Episode 54
If Wu Family did not adulterate the medicine...
...why did you wrong them and accused Wu Family of...
...replacing dragon's blood with rosin?
I did it to avenge Yue Sheng.
Why are you so sure that they killed Brother Yue Sheng?
Don't forget that...
...Yue Sheng died in Wu Family's warehouse!
If Brother Yue Sheng could enter that warehouse...
mothers could go in too!
Yue Sheng must have discovered evidences of the adulteration!
That's why they killed him!
If Wu Family did not adulterate the medicine...
...why would there be evidences of adulteration?
Wu Family had no reason to kill Brother Yue Sheng at all.
But, Wu Wei Wen admitted it himself that...
...he sent his servants to do it!
Everyone knows that...
...extor1ion of confession is common...
...in the prison of the Ministry of Justice.
Father, your reckless revenge doesn't just harm Wu Family.
You'll harm Shen Family as well! Don't you know?
Who told you all these?
Zhou Ying.
She found out?
Father, I'll go with you.
Let's visit Wu Family to confess and express our regret.
Let's do out best to redress the injustice for Wu Family...
...and join hands with them...
...to find the guy who killed my brother.
No.
This is only thing we can do now.
We've no turning back. -No.
If we apologise sincerely and compensate them properly...
...things will change. - You are too simple-minded!
Even if we are really the one in the wrong...
...and even if we are willing to apologise...
...that widow won't spare us.
What else did that widow say...
...when she told you about this?
She said to make us pay for our deed.
Alright. If that's the case...
...let's battle her.
Father, do you really plan to...
...fight against Wu Family of the east mansion?
I wish I don't have to!
But, this is a blood feud.
Only war can settle this problem.
In fact, I believe that...
was long as we have the prince's support...
...Shen Family won't lose to Wu Family.
You committed such a huge misdeed.
How can you expect the prince to defend you?
Do you think I could topple Wu Family of the east mansion...
...single-handedly?
The prince was involved in this case as well?
Wu Wei Wen was so successful back then...
...because of the people suppofling him in the court
He gave Shen Family a hard time.
If it wasn't for the prince, you would have died in the prison.
The bloodline of Shen Family would be cut off.
I finally know the truth.
Since that widows know everything now...
...she'll surely inform Zhao Bai Shi.
But, why do you think Shen Family is totally unaffected?
It's because we have the prince's support
Now you finally know...
...why I don't want to pan ways with them even though...
...Du Ming Li is so greedy and vile...
...and Long Sheng He is so demanding.
I just want to ensure our safety.
This doesn't ensure our safety!
This is an endless mistake that will lead us to doom!
Father, it's not too late to turn back.
Fine.
You can continue to work with Du Ming Li.
I quit.
What's wrong with you?
As your son...
...I have two last reminders for you.
First of all, Du Ming Li is the real venomous snake.
Secondly, do not underestimate Zhou Ying.
Xing Er!
Come back!
Big Red Robe from Wuyi.
Good. -I heard that...
...Young Master Xing Yi is back.
He came back and left.
He returned to Shanghai? -I didn't ask.
Young Master Xing Yi is really very capable.
Xingyue Trading is thriving.
You don't want to know. He's not doing well at all.
He made a huge loss and even offended his friends.
Mr. Du, I came to ask for your help.
The local government of Hunan confiscated 2,000 packs of...
...the raw silk purchased by Xingyue Trading.
The raw silk hasn't been returned yet. So...
...I need the prince to help me to ask.
Sure. The prince will only need to say a few words.
Right.
But, Mr. Shen...
...Shen Family's problem is Long Sheng He's problem, right?
Of course the prince should help.
But, Young Master Xing Yi said...
...Xingyue Trading has nothing to do with Shen Family.
Does this mean that it has nothing to do with Long Sheng He as well?
Mr. Du, it's true that Xing Er...
...opened Xingyue Trading secretly without my knowledge.
But now, I've put the company under my management.
I even brought the seal today.
We can sign the contract immediately.
30% of the shares of Xingyue Trading...
...will go to Long Sheng He.
But, Mr. Shen...
...I know that Xingyue Trading made a huge fortune prior to this.
Mr. Du, this is dividend from that period.
If this is the case, of course the prince can help.
Thank you, Mr. Du. Thank you, Prince Chun.
By the way, Mr. Du...
...before he left, Xing Er told me that...
...the widow of Wu Family of the east mansion...
...seems to have learnt that...
...we were involved in the case of the military supply.
So what?
She is close to Zhao Bai Shi.
Moreover, the two families are connected by marriage now.
He might be able to review other cases...
...but this is the only case...
...Zhao Bai Shi can't do anything about.
Why? -You don't have to know.
That widow swore to...
...recover all the businesses...
...Wu Family of the east mansion lost.
Mr. Shen, you've been a merchant for decades.
Why are you afraid of losing to a widow?
Of course I'll do my best.
If the prince can...
Yes, I know.
I've no reason to spare that widow.
But, if we want to beat that widow...
...first of all...
...we must get rid of her protection.
Zhao Bai Shi?
But, he's now a provincial governor.
He's a rank 2 official.
It won't be easy to get rid of him.
If it's easy...
...the prince wouldn't send me to Jingyang.
The market is open! -Hurry up!
If you're slow, you'll lose the rewarding jobs!
Please make way.
The textile factory needs 5 temporary workers!
100 coins per day! Anyone?
Me! -The three of you.
The two of you too. Come with me.
Shen Family Rice Shop needs five labourers to carry rice!
1 coin every 5 bags! Anyone? -Me!
Me! -Longjuzai Jetty!
We need 10 workers to carry tea leaves at the jetty!
1 coin every 10 boxes! Anyone? -Me!
Alright! The three of you! Come with me!
This way! Come!
Hurry up!
Weijing Academy needs a handyman!
Meals and accommodation covered! 200 coins per month!
200 coins only? -That's too little.
Well, what can you expect from Weijing Academy?
Me.
Handyman, come here.
Mr. Liu, this is our new handyman.
What is your name? -|...
Everyone calls me Xiao San Zi.
Where's your home? -I'm homeless.
From now on, this place is your home.
Let him wash his face and settle down.
Yes.
This way.
Madam Ying, most of Shen Family's agents...
...have turned to us. They are all buying from us.
At this rate...
...Shen Family can only face the reality.
They are not capable of fighting back.
Any news of Shen Xing Yi?
I heard he left home.
Where did he go? -I don't know.
Why did he leave home?
Maybe he threw a tantrum again.
Madam Ying, if that's all, I shall excuse myself.
Go.
Master, over the past 6 months, we've lost a lot of our agents.
Up until yesterday, close to half of them left us.
Half?
Who do they buy from? -Wu Family.
What's her trick?
She gave shares to those who only deal with Wu Family...
...so that they will be loyal forever.
As for agents who buy from both Shen Family and Wu Family...
...she gave them a buy 10 free 2.
For every purchase of goods worth 10 taels...
...she gives them extra goods worth 2 taels.
As for agents who only buy from us...
...she gives them a 3 months' payment period.
She didn't even wait to attack us.
Master, we can't let this go on.
What do you suggest?
We'll give out shares too and offer a buy 10 free 3.
We can also offer a payment period of 6 months.
I'm fine with all except for giving out shares.
But, many agents left us for them...
"because of their shares.
This method might seem safe on the surface...
...but it will actually threaten Wu Family's position.
She dares to give out the shares...
...because she is not a real member of Wu Family.
We definitely can't do the same.
Master.
Master. Mr. Huo.
Shopkeeper Xie, you came at the right time.
Tell master about your situation.
The Mongol agents laid their cards on the table today.
They won't be buying brick tea from us next year.
Buhe and the rest?
They'll buy from Wu Family? -Yes.
Yu Long Quan by Wu Family offers better conditions.
So, they left.
Master, Buhe and the other Mongol tea merchants...
...are our biggest customers in our tea business.
If they leave us as well, our business will be doomed.
Master, you need to be decisive.
We don't need to offer attractive packages.
We'll be practical.
Shopkeeper Xie, go and negotiate with Buhe.
We'll lower our prices by 10% and let them pay by year end.
We'll give them 5 cents rebate. -Alright.
Keep up the good work next year.
Thank you for the hard work. - Yes. We'll make a lot this year.
Brother Buhe.
Shopkeeper Xie. -Come. Sit down.
Mr. Bu, you're in good mood today.
Sit down. Let's drink until we drop today.
Let's drink. -Brother Buhe, I don't drink.
Don't worry. I'll drink until I drop with you.
Good. I like that. Let's drink.
Brother Buhe, even though I don't drink...
...I brought you a bottle of fine wine.
Xifeng wine. -Xifeng wine? This is good wine.
I know you like it. -Mr. Bu, please take a look at...
...the new brick tea of Shen Family Tea Company.
It's the best in Jingyang.
Look. -Is this new tea from this year?
Brother Buhe, that tea is really good.
If I'm not mistaken...
...this must be the new tea from Hunan.
'(u Long Quads Mngyang dark ma...
...came from Hunan as well.
This year, Hunan's tea is the best.
Mr. Bu, don't forget that...
...Shen Family Tea Company...
...is the oldest tea company in Jingyang.
Right.
Brother Buhe, please send my regards to your grandfather...
...when you get back.
Ask him if he remembers a worker of Yu Long Quan...
...nicknamed Xiao Gui Tou.
Xiao Gui Tou? You...
You're Xiao Gui Tou?
Yes.
My grandfather told me that you stole his wine many times.
Let's not talk about that. -Come.
Look. I even brought you a bottle of fine wine today.
Good. -Come.
It's just a bottle of wine.
Mr. Bu, if you continue to buy from Shen Family Tea Company...
...our master will give you a generous gift.
What generous gift? -We'll lower the prices of...
...all goods by 10%. What do you think?
Really?
I've dealt with Shen Family Tea Company...
...for more than a decade.
This is the first time you all are so generous to me.
Shen Family is so nice. I've a suggestion, Brother Buhe.
You should more or less buy some tea from Shen Family.
Are you serious?
The competition between the two families...
...will put you in a dilemma.
Besides, we're brothers. I won't give you a hard time.
Moreover, our goods are the same...
...and the price is also 230 coins, right?
How much? 230 coins? -Yes.
Didn't Madam Ying agree to give you some shares?
If we deduct the dividend, the price will be 230 coins.
Yes. Correct. 230 coins.
You're so forgetful.
Mr. Bu, I've another offer.
Regardless of the volume you buy...
...we'll give you a rebate of 5 cents.
This... -It's alright. Brother Buhe.
Don't feel troubled. You can buy from Shen Family.
But, we can talk about our fur and leather business.
Fur and leather?
I'm so forgetful. I forgot to tell you that...
...Madam Ying is preparing to open fur and leather shops in...
...Jingyang, Changsha and Shanghai this year.
If you're interested, we can give you some shares.
Sure.
How did Madam Ying learn that...
...I'm preparing to venture into fur and leather business?
That day, Madam Ying treated you to lunch...
...and when you chatted with the shopkeeper of our leather shop...
...she noticed your aspiration in this field.
Besides, you can come with fur and leather...
...and leave with brick tea. You can fully utilise your trip.
Even if you have no such intention...
...Madam Ying will encourage you to do so.
Madam Ying knows me so well.
We're flattered. -Mr. Bu, you...
Shopkeeper Xie, I'm sorry. -Mr. Bu.
We've been friends for more than a decade.
You can't do this to us.
Shopkeeper Xie, you didn't care about our friendship...
...when I asked for a discount of 5 cents last year.
Fine. Since you are so realistic...
...I've nothing more to say.
But, let me remind you.
Don't come back to me when you regret it one day.
I can't believe he left like that.
I... Brother Buhe, I was just trying to help.
I didn't expect this.
It's alright. At worst, I'll stop doing business with him.
Honestly, Shen Family Tea Company...
...has been too stingy. Dealing with them is tiring.
Even though I made money, I wasn't happy.
Brother Buhe, I promise you that...
...if you do business with Yu Long Quan...
...you will make money happily.
Good. I trust you.
But, if you can drink wine with me...
...I'll be happier.
But, I really can't drink. -Come on.
I don't care. You must drink.
Let's drink until we drop.
I didn't even drink wine on the day of my wedding.
That won't do. We must drink until we drop.
You must drink. Finish this cup of wine first.
Buhe signed a 5 years contract.
5 years.
Thank you for the hard work. -You're welcome.
Send Shopkeeper '(an back. -Yes.
Come. Send Shopkeeper '(an back.
Housekeeper Wang, please go in my stead next time...
...if drinking is necessary.
Alright. I'll go.
Now that we have all...
...the Mongol tea merchants at our side...
...we'll occupy 80% of the entire tea business...
...in Jingyang. Shen Family will only get a share of 10%.
I won't even give them 10%.
How much brick tea have we stored?
Over 2,000 boxes for 24 in a box...
...over 1,000 packs for 27 in a box...
...and 1,500 bundles for 39 in a box.
That's worth over 100,000 taels.
Because of Wu Family, it'll be difficult for us...
...to sell our brick tea.
How is the situation at Wu Family's end?
Master, I've asked.
The brick tea they purchased will arrive in Jingyang tomorrow.
The tea will be unloaded at Longjuzai Jetty...
...and transported to Mongolia through land route.
Master, I have an idea.
Tell me about it.
You just need to think of a way...
...to make their brick tea spend a night in the ship.
You can leave the rest to me.
That's easy. I'll find an excuse...
...to hire all poflers.
That will do.
Shopkeeper Yan. -Xiao Huang.
Thanks for the hard work. -You're welcome.
Today, you can go back and rest early.
I can go back after the goods are unloaded.
All porters went to the other side.
I guess we have to wait until tomorrow to unload the goods.
There's no hurry. -I'll come again tomorrow.
Alright. Go back. -Alright. Let's go.
Go. Brothers, go back.
Our brick tea has reached the jetty.
But, there's not even a single porter at the jetty.
Shen Family is shipping leather and cotton to Wuhan.
So, they hired all the porters.
We're not in a hurry anyway. -Yes.
Buhe and his companions will depart after the 15th.
Tell Shopkeeper Yan to prepare everything.
Package the brick tea as soon as it's unloaded.
Madam Ying!
Bad news, Madam Ying!
Hurry.
Put the palanquin down.
Press the palanquin down. -Madam Ying.
Is everyone alright? -The crew can swim. They are fine.
Our employees have been rescued as well.
What happened? -It's all my fault.
This wouldn't happen if I didn't go home.
You wouldn't be able to do anything either.
I sent someone to guard the ship.
It was too late by the time he sensed something wrong.
The ship docked already. What caused it to sink?
Madam Ying.
Madam Ying, there's another one here.
Madam Ying, look. -Someone used a saw...
...to make these holes.
Yes. This is a sabotage.
How much tea got soaked? -All 5,000 boxes of tea leaves.
Madam Ying, we must depart before the 15th this month.
Else, the snow will seal the mountain roads.
If we order another batch of tea leaves from Hubei now...
...can they be delivered before the 15th?
No.
Mr. Bu, I'm really sorry.
It can't be helped. We can only buy from Shen Family.
That's the case for this year.
What about our contract? -No problem.
We'll still give you the shares as promised.
Alright. Madam Ying, let's deal again next year.
This won't happen again next year.
Alright. Madam Ying, I shall excuse myself.
Xiao Wu. Shopkeeper Yan. See Mr. Bu off.
Good bye.
Mr. Han, who is the culprit?
There's no need to investigate. It must be Shen Family.
Housekeeper Wang is right. The doer is a very good diver.
He can stay in the water for 8 minutes...
...without breathing. In the underworld...
...only the Black Dragon Gang can do this.
I asked. But, the Black Dragon Gang...
...refused to reveal more information.
They only said that someone from Jingyang by the surname of Xie...
...sent someone to hire them.
Xie? -Yes.
It must be Xie Shang De of Shen Family Tea Company.
The Black Dragon Gang did a good job.
It's just that they are quite greedy.
They took a total of 1,000 taels from us.
If we can sell our 5,000 boxes of tea leaves...
...the 1,000 taels will be worth it.
I've seen the results.
Over the past 3 years, more people came to buy from us.
How much have we sold?
Over 300 boxes.
We need to find bigger customers. -Yes.
Master. Shopkeeper Xie. Mr. Bu came.
Tell him to wait. -Alright.
Look, master. A big customer came.
Yu Long Quan's tea leaves are completely destroyed.
So, they can only buy from us this year.
Yes. In fact, they must depart immediately.
Else, they can't get back.
Of all agents, they are the most impatient ones.
In this case, tell them that...
...first of all, we're not lowering the price this year.
The price will be 5 cents higher than last year.
Secondly, they must cancel their contract with that widow...
...and sign a 5 years contract with us.
But... I'm afraid they won't agree.
If they don't agree, don't sell any brick tea to them.
Let them return empty-handed.
Alright. I understand.
Master, I'll go and meet them.
Mr. Bu.
Dear all. -Shopkeeper Xie.
Xie, I'm so unlucky.
The dark tea I ordered from Yu Long Quan had reached Jingyang.
But, it got soaked in water. I've no choice...
...but to buy all my tea leaves from you this year.
You came to the right place. No problem.
How much do you want to buy this year?
We have a total of 120,000 taels.
Sure. I'll let you have 2,000 pieces of 24 in a box.
Alright. -1,000 pieces of 27 in a box...
...and then 1,200 pieces of 39 in a box.
Look. This is the total price.
This... Didn't you say to lower the price by 10%?
How come the price is increased by 5 cents now?
Mr. Bu, the price changes according to the market's demand.
It's been half a month. Of course the price has changed.
If that's the case, you need to give me...
...a rebate of 10% by year end.
We're not offering a rebate this year.
What? -In fact, I've another condition.
What is it? -You need to sign...
...a 5 years contract with me.
For 5 years, you can only buy tea from Shen Family.
But, I've already signed...
...a 5 year contract with Yu Long Quan.
You just have to cancel it.
That's unreasonable.
Don't blame me for rejecting this business then.
Fine.
There are so many tea merchants in Jingyang.
I can buy from someone else.
Let me tell you something.
We're the only one in Jingyang with this much ready stock.
You'd better decide quickly!
Our master said to increase the price again 3 days later!
Buhe!
Buhe! -Buhe!
Buhe, wait. -Wait, Buhe.
Why don't we just buy from them?
They are taking advantage of us.
It's just an increase of 5 cents.
I can still make a profit. -Yes.
I can't tolerate them. -If we don't accept the deal...
...our trip would be wasted.
Yes. We'll have no income over the next half of the year.
This won't do. -This is ridiculous!
How can you do this? You said to cut the price by 10%!
How come it's a 10% increase now? -Don't ask me.
This is the shopkeeper's decision. Why don't you talk to him instead?
This is unreasonable! - Take it or leave it!
I'll take it! -Line up if you want it!
We're getting it cheaper.
It's only an increase of 5 cents for us.
Yes, Buhe. Why don't we just sign the contract quickly?
He said that the price will go up again 3 days later.
Yes, Buhe.
Let's wait until 3 days later.
Forget about waiting. Look at the number of customers.
Their tea will be sold out 3 days later.
By then, we'll be doomed. -Yes.
Enough. Let me think.
Buhe.
Be careful. -I talked to the cotton farmers.
These soaked tea leaves can be used as fefliliser.
Mind the steps. -What an expensive fefliliser.
Be careful. -Alright.
Madam Ying.
Madam Ying, what do you plan to do with these tea leaves?
I'm going to discard them. -Madam Ying.
Can you give me a few boxes of them?
Gramps, the leaves are soaked. You can't use them to boil tea.
If you like tea, I'll give you some good ones.
No. I want the soaked one.
Why? -It tastes good.
It's still consumable?
If you don't believe me, try it yourself.
Gramps, the tea leaves got soaked...
...and even exposed to the sun for days.
It's mouldy. It has really gone bad.
Madam Ying, try it first.
Housekeeper Wang, try it. -Thank you.
What do you think?
I think the aroma is even richer.
The taste is richer too.
Days ago, I suddenly craved tea at night.
But, I couldn't find tea leaves on the ship.
So, I made do with the soaked brick tea.
I just wanted to satisfy my craving.
But, once I tasted it...
...I became addicted to it.
I can't believe it.
Don't discard even a box. -Yes.
Are you planning to sell these tea leaves?
Of course. But, all agents know that...
...our tea leaves got soaked. Will they still buy from us?
I'll think of something.