Episode 47
Madam Zheng, it's time to eat.
Madam Zheng, be gentler.
What's the matter?
This table might become mine in the future.
Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng, Master Wei Quan came. -Sister Zheng.
My sister-in-law. -Wei Quan, have you eaten?
Yes. -Sit down.
I'm worried.
Do you know what Zhou Ying is up to lately?
This?
This...
Look.
What is Zhou Ying doing?
I just woke up to this in the entire mansion.
Sister Zheng, don't panic.
Sister Zheng, even though the three households split up...
...our hearts are still united.
We're all members of Wu Family.
I'll go and discuss with Brother Wei Wu.
We can't let Zhou Ying do something so absurd.
Wei Quan, I appreciate your offer.
But, you and Wei Wu don't have to worry about us.
Sister Zheng, but...
...Zhou Ying will make you go bankrupt soon.
Are you sure you don't need our help?
I don't mind if we'll go bankrupt. Let her be.
Sister Zheng, you...
Master Wei Quan.
When Wei Wen got into trouble, all of you stayed away from us.
But, Zhou Ying came back.
She accompanied me during my saddest days...
...and supported me during my most difficult days.
Now that she has something she wants to do...
...I've no reason to be unsupportive.
Right.
Can we not bring up matters of the past?
Look at the present. What is Zhou Ying doing now?
I'm annoyed by these stickers as well.
But, I believe she is trying to help us.
Sister Zheng, how is she trying to help?
Why are you so foolish?
I've never been more conscious. -Right.
Sister Zheng, I guarantee that you will regret this one day.
Say no more. Go back.
Zhang, see him off.
Master Wei Quan, please come with me.
Fine. I'll leave. I've been meddlesome.
Mr. Jiang, register mine. -Come.
Alright. Which do you want?
Come one by one. Everyone gets to buy.
Don't push. -We can get dividends.
Where's Dong Mei? Come here.
The mechanical textile bureau can be rebuilt...
...and the employees get to buy their own assets.
Madam Ying, this is like killing two birds with one stone.
No. This is killing three birds with one stone.
There's another benefit?
Just wait and see.
Uncle Si. -Father.
You're so heartless. What kind of daughter are you?
Sister Chun decided to be merciful and released you?
Nonsense. That's impossible.
At first, she wanted to make me her male concubine.
How can I be a live-in husband of a procurer?
She tempted me with money. Nonsense. I'm not so prideless.
I performed and worked for the brothel...
...begged her...
...and promised to pay 150 taels before New Year...
...and she finally decided to release me.
I knew that you have ways to escape.
But, you make me feel so sad.
From now on, I don't have a daughter like you.
You don't want to be my father anymore?
What should I do with my 5 catties of Xifeng wine?
You...
Even though I don't acknowledge you...
...you can still acknowledge me.
Maybe I'll forgive you when I'm drunk.
Madam Ying, since last night...
...we've raised 11,000 taels. -That's fast.
Some retainers even got into a fight for the shares.
Some even scolded my mother...
"because they didn't get to buy any.
Madam Ying. -Mr. Zhao.
Here's 100,000 taels.
You raised another 100,000 taels? -Yes.
But, this isn't enough. We need at least 200,000 taels...
...to rebuild the factory.
Don't we have old machines in Guangdong...
...which we can buy for 100,000 taels?
Yes. Why didn't I think of that? I'll go and get it done at once.
Mr. Zhao.
Since there's hope in rebuilding the textile factory...
...I'd like to make a request.
Go ahead.
I heard the weavers who led the protest...
...are still imprisoned in the provincial government office.
Yes. I've reported this matter to the court...
...and applied to punish them severely.
Even if En Ling tries to stop me...
...he can only delay their punishment.
But, I want you to free them. -Free them?
They protested against the local government with weapons.
This must not be tolerated.
They destroyed a property that cost 200,000 taels to build.
They must pay a price.
I've a suggestion. Since they wrecked my machines...
...let them pay with their own looms.
But, we don't need their handlooms. Besides...
...we're going to rebuild the mechanical textile bureau.
If we don't punish them sufficiently...
...they might create troubles again.
Mr. Zhao, I'm doing this...
...for the successful reconstruction of the factory.
Upon learning that they can exchange the looms for...
...their imprisoned family members, the weavers...
...handed in the looms and so...
...in less than half a day. -Where are they?
They are outside.
Let them in. I'd like to talk to them.
Bring those weavers in. -Yes.
These looms can't be compared to the western machines at all.
Why are they holding on to these outdated and old things?
That's because they don't want to...
...open their eyes and look at this world.
They don't want to admit that...
...we're no longer the strongest country.
Move! Fast!
Brothers, I have a bad feeling about this.
Didn't they say that we can exchange our looms for freedom?
We already gave them our looms.
The local government can't go back on their word, right?
Maybe Wu Family of the east mansion...
...will still make us pay.
Let's be careful.
You all recognise these looms, right?
Whose loom is this? -Mine.
What about that one?
Mine.
Madam Ying! -You can't break it!
You can't break it! -Madam Ying!
You can't break it!
We need these to make money!
You can't break it!
You can't break it! -You can't break it!
Stop! -Stop!
Stop! I beg of you!
Madam Ying! -Stop! I beg of you!
I beg of you! Please stop! - Madam Ying, please stop!
You all wrecked the factory...
...I spent all my wealth and energy to build!
So, I wrecked your looms! Isn't it fair?
Do you feel very sad?
Yes!
This was how I felt when you all wrecked...
...the mechanical textile bureau!
You already wrecked our tools for making a living.
Shouldn't you release us now?
Yes. Of course we'll release you all.
But...
...now that I've wrecked your tools for making a living...
...have you thought of how to support your families...
...when you go back?
You don't have to worry about that.
It can't be worse than starving to death!
You're the leader of your family.
Instead of giving your family a good life...
...you want to starve your whole family to death.
Wang De Gen, what kind of man are you?
That's because you all are cornering us! We've no way out!
Who says there's no way out?
There are many ways in this world!
You just have to change the way you think!
This...
I'm planning to rebuild the mechanical textile bureau.
Even though machines can produce 100 times more cloth...
...they need to be operated by people.
If you don't mind...
...you can hire you all to work in the factory.
Wang De Gen.
I know you're a capable one.
You can weave 3 feet of cloth in a day.
If I recall correctly...
...you worked around the clock to weave cloth for Wu Family...
...and made 10 taels.
If you operate that weaving machine...
...you can weave more than 10 rolls per day.
You can make 150 taels in a year.
That's a lot. -150 taels.
Not bad.
Zhu Shao Jun.
You were paid 20 coins at most per day for spinning threads.
You made only 7 taels in a year.
If you operate the spinning machine...
...you can make over 100 taels in a year.
Do you want this job?
Yes! -You prideless fellow!
She's offering 100 taels per year!
But, they say that the machines will cut off our limbs!
Have you seen anyone losing his limb like that?
Everyone says so.
You need it to see with your own eyes to believe.
When the factory is rebuilt, we will have technicians to...
...teach you how to operate the machines.
If you see danger during the demonstration, you can quit.
Can I really make 100 taels per year?
For the reopening of the mechanical textile bureau...
...I need to hire at least 50 workers.
I have a contract here.
If you want the job, just sign the contract.
I guarantee an income of at least 5 taels per month.
If you don't want the job, collect 5 taels and leave.
Just take it as the compensation for your loom.
I'll sign the contract.
Zhang Zhang Tian, you're such a coward!
What are you doing? She's offering 100 taels per year!
You're a fool. I'll sign it as well.
Your protest made Madam Ying incur a loss of...
...180,000 taels.
180,000 taels. -That's a lot.
The court already ordered to...
...punish you all for the crime of riot.
The mastermind would be exiled...
...and the accomplices would be severely punished.
Yet, Madam Ying pled for you all as the victim.
That's why you all are acquitted.
Madam Ying.
I broke your machines. Please punish me.
Since you're repentant, there's no need to punish you.
No. I must be punished.
Master Qin, what are you doing? Hurry. Help him to get up.
This...
Madam Ying, please rest assured.
I'll surely do my best in the mechanical textile bureau!
Yes! We'll do our best too!
Sign it.
This is great. We can make 100 taels per year.
Wang De Gen!
Madam Ying, Wang De Gen is a stubborn man.
Leave him alone.
Yes. He was the one who instigated us to protest.
It's alright.
Once he sees that...
...you all are making more money than ever...
...he'll understand. -Da Shi Tou!
Da Shi Tou! Er Shi Tou! San Shi Tou! Xiao Shi Tou!
Da Shi Tou! -Father!
I've missed you all! -Father!
You're finally back. - Father, have you eaten?
Come in quickly. We're eating.
Alright. Let's go home. -Let's go.
Father, sit down. -Sit down, father.
Cui Hua, this...
What's going on?
When I was in the prison, I was so worried about...
...you all starving at home.
How come there's so much food at home?
Where did you get the money from?
Don't you feel ashamed at all?
You wrecked the factory of Wu Family of the east mansion...
...and hurt their people. But, they still worried about us...
...and sent us rice and flour.
Is this really from Wu Family of the east mansion?
Wang De Gen, do you have any conscience at all?
Wang De Gen wants to see me? - Yes. He came with his family.
Let him in.
Should I get Han San Chun to?
No.
Chun Xing, prepare some snacks. -Yes.
Cui Hua.
Kids, hurry. Kneel before Madam Ying.
Hurry.
Get up. Get up and talk.
Madam Ying. I... I'm sorry.
Get up and talk.
Madam Ying, I swear that...
...if anyone tries to harm the textile bureau again...
...I won't forgive him!
Hurry. Help them to get up. Stand up and talk.
Chun Xing. Come.
Have some snacks. -Kids, hurry.
Thank Madam Ying. -Come.
Madam Ying, thank you.
Come and take a look!
Does anyone need a rickshaw ride?
Darling, marry me please.
Please marry me.
Please.
Yes, I do. -Really? I love you!
Are you ready? -Yes.
Goodbye. -Goodbye.
Sorry.
Can I help you, sir?
Please.
Come and take a look!
Sir, do you want to send a telegram?
What's a telegram?
You can send a message to your family via electricity.
It will reach in an instant. -In an instant?
Yes. -Can it reach Jingyang, Shaanxi?
It can reach Xi'an. The receiver in Xi'an's office...
...will deliver it to Jingyang by horse.
Sir, do you want to try? -Sure.
Sir, please write your message here.
Please make it as concise as possible.
Alright. -Good.
'(We -.
I have arrived in Shanghai safely.
Telegram for Wu Family of the east mansion!
What? -A telegram from Shanghai!
Wipe that corner up there as well.
Be gentler with that thing. -Madam Zheng.
You dented it. -Madam Zheng.
A servant came to deliver this.
What is this?
It's probably a letter.
Telegraph China. From Shanghai.
To Zhou Ying of Wu Family of the east mansion.
Madam Ying.
Madam Ying, someone sent a tele-something to you...
...from Shanghai.
Madam Zheng wants you to go over. -Shanghai?
Alright.
Mother, did someone send me something from Shanghai?
It's called telegram or something.
What's a telegram? - It's probably a letter.
I heard that Shen Xing Yi is in Shanghai.
Is this from him?
I don't know. -Because of a small matter...
...his grandmother came to our place...
...and humiliated you. I felt so sad for you.
Who knows what his family will do next?
Mother, why don't you read for me...
...and tell me who the sender is?
I've been tired lately. My eyes are feeling weak.
Read it for me.
Alright.
I knew it's him.
I can't believe this fellow sent you a letter.
Is he bullying us because we have no man in this family?
He's completely shameless.
Shen Xing Yi?
Do you want to read it?
No.
Alright.
It's alright now.
If he dares to send another letter...
...we'll sue him for harassing you.
Shen Family can't explain themselves this time.
That's unnecessary. We just have to ignore him.
Mother, if that's all, I'll go back to my work.
Go.
Madam Ying.
You...
I collected it from the garbage pile.
Madam Ying.
I know Mr. Shen came to see you before he left.
That night, I heard your laughter.
You only laughed so happily when Young Master Pin was alive.
Chun Xing, take it away.
Madam Ying.
I entered this household at 8 years old.
I sewed the young master for 8 years.
Then, I sewed you for 6 years.
I know that you love Young Master Pin very much.
You can't forget about him.
But, I know the young master very well.
He won't want you to be his widow forever.
Chun Xing. -Madam Ying.
Even though I'm just an uneducated maid...
...and nowhere as capable as you...
...I agree with Mrs. Han.
You shouldn't live like this forever.
Ying, I have arrived in Shanghai safely.
This place is prosperous and busy.
It is full of things I have never seen or heard of.
Living in Jingyang is like being a frog in a well indeed.
I was ignorant of the world's vastness and wonders.
I know that you will surely rebuild the textile factory.
If you face any problem during the process...
...send me a telegram from Xi'an's telegraph office.
The message will reach Shanghai in an instant.
I will surely do my best to help you.
Be careful! Don't panic! Be gentle with the machines!
Carry them in! Be careful!
Be careful and gentle! -Help them out!
Hurry! Come out! -Hurry!
Come! -Please make way!
Make way! -Go in.
Be careful!
What's the matter? -Come and see this.
It's all in western language.
Previously, the company that sold us the western machines...
...sent technicians to assemble the machines.
Does anyone understand this?
It's western language. I don't understand.
I don't understand. -What about you all?
But, these are second-hand machines.
We don't know where to find the technicians.
I'll ask Mr. Zhao to contact the company that sells them...
...and request for technicians. - That's a waste of time.
But, we've no idea how to assemble these components.
I know someone who understands the manual.
This manual is in English. I can translate it for you.
But, I don't know anything about mechanics.
So, I can't help you to assemble the machines.
It's alright. We have skillful workers here.
If you translate this manual for them...
...I believe they can assemble the machines.
Very good.
Zhu, please come here. -Me?
Madam Ying called you. Go.
No. -Go.
What's wrong?
Zhu, Madam Ying called you. Didn't you hear her? Go over.
Yes, go. -He's a westerner.
It's alright. -What are you afraid of?
Madam Ying talks to the westerner too. Go over quickly.
You don't understand. Madam Ying is a woman.
Awoman's Yin energy can subdue a westerner.
We're not the same.
It's alright. Come here.
Go. -Madam Ying.
Please ask someone else.
Xiao San Zi, come. -Me?
I can't do it.
Madam Ying! Westerners can suck our souls!
I'm not going to stay here.
Hello. -Hello.
Look. I'm perfectly fine. My soul is intact as well.
It's alright. Come on. Come here.
You. -I can't.
You. Come here.
What about you? -I can't do this.
Mr. Zhao.
Mr. Zhao, come.
If you don't believe me, you can believe Mr. Zhao, right?
He's an important official. Look.
Mr. Zhao is holding the westernefis hand.
He's fine. His soul is intact too.
Mr. Zhao lost his soul!
Mr. Zhao.
Nice to meet you, sir.
It is my honour.
Look. -See?
Mr. Zhao demonstrated it personally. Don't be afraid.
It's alright. Come. -Come here.
Come here, everyone. -Come.
Come.
I'm alright. -Don't worry.
I'm alright. -It's true.
It's really alright. -It's true.
Alright. -I'm alright.
This is the instruction manual for these machines.
I'll read it out and you'll assemble it.
I'll translate this for you all. -Is this alright?
That's the best. Let's get familiar with...
...the machines alongside Mr. Joseph. Come over.
Go.
Let's get familiar with every machine.
Please look at this.
Mr. Zhao, if Joseph and these workers...
...work well together...
...we only need 10 days to assemble all these machines.
Good. -Also...
...we need the technicians to come again...
...to train the workers. Mr. Zhao. -I know.
I've some work to do. I need to go.
There's this box too.
Yes.
Did you see it? Madam Ying held the westernefis hand.
Isn't this unacceptable? -Madam Ying...
...held the westerner's hand? This is unacceptable.
What are you all saying?
Mr. Zhao. -I didn't say anything.
Let's go.
Convey my order. If anyone dares to...
...talk behind Madam Ying's back...
...he or she will be executed! -Yes!
Mother, I heard you called me.
Ms. Yi. -Ms. Yi.
What's going on?
I made some new clothes for you. -That's great.
Come and try them on.
Isn't it pretty?
It's pretty.
This fur vest must be matched with this jade.
Is the colour too bright?
It's a celebration. The brighter, the better.
We have these too.
Look. These are all premium goods.
What celebration? - Sister, don't you know?
Your wedding date has been decided.
These are all your dowries.
Your father and I betrothed you to...
...Leng Family's son.
Who says I want to get married? I'm not getting married!
Wu Yi! -Ms. Yi!
She's so immature. -Calm down, mother.
Young girls are all prideful like her.
Where did you go yesterday? -My mother was sick. I went home.
The two of you.
Remove that bird nest.
Bird nest?
Sister Qian Hong, we don't mind removing that bird nest for you.
But, you need to sing us a song. -Yes.
Do you know? Back in the brothel...
...I would charge at least 8,000 taels for a song.
Don't you think you're asking for too much?
Sister Qian Hong, please sing for us.
Do you want me to tell my husband?
It was Mr. Han who said that...
...your singing voice makes his bones go soft.
That's why we're curious. -Yes.
He sure has some guts to tell others.
I'll break his bones later.
Sister Qian Hong, you're so cruel.
I'm not cruel.
But, I'm violent! Go and get it done at once!
Alright. -But, shouldn't you...
...reward us with something? -Yes, reward us.
Sure. I'll reward you with a kick.
Go! The two of you... -Stop! I'll go!
You don't obey me? Stop right there!
Stop right there! You...
Ms. Yi. -Ms. Yi. Let's go.
Ms. Wu Yi.
Would the words I just said...
...dirty your eats?
Do you want to wash your ears?
Ms. Yi, if you need to pass by again...
...please tell me in advance, so that I can stay away.
I'm not passing by.
What?
I'm here to see you.
Me?
I need your help.
I'm too flattered.
I'm serious.
You're the only one who can help me.
I have...
...nothing to do with you. Why should I help you?
I beg of you. -No.
I beg of you.
Alright. Call me "sister".
I'll help you if you're my sister.
What's wrong?
Even Zhou Ying calls me "sister".
This isn't that unfair to you, right?
But...
But, you despise me? -No!
Don't waste my time. I'm too busy to play with you.
Sister!
Good girl.