

- If you did have the money, would you buy it? - I would.

- You would buy it, right? - Yeah. - Deal!

Bastard.

Are you saying you have the money?

200 yuan.

Give it to me!

Cheng Yizhi!

Hiding money from me, huh?

Who do you think you are?

Calm down.

Think about it. Where would the money be if I hadn't done it?

You squandered every penny on horse racing!

I had to do it, or they'd be gone!

That's my money I'm squandering.

What you're hiding is also mine!

Isn't that right? Give it to me!

- Give me the money. - No way.

No!

No!

Fine. I need it...

for the business. Give me the money and I'll talk to the shop owner.

Renting the shop, that's proper business. Right?

- Proper business? - Right.

I've talked to them about it.

Just give me the green light. We'll have the shop

as long as I send them the money.

That's crazy!

Making decisions for me?

I get it.

No wonder you dressed up today.

Paying money for me, right?

Fine, keep it.

Let's go.

Come on.

You brat! Read the sign!

Chu's Drysaltery.

It says Chu! Not Cheng!

Do you get that? Chu! Chu's shop!

Making decisions for me, huh?

Great speech. Chu's Drysaltery.

Chu's Dry—

- Mr. Chu. - Mr. Qiu.

- Remember me? - Of course.

I'm sorry.

When will you pay the debt?

Give me a few days. I promise I will.

I don't have it now.

We're civilized people! No fists!

Stop! Stop!

200 yuan, right? I got it.

Show me the money!

I have it. Give it to me.

My life is at stake. Please.

200 yuan.

Count it right.

I borrowed 200 bucks from you and I returned it.

We're even now. We're even.

Mr. Chu.

We're loan sharks. Where's the interest?

Mr. Qiu, please spare me.

I only borrowed it for a few days.

I've paid 200 bucks.

- Thank you, please. - Bring it on!

Stop!

Yizhi.

Bastard, help me out!

I'll pay his debt.

You?

I owe it to Mr. Chu.

I'll pay his debt.

He borrowed 200. It's a ten percent rate.

Overdue for ten days. The interest is 200.

- Can you afford that? - I can't.

Then stop speaking up!

I can borrow it.

Give me four hours.

Two hours! Make it fast!

Mr. Chu,

promise me. You'll never do horse racing.

Okay, fine. Whatever you say.

All right. Wait for me.

Yizhi, are you all right? Leave him be!

Yizhi, my sister gave me a gold pendant.

I'll go get it.

I saved 5 bucks. I'll give it to you.

I only have 3 bucks. It's yours!

Listen up.

No way will you gather 200 yuan.

Forget about it.

Wait for me here.

Brother Yizhi.

[Lung Ying Bank]

What do you want?

Mr. Chu's life is at risk.

I need 200 yuan to redeem him.

Now that you're here for money,

why did you wait in line with other testers?

Unlike a pawnshop, credit is all that takes to borrow money from a bank.

I have had no business contact with your bank.

Nor do I know you, Mr. Xu.

So I took the apprentice test to earn your trust.

I wish you could help me.

There are more than 100 banks in Shanghai.

Why did you choose me?

Of all the banks here,

Lung Ying Bank has the best reputation.

It's been running for years.

And the momentum is strong.

Even apprentices get a high salary.

Jing'an Branch is the largest of all.

It is all thanks to your operation.

I'm sure you're a capable man.

I hope I stand a chance.

Based on your situation,

200 yuan is way beyond you.

Sorry about that.

- Next! - Manager.

As you said, I could be a good apprentice.

Please let me stay here at Lung Ying Bank as an apprentice.

I can use half of my salary to pay you back.

It will pay off one day.

The salary for the apprentice is 20 yuan per month.

Half of that is 10 yuan.

That's to say, it will take at least two years for you.

Two years, it is.

If only you have what it takes.

As you know, we have a high standard here.

We've expelled many apprentices before.

However, there are apprentices who make it.

If I become assistant manager, it will only take half a year to pay the debt.

That's ambitious.

How about this?

If you get kicked out,

interest for the debt unpaid will be ten percent per day, too.

Deal?

Deal.

Five apprentices have been recruited.

So much for today.

[Lung Ying Bank]

Brother Yizhi.

Lung Ying Bank?

You've got something, bro.

Lucky you.

Out of the way.

Stop gathering around.

You're interfering with my business! Get lost.

Get lost.

You, too! Go away.

Brother Yizhi.

Your friends? Go ahead. Enjoy.

Brother Yizhi, how is it?

Don't worry. I'm all right.

It's been taken care of.

Have some rest.

- Okay. - That's good.

Don't forget to treat your wounds.

Off you go.

Cheng, thank you.

Whatever you say, I'll follow.

I won't gamble again.

This is it.

I won't be here tomorrow.

Cheng Yizhi! Who do you think you are?

Where could you go?

To an apprenticeship at Lung Ying Bank.

Lung Ying Bank?

Don't make me laugh. Apprenticeship.

It's because of you!

Do you think I want to?

It's for you!

I sold myself to them for 200 yuan!

I shouldn't have kept you here.

I don't want to see you. Go away. Away from me!

Shopboy.

Boy, do you remember me?

- Sir! - Walnut.

Why are you here?

Please preserve it for me. I'll pay you back.

- That's... - Don't worry. It's harmless.

Just don't open it.

Keep it for me.

I'll fetch it by next weekend.

Please, do me this favor.

Sir, but... but tomorrow—

Cheng, I've thought about it. Don't go.

I'd live on air if you're gone.

I'd be doomed. Please, Cheng.

I'm begging you.

Mr. Chu... Take care.

Who are you?

What do you want?

[Chu's Drysaltery]

Don't forget to put medicine on it.

Time to go.

Yizhi, be sure to come back often.

Right.

I know.

Don't bully Xiao Lingdang while I'm away.

She's tougher than us.

Right.

Take care.

I'll check on you later.

All right.

I'm leaving.

Brother Yizhi.

Stop the car.

Miss Lizi, get in the car.

[Ya'en University]

[Lung Ying Bank]

[Famous banker Wu Zhifu committed suicide to escape punishment.]

Shop Assistant Tan?

Shop Assistant Tan?

Shop assistant? May I beg your pardon?

I'm a decent employee here at Lung Ying Bank.

I'm in charge of the apprentices.

You must call me "Big Brother!"

- Yes, Big Brother! - Yes, Big Brother.

You.

You, step forward.

Name.

Pang Feng.

Everyone calls me Roundface.

Go stand in the corner!

Hurry!

According to our rules,

apprentices should never touch currency.

Once you violate the rule, intentional or not,

you'd be fired and the salary will be confiscated.

Do you hear me?

Yes, Big Brother!

Now clean the house.

Yes, Big Brother.

Wipe the chairs and tables.

I want no stain on the window or the floor.

Keep the kettle warm.

Wash all the cups inside out.

As the manager says,

[Famous banker Wu Zhifu committed suicide to escape punishment.] our branch must be stainless.

Please preserve it for me. Don't open it.

Keep it for me.

I'll go fetch it by next weekend.

Big Brother.

You're the one who owes high interest to us.

Yes, Big Brother.

What's your name?

Cheng Yizhi.

Cheng Yizhi.

- Get to work, now! - Yes, Big Brother!

The next time, I'll fire you!

Yizhi.

Lv! You scared me.

I thought you were gone.

I'm worried about him.

What's going on?

You know what. He sold this place right after you left.

Yizhi, forget about it.

I need to deliver a package. I'll talk to you later.

- All right. - Bye.

Move.

Next.

Move.

Give it to me.

Hiding from me, huh?

Move.

Whose luggage is that? Bring it here!

It's Cheng Yizhi's.

Where is he?

He asked for leave.

Bring it here.

Nothing but crap.

Quite heavy. Interesting.

Don't touch it!

Say that again!

It's a sign of bad luck.

Mr. Tan, I'm not talking about you.

I'm talking about me.

To tell you the truth,

I have had a miserable year.

I lost all my deposits. Now, I owe a debt to loan sharks.

Even as an apprentice, I only get half my salary.

I turned to a fortuneteller.

Guess what, Mr. Tan?

What?

Ghost of poverty.

I've been haunted by it.

Helpless as I was.

I asked the fortuneteller to cast a spell.

The ghost is trapped right in that can.

Don't worry.

Bronze counteracts its force.

It's harmless as long as it's sealed.

Never open it.

Or it will haunt the one who opens it.

Don't send it away.

Or you'll be punished.

It freaked me out.

It's still sealed.

- Not a scratch. - Get away from me.

Mr. Tan.

Take the spooky thing away.

Would you like to take a look at the ghost?

Get away.

Dismissed! Go away.

Dismissed!

Take a look.

See what it looks like.

Mr. Tan, here's your breakfast: glutinous rice balls.

I notified the maker of your preference.

They added more sesame powder. Try it out.

Good for you.

I'll get to work.

- Go ahead. - Okay.

Mr. Tan, here some tofu pudding.

Take a bite.

Do you want to get me burned?

It's not like that.

Clean it up!

I'm telling you. Serving me hot food again, you'll be fired.

Yes, Big Brother.

Come over!

Mr. Tan, you're going too far.

We're apprentices. Not your servants!

It's a good thing you still remember your identity!

Using us all day long without teaching anything.

If you keep doing this, I'll report it to the manager.

It's not up to you!

I'm your superior.

You should do as I say!

Who do you think the manager will believe? You piece of trash—

- Pardon— - I dare you to say that again!

- Calm down. - Say that again!

Let go.

That's enough.

Do you want to fight?

Come on. Go ahead.

Bring it on. Beat me.

Come on.

Don't fight.

Please forgive him.

Calm down.

Take it easy, Big Brother.

Don't be mad.

Take a seat. Calm down.

Take it easy.

Roundface.

Apprentices shall not handle currency.

I found you carrying this coin.

You'd better behave.

The next time,

I'll turn you into the manager when he comes by!

Greetings, Manager!

- Manager. - Manager, you're here.

What happened? What's all this mess?

Clean it up.

Hurry up, clean it up!

I think we should ask the manager about it. Mr. Tan.

What's that?

Manager,

Mr. Tan was teaching us

conversion rates between taels and silver coins.

He said more coins indicate a higher conversion rate.

Fewer silver coins will bring down the rate.

Wait, Cheng Yizhi.

I never said that!

Mr. Tan, you just taught us a moment ago.

Right? Isn't that right?

Right. That's what you just said.

Yeah, I remember that.

Manager, I never said that!

Manager,

we're counting on you to learn the real stuff.

More silver coins will lower the rate.

Fewer coins bring up the rate.

Isn't that right?

Right. That's how it works.

Manager, I have one more question for you.

According to Mr. Tan,

Shanghai standard tael, Guiyuan,

weighs more than the standard tael in Peiping.

But, as I recall, Peiping tael is worth more.

And Mr. Tan said Yangcao tael of Yangzhou

is cheaper than Xinghua tael of Tianjin.

I'm skeptical about that.

Cheng Yizhi, I didn't teach you that at all!

Mr. Tan, come on.

We keep doing chores during the daytime.

You only teach us at night.

You'd scold us if I point it out where you are wrong.

I'm only citing your words, but you keep denying it.

Is that on purpose?

Is that right? Am I right?

- I... - Hold on.

Now that you think he's wrong,

let me ask you a question.

Why do you think Yangcao tael of Yangzhou

should be more expensive than Xinghua tael of Tianjin?

Manager, I heard it from Assistant Manager Ma the other day.

1,000 Yangcao taels of silver equal 1,070 Guiyuan taels.

When you checked the accounts yesterday,

1,000 Guiyuan taels equaled 950 Xinghua taels of silver.

Following that, 1,000 Yangcao taels

should be equivalent to 1,160 Xinghua taels.

Naturally, Yangcao taels are worth more.

Isn't that right, Manager?

By the way, make Cheng Yizhi our official clerk.

He can take consults.

The other apprentices, listen to him.

- Thanks, Manager. - Thanks, Manager.

Manager, it was me who taught him!

Mr. Tan, you spilled the pudding.

Shouldn't you clean it up? It's okay.

We can help you pick up the slack.

Guys, pick up Mr. Tan's slack.

Sure!

You guys!

Cheng Yizhi! Just you wait!

Once I'm promoted, I'll make you pay!

- Mr. Cheng, have mine! - Here! Take mine!

No need for that.

All right, I've got enough.

Have some more.

It's so polite of you.

Sit down, please.

I'm different from that guy.

You don't have to "big brother" me.

Big Brother, Tan forced us to do it.

But we're calling you out of respect!

I really admire you.

I'm not playing up to you.

You're brave!

Aren't you afraid of being fired when talking to the manager?

Your debt would be of higher interest that way!

That's right! We can hardly breathe just now.

- Exactly! - It freaked me out.

I was scared, too!

But I have to give it a shot.

Think about it. If I keep working as an apprentice,

Tan would take great advantage of us!

I had to give it a go.

Only when we're on par with him,

he'd show respect.

I must say,

you have what it takes.

That's right! Impressive.

You know what?

If you want to be like me,

remember what I teach you.

Sycees and silver coins have different qualities.

The taels vary, too.

Be sure to remember their conversion rates

to Guiyuan tael.

You keep talking about Guiyuan.

What is that?

Ever heard of the unit of account?

No idea.

Guiyuan tael is one unit of account. It's virtual.

Intangible.

Take an example.

It's like the size for clothes,

seconds and minutes for time.

Virtual silver is just a unit.

Apart from Shanghai Guiyuan,

there are Hankou Yangli, and Tianjin Xinghua.

They are all virtual.

Apart from the conversion between real silver and virtual silver,

you should also remember the rate among virtual silver

and that between actual silver.

There are so many!

So complicated.

How could I know that?

Don't worry. It takes time.

Go on eating.

Big Brother,

from today, you should take the lower bunk.

I'll follow you!

Besides, Tan is a bad guy.

We humiliated him the last time.

Once he becomes a broker, I'm sure he'll exact revenge.

I don't think he'll be promoted before me.

Do you know why Manager Xu insists that our branch must be stainless?

To make it pleasant?

Didn't you notice he takes pills every afternoon?

His voice sounds loud. Nothing suspicious.

But when there's dust, he'll cough.

I guess he has asthma. He can't live without the pill.

Tan pays no attention to the details.

He's been wasting time.

Manager, your tea.

You're no longer an apprentice.

Why do you keep doing this?

I enjoy working.

Manager, you're running out of medicine.

Shall I buy some for you?

It's not easy to get.

Then I'm perfect for the job.

My time is expendable.

Fine, get me half bottle of these pills.

Sure.

Manager, Master is here.

Hu-Hu-Hurry up.

Is that master?

He's only middle-aged.

How dare you talk about Master?

You apprentices, do you know his experience?

He surpassed the eight information brokers.

That's how Lung Ying Bank starts up.

His spouse is the daughter of Commander Liao, a famous warlord in Shanxi.

In other words, if you call the name Boss Huang,

no one dares to answer if he's present.

Cheng Yizhi. Do you know any of that?

I don't.

Where are you going, Cheng Yizhi?

Cheng Yizhi!

- Big Brother. - Cheng!

Look what I have here!

- Salted Butter Almond Bars! - Right?

I can't get them anywhere.

You should tell me.

I got them from the French firm by the dock.

Say my name and you'll have a discount.

Come on.

Now you've left, I don't know what to do!

I'm flattered, Big Brother.

Grand Stage never runs out of shows.

Mr. Zhou just finished "The Legend of Deification."

And Mr. Ma is about to sing "Praying for the Eastern Wind."

By the way, if you get some chocolate and hazelnut candies,

I'm sure they'll sell well.

You have a point.

Big Brother.

Speaking of the show.

Do you mind booking two tickets for me?

Booking tickets?

You can count on me!

- I knew it! - Leaving.

Thanks a lot.

[Lung Ying Bank]

Manager.

How should we make it up?

We can't hide it forever.

Master will visit it again next month.

No way could we hide it.

Why are you back so late?

Where did you go?

Master has left!

You have no idea what Shop Assistant Tan was like.

He opened the gate for Master.

Right?

"Goodbye, Master!"

As loud as he could!

If you ask me, you should do it, too!

At least, you should get Master to know you. Right?

To know your face.

Why did Master drop by today? Did Shop Assistant Tan say anything?

How could he know?

Anyway, when Master left,

the manager didn't look happy.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The ⚖️ Justice Seekers 🔎 Team @viki.com

♫ The charming notes through the alley ♫

♫ mutter and cry like all kinds of loneliness ♫

♫ The dense fog over the calm sea ♫

♫ turns into deep emptiness ♫

♫ The touching loneliness in my heart ♫

♫ Two stars dance separately and then cease ♫

♫ On the bustling stage ♫

♫ the arcs of fate intersect occasionally ♫

♫ What I missed is waiting for me ♫

♫ I'm the most embarrassed one in the world ♫

♫ I don't want to listen to sad songs ♫

♫ I won't fawn on anyone ♫

♫ Don't torture me by means of fate ♫

♫ I'm blamed for all the faults ♫

♫ I'm the humblest one in the world ♫

♫ I don't want to talk back ♫

♫ I'll take all the blame ♫

♫ Don't tease me in the tone of love ♫