Episode 42
Mother.
You came so early, Xing Er.
I need you to help me in a very important matter.
What is it? -Mother, there's a woman I like.
Please propose to her on my behalf.
You finally want a wife. -I've always wanted one. But...
...I was too busy with our family business.
Which family is she from?
She's from Wu Family.
Wu Family?
Even though she's not from Wu Family of the east mansion...
...she's still a member of Wu Family.
Even though her cousin is dead...
...whenever I think of Yue Sheng, I still feel...
Wait, mother. Who are you talking about?
Aren't you talking about Wu Yi from the west mansion?
She's not the one.
Who is it then?
Mother.
Mother, do you remember this one maid we used to have?
I wanted to make her my concubine. But, she ran away.
I do remember. I was so angry with her...
...that I suffered from gastric pain for a few days.
She's the one.
That woman?
You said the woman you like is from Wu Family.
How come it's a maid now?
Yes. But, she's not Wu Family's maid. She's...
She... After running away from us, she married Wu Pin.
What? That widow?
No way. -Mother, I really like her.
Xing Er, I never said no to you.
But, I won't agree to this. - If you don't propose now...
...she'll marry another guy. -Thank god for that.
Mother! I beg of you!
Listen. For you, I can agree to anything at all.
But, if you want to marry a widow...
...and the one from Wu Family at thaL...
...I'll never approve of it!
Mother.
I'll put it this way.
If I can't marry her...
...I'll stay single forever!
Xing Er.
Xing Er!
Hu P0! Liu Li!
Find Si Hai and tell him to come home.
Yes.
Check if the old mistress is awake.
Yes.
Where's Zhou Ying?
Both of us came. Why isn't she here yet?
Master Wei Quan, we have sent someone to invite her over.
Tell someone to remove the boxes!
They make me angry.
What's the matter?
Madam Ying went out very early. -Where did she go?
She went to visit Tu'erdan.
Look. She went to him on her own. This is too indecent.
Wei Quan.
It's all because of these stupid boxes!
What is Zhou Ying's thoughts on Tu'erdan's ridiculous proposal?
Master Wei Wu, Madam Ying won't discuss...
"something like this with us.
Zhou Ying, I'm planning to...
...go to Bukhara next. It's a very remote place.
It's very underdeveloped.
So, my next target is to open up a trade road there.
That's great. -Would you lend me a hand?
No problem.
That's great. -This way.
After you. This trade road...
This is the tea I sent you last month.
It's from the same tea estate.
Not bad.
I sold it to you for 20% lower than the price here.
That's cheap. -But, they have a condition.
Next year, we need to buy at least 500 more boxes from them.
I already agreed.
Alright. What if I don't need so much?
Aren't you planning to open up a trade road...
...to Bukhara next year? You'll need a lot of tea leaves.
500 boxes might not even be enough.
Zhou Ying, you're so brilliant.
Let's go and check out the silk here.
When you go in, give me a good scolding...
...and claim to be dissatisfied with everything.
Then, bang the door and go out. Leave the rest to me.
No problem. -This way, Mr. Tu.
Mrs. Wu.
Mr. Tu, look at their silk.
I picked this shop among dozens of the best...
...silk businesses.
You call this the best?
This is from Lu Family. It's as good as the silk...
...from Cao Family in quality and reputation.
I've told you many times that I only want silk from Cao Family.
Do you still want to do business with me?
Why don't you take a look first? -No!
Let's go.
Why did I have to scold you?
If I don't get scolded...
...how do I help you to save 3,000 taels?
Did they agree to lower the price?
They even gave me a good handkerchief...
...for me to wipe my tears.
Zhou Ying, you're so clever.
Let's go in and take a look.
Hello, Mrs. Wu. -Hello.
Is this the fur I sent you? -Yes.
I remember that I sent you whole pieces of fur...
...and not fragments like these.
You call these fragments?
These are designs.
Look carefully.
I tailored your fur into the trendiest fur items. Look.
Hats, Waistcoats and mantles.
It took me so much effort...
...to sell one piece of fur for the price of two pieces of fur.
Yet, you still complain.
Fine. I was wrong. You're right.
You need to punish yourself with wine.
Alright.
Tu'erdan, have you sold all the...
...local cloth you bought from me and Shen Xing Yi?
Yes. Can you send me more?
I'll get you into trouble if I sell you local cloth.
Why?
Let me show you something.
Zhou Ying.
How are the western textiles? -Very good.
I tried to sell western textiles before.
But, the price was too high.
Back then, the price was 7-8 times of today's price.
So, there was no demand at all.
But, with this price, I'm sure I can sell all.
What if the price is one-third of this price?
Is that possible? -Yes.
Brother Wei Wu.
We can't let them continue to hang out together.
My good brother.
Say something. We need to take action decisively.
Let me think. -Think?
All you do is think.
If this is made known, Wu Family will be ridiculed.
Don't panic!
You're not worried? Fine. Just sit here.
I'm worried!
Get a few men to come with me!
Where are you going?
Is there western cloth cheaper than theirs in the market?
Yes. But, it's not available yet.
When is it available?
If we have our own mechanical factory...
...it'll be available.
You mean, we should produce western cloth ourselves?
Yes.
Shaanxi is now setting up a mechanical textile bureau.
The government will order the machines...
...and offer tax exemptions as well as other protections.
If we fork out 200,000 taels of silver...
...we'll have 80% of the shares.
So, this is the important matter you mentioned yesterday?
Yes. I see a lot of potential in this.
But...
...I don't have so much money.
Tu'erdan, would you join me as a shareholder?
Zhou Ying.
If you agree to marry me...
...you can even take 2 million taels from me.
Tu'erdan, I believe that be it in China or Xinjiang...
...many women are dying to marry you.
Why do you have to choose me?
Because you're the most special woman I've seen.
But, I'm a widow. -So what?
To the people around me...
...I'm a woman who attracts bad luck.
I don't care about what their opinions.
I only know that to me...
...you are my prettiest snow lotus.
Tu'erdan.
Can you cut it out? -I can't help it.
I've always been a free eagle in Urumqi.
But, ever since you came to Urumqi and left me...
...I lost my freedom.
I think of you...
...when I eat, sleep and do business.
I originally planned to come in the 9th lunar month.
But, I couldn't wait any longer.
Besides, Shen Xing Yi returned to Jingyang as well.
He looks at you the same way I look at you.
To be honesL...
...I'm afraid that he'll steal you from me.
Zhou Ying, I wish I can stop myself too.
But, I can't control myself. This is too important to me.
Zhou Ying.
Marry me.
L---
Master Wei Quan. -Move!
Uncle Wei Quan.
My niece-in-law, it's time to go home.
I'm having a discussion with Mr. Tu.
Brother Wei Wu is the leader of Wu Family now.
Mr. Tu can discuss with Brother Wei Wu instead.
But, we're discussing about personal matters.
That doesn't make any difference.
Go back with me.
I don't want to go back.
Let go of her!
Mr. Tu, please don't interfere in Wu Family's family affair.
Uncle Wei Quan, what are you doing?
Mr. Tu, you're in Jingyang. Let's go.
What is this? What do you all want?
No one can take Zhou Ying away in front of me.
Zhou Ying belongs to Wu Family! - Zhou Ying belongs to me!
I don't belong to anyone!
Uncle Wei Quan, if I really want to remarry...
...you can't do anything to stop me.
I'm your elder. I'm obligated to educate you.
Zhou Ying, what are you doing?
Excellent. I like that.
Keep the sword. Others might laugh at us.
Uncle Wei Quan.
You can't stop me from doing what I want to do.
Keep the sword quickly.
Tu'erdan.
I'm a money-minded woman.
You're so wealthy and generous. I really wish I can marry you.
My original plan was to...
...agree to marry you...
...and take your 20,000 taels of gold...
...to invest in the mechanical textile factory...
...and then go back on my word.
But, my late husband told me that...
...I must not obtain wealth by lying...
...or lie to people who trust me.
So, I must tell you the truth.
I don't love you.
Is it because...
...I'm not good enough? -No.
You're very good. You're straightforward and honest.
If I met you 10 years earlier...
...I would surely be dying to marry you.
If that's the case, why can't you love me now?
Loving is about the head's feelings...
...and my head...
...had been buried into the earth alongside my husband.
Even if you marry me...
...you'll only get an empty shell.
Do you still want to marry me?
Yes.
You don't mind.
But, I don't want it.
Why?
If I must get married...
...I must marry a man I love.
I don't want to lie to you or myself.
If...
...that's the case...
...I won't invest in the mechanical textile bureau.
I'll also cut off all business relations with you.
Tu'erdan.
Business is business. It's nothing personal.
You shouldn't mix up the two things.
Because...
...if we still contact each other...
...my heart might hurt too much.
I must forget about you.
But, as you just saw...
...I'm your best partner.
If you don't do business with me...
...I'm afraid you might make a big loss.
I'm not worried about that.
I've enough money. But...
...Wu Family will lose a lot.
Don't think you can threaten Wu Family with money.
Zhou Ying.
Why don't you marry me?
I don't mind if it's just for my money.
Zhou Ying, let's leave.
We'll just go broke at worst.
Tu'erdan.
I know...
...you don't really want to threaten me with money.
You just want to be fair to yourself.
Yes.
I'm the same.
I understand.
Uncle Wei Quan, go back.
What about you?
L---
I'm going back too.
Let go of Madam Ying.
What are you all doing?
Madam Ying, as long as we're alive...
...we'll support all your decisions.
Thank you.
I'm not going anywhere.
Let's go back.
Shen Xing Yi! Come out!
Young Mask“ Xmg '(L mask“ came. - Shen Xmg Y“ Do you hear me'?
Come out at once!
Do you hear me?
Stop hiding! Come out!
What should we do? -Get my grandmother.
Yes.
Come out!
Come out already!
Father.
You came.
Stop right there.
Your mother said you want to marry...
...that widow from Wu Family of the east mansion.
Her name is Zhou Ying.
Have you been having an affair with her...
...even before your trip to Urumqi?
We're not having an affair. -Don't deny!
I was wondering why...
...Sanshou Gang kidnapped you two together.
I thought the two of you met on the way by chance.
Now that I think back...
...you two must have planned the trip together!
That's not true. I wish we have an affair. I got rejected.
Enough!
Listen.
If you're having an affair with that widow...
...I can turn a blind eye to it.
But, if you want to marry that widow officially...
...I'll never allow it!
I'll still say the same thing.
I'll stay single forever if you won't let me marry her.
Do you intend to cut off Shen Family's bloodline?
That's your fault because you won't accept her.
Come! Bring me the punishment tool!
Master. -Go!
Failure to procreate is the biggest sin.
Today, I'm going to give you a good beating.
We've been doing fine.
Why do you want to beat my grandson again?
Grandmother. -Mother, you...
Mother, why are you here? Who told you about this?
Do I need anyone to tell me?
You yelled so loudly. I could hear from the back.
Mother, I really need to teach your grandson a lesson.
If he has done something wrong, why can't you teach him nicely?
Why do you have to beat him?
Did your father educate you like this back then?
If you heard what he said, you'll be furious as well.
It's just about that widow. -|...
Is it worth it to quarrel with your son...
...for a trivial matter like this?
He wants to marry her. How is this a trivial matter?
Enough. I know.
Go back to your work. Let me talk to him.
Mother, this...
Go back to your work.
Go.
Grandmother, it hurts. -You deserve it.
You always make your father angry.
You're so useless.
Grandmother, it's windy outside. Let's talk inside.
L---
I remember that...
...you used to have a western watch in this room.
The oldest one. -That one?
It went missing a long time ago.
Just because you wanted that watch...
...you quarrelled with your father for years.
But, as soon as you got hold of it, you cast it aside.
You're the kind of person...
...who persistently pursues things you don't have.
But, once you obtain them, you won't treasure them anymore.
Do you get what I mean? -No.
Quit pretending.
According to your mother, that widow...
...is the maid who ran away...
...after refusing to be your concubine.
Yes. -No wonder...
...you can't forget about her.
If she really become yours, you'll find her a nuisance.
Grandmother, that won't happen.
I know your personality.
Grandmother, this maid isn't like any of those things.
Why don't you help me to make that maid my wife?
You'll see if I'll neglect her.
Enough. Forget about it. Listen to me.
Apologise to your father and mother later.
I'll pick a good bride for you.
No.
I won't help you again the next time you get beaten.
Grandmother.
Grandmother, please help me.
I'll think about it.
Zhou Ying.
Brother Wei Wu, rest assured.
We've settled everything.
How? -Zhou Ying rejected Tu'erdan...
...right before my eyes.
Zhou Ying, I knew that...
...you are a loyal wife even though you appear whimsical.
Pride is more important than money.
My uncles, I'm afraid we're really going to go broke.
Tu'erdan declared to cut off all business relations with us.
Fine with me. What's the big deal?
He'll come in a few days...
...to collect the two boxes of gold...
...and settle all outstanding payments.
This... -Don't worry.
You have a solution?
Zhou Ying.
If you're sure that...
...we can make get a fast and big return on investment...
...from Shaanxi's very own mechanical textile bureau...
...Wu Family doesn't have to worry about...
...losing a big business paflner like Tu'erdan.
Uncle Wei Wu, you...
I agree to...
...invest 200,000 taels in Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
Brother Wei Wu, are you crazy?
Wei Quan, two households agreed to invest in this business.
What about you?
I haven't agreed. -It's alright.
Majority agreed. It's decided.
I'll sell and pawn all of my family's assets...
...to gather money. -What's going on?
You changed your mind without discussing with me!
I haven't agreed!
Thank you, Uncle Wei Wu. -It's alright. Don't mention it.
My dear! You...
What are you doing?
My dear, I'm talking to you.
My dear, what are you searching for?
Where's our partnership contract? - Why are you looking for it?
Isn't it obvious? I want to break the partnership.
Are you crazy? Our life just gotten better...
"because of the paflnership...
...and you want to withdraw? You... You've gone crazy!
Stop! -Because of money...
...they are discarding our pride...
...and conscience! I won't be in cahoots with them!
My... What? -Master.
Master, Master Wei Wu came.
I don't want to see him!
Invite him in. My dear, I beg of you!
I don't want to see him! - My dear, I beg of you!
Please see him! -You are so...
Hurry. See him.
No. -See him! Hurry!
Go.
Brother Wei Wu. Hurry.
What brought you over? -Brother Wei Wu, please help me...
...to persuade him. He wants to withdraw from the paflnership.
I knew that he would threaten us with this...
...in a fit of anger.
So, I came to talk to him.
There's no need to talk. I quit.
If you want to go back to your thrifty life...
...I won't persuade you. But, if you want to make money...
...take my advice.
Don't withdraw. Let's continue to be partners.
Sure. But, we can't let Zhou Ying make decisions for us.
We must listen to her. -Why?
Wei Quan, as you know, I'm a competitive person too.
I never felt inferior to anyone.
But now, I must admit that...
...Zhou Ying is way better than us.
Wu Family needs her.
I don't get it. What makes you say so?
Over this period, I've been restless and tired...
...because of our businesses.
I realised that it's not easy to be the leader of Wu Family.
I looked back at how Zhou Ying handled things.
The accounts, business dealings...
...tricks and methods under her management...
...were all things I couldn't even think of.
Then, I realised that...
...our business skyrocketed over the past few years...
...all because of her.
He's right. -Because of that...
...you agreed to invest in the mechanical textile bureau?
I trust herjudgement. -Yes. Brother Wei Wu is right.
We made money because we did as Zhou Ying said.
We'll make more money if we continue to let her lead us.
How's it?
I can't stop you all anyway. Fine.
Are you still going to withdraw?
No.
Wei Quan, regarding the matter of the leader of Wu Family...
...I've an idea.
Back then, when the operation of...
...the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau began...
...people said that the workers were thrown into...
...the smoke funnel or crushed to death.
But, those rumours have been proven to be lies.
So, it's not true that western weaving machines...
...can kill people. -Mr. Zhao! Mr...
Please give me a minute.
Alright.
Mr. Zhao, I've a good news for you.
I've a good news for you too. -You can go first.
3 years ago, Guangdong tried to open a mechanical textile bureau.
But, when the machines arrived in Guangdong...
...the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi...
...was sent to manage Hunan and Hubei.
So, the project was suspended. I went to check.
The machines are still there.
Although they aren't the latest...
...they are functional.
They can sell to us at lower prices.
So, we only need to gather 100,000 taels...
...to set up the mechanical textile bureau.
Mr. Zhao, why do we need outdated second-hand machines?
Let's buy the latest one.
We only need 200,000 taels. Wu Family will buy all the shares.
This is such a good news.
Mr. Zhao, thank you for the offer and explanation.
We'll buy one share together.
I'm sorry. The shares have just been sold out.
What? Zhou Ying bought all the shares of...
...the mechanical textile bureau?
Yes.
Ms. Yong Mei, I still don't understand...
...why you returned the shares back then.
Go out!
They still managed to set up the mechanical textile bureau?
Zhao Bai Shi beat Du Ming Li in the end.
Not necessarily.
This isn't the end yet.
Father, if you didn't listen to Du Ming Li...
...and withdraw, Shen Family will be the triumphant one today.
This might be a blessing in disguise.
We don't know if the mechanical textile bureau...
...will succeed.
I thought that no one besides Shen Si Hai and Hu Yong Mei...
...will dare to buy the shares.
Zhou Ying just came out of nowhere.
Where did she get so much money from?
I heard that all three households of Wu Family...
...sold all their assets and propeflies.
We were negligent.
But, at least we've a plan in place.
Have you made friends with Shen Family's Shopkeeper Tao?
Shopkeeper Tao came from Hu County.
His family has some farmland.
As you instructed...
...I got the local officer to steal his farmland...
...and took the chance to solve this problem for him.
He's under my control now.
It's time to use him.
Hurry up. What are you waiting for?
Tu'erdan, what's wrong with you?
Why are you drinking from the pot?
Stop. Give it to me.
Enough. Stop.
Fine. Drink.
It's my treat today. Drink.
You're my brother.
You can't gloat.
Don't misunderstand. How can I gloat over your sadness?
At least she considered marrying you.
Look at me.
She said she won't marry me no matter how much gold I offer.
Come.
But, I've talked to my grandmother.
I'll propose to her in a few days.
Whether she likes me or not...
...I want to show her my greatest sincerity.
It's not just because she doesn't like you.
It's because she doesn't even have a head.
Her heart had been buried into the earth...
"alongside her husband.
She said so?
My head is broken.
It's broken.