Episode 44
Stop crying! Are you cursing us to die?
I'm the one who will die. Why are you scolding them?
You all only know how to cry!
Why don't you all just die?
Stop crying!
De Gen!
Why are you hitting the kids? -Uncle.
You... Enough. Come.
You only know how to cry. -Da Shi Tou!
Don't hit them. They are still children.
Da Shi Tou, come. Here's some food.
Eat it with your brothers and sisters in the courtyard.
Let's go. -Why did you hit your kids?
Uncle, sit down and talk.
What's wrong with you?
We're having a hard time surviving.
I know. So, I specially came to visit you...
...and bring you things. -Uncle.
Thank you so much. -No.
Get up. De Gen, get up.
Get up.
Uncle, once we make it through this...
...I'll visit you and kowtow to you.
De Gen, this isn't the worst yet.
We don't even have money to buy food.
Isn't this the worst?
Think about it. The western machines...
...aren't in operation yet.
The cloth you all weave...
...can still be sold to some remote places.
You all still have some income.
Once the western machines stafl operating...
...western textiles will come flowing out of them like water.
Western textiles will soon reach the remote places as well.
By then, you all will really starve to death.
That can't be the case. - Why can't that be the case?
De Gen, do you know what happened in Shanghai?
A mechanical textile bureau was opened in Shanghai last year.
As a result, some local weavers...
...committed suicide with their whole families.
Another mechanical textile bureau was opened in Wuhan.
Some weavers committed suicide...
...and many of them were forced to become bandits.
In the end, they were arrested by the government.
Some were beheaded and some were exiled.
It's terrible.
Uncle, should I go and talk to Mr. Wu?
It's pointless. Wu Wei Quan is from Wu Family.
Wu Family runs the mechanical textile bureau.
He's a shareholder himself.
If I were you, I would do something...
...before the western machines stafl operating.
In fact, you need to gather more people to do it with you.
Bai Shi, how's the operation of Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau?
If everything goes well, it can operate next month.
That's great. Once it starts operating...
...and producing results, I can recommend to promote you...
...to the position of the provincial governor of Shaanxi.
But, En Ling just took office not long ago.
He's been a nuisance in Shaanxi. We don't like him at all.
You can replace him.
But... -What's wrong?
Once the operation of the textile bureau begins...
...there'll be a lot of loose ends to tie up.
If I become the provincial governor...
...I won't be able to manage the textile bureau.
You don't have to worry about that.
You'll still be the chairman of the textile bureau...
was the provincial governor.
In this case, I'll do my best...
...and continue to find ways to save the country and the people.
Bai Shi, I shall congratulate you in advance.
Thank you for supporting me.
Come. Sit down.
Bai Shi, when I left the capital...
...I think I heard that you submitted a memorial...
...to request to review the case of the military supply...
...involving Jingyang's Wu Family of the east mansion.
Yes. I'd like to ask you a question regarding this case.
There is a key witness in this case.
But, when I looked through the records...
...I couldn't find any record of this person.
Bai Shi, how long have we known each other?
It's been 10 years since I became your student...
...when I came to the capital for the national exam.
If you still respect me, stop investigating this case.
Why?
This case involves too many political cliques.
The slightest negligence will get you into trouble.
If you bring up this old case again...
...we might have to face a lot of troubles.
In fact, many will be implicated.
But, this case is fishy. - The case had been closed.
Bai Shi, when I was leaving the capital...
...I asked my friend to...
...retract your memorial from the Council of State.
Think about it yourself.
Bai Shi.
You're exceptionally capable.
But, you are still lacking in flexibility.
I suspect that my teacher has something to do with it as well.
Are you talking about Mr. Zhang Zhang Qing?
Politics is dirty. I finally see it today.
I promised Zhou Ying to give her an answer.
But now, I can't even apply for a review.
Don't you think I'm a pretty useless...
...high-ranking local official? -If I were you...
...I would request to meet the emperor...
...and obtain the emperor's permission...
...to execute all those corrupt officials.
If it's as easy as that, I wouldn't be so vexed.
Bai Shi, I Wish...
...I'm the one facing your problems.
Unfortunately, my wish cannot come true.
Drink some tea. -If I were you...
I would tell him directly that I like him...
...and that I want to marry him.
I'll tell him to stay away from other women. That's all.
I'll enjoy this meal to the fullest today.
Ms. Yi, why are you blushing?
Shut up.
As an official, I am helpless.
As a man, my ability falls shod of my wishes.
I'm really stressed out.
What makes you say that...
...your ability falls shod of your wishes?
Brother Ze. -Sister Yi.
Mr. Zhao, you're here.
I came to confide in your brother.
This fellow is torturing me here.
He has tortured me for 2 hours.
I can't take it anymore.
You came at the right time.
I can go out and get some fresh air.
Brother Ze, don't go.
L---
I made a few new cuisines.
I wanted to ask my brother to sample them.
Since you're here...
...please review them for me.
But...
I shall accept your offer then.
Please sit down.
Mr. Zhao.
Even though this is made of ordinary Chinese cabbage...
...I added spices like fennel, star anise and cinnamon.
There is a lasting aftertaste.
I gave it a name.
"Lad dress in blue, my head worries for you."
"You are the cause of this song without pause."
Indeed, as you said...
...it is ordinary on the first bite...
...but the aftertaste is strong and lasting.
You are a good cook indeed.
Mr. Zhao, please taste the second cuisine.
The soup was cooked using quality old hen...
...dried mushrooms and coriander.
Before sewing, I removed the floating oil and impurities.
It looks very plain.
But, it is very rich and flavoun'ul.
It is delicious indeed.
Mr. Zhao, this soup has a name as well.
I'm all ears.
"I went up the river to look for him."
"But the way was difficult and long."
"I went down the stream to look for him."
"And there in mid-water is he."
Mr. Zhao, there's a third cuisine.
This fish was steamed with the osmanthus harvested...
...during mid-autumn last year.
I named it...
..."Love In Humble Circumstances".
Mr. Zhao.
What do you think of my cuisines?
Ms. Wu, are you indeed an exceptional cook.
My head is touched by the taste.
But...
You may be frank.
The combination of spices in the stir-fried Chinese cabbage...
...is brilliant.
But, Chinese cabbage is a little ordinary.
It might be better if you use radish instead.
The soup is very special as well.
It has light taste even though it was cooked over a long period.
I think a more suitable name would be...
..."It ls Difficult To Be Water...
...For One Who Has Seen The Great Seas."
As for the fish...
...the original poem by Zhuangzi says...
..."it is better to forget one another in rivers and lakes...
...than love in humble circumstances."
"And when men praise Yao and condemn Jie...
...it is better to forget them and seek the virtues of Taoism."
It's true.
The world is vast. There is no need to...
...confine yourself within one narrow thought.
Ms. Yi, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?
Culinary...
...isn't about the skills.
It's more about the feelings we put into the cuisines.
However, ...
...if the feelings of the cook is not requited...
...by the person tasting the cuisine...
...it is a huge regret as well.
I am a clumsy person.
I don't know much...
...about food.
I've wasted your cuisines. But...
...the world outside is vast.
One day, you will find one who appreciate your cuisines.
He Xiang, let's go back.
Sister Yi.
You're leaving so soon?
What did you say to my sister?
I didn't review her cuisines well and upset her.
Let me try.
The spinning and weaving machines are all ready.
We're making the final preparation.
Mr. Zhao is here.
Mr. Zhao. -How's everything?
Can the operation start tomorrow? -No problem.
Mr. Zhao, the teachers you recruited from the...
...Shanghai Mechanical Textile Bureau are geniuses.
They can handle these huge iron machines so well.
They are all professional technicians trained by westerners.
No wonder then. -By the way...
...how's the training of our factory workers?
Mr. Zhao, we've posted a notice of recruitment.
But, only a few came to apply for the job.
Why? -There are rumours about...
...western machines biting off fingers.
So, the locals don't dare to apply for the job at all.
How do we start the operation tomorrow then?
What have you all been doing? - Mr. Zhao, please rest assured.
I've talked to these technicians.
They'll stay a little longer...
...to demonstrate the safety and reliable of the machines.
This is a job that pays. People will come for the job.
Very good.
It's really going to start
Yes. After meeting so many challenges...
...our wish is finally coming true.
Mr. Zhao, what is your wish?
I want to make the people rich and strengthen the country.
What about you? -Me? My wish can't come true.
Tell me about it.
I want to go back to the past...
...when I just entered Wu Family and Wu Pin was still alive.
I want to go back to when it all started.
It is impossible to turn back time.
You are a wise person.
You shouldn't let wishes that can't come true...
...bother you.
I know. So, I have a second dream.
What is it?
It's a wish I made with Wu Pin back then.
We want to make Wu Family of the east mansion successful...
...and expand our business to all corners of the world.
The world? Are you talking about the whole country?
No. I'm talking about the entire world.
I've only known our own country.
I'm impressed by your ambition.
I hope this is a brand new beginning.
This will definitely be a brand new beginning.
Madam Ying! -Supper is here!
Come. Let's take a break and have some supper.
Come. -Thank you, Madam Ying.
Come. -Come here, everyone.
Come and get your share. -Come.
Brothers.
If we don't do something tomorrow, we'll be doomed.
He's right. -What's your plan?
I don't have a plan yet.
Uncle, do you have any good suggestion?
I don't have any good suggestion either.
But...
...I've heard of something.
A mechanical silk factory was opened in Nanhai, Guangdong.
Just like Shaanxi's mechanical textile bureau...
...it made the locals lose their jobs and livelihood.
The people protested in the beginning.
But, it didn't work at all.
Then, the locals got frustrated...
...and wrecked the mechanical silk factory.
It became a serious issue...
...and the local government ordered to...
...close down all mechanical silk factories permanently...
...for the sake of the people's livelihood.
Closed down permanently for the sake of the people's livelihood?
This... Isn't this what we want?
Yes! -Right!
Wait. I've also heard of a company...
...called Yi Chang Western Goods...
...which was planning to open a spinning mill in Shanghai.
The local weavers protested aggressively...
...and still did not manage to stop them.
So, the local weavers decided to destroy the factory.
They made it serious...
...and Shen Bao Zhen, the Viceroy of Liangjiang...
...had to attend to the matter personally...
...and order for a permanent closure.
Yes. I think...
...we must make it serious in order to solve the problem.
Yes! -Destroy it!
We can do as the others did in Guangdong and Shanghai...
...and wreck the mechanical textile bureau.
That'll solve all problems.
Wreck it! -Wreck it!
Dear all, but...
...won't we get punished for destroying a propefly?
The local government hates westerners too.
It's just that the court supports westernisation.
The local government would be happy to see us...
...destroy the machines of the westerners.
Yes. -Look at the examples...
...in Guangdong and Shanghai.
The local government took sides with local weavers.
Yes. -Right?
In this case, we'll wreck the textile bureau tomorrow!
Yes! Wreck it! -Wreck it!
I don't think it's a good idea.
It's true that the machines came from the west.
But, Wu Family paid for them. -Yes.
Wu Family doesn't even care about our livelihood!
Why do you feel bad for them? -Right!
Mr. Wu treated us well.
We can't do this. -What are you saying?
We're starving because he dismissed us!
Right! -Am I right?
Wreck it! -Wreck it!
Wreck it!
Stop! Didn't we agree that we should unite?
Tomorrow, we'll unite and wreck their factory!
I agree! -Yes!
Wreck it! -Alright. I think...
...we should go big or go home. -Go big?
How? -I've an idea.
Come.
It's their opening tomorrow.
They'll hire a lion dance group. We'll wreak havoc at that time.
What do you all think? -Alright.
The mechanical textile bureau will start operating tomorrow.
It will be a decisive moment.
Don't worry. Shopkeeper Tao has a plan.
You'll go to the site tomorrow.
If Shopkeeper Tao can't handle it...
...you'll take action.
Alright.
Wu Family made a comeback in just a few years' time.
Zhou Ying must be quite capable.
She might even surpass Wu Wei Wen one day.
But, Wu Wei Wen lost to you back then.
She'll be the same.
We'll wait for tomorrow's result.
Is Mr. Wu at home? -Our master is ill.
He just took his medicine and slept. Come back tomorrow.
No. It'll be too late tomorrow.
Give me a minute.
Our master said he knows what brought you over.
But, he can't help you. Take this sack of flour.
He'll help you again if this isn't enough.
Tell Mr. Wu that the weavers are planning to protest tomorrow.
Tell him to watch out for that. -Alright.
Master, Li Chang Wen left.
Did you give him the flour? -Yes.
Ever since Chang Wen's wife fell ill...
...his family has been struggling.
Master, before he left...
...he said the weavers are planning to protest tomorrow.
He came to warn you. - How will they protest?
He didn't mention.
Let them be. I want to protest too.
My dear, should we inform Zhou Ying?
It's the opening of the textile bureau tomorrow.
What if something goes wrong?
Nothing will go wrong.
The few of them can't do much damage.
They are all upset because of the mechanical textile bureau.
It's not a bad thing to let them vent it out.
Else, something worse might happen in the future.
Good! -Good!
Ladies and gentlemen, today is the opening of...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
Some are happy because of the new technology.
Some are perplexed as it is unprecedented.
Some are fearful because they are afraid that...
...this is the start of the violation of the ancestral laws.
However, we have come to the dusk of the ancestral laws.
The old ways are no longer suitable for today.
In the past, Qing Dynasty was the strongest nation...
...in the five continents.
But now, even small countries can humiliate and insult us.
The defeat in Tongzhou, the destruction of the...
...Old Summer Palace and the Battle of Fuzhou...
...are all unforgettable pain to us.
All far-sighted ones desire to become better...
...and to become better, one must first manage wealth...
...and rise from an inferior position.
Today, we are establishing...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...to break free from the old ways...
...and learn the strengths of others...
...to build an unprecedented legacy...
...in order to stop to the invasion of the westerners...
...and restore the pride of Qing Dynasty!
Good!
Let's go in. -Good!
Let's go together.
Young Master Xing Yi, you're back. When did you reach?
Just now. I haven't gone home. I came to hand in the accounts.
Sit down and have some tea. - Where's Shopkeeper Tao?
Shopkeeper Tao went out.
Where is everyone?
Everyone went to the event. I'm watching over the shop alone.
What event? -Today is the opening of...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
That's fast. I thought it'll be next month the soonest.
Are you going over too? -Of course.
You need to be careful then.
I heard all local weavers and merchants in Jingyang...
...are planning to protest today.
They even prepared spades and sticks.
There'll be a fierce riot.
What? -Young Master Xing Yi.
You need to stand aside to avoid getting dragged in.
Young Master Xing Yi, be careful.
Mr. Zhao. Madam Ying. Master Wei Wu.
All machines are ready. -Good.
Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...is officially in operation!
Good! -Good!
Start the machines! -Start the machines!
Madam Ying!
Madam Ying, I've a bad news. -What's wrong?
Close down the factory! - Close down the factory!
Get lost, western machines! - Get lost, western machines!
We boycott western textiles! - We boycott western textiles!
Close down the factory! - Close down the factory!
Go and gather the soldiers. -Yes.
Han San Chum escofl ML Wu and Madam '(mg.
Alright.
Master Wei Wu. Madam Ying. Let's go.
Alright. Let's go.
I am advocating western systems here...
...upon the order of the coufl!
The introduction of weaving machines is inevitable!
What you all do is rebellious!
Mr. Zhao, we're doing this in order to survive!
Yes! We just want to survive!
I have understood your request!
I will give you all an answer very soon!
But now, I order you all to dismiss on the spot!
If you leave, I will not hold you responsible for anything!
If you stay and create troubles, you will be arrested and punished!
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm the manager of...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
We've already considered the problem of your livelihood.
Forget about talking to them! Wreck the factory!
How dare you! -No!
What are you all doing? Stop!
Stop!
Madam Ying! Let's leave! -Listen to me!
Madam Ying, leave! -Hurry! Stop them!
What are you all doing? I'll punish you all!
Madam Ying, are you alright? -Listen to me!
You can't wreck the machines!
Stop! You can't wreck the machines!
Stop!
Stop! You can't wreck the machines!
You can't wreck the machines!
Move! Go away!
Stop!
Stop! Else, I will punish you all for rebellion!
Stop!
Stop! -Stop!
Madam Ying, it is dangerous here! You need to Leave!
Stop! -Stop!
Back off!
Stop! -Back off!
Stop!
Stop! Listen to me!
Madam Ying!
Madam Ying! Are you alright?
Stop! -Stop!
Arrest all of them!
Why are we arrested? Let go of me!
Why are we arrested? We're innocent!
Move! -You can't arrest me!
Let go of me! -Let go!
Be careful. Lift him up.
Let him sit somewhere.
Hurry. Take him to a physician. -Yes, sir.
Madam Ying.
We suffered from a huge loss.
Madam Ying.
Madam Ying!
Send for a physician! - Hurry! Get a physician!
What?
My dear! Your shoes! -Master!
What? -I heard Madam Ying...
...coughed up blood on the spot. -Is it serious?
I don't know. Physician Liang rushed over.
Master went over as well. The mistress is heading over too.
I'm going too.
The soldiers arrived later on and arrested some of those people.
But, those western machines are basically all wrecked.
Afool like Wang De Gen...
...is so easy to manipulate.
I like to manipulate people like him.
What about Shopkeeper Tao?
He snuck off when the soldiers came.
He's clever enough.
I like to have an ally like him.
We finally accomplished a big task.
It's not over yet. There's another thing to do.
Contact some gentries to aggravate the protest.
Yes. By the way...
...I spotted someone trying hard to save...
...the mechanical textile bureau.
Who? -Shen Xing Yi.
Shen Xing Yi is really...
...helpful to us at the crucial moment.