The Day of Days (Chaw M Kai Si Lok / 初五启市录 / 初五啟市錄)

Wong Chun-bong is elected Chairman of the Joint Management Committee

There's a small group of people in Guangzhou

accusing the Tongs of being rich but unkind

They're inciting people to protest the Tongs

This seems to be an organized and well planned act against the Tongs

Someone reported that Hip Wo Hong has filed false returns to evade taxes

The Inland Revenue Department suddenly came to check the accounts

It doesn't seem to be so simple

We're in trouble

The accounts of Sheung Pun Lau and the winery are so messy

Last time Master Nin thought he was close with the officials

so he didn't file a tax return for some wine from Shanghai

Also, some directors of Hip Wo Hong bought a piece of land in Henan earlier

It hasn't been entered in the ledger So we haven't paid land tax

The IRD might query that

Hip Wo Hong runs so many businesses It's too late to fix the omissions now

There are so many directors We Tongs have so many people

All of them think it's OK to evade a little bit of tax

They think we have connections so no one will query us

Now the IRD's after us. There'll be trouble

Actually nine out of ten merchants in Guangzhou evade tax too

Why are they picking on Hip Wo Hong? Could this be related to the riots earlier?

That's possible

Looking back, it's obvious that someone is behind this

First there were the ringleaders spreading rumors to incite the people against us

It then caused chaos in Guangzhou

We became the target

Then they played by the book and checked our accounts

This is so meticulously planned

it seems this person really hates the Tongs It has to be Wong Chun-bong

I think so too

Now that he's the chairman of the Joint Management Committee

No one in the government would dare oppose him

It seems there's only one solution

Miss Wun, what brings you here?

Sheung Pun Lau bought some hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake

They're really nice. I know you're a gourmand of crabs

So I brought some for you to try

There's also two pots of old yellow wine for you too

I do love Yangcheng Lake's hairy crabs Thank you very much

You're welcome

Please have a seat

OK Thank you

There must be a reason for your visit How can I help?

You're really smart, Sis Mei-ling I'll be direct then

There's a misunderstanding between IRD and Hip Wo Hong

I was hoping you could mediate for us

I see. I really like helping friends

As long as I'm able I will offer my help

But this time it's the government that wants to do this

I'm really in no position to say anything

You're so modest. Given your status who wouldn't give you face?

You have too high a regard of me I don't mind speaking for you

But I'm afraid it will be futile

We all know that the bigger your business in Guangzhou

the more likely there will be gray dealings

You really understand

We always remind our directors and employees that

they must observe the law in doing business

Too bad some of them wouldn't listen

It was too late when I realized Now we're even being audited by IRD

Some people are even taking advantage of this to ruin the Hip Wo Hong's reputation

Anyway it was reported in Guangzhou's newspapers these past couple of days

that people demonstrated and caused turmoil everywhere

The root cause is the Tongs

It's not an opportune moment for me to speak for you at this juncture

The people would easily treat me as their enemy

Actually someone smeared Hip Wo Hong deliberately during the riots

They incited people to take part in the demonstrations

They picked on the Tongs on purpose

I understand. But the mayor is still in hospital

I need to look after him every day

I don't have the strength to find out who's right or wrong

I'm not in the mood either

to study the problems between businessmen and the government

I'm sorry to have bothered you, Sis Mei-ling

Nga-wun, this is your fault. Why did you help that loser Director Chu?

Now we're in trouble. Who will help us now?

The government has the right to check our accounts

We just need to rectify Hip Wo Hong's accounts

Rectify? It's easier said than done

Who doesn't evade taxes in business?

Is there an official who doesn't take bribes?

Why aren't they checking other people but just us?

Right

See? This is your fault, Nga-wun

You're inexperienced and impulsive Now you've caused us trouble

Enough. You all failed to keep clear accounts

But now you're putting the blame on Sis Wun You blaming her for everything

This is ridiculous

Enough. What nonsense are you talking about?

You're the youngest in the family

You guys are the most unreasonable

Enough. We're family. Just knock it off

Since we're family, we should get this sorted out

We could become collateral damage I suggest breaking up Hip Wo Hong

There won't be trouble then

Auntie Hing, what do you mean?

I mean break up Hip Wo Hong We each manage our respective businesses

It won't make us such an easy target

So you want to divide up the family assets?

Yes

We can discuss calmly. We're family All our problems can be sorted out

Mr Sung, are you entitled to call yourself a member of our family?

Brother Wo is better qualified to be a member of our family

than those who only care about themselves

So you mean we're not members of the family Our last names are Tong

Aren't we Tongs? Divide up the assets You're siding with an outsider

Divide up the assets, OK? No way

We won't divide up the assets I will deal with this

Don't ever mention dividing up the assets again

What kind of attitude is that?

How can she talk to us like that? We're her elders

Sit down and talk about it

Miss Wun, please have some tea

Thank you

Are you sure you want to do this?

What else can I do? I have to take my chances

Perhaps this will get Hip Wo Hong a break

Nanjing

Dad is holding a meeting with several secretaries. You need to wait

Please have a seat Thank you

I'm flattered that you're entertaining us personally

The Executive Branch never leaves our guests feeling slighted

It's just basic courtesy But I'm not so sure about other places

Nanjing is above and beyond other places which can't compare at all

Last time I went to Guangzhou in a hurry

Lucky I still got a chance to meet your mayor

But people from Guangzhou seldom come to Nanjing

The Executive Branch is a very important department of the nation

We're just ordinary citizens of Guangzhou Why would we come here so casually?

You've actually come with a purpose, right?

We have some problems concerning our business

We want to seek the vice-president's advice

You must be Miss Tong

Dad, This is Miss Tong Nga-wun chairwoman of Guangzhou's Hip Wo Hong

This is Mr Wong Wing-chai

This is vice-president Auyeung of the Executive Branch

Hello vice-president Auyeung

Nice to meet you

Hello. Please have a seat

Thank you

I owe it to Boss Yue of Shanghai for referring me to you

Yue is my good friend So you're my friend too, Miss Tong

What can I do for you?

There's a misunderstanding between Hip Wo Hong and the government

over some taxation issues

I've tried very hard to explain but without success

You're a sensible person, vice-president

If you'll say a few good words for us, I believe there could be room for negotiation

If it's a misunderstanding it can definitely be resolved

Let me find out what's going on first I'll decide what to do in a few days

The Investigation Bureau has received the intel you sent from Guangzhou earlier

They're dealing with it right now

Is there something new this time so that you have to come?

Correct. Guangzhou's mayor is still hospitalized

His condition should be quite serious

Pay attention to all the changes in the situation in Guangzhou

Of all the provinces and cities they're the most difficult to deal with

Yes, sir. The report mentioned

there was a small scale riot after the mayor was shot

The citizens were really unhappy with the Tongs exploiting them in business

They went to the Tongs' shops to demonstrate

They even vandalized the shops

The mob didn't have discipline They were very fragmented

The slogans they used were so odd

The person who planned this was up to something

But he was terrible in the execution

You're really smart, vice-president

But the farce was suppressed by the government quickly

Well, I know Tong Nga-wun has come to see you

I want to know what's going on

After I had heard what she said I thought it very unusual

I need to get a better understanding of the situation

Miss Wun, Assistant Secretary Auyeung is coming...Assistant Secretary Auyeung

Please have a seat, Assistant Secretary

Do you like monkey-picked tea?

No, thanks I've just come to relay a message

Has the vice-president figured out a way to help us?

He wants to thank you for your donation but it won't be needed now

The money's wired back to Hip Wo Hong in Guangzhou

Why?

He said he managed to raise enough funds from other sources

OK. Thank you for your trouble then

The vice-president said it's inconvenient for Nanjing to get involved in local issues

I hope you understand

Sure I do

Please excuse me then

Guangzhou

What's the matter?

Miss Tong Nga-wun, Mr Wong Wing-chai this is an arrest warrant

We suspect you both of serious tax evasion

You're under arrest

Guangzhou Police Department

Miss Tong, someone's here to visit you

How are you, sis? Did they torture you? I've talked to counsel Cheung

But the police are refusing bail no matter how much we're willing to pay

I don't know what to do

Silly girl. Don't cry It hurts me to see you cry

What happened? Our relationship with the police has always been really good