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

Guangzhou 1930s

The water of the Pearl River runs deep

Qing Dynasty is gone forever

because the heroic revolutionaries have overthrown the corrupt Qing court

A new regime often brings about chaos

While the fight among the warlords

has turned China upside down

Guangzhou remains peaceful and prosperous

and life goes on in every trade

This is the wealthy Upper Jiu Lu

but it's not as bustling as Lower Jiu Lu

There's a saying about the Upper and Lower Jiu Lu

where all walks of life come to show off

People show off dried vegetables or cotton quilts

Others show off bird cages and their clout

Like the coolies say, always keep a bamboo pole handy

Look at this high class department store

where rich ladies show off their wealth

rickshaw men can only show off their muscles

Those in black...those in white

everyone is showing off

They're all after an easy life

From all corners

people rush to Guangzhou for a living

thinking there's money everywhere

Better yet, get your hands on 4 wheels

Who doesn't want to own a car?

Have a roof over your head and food in your stomach

This family has more than that

People get in line to send them gifts

Who are they?

The rich and powerful Tong family

Thank you, Mr Wong

Miss Wun, Brother Chai...

Miss Wun...

Is everything alright?

Yes, Miss Wun

The Foks started out in the silk trade

Master Wong is the largest antique dealer in the country

The Foks must have sent the Xiang Embroidery

while the gilded Buddha should be from Master Wong

I'm sorry, Miss Wun!

There were too many gifts, they got mixed up

You can mess up other things, but not etiquette

Imagine we followed this record and send the wrong item back

we'd become the laughing stock

Hip Wo Hong's 100th anniversary is coming up

There'll be more gifts coming in

you must all be on your toes

Yes, Miss Wun

This is not their job

Why didn't anyone supervise them?

Where is Auntie Cheung?

Here she is...

Auntie Cheung!

Looking for me, Miss Wun?

Where were you at this crucial hour?

Madam Hing wanted me to get a barber

She just got a perm yesterday

Yes, but it fell apart when she woke up this morning

She wanted me to find a barber right away

You must be hungry

I'll fetch you some dim sum

No, get me a pair of blue high heels

I got mud all over these when I inspected the factory this morning

I need to change them before I inspect the other shops

Very well!

Miss Wun...

Wait here!

Miss Wun...

Miss Wun!

Miss Wun!

Show me the soya sauce Yes

Miss Wun!

Get back to work

Brother Fook! Miss Wun!

Brother Fook! Brother Chai!

Are you working too hard?

No, nothing compared to you

Thanks to you, my son got into Tsinghua University

That's excellent!

Nobody in our village had much schooling

Now my son's brought honor to the family

Thank you so much

All thanks to your letter of recommendation to the President

You've worked for us for so long

you're like family to me

Thank you so much, Miss Wun

I told myself I'll make more dishes for Sheung Pun Lau

We'll let you get back to work

Sure! Thank you!

Miss Wun!

Show me the books

Yes, Miss Wun

This is last month's inventory

Tong Yuk-hing

Madam Hing!

Auntie Hing!

Miss Wun!

Madam Hing!

You're early! Month end is tomorrow!

I have a meeting in Shamin tomorrow

I might not get back in time

Lucky I'm here today

or Master Chan, Master Chiu and Master Yu wouldn't get a VIP room

and they'd turn around and complain again

I run Sheung Pun Lau

What's wrong with saving the VIP rooms for friends and relatives?

People are always queuing up to get in

I'm not worried about business

Have a seat, Madam Hing!

True! With Brother Fook is our chef

even if the customers complain

they'll still come back for his cooking

Why should I worry?

No wonder you sleep till noon every day

and set your hair before coming down here

Tong Pak-nin, playboy

Tong Siu-yip, playboy

Master Nin! Master Yip!

You're all here!

Master Nin!

Nga-wun, you're early!

Looks like you had a good time

Where were you last night?

I met Master Cheung at Yee Hung Boat to discuss a small business deal

Business is important

but father and son should not show up at such a place at the same time

We don't want people to get the wrong idea!

You're mistaken, Sis

We never go together

Father was at Yee Hung Boat

I went to Lotus Hamlet

We were at different places last night

We know better than to show up together

Yes, we plan to get something to eat

then go home and take a nap

You look exhausted

Should we ask Brother Fook to make you a tonic?

Great! You're so thoughtful!

Tell him to make me ginseng soup

That should sober us up

Ginseng's not enough!

Definitely! Put in tiger's penis

Stew pig's brain and heart of course

It'll be month end soon

You should figure out how to pay off the winery and Flowers Department Store

plus the advance you took out from Accounts

See? You gave her an excuse!

Me?

Miss Wun, we gave Master Chan a room

Any other empty rooms on the second floor?

Only Azalea Room which is reserved for Brother Lung of Cheung Tai Gang

That's alright, I know

Miss Wun, you have an appointment with Brother Lung

It's almost time to go

Miss Tong, have a seat!

Brother Lung, gang leader

Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Tong

You want to discuss renewing our contract?

My men kept peace for Hip Wo Hong on Upper and Lower Jiu Lu

The Tongs have enjoyed safety and prosperity all these years

Our management contract is up for renewal

The new year is coming

Should you require our services

it's time to increase the protection fee

I suppose a raise is reasonable

How much do you have in mind?

I like your decisiveness! $80K

That's outrageous!

Brother Chai

I pay you $40K a year

Asking for double is way too greedy!

The protection fee is small change

It means nothing to Hip Wo Hong

A flat in Xiguan only costs a few thousand

Without us, Hip Wo Hong would have no peace on Upper and Lower Jiu Lu

Cheung Tai only looks after Upper and Lower Jiu Lu

What about our factories in Dongshan, Henan and Shamin?

Plus all the shops in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau

If I increase your fee

I must increase the fee for other gangs

That's not my problem!

Hip Wo Hong made a lot of money because of Cheung Tai

Don't pull the plank after you cross the river

Yes, business deals should be for long term

Insatiable greed will scare away the customers

I treated Cheung Tai well

In addition to the protection fee

A VIP room is reserved for you year-round at Sheung Pun Lau

serving 4 meals a day for 2 tables

with unlimited supply of tea, wine and cigarettes

30 days a month, 12 months a year

Since when have I charged you for that?

Paying double protection fee is out of the question

So we don't have a deal?

If Cheung Tai can't help you

no other gang can

I needn't trouble yourself over that

Thanks for your patronage