Episode 46
Now, I'd like to apply to...
mwithdraw from Wu Family Textile.
Uncle Wei Wu, you...
Are you withdrawing from the partnership?
Zhou Ying, you can rest assured.
I won't blame you for the loss...
...because you are genuinely trying to help Wu Family.
But, I won't do as you say anymore.
Zhou Ying.
Frankly, I think you are quite capable.
I impressed. But, ever since...
...the western machines caught your interest...
...you changed completely.
You lost a lot of money, offended a lot of people...
...and even lost your reputation.
You need to give up.
This is ridiculous.
Sir, what happened?
Some people actually submitted an appeal...
...saying that the machines are destroying livelihood...
...and that mechanisation should not be encouraged.
They even requested lenient punishments for the rioters.
Sir, you do not need to feel angry.
Since Tongzhi Reign, western systems have been...
mcontroversial in the court
We constantly hear such arguments.
Yet, we are still adopting the western ways continuously.
These shod-sighted arguments do not pose much of a threat.
The problem is that instead of instructing us to...
..."not discuss the matter any further"...
...the court decided to pass the case to the Council of State.
We've worked hard since Tongzhi Reign.
We finally came this far.
We must not turn back.
Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau was wrecked...
...and Mr. Huang submitted that memorial.
Those who support westernisation will have a hard time.
But, there is no clear order from the emperor or empress dowager.
Even though it is not stated clearly...
...the empress dowager summoned the prince several times.
Isn't it obvious enough?
It looks like the prince has a big plan ahead.
A lot of things can be repaired and reused.
Madam Ying. -Mr. Zhao.
You're still ill. Why aren't you resting at home?
I can't help thinking about rebuilding the factory.
I was restless at home. So, I decided to come and take a look.
Do you intend to rebuild this textile factory?
Yes.
Madam Ying, I'm afraid...
...we can't rebuild the factory so soon.
Why?
Just because the weavers can't accept it yet?
Those rioters aren't a problem. -What's your concern?
The leader of the weavers is Wang De Gen...
...and the person who instigated him...
...is his uncle, Tao Da Tong.
Do you know Tao Da Tong?
He's the shopkeeper of Shen Family's textile store.
Shen Si Hai has a business partner called Du Ming Li...
...who serves a few nobles.
So, the reason the factory was wrecked...
...isn't just because the weavers hate western machines.
Mr. Zhao.
Do you intend to give up on the mechanical textile bureau?
It's not that I want to give up.
It's just that there are too many political issues.
I don't know what will happen in the future either.
Do you still believe that...
...the textile factory will benefit the country and people?
Of course. -Since you still believe $0...
...let's continue to work on it.
Mr. Zhao, since we both find it woflh the effort...
...why don't we just ignore the others...
...and do what we believe in?
If we persist, worse things might come.
We'll have to try to know. Maybe we can make it through.
Mr. Zhao, we must rebuild the mechanical textile bureau.
Even if I will still fail in the end...
...I don't want to leave behind any regret.
Alright. Since you are so determined...
...let's start all over again.
You'll do your job and I'll do mine.
We'll make a comeback.
Walk slowly.
I'm alright. Let me try on my own.
Let's go back after a few more steps.
See? -Let me see.
See? This is master's name.
Can you read? -I'm not like you.
I can read the word "Shen". -I can read "Hai".
That's master's name. -Young Master Xing Yi is here.
Young Master Xing Yi. Look.
Is this master's name?
Young Master Xing Yi! You... Your injury still hurts!
Father!
Xing Er.
You haven't recovered. Why are you walking around?
You came at the right time. Your mother has sent someone...
...to propose on your behalf.
The lady is from Wang Family in the capital.
Are you the one who wrote this?
Let us talk in private.
Go out.
Will the two of you...
Don't worry. Even if I want to beat him...
...I'll have to wait until he recovers.
Come.
I wrote it.
Aren't you confusing right and wrong?
You're right.
I'm not just confusing right and wrong.
I'm also lying and wrongly accusing others.
I'm unscrupulous.
Did Du Ming Li force you to do this?
No. I volunteered.
Because of money? -No.
It's not just for money.
This is also for the sake of Shen Family.
Father.
Aren't you afraid of karma?
I know!
But, I can't free myself from him. -I want to know why!
Because we have already become the same kind of people.
Mr. Wang works in Hanlin Academy.
Even though we...
I won't marry anyone apart from Zhou Ying.
Xing Er.
Do you know why I went so far...
...to curry favour with Du Ling Li?
Over the past decades...
...so many richest merchants in Jingyang...
...went broke overnight.
I partnered up with Ming Li...
...because I don't want to repeat their mistakes.
But, you know that Ming Li isn't reliable.
I know. That's why I must seek another protection.
Shen Family has no power or influence.
We built our wealth from scratch.
Your marriage is the only thing we can make use of.
My marriage?
For the continuity of Shen Family's legacy...
...your future wife must be a person...
...from an influential family.
But, you know that...
n-ql-n-
I have paid a price that cannot be told...
...for the sake of Shen Family.
Now, it's time for you to do something for Shen Family.
I can work hard and endure hardships too...
...just like you, grandfather and great grandfather.
I don't need you to work hard or endure hardship.
I only need you to...
...find a good wife for the sake of Shen Family.
I have a person I love. -Forget about her.
I can't do it.
I beg of you.
Father.
I can't forget about her.
I really can't forget about her.
Just like you.
You want to free yourself from Ming Li.
But, you can't!
I'm the same! I can't free myself from her!
I'll send you to Shanghai.
Uncle Si! -Stop, Uncle Si!
Stop! -Shen Family is violent!
Uncle Si? It's you? - Are you still my friend?
How could you let your servants hit me?
You hit me first!
That old witch in your family scolded Zhou Ying...
...and made her give up the idea of remarrying.
That old witch is really sinful.
Since I can't beat her...
...I can at least beat you, right?
Young Master Xing Yi! What happened?
What happened? -What are you waiting for?
Get a physician! -Yes!
I think my ribs broke again. -Don't give me that.
Your ribs won't break so easily.
I just broke my ribs days ago.
What happened? -Uncle Si.
I can't believe you don't know the reason.
Slowly. Don't move. Turn around slowly.
Young Master Xing Yi, if you do this again...
...I won't come and treat you anymore.
In just a few days, you broke the ribs...
...you broke several days ago.
Even a genius physician can't fix your ribs all the time.
Enough. Stop nagging.
This won't happen again. -Alright.
Pay him. -Thank you.
Young Master Xing Yi, cover up.
Uncle Si came. He's outside. He wants to see you.
Let him in. -Alright.
Why didn't you tell me that you broke your ribs for Zhou Ying?
You... You didn't give me a chance to explain.
True.
I'm so sorry.
Does it hurt? -If the body hurts...
...the heart doesn't hurt so much. -It's alright.
Xing Yi, I need to think of something...
...to break her oath of staying widowed forever.
What can you do?
At worst, I'll drug her.
Uncle Si, I can't believe you came up with that idea.
She's your daughter. -I just want to help her...
...and you.
Don't you do that.
Right. I'm not serious.
She's my daughter.
Uncle Si.
I'm leaving Jingyang soon.
I just came back and you're leaving?
Where do you plan to go to? -Shanghai.
Shanghai? You know what.
I've never been to Shanghai. Can I go with...
No.
I need to stay in Wu Family's east mansion.
Else, something bad will happen to her again.
Uncle Si, I want to see her before I leave.
Do you want to break another rib?
What's wrong?
Nothing's wrong. It might be my imagination.
I made Fu Lai and the others leave.
She's inside now. Chun Xing is with her.
Don't worry. I'll help you. Hide for now.
I'll make her leave. Then, you can go in.
Chun Xing!
I'm hungry! Make some grease tea for me!
Give me a minute! -I can't wait. I'm starving.
Hurry up. -Go.
Alright.
That's fast.
Chun Xing, help me to refill the teapot.
It's you.
It's me.
How did you get in?
The branch of that tree that got chopped off grew out.
My father is still your spy.
I begged Uncle Si. I said I really need to see you.
That day in the family temple...
...I said it all.
Didn't you get what I meant? Why do you need to see me?
I understand.
But, I'm leaving. I don't know when I'll be back.
So, I came to bid farewell to you.
Where are you going? -Shanghai.
When will you come back?
I don't know.
Is your injury getting better?
I'm fine. You don't have to worry.
Thank you so much for that day.
No. I should apologise to you.
No. I'm the one who should apologise.
You saved me so many times.
Yet, I can't give you what you desire.
Zhou Ying, I know I hurt you.
I thought that loving you alone would suffice.
But, I never considered your feelings.
I was never considerate of you.
I've realised that my so-called love...
...only brought you troubles and pain...
...instead of happiness.
Xing Yi.
It's a matter of the past now.
Years ago...
...I was here too...
...and you scolded me.
You called me a pampered man...
...who can't do anything except for having fun every day.
I felt very insulted and worked hard after I went back.
I felt like a man after earning some money.
But now, I realised that...
...I can't even give you a home.
Even my oath to marry you was just my selfish declaration.
It can't be realised at all.
So, I know I've no right to love now.
Xing Yi.
It's not that you're not good enough.
You just love the wrong person. -No.
I'm definitely not wrong. I'm just not good enough yet.
When I go to Shanghai, I'll work hard to be independent.
I believe that one day...
...even if everyone around me objects to it,..
...I'll still give you a grand marriage.
You still won't let go of me? -I'll never let go of you.
Don't forget that...
...I made an oath. -I can make an oath as well.
I'll do it now.
I must marry you one day.
Zhou Ying.
Your oath is valid.
My oath is valid too.
By the way...
...I brought you a present.
Look. I drew a portrait of you.
What's wrong?
I'm not so ugly.
You find her ugly. Look at yourself now.
This girl I drew is prettier than you in your current state.
I'm much prettier than that.
Look at the mouth.
It's so wide that it's reaching the ears.
Uncle Si, you can eat these snacks.
Chun Xing, where are you going? - I'll check on Madam Ying.
Chun Xing, help me to mend my clothes.
I accidentally cut it. -Who is inside?
You don't have to worry.
Uncle Si, it's been a long time since she last laughed like this.
Xing Yi, may you find success in Shanghai.
This way, Shen Family will have a guaranteed future...
...regardless of what our business with Ming Li leads us to.
Zhou Ying, wait for me.
How much money can we gather?
How much do you want?
At least 100,000 taels. -100,000 taels?
Zhou Ying, why don't you marry Tu'erdan?
Jiang Fu Qi, what are you saying? -I'm just being realistic.
She just lost 200,000 taels. I'm still worried about...
...maintaining the operation of the household...
...and she wants 100,000 taels.
Think of something. -I can't think of anything.
I'm serious. If you pressure me any further...
...I'll have to quit.
If I sell my land and house...
...and add my savings to the money, I'll have 500 taels.
I can contribute all my wealth. -Will your mother agree?
I can convince her.
I can contribute 200 taels.
Sister Zhou Ying, I... - Never mind. You don't have to.
I can contribute 600 taels.
Jiang Fu Qi, why are you so rich?
I'm thrifty. I don't spend a lot like you.
Thank you for the kind offer.
Little money won't be enough.
Should we put the plan to rebuild the textile factory...
...on hold for now?
But, I can't accept this.
Madam Ying, I have over 100 taels.
I appreciate your offer. But, keep it for your dowries.
This one looks pretty.
These are flowers for god. You need to hold with your palms.
These are for god?
I'll put them on top of my head.
Why aren't you going out lately?
I'm broke. I've no money to spend out there.
Uncle Si, I don't intend to chide you.
But, haven't you thought of saving some money?
I hate saving money the most.
Why? -What is money?
Money is like water. You need to let it flow out...
...so that more can flow in.
That's active water that'll flow continuously.
Dead water will be infested and stinky.
It'll dry up very quickly.
So, you need to spend money...
...in order to let new money come in.
Zhang, why don't you let me spend the money you saved for you?
You're trying to cheat my money indirectly.
Zhang, you wronged me.
I genuinely wish to help you. - You genuinely wish to cheat me.
You genuinely wish to cheat me. You...
Uncle Si. -Madam Ying.
Why do you look so unhappy?
The weather is so good. Want to go out for a walk?
Sure. -Let's go.
Father.
How should I earn 100,000 taels?
100,000 taels?
Why don't we talk to Han San Chun...
...and gather a group of men to rebuild the Sanshou Gang?
No. This time, it'll be Sishou Gang.
Drop dead.
Why don't you give me 1,000 taels then?
I'll return you 100,000 taels 3 days later.
What? You want to gamble at Big Mouth Wang's place again?
I ran into a fortune teller days ago.
He said I'll have great luck in money...
...after the 8th of this month.
Trust me. -No.
Look. -Did you ever win in gambles?
Stop right there! -Father!
What's going on?
Brother Si, why did you run away as soon as you saw me?
I wasn't running away. I'm just having a stomachache.
My stomach hurts so much. Let go. I need the toilet.
Sure. Pay me my 90 taels...
...and I'll let you go.
Sister Chun, you would even let me owe you 1,000 taels in the past.
I only owe you 90 taels this time. Why are you so worried?
What's wrong with you? -What's wrong?
Wu Family of the east mansion used to be rich.
Even 10,000 taels wouldn't be a problem. But, a few days ago...
...I heard that Wu Family's factory got wrecked.
Wu Family is broke. So, I must collect...
...the 90 taels quickly.
Who says Wu Family of the east mansion is broke?
Let go of me! I... I'm going to beat that person up!
Pay me my 90 taels first.
I really don't have money.
Hey! Zhou Ying, what are you waiting for?
Take out your money and save me!
Aren't you the widow from Wu Family? Your father...
No. -We're different people.
Besides, as you know...
...Wu Family of the east mansion is going broke.
I really have no money.
No money? Find ways to get money then!
I know my father very well. I'm sure he has some money.
Feel free to torture him.
You... Are you really my daughter?
You know I'm not.
Pay UP-
Sister Chun, I'm shod of money lately.
I really don't have the money.
Stop! Let me finish!
I... I have something valuable!
Something valuable?
Free him.
Brother Si, what is this valuable thing?
It's me, the handsome and carefree Zhou Lao Si.
You sure have some guts to play with me.
Sister Chun, you're so expensive. I can't afford to play with you.
Even if I'll slaughter you and sell your flesh and bones...
...I'll only get 2 taels at most.
If you sell me dead...
...of course you can't get money.
If you sell me alive, I'm worth a lot of money.
What do you mean?
Look at my hands. If I'm in good luck...
...I can make over 500 taels overnight.
My mouth can sing and tell stories.
If I work for a restaurant, I can make at least...
...1 tael in 3 days.
I have a tough body too. I can also do backflips...
...and other acrobatic moves.
I can make at least 3 taels from one street performance.
Sister Chun, lend me 200 taels and I'll work in your brothel.
You can take 30% of the money I make with my hands...
...40% of the money I make with my mouth...
...and 50% of the money I make with my body.
You can free me once you get your 300 taels.
You just want to eat and drink for free at my place.
Am I right? -Take this, you toad!
Zhou Ying! -Take this!
I know how to get 100,000 taels!
How? -Our shopkeepers...
memployees, servants and maids...
...all have their own savings.
The sum will be a big amount. - You want to borrow their money?
That's their entire fortune.
No one will agree. -I'm not borrowing.
It's going to be an exchange.
I'm planning to sell half of the shares of...
...our tea shop, textile store...
...cotton shop and pharmacy of Wu Family of the east mansion.
Would they want to buy? - Their savings can't grow.
If they buy the shares, they'll receive annual dividend.
They'll surely agree.
Besides, we'll still have half of the shares.
So, they can't steal our companies.
But, we can gather enough money...
...to rebuild the mechanical textile bureau.
This might work. We can try.
This is a good idea.
Madam Zhang, do you know what this is about?
Any idea why we're gathered? -I don't know.
They gathered everyone. - Xing Er, come here.
Coming.
Xing Er, what's going on? Why are we gathered here?
I've no idea either.
Really? -Madam Zhang.
They've never gathered all servants and maids like this.
Do you know what's going on? -You're asking me?
You serve Madam Ying. Don't you have any idea?
Right. -Why would I know?
I'm just a servant.
Sister Xing Er, give us a clue.
Is it a good or a bad news? - Yes, give us some clues.
Coming from Madam Ying, it must be a good news.
That's for sure. -Is it a pay raise?
Madam Ying is here.
I gathered everyone today...
...in order to make an important announcement.
After a discussion with my mother-in-law, we decided to...
...conver1 all businesses of Wu Family of the east mansion...
...into shares...
...and sell 50% of them to anyone at all interested.
What are shares?
Let me make an example. You all know that Wu Family...
...has a cotton shop. This shop can earn 5,000 taels in a year.
Now, Madam Ying divides the value of...
...the cotton shop worth 30,000 taels into 3,000 shares.
Each share is worth 10 taels. Of the 3,000 shares...
...Mr. Han holds 600 shares and Madam Ying has 900 shares.
The remaining 1,500 shares will be sold to all of you.
So, if the shop makes 3,000 taels by year end...
...the shareholders receive 1 tael for each share.
If the shop makes 6,000 taels, you get 2 taels for each share.
I've a question. lfl pay 10 taels...
...will I become the owner of the cotton shop?
Yes. You'll be one of the owners.
You'll receive money without doing any work.
Is this true? -Has Madam Ying ever lied to you?
Is it open to everyone? -Any member of this household.
Mr. Jiang, can I buy any number of shares at all?
Yes.
Jiang Fu Qi has determined the value of...
...all businesses of Wu Family of the east mansion.
Go to the accounting room if you wish to buy the shares.
It's on a first come first serve basis.
Xing Er. -How much will you buy?
What about you?
Xiao Jiang.
How much have we raised from selling the shares?
1,420 taels.
That's so little.
In fact, the 1,420 taels...
...came from me, Wang Shi Jun, Xiao Wu and Chun Xing.
This is such a good deal. Why won't they buy the shares?
Come here! How did Madam Ying treat you?
How can you be so selfish when Madam Ying needs money?
Are you headless? -Sister Chun Xing.
It's not that I'm selfish. It's just that my mother said...
Don't use your mother to brush me off.
Listen. You must buy 50 taels worth of shares today.
Do it now. Let's go. -I don't have money.
You... -Forget it. Don't force Fu Lai.
Madam Ying.
Thank you, Madam Ying.
Fu Lai, weren't you interested in buying some shares?
How come you changed your mind?
Madam Ying, I do wish to buy some shares.
But, my mother disagreed. -Why?
My mother said that while it is true that...
...we will receive dividend for profit...
...if the shop makes a loss, I'll lose the money I invested.
She said that poor people like us should just go for stable income.
Fu Lai, tell your mother that the cotton shop...
...makes money every year. -That's true.
But, you can't guarantee the same thing for next year.
Besides, we all know that...
...Wu Familyjust lost 200,000 taels...
...because of the textile factory.
Is this what everyone is worried about?
I think so.
So, if I guarantee a profit...
...will you buy the shares? -Yes.
But, my mother said that...
...it's impossible to not make losses in business.
What if I give you something as collateral?
For example, if you buy our shares worth 5 taels...
...I'll give you that exquisite carven vat.
If the shop makes money, I'll give you your dividend.
If the shop makes a loss, this vat will be yours. It's fair.
How is this? -Can I have something else?
I like the stone lion in front of the gate.
Sure. -What?
Zhou Ying divided their businesses into shares?
Yes. They are selling at 10 taels per share.
They sell half of the shares of all businesses...
...under Wu Family of the east mansion.
Only 10 taels per share?
Yes. My brother is a worker in their equine business.
He bought 3 shares. He is now both the employee and shareholder.
So, your brother isn't worried about losses?
Of course not. They put up a horse as collateral.
Even if he loses all 30 taels...
...he'll get a horse. He'll still make money.
What is this? Why isn't anyone stopping her?
Even Old Man Zeng, the doorkeeper...
...became a shareholder?
On top of that, they gave him the mansion's gate as collateral.
Old Man Zeng is telling everyone that...
...the gate will be his if Wu Family makes a loss.
This is ridiculous. -There's something more absurd.
Two of their new maids forked out 5 taels each...
...and bought a share of the silk shop.
Isn't this a huge mess? -Yes.
Wang Shi Jun and Jiang Fu Qi spent 500 taels and 600 taels...
...respectively and became major shareholders of the cotton shop.
They'll receive over 1,000 taels each per year...
...for their wages and dividends.