[ Man Narrating ] China was an unknown, forbidden land.
For four centuries, her shores had not been touched by the West.
But in the early days of the great sailing ships...
Western merchants, drawn by the wonders of tea and silk andjade...
teased at her coastline...
with the twin seductions ofbribery... and opium.
In the south of China's vastness...
on the edge of the inland city of Canton...
they boldly established a trading center...
and defied the emperor to act.
[ Men Chattering ]
[ Speaking Chinese ]
[ All Chattering Angrily ]
Jin Qua.
[ Chattering Subsides ]
From the High Commissioner...
of His Imperial Majesty...
and the Celestial Court.
He requires absolutely...
to see the leader, the Tai-Pan.
We're all taipans.
One taipan is the Tai-Pan...
Captain Brock.
Don't go. He wants you dead.
Or for a hostage.
You cannot lay siege to British citizens.
He demands a speech...
with the Tai-Pan.
[ Speaking Chinese ]
[ Gasps ]
- Do not go into Canton. - He sent for me.
Oh,yes. Terrifically true.
He kills Tai-Pan, and all barbarians leave China. No more opium.
May-may, I'm British. He would not dare to touch me.
Your most fastest ships sail to England.
Do not see them for nine months-- a year.
Your body be rotted and horrifically finished...
even before your barbarian queen know you're dead.
England has the greatest fighting ships in all the world.
Oh, yes, but why we never see one?
Even one in China?
Because, Tai-Pan, even your barbarian queen knows better than you.
No man can resist Celestial Emperor.
Burn opium and do not go.
May-may is your slave...
but please, to grant her one favor for all her life...
kowtow to him.
I do not kneel to any man.
Kill me then.
Do not be afraid.
Already he has killed many merchants.
All of city is terrified.
Do not think one barbarian he very hotly detests...
will make him a gentle lamb.
[ Crowd Chattering Excitedly ]
[ Chattering In Chinese ]
[ Yells ]
- [ Crowd Cheers ] - Hmm.
[ Cheering Continues ]
[ Man Whimpering ]
[ Whimpering ]
[ Man Speaking Chinese ]
[ Chinese ]
[ Man Whimpering, Speaking Chinese ]
[ Gasping, Speaking Chinese ]
[ Yelling In Chinese ]
Lin, the Imperial High Commissioner...
of the Court of Heaven...
issues these commands.
The barbarians are to deliver...
every particle of opium...
in their possession...
or submit like pirates...
to the extreme penalty of the law.
- If the Imperial Court will allow me-- - Do not speak!
[ Tai-Pan ] Most honorable Lin...
emissary of the Celestial Court...
China has many riches.
If we were allowed to trade freely through all the reaches of China, we--
When the emperor of the Celestial Kingdom...
wants trade with barbarian warrior, he will make laws...
not foreign devils who sell opium.
If opium be surrendered, there would need to be compensation.
And then there's the danger the opium will fall into the wrong hands.
There will be no compensation.
The opium will be burned.
Burned? We're talking about thousands of pounds of opium.
Oh, quake and tremble at the imperial orders.
Do not resist.
The humble merchants of the West know the Imperial Court...
has many expenses to bear.
Tai-Pan, the opium will be destroyed.
You and all the merchants must leave Canton.
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Cheering Continues ]
[ All Yelling ]
That's good. Over here.
[ All Yelling ]
Damn you to hell!
[ Yelling Continues ]
Honorable Tai-Pan. Father.
I thought I would stay and arrange to bring May-may to Macao.
- If that is your wish. - Of course, but be careful.
Trust no one.
I'm sorry for this.
I should have judged the man face to face before I assumed he was like all the rest.
But Lin or no Lin, Noble House will live for 200 years.
Gordon, you remember that...
in every act you do.
[ All Yelling In Chinese ]
[ Gunshots ]
[ Gunshots Continue ]
[ Yelling ]
[ Man ] Now, steady strokes, lads. Come on.!
Struan, I should have broken your back when you were an arrogant cabin boy.
I meant to.
I was a fool not to.
[ Water Lapping In Distance ]
[ Man ] Right, lads. Keep it steady now.
Nearly there.
Come on.
[ Water Lapping ]
[ Man ] They must have rode all night.
[ Cheering ]
[ Woman ] What's going on?
[ Cheering ]
Mr. Brock.
- Mr. Brock, what has happened? - The China trade be done.
They burned the opium.
[ Man ] Heave away, lads.
Manoel, there's something I want to show ya.
We're changing course.
- East nor'east. - East nor'east, sir.
I'm going to show you destiny's gift to taipan.
The island of Hong Kong.
A sailor's dream, Vargas.
Deep water. Safe.
And now she's going to be England's.
- England's? - Yes, Manoel.
I'm going back to England.
And I'm going to use every penny I have to convince Parliament...
that the country cannot allow her merchants to be humiliated by a medieval monarch.
And we're going to demand a piece of China for England-- this piece of China.
I, Captain Glessing, Royal Navy...
do hereby take possession of this island...
Hong Kong...
on this day...
the 26th ofJanuary, 1 841 .
This soil...
is now British soil.
God save the queen.!
[ Man ] Shoulder!
Arms!
Parade will march off in column of route.!
Left... turn.!
Forward...
march!
Right wheel.
Eyes left!
- Eyes front.! - We sail and fight in these waters like pirates for years...
- Right wheel.! - and when we finally convince the navy to whip the Chinese...
he gets the government to take this-- this clump of rock-- this trophy.
It looks the safest harbor I've seen in these waters, Tyler.
We could have demanded trading rights in six Chinese cities.
Shanghai, Nanking.
Instead we take this bloody rock.
Well...
what he can do with Parliament I can do.
I mean to make the government see sense.
- Ah. - Captain Glessing, sir. Congratulations.
- Thank you, Struan. - Very nicely done.
- We'll probably have a celebration. Horatio you know. - We might have a drink.
- An historic occasion. Thank you. - Your lads did you proud.
I have a little proclamation of my own, if you don't mind, Captain Glessing.
Of course.
On behalf of the Noble House...
of which I be the immodest taipan...
- [ All Chuckling ] - I wish to invite all the merchants...
their beautiful wives and ladies...
to a grand ball...
to be celebrated in two months...
when our building will be completed on that commanding knoll.
- Tai-Pan. - Get up here, you.
And to honor the beauty...
that has come from Macao to gather with us today...
I'll be giving a £1 000 prize...
- to the best-dressed lady at that ball. - [ Crowd ] Ooh.
To be judged by that incomparable artist...
Aristotle Quance.
[ Cheering ]
You're trying to ruin me, Tai-Pan.
And I'll wager any man here that a Noble House ship...
Morning Cloud, will be the first ship of commerce...
to anchor in that harbor...
- the envy of all the world. - Hear! Hear!
I have here £200...
says the White Witch will be unloaded...
before Morning Cloud is seen on the horizon.
- [ Crowd ] Ooh. - By God, Brock...
you've been dipping into the rum before the chaplain's blessed the feast.
[ Laughter ]
God save the queen!
[ Cheering ]
[ Crowd ] Ohhh.!
- Steady now. - Hold it.
[ Grunting ]
[ Yells ]
- Very commendable effort, Tai-Pan. - Oh, that was terrible.
Aye.
[ Sighs ] Ah, Mary...
if your father came to China to save souls...
he should never have produced a daughter who could so easily drive men to sin.
Ah. I'm in absolute agreement, Mr. Struan.
I notice I've never tempted you to fall from grace, Tai-Pan.
Mary, my dear sister.
That is only because, my dear Mary...
I defer to the superior claim of Captain Glessing.
Ah, the " Heart of Loch Lomond.''
You must excuse me.
- [ Cheering ] - Extraordinary man.
Do you know about his-- his China lady?
[ Horatio ] We've known all about the Tai-Pan ever since we were children.
And we owe him a great deal.
Since your father's death, you mean?
And before. Long before.
[ Cheering ]
Waiting for another ceremony...
to complete your sketch, Mr. Quance?
No, I'm waiting for the highest bidder. I shall put him center.
How about you, Mr. Tillman? Have you a taste for being in history?
What I've a taste for, Mr. Quance, is decency.
My niece just told me that you've induced her to let you paint her nude.
As every white man in the Far East not addicted to opium or sailors...
has tried to seduce or marry your niece at some time or other...
I dare say you can trust her to art.
And I promise you, Uncle, no man'll ever see it.
Except for my future husband.
It's not the art that concerns me, Mr. Quance. It's the artist.
A man who lives in a house of ill-repute, hiding from his wife.
Uncle, please.
[ Man ] On the first yardarm.!
How far?
- Aye, aye, boatswain.! - Two leagues.
- Maybe three. - Is it enough?
Enough to put bile in their blood.
A quarter starboard. Don't you see the wind shift?
That Orlov's a wizard.
When God gave him a hunchback, he put a compass in his head.
My father beat Orlov.
And, by God, one day I'll do it too.
Get that mainsheet pulled in!
[ Man ] Aye, aye, sir.!
They'll not catch us.
It's these waters we're approaching now.
The South China Sea.
They'll be your new home.
And here be your father's Hong Kong.
I think he make powerful mistake.
Huh. Who knows?
The Tai-Pan has fantastic joss.
-Joss? - Luck.
Is, uh, Chinese.
It really means, uh, favored by God.
[ Bell Dinging ]
I'm not so sure that's true.
[ Cannon Fires ]
[ Man ] It looks like one of the Noble House ships.
[ Struan ] Morning Cloud.
[ Man ] Look here. This has to be seen to.
[ Man #2 ] I'll have a word with my commanding officer.
Culum!
Culum.!
Culum!
Culum, I did not know. My God, I'm glad to see ya!
Oh, Father. For the love of God, don't.
Culum, I tell you that nothing this nine months has made me happier than the sight of thee.
Father, the plague has struck Glasgow again.
Mama, my brother...
my sisters, Grandma--
By God's will, they're all gone.
You and I are all that is left.
[ Sobbing ]
God, I knew it.
This island I so longed for...
what price is it going to take?
[ Sobbing Continues ]
[ Gasping ]
Yes, Gordon?
My apologies.
I was asked by Mr. Brock to present you with £200.
Thank you, my son.
[ Man ] It's the White Witch.
Would you, um--
Would you join me for a farewell tankard, Miss Tess?
Captain, I--
It may be our last chance for such, uh...
- civility. - [ Bell Dinging ]
This afternoon your mom will come aboard.
And your brother, Mr. Gorth, will be bringing your father aboard.
Oh, Tess.
Tess, I love thee.
I love thee.
I want you in Macao tomorrow.
I'll be there.
I've dreamed of going ashore at Macao for months.
Mr. Brock, sir.
[ Gasps ]
[ Brock ] We'll take her into the Pearl to unload on the noon tide.
Alert the crew. We lift anchor at dawn.
Sir, welcome aboard.
I was just looking to see if Miss Tess was all right.
[ Door Opens ]
- I was but checking, sir. - Go below.
I don't want to be discussing this around the crew.
[ Gasps ]
Mr. Brock, I didn't touch her.
- I didn't harm her, by God. - You're a dead man, Nagrek.
I did nothing, sir. I swear. I were only checking--
You put your stinkin' hands under her shift.
[ Groaning ]
[ Groans ]
[ Groaning ]
No harm I done, I swear.
It were only play.
- [ Grunts ] - [ Groans ]
I just want him dead.
He'll be dead.
But he won't die a man.
[ Gasps ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Culum ] It was little Winnie who got it first.
Then Jamie.
It's funny. It was Winnie who got it first...
but she lived the longest.
Do I have to do this? I bathed before I left Glasgow.
You must bath every week, Culum. You stink.
Everyone stinks. That's why we wear pomades.
- It's unhealthy bathing. - I dinna stink.
The Chinese dinna stink.
Phew. When did you last wash these?
- Why, never. It would ruin the cut. - I'll get you new ones...
and you'll wash them every week.
And when you use the head, you'll wipe your ass with paper and wash your hands.
- Why? - The Chinese think dung makes people sick.
- That's crazy. In London, no-- - Forget London.
The Chinese dinna smell. And they dinna get sick in this heat like Europeans.
Just because they dinna make good cannon, dinna be fooled.
They're a smart, wise people. And every ship of mine runs on the rules they taught me.
You make these heathens out to be smarter than--
And you'll drink tea like they do too, not water.
- [ Knocking On Door ] - Aye.
Your guests be Mr. Brock and Mr. Gorth, sir.
[ Sighs ] Thank you, Captain Orlov.
I'll not interrupt your China habit.
First, I tell you I'm sorry for what happened to your family.
Aye.
You've been busy...
with your agent in London.
Well, I've been busy too these 1 2 months past.
But with commerce. Not chasing barren islands.
The boy's water is chilling, Brock. State your piece.
Gladly.
You're bankrupt, Struan.
Bankrupt.
Gorth has come back from London with £1 ,200,000 of notes...
drawn against Noble House and your London bank.
My agents bought up every last one of them...
and they're due at month's end.
And I'll be givin' no credit, acceptin' no goods.
When time's up, I'll be taking over every ship in your fleet.
I'd sink them first.
[ Chuckles ] You?
Sink a clipper? Never.
You have 23 days left as Tai-Pan.
Enjoy them if you can.
Gorth, we're gone.
Your joss has turned, Struan.
Orlov, Vargas.
The money we needed to buy votes, did MacGregor tell you where it came from?
The bank sold notes against future trade.
- You authorized it. - Notes to whom?
In the market. I gave them no specific instructions.
I don't imagine he would know.
My God.
To Brock.
Maybe my joss has turned.
For your very great loss...
my heart is full of sadness.
May-may...
I have much business today...
and I will make certain arrangements.
You must do exactly as I say.
Of course. Don't I always most times?
I may have to sell thee, May-may.
It will be to someone kindly.
And I will try to get you the place of supreme lady.
I-- I thank you, lord.
I burned incense for safe rebirth of the supreme lady...
and her children.
Everywhere today I'm told...
Noble House must pay in silver.
No credit.
Unless Tai-Pan produces a miracle...
the ships will return without silk or tea.
The Tai-Pan's cargo does not contain miracles today.
It is hard to believe, Tai-Pan.
I must tell you that my mother spent the night in tears.
Aye. Your mother.
At sea you learn that what is given can be taken away, Gordon.
Worry about yourself, lad. Not about me.
I was a privateer before...
and by week's end I'll take Morning Cloud from under Brock's nose and be one again.
And then I'll be back to haunt him.
Tai-Pan, if I could help.
Aye, I was counting on it.
- Have you heard of the pirate Wu Fang Choi? - Of course.
He's on Amoy, I'm told. I'm sending you to him.
I have need of safe harbor.
[ Gordon ] Tai-Pan.
" The Noble House is in need.
" These men will lead you to a friend.
Come secretly.''
- Do not do it. - I have need of friends, Gordon.
- Even dangerous ones. - [ Speaks Chinese ]
Stay silent till sunset.
Then if you've heard nothin'...
bring Orlov and the crew of Morning Cloud and find me.
[ Birds Twittering ]
You look see.
Mary.
[ Snores ]
[ Chuckles ]
[ Wood Clatters ]
[ Men Speaking Chinese ]
[ Chattering In Chinese ]
Hello, Tai-Pan.
You need not worry.
Jin Qua has gone down the other stairs.
I'm not worried.
- I'm disgusted. - Why?
Because I like to go to bed with Chinese?
You're a strange one to feel that.
You're a woman... and a child.
I don't want your drink.
- Why have you done this? - Because you need my help.
And I had to prove to you I could deliver it.
I would rather have tried to make you mine.
By the sweetJesus...
I'm lost.
This is not the Mary Sinclair I know.
Yes, it is.
Mary Sinclair, the innocent...
who loves church...
and singing and knitting, is also me.
We are all that way, Tai-Pan.
Look at you.
Devil, smuggler...
prince, murderer, husband, father, fornicator...
saint.
Which is you?
- I'm sending you back to England. - You don't have the power now.
ButJin Qua can restore it.
And Jin Qua is my lover.
He will have a price...
but he will do it.
I owe you that.
- You owe me nothin'! - You've never been beaten.
You stopped my father from beating me...
but not my brother...
from comforting me.
May-may was more a virgin at 1 4 than I was, Tai-Pan.
[ Sighs ]
Arrange to seeJin Qua.
He's returning to Canton.
He will be waiting.
[ Chattering ]
Aristotle.
Mr. Quance.
Mr. Quance!
- [ Gasps ] - Mr. Quance.
- You must come quick. - Great balls of fire. What is it, Mrs. Fotheringill?
It's Gorth. And he won't be stopped.
The man's a menace.
[ Speaking Chinese ]
- [ Speaking Chinese ] - Out of the way.
- [ Woman Screams ] - Open this door, you dung-eater!
- Open up! - [ Whip Cracks ]
[ Woman Yelps ]
[ Bolt Clicks ]
- [ All Gasping ] - What do you want?
Get your clothes on... and get out of here.
[ Chattering In Chinese ]
[ All Chattering Excitedly ]
- [ Woman Whimpering ] - [ Quance ] Gently with her. Gently now.
[ Whimpers ]
- [ Speaking Chinese ] - Oh, God.
- I don't want you back here. - [ Metal Clinking ]
That's for her.
And that's for keeping your mouth shut.
God's blood!
You ought to be beaten like that yourself.
The Tai-Pan's time is coming to an end.
And when it does, I'll look for you.
I don't know why you worry.
You only pick 'em off the street anyway.
I'll be back.
Jin Qua.
[ Sighs ]
Please, eat.
I am told the Imperial Commissioner Lin...
has been banished.
Oh, yes. He's blamed for losing Hong Kong to British.
Forty lac dollars. All silver.
Forty lac?
- That would take Brock off my throat and then some. - [ Chuckles ]
- If anyone knew it was here-- - I borrowed it.
IfTai-Pan wants to borrow it from me...
I think Tai-Pan will pay.
How Tai-Pan pay?
Noble House...
buys only from Jin Qua...
and Jin Qua's sons...
for 1 0 years.
IfJin Qua sell at market price.
Plus 1 0%.
Hmm. Five.
Eight.
Five.
- Seven. - Five.
Seven.
All right.
You sellJin Qua five lac dollars' land in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong plan is wise.
You sell toJin Qua in the name of your improper boy chillo...
Gordon Chen.
If that is your wish.
[Jin Qua ] Well, after midnight...
I will deliver silver to your warehouse.
And then...
you are in my debt.
You can use my lorcha for getting downriver to Hong Kong.
The risk is yours.
I will send my safest men.
But...
40 lacs of silver...
would make rich many, many Chinese families...
for generations.
And you are...
but a barbarian.
- [ Laughing ] - [ Chuckles ]
Well...
I leave you to enjoy your meal.
Zai jian.
- Zai jian. - Zai jian.
What are you toJin Qua, Gordon?
What the Tai-Pan is to the British...
Jin Qua is to the Chinese.
I am proud to be British, but I am also proud to be Chinese.
And I am proud of you.
ThankJin Qua.
Tell him his news filled me too much to enjoy the delicacies he offered.
Another time.
Eat.
They make you very potent.
It is fantastical true.
Prawns are very important for your figure.
That may be.
But do you have to eat the heads?
Ahh.
Dinna ken? They're the best part.
[ Both Laughing ]
- [ Coughing ] - That'll teach ya.
[ Exhales Deeply ]
I think...
they are beginning... to work.
By God...
I've given you too much already.
More.
Just one more.
I want you to be fantastical good.
That lump of dog meat Brock is breaking you by huge monies owed.
- Is it true? - Who told you?
It is terrifical simple to solve this business.
No sell May-may. Kill Brock.
- It is time now. - That's one way.
I've thought of it.
One way, another way-- you think of a way.
[ Chuckles ] Will I?
Yes.
After tonight, you remember for sure...
you do not want to lose May-may.
I've paid for you, and too much.
Ay-ya!
You not the only man in China!
When I was virgin,Jin Qua could have sold me easy to Manchu prince...
even to the emperor for a thousand taels!
I was Jin Qua's gift to you for China trade.
I know...
you're not stupid.
You will beat Brock...
because I please you too much.
Now, come to me, Tai-Pan.
No. It gives me pleasure...
and it is my duty.
Your custom is man have only one wife, ay-ya?
Aye.
Chinese custom more better.
Many wives.
How soon will you marry? What is the custom?
- Oh, I dunna think I'll marry again. - You should--
an English or Scottish.
But, first, you should marry me.
So for once, I be your supreme lady.
Aye, perhaps I should.
Aye, perhaps you should.
[ Clock Chiming ]
Come, lass. It is time.
[ Dog Barking In Distance ]
This filthy dirt destroys my perfection.
- You owe me 50 cash to repair. - Come on.
What for two girl chillos, hya? No can.
- What your name? - Wung.
Girl chillos belong me.
Cast off, Wung.
[ Chinese ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Yelling ]
Tai-Pan.! [ Whimpering ]
[ Groans ]
Tai-Pan.!
No.!
[ Whimpering ]
[ Groans ]
And now for you, laddie.!
Come here.
[ Laughing, Chattering ]
What's this mean, Culum doin' a land auction?
Exactly, my dear Tai-Pan.
Captain Glessing did it to honor you...
and hoping, no doubt, that given the honor...
you won't embarrass him by bidding.
Whatever his motives, I did not think...
the man had that much stomach.
My God. How long has that been goin' on?
The young men choose their own friends.
It's one of the hardest lessons ofbeing a parent.
You'd know.
Well, I may not have performed like a parent...
but I have suffered as one.
I'm sure.
I'd be grateful, Aristotle, if you'd put it about...
that I'm havin' a tea at my tents this afternoon...
and I'm particularly invitin' Mr. Brock.
My pleasure. Oh, by the way...
as a certain lady was sitting for me...
I learned that she's in flux for you.
Absolutely lovesick.
Now that you're eligible again, you've taken on a certain charm...
even if you are bankrupt.