It's a joy to learn the classics...
A gentleman is frank and open,
a villain is secretive.
A gentleman cares about justice, a villain cares about gains.
Li, no sound? Where are you?
Greetings, Crown Princess!
We tried so hard to look for you!
Do you recognise me? I'm Little Li,
the eunuch on your wedding entourage. Cut!
Which team are you on? We are at work!
My two brothers and I stayed and waited just to get you back to Great Ming!
Get out or we're calling Security!
Crown Princess! Come with me to see General Yuan and Minister Zuo!
Crown Princess! You have some unspeakable reason? Just tell me!
Go! Or we'll have Security take you in.
Brother Li, did you see the Crown Princess?
Where are you?
Brother Li, tell me! Where are you?
Brother Yuan, Brother Zuo, come to the studio!
I saw the Crown Princess!
Where is the Crown Princess?
Did you see her? Where is she?
I was so useless. I did see her at the studio.
But it seems she's being threatened and dared not acknowledge me.
Outrageous! How dare anyone threaten the Crown Princess?
I am going to take his head!
Brother! Let's check things out first.
It may do the Princess more harm if we're too rash.
Brothers, it's this man!
Gentleman, the lady you're holding hostage is an important figure.
We have been waiting for her for some time.
Can you let us see her?
What are you talking about?
Don't you pretend! It's that lady in the studio!
Sir, please grant us this favour.
I will pay you back later!
First, I am not holding that lady hostage.
I am her manager. I get her jobs.
Second, before we took this advertising job,
it's agreed she won't meet any fans.
OK? Got it? Don't disturb us now.
High-paying job for chef!
Room and board and good money!
High-paying job for chef!
Room and board and good money!
High-paying job for chef!
Room and board and good money!
Cut!
Sandy, we'll fix the lights.
A 20-minute break.
Sure.
Thank you. I'll touch up my makeup...
Crown Princess...
Crown Princess, I am General Yuan! I am Zuo Guangdou!
It took us a lot of effort to come to you...
Crown Princess...
Why did they call you "Crown Princess"?
What was my last role in a drama?
Crown Princess.
Fans these days can get so obsessed.
Terry, didn't I say I was not meeting any fans today?
Drive them away!
Sure... I'll fix it.
Crown Princess...
Let me... Guys, stop stirring trouble here
or I'll call Public Security.
Brother, bear with it.
Sis Ha said Public Security means constables in the Ming Dynasty.
If they take us back to the yamen, we'll be in trouble.
Gentleman, the three of us went through a lot of hardship coming to Foshan.
Please grant us a favour and let us see the Crown Princess.
I really don't know you.
How can I grant you any favour?
Now, if you really want to see her,
it's easy. Do you have money? $3,000 each.
Join Sandy's fan club
and you can take pictures, shake hands and get her autograph. Alright?
Allow me... What is a "FAAN Cup"?
Fans club. So, do you have money?
If you don't, stop making a fuss here.
Wait!
We'll join the FAAN Cup.
High-paying job for chef! Room and board and good money!
Room and board and good money...
(Foot Spa and Massage)
Oh please, Stooges! Save your breath! Come on!
You just came a few days ago and you want an advance?
And for $9,000! Am I Guan Yin to you? What about I lend you $900 billion?
I didn't chase you for the petty cash you owe me, so stop pestering me!
Go away! Go!
Go change!
Sister Ha, we promise you,
we'll work hard to pay you back.
$9,000 is not a small sum.
What about we write you an IOU?
If you don't lend us the money,
we can't get into the FAAN Cup.
Then we can't see the Crown Princess.
What "FAAN Cup"?
The fans' club. Once we're in,
we can shake hands with our idol
and get an autographed poster.
You Three Stooges!
You barely worked a week here and you're chasing an idol?
Want to borrow $9,000 for that too?
I don't even have 90 cents for you!
Help us, just once! Please...
Please, we'll work hard and pay you back as soon as we can...
Sis Ha...
Come here.
She's here, Director.
Director!
Get him over here.
He looks alright.
Oh... Tai-Kwan, come here.
Director...
Turn around.
Turn! Come on.
His built is not bad, better than those before.
Let's try him.
Can you do a somersault?
Tai-Kwan knows kung fu.
Somersault or even running on rooftops is nothing to him. Right?
Tai-Kwan? We have a scene...
Sis Ha, think about it...
Listen to the Director!
...You jump from the second floor.
$3,000. OK?
$3,000? Just for a jump? Not a problem! I'll jump as many times as you want!
Let him try on the costume.
OK... Sis Ha, come here.
Thank you, Director.
Brother Zuo, Brother Li, the Director wants me to play a double for $3,000!
We don't get $9,000 but at least one of us can join the FAAN Cup and see the Princess.
Try it on.
Sis Ha, what film are they doing tomorrow?
Mo Tsung's Adventure at the Lion Pavilion
You'll play Mo Tsung's... target... whom he kicked off the building... Poon Gum Lin.
Outrageous! It's such an insult!
I am Commandant of Great Ming's Imperial Guards.
How can I dress as a woman, and the most adulterous one, Poon Gum Lin?
How can I face the hundred thousand men under me?
Brother Zuo, Brother Li, do I make sense here?
I joined my shifu's school when I was eight.
The first thing he said was I must stand tall as a man.
I left home and joined Department Six when I was 16.
My father said the same: I must stand tall as a man!
Now for money, I have to sink low as this.
How can I face my father?
How can I face my shifu again?
Brother Zuo, you are a scholar
and you know about reason and decency.
You should see how I feel.
A big man knows when he must bend.
I think you should put the big picture first
I believe your father and your shifu's spirits in Heaven would not blame you.
I don't want to wear a woman's bellyband.
Han Xin suffered humiliation crawling between someones legs,
but who'd dare say he's not a hero?
Put down your pride, Brother.
I don't want to play Poon Gum Lin!
I swear by the moon, when we go back to Ming
I will not tell anyone about you dressing up as Poon Gum Lin in a bellyband,
or I will be struck by thunder!
Brother Li, take your vow too.
Li, what are you doing?
Brother, you don't need to force yourself to play Poon Gum Lin.
This restaurant called Fung Ming Gui is hiring a chef.
They pay $12,000 a month, too!
With my skills learn at Palace Delicacies,
it shouldn't be hard for me to win the job!
The pay for a month can get us three into the FAAN Cup!
We'll count on you, Brother.
We'll count on you!
Director, sorry... Sandy is tired. How much longer will it take?
Just one more shot.
Sandy's hand will wave above the dishes
and we're done.
That's all?
Don't you think something's missing,
like a close up on Sandy?
The theme of this commercial is delicacies by the Dynasty Group.
If we focused on Sandy,
it might steal their thunder.
How could that be?
Sandy has been their spokesperson for two years.
Dynasty equals Sandy, and Sandy equals Dynasty.
How would she steal their thunder?
I'll think about it.
General Yuan, Minister Zuo, Little Li, where are you?
Minister Zuo, General Yuan, Little Li,
where are you?
Crown Princess...
Sandy, what is it? A nightmare again?
It's OK.
Ceci, I want some fresh air.
Keep this for me.
Let me go with you.
That's OK. I'll go on my own.
Oh...
Go for it, Siu-Tung! You'll make it!
You're such a good cook. They'll hire you.
Go for it...
We are confident in your cooking.
Just keep it up.
The exam will be too easy for you!
I will report to His Majesty about your great work
and have you promoted as Director of Palace Delicacies.
Thank you, Brother Yuan. Thank you, Brother Zuo.
Siu-Tung, keep this phone.
Give us the good news once you finish the exam.
Remember the phone number?
Yes. Thank you, Sister Ha.
Be smart!
Brother Yuan, Brother Zuo, wait for my good news.
Go for it! Go for it, Siu-Tung...
It's Fung Ming Gui's chef recruitment day in Foshan today.
Fung Ming Gui has been open for 43 years,
offering a mix of Zhejiang and Cantonese cuisines.
For your contest today, we have picked a simple dish:
Stir fried vegetables with beef.
You will have 20 minutes to complete it.
The contest begins now.
Sir, how can I help you?
Excuse me, but I'm here for the exam.
For the chef recruitment day?
Just take the lift to the function room on 4th floor.
Pardon me... Take the what?
Well... follow me... This way please.
Sir, this lift takes you to the 4th floor.
Sir, you have to press "4" to make it move.
"4"?
Let me help you.
Please note: 5 minutes left.
Are you alright, Sir?
Who's this? Where are you? Come out!
Please calm down. We'll be right there for you.
Where are you? Don't be sneaky!
Don't scare me!
Time's up! Stop, please!
Thanks for the hard work.
Please go back for a rest.
We'll taste your dishes,
and get back to you once we have the results
Thank you so much.
So? What about contestant No.1?
Alright. Get it.
Well? Contestant No.2?
OK. Your face says it.
Want to spit it out?
Who is it?
Are you alright, Sir?
The lift stopped just now.
You didn't press the alarm
so it took us a while to find out you're here.
Let me help you to the lobby for a rest.
Careful...
I want to go to the 4th floor, for the chef recruitment.
But that event is over.
What?
Excuse me, gentleman...
I'm here for the chef recruitment.
What recruitment? We've finished already.
Come next time!
Honey, you didn't see Chi's face.
She shook her head when she tried the first dish
and pulled a long face tasting the second.
She'll soon give up.
Are you the boss of Fung Ming Gui?
I can cook. Please give me a chance!
I told you it's over. Come next time.
I've worked at the Directorate of Palace Delicacies. I'm good at imperial cuisine.
Go away! I'm on the phone. Troublesome!
I'll show you right now.
With the ingredients left,
I can prepare a Dazhu Gansi for you.
If we can't find a chef,
Fung Ming Gui won't hold on for long.
Honey, the name Fung Ming Gui should still worth something.
We should just sell it.
This is a Huaiyang dish.
Its ingredients are simple, but emperors of Ming all loved it.
I remember Emperor Taizu saying
this dish is light but not bland,
soothing but not too rich, fresh but not flashy.
Alright, let's talk later.
I'll tell you something when I get back.
Alright... Bye!
You're still here?
Messing with our things too? What's wrong with you?
Boss, if you don't like my dish after you've tasted it, I'll go.
Stew it for 15 minutes and it's ready.
Security!
What is it, Mr Wan?
This guy is making trouble...
"stew... whatever... for 15 minutes"... Send him out!
Please leave, Sir.
Boss, please give me 15 minutes.
I can prove I'm not lying.
It doesn't matter how many minutes I give you. You were late so you're out!
I don't care how good you are, I won't hire you, know that?
Now throw him out!
If you won't leave, we're calling Public Security.
What kind of man is this? Go!
Please!
What a pain!
Go!
Go! Stop making trouble!
Tai-Kwan, Yat-Bo, it's Siu-Tung!
Thank you, Sis Ha.
How was the exam, Li? Did it go well?
I'm sorry, Brother Yuan. I'm sorry, Brother Zuo.
I have failed you.
I was distracted by the lift of the modern day,
and I missed the exam.
I am so useless!
I have failed you, my brothers.
I have failed the Crown Princess.
I deserve to die!
Brother Li missed the exam time. He didn't take part.
Li, this is Brother Zuo. Stop blaming yourself.
King Goujian also slept on sticks and tasted gall.
Han's Emperor Gaozu suffered defeat at Sui River.
Which hero in history hasn't suffered defeats at all?
Fung Ming Gui is not blessed enough to hire you.
Brother, don't be upset.
Let me find the money for the FAAN Cup.
Thank you, Big Brother.
Sis Ha, the director wanted me to play double.
Have they filmed that scene yet?
What?
Please tell the director, I will play... Poon Gum Lin!
What's wrong with Uncle Tai? He left the stove on!
Wow!
Chi, this is Dazhu Gansi.
It's Grandpa's special imperial dish.
The ingredients may be simple,
but it's not easy to make it tasty.
Yummy!
Chi, you're hungry?
Let me order something for you.
Uncle, who made this?
How would I know?
It's Dazhu Gansi, Grandpa and Mom used to make it a lot.
It's this flavour! Who made this?
There was no one around...
Oh, there was this tall and slim kid.
He was here for the recruitment.
He insisted on cooking.
He was late, so I asked him to go away.
But he insisted... He made this.
Where's this kid?
He's gone.
Sir, the guy playing double as Poon Gum Lin is my big brother.
Could you line more carton boxes here?
It's just three floors.
It can't be safer.
Which department are you? Stay out of the way.
Sorry, shifu!
Sorry about that! Ask him to step away...
It's OK! Let Tai-Kwan quickly jump and it's done. Am I right?
You know your brother can do it, right?
Relax!
Director, the body double's here.
Don't let the camera catch your face.
OK?
Wah, show him how to do it.
OK. Now, Poon Gum Lin,
Mo Tsung will approach, speak to you
slap you in the face and then kick you.
You'll crash through the railing and fall downstairs.
There are carton boxes down there, so it's very safe. OK?
Alright, everyone get ready!
Go ahead.
Brother, please hit me with all your might.
I know kung fu, so I can take it.
I just want it done quickly. Please!
OK.
3,2, 1... Action!
You adulterous woman!
You got my brother killed!
I'll make you pay for it!
Cut! This shot is OK.
Prepare for the next one!
Brother, are you alright?
Are you alright? Are you hurt?
I am hurt, not in the body,
but in my heart.
I hope my father and shifu's spirits in Heaven
will understand I was only forced to do this.
I will kowtow in apology to them in front of their graves later!
Brother, I'll remember the humiliation we suffered today.
When we go back to Ming Dynasty,
I will make that eunuch, Zhang Cheng, pay for it ten times!
Brother Zuo, wrong calculation.
You and Brother Li counted,
I'll make him pay for it 1,000 times!
Is it that one? In the black Windbreaker?
He's not like that. He's like... that...
Uncle, is that the one?
Calm down, Chi!
I'm very good at recognising faces, OK?
I'll know if I see him, OK?
Now calm down!
I'll count on you for hiring the chef.
Driver! Go a couple of rounds more in this street.
Brother, you're good with words
and you're clever.
Here's $3,000. You join the FAAN Cup.
When you see the Crown Princess,
ask her what actually happened,
why she's treating us like strangers
and if someone's threatening her.
Rest assured, I will not fail you.
Driver, turn around...
Turn around...
You saw the chef?
No! I saw the guy who molested me that day.
Yes, yes... Hurry...
Don't you run, rascal!
Hurry! Don't go, you! Stop!
This woman is giving me trouble again.
Driver, please go faster.
Brother, who is this young woman?
Why don't we go clarify things with her to avoid future trouble?
This woman is so unreasonable.
Every time she sees me she wants to take me to the yamen.
I'd better avoid her.
Stop!
Driver, can you go faster please?
Don't go, you rascal!
Hey... Don't go, you rascal!
Can't go any further.
Go!
Stop!
Hold it right there!
Outflank them!
They're so fast!
Where are they?
I don't know.
Forget it. Let's just leave it.
What do you mean?
Someone took advantage of your niece.
Don't let me see him again.
I won't let him off easy.
Alright... Go!
Hey, I think he really went that way!
OK.
Brother, what to do?
We can't let him take our $3,000.
But if we go down there, the woman will take me to the yamen.
Sis Ha said, being who we are, we can't go to the yamen.
I got us into this mess,
and I got into trouble with that woman.
If we can't join the FAAN Cup, I promise,
I will find the Crown Princess.
Brother, why don't we go down first.
OK...
Such a horrible script and you want me to take it?
Empress Luzhi.
How come I'm not playing the empress but Hiu-hung is?
You find her a better actress than I am?
Of course not!
As I said, your schedule clashed.
So they gave you a guest role.
Well in fact as princess,
you have important parts.
To appear in just a couple of scenes, that's not a role, but an extra.
No matter how much drama is involved,
an extra is an extra.
Now listen, you two.
I make the money to feed you.
If you get me killed, you'll die under my dead body.
I know, OK...
How come the tea's not hot?
I'll change it.
Miss Wong, I'm sorry I'm late.
Director, the script you gave me yesterday.
I finished reading it last night.
Your script is so well-written!
Although I only get to appear in two scenes
I really find it a challenging role.
Thank you for giving me this great part.
Terry, I want to put more time into doing this well.
Why don't you turn down the TV variety show?
Did I say I'd let you take this job?
Director Ma, I have read the script.
There's no space for Sandy's acting.
So you want her to be an extra, to highlight Hiu-hung?
As I said before, Sandy is a guest this time
An extra. That's what it is.
Who is Hiu-hung anyway?
You're saying she's a better actress?
Just let it be, Terry!
Sis Hiu-hung is my senior.
I want to learn from her anyway.
It's OK to play second fiddle.
Let me handle this.
We invested a lot to make Sandy a star.
Now you're making her an extra?
That's game over for her!
Anyway, I'm not taking this job.
Till next time.
Let's go, Sandy.
Oh... OK.
Terry, think about it.
Sorry about that.
Terry, if you can't read a script, get someone to read it for you.
I don't want to see such crappy scripts or crappy directors again.
That hurts my mood.
Sure, I'll remember that. Get in the car.
What's wrong with you?
Is he crazy?
You two get off. Drive him away!
OK...
Why stand there? Get lost!
Help!
What are you doing?
Help! Put me down! Are you crazy? Help!
Greetings, Crown Princess.
It was a critical situation.
We gave you a scare. Please forgive us!
I remember you!
Why bring me here, mad heads? Want to kidnap me?
Crown Princess, we are not mad. We are your subjects.
General Yuan, Minister Zuo, and me, Little Li.
Have you forgotten about us?
That day we were escorting you to the Forbidden City,
but Chief Zhang Cheng sent for our lives
and we lost contact in the misty forest.
You must have done what we did and traveled 400 years to here.
Crown Princess, have you forgotten us
or have you some unspeakable reason?
That manager's threatening you and won't let us acknowledge each other?
Crown Princess, I promised the Crown Prince to take you back to the palace in safety.
I swear to Heaven, even if I had to die,
I must accomplish my mission and take you back to the Ming Dynasty.
We'll get imperial physicians to cure you.
Crown Princess...
How dare you! Stand there!
You think I have forgotten everything?
I remember it all!
General Yuan, Minister Zuo, Little Li,
On your knees!
Contain your anger, Highness.
I didn't want to acknowledge you because I had other plans.
It concerns the future of the state!
You forcibly took me here.
You could ruin things for me!
Do you know your guilt?
We're punishable by death!
I was planning to complete the mission
before I contacted you!
Why couldn't you wait?
I am really mad!
I beg your pardon... Highness...
Highness...
Don't go! Crown Princess...
Crown Princess!
Stand there! On your knees!
I told you I have a special mission.
Why follow me?
I am so mad! I want to punish you!
Reflect on your guilt here until midday tomorrow.
Without my permission,
you are not to make a sound or stand up!
Your faces are making me so mad!
Then we lost her! Sir, please help find her...
Sandy! Oh you gave me such a scare!
Are you alright? Are you hurt?
I'm back and of course I'm fine.
Oh, yes.
Sir! This is Miss Wong.
Miss Wong, please tell me what happened when you were taken away.
There must be some misunderstanding. I wasn't taken hostage.
Those were just my fans.
Terry, you and the officers...
I get it. Go get some rest.
Sir...
Sandy, that guy couldn't be one of your fans
I don't the media to write their own stories
Just get Terry to book the first train back to Hong Kong.
I don't want to stay here.
Sure.
Mr Cheung, I mean it.
If I can't find that young chef,
my restaurant will have to close.
Just give me some help.
Let me see the CCTV footage.
Sorry, Miss Fong, that's against the rules.
I know. I just need the first few minutes of that...
Well, Brother Li, your knees hurt?
Bear with it a bit longer. It's almost midday.
It's not my body but my heart that's aching.
That day when we were escorting the Crown Princess to the palace,
she wouldn't even raise her voice.
How come she's totally changed?
The Crown Princess said it. She's on an unspeakable mission.
She couldn't help it.
As subjects, we should understand.
I've known the Crown Princess from when we were kids.
I've never seen her losing her temper.
If she didn't look exactly the same as the Princess,
I'd never believe she's the Guo Qian I know.
You're thinking too much.
The Crown Princess is bending herself.
She changed her name to Wong Yi-San,
to complete a secret mission for Great Ming.
As her subjects, we shouldn't doubt her.
That's disrespectful.
You know, I can punish you in my capacity as Commandant.
I am sorry, Big Brother.
Sister Ha?
You Stooges! What are you doing here?
You didn't come home and for what? Praying to the gods?
Are you crazy?
Get up! We have to start work at 9:00 am.
Come on!
Sis Ha, it's not midday yet and we can't leave.
What about... we take leave today?
There's still a few hours before midday.
Half a day's leave will do.
No leaves! None! Want a good treat by me or what?
Or you want a sedan chair to carry you before you'd work?
Come on!
You won't move? Alright...
Hey... You carry these stinky stooges to the changing room.
Do it well and breakfast is on me!
Yes!
Come on, Tai-Kwan!
Come on!
I am not going!
I want to stay!
I want to stay...
Chi, don't say I'm spoiling it for you
but you can't post some bills and find the guy.
Be practical.
Listen to me, hurry home and talk to your dad.
See what we should do if we can't find a head chef for Fung Ming Gui.
Uncle, post these at the back street.
You are always so headstrong.
You're good with figures, but you may not work everything out every time.
Fung Ming Gui was left to my Mom by Grandpa.
My Mom left it to me.
Who is in charge now?
You.
Hey... The phone.
What?
If I don't see you posting the bills at the back, forget about your phone.
Sticky tape.
Here's a bill. Have I seen it before?
Looks familiar.
Gentlemen, you've seen this man?
Where have we seen him?
Oh... That's Siu-Tung. We work together for Sister Ha.