Nothing Gold Can Stay
Episode 55
Luckily, it's just a scare.
No, this is a blessing in disguise.
We're saved. -Madam Ying is so blessed.
We have tea to sell now. -Yes.
Our new tea is so aromatic and beautiful.
Yes. -Sister Qian Hong.
Come.
Why did you have to shout?
You're not acting like a young mistress at all.
I need your help. -What's the matter?
I gathered all maids of the east mansion.
Please teach them how to groom up...
...speak and prepare tea.
You want to open a brothel? - What are you thinking?
If I really want one, I wouldn't have to wait until now.
You scared me. Why do you want me to teach them?
I need them to prepare tea for the customers at Yu Long Quan.
In order to sell the tea, they need to...
...look good. -This is my specialty.
Let's go. -Let's go.
Why are we gathered here? -I've no idea.
She even told us to wear our prettiest dresses.
Is she planning to help us to find husbands?
You're desperate to get married.
She's here! Your teacher's here!
Stand properly. Behave.
Your teacher's here.
Normally, you all work at home.
From tomorrow onwards, you all will help out in Yu Long Quan.
You can't speak or act like usual out there.
So, I specially invited Mrs. Han to teach you all.
Alright. Show me how you walk.
Sure. Follow me.
What's wrong?
Don't just shake your head. You need to teach us.
Alright. Let me demonstrate.
That won't do. -I know you can't.
This is how I make all men fall for me.
We're going to sell tea.
We need to express the elegance of tea.
Pure and refreshing.
I get it. That means being graceful.
Yes. -This is my specialty.
Alright. Let's do it again.
Stand straight.
To the left.
To the left. To the right. -This...
Can you make it a little more refreshing?
A little more refreshing? Alright.
Come. Watch. Stand Straight.
To the left. To the right. -This one is good.
Will this do? Follow me. Hurry.
Follow her.
Alright. Proceed without me.
Good.
Lift your head. Don't be so stiff.
Yes. Move forward. Don't shake.
Relax. Yes. Move forward.
Your clothes are too ugly. Remember to change them.
I... These are all our new clothes.
Mine is new too. I just had it tailored last year.
They are all too old-fashioned. Change them all.
Alright. I'll tell Housekeeper Wang to...
...buy a set of new clothes for each of you.
Mrs. Han will decide on the colours and designs.
Sure.
You too. You need to change your clothes.
Alright. I'll do as you say.
Mrs. Han, what kind of clothes will you make for us?
By the way, what's the name of your tea?
It's called...
I'll call it Golden Flower Dark Tea.
Golden Flower Dark Tea. Alright.
Continue. Yes.
Straighten up. Correct.
Madam Ying, you look so good. -Yours is pretty too.
Really? -The colour is really good.
Come. Take this.
Use this tonight. You all must look pretty tomorrow.
Come here. -It smells so good.
What do you think?
Golden Flower Dark Tea is reddish yellow in colour.
So, I chose the elegant colours of autumn.
Since the tea's name is Golden Flower Dark Tea...
...I decorated your collar, sleeves...
...and cardigan with golden flowers...
...to match the name of the tea.
It's really too pretty.
Yes. Too pretty.
I'm talking about the clothes. - I'm talking about you.
Look at you. You're young and pretty.
Can you bear to let this woman stay widowed forever?
Sister Qian Hong, teach us how to boil tea.
I know how to boil tea.
You need to prepare tea in a graceful way.
You still need to learn from Mrs. Han.
Come here, all of you.
Learn the an of tea. -Come.
Alright.
My dear.
My dear. -What are you doing?
Don't you love "Love for Lotus" by Zhou Dun Yi?
I went out today and bought some lotus flowers for you.
How come you know?
I heard you reciting it a few times.
“Its scent turns ever purer the farther it travels“
"It quietly holds its upright stance."
"It can only be admired from afar...
...not to be sullied or debased."
I appreciate that.
My dear, can I stay by your side while you read?
Sure.
My brother will leave for the capital next month.
Let's have a farewell meal with him.
Sure.
My dear.
Do you still remember this robe?
That day, after you saved me from Han San Chun...
...you put this robe over my shoulder.
At that time, this robe...
...was still carrying your warmth and presence.
Then, I took it home and hung it on my bed.
I looked at it and touched it every day.
When I get to the capital, I will urge for a revolution.
Change is the only constant in this world.
Only a revolution can eliminate longstanding problems...
...and make Qing Dynasty better.
What do you suggest then?
In my opinion...
...we should abolish all the old and outdated rules...
...to make way for new absolute policies...
...all aristocrats and civilians must follow.
Doesn't that mean...
...disregarding the traditional values from our sages?
This will cause a huge mess.
The country is already in a messy state.
Officials are corrupted and the people are suffering.
We are facing a serious moral degeneration.
Can it be any worse?
So, I assert that at a time like this...
...we should change everything and start anew.
Teacher Liu, what is your opinion on Wu Ze's assertion?
I think being too radical will only lead to a failure.
Xiao San Zi, why are you standing here...
...instead of helping out in the kitchen?
That's all I have. If you don't sign now...
...the price might rise again.
Shopkeeper Xie.
Mr. Bu.
I surrender.
I've nothing more to say. Alright.
Let's sign a contract as you suggested 2 days ago.
A 5 years contract?
Do I have another choice? -Alright.
Mr. Bu, look.
So many customers are queuing outside...
...to collect their goods.
If you want to sign a contract...
...please go out and line up with them.
What? I'm a big customer.
I'm buying 5,000 boxes and you want me to line up?
We have our own rules.
We treat all customers fairly.
Both families sell tea. Why are you all so different...
...compared to Wu Family's Madam Ying?
Buy from her if you think she's better.
Unfortunately, that widow gave you an empty promise.
She can't even sell you a piece of brick tea.
Fine.
We'll line up.
What's the meaning of this? - Our shopkeeper is tired.
He's taking a lunch break.
Come back at 1 p.m.
- Don't close the door!
Don't close the door!
He's torturing us on purpose.
'(u Long Quan has new ma'.!
'(u Long Quan has new ma.
But, I thought their tea fell into the river.
We wouldn't be bullied here if their tea didn't get soaked.
Right. -I thought they've no tea to sell.
Come with me and you will know.
At a time like this?
Follow him! -Follow him!
Let's go and check out their new tea.
Gentlemen, come here quickly...
...and taste Yu Long Quan's latest Golden Flower Dark Tea.
Come and taste it. -Come and check out...
...Yu Long Quan's latest Golden Flower Dark Tea!
Try it. -Try our Golden Flower Dark Tea.
Come and check out...
...Yu Long Quan's Golden Flower Dark Tea!
Come and try our new tea.
The Golden Flower Dark Tea. - Try it. What do you think?
Check out Yu Long Quan's latest Golden Flower Dark Tea!
This is Golden Flower Dark Tea. -Try it.
Come. Try it here.
Please make way.
The taste is rich, right? -Not bad.
Golden Flower Dark Tea! -Excuse me.
Madam Ying.
Mr. Bu. -You look so pretty today.
I heard you have tea to offer now. -Yes.
But, this isn't the same old dark tea.
It's a new type of tea.
Is it Jingyang's dark tea? -Yes.
Try it first. Here you go.
The colour is brighter than the old dark tea of Jingyang.
It's red yet clear.
It's refreshing, fine, rich and smooth.
This is good tea.
Madam Ying, this tea seems to be much better than...
...the old dark tea.
This is Yu Long Quan's latest tea.
It's called the Golden Flower Dark Tea.
What is this? -This is the golden flower.
It has the scent of long yellow day lily.
Madam Ying, what's the price for a box of this tea?
The same as the old dark tea. -What?
Madam Ying, we'll still take 5,000 boxes.
But, this dark tea is different from the old dark tea.
I'm afraid you'll need to put some effort into marketing it.
Don't worry. It tastes so good. I'm sure...
...I can easily sell it all. -It's different.
But, it's good tea. -Come and try it.
Shopkeeper Xie, should I open the door?
Wait a little longer. - It's already 1 p.m.
Weeks ago, I begged them to not sign a contract with Wu Family.
But, they humiliated me.
Today, I'll make them pay.
Let them wait a little longer outside.
Alright.
Shopkeeper Xie, no one seems to be waiting outside.
That's impossible. -It's true.
It's completely quiet.
Open the door.
Come and try our tea.
Come and try our Golden Flower Dark Tea.
Come here. This way.
This way.
Brother Buhe, you can rest assured.
I will make sure that the tea is ready before the 13th.
You can depart on the 15th.
Alright. I'll be counting on you.
Shopkeeper Yan, didn't we sign a 5 years contract?
I'd like to extend it to 10 years.
Thank you, Brother Buhe. -Also...
...when I go back, I'll promote Yu Long Quan...
...to the nearby tribes.
I'll tell them that only fools buy from Shen Family Tea Company.
Thank you. -Alright. Goodbye.
Goodbye. See you.
This is impossible.
Even if Wu Family repurchased from Hubei...
...they can't possibly receive the tea so quickly.
Master, it's true.
Wu Family is selling their Golden Flower Dark Tea.
The agents all went back to them.
What is this Golden Flower Dark Tea?
I've no idea either.
According to those who have tried it...
...that tea is richer and less bitter than our dark tea.
What about Buhe? -Forget about him.
He was the one who led everyone to Wu Family's tea shop.
Master, what should we do next?
Now, we can only ask for Mr. Du's help.
The customers called you all "Six Beauties of Wu Family"...
...and said that for this service alone...
...they will only buy from Yu Long Quan.
But, some say that you all are...
...seducing customers. I hope you don't get angry.
I'm happy to be able to sell the tea leaves...
...for Madam Ying. Why would I be angry?
Chun Xing.
You've never look any prettier than today.
Yes. This is the first time I groom up like this.
Maybe a rich young man has taken a liking to you...
...and is preparing to come and propose to you.
Fu Lai, if you spout nonsense again...
...I'll tear your mouth. -You can.
Mr. Shen.
Come. Sit down.
Mr. Shen, you came at the right time.
I just received a letter from the prince.
He wants us to set up a bank.
Mr. Du, it's not easy to open a bank.
Don't worry. I've come up with a plan.
Long Sheng He will be responsible for...
...applying for a license and finding customers.
You'll be responsible for the capital. 70% of the profits...
...will still go to you.
How much of capital do we need?
We need at least 2 million taels first.
2 million taels? -What's the matter?
Mr. Du, to be frank...
...Shen Family is broke.
I came today in order to seek help from you.
Mr. Shen, please don't joke with me.
Mr. Du, you can see for yourself.
Shen Family Tea Company...
...hasn't been profiting for half a year...
"because of Yu Long Quan by Wu Family.
We have unsold brick tea worth hundreds of thousands taels.
In the herb business, Wu Family's Sheng Long Quan...
moccupies 60% of the market share...
...while Shen Family occupies 10%. But, in our warehouse...
...we have unsold goods worth hundreds of thousands taels.
In fur and leather business, Wu Family occupies 50% while...
...Shen Family occupies 20% at most.
We also have unsold goods worth hundreds of thousands taels.
What about Xingyue Trading Company?
It's over here. Look.
Wait.
When it was managed by Young Master Xing Yi...
...it made 300,000 taels in just a few months.
Frankly...
...the biggest customer of Xingyue Trading has been...
...stolen by the widow of Wu Family of the east mansion.
They even signed a 10 years contract with her.
I put in a lot of effort...
...to make the meagre profit you see now.
Mr. Du, even if you kill me now...
...I can't fork out 2 million taels.
Mr. Du.
If you still don't take action, in a year's time...
...Shen Family will go bankrupt.
By then, you'll have to look for a new business partner.
You mean...
...you can still hold it up for a year?
That widow won't live past a year from now.
Alright. Gather a few merchants and write a letter of complaint.
As for the content...
Hurry.
Shopkeeper of De Xin Quan in Chengdu, Li Hong Ping!
Shopkeeper of De Xin Quan, Li Hong Ping!
Madam Ying. Master Wei Wu. Master Wei Quan.
This is the account book of De Xin Quan for this year.
Shopkeeper Li.
Open the box.
Madam Ying, this is the profit from this year's business.
The total amount is 4,234 taels.
Li Hong Ping, you did a good job this year.
Keep up the good work. - Thank you for the hard work.
Shopkeeper of Yu Long Quan in Lanzhou, Yang Lin Qing!
Shopkeeper of Yu Long Quan, Yang Lin Qing!
Madam Ying. Master Wei Wu. Master Wei Quan.
Business is too good this year.
Look at the account book.
It's much thicker than the previous years.
Shopkeeper Yang.
Come. Open the box.
That's a lot.
It's all thanks to the Golden Flower Dark Tea.
It'll be even better next year.
Next year, we'll make 4 boxes of gold leaves.
Alright. We'll be counting on you next year.
Thank you, Madam Ying.
Shopkeeper of Heng Chang Quan in Guangzhou, Gao Bao Lu!
Shopkeeper of Heng Chang Quan, Gao Bao Lu!
Madam Ying. Master Wei Wu. Master Wei Quan.
Bao Lu, how come you came empty-handed?
Is our profit zero this year?
Master Wei Quan, don't worry. It's here.
You brought banknotes.
Guangdong is the farthest.
Cash will attract bandits.
Right. -Shopkeeper Gao, thank you.
You must enjoy yourself tonight.
I will. Madam Ying. Uncle Wei Quan.
Shopkeeper of Feng Ju Quan in Wuhuan!
Coming!
Lend us a hand here! - Prepare the serve the food!
Dear shopkeepers, please come in.
This way. -Serve wine.
Yes. -This way.
Where do all stay? -This way.
Let's sit here. -Please have a seat.
Have a seat. -Sit here.
Dear shopkeepers, please sit here.
After you. -The dishes look so sumptuous.
Please enjoy. -Look. They made a phoenix.
It's so pretty.
Shopkeeper Yang. Shopkeeper Gao.
This is the main table for our important guests.
Please move to that table over there.
Let's go. -Thank you. Come with me.
Dear shopkeepers, please come in.
Please have a seat.
I'm sorry.
This is another table for our important guests.
Please move to another table.
Aren't we important guests? -Yes.
We earned most money for Wu Family this year.
Isn't this a banquet for us? Why aren't we the stars today?
I'm sorry.
I'll be troubling you all.
Please. -Thank you.
Please have a seat.
Sit down.
Housekeeper Wang, where is Madam Ying?
Madam Ying is welcoming our important guests at the door.
Who are these important guests? - You all will know later.
They must be officials. We worked so hard for a year.
But, our employer doesn't value us at all.
By the way, did Madam Ying say anything...
...when you turned in the account book today?
No. She merely nodded.
She didn't say anything to me too.
Only Master Wei Wu and Master Wei Quan thanked me.
We're not just shopkeepers. We're shareholders as well.
Yet, Madam Ying doesn't even bother to talk to us.
Even though Madam Ying is an amazing businesswomam...
...she's not good at taking care of her employees.
The important guests have arrived!
Mother?
Mother! -Look at my silly son.
Look at my silly son.
Mother, why are you here?
Madam Ying sent a palanquin to bring me over.
She said I'm her important guest tonight.
Mother.
Father. Mother. -Father. Mother.
My son, get up at once.
Get up. -My son.
Father. Mother. -Father. Mother.
Mother. -I'm so surprised.
Dear parents of the shopkeepers, please be seated!
Dear shopkeepers and employees, please be seated!
This is the first time after so many years...
...my employer treats my parents to a banquet!
The important guests turned out to be our parents!
Mother, come. -Sit down.
Thank you, Madam Ying. -Sit down.
Master Wei Wu, this way. - Master Wei Quan, this way.
Please be seated. - Alright. Please be seated.
Assist them. -This way.
Wang Shi Jun, help me to get a table.
Please keep quiet. Madam Ying has something to say.
Dear shopkeepers and employees of Wu Family!
Let's first have a toast...
...to our ancestors on this land!
Let's thank our ancestors...
...for granting us our hardworking spirit...
...and our progressive nature...
...that allowed us to...
...make lots of money over the past 12 months!
May our ancestors continue to watch over us...
...and let us continue to make big money next year!
Good!
May all go well! -Cheers!
Next, let's have a toast...
...to pay our respect to the fathers and mothers.
The shopkeepers work hard outside...
...for Wu Family's businesses.
They can't take care of their parents at home.
I feel very grateful...
...and guilty at the same time.
Dear parents of our shopkeepers...
...it's been hard on you all over the past 12 months.
Thank you, father and mother!
I left home when I was still a child.
My failure to take care of my parents...
...is the biggest regret in my life.
All shopkeepers and employees here...
...are like my older and younger brothers.
Your parents are like my parents.
It'll be New Year soon.
I'd like to kowtow to the parents...
...on behalf of my brothers.
May you all stay healthy and safe!
Sit down. -Stand up.
Stand up, children. -Stand up.
Now, I'd like to have a toast with my brothers!
Good! -How can I drink with a cup...
...when I drink with my brothers?
Give it to me.
Good! -We'll use bowls too!
You all are the shopkeepers of our companies...
...Wu Family's shareholders and most importantly, my brothers.
To the shopkeepers, I have only one thing to say.
You have my unconditional trust.
To the shareholders, I have only one thing to say.
Come rain or shine, we are on the same boat.
To my brothers, I have only one thing to say.
May we share all our happiness and sadness!
Cheers! -Cheers!
Good! Jmpressive!
Good!
Madam Ying, since you treat us as your brothers...
...we won't let you down!
We'll keep up the good work and make more money next year!
Right! -Make more money!
Madam Ying, from now on, I will serve Wu Family forever!
I'll always be at your service!
Madam Ying, please rest assured.
We will be even more diligent next year.
We will take Wu Family's business to a new level!
Good! -Good!
Father. Mother. Cheers.
Come. Let's have a toast. -Come.
Cheers. -Cheers.
Good wine.
Dear parents!
Dear shopkeepers and employees!
Have you had your fill? -Yes!
Have you drunken enough? -Yes!
We drank too much!
Madam Ying prepared one last dish for you all!
It's time to serve it! -Alright!
Serve the dish!
Do you all like this dish? -Yes!
This is such a valuable dish! -Valuable?
Something even more valuable is coming your way!
There's something even more valuable for us?
Serve the second dish! -Hurry up!
What's the second dish?
Some time ago...
...Jingyang reconstructed the Temple of Confucius...
...and Madam Ying donated a lot of money for that!
Not in her name, but your names!
The note you received is the inscription on tablet...
...to commemorate the reconstruction of the temple!
Your names are on it!
Look. My name is on it.
Is yours on it too? -Yes.
The gold is your reward for this year's hard work!
The renovation of the Temple of Confucius...
...is a great deed that will benefit the community...
...and the future generation!
This is the most valuable New Year gift from Madam Ying!
This is a great deed.
I can't find anything to complain about.
Madam Ying is generous and honourable!
We are utterly impressed!
From now on, be it in business or personal matters...
...we will do anything at all for Madam Ying!
Anything at all!
Thank you, Madam Ying! Thank you, Wu Family!
Father. Wu Pin.
New Year is around the corner.
I came to light up the oil lamp for you.
Wu Pin.
Can you hear the laughter outside?
Father, do you find it noisy?
Wu Pin.
Do you still remember? Back then, we said to...
...make Wu Family of the east mansion successful...
...and expand our business to all corners of that map.
Now, listen carefully.
This year, we made a total of 4 million taels.
Wu Family of the east mansion is successful now.
You and father must be happy.
Everyone is happy.
But, I...
Wu Pin.
Ever since you left...
...all happiness has been fleeting...
...and all sadness...
...has been long and endless.
Just like now.
Even though I sold lots of goods...
...and made lots of money...
I...
...can't seem to feel happy at all.