Episode 39
Do you think you can persuade Hu Yong Mei to sell you some?
She hates me so much. She won't sell me her shares.
What about Mr. Zhao? -Mr. Zhao?
He despises me.
Zhou Ying, why don't you sacrifice yourself...
...and ask from Shen Xing Yi?
Jiang Fu Qi, what stupid idea is that?
Right. -Why don't we forget it?
But, I don't want to surrender.
Uncle Si, do you need a drink again?
What's so urgent?
Uncle Si.
Zhou Ying?
It's you. -I'm the one who invited you.
What's the matter? Did you miss me?
Mr. Shen, don't forget that we're just friends.
I know. Friends can miss each other too.
Please sit down. I'd like to discuss...
...something important with you.
Sit down.
Speak.
Well...
...can you sell me some of Shen Family's shares?
I went to visit Mr. Zhao. But, I was one step behind.
Hu Yong Mei bought the remaining 1,000 shares.
I see.
I can sell you some shares.
But, you must agree to one condition.
What's the condition?
Be my woman.
Drop dead.
Good bye.
Shen Xing Yi.
Isn't this meaningless? -I think it's very meaningful.
You clearly know that I don't like you.
But, I like you.
Get lost. -I'm really leaving.
Wait.
I've a suggestion. You can give me a kiss.
Dream on.
Wait!
How much of shares do you plan to sell to me?
How much of shares?
100 shares per kiss.
Come here.
Sit down.
Close your eyes.
Zhou Ying! You...
Don't expect me to sell you even one share!
Forget it. I'll think of something.
Mr. Shen, enjoy the food and pay for it yourself.
L---
Mr. Wen. -Mr. Du. Mr. Zha.
Please sit down. -You too.
Have some tea. -Thank you.
Is it something important? How come you came personally?
It's because of that mechanical textile bureau.
Those who support the westernisation movement...
...claim to compete against western merchants.
But, they are just trying to monopolise the business...
...and expand their influence.
After setting up a bureau in Shanghai...
...they came to Shaanxi. How can the prince allow this?
But, is Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...the work of Zhao Bai Shi alone?
After the bureau in Shanghai was set up...
...the prince instructed Xiao Chao De to...
...stop the same thing from happening at all cost.
Who would have expected Zhao Bai Shi to...
"bypass the provincial governor and viceroy...
...and obtain direct permission from the court...
...to build one in Shaanxi?
Xiao Chao De is incompetent. So, let's not talk about him.
Now, the prince wants you and Zha Kun...
...to stop them from setting up the mechanical textile bureau...
...in Shaanxi at all cost.
Yes.
They say that Guanzhong...
...is the most important place in a conquest.
The prince sent you to Jingyang...
...because this place is very impoflant to him.
If you can't stop Zhao Bai Shi...
...and he manages to set up the bureau in Shaanxi...
...the prince's position will be threatened.
You know the consequence.
I understand.
Also, Zhao Bai Shi...
...single-handedly got rid of Niu Shou VVa...
...whom we manipulated for many years.
Clearly, he's a clever person.
You must not be negligent.
Mr. Wen, I will keep that in mind.
You're on your own now.
I need to return to the capital to repofl back.
Goodbye. -Thank you for the hard work.
Didn't you say that the mechanical textile bureau...
...will make us rich?
How come the prince wants to stop them from setting it up?
What should we do?
What else can we do?
Those who have shares are all related to us.
If the prince finds out... - We must not let him find out.
Mr. Du. -What brought you over...
...at this hour? -Yong Mei.
Return the shares of the textile bureau tomorrow.
What? -Let's just run our shop.
Don't get involved in that trouble.
Why? -The prince...
...won't let them establish the mechanical textile bureau.
If you take pan in the business...
...you'll be going against the prince.
If I don't take pad, I can't make money.
Yong Mei, listen to me.
You shouldn't mess with a person like the prince.
I won't withdraw from this business.
Yong Mei, you... -Listen to me.
I need helpers the most now.
Once the operation of the textile bureau begins...
...I won't be able to handle the business on my own.
So, I need a partner...
...and you are the only one I trust now.
There's something I've been wanting to say to you.
Leave Long Sheng He and join Gu Yue Western Textile.
Leave the prince and assist me.
I can't leave the prince yet.
Even the best of friends must pan ways one day.
It is normal to leave your employer for another.
You're just Long Sheng He's shopkeeper.
But, you're half the owner of Gu Yue Western Textile.
Do you plan to serve the prince forever?
Haven't you thought of becoming independent...
...and having your own assets?
Haven't you thought of...
...having your own family?
Yong Mei.
I've never...
...thought of all those.
You can start now.
Mr. Du, with the mechanical textile bureau...
...we can make a net profit of at least 1 million taels per year.
By then, we can...
...do many things together.
Together?
Yes, together.
Let me think about it.
Alright. I'll wait.
You're here.
What's the matter? Did you fail to convince Hu Yong Mei?
Sit down.
Zha Kun.
Do you plan to serve the prince forever?
When we're old and worthless to him...
...he'll surely make us leave.
What's wrong?
Do you think it's possible...
...to leave while we're still young?
Did Hu Yong Mei say something to you?
She refused to withdraw...
...and even told me to leave the prince.
What do you think?
It's normal to leave your employer for another.
Wake up!
Don't you remember how Xiao Gu Zi was beaten to death?
There's Eunuch Liang too.
We don't even know where his corpse is today.
Boss.
Are we ordinary employees of the prince?
We are his slaves! -I don't want to be a slave!
Understand?
But, we've no choice.
We've no say in this.
Zha Kun.
If I help the prince to accomplish this big task...
...will he let me go?
If you want to accomplish this task...
...you must first convince Hu Yong Mei to withdraw.
Do you have the confidence?
Even if you manage to convince Hu Yong Mei...
...even if they can't set up the textile bureau...
...even if the prince lets us go...
...where can you go?
As long as I'm with Yong Mei, anywhere at all will be fine.
That's because she doesn't know your real identity yet.
If she knows the real you, will she still choose you?
Eunuch Du.
No woman is willing to choose us.
We can never have the company of women.
Don't daydream.
We have our own destinies.
Collect the receivables in advance.
Yes.
5,450 taels.
Add the cash from other shops. -Alright.
3,786 taels.
Young Master Xing Yi. -100,000 taels of cash.
We have enough now. Father, look.
Master.
Master, Mr. Du came. He said he has something...
...very important to say to you.
Where is he? -The main hall.
Father, I'll go with you.
I'm investment in the textile bureau...
...has nothing to do with him, right?
Father, if he wants a share, don't agree.
I know what to do.
Mr. Du.
What brought you over today?
Are you planning to be a shareholder of...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau?
We do intend to do so. But...
I advise you all to give up before it's too late.
Why?
Don't ask. Just do as I say.
Mr. Du... -Mr. Du.
Local cloth is outdated.
It's the era of western textiles.
This is the right time to invest in western textiles.
I understand what you're saying.
But, in business, don't just look at the money.
What else should we look at?
The big picture.
What is the big picture?
Brother Xing Yu, the water runs deep.
Listen to me first.
I think the mechanical textile bureau...
...we benefit all parties including the country, Shaanxi...
...and merchants like us. - You think you're patriotic.
You think you're just making money.
The truth is, you're being made use of.
Young Master Xing Yi, just run your business properly.
Why do you want to get into this trouble?
I think I'm running our business properly.
Xing Er.
Go out.
Mr. Du, Xing Er is young. Don't let him bother you.
I don't mind as long as you all withdraw.
Mr. Du.
Local cloth has no demand in the market today...
...and we can't compete against Gu Yue Western Textile...
...established years ago in reselling western textiles.
If we give up on the mechanical textile bureau...
...I'm afraid we'll have to give up on our...
...textile business completely. -So be it.
That's at least 100,000 taels.
Mr. Shen.
Is money or life more important?
Wu Wei Wen made so much money. But, so what?
Just a few words from the prince...
...and he died horribly.
Could it be that...
...you want to be the next Wu Wei Wen?
What did he say, father?
Forget it. -What do you mean?
The prince disapproves it.
Why?
It's complicated.
It's a business with a return of at least 100,000 taels.
Can you bear to give it up?
I'm a person who is so money-minded that...
...I can't even bear to earn 1-2 taels lesser.
Although the textile bureau is extremely profitable...
...the prince is a god of wealth we can't offend.
Father, ever since you started serving the prince...
...yes, it's true that Shen Family made more money.
But, have you thought of the price we paid?
The military supply business almost ruined our many years of...
...good reputation.
They didn't contribute to our cotton business at all.
They got a share of our profit for nothing.
They couldn't help at all when we couldn't sell...
...our local cloth. Now, we've a chance of a lifetime...
...and they want us to give up.
I know.
But, this is reality. You need to sacrifice...
...in order to gain something.
Father, I think we should terminate...
...all cooperations with Long Sheng He now...
...and cut ties with that prince completely.
Shen Family doesn't need support in the government...
...to make big money. We can still become...
...the richest family in Shaanxi on our own.
You must trust me. I'm not afraid of...
"hardships and risks.
I'll sure make a lot of money for Shen Family.
Xing Er.
Unless Shen Family goes completely broke...
...we can never...
...cut ties with Long Sheng He. -Why?
It's best if you don't know.
When did you arrive?
I just came. -Sit down.
Have you considered...
...what I said yesterday?
I appreciate your offer.
But, I can't leave the prince yet.
Why? -Let's not talk about this.
I understand.
Yong Mei, take my advice.
Don't be a shareholder of the mechanical textile bureau.
Even if I withdraw, there'll be other shareholders.
Why should I pass this good opportunity to others?
The prince won't spare these people.
Isn't the prince Shen Family's business partner?
Shen Family has withdrawn. -When?
Just a while ago.
I'll buy all the shares they returned tomorrow.
Yong Mei, you'll get yourself burnt.
My fate...
...has nothing to do with you.
Yong Mei, I genuinely wish to help you
Mr. Du, my feelings are genuine as well.
Yong Mei, ever since we met...
...I always do my best to help you.
So, you must listen to me this time.
What if I don't listen?
If you insist to invest in the mechanical textile bureau...
...I can't save you when you get in trouble.
Housekeeper Hu. -Yes. Coming.
Escort our guest out.
Mr. Du, please come with me.
Mr. Shen, how was the pig head?
Not bad. It was moderately salty and tasty.
It was as good as I imagined.
Do you want another? -Sure.
But, the last pig was too fat. I'd like a different one today.
Which one would you like? - The one opposite of me.
You're asking for a kick.
If you dare to kick me, I won't sell you our 1,000 shares.
What did you say?
I plan to sell you all of Shen Family's 1,000 shares.
Mr. Shen, what are you up to this time?
Shen Family decided to withdraw.
Why?
My father is a clever man. Yet, he's stuck with Du Ming Li.
Du Ming Li told him to withdraw and he agreed.
That's a pity.
But, I still a little glad...
...since I can sell the shares to you.
1,000 shares. That'll cost 100,000 taels
I need the consent of my two uncles.
You're Wu Family's leader. Why can't you decide on your own?
I need their consent for business involving...
...more than 1,000 taels.
What are you waiting for? Go and discuss with them.
Don't let others steal the shares in the end. Goodbye.
Wait.
How come you haven't stated any condition at all?
You won't agree anyway.
I'd rather give up and make you indebted to me.
Alright. I owe you a favour.
Everyone knows that the stocks of the few...
"state-owned factories plunged after an initial rise.
I've also sent men to spread the news of...
...the collision of the Xinhe trains...
...the explosion in the Anqing arsenal...
msevered hand of a worker in Lanzhou Manufacturing Bureau...
...and deaths of the workers of Foochow Arsenal.
How did your work go? Did Shen Family agree to withdraw?
Yes.
What about Hu Yong Mei?
Since she wouldn't listen to you...
...I'm afraid you've to take action.
Let's wait a little longer. -We can't wait.
Xiao Chao De got dismissed and banned from government positions?
Because he failed to stop Zhao Bai Shi...
...the prince used an excuse to dismiss him.
Xiao Chao De is a rank 2 official.
But, the prince got him fired so easily.
If lowly people like us make the prince angry...
...we might even lose our lives.
We can't let Hu Yong Mei invest in the textile bureau...
...and affect the prince's political position.
But, she's Hu Yong Mei. I can't do this to her.
But, what will the prince do to you?
What will the prince do to her? -Zha Kun!
Don't I have any other choice?
What kind of price did we pay for survival?
Do you want to give your life up for a woman?
No.
Survival is the most important thing.
So, we've no choice.
But, when I'm with her...
...I'm happier.
That's because she doesn't know your real identity yet.
If she finds out, you won't be able to...
...accept the outcome!
Can we gather 200,000 taels within 15 days?
I think we can. -Good.
Gentleman, what would you like to buy?
Gentleman, what do you want?
Gentleman. -Gentleman.
Gentleman, you can't go in.
Gentleman. -Gentleman, you can't go in.
Gentleman.
Ms. Yong Mei.
Ms. Hu, I need to talk to you in private.
Go back to your work.
I'm about to go out. If you've something to say...
...wait until I return from the provincial administration bureau.
After listening to me, you'll change your mind.
I know what you want to say.
Please go back and tell Mr. Du that...
...I've made up my mind to buy the shares of...
...the mechanical textile bureau.
I want to talk about the Sanshou Gang.
Housekeeper Hu, let us talk in private.
What do you mean?
After Sanshou Gang surrendered...
...the local government found many evidences in their base...
...and one of the letters written to Niu Shou Wa...
"stated that Jingyang's Wu Family of the east mansion...
...is extremely wealthy...
...and pointed out the whereabouts and schedule of...
...Zhou Ying, the leader of Wu Family of the east mansion.
As long as you do as I say...
...I promise that this letter will never be brought to light.
But, if you go against the prince...
...I'll have no choice.
You're threatening me.
I'm just reminding you.
If others learn that a lady from a famous family...
...has something to do with bandits...
...what will happen?
Aren't you a friend of Sanshou Gang yourself?
If I'm arrested, you can't get away either.
Who can prove that?
You alone?
I'm sorry.
Don't worry. I just have to apply some medicine.
Zha Kun, what's wrong with you? -I'm sorry, boss.
What a bad timing. I burnt my hand...
...before I could even write a word.
Zha Kun is illiterate. - It's alright. I'll write.
YOU?
The two of you set me up?
I'm so stupid.
I actually thought you all were helping me.
We are indeed trying to help you.
Ms. Hu, you'd better appreciate my offer.
Is he...
...aware of everything?
What do you think?
Get lost!
Leave at once!
Good bye.
Ms. Yong Mei.
What's wrong?
Ms. Yong Mei.
Why are your hands so cold?
Are you sick?
Ms. Yong Mei, I'll pour a cup of warm tea for you.
Mr. Zhao, Zhou Ying of Wu Family came.
Invite her in. -Yes.
Mr. Zhao. -Mrs. Wu.
If my guess is correcL...
...you're currently feeling worried because...
...Shen Family withdrew their investment.
How come you know? -I can tell from your face.
Since Shen Family withdrew, I have a chance now.
Even though you're a boring person...
...I see a lot of potential in mechanical production of textiles.
Wu Family will buy 100 shares. I even brought the banknote.
Here's 10,000 taels.
Mrs. Wu, I can't accept this banknote.
Why?
Am I late again?
Did someone buy all of Shen Family's 1,000 shares?
Do you look down on Wu Family or hate me?
Why are you so biased against me? -Mrs. Wu, you misunderstood.
I've nothing against you or Wu Family.
It's just that...
...we're not going to build the mechanical textile bureau.