Episode 49
Your father held a banquet for you.
Why are you drinking here instead of entertaining guests?
Are you really so indifferent to fame and fortune?
I only passed the provincial level exam.
What is there to be happy about?
Every beginning is difficult. You have made your first step.
You can congratulate me if I pass the conference exam.
Come.
Go back.
Am I not needed here? -Yes.
It'll be dark soon. -Don't worry.
Brother Ze will take me back. -Alright.
You're not indifferent to fame and fortune.
You're just after something bigger.
You got it right.
People feel discouraged each time they fail.
But, I feel motivated each time I fail.
Come.
Brother Ze.
Sister Yi. -I knew you're hiding here.
Mr. Zhao. -Ms. Wu.
Sister Yi.
Are you here to deliver cuisines to me again?
Yes. I need to congratulate you too.
Look what I prepared for you. -Alright.
Let me see what my sister cooked for me.
This is cold noodle.
This is braised beef in soybean paste.
Look.
There's more. -There's more?
Come. -Your favourite...
"steamed vegetarian fish.
You know me well. -There's another.
There's another?
Fermented rice in dry pot.
Look. My sister will make such a good wife.
Also...
...I brought a jar of the wine I brewed myself.
What? You know how to brew wine?
My sister and mother brew a jar of plum wine every year.
I must taste this.
Sister Yi, don't go. Sit down and drink with us.
Sure. It's too noisy outside. I don't feel like going back.
Sit down.
Come. Taste the wine.
Cheers.
Bai Shi, if I passed the exam...
...in one attempt like you...
...I would not hide myself. I would definitely go out...
...and accept their congratulatory wishes.
One should enjoy one's success to the fullest.
But, I can't.
Because it took me too much effort...
...to pass this provincial level exam.
I need to forcibly restrain.
I need to restrain myself.
Because I don't want others to see me as...
...a conceited person.
Wu Ze, life is brief. You must celebrate your success.
Next year...
When I pass the conference exam next year...
...I will surely let myself loose.
Let yourself loose?
If I can let myself loose...
...I would not be feeling so troubled today.
Come.
Mother. -Zhou Ying.
How many years have we been living together?
I've never counted. -Me neither.
Time flies. -Yes.
I used to treat you as my daughter-on-law.
So, when you made that oath in the family temple...
...I felt glad and secure.
But now, I see you as my own daughter...
...and I feel like I shouldn't confine you forever.
Mother, why are you suddenly bringing this up?
My daughter, if you manage to find a good man...
...don't worry about Wu Pin anymore.
But, he must be a good person.
If it's someone like Shen Xing Yi...
...I won't feel assured.
Sister Zheng.
Madam Ying.
This place is too stuffy. I'd like to go out for a walk.
I'd like to be alone. Don't follow me.
The moon is round again.
But, you never came back.
The flowers have blossomed.
When will you come back?
Ms. Wu.
What's wrong?
You... You don't remember anything?
Cheers.
I... I got drunk.
Did I do anything rude to you?
Ms. Wu!
Ms. Wu.
Ms. Wu!
Wu Ze!
Wu Ze! You...
Wu Ze, did we get drunk?
Do you remember what I did after that?
You said to let yourself loose.
This is the testimony from Shopkeeper Tong of...
...Wu Family's pharmacy back then.
It is stated clearly that...
...it was Wu Wei Wen who came up with the idea of...
musing rosin to replace dragon's blood.
Your father must have followed his instructions...
...in order to avoid offending him.
Clearly, it was Wu Family of the east mansion...
...that got my father into trouble.
There's another matter.
Not long ago, Zhao Bai Shi sent...
...a memorial to the Council of State...
...to apply for a review of the case of the military supply.
He claimed that Wu Wei Wen was wronged...
...and hinted that the real culprit...
...was your father.
What?
Maybe because he felt guilty...
...he secretly retracted the memorial...
...not long after he submitted it.
It's been years since my father's death.
Yet, they still won't spare him.
It's exactly because your father is dead that...
...they can freely accuse him now.
Come!
Bring medicine and gauze.
I was so stupid.
What's the matter?
I can't believe I promised her to...
...sell her cloth for her.
What?
Do you know why Zhou Ying is...
...so supportive of Zhao Bai Shi's idea of...
...building the mechanical textile bureau?
It's because she wants to clear Wu Wei Wen's name.
In this case, I'll make sure that...
...she can't even sell a roll of cloth!
Judging from their zodiacs...
...these two are a match made in heaven.
I've checked their birth profiles as well.
They are extremely compatible.
They are a pair of blessed lovebirds.
Really? -Mr. Wu.
I've been a matchmaker for so many years.
But, I've never seen a couple this compatible.
As for Mr. Zha0's character...
...your son is his classmate and best friend...
...and you should know better. -You're right.
My son, Wu Ze, often mentions Bai Shi...
...and praises him.
So, why are you hesitating?
Uncle Wu, there's something I must inform you beforehand.
Even though I'm an official, due to poor wealth management...
...I'm not wealthy.
But, if Wu Yi marries me, I will surely respect her.
I won't be unfair to her. -Good.
Bai Shi, you are our provincial governor.
We are the ones not good enough for you.
You came to propose personally today...
...and this shows your sincerity.
But...
Alright. I agree to betroth my daughter to you.
Congratulations, Mr. Wu! Congratulations, Mr. Zhao!
Ms. Y“!
What's the matter? -I've a good news for you!
What good news? -Mr. Zhao just came...
...with a matchmaker and asked for your hand in marriage!
What did my father say? - What else could he say?
Of course he agreed!
He finally came. -As soon as Mr. Zhao left...
...master sent someone to Leng Family to cancel the wedding.
He came to propose? -Yes.
He asked for my hand in marriage? -Yes!
Yang Jin Lin agreed to lower the price.
The condition is that we must sell...
...500,000 rolls of cloth within a year.
Gu Yue Western Textile sells around 300,000 rolls in a year.
If the price is lowered...
...500,000 rolls shouldn't be a problem.
As far as I know, the mechanical textile bureau...
...can only produce 300,000 rolls in a year.
If you sell all 500,000 rolls...
...no one will buy their western textiles.
That's what I want.
What's your plan for the pricing?
Let's take gray goods for example. I think...
...Zhou Ying's cost is around 3 taels.
I'll have Yang Jin Lin lower his price to 3 taels.
I'll fix my price at 3 taels as well.
To beat you, Zhou Ying must sell her cloth...
...at a price lower than 3 taels.
She'll have to make a loss.
If they can't sell the cloth...
...produced by their textile factory...
...there'll be no return on their 300,000 taels of investment.
Ultimately...
...they will make a loss.
But, what if they choose to lower the price?
I can further lower my price.
She sold all her assets and properties...
...in order to build the textile factory.
She won't be able to beat me.
Ms. Yong Mei, don't forget that...
...Yang Jin Lin demands us to pay a caution money of...
...1 million taels first.
He'll only refund the caution money...
...if we sell all 500,000 rolls of cloth.
He won't refund us even if we sell one roll less.
Don't worry.
If the textile factory can't sell the cloth...
...for 3 months in a row...
...the prince can impeach Zhao Bai Shi...
...and once Zhao Bai Shi falls...
...the textile factory will have to close down.
By then, I'll monopolise the business.
I'll have the final say in pricing.
Ms. Yong Mei, we need 1 million taels.
We don't have so much cash.
I'll use our textile shop as collateral.
If this isn't enough, I'll pawn all the lands my father bought.
You're very determined.
You're indeed Hu Zhi Cun's daughter.
She's just a street performer.
She's no match for me at all.
Ms. Yi, you're so pretty.
Ms. Yi isn't just pretty. She's fair and rosy as well.
Sister Yi.
You're too pretty. Let me see.
Sister Yi, I can't be around when you leave home later.
So, I came early to congratulate you.
Thank you, Sister Ying.
Mr. Zhao is really a man of his word.
He really waited until the factory started operating...
...to consider marriage.
Fortunately, we rebuilt the factory quickly enough.
It's about time. I need to go. Qian Hong will keep you company.
Goodbye, Sister Ying.
Come here.
Tell me. How come Mr. Zhao suddenly proposed to you?
Do you need to ask?
You used that trick I taught you?
I told you so. This is the best method...
...if it's a man like Zhao Bai Shi.
Sister Qian Hong, you must keep this secret for me.
Rest assured. I am very good at...
...keeping secrets.
The groom has arrived!
He's coming.
Congratulations, Mr. Zhao! - Congratulations, Mr. Zhao!
Congratulations, Mr. Zhao. - Congratulations, Mr. Zhao.
Congratulations, Mr. Zhao.
The bride should be departing by now.
What are you laughing at?
I recalled the day you married the young master.
You were so rash and impulsive.
You suddenly came out and shouted like a man.
"I can be the replacement!" Then, you went into the palanquin.
Everyone was stunned.
I was still dumbfounded...
...when you all proceeded with the ceremony.
Do you know what I was thinking about?
The young master.
I was wondering...
...why I wasn't fed after the wedding ceremony.
I was starving.
It was a mess after that.
I only brought you food after...
...the young master regained consciousness.
It must be my growling stomach...
...that woke Wu Pin up.
But now...
...I can't wake him up anymore.
The young master can never wake up again.
Chun Xing.
One day, mother suddenly told me that...
...if I manage to find a good man...
...I don't have to stay widowed.
Madam Zheng really said that?
Since she said so, what do you think?
I don't know yet.
The business of the textile factory...
...is better than I thought.
Our other businesses are constantly getting better too.
Perhaps...
...it's time I leave. - Where do you want to go to?
I want to go Shanghai.
Just go. Go if you want to go.
Can I leave?
You've restored the wealth of Wu Family of the east mansion.
You've done enough for the master and young master.
Mr. Shen loves you so much.
He waited so many years for you. Why are you still hesitating?
I'm afraid.
What if things don't meet my expectation...
...when I meet him?
Madam Ying, you were so fearless...
...when you entered this household.
Why are you so cowardly now?
I was so young back then. - But, you are still you.
Alright. I'll think about it.
Congratulations, Mr. Zhao. Let's have a toast.
Congratulations. -Let's have another toast.
Enjoy yourselves. -Alright.
Let's drink with the groom too. Let's sit down.
Please enjoy yourselves. - A toast to the groom.
You are my brother-in-law now.
We need to drink 3 cups of wine together.
Here's the first cup.
Where's Madam Ying?
Madam Ying? Zhou Ying?
Zhou Ying is a widow. She can't appear in such occasion.
Come. Here's the second cup.
I'll wear this material and colour and go to the brothel.
Up until yesterday, we only sold 23 rolls?
Yes.
I thought Hu Yong Mei ordered 10,000 rolls from us.
Why didn't you deliver to her?
We did. But, she returned them all.
She returned them all? Why?
3 days ago, Gu Yue Western Textile...
...lowered their prices by 50%.
All agents in Jingyang and the entire northwest...
...flocked to Gu Yue Western Textile overnight.
50%? -That's 20% lower than our price.
So, no agent came to our shop.
Why is she doing this? -I think...
...she's trying to make us go bankrupt.
But, working with us will make her earn more...
...compared to making us go bankrupt.
What's wrong with her?
This happened because of me?
It's alright. It's just a leg.
Ms. Yong Mei.
Ms. Yong Mei, the young mistress of...
...Wu Family of the east mansion came.
I'm not meeting her.
I'm sorry, Madam Ying.
Ms. Yong Mei is away.
Alright. I'll come again. -Alright.
What are you doing? -Help!
Stop her! Don't let her in!
What are you doing? -You can't go in!
Help! What do you want? -Ms. Yong Mei.
I need to ask you a few questions personally.
I've nothing to say to you! Get lost!
I thought we made an agreement prior to this.
Why did you go back on your word?
You killed my father. Why should I keep my promise?
I told you that there must be another reason...
...behind your father's death.
Listen. I went all out and lowered my price by 50%...
...only for one objective. I want you to see despair!
How will my despair benefit you?
My lifetime wish is to see you...
...penniless and helpless!
Madam Ying, forgive me for being blunt.
Why don't we lower our price as well?
If our price is lower...
...those agents will definitely come back...
...unless they are all fools.
But, her selling price is my cost.
If I offer a lower price, I'll have to make a loss.
So be it. I'm sure she's making a loss as well.
Mr. Han, I'll be frank with you.
I'm completely broke now.
I can't afford to make any loss.
I'm afraid I'll be completely defeated this time.
So what? If that happens...
...we can continue to explore this world together.
The warehouse of the textile factory is full.
The workers are saying that...
...they can't sell the western textiles...
...and that they might not receive their salary as scheduled.
If the textile factory doesn't make any revenue...
...for 3 months in a row...
...the prince can submit a memorial.
Submit a memorial!
Sister Ying!
The two of you came to me together so early in the morning.
What's so important?
Mr. Han. Mrs. Han.
It's just a small matter.
Madam Ying, don't we own 20% of the shares of...
...all your businesses?
Yes.
Qian Hong and I decided to donate all...
...for others to buy.
Sister Ying, use the money we raise...
...to compete against Hu Yong Mei. We'll surely win.
Mr. Han, thank you.
Thank you. -Don't thank me.
Chun Xing!
Bring me the box I asked you to keep for me!
Wait. Forget it. -Uncle Si.
Keep it for me. -Here you go.
Father, this box isn't yours, right?
Why isn't it mine? -So, where did you take it from?
It doesn't belong to Wu Family anyway.
Who is the rightful owner then?
Hu Yong Mei?
You stole it yesterday? -It laid there in front of me.
Return it.
I touched it and it is mine now. Why should I return it?
I'll help you to return it. -No.
Give it to me.
It's a letter. But, I can't read.
Is it a letter Ms. Hu wrote to her lover?
Madam Ying, I saw this letter before.
It was Niu Shou Wa's senior who delivered this to us.
The letter states that Wu Family of the east mansion...
...is the richest merchant in Jingyang...
...and indicates your whereabouts.
That's why I made a trip to Jingyang back then.
But, after Niu Shou Wa died...
...Mr. Zhao tried to find this letter...
...and couldn't find it at all.
Why was this letter with Hu Yong Mei?
I don't know.
Madam Ying, I think...
...Hu Yong Mei wrote this letter.
What makes you say so?
Hu Yong Mei is a lady from a wealthy family.
How did she get involved with Niu Shou Wa?
I don't know.
According to Han San Chun...
...Niu Shou Wa colluded with local officials...
...through his senior.
I haven't been able to find this senior of Niu Shou Wa.
Perhaps, I can find some clues through Hu Yong Mei.
Perhaps, that will also explain...
...why this long lost letter was returned to Hu Yong Mei.
This case definitely involves important figures.
I must be cautious. -You must be careful as well.
Keep this matter to yourself.
Also, it's been some time since the operation of...
...the textile factory began.
Yet, we're not making any return yet. I heard...
...Gu Yue Western Textile is competing aggressively...
...and having the upper hand now.
Mr. Zhao, I've come up with a solution.
You'll see the result in a month's time.
Alright. I'll be waiting for your good news.
Since she started it...
...I don't have to hold back.
Zhou Ying, what are you doing?
Nothing in particular. I haven't talked like this...
...for a long time.
You scared us.
What do you plan to do?
Wang Shi Jun, categorise all our western textiles...
...into three grades.
Top grade cloth is cloth that far exceeds...
...the quality Hu Yong Mei offers.
We'll maintain our original prices.
Premium cloth is cloth with slightly superior quality.
Our prices will be the same as Gu Yue Western Textile's prices.
Cloth of the same quality as theirs...
...shall be 5 cents cheaper than theirs.
Good. This way, the agents will turn to us.
If an agent who signed a contract with them...
...decides to buy from us instead...
...we'll bear the cost of their loss of deposit.
I've a suggestion. Instead of paying cash for their loss...
...we'll pay with goods. - Good. That's a good idea.
Also...
...if the volume they buy from us this year...
...exceeds the volume they bought...
...from Gu Yue Western Textile last year...
...we'll give them a rebate.
As for the actual amount of rebate, Xiao Jiang...
...determine it within today.
How about a rebate in the form of...
mdeduction in next year's order?
If that's the case, we can offer a higher rebate.
Alright. -Xiao Wu, go to Jiangzhe...
...and purchase the latest fashion designs.
Whoever orders more than 5 rolls of our cloth...
...will be given a set of the latest fashion designs.
Alright. I understand. -Er Hu.
If a customer orders more than 1,000 rolls...
...we'll offer free delivery regardless of the distance.
Contact the security companies immediately.
Alright. I'll go at once.
As for the retail agents, I'd like to sell them vouchers.
The vouchers will cost 1 tael each.
But, they are worth 2 taels each at our shop.
That's like giving them a 50% discount.
But, they can only use one voucher for each roll of cloth.
The vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash.
That means, it's just a 20-30% discount.
With all these offers...
...those agents will surely leave them for us.