Nothing Gold Can Stay
Episode 50
Ms. Yong Mei.
Housekeeper Hu, a wooden box in my room...
...is missing. Did you take it?
What wooden box? I didn't take it.
Who has access to this room?
Just the few of us.
Ms. Yong Mei, something isn't right.
What's wrong?
Over the past few weeks, none of the agents came...
...to collect their goods.
They'll come sooner or later.
If they don't collect before year end...
...I won't return their deposit.
What if they'd rather forfeit their deposit?
What? -I received a news.
Zhou Ying announced that she will bear the cost of...
...the loss of deposit...
...if agents buy from her instead of us.
But, she'll go broke from that.
Ladies and gentlemen, come here and take a look!
Come and take a look! Come and buy our Minfu Voucher!
Pay 1 tael and get 2 taels!
Buy Minfu Western Textiles and we will provide free...
...tailoring services for the latest designs!
Come and take a look!
Come and buy our Minfu Voucher!
Look. There isn't even a carriage or can outside.
They are just retail customers. They don't pose a threat to us.
No. The agents pay and collect their receipts here.
Then, they go to the factory to collect their goods.
I heard that Minfu Western Textile...
...even offers free delivery for large orders.
Tie them tightly. It's a long journey ahead.
Mr. Zeng, your cans have extra spaces.
Do you want to buy our latest dark tea of Jingyang?
Make use of those empty spaces. -What's the price?
Since you bought so much cloth from us...
...of course we'll give you a discount.
How about a 20% discount? -20%?
Alright. Fill the carts. -Sure. Come.
Load some dark tea for Mr. Zeng. -Load the goods.
Hurry UP-
ls the loading done? -Yes.
Mr. Han.
Your can isn't full. Why don't you utilise the space?
Why don't you take some of our herbs?
Don't waste the space. -Sure.
Do you have Szechuan lovage and goji berries?
We need those two over -No problem.
We have everything you need. Come. -Sure.
The supply is stafling to fall shod of the demand.
Many agents are stafling to complain.
I've arranged to recruit another batch of workers.
Latest by next month, we'll start the shift work...
...to relieve the production pressure.
All workers must be trained to operate the machines.
Don't worry. We'll follow the procedures strictly.
Apart from the western textiles...
...the sales of our herbs, dark tea...
...fur and leather all rose. Your uncles...
...are complaining about the workload.
But, they are actually very happy.
How are the agents?
Half of those who signed contracts with Hu Yong Mei...
...decided to buy from us instead.
The other half should be coming over soon.
Hu Yong Mei should be having a hard time now.
Based on the agreement we made with Yang Jin Lin...
...if we allocate the 500,000 rolls of cloth...
...evenly over 4 quaflers in a year...
...we must sell at least 120,000 rolls.
But, in actuality...
...apart from the 50,000 rolls collected in the first month...
...we only sold less than 1,000 rolls...
...over the past 2 months.
That's so little. -Almost all agents...
"stated clearly that unless we lower our prices...
...they will buy from Zhou Ying instead.
They are so realistic.
Can we lower our prices?
Ms. Yong Mei, even if we lower our prices...
...and make all the agents come back to us...
...we still need to sell 50,000 rolls every month...
...over the next 9 months.
Do you think this is possible?
At this rate, I'll lose my caution money.
I can lose money. But, I can't surrender.
"Minfu Textiles, low quality textiles!"
“Make shirts with Minfu Textiles and mend your shirts every day!“
"Make pants with Minfu Textiles...
...and wear pants with countless of holes!"
"Use Minfu Textiles...
...and you will become poor and miserable!"
"Use Minfu Textiles and bad luck comes to you!"
What are you kids doing? Go away!
Don't give us troubles here! Go away!
She's too despicable. - Madam Ying, rest assured.
I'll go and make a way bigger board that says...
..."Gu Yue Western Textile is stinky and full of nonsense"...
...and place it across her stop.
If this is the game she wants to play...
...I'll have to play along.
The beggar kids I know...
...are really free lately. - Father, what do you want to do?
I'll send them to splash pee and poop on their door.
Don't do that. -How about sending...
...a few 2-3 year-old kids to wait outside of her house...
...and call her "mother" as soon as she walks out.
She'll be so embarrassed. - Those are all bad ideas.
What's a good idea then?
Wang Shi Jun.
Go to Gu Yue Western Textile and buy a roll of western fabric.
Then, go to our factory...
...and get a roll of the same type of western fabric.
Alright. -Madam Ying.
What are you going to do?
Come here. This way.
Connect the tables.
Hurry. Connect the tables.
Go and prepare the money.
What are you doing here?
Good question, buddy.
Whether you are a traveller, passerby, worker...
...shopper, noodle seller, blacksmith, garlic seller...
...or an old lady with bad eyesight...
...please come forward.
You all came here at the right time.
We have something to show you all.
Right.
Dear all, please look this way. This hand of mine is holding...
...Minfu Western Textile.
This one is Gu Yue Western Textile.
These two are both gray goods of the same thickness.
He must be lying! -Don't get fooled!
If you don't believe me, it's alright.
Brother Xiao Wu, let them check.
This is Gu Yue Western Textile. Touch it.
Touch it. Look. This is Minfu Western Textile.
Feel the texture. Come.
This is Minfu Western Textile. -Alright. Come.
Check the thickness and texture. -Feel it.
Now, I'll place these two pieces of cloth...
...on the ground...
...and let a donkey spin a mill on it. Dear all.
Spin a mill? -Dear all, listen carefully.
If Minfu VVestern Textile gets torn apart first...
...every bystander here will receive 10 taels from us.
10 taels! -10 taels!
10 taels for each of us? -Yes.
But, if Gu Yue Western Textile tears firsL...
...each of you will receive 1 coin.
1 coin? -Yes, 1 coin.
You're just a kid. Can we trust you?
Can we trust you?
Buddy, I don't like what you said.
Madam Ying of Wu Family of the east mansion...
...never fails to fulfill her promise.
Yes. -Please rest assured.
Why don't you stay and watch?
1 coin is money too, right?
Yes. Let's compare.
Come and watch. -Watch carefully.
Gu Yue Western Textile first. -This is a challenge.
Can Minfu Textile beat imported textile?
Imported textile is so amazing. -Alright. Let's start.
Go.
The one month period will be due soon.
The battle between Zhou Ying and Hu Yong Mei...
...hasn't concluded yet.
But, I heard that someone has already...
...prepared that secret memorial.
He's just waiting for the defeat of the mechanical textile bureau.
You don't have to worry.
I heard that Madam Ying has turned the tables around.
I hope so.
If Zhou Ying doesn't defeat Hu Yong Mei...
...the textile factory might have to face closure...
...and even the political situation in Shaanxi...
...might change entirely.
Sir!
Sir, I heard that Minfu Western Textile...
...and Gu Yue Western Textile are having a showdown today.
What? -The people outside...
...are all saying this.
I must go and take a look.
What? Hu Yong Mei and Zhou Ying are having...
...a direct confrontation?
Yes. That intersection is jam-packed with people.
Let's go and take a look.
Both cloths are so firm. -Yes.
Mother, I'm thirsty.
It's time.
8 hours!
Brother Xiao Wu.
Stop!
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a result!
After 8 hours of crushing, Gu Yue Textile has been torn!
Good!
As the saying goes, true gold fears no fire.
Good cloth fears no crushing too.
Minfu Textile is still intact even though there are scratches.
It's still intact!
Everyone present will receive 1 coin!
Line up here and collect your money now!
I'm finally relieved now.
You were worried about Zhou Ying losing?
This isn't a war between two women. This is clearly...
...a war between local western textile...
...and imported western textile.
We finally won.
Don't push!
After the demonstration Minfu Western Textile...
...became famous overnight. Up until yesterday...
...we received orders that sum up to 1.5 million rolls.
Even if our factory operates day and night...
...we can only complete all orders...
...by the end of next year soonest.
That's very good. -Very good.
Zhou Ying, can we consider...
...expanding the factory? -Master Wei Quan.
It's still too early for that.
I'm just saying that we can consider an expansion.
How's the situation at Gu Yue Western Textile?
I think they are preparing for closure.
The money I made...
...is all gone.
You gave that widow an utter defeat 2 months ago.
How come it turned out this way in this month?
I don't know.
Yong Mei, what do you plan to do now?
I don't know!
Yong Mei, don't panic.
Don't cry.
I'm here for you.
Can you lend me 200,000 taels?
In order to pay the caution money...
...I used Gu Yue Western Textile...
...and all my lands as collateral.
It's fine if I lose all the money.
But, I must redeem Gu Yue Western Textile.
Didn't you say that you'll help me?
I beg of you. Please help me.
L beg of you!
Zha Kun.
How much money do we have now?
200,300 taels.
If you give it all to her...
...we'll be left with nothing at all.
But, I'm the only one who can help her now.
But, she has gone bankrupt. She is worthless to us now.
Even if you give her all our money...
...our failure won't change.
But, she's Yong Mei! -So what?
You taught me this.
Don't waste time and money on useless things.
We should use our time and energy...
...to think of how to deal with the prince!
The prince?
You only have money and me...
...to guarantee your future.
Hu Yong Mei, come out!
- Get out and get lost!
This place will be mine in 3 days! -Come back 3 days later!
Don't make a ruckus here! -Get lost!
Oust him!
Fine! I'll come 3 days later! -If you come again...
...I'll report to the authority!
Just wait and see! -What are you waiting for?
Oust him! -Get out!
Oust him! -Leave!
Housekeeper Hu.
Ms. Yong Mei.
This is too ridiculous. We still have 3 days' time...
...and Mr. Zhou is already acting like he owns the place.
Is he under the impression that we can't pay?
"Life...
...is like a dream of spring."
Mr. Du is busy. He can't meet anyone.
I need to talk to him about something urgent.
Please inform him.
I'm Hu Yong Mei.
Zha Kun, are you blind? It's me.
Can I go in and wait for him? -No.
You'll pay for it when I see him!
Has she left?
She insists to wait outside.
Ms. Hu.
Please return.
Is he aware that I am waiting for him?
Du Ming Li! It's me, Hu Yong Mei!
I'm completely broke now!
I need your help!
It's me, Hu Yong Mei!
She still won't leave?
She won't leave.
Why must she corner me like this?
Go back.
Help me.
I can't help you. -You can help me.
The dividend you received from Gu Yue Western Textile...
...sums up to more than 100,000 taels.
I don't want to help you.
Stop coming to me.
How can you do this to me?
Don't forget that I saved your life before.
You survived because I gave you half a bun!
No.
My survival...
...has nothing to do with that bun you gave me.
I survived because...
...I don't have feelings.
I only care about benefits.
Xing Yi.
I finally defeated Hu Yong Mei.
How are you in Shanghai?
I wish I can see the new world you talk about.
Why do I need to go to the trial Mr. Zhao is handling?
Mr. Zhao says this case concerns the textile factory...
...and your father.
Mr. Zhao, we are from Gansu. We are western textile sellers.
We want to buy from the mechanical textile bureau.
But, their business is too good...
...and we have to wait until next year.
Just when we were feeling depressed...
msomeone introduced this man, Zhou Si, to us.
He claimed to be the father of the textile factory's manager.
He said he can let us buy from the textile factory earlier.
I am her father! -Zhou Lao Si!
It's not your turn to talk yet.
Mr. Zhao, we believed him.
So, we paid him 1,000 taels.
He said that we can collect the goods 3 days later.
But, he disappeared after taking our money!
We asked the textile factory...
...and they said they have no goods for us!
That was when we realised that we got fooled.
We ran into him on the street today.
So, we sent him to the authority in Jingyang.
We don't know why but...
...the governors of Jingyang and Xi'an...
...don't dare to investigate.
We've no choice but to bring him to you.
Let me tell why both the governors of Jingyang and Xi'an...
...don't dare to investigate.
It's because... -Zhou Lao Si!
How can you be proud after cheating their money?
Guards!
Drag him out and spank him 30 times!
Sir, I'm innocent!
I... I'm innocent! I didn't intend to cheat them!
I merely forgot it because I was drunk!
Drag him out and spank him! -Zhou Ying! Save me!
If you let them spank me, you will lose your father!
Mr. Zhao isn't like Sister Chun. He's cold-blooded.
I'm going to die! You really need to save me!
Mr. Zhao, please spare my father this once...
...considering the fact that Wu Family contributed greatly...
...to the mechanical textile bureau.
Gentlemen, I am Zhou Ying...
...the manager of the mechanical textile bureau.
My father gave you an empty promise...
...and even took your money.
This is a huge misdeed. I apologise on behalf of him.
I've a suggestion. I'll return the 1,000 taels...
...and give you all a compensation of...
...1,000 taels each.
Mrs. Wu, if you can sell us 1,000 rolls each...
...within 3 days...
...we'll forgive your father. We'll also let Mr. Zhou have...
...the 1,000 taels. -Yes.
Zhou Ying, just agree.
Zhou Ying, many merchants buy from you to make money.
We operate on a first come first serve basis.
If you break the rule and sell to anyone you wish...
...there'll be a huge mess.
Gentlemen, I'm really sorry.
I can only give you a monetary compensation.
1,000 taels is a lot. Let's settle this privately.
You need to go to the textile factory and queue.
Else, you can never get your textiles.
Forget it. Drop the lawsuit.
Mr. Zhao, we'll drop the lawsuit.
Mr. Zhao, please spare Uncle Zhou Si.
Mr. Zhao, please be forgiving.
Mr. Zhao, it's alright now. We made up.
It's settled! -This is ridiculous!
Do you think you can leave unpunished for swindling?
The factory operates under the government's supervision!
How can I let you swindle for your own gains...
...in the name of the textile bureau?
Zhou Lao Si, I decided to have you spanked 3 times.
Take him out!
They dropped the lawsuit! Why are you punishing me?
Mr. Zhao, please spare my father this once...
...considering the fact that Wu Family contributed greatly...
...to the textile factory. -Zhou Ying.
You are the only one who has no right to plead for Zhou Lao Si.
The mechanical textile bureau is meant to generate wealth...
...for the country and people.
The fact that Zhou Lao Si swindled for personal gains...
...and ruined your reputation might not be a serious matter...
...but I can't let him undermine our effort!
But, my father is already in his late 50's.
I'm afraid he can't withstand the spanking.
Zhou Lao Si is a habitual offender.
He'll repeat the offense if he's not punished severely.
Take him out and spank him! -Sir!
Please go easy on me.
I have no idea.
It hurts so much. -Madam Ying.
Uncle Si!
Uncle Si, what happened? - You don't want to know.
People have good daughters who make their fathers proud.
My daughter is the manager of a factory.
She didn't even bother to save me when I got beaten up.
You deserve the beating.
You deserve to be spanked more than 3 times.
I'd have you spank 30 times. -You...
Are you really my...
Are you really my daughter?
How can you take sides with an outsider?
Are you really my father? You always ruin my effort
How did I ruin your effort?
You know how hard I worked to make the factory a success.
Why did you have to swindle and ruin our reputation?
Am I not allowed to boast anymore...
...just because you run a textile factory?
Am I not allowed to lie? -Yes.
If that's the case, life is meaningless!
I insist to boast and lie! What can you do about this?
You're the one who'll get spanked, not me.
Fine. You only care about the textile bureau now.
You don't care about your father anymore.
Father, you are the one at fault in this case.
I don't get it.
I did this very often in the past.
You never criticised me. Why is this wrong to you now?
We're different now.
How are we different now?
In the past, we merely fooled others with our tricks.
It was harmless. We were just trying to survive.
How is it different now?
Now, you're swindling in the name of Wu Family...
...and the mechanical textile bureau.
In the past, you were the only one people would criticise.
But now, on top of criticising you and me...
...people would criticise Wu Family for bullying...
...and talk bad about the textile factory.
This affects a lot of parties.
So, you're saying that for the sake of Wu Family...
...and the textile factory...
...I must change my lifestyle. -No.
You just need to know your limits.
I can't. -You must.
Father, you are no longer the ordinary Zhou Lao Si today.
You are the father of Zhou Ying.
I have a lot of people to care for.
You'll put me in dilemma.
It looks like I'm a nuisance here.
Ever since you became the manager of the textile bureau...
...I don't even get to see you regularly anymore...
...let alone drink and talk with you.
What's wrong?
Zhou Ying, I can't help you with your job as the manager of...
...the textile bureau. I'll only give you problems.
Maybe it's time I leave.
Father, I know your personality very well.
I won't stop you if you really want to travel.
But, if it's just to make me angry...
...I wont let you leave.
If I stay, I might fail to control myself.
I'll end up giving you a lot of troubles.
I haven't heard about Shen Xing Yi for a long time.
Where did he go?
I heard that he disappointed our master...
...and our master got so angry that...
...he told him to leave.
Where did he go?
I think he's in Shanghai.
What is he doing in Shanghai?
He's probably just having fun.
Shen Si Hai told Mr. Du the same thing.
But, Mr. Du doesn't really believe him.
Speaking of this, I recall something.
Days ago, I went to the accounting room...
...and heard someone saying that...
...they are doing some business in Shanghai...
...and that they made 300,000 taels in just 2 months.
300,000 taels?
300,000 taels in just 2 months? -Yes.
What business is this?
I heard they sell raw silk to westerners.
I knew it.
Shen Si Hai must have sent Shen Xing Yi to Shanghai...
...for a good reason.
But, why is he hiding it from us?
Haven't you noticed? The money Shen Xing Yi made in Shanghai...
...isn't recorded in the account...
...or accounted in Long Sheng He's shares.
He doesn't want to cooperate with us anymore?
He doesn't have the guts to break the partnership yet.
But, he wants to secretly make his own plans.
Do we tolerate it or...
The raw silk business wasn't established yet...
...when Long Sheng He partnered up with Shen Family.
They can claim that Shen Xing Yi is just...
...running his own separate business.
But, if we can get hold of the shares of...
...this raw silk business...
...we can make up for our failure in...
...toppling the mechanical textile bureau.
30% of 300,000 taels.
That's 90,000 taels.
That should be enough to appease the prince.
Zhou Ying.
Do you know this place?
Big Mouth Wang's gambling house. -Yes.
This was where I lost dozens of taels.
Then, I sold you to Shen Family.
I see. Everything started from here.
Yes.
Zhou Ying.
Do you remember this inn? -Of course.
We stayed here when we came to Jingyang.
Yes.
I even stole their teapot. I haven't returned it yet.
Father, why is it that you steal wherever you go?
It's fun.
Father, do you still remember this market?
Of course I remember. We performed here back then.
The pill of strength was our best-seller.
What is the pill of strength made of?
I can't tell you. The recipe can only be passed to a son.
Just tell me. -If I tell you...
...you might eat it.
It's not date cake. Why would I eat it?
The ingredients are much more special than that.
Father, I suddenly crave date cake.
Alright. I'll buy for you. I'll buy as much as you want.
Eat slowly.
If you like it, I'll buy it for you every day.
Now I know why you love date cake so much.
Because it tastes like our life.
Good!
Let's go.
I think it's over there. -I think so.
Over there.
Where is Liu's Date Cake?
Is this the right street? -Yes.
Did it close down?
Old Man Liu's date cake is so good. It won't close down.
You're looking for Old Man Liu? -Yes.
Old Man Liu moved to South Street long time ago.
Let's go to South Street.
Isn't that Old Man Liu?
Old Man Liu!
Would you like some cold noodle? Come in.
We came to buy your date cake.
It's been many years since I stopped selling date cake.
Why? -I sold the stall.
Someone bought the stall? -Yes.
I sold it to Ms. Hu. -Ms. Hu?
Are you talking about Hu Yong Mei?
I don't know.
I only know that her family runs a pharmacy.
She's definitely the one.
Why did she buy your date cake stall?
I don't know.
I asked. But, she didn't tell me.
But, she bought the stall alongside the brand...
...and closed the stall 2-3 days later.
What a pity.
My brand had been around for 2 generations.
Old Man Liu, when did Ms. Hu...
...buy your date cake stall?
8... 9 years ago.
Do you still remember...
...Wu Pin from Wu Family of the east mansion?
Of course. Mr. Wu came and bought my date cake every day.
But, he never ate it.
He bought it for his wife.
It's such a regret.
I heard he died of illness...
...a few days after I sold my date cake stall.
Good people don't live long.
You killed him. I must kill you with my own hands.
I went all out and lowered my price by 50%...
...only for one objective. I want you to see despair!
Don't stop me! I'm going to drag her to hell!
The deceased died because of poison.
You know I don't eat desserts. -Try it.
What's wrong?
I don't feel like eating sweet food today.
That date cake...
...was meant for me. -What are you talking about?
Ms. Yong Mei, Zhou Ying sent someone to deliver a letter.
What does the letter say?
She wants to meet me.
She must be planning to ridicule us.
You shouldn't go.
I won't let her ridicule me.
No way!