Episode 53
Mrs. Wu, Mr. Claude is currently attending to a guest.
Please wait for a while. -Alright.
My ship will depart soon! We can't cancel the deal!
I can pay for the cargo ship. - They just want money, right?
Just pay them. I'll pay if you can't afford it.
We'll come again. -Alright.
I've found a buyer for the raw silk in Europe.
If I don't deliver in time...
...my competitor will take advantage of the situation.
My reputation in Europe will be damaged.
Who will pay for this loss?
I'm making a huge loss myself!
Apart from paying you double your dep0sit...
...I might never recover my 2,000 packs of raw silk!
Shen, I thought you're different from others.
But, you turned out to be... -I think I'll wait.
Please sit here. -It's a sabotage!
I'm helpless myself!
I'll never believe you again!
Claude, I apologise.
I'll deliver the monetary compensation tomorrow.
All you lose is money. But, I'm losing my reputation.
Even if you pay me 10 times the money...
...you can't compensate for my loss!
Mr. Shen is inside. -I know.
You all don't deserve us! -The two of you...
The two of us...
...are no longer friends. -Get lost!
Mr. Claude.
Are you urgently in need of 2,000 packs of raw silk now?
Raw silk is Wu Family's main business.
Maybe I can help you.
Can you send all the raw silk I need to Shanghai...
...within 10 days?
Yes.
I can only pay 310 taels per pack at most.
I'll make a loss if I pay any more than that.
Mr. Claude, that price will make me incur a loss as well.
But, I can still agree.
However, I have an extra condition.
What is it?
I'd like to sign a 10 years contract with you.
For 10 years from now, you can only purchase raw silk from me.
That won't do. You might mark up the price.
We can set an agreement in the contract.
My raw silk of the same quality...
...must not be priced above the market price.
If my price is higher, you may purchase from other merchants.
But, if the quality and price are the same...
...you can only purchase from me.
I've a suggestion.
Let's sign a contract for this single order first.
If our cooperation goes well, I'll sign the 10 years contract.
If it doesn't go well, I won't sign that contract.
Alright.
Let's sign the contract for this order first.
Madam Ying.
Since when is raw silk Wu Family's main business?
From now on.
You just promised to deliver 2,000 packs of raw silk.
Where do we find the raw silk?
Huzhou produces raw silk, right? We'll go over now.
Huzhou is just a day's drive from Shanghai.
Why aren't Claude and Shen Xing Yi buying from there?
Because they know that raw silk in Huzhou...
...is priced over 310 taels per pack.
I don't care about the price.
I must buy 2,000 packs. - That means making a loss.
Wang Shi Jun, as the housekeeper of Wu Family...
...you can't just look at the present in business.
You need to look at 10 years from now.
10 years?
Even if we buy it for 350 taels per pack...
...and lose 80,000 taels for 2,000 packs...
...if Claude signs a 10 years contract with us...
...even if we make only 10,000 taels per year...
...we'll make a return on our investment.
What if Claude only signs a 1 year contract with us?
I believe that if we do it perfectly...
...he'll sign the contract with us.
Alright. Even if Claude signs a 10 year contract with us...
...what if his company closes down?
Look. Shanghai is so prosperous.
Does it look like businesses here will close down?
We've walked past so many companies and shops.
Every shop is thriving.
Wang Shi Jun, what else are you worried about?
How are you going to face Shen Xing Yi?
Trust me. I have a good reason to do this.
Any other question? - I've one last question.
We need 700,000 taels to buy 2,000 packs of raw silk.
Where do we get so much cash?
We don't have the cash. But, one place has it all.
Where? -The bank.
Thank you.
Madam Ying.
There are so many westerners inside.
Shouldn't we be more careful?
If I were timid like you...
...I'd still be a street performer today.
Madam Ying.
We got the 700,000 taels so easily?
We need to thank Shen Xing Yi for the recommendation yesterday.
Else, the manager wouldn't trust me so easily.
These westerners take things too lightly.
Not at all. They are very clever.
What makes you say so?
They know the profit of a textile factory best.
As they trust the profit of our textile factory in Shaanxi...
...they believe that they can get the money and interest back.
What kind of a place is Shanghai?
He's right. Shanghai is...
...hustling and bustling...
...and full of business opportunities.
What should we do when Shen Xing Yi finds out?
Ignore him. Let's buy the raw silk quickly.
Madam Ying. -You're back.
We've successfully delivered all 2,000 packs of raw silk.
Did it go well? -It went very well.
Mr. Claude examined the silk personally.
But, the colour of one of the silk rolls is slightly inferior.
I thought he would complain. But, he didn't even say a word.
Is it because he overlooked it or is it because he doesn't mind?
This I don't know.
Madam Ying!
Mr. Claude!
Mr. Claude, you haven't sent the raw silk to the ship, right?
We just started transporting them. -That's good.
What's the matter? -I just learnt that...
...one of the silk rolls have slightly inferior colour.
I don't think so. I checked every pack.
Let's check again.
That's unnecessary. I already started transporting.
To be safe, let's check.
Alright then. -Go.
Mrs. Wu, the quality of the raw silk...
...is better than I expected.
Even if one or two rolls aren't good enough...
...it doesn't matter. -I found it.
This is the one.
Since you noticed it, you should have told Mr. Claude.
I'm sorry, Mr. Claude. I was negligent.
Mrs. Wu, you don't have to blame Mr. Wang.
This flaw can't be noticed unless you study it carefully.
But, it's so obvious.
It's alright. It's acceptable to me.
I can't accept it. - I'm sorry, Mr. Claude.
I can't sell you this kind of raw silk.
The raw silk rolls I bought from other Chinese...
...were far worse than this.
I don't care about others.
But, the raw silk I sell must be the best.
Swap this silk roll with another one then.
No. I need to change the entire pack.
Wang Shi Jun, do whatever it takes...
...and pay any price at all to change this pack of raw silk...
...within 2 hours.
Alright.
Mr. Claude, I'm sorry for delaying your loading.
I've a suggestion. I'll let you have...
...this pack of raw silk for free.
Mrs. Wu, I must pay for this pack of raw silk.
Also, I wish to sign that 10 year contract with you...
...as soon as possible.
But, we made such a huge mistake.
Are you still willing to work with me?
Mrs. Wu, it's been 5 years since I came to China.
I've been looking for a merchant like you.
I finally found one today.
Thank you for trusting me.
Let's celebrate tonight. -Sure.
But, please let me treat you.
As a Chinese, I'd like to be a good host.
Let's celebrate our partnership. -Alright.
We Chinese love happening events.
Feel free to invite more friends over.
I'll invite my friends from the chamber of commerce...
...and introduce them to you. -That would be great.
Thank you.
Chun Xing.
Hurry. Take out my two sets of pretty clothes.
Why? -I'm treating the westerners.
You're treating the westerners? -ls Wang Shi Jun back?
Yes. -Wang Shi Jun.
Yes, Madam Ying? -Go and get ready with Fu Lai.
We must show the westerners that...
...we have everything they want to buy...
...and that we can help them to sell...
...whatever they want to sell in China.
You mean, you want the westerners to know that...
...Wu Family has companies across the entire country...
...and that we run all kinds of businesses?
Yes, that's what I want to do.
But, how do we make those westerners believe us?
Use your head and convince them.
I understand. -Madam Ying.
Which set do you want to wear?
I originally...
...planned to wear these clothes to impress him.
I just completed a raw silk business with Mrs. Wu.
Her character and business model...
...gave me a deep impression.
I plan to have a long-term cooperation with her.
Claude, you're so lucky.
What's the matter? You haven't settled the deal with Mr. Chen?
He...
He won't lower the price at all. It's impossible.
What's the matter?
Billy wants to buy some green tea.
But, he hasn't found a suitable supplier.
Mr. Billy, I might be able to help you.
I have a few tea estates in Hunan.
The quality of the tea leaves is very good...
...and the price is very low.
Really?
I can provide some samples for you to try first.
I guarantee your satisfaction.
Mrs. Wu, you really solved my problem.
Thank you. -Thank you.
Finish it.
Mrs. Wu, I didn't know that you run a tea business as well.
Apart from raw silk and tea leaves,“...
...we also sell porcelain, herbs, silk and western textiles.
We'll engage in any profitable business at all.
Mr. Lorieau, tell me if you need anything.
I'll try my best to help you. - I don't need to buy anything.
But, I'm looking for buyers for my ready stock.
I wonder if you can help.
As long as it's ethical and profitable, we'll do it.
If that's the case...
...we can talk about the distribution rights in Shaanxi.
Let's talk about the distribution rights in China.
Can you handle it?
Mr. Lorieau, you probably don't know much about us yet.
Wu Family of Shaanxi has hundreds of companies in China.
From Shanghai to Urumqi...
...and from Guangzhou to Heilongjiang...
...you can find Wu Family's company...
...wherever you can find Chinese people.
How come I've never heard of that?
Because we Chinese keep a low profile in business.
My Chinese friend told me that...
"Mrs. Wu is really an amazing businesswoman.
Mr. Lorieau.
Even if you've never heard of Wu Family of Shaanxi...
...I'm sure you've used goods from Wu Family before.
Look.
You can find the word "Minfu"...
...on the edge of the napkin you are using.
Minfu Western Textile is produced by Wu Family.
Look at this porcelain plate. At the bottom of it...
...it says "Anwu Sundry Goods".
This is porcelain distributed by Wu Family.
Now, let's look at this restaurant itself.
It sells both western and Chinese wines.
There are 3 types of Chinese wines on that rack.
Huqin wine is brewed by Wu Family's brewery in Huai'an.
Wu Family is a shareholder of...
...the brewery that produces Huai'an wine.
As for Yufei wine...
The fermentation stafler used to produce Yufei wine...
...is produced by Wu Family of Jingyang.
Thank you.
Not bad.
Please taste our Chinese wine.
Mrs. Wu, I'd like to paflner up with you.
That would be my honour.
Mrs. Wu, apafl from tea leaves, I have other business proposals.
It's my honour.
I didn't know that you've a business empire in China.
It looks like I'm very lucky...
...to have signed a contract with you.
It's my honour as well.
By the way, Shen Xing Yi later on came back to me...
...and tried to make up for it.
But, I told him that I signed a contract with you.
So...
How did he respond? -He was very disappointed...
...and angry.
Will our contract affect your friendship with him?
No. The two of us shouldn't be friends anyway.
Come. Let's drink.
You know, Chinese women appear really strong.
But, the truth is, Chinese culture...
...and western culture are very different.
Chinese are extremely conservative.
If you do business in China, you are sure to have problems.
Maybe she's not like that.
Claude's work with her is very fruitful.
All Chinese think the same.
Are they talking about me?
They are saying that Chinese are conservative and stubborn.
He's advising Billy and Lorieau not to do business with you.
Ignore him. He's the conservative and stubborn one.
He's been in China for a very long time.
But, he hasn't done any business with the Chinese.
Is that so?
Chinese might find this indecent.
But, this is how we westerners socialise.
That's all.
If you feel awkward, I can leave with you.
No.
Mr. Boswu.
Would you like to dance with me?
Go ahead.
Did you expect that?
Mr. Claude. Mr. Billy. Mr. Lorieau.
It's my pleasure to meet you all.
Cheers.
Are you really Chinese?
I was born and raised in China.
You're not like other Chinese.
I'm actually the same as them. I'm reserved in everyday life.
But, deep down, we are neither conservative nor stubborn.
You've changed my opinion on Chinese women and China.
Also, I will consider doing business with Chinese.
That's great. I'll be happy to work with you.
Me too. Mrs. Wu, where did you learn to dance?
Well...
...an old friend taught me how to dance.
I'll disembark at Wuhan. You all will return by land route.
I'll return after negotiating with the silk merchants.
After Hubei, make a trip to Hunan.
Order the tea leaves Billy wants as well as porcelain and herbs...
...Boswu wants. -Al rig ht.
If the price is reasonable...
...I'll book all the raw silk and tea...
...produced in the next quarter.
I'll leave that to you.
I'd like to talk to Zhou Ying in private.
Why?
Why are you leaving without saying goodbye to me?
Because I have nothing to say to you.
You're lying.
Why did you steal my business?
I only took your place because you told Claude...
...very clearly that you could no deliver in time.
But, you used that business...
...to make him sign a 10 year contract with you.
As a result, I will lose a business partner for 10 years.
Mr. Shen, Claude isn't the only western merchant in Shanghai.
You have other opportunities. -Yes.
Claude isn't the only western merchant in Shanghai.
Why did you do this to me?
I merely seize the opportunity presented before me.
There are so many merchants in Shanghai.
You just happened to be unlucky.
Zhou Ying, why did you come to Shanghai?
I came for business. - No. You came for me.
Mr. Shen, you see too highly of yourself.
If that isn't the case, let me ask you a question.
Why did you laugh so happily when I gave you that drawing...
...before I left Jingyang?
Why were you so tearful when we met by chance...
...in the telegraph bureau?
When I held you and danced with you...
...why did you look at me with so much love in your eyes?
Yes. I admit that...
...I was about to fall for you.
But, after knowing the truth behind...
...the case of the military supply...
...that feeling and our bond in the past...
...disappeared completely. - What do you mean?
Wu Family of the east mansion...
...went broke because of a false accusation...
...and the mastermind was your father, Shen Si Hai.
What are you saying?
I read all records of the case of the military supply.
Someone sent an anonymous report...
...and accused Wu Family of adulterating the military supply.
He claimed that he saw Wu Wei Wen...
musing rosin to replace dragon's blood.
This person was your father, Shen Si Hai.
Your father even testified that...
...Wu Wei Wen sent his servants to kill Shen Yue Sheng because...
...Shen Yue Sheng refused to do the difly deed with Wu Family.
All these years, I thought it was...
...Hu Zhi Cun who framed my father-in-law.
Now I know that the most despicable and cruel murderer...
...who caused the downfall of Wu Family of the east mansion...
...is your father, Shen Si Hai.
Shen Xing Yi.
If you were me...
...would you be able to love the son of your enemy...
...and plan your future with him...
...after learning about the truth?
Madam Ying, it's time to board the ship.
I don't have a head of stone.
I'm moved by your love.
But, I'm greatly indebted to Wu Family.
Now, our relationship...
...isn't just obstructed by my identity as a widow...
...and the oath I made in the family temple.
There's a blood feud between us.
From now on...
...we'll pan ways and move on.
Zhou Ying, listen to me.
This must be a mistake. - This is just the beginning.
Please go back and tell your father that...
was long as I'm alive...
...I will avenge Wu Family.
Ms. Yi, will master come back tonight?
I don't know. -Is he really so busy?
I don't know!
Master is back!
My dear! What happened?
Madam Yi, master worked at the jetty for 3 days...
...without getting any sleep.
He Xiang, get a bowl of soup.
Liang, bring a towel.
Xiao Lin Zi, fetch a basin of water.
The two of you may go back and rest. Both of you are tired.
You two are not needed here. -Yes.
You don't treasure your body at all.
Mr. Zhao, Madam Ying came. Do you want to meet her?
Can't you see how tired Bai Shi is?
I'll tell her to come tomorrow. -Where is she?
I told her to wait in the reading room.
Ms. Yi, why are you sitting on the floor? Where's master?
Madam Ying.
You're back. When did you arrive?
I came as soon as I came back.
Mr. Zhao, what happened?
The river of Han River overflowed. I just finished work. Don't worry.
Did you receive the thing I sent to you?
You're right. Wu Family was wronged.
I read it carefully.
Shen Si Hai's claims were inconsistent.
Yet, they were all accepted and ultimately made...
...the key evidence to convict Wu Wei Wen.
Yes. They obviously extorted a confession from Shopkeeper Tong.
Hu Zhi Cun's testimony was completely different from...
...all other testimonies as well.
Mr. Zhao.
I would like to officially apply for a review of this case...
...to redress the injustice for Wu Family and my father-in-law.
But, we can't review the case and right the wrong.
Why? -Even you can tell that...
...all witnesses lied.
Why do you think the officials accepted all their testimonies?
Are they blind?
They aren't blind. They are just cowardly.
I don't know if you've noticed it.
But, the person in charge of the reinvestigation back then...
...was the prince.
It was because of his firm decision that...
...the case was closed so quickly.
Why did he do that?
Did my father offend him?
The prince has a company in Jingyang called Long Sheng He.
That business partner of Shen Family?
Shen Yue Sheng. Shen Si Hai.
Long Sheng He.
The prince. The case of the military supply.
Could it be that...
...in order to avenge Shen Yue Sheng, Shen Si Hai...
...contacted the prince through Long Sheng He...
...and set Wu Family up...
mcausing the downfall of Wu Family of the east mansion?
It wasn't just to avenge Shen Yue Sheng.
That day, Yang Zhi Huan said that...
"merchants who worked with Wu Family of the east mansion...
...all work with Shen Family now.
They took the chance to steal Wu Family's business.
The so-called cooperation between Shen Family and Long Sheng He...
...is just Shen Si Hai giving them 30°/o of the shares...
...of all his businesses.
If we look at Shen Si Hai's character...
...this is inexplicable. But, if we link this to...
...the case of the military supply...
...and Wu Family's business, everything will make sense.
So, they are allowed to lie and frame Wu Family?
That prince is even more powerful and influential now.
So, you don't dare to offend him?
Courage is meaningless at a time like this.
I just want justice. How difficult can this be?
You think I don't want to help? You think I didn't send a report?
My report was intercepted at the Council of State.
Alright.
Since you can't help, I'll do it on my own.
What are you planning to do? -Appeal to the emperor.
Are you crazy? -I don't believe that...
...I can't find justice anywhere.
Do you know who you are suing and his relationship with the emperor?
I don't care. I must try even if it is futile effort
So, you want to put everything at stake for that?
It's meaningless to seek justice like this!
Zhou Ying.
I promise you that one day...
...I will redress the justice for Wu Family of the east mansion.
But, this really isn't the right time yet.
Trust me.
Fine. I can wait.
But, I'll take back the businesses they stole from us.
You want to make Shen Family go bankrupt?
I'm already on my way.
Zhou Ying, must we do this? -We must.
You'll corner Shen Family.
That's my objective.
It's not a good idea to make enemies in business.
I'm not making enemies.
I'm just making an enemy out of Shen Family.
That's the first thing.
Secondly, Wu Family and Shen Family are sworn enemies.
Even if I don't do this to them, they'll do the same thing to us.
So, in order to survive...
...Wu Family must defeat Shen Family completely.
But, Long Sheng He is Shen Family's business partner.
I'm afraid we can't afford to offend...
...the political power behind Long Sheng He.
Don't worry. Wu Family does honest business.
Long Sheng He has no way to set us up.
Yes, Brother Wei Wu. Don't worry unnecessarily.
I did fortune telling. Zhou Ying will surely succeed.
Don't worry.
Alright. Since there is no objection from anyone...
...I agree.
Wang Shi Jun.
Announce our latest terms and conditions to all agents.
Yes, Madam Ying.
What do you think?
It's nice, right?
The taste is very pure. - We have more over there.
Take a look. -Boss, I have better tea here.
Xing Er, when did you return?
Why didn't you inform us in advance?
Did you make a trip home?
Are your mother and grandmother informed of your return?
How were you involved in the case of the military supply...
...Wu Family was involved in?
What are you saying? - What was your role in it?
What do you mean?
You were the one who wrongly accused Wu Family.
Who told you so?
Wu Family did not adulterate the military supply.
Am I right?