Episode 38
They are coming! They are back!
They are back! Uncle Si! -We're back!
Madam Ying! Uncle Si! -We're back!
Madam Ying!
Good. -Uncle Si!
Carry me down!
I'm so tired. -Did you all miss me?
Yes! -We missed you so much!
You're finally back. -What have you prepared for me?
Meat sandwich, noodles with minced meat, dumplings...
...lamb noodles and chilli pancake.
I'm drooling already!
Sister Zhou Ying! -Er Hu.
You finally came back.
By the way, I'm now Housekeeper Wang's assistant.
I'm studying business. -Are you clever enough for that?
I'll take my time. -Eat more. You haven't grown.
Zhou Ying. -Madam Ying.
Mr. Han. Qian Hong. The two of you stayed back.
Yes. After Mr. Zhao issued an amnesty for me...
...we didn't know where to go.
Housekeeper Wang allocated a suite for us...
...and put me in charge of guarding the mansion.
I'm assured to have you guard the east mansion.
Qian Hong, have you gotten used to this place?
I'll take my time. - Madam Ying, thank you.
Without you, we wouldn't have a home.
Zhou Ying, thank you.
Don't be shy. We're one family.
If you want to hear stories...
...come with me! -Me!
Not bad. Everything went well.
What's wrong?
Madam Ying, you're back.
Did you receive the letters I sent from Urumqi?
As you instructed, I sent out all local cloth.
Thanks for the hard work. - After learning that Tu'erdan...
...made us their official agent...
...I restored all companies of Wu Family of the east mansion.
We share the same thought.
What about the rest? ls everything else alright?
Everything was fine.
Madam Zheng wanted to come out and welcome you back.
But, I persuaded her to stay.
I'll go and greet her now.
Sir, Zhou Ying is back.
She's back?
Is she alright? -I heard...
...she came back with a fortune.
Zhou Ying, I heard you are now...
...Tu'erdan's broker in all his businesses in China.
Yes. -Tu'erdan?
That business magnate in the Western Region?
That's great. Wu Family has nothing to worry about now.
You can say that. -Thank god.
Zhou Ying, I knew that you would do great things...
...since the day you entered Wu Family.
Come. Let's have a toast.
Come. -Yes. Let's have a toast.
Come. -We'll all be counting on you.
I should be the one to thank you all.
You all worked hard while I was in Urumqi.
Come. -You worked harder.
Thank you for the hard work. -It's here!
Hurry! Make space on the dining table!
This one is delicious. -Come and help me.
Roasted whole lamb.
I learnt to prepare this in Urumqi.
Please try. -I've never seen one whole lamb.
Dip in into the sauce.
It tastes better with the chilli sauce.
Uncle Wei Quan, lend me a hand. - I'll go and make some laghman.
But, how do we eat this?
Look. I'm being rude again. Mother, you can try it first.
But...
Everyone eats this in Urumqi. Don't worry. It's really tasty.
No. -This won't do.
Take a bite. -Use your hands directly.
I'll use my hands then. -Mother, here.
How do we eat this? - Come. Let me teach you.
It's a tie again. Let's do it again.
Serve wine.
Get up. Move.
Tu'erdan, let's continue.
You lost! I have the final say for this year's business!
Fine, my brother. You have the final say.
Madam Ying, what are you looking at?
Nothing.
You must be tired. Don't worry about me. Go to bed.
I'll go to bed after I escort you to your bed.
Do I need you to get to my bed?
Go. Don't worry about me. -But...
I can take care of myself. Go to bed.
Madam Ying.
Madam.
Mr. Joseph, it's been a long time.
Are you here to pray?
No. I came to ask you some questions.
Please go ahead.
Do you know how western textile workshops are like?
Well, please come with me.
Come in.
I'm so glad to see you again. Please give me a minute.
Europe is over here.
The Pacific Ocean is here.
America is at this side of the Pacific Ocean.
There's also the Atlantic Ocean here.
Africa is here.
How come you know so many places?
I saw it on the world's map. -World map's?
If we can expand Wu Family's business...
...to all corners of that world's map...
...that's real success.
Madam, please come here. Look at this.
These are photos of cloth factories in my hometown.
Factories?
These are weaving machines.
No wonder western fabrics are so fine.
The quality of cloth is better...
...and the efficiency of weaving machines are also...
"hundreds of times higher than handlooms.
So, the machines increase the efficiency significantly.
Mr. Joseph, where can I buy this machine?
I can help you to ask. -Thank you.
Mr. Xiao. -Mr. Zhao, have a seat.
Mr. Zhao, why are you so excited?
After several years of preparatiom...
...the Shanghai Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...finally began their operation recently.
What does the Shanghai Mechanical Textile Bureau do?
We Chinese bought machines to produce our own western textiles.
I think Shaanxi should do the same.
You want to do it in Shaanxi?
Yes. Over the past 12 months, western fabrics have become...
...very popular in Shaanxi.
The demand for western textiles is very high...
...in Shaanxi and even the northwest and southwest.
Compared to letting the westerners profit from us...
...isn't it better to make western textiles ourselves?
Besides, cotton is a product of Guanzhong.
Jingyang has always been the hub of the cotton business.
We have everything necessary to open a mechanical textile bureau.
That won't do.
Sir, do you have any other concern?
It's true that the westerners have strong military weapons.
It's fine to learn from their military policies and weapons.
If we use their machines to weave our own cloth too...
...it's no different from admitting that we're inferior.
But, the cloth produced by their machine...
...is indeed light, soft, even and clean.
It's way better than local handwoven cloth.
The price is lower as well. -That won't do.
That's more reason to not use western machines.
If we all use western fabrics, how do local weavers make money?
If the people protest, I'll have a lot of troubles.
Sir. -Say no more.
The Shanghai Mechanical Textile Bureau...
"adopted the ways of the foreigners.
They have violated our defense policy.
This is against the country's ancestral laws and policy.
There's no need to...
...bring up or discuss this matter any further.
Madam Ying. Master Wei Wu. Master Wei Quan.
After deducting all 00st...
...our profit from local cloth last year...
...was 43,412 taels.
This is great.
Zhou Ying, we earned more than we expected.
Zhou Ying contributed the most.
Zhou Ying, didn't you suggest to...
...increase our looms to 5 times the number this year?
I'll get it done at once. Next year...
...we'll make 200,000 taels instead of 40,000 taels.
Don't do that. -Why?
I was lucky to be able to sell this batch of local cloth.
Based on my estimation, western fabrics...
...will enter Urumqi latest by the middle of next year.
Local handwoven cloth will lose its market in Urumqi as well.
Zhou Ying is right. Wu Family Textile...
...needs to make a change...
...and give up local cloth for western textile.
Gu Yue Western Textile has operated for 2 years.
They earned a huge fortune.
I asked. They got their goods from...
...a western goods supplier in Shanghai.
If we have connections with them, we can make money too.
You're writing.
I think western textile is just a trend.
It's just like those ornaments from some time ago.
After a while, local cloth will be back in trend.
Zhou Ying, we should deal with changes with perseverance, right?
Zhou Ying, what do you think?
I don't agree with changing to a western textile business either.
We'll be restrained if we rely on foreign suppliers.
Besides, the goods will be resold so many times.
We don't get to earn much. -Yes.
Since we could produce and market our own local cloth...
...why can't we produce and market our own western cloth?
What? What do you mean by that?
Compared to buying textiles from westerners to resell...
...I'd rather buy the weaving machines...
...to produce western textiles from them.
What do you mean? I don't get it at all.
I'm thinking of opening a western textile workshop.
Madam Ying, where do you plan to start from?
I haven't thought about that. -Zhou Ying.
Since you haven't thought about it...
...let's set it aside for now.
Zhao Bai Shi, you are excellent in terms of...
...character and capability.
But, you are not decisive enough.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry so much.
I'll proceed bravely if I see potential in something...
...and remove all obstacles along the way.
It's not that simple. -If I were you...
...I'll go to the viceroy if the provincial governor disapproves.
I'll go to the minister if the viceroy disapproves.
If the minister disapproves, I'll go to the Council of State.
If I still get rejected, I can submit a memorial...
...to the emperor and empress dowager!
Don't give up so easily.
Look at me.
I took the exams for so many years.
Yet, I haven't accomplished anything.
Others would have given up.
But, I won't give up.
I don't believe that I'll be unlucky forever.
I'll continue to take the exam.
I'll continue until I succeed.
You're right. I shouldn't give up easily.
I believe that...
was long as I persevere...
...I will one day succeed...
...and attain outstanding achievements.
I too believe that if I continue to advocate this...
...Shaanxi's very own Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...will be established one day.
Cheers.
Bai Shi.
You're already considered successful.
Why are you still single?
I'm too busy for relationship.
My sister has been concerned about you...
...after you saved her life.
I'm thankful for Ms. Yu's concern.
But now, I want to focus on establishing...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
I'm not considering other matters yet.
I understand.
I can finally go home!
I can finally sleep at home!
Let's enter the city at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
Why?
It's the busiest hour.
The young master of Shen Family is coming home!
He comes home on a horse with a grand entourage!
Mr. Shen, you're back from Urumqi! -Yes.
How was the trip? -isn't it obvious?
Young Master Xing Yi returned with a fortune!
Congratulations!
It looks like it was quite a fruitful trip for Shen Xing Yi.
He's too proud.
This is better.
He came back with a grand entourage?
Yes. He hired over 10 trumpeters and drummers.
It was such a grand entrance.
Over there! -Look.
Father! Mother! Grandmother! I'm back!
Xing Er!
You're back! You're finally back!
Xing Er, you're back. -Xing Er.
You made it so grand. It's like you're a champion.
Father, I managed to sell all of our local cloth.
I also came back with a business worth 200,000 taels.
That's great. -It's just a small business...
...and you're already so proud.
What will happen if you make a really big deal?
My dear, Xing Er just came back and you...
Enough! Stop playing music!
Shen Xing Yi, let me ask you a question.
As a shopkeeper of Shen Family...
...what should you first upon returning from a long trip?
No matter how tired and late, the first thing you should do...
...is report to the company to hand in the goods or account book.
Yet, you came home first. You're so incompetent.
You... -Repor1 back and...
...immediately go to the provincial administration bureau.
Zhao Bai Shi gathered all rich merchants for a meeting.
He probably wants a donation again.
Zhao Bai Shi became the provincial financial commissioner?
Last year, he attacked the bandits...
...even though you were held hostage...
...and got himself a new position. -I see.
This time, you must not use my money to gain fame...
...like a few years ago.
Don't worry. I won't do it again.
Enough.
Xing Er, your father is just stern on the surface.
He couldn't sleep last night because you're coming back.
Yes. Don't worry about him. I'll give him a good lecture.
Never mind. It's his personality. -Right.
So, have most of them arrived?
Most have arrived. - Let's get ready to begin.
Sir, Zhou Ying of Wu Family hasn't come.
Should we wait a little longer? -I didn't inform her.
Wu Family of the east mansion is considered rich.
They have the capital for investment.
I know. You don't have to tell me.
Yes.
You all came.
Mr. Zhao has arrived!
Mr. Zhao!
Dear all, please sit down.
The Shanghai Mechanical Textile Bureau...
...was opened 2 years ago.
This is good for the country to be self-sufficient...
...and good for the people to pursue wealth.
So, Shaanxi is also planning to build its own...
...mechanical textile bureau based on collaboration between...
...the government and merchants as Shanghai did.
We are looking for shareholders among civilians.
Each share will cost 100 taels.
We have a total of 2,000 shares to offer...
...that will cost a total of 200,000 taels.
The 2,000 shares are 80% of the total shares.
You all have received the initial public offering.
Please read it carefully. If you need more details...
...feel free to ask Mr. Guo.
Well, 100 taels isn't a lot.
I heard that in the 10th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign...
...the stock of Shanghai's bureau with a face value of 100 taels...
...dropped to dozens of taels.
Really? -Mr. Zhao.
This is no trivial matter. Can I go back and consider?
Of course. But, this initial public offering...
...will end in 15 days on a first come first serve basis.
I shall excuse myself. -Alright.
Goodbye. -I'll go back and consider too.
I'll consider. -I'll also go back and consider.
Goodbye. -Goodbye.
Goodbye, Mr. Zhao. -Goodbye.
Good bye.
Goodbye. -Goodbye, Mr. Zhao.
Mr. Zhao, goodbye. -Goodbye, Mr. Zhao.
Shen Xing Yi.
When you asked for a donation of 300 taels per family...
...everyone agreed immediately.
Now, you offer 100 taels per share.
Yet, no one wants to do you the favour.
Everyone wants to do good deeds.
But this time, it's an investment.
It's not wrong for merchants to be careful.
Forget it. Since you eliminated the bandits...
...and saved my life...
...Shen Family will buy 1,000 shares.
But, I'm not carrying enough cash.
I'll send my servant to deliver the money in a few days.
Mr. Zhao, I shall excuse myself.
Over the past 12 months, this is the sum we earned...
...from our western textile shop.
But, if we produce our own western textiles...
...and use local cotton and labour...
...our profit will be...
...at least this number.
Shaanxi is going to build a mechanical textile bureau.
They are doing the initial public offering now.
You're interested?
I'd like to give it a shot.
How many shares do you think I should buy?
If you want to buy, buy all.
But, someone said it's quite risky.
It's still worth it.
Alright. I'll make another trip to Xi'an...
...and buy as many shares as possible.
I shall excuse myself. -Alright.
The court has a written law that prohibits private factories.
Even if the westerners sell us their weaving machines...
...we can't open a private western textile factory.
There's such law? -Yes.
Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, Jinling arsenal...
...Foochow Arsenal, China Merchants Group...
...and Lanzhou Manufacturing Bureau...
...are all state-owned.
Zhou Ying! Go away!
Zhou Ying! Don't stop me! -Shen Xing Yi?
Zhou Ying! Go away!
Mr. Shen.
Go to Xi'an quickly and find Zhao Bai Shi.
Mr. Shen, calm down and talk. -I've a good news.
It's a very good news.
Zhao Bai Shi is building a textile bureau.
He's selling the shares now.
I bought half and saved half for you.
How come I wasn't informed of this?
That's why I came to tip you off.
You should buy the remaining 1,000 shares...
...before others realise the prospects.
How much is it for 1,000 shares? -100,000 taels.
I don't have so much money. - You can borrow money.
You need to buy it even if it'll cost your whole fortune.
You think so too. - Westerners aren't all good.
But, why can't we learn and use the good things from them?
Wang Shi Jun, how much cash do we have?
Madam Ying, you should discuss with your uncles first.
You don't have time for that. Buy first.
Alright. I'll buy it first.
Father!
When can you be a calm person?
Father, I acted on my own again.
How much did you donate this time?
Didn't you promise that you won't be reckless again?
How can you... -Calm down and listen to me.
Zhao Bai Shi wants to build a government monitored...
...and privately invested textile bureau in Shaanxi.
They are selling the shares for 100 taels each.
I decisively bought 1,000 shares.
Wait. According to the application for shares...
...every year, the bureau can produce...
Lend me that.
Every year, the bureau can produce...
...this volume of western textiles.
Based on the annual profits of Gu Yue Western Textile...
...if we invest 100,000 taels...
...our annual profit will be...
Wait.
This number. After 5 years...
You're in your 20's. Yet, you can't even calculate.
Even kids are better than you. -Did I get it wrong?
5 years later...
...it should be this number.
That's 10 times of it. -Yes.
10 times of it.
You finally made one correct decision.
Ms. Hu, it's been a long time.
Yes. We haven't met again...
...since you cornered my father to suicide.
I'm sorry for your father's death.
But, don't you think that it was very unfair to your father?
His murderer hasn't been punished.
Of course it was unfair.
You must be here for the mechanical textile bureau.
You don't have to go. You don't have a chance.
As long as I'm alive, you won't stand a chance.
They say that Qin people are conservative and stubborn.
But, look. We sold all 2,000 shares in 2 days.
Hu Family runs a western textile business.
Hu Yong Mei knows the profit of selling western textile best.
As for Shen Xing Yi...
...maybe he just doesn't take money seriously.
Whatever it is, once we receive the money...
...we will bring in the machines within 3 months...
...and let the operation begin within 6 months' time.
Mr. Zhao, Zhou Ying of...
...Wu Family of the east mansion came.
Let her in.
Go back to your work. -Yes.
"To subdue one's self and return to propriety is perfect virtue."
“All under heaven will ascribe perfect virtue to him.“
“ls the practice of perfect virtue from a man himself...
...or is it from others?"
Mr. Zhao.
As soon as I returned from Urumqi, I heard that...
...you've become Shaanxi's financial commissioner.
But, I was very busy.
I didn't get to come and congratulate you.
Please forgive me. Mr. Zhao, congratulations.
I was just lucky. It's not worth congratulating.
Did I offend you again?
What makes you say so?
You told me to avoid appearing in public.
Yet, I walked out and went all the way to Urumqi.
You told me to watch my manners.
But, I haven't been watching my manners at all.
Say no more. -I'm hopeless. I know.
I'm a nuisance to you. I'll make it shod and
Mr. Zhao, I came to...
...buy the shares of Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
Madam Ying, we've sold all 2,000 shares.
There's none left? -Shen Xing Yi bought 1,000 shares.
Right before you came...
...Hu Yong Mei bought the remaining 1,000 shares.
I came one step late.
Mr. Zhao, why don't you offer a little more shares?
This is no trivial matter. It can't be taken lightly.
Why don't you allocate some for me?
Even 100 shares will do. - I'm sorry. I can't help you.
It's all your fault.
Me? -You're an official.
How can you be so realistic?
Even though Wu Family's business has just started...
...we want to catch up too.
Why didn't you inform us of the initial public offering?
I contributed to the elimination of Sanshou Gang.
I thought the two of us...
Forget it. -You're leaving?
Why should I stay?
I'll get spanked if I make you angry again.
She left.