1st Episode
Year 1932 Zhen Jiang
Everyone, Zhen Jiang’s annual Chong Yang challenge is going to start now!
Great Great Great
Like previous years,
who climbs up there first
and grabs the five-coloured cloth ball
is the winner.
And will receive this five-coloured ancestral worship cake.
Great!
Now the competition officially begins!
Jin Xiu wins!
A lady
completely without the grace of one!
Old Master, she didn’t mean to do it.
She is not a reckless person.
Don’t take it to heart.
Go, ask her to come over here.
Miss, Old Master is looking for you.
I’m back!
Jin Xiu, what is this all about?
This mischief!
I’m not up to any mischief.
This five-coloured cake for ancestral worship
is the best thing for riding evil and curing illness.
Mother after eating it,
who knows, you might recover from your illness immediately.
Cake...
You went to compete in the challenge?
If your father finds out about it
he won't let you off.
Oh, Mother
Today Uncle Ma
brought home medicine from out of the city.
Later on, I'm going to ask him
if there's any news about Sister Ming Zhu.
Don't bother asking, I already did.
There's no news at all.
These two days I've been dreaming
dreaming of your Big Mother
and Sister Ming Zhu finally coming back home.
Now we don't even know
where they are now.
If they are living well.
It's been fourteen years already,
fourteen years already.
Mother.
A young lady
always showing your face outside.
How is this proper behaviour!
Xiu Xiu knows her mistake.
I'm so sorry Father.
I know you went there for your mother
but rules cannot be broken.
You must still be punished.
Still must be punished?
Punishment, is a must!
I'll punish you by not letting you sleep tonight
go
gather lotus dew for your mother.
Father's the best! I knew it.
Father let me massage your back.
Good.
Xiu Er
Guess what this is?
Granny biscuits
Don't let your mother see this.
Teacher Chen
Teacher Chen, Teacher Chen
Father, Father
Teacher Chen, hang in there.
Father, Father hurry, hurry.
Xiu Er, what's going on?
Father
He is our school's
new teacher Mr Chen.
He is injured.
Can you take a look, hurry!
Hurry!
He's seriously injured.
This is a gun wound!
Old Master, look he has a gun.
During these times, those with guns on them
are either bandits or army deserters.
We cant afford to mess with them.
Once we get involved
it's going to be huge trouble.
Xiu Er
He is really your school's
Mr Chen?
Yes, the new teacher Mr Chen.
Alright.
Since he has arrived at the Rong house
he is a patient of this house.
Old Ma
Take him to the attic.
Alright.
Wait a moment,
in a while
Flush away all traces of blood from the ground
Alright.
Come on.
Father, what are you going to do?
The moment that a bullet enters the body
it takes with it the toxins from the outside.
The bullet needs to be taken out,
if not once it gets infected
that would be troublesome.
Teacher Chen, don't don't don't!
It's me, I'm Jin Xiu!
I'm Jin Xiu, I'm Jin Xiu.
He is my father.
You have a gun wound,
don't worry, my father is really good
he can cure you, don't be afraid.
Jin Xiu the pocket watch
there is a pocket watch
a very important pocket watch.
Pocket watch.
I've hidden it in near the river under a rock.
Under the rock.
Help me get it back.
You must get it back.
Xiu Er!
Who's that?
It's them! They've caught up already!
They caught up so fast.
This won't do. I have to leave this place.
If not I'll implicate you all.
Wait, right now you're...
Don't worry, I can walk on my own.
Alright then let me tell you
there's a hole in the wall in the garden at the back.
You can climb out from there.
Alright, remember, you've never seen me.
Much less rescued me.
Don't worry.
Underneath the rock, underneath the rock
I've found it.
Reporting to Sir
we've searched everywhere.
There isn't the person we're looking for.
You all are Japanese.
Where exactly is he?
Mister, let me tell you
I've never seen
the person you're talking about.
Xin Ru, Xin Ru, Xin Ru
Xin
Don't shoot!
I'll speak, I know
Where the person you're looking for is.
Old Ma!
Old Master
Please don't blame me.
I can't just watch you die like this.
Tell me, Tell me and I'll let him go.
At the back there's a hole in the wall.
That person escaped through the wall.
Everything I'm saying is true.
Can you let my Old Master go already.
I never wanted to kill you people.
But only dead people
can keep secrets.
Search the premises once more.
If there's anyone still alive
kill them all.
Yes.
Father.
Mother.
Mother, Mother
Xiu Er
Father, Father, Father
Xiu Er
Father
Don't ask anything, hurry leave.
I'm not leaving.
Please listen to your father's words.
I don't want to leave, I don't want.
Xiu Er, hurry leave, go!
Father!
Hurry don't let him escape!
Grab hold of him, faster!
Hurry chase!
Faster, faster, chase him!
Did you manage to get the pocket watch?
Jin Xiu
It's my fault for implicating you.
Keep this pocket watch well.
Before the tenth day of the year
help me send it to Cathedral of Our Lady in Shanghai.
Remember, you must send it there.
My whole family is dead already,
who are those men dressed in black?
I don't have the time to explain it to you.
They rush over soon after hearing the gun shots.
Remember you must send it to Shanghai.
But
Leave, hurry leave!
You must get it there!
Go!
Reporting to Sir
beside the corpse on the hill
this was found.
The secret documents must be
in the hands of the owner of this button.
No matter what
we must find this person.
Father!
The fire is too strong.
You let go of me!
You can't go in!
Father!
Mother!
You can't go in!
Let go of me!
My mother and father are still inside!
Father! Mother!
Miss Rong
Last night, half the people in this town came to put out the fire.
But they were too late.
It burned
burned till nothing was left behind
This jade ring,
I picked it up from the wreckage.
I believe it belongs to Old Master Rong.
Keep this.
Take it for remembrance.
It's really terrible.
I wonder who has the Rong family offended.
The whole family is gone.
Just a daughter left.
All alone by herself.
What is she to do from today onwards.
Miss Rong
There's nothing we can do either,
since you have no evidence.
Where are we to find the murderer?
Father, Mother
Rest assured,
your daughter will definitely find out
who was it that had murdered you.
I will go to Shanghai.
To meet the person who will pick up this pocket watch.
So that I can find
the enemies who killed you.
I must definitely take revenge for you.
I'm here to find someone today.
Better open your eyes wide.
If our friend is here
then please bear with us.
Go, out of my way.
This gang is massive
they must be here to capture him.
The blood on his body,
must be the work of these people.
Why must they always harm others?
Follow me.
I know where you can hide from them.
I don't need.
I only want to help you.
There's a washroom up in front.
The door is hidden well.
You can hide there for a bit.
You should be able to hide from them.
Sorry about it.
You!
Don't play around.
I can't be bothered to mess around with you.
You better apologize to me.
I asked you to apologize to me.
I've seen plenty of this kind of tricks.
Do you believe that if I scream now, everyone will come here to catch you.
Up to you.
You better apologize!
Go away.
Stop getting in my way.
Good, you live up to your name Zuo Er Ye.
But today your life,
I'm going to take it for sure!
You want my life?
Come over and get it yourself.
Go!
Zuo Zhen
Don't move.
If you move
I'm going to kill this woman.
This woman has nothing to do with me.
Go ahead if you wish to kill her.
How can you be so cold blooded?
If you die
I will take care of your corpse.
Save me.
My pocket watch.
Xiu Er.
What are you scared of?
You dare to carelessly jump into the river.
You're not even scared of death, what are you afraid of?
You don't come over.
What are you doing?
Hurry wipe yourself clean.
So ugly.
I can't see any value in this.
How much are you selling it for?
Who said that I'm selling it?
There aren't a lack of women who try to get close to me.
I'll give you a chance.
Say it. What do you want?
What are you talking about? Who are you?
I don't even know you.
Alright.
Whether you know
or don't.
Anyway I'm giving you one last chance.
Don't regret if you miss it.
Lunatic.
Welcome Er Ye!
Er Ye, you're finally back.
To think there is such an ignorant woman.
To actually dare walk in front of Er Ye.
You!
Are you deaf?
Er Ye is talking to you
you didn't hear him?
I will give you one last chance,
Feel free to quote a high price.
No matter what your asking price
I'll buy your pocket watch.
You already said earlier
that it was the last chance.
You really give a lot of last chances.
This pocket watch is very important to me.
I'm not selling it.
You're so annoying.
If you get into any trouble in Shanghai,
just take out this necklace.
This is a promise from me, Zuo Zhen.
Zuo Zhen.
Up to mischief again.
In the Shanghai Bund is there anything that Er Ye
can't get?
Why are you dawdling, hurry get on.
Er Ye, you're back safe.
We can be at ease now.
These few days when you weren't around,
Both of us were so anxious.
If you hadn't ordered us not to leave Shanghai,
both of us would have been in Zhen Jiang to look for you already.
Er Ye, did you manage to get the medicine?
Lost it.
This is going to be troublesome.
It's going to be difficult to answer to Mr Feng.
What's there to be afraid of?
To insist on Er Ye going alone
to get the medicine,
it's obviously Long Si's trap.
He must have been incited by the Japanese.
Isn't it so, Er Ye?
Isn't it because I'm worried about Er Ye.
Go to Mr Feng's place.
Er Ye!
Miss, where are you heading to?
I want to go to Our Lady's Cathedral.
Our Lady's Cathedral,
I know that place very well.
And I also know a shortcut.
I guarantee you'll reach in the shortest time.
Miss, please get on.
Isn't it so?
Zuo Er Ye is back already.
Old Master, congratulations
looks like your illness
will be cured very soon.
Master,
I am incompetent.
I didn't manage to bring back your medicine.
What?
Aren't you Zuo Er Ye the best?
The entire Shanghai Bund,
who doesn't know, who isn't aware
your skills are god-like.
To think you can't even bring back the medicine.
Could it be that you lost it on purpose?
I willingly accept punishment.
Talk about what punishment,
I'm already like this.
In future the chamber of commerce will depend on you all.
Get up.
I will definitely find even better medicine
to cure Master's illness.
You made it sound so good.
Zuo Er Ye
I do know of a folk remedy
which is just missing an ingredient.
Don't know if Zuo Er Ye
is willing to sacrifice himself?
What is there to trust about this folk remedy?
No, Old Master.
That folk remedy is really effective.
Zuo Er Ye.
Cut your flesh
feed it as medicine.
Wait
I'm already like this
it's not worth it for you to suffer for this old man.
Long Si!
You this tortoise asshole.
Today's incident must be the Japanese trying to do Er Ye in.
Why not
we should have it out with Mr Feng.
Don't rush, this isn't the right time.
Oh right Er Ye,
Ying Shao is back from his studies abroad.
Mr Xiang has prepared a welcome back dance party at Paramount.
And has invited almost all the celebrities from the Shanghai Bund.
Xiang residence has called to ask
if Er Ye you are going?
That's fast.
It's been two years already.
Er Ye
So are you going or not?
Nonsense.
Mr Xiang's party
can Er Ye not go?
When will we reach the cathedral?
We're going to reach in just abit.
I'm going to give you one last chance.
No matter your asking price,
I will buy your pocket watch.
Stop the rickshaw.
Don't worry we're going to reach soon.
Hey stop the rickshaw.
Stop it.
Where are you taking me to?
Little girl
why are you in such a hurry?
Don't mess around with me.
I will scream.
She knows how to scream. You try screaming.
Save me! Save me!
Let me tell you
this is my territory
there is no one for miles around.
You can try screaming even louder,
the louder your scream the more I like it.
Save me!
Looking at her
she doesn't look half bad.
We agreed to only go after valuables.
To hell with you.
Give it to me.
Isn't this Zuo Er Ye's necklace?
Why would it be with you?
You're acquainted with Zuo Er Ye?
Looks like they're afraid of this necklace's owner.
Is that Zuo Er Ye
really so scary?
If you face any problems in Shanghai
just take out this necklace.
This is a promise from me, Zuo Zhen.
The two of you dare to bully even me,
do you know who I am?
Should Zuo Zhen find out about this
he won't let you off!
Madam, please have mercy on us.
we really didn't know.
Please just let us off.
Yesyesyesyesyesyes.
You're magnanimous, don't hold it against villians like us.
Just let us go like a fart.
Right, let us go like a fart.
Alright, I can let you off.
But you have to do one thing for me.
Madam, don't say one
even if it is a thousand
we will both agree to it.
Alright.
Then both of you take me to meet Zuo Zhen now.
Actually
my identity is hidden
among the Huangpu chamber of commerce as a patriotic member.
As a Chinese,
during times of trouble for the country.
It is natural to step up and help.
Er Ye, just look at you
I wonder how many ladies
will once again use all means and ways
to get close to you.
But Er Ye
that lady from the ship
is a goddess from where?
Your necklace has never left you.
Why would you give it to her?
Miss, this is Ning Yuan.
You, you!
Chase after that car for me.
Hurry, go after that car!
Faster, faster.
Mr Xiang, do you welcome me?
Boss Shen, your presence is rare,
We haven't met for a long time,
you still look so wealthy.
Mr Xiang
Are you praising or scolding me?
Everyone knows that Boss Shen is the Shanghai Bund's God of the Land.
Who dares scold the God of the Land?
If I were the God of the Land,
then you'll be the God of Fortune.
You the formidable one, you're still the most formidable.
This horrid pocket watch thief.
I must make him return my watch to me.
Good evening Er Ye.
How much is it?
I daren't take your money.
What are you doing?
Rushing in without looking,
I'm with the person in front.
What person in front?
There are plenty of people in front.
Without an invitation, you're not allowed in.
I'm just going in to take something
and will be out soon.
That's not allowed either,
Go go go, stop getting in the way.
Mr Xiang
Let me introduce you to
this is France's..
Mr Ferdinand, nice to meet you.
Have you met me?
I've not
but I've heard of
the new Consul General of France
Mr Ferdinand had just arrived in Shanghai yesterday.
Then how could you be sure that it was me.
That's very simple.
Mr Yang has a close relationship with the French Consulate.
Even someone like him is so respectful to you.
It must be that your status is very distinguished.
If memory serves me right,
the badge on your chest,
is the French royal family's crest.
The royal family's badge is only given to those with great contributions to the country.
And an even more important point,
your manner of speech and behaviour
has the elegance of the French upper class.
If I can't even see that
I can only blame my eyes for being too witless.
Before I arrived,
I had already heard of the chairman of Shanghai's chamber of commerce, Mr Xiang.
They tell me that
Mr Xiang
is number one in Shanghai's business circle.
As I can see today
you have a good eye
it really is admirable.
You flatter me.
It's just in name.
I've heard that Mr Xiang's wealth
is at a point where it's too much to count.
Is this true?
This question
when I've calculated properly can I let you know the answer.
Let's go on in.
Mr Xiang.
Ying Shao hasn't arrived yet.
Don't worry, don't worry.
One at a time.
During the time that I was gone.
Did you miss me?
That's for sure.
We've missed Ying Shao to death.
Did you miss me to death or miss me dying.
If Ying Shao's death can make him less restless
and stay by our sides.
And never again leave for France
then I'd rather you die.
Why talk about death amongst all these joy.
Come come come, drink up.
Ying Shao, we have to go to work already.
We can't accompany you tonight.
Knock it off.
Do you know
how much I've missed you all these time?
Don't linger here already
at the welcoming party later
there'll be even more ladies
waiting for you.
I've really missed you to death.
I heard that you were almost robbed and killed along the way.
Is that true?
Don't worry.
I won't die so easily.
Although you seem to have nine lives,
but it's best to be careful nowadays.
Long Si will not easily let go of this.
In Shanghai
he can't play his tricks.
I only believe one thing.
Prudence can steer a ship for ten thousand years.
I've already sent down orders for Sheng Feng's accounts.
I trust you.
On the Shanghai Bund
who dares to openly oppose Zuo Er Ye?
Even if it's me
I wouldn't dare offend you either.
The entire Shanghai Bund only recognizes one person Mr Xiang.
It's you again!
You insist on rushing in here.
Your memory is really good.
Actually Zuo Zhen and I are acquainted.
I just want to take something from him.
Is Zuo Er Ye's name one a village girl like you can call?
Go go go, go away.
If you come here again, I won't let you off.
Let me tell you
I really have evidence.
Let me show you.
Go go go, get lost.
Treating a beautiful girl like this,
Isn't it not very gentlemanly?
Who are you?
I am her friend.
Excuse me, do you have an invitation?
We have a rule that
without an invitation you can't go in.
Let's make things easy.
If you don't let us in
and offend Ying Shao,
you're going to be in trouble.
Why are you talking to him?
Who is Ying Shao?
On the Shanghai Bund we only recognize Mr Xiang
Mr Xiang said that without an invitation you can't go in.
Go go go, go one side.
You!
Don't fight, don't fight.
I must take you in!
Right, where's Ying Dong?
Just came back, don't know where he's running wild at.
This little brother of mine, isn't easy to control.
So it's still around.
What are you looking at? Come up.
Come.
Why are you taking someone else's clothes?
Just borrowing it.
I'll return it later.
Seriously.
Turn around.
Let's go.
Who's that. Are you blind?
I'm sorry.
How come it's you again?